Crossover Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Sailor Moon Online: Hollow Fragment ❯ Revealing One’s True Face ( Chapter 24 )

Well, the excitement and drama as well as the humor and romance don’t seem to stop with this story, huh? I know that I have said this before, but the grand finale of this story is getting closer and if you are a fan or at least read my Sailor Moon Online story, then you have an idea what may be coming up, however, you might be surprised that while your ideas might be right, they will come in a way that you haven’t expected at all. You are going to have to read on and find out what I mean everyone!

 

I DO NOT OWN Sailor Moon, Sword Art Online, Accel World, Digimon series, Yu-Gi-Oh R/GX/5Ds/Zexal/Arc-V, Kingdom Hearts, One Piece, Final Fantasy, Rave Master, Code Lyoko, Transformers, and anything/anyone that comes from these and other stories that end up in this fanfiction! Sailor Moon is owned/licensed by Naoko Takeuchi and its various studios and publishers and Sword Art Online is owned/licensed by ASCII Media Works, A-1 Pictures Inc., and its various directors/publishers including Reki Kawahara and Tomohiko Itō!

 

Warning: This story contains intense violence, blood, possible gore, death, mild to explicit suggestive themes, including mind-control and brainwashing, mild to explicit bad language, and mature adult themes/situations!

 

Second Warning: Some to a lot of OOC (Out of Character) actions and mannerisms in this whole story!

 

Sailor Moon Online: Hollow Fragment

 

Chapter 24: Revealing One’s True Face

 

January 15, 2025, Floor 76, Arc Sofia

 

Inside of Agil’s inn and shop in Arc Sofia, Agil, Klein, Kirito, Leafa, Silica, Lisbeth, Asuna, Sinon, Strea, Mamoru, the Sailor Scouts, Dai, Akari, and the Digital Knights are all assembled together with a massive feast in front of them.

 

Klein says, excitedly, “Since we have reached floor ninety, let’s celebrate with a feast to celebrate this important turning point!”

 

After everyone makes a toast, Yamato says, “It has been a hectic two months!”

 

Taichi says, “No joke, bro. I mean, we have gotten through around fourteen floors in just over a month after getting stuck rebuilding our skills!”

 

Miyako says, with a nod, “No kidding, Taichi. It would usually take us nine to ten days on average to explore one floor and its dungeon.”

 

Sam says, “And it isn’t just because the floors are getting smaller as we get closer to the top that we are getting by so fast.”

 

Agil says, with a smile, “I agree, Sam. I think that our new allies and friends may have something to do with it.”

 

Minako says, with a smirk, “Come on, I don’t think that we did that much.”

 

Haruka says, with a smirk, “Don’t be so modest, Mina-chan. It is so unlike you.”

 

Hino says, with a sly grin, “No kidding.”

 

Minako shouts out, annoyed, “Hey!”

 

Asuna says, with a smile, “Well, I have to admit that since Usagi-chan’s friends, Sinon-chan, Leafa-chan, Dai, Akari-chan, and Strea-chan have joined us, things have progressed at a rapid rate. These floors should have the toughest monsters and yet, we are getting through them within a day or two.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a smile, “If we keep this up, we will be out in no time flat!”

 

Silica says, with a nod, “Just ten more floors to go.”

 

Kirito says, “Well, you have to remember that they will be the toughest floors yet.”

 

Lisbeth tells Kirito, with a smirk, “Come on, Kirito, don’t be a spoil sport!”

 

Dai says, with a grin, “Yeah, dude!”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “All right, Dai.”

 

Strea says, “This is so exciting, Kirito!”

 

Kirito tells Strea, “Well, a party is about having fun, Strea.”

 

Strea samples some food and she says, excitedly, “This food is also so yummy too! Just wonderful! Thank you for inviting me, Kirito!”

 

Usagi says, “Well, it isn’t just Kirito, Strea.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Everyone invited you, too, Strea. However, I wish that Philia could have come to the party.”

 

Asuna asks, “Why didn’t Philia come to the party Kirito-kun?”

 

Kirito responds, “Philia found another treasure retrieval quest and it is going to take a while, Asuna.”

 

Akari says, “She also plans to look over the floors that we have already done and see if there are treasure chests that we have missed.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a smile, “She also might be trying out that new dagger that I made for her when she brought me some interesting ores that she kept from her time in the Hollow Area.”

 

Junpier says, with a smile, “She sounds like a treasure hunter and enjoying her time out of the Hollow Area.”

 

Dai says, “No kidding, Jun. That place was no picnic.”

 

Asuna says, with a smile, “I’m just glad that Philia is out of the Hollow Area, but I hope that she will be careful.”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “I don’t think that we have to worry about her. The positive experience from the Hollow Area is that she is an assault team level player.”

 

Leafa says, with a nod, “I agree, big brother!”

 

Usagi says, “Hopefully, Philia will be joining us sooner or later.”

 

Kirito says, “I think that she will, Usagi. She has taken her first step home and we have to join together for that next step.”

 

Usagi says, with a smile, “Yeah, home…”

 

Strea says, with an excited tone, “This is so exciting! I should go thank everyone! Later, Kirito!”

 

As Strea walks away, Kirito, Usagi, and Mamoru go over to where Klein is and Usagi says, “It is nice to see Strea so happy.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “It is good that she is such a good mood now.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “No kidding, Kirito.”

 

Klein says, “Hey, you, two! I see that you are having fun!”

 

Usagi says, with a smile, “Yeah!”

 

Klein says, “Based on what Kirito said about you, it is quite rare to see you smile like this.”

 

Usagi asks, surprised, “Oh, really?”

 

Kirito tells Klein, “Klein…”

 

Klein says, nervously, “Oh, yeah! Right! I forgot that I know why that’s a fact! Sorry about that!”

 

Usagi says, with a smile, “No problem, Klein.”

 

Klein says, “Anyway, we are getting through the floors pretty quick now! With your friends and Kirito’s sister helping us along with Strea and Sinon, we are kicking ass! Not to mention Dai and Akari! Those two are just awesome!”

 

Kirito says, “Not considering since they have been trapped in a ‘living virtual world’ for nearly as long as we have been here and they said that one day in the real world is like six to seven days there.”

 

Klein yells out, shocked, “You are kidding me!”

 

Usagi asks, surprised, “Really?”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “I kind of overheard them talking with their friends in the Digital Knights. It seems like that world runs on ‘accelerated time’ in which time is much faster there than here and in reality. It means that they have more experience in virtual worlds and time to develop such incredible skills.”

 

Klein says, amazed, “Wow. No wonder they are so good.”

 

Kirito says, “Well, it is good that they are so skilled. Hopefully, we can get through the final floors in the same way that we are doing now.”

 

Klein says, with a nod, “Yeah, no joke. We are getting through quick.”

 

Kirito says, “I know that we have to get through quickly, but I’m gladder that our group is getting through safely.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Same here Kirito.”

 

Klein says, with a nod, “No joke, Usagi.”

 

Silica and Lisbeth comes over and Lisbeth says, “Hey, you guys!”

 

Usagi says, “Hey, Liz! Hi, Silica!”

 

Kirito asks, with a smile, “Are you enjoying yourselves?”

 

Lisbeth says, “Yeah…”

 

Silica says, “Strea came over and gave me a quick hug, but she was really strong.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a nod, “No kidding, Silica. I think that she somehow negated the pain absorbers. I felt like she was crushing me.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, nervously, “Oh, boy.”

 

Kirito says, with a slight nervous smile, “I think that’s Strea’s way of thanking you.”

 

Usagi says, “However, I think that she doesn’t know her own strength.”

 

Silica says, nodding her head, “I think that I was going to suffocate.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a smile, “Well, that’s the way that she is.”

 

Silica says, with a nod, “Yes, Liz. She seems to be really fun to be with.”

 

Hino, Sinon, Leafa, and Tomoe go over and Hino says, looking haggard, “If you can survive the bear hugs that girl can give.”

 

Usagi asks, nervously, “You, too?”

 

Hino says, “Obviously, Meatball Head.”

 

Leafa says, “If this wasn’t a safe zone, I would have gotten killed by her way of saying thanks.”

 

Tomoe says, nervously, “She is so strong…”

 

Sinon says, “And she is quick, too, since I tried to run away, but it didn’t work at all…” Soon after, a lot of the others come to Kirito and Usagi have going through Strea’s ‘hugging fest’ and looking worse for wear.

 

Later on, Agil comes by with some pizza-like food and he asks, “Kirito, can you and Usagi help me?”

 

Usagi says, excitedly, “Oh, wow! Look at all pizza!”

 

Kirito says, “Hold on, Usagi. I think that I know what this means.”

 

Agil says, with a smirk, “That’s right, Kirito. I have made the spicy pizza again, but this time, there are two slices, not just one.”

 

Klein says, with a grin, “It’s here! It’s the fun event!”

 

Usagi asks, “Let me guess: Same rules as last time?”

 

Klein says, with a nod, “Exactly, Usagi!”

Strea says, with a smile, “It sounds like fun! I would like to join!”

 

Klein says, with a grin, “The more, the merrier!”

 

Minako says, with a smirk, “Sure!”

 

Leafa says, with a smile, “Sounds like fun!”

 

Lisbeth says, with a smile, “Same here!”

 

Kirito asks, with a shrug, “Why not?”

 

Sinon says, “I would like to give a try.”

 

Asuna says, with a smile, “I agree! I can’t wait to coordinate Sinon-chan’s outfit!”

 

Sinon asks, nervously, “What do you mean by that?”

 

Asuna says, with a sly smile, “Great ready, Sinon-chan.”

 

Sinon asks, nervously, “So, I have to be on the lookout for Asuna too?”

 

When Sinon looks at Kirito, he replies, stepping back with that, “Good luck, Sinon.”

 

When Usagi hides behind Mamoru, Dai asks, in a whisper, “Why are you hiding behind your boyfriend?”

 

Usagi responds, nervously, “I don’t get what you are talking about, Dai.”

 

Yui says, with a smile, “I want to do it too!”

 

Agil says, with a smile, “Okay, let’s get started then!”

 

Usagi asks Kirito, “Why do I get a bad feeling about this Kirito?”

 

Kirito says, “You aren’t the only one Usagi.”

 

As each person chooses their slice of pizza, Klein says, “Okay, everyone, we are going to eat at the same time!” Soon after, everyone eats their slice at the same time and Strea’s eyes widen after she ate her piece.

 

Makoto asks, “What’s up, Strea?”

 

Strea yelps and she yells out, “I got it! It is so spicy!”

 

As Strea fans her mouth, Haruka says, “Agil, one drink for Strea!”

 

Agil says, with a nod, “On the way!” The others continue to eat their slice one after another and Asuna yelps out to reveal that she got the second spicy pizza slice.

 

Minako says, “Asuna is the second one!”

 

Agil says, with a nod, “Gotcha, Minako!” Agil then rushes over and gives Strea and Asuna some water, which wouldn’t work in reality, to stop the burning sensation from the spicy pizza.

 

When they were done, Asuna says, “It is spicier than I thought.”

 

Usagi asks, “Are you going to be okay, Asuna?”

 

Asuna says, “I’ll be okay, Usagi.”

 

Klein says, with a grin, “It’s too bad that I didn’t get it this time. Oh, well. Well, Asuna and Strea are our big winners!”

 

Hino says, “I’m not sure if you can call them winners.”

 

Klein says, with a smirk, “Oh, really? You might not be saying that if Usagi won and after her mouth got cooled down.” Hino gives a nervous as Usagi gives an ‘innocent look’ while Hino is becoming real glad that Usagi didn’t get one of the two spicy pizza slices for obvious reasons. Klein then asks Strea and Asuna, “Anyway, who do our two winners want to order around and what is their order?”

 

Strea says, “Well, my order is…I want Kirito to kiss me!”

 

Usagi and Kirito yell out in unison, “Huh?!”

 

Klein says, with a sigh, “Why always Kirito? Oh, well! You heard the lady! You are at her command!”

 

Asuna says, “That’s a big no!”

 

Klein responds, “No? I don’t think that there is a problem since we agreed at the rules.”

 

Asuna responds, glaring daggers at Klein, “You be quiet, Klein!” Klein yelps as he walks back, but then Minako goes over and whispers into his ear causing his eyes to widen and he gains a smirk.

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, nervously, “I don’t like that smirk on Klein’s face especially with Mina-chan giving him ideas.”

 

Klein asks Asuna, with a sly grin on his lips, “So, you are ordering Strea that you are substituting for Kirito?”

 

Asuna asks, surprised, “Huh?”

 

Klein asks, slyly, “So, you are saying that you aren’t ordering Strea to consider you taking Kirito’s place and you are allowing her to kiss Kirito?”

 

Asuna says, annoyed, “No, I’m not allowing her to kiss Kirito!”

 

Minako responds, “You heard her Strea! She is ordering you to consider her Kirito’s substitute.”

 

Asuna gives a look of surprise and Strea responds, “Oh, okay!”

 

Strea then prepares to tackle Asuna and she yelps out, in a panic, “Wait! Wait! Wait…!!” However, it is too late as Strea tackles Asuna onto the ground and kisses her in which Junpier and Miyako playful ‘bop’ Sam, Yamato, and Taichi in the head while Dai covers his eyes while plenty of the other girls blush at this.

 

Michiru says, with a giggle, “It seems like Strea doesn’t have any problems kissing another girl.”

 

Haruka says, with a smirk, “That’s for sure.”

 

Yui is having her eyes covered by Makoto and she asks, “What’s happening with mommy?”

 

Makoto says, nervously, “Don’t look sweetie!”

 

Usagi says, nervously, “Mako-chan is right, Yui-chan! This is too…mature for someone as young as you!” The two of them hear snickering and Kirito and Usagi glare at Minako and Klein, who have just high-fived each other when they get a ‘bad feeling’. When they look at Kirito and Usagi, they see the deadly glares of killer intent.

 

Kirito says, dangerous tone in his voice, “Klein…”

 

Klein says, nervously, “Oh, boy. Um, I’ve got to see how my guild is doing, so…Later!”

 

Minako says, nervously, “Just remembered that I have a quest to complete!” Klein and Minako race off with Kirito and Usagi while plenty of the others having giggles over that part.

 

January 15, 2025, Floor 76, Arc Sofia

 

Sometime later on, Kirito and Asuna are together in Arc Sofia as Asuna is giggle as Kirito tells them what happened when Silica showed him and Usagi non-monster ‘critters’ that look like a squirrels with puppy dog ears.

 

Asuna says, with a smile, “Poor Silica-chan.”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “Well, since they weren’t monsters, I doubt that they were programmed to cause harm. I think that they are local ‘critters’, as Silica called them, to add a peaceful atmosphere to Arc Sofia or something like that. Maybe they response to Silica since she is a tamer and tamed Pina, who is now classified as a tamed partner, in which they know that this player is friendly with ‘animals’, but I can’t be absolutely sure in which since Minako is a tamer, I hope to bring her there to see that theory is true.”

 

Asuna says, with a smile, “Good idea. And if they get into her clothing…”

 

Kirito asks, with a smirk, “A little payback, Asuna?”

 

Asuna responds, with an innocent yet mischievous smile on her lips, “Maybe, Kirito-kun.”

 

Kirito says, “Okay, I will not mention the part where they dived into Silica’s clothing for that reason.”

 

Asuna says, with a nod, “Good idea, Kirito-kun.”

 

Soon after, they relax in one of the park areas and Asuna lies her head down on Kirito’s shoulder and he says, “We’re at floor ninety.”

 

Asuna says, with a nod, “Yes, we are. I can’t wait for the day that I can meet you and Usagi-chan in the real world, Kirito-kun.”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “I do, Asuna-chan.” Kirito then sighs and he says, “However, I think that the worst is yet to come and I’m not talking about the boss monsters and the floor that we need to explore.”

 

Asuna asks, confused, “What do you mean Kirito-kun?”

 

Kirito responds, “After all that has happened, I’ve got a horrible feeling and it involves Sugu.”

 

Asuna looks at Kirito and she asks, “Leafa-chan? But why do you think that Kirito-kun?”

 

Kirito responds, “Think about Asuna. Sugu mentioned that she got the NervGear that she used to get here from a friend in Akiba, who somehow managed to keep it out of the eyes of the government and authorities for two years.”

 

Asuna says, “Well, there are so many, Kirito-kun…”

 

Kirito responds, interrupting, “I doubt that would miss even one, Asuna. After what happened to us, they would have made sure to round up all the NervGears for destruction other than the ones keeping us trapped in SAO and those few being used by the investigation team trying to figure out a way to remove them from us safely. They would also want to make sure that no one does what Sugu did and follow us into SAO.”

 

Asuna asks, shocked and realizing what Kirito is implying, “Wait! You mean…?”

 

Kirito replies, nodding his head, “Someone wanted to make sure that Sugu got that NervGear via her friend in Akiba. Someone knew that person was a friend of Sugu’s and make sure that the NervGear stayed ‘under the radar’.”

 

Asuna asks, concern in her voice, “Who?”

 

Kirito says, “There is only one person that I know that could, Asuna.”

 

Asuna is confused for a second and she then asks, stunned upon realization, “You mean…?”

 

Kirito responds, with a nod, “Kayaba. It can only be Kayaba, Asuna.”

 

Asuna asks, shocked, “If it is true, then why?”

 

Kirito replies, “Remember, Sugu mentioned that she could ‘sense’ Kayaba and now, her ‘feeling’ is getting even stronger. I think that Sugu and Kayaba share a ‘connection’…Something from the Silver Millennium.”

 

Asuna asks, shocked, “Do you think that…?”

 

Kirito responds, shaking his head, “I don’t know, Asuna. It is very possible. You have to remember that Kayaba is the reincarnation of Usagi’s ‘royal father’ from the Silver Millennium.”

 

Asuna says, “A fact that she didn’t take ‘too kindly’ about. I can’t really blame her.”

 

Kirito says, with a plain tone, “It just wants me kick Kayaba’s ass more for that especially if he remembered this fact and most likely, he did.”

 

Asuna asks, “But do you really think that your sister and Kayaba share a ‘connection’ from the Silver Millennium?”

 

Kirito says, “I really don’t know, but it looks like that way and if what I theorize is true, Kayaba lured Sugu into SAO for some reason. However, if we try to keep Sugu from the front lines…”

 

Asuna says, “Leafa will insist on helping us like it or not.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Sugu is a very stubborn person. Her actions in getting to SAO show that quite well.”

 

Asuna says, with a smile, “It makes me wonder if you are very wrong to say that you aren’t ‘blood siblings’ after all.”

 

Kirito says, with a plain tone, “Very funny, Asuna.”

 

Asuna says, with a serious tone, “If what you say is true, why is the commander…Kayaba want with your sister? Could have something happened between them back in the Silver Millennium? I can’t think of whatever reason Kayaba wants Leafa in SAO.”

 

Kirito says, with a serious expression, “I’ve got a good theory about it, but nothing concrete. However, I’ve got a bad feeling that based on what we know about Kayaba’s Silver Millennium past, it was something big.”

 

Asuna asks, “Do you think that Leafa-chan is…?”

 

Kirito responds, “I don’t know and the only one that would know that is Setsuna, but she isn’t revealing secrets for various type of reasons.”

 

Asuna asks, “So, we keep your theories secret from her?”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “For now, Asuna. I’m sorry, but I don’t know…”

 

Asuna responds, with a warm smile, “I know, Kirito-kun. And I’m glad that you can keep these secrets with me. I still feel bad not telling Usagi-chan through, but something in my heart tells me to keep this information a secret for now and it is the same for you too.”

Kirito says, with a nod, “Yeah, it is. I feel like a rat doing so, but Usagi-chan has been through the ringer in emotions through this whole nightmare especially learning the deeper ‘connection’ that Kayaba and her once shared.”

 

Asuna says, nodding her head, “She has Kirito-kun. She is a strong person, but she is also very emotional person with her kind and caring heart.”

 

Kirito says, “Much like Sugu.”

 

Kirito gives a solemn look, a look of great worry on his face, and Asuna asks, with a very concerned expression and tone in her voice, “Kirito-kun, what’s wrong?”

 

Kirito responds, “Asuna…The thing is…I’m afraid for Sugu. Something tells me that the closer that we get to Kayaba, the closer we get to that final confrontation, but if what we theorize is correct, I just feel that it is Sugu that Kayaba wants for some reason.”

 

Asuna tells Kirito, “If that’s true, Kirito-kun, we will protect her. She is your precious family and it shows that your bond is strong with what she did. I won’t let anything happen to her Kirito-kun.”

 

Kirito tells Asuna, with a warm loving smile, “Thank you, Asuna.” Asuna and Kirito share a kiss, but Kirito thinks in his mind, worriedly, “However, I fear that we may not be able to protect Sugu for what’s to come.”

 

January 15, 2025, Floor 76, Arc Sofia

 

Kirito and Usagi are walking down the street when Usagi spots Leafa coming towards them.

 

Usagi says, “Hey, Leafa!”

 

Leafa says, “Hey, Usagi! Hi, big brother!”

 

Kirito tells Leafa, “Hi, Leafa. What are you doing here?”

 

Leafa responds, “I came here for you silly.”

 

Kirito asks, curiously, “Me?”

 

Leafa says, “I want you to join me for shopping and your meal is my treat, so, let’s go!”

 

Leafa grabs Kirito’s arm and he yelps out, “Hey, Leafa!” Usagi smiles as she follows the brother and sister through the town in which they go through shopping.

 

When they stop for a moment, Leafa asks Kirito, “Potions and teleport crystals, huh? Is that all you need?”

 

Usagi tells Leafa, “Kirito has always been the practical kind of guy, Leafa.”

 

Kirito says, “There would be no space for any loot.”

 

Leafa says, “Well, it is understandable. If you had no room, you might have to give up a rare item.”

 

Usagi asks Leafa, “Did you experience such a thing?”

 

Leafa says, with a sigh, “Back in my ‘rookie days’ in ALO, Usagi-chan. When I started there, I had a lot to learn including events and quests and their differences in which one time I got boiled in a pot by a witch which is an experience I don’t want to remember.”

 

Usagi and Kirito winch at this and Kirito says, nervously, “Yeah, I agree.”

 

Leafa says, “Anyway, I would like to check out some new products. I was hoping that you would know armor shops that sell beautiful functional armors.”

 

Usagi tells Leafa, with a smile, “Beautiful and functional together aren’t words in Kirito’s vocabulary, Leafa.”

 

Kirito glares at Usagi and Leafa says, with a giggle, “You might be right, Usagi.” The three of them then take off to shop and Leafa shops off some items and equipment from that shops in which Kirito seems more interested in their practically than appearance.

 

Leafa says, annoyed, “I knew that you would say that!”

 

Usagi tells Leafa, “I told you that he is more practical than anything Leafa. And you should also know that he isn’t the social type, so, this isn’t his type of thing.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “That’s right. But to be honest, I think that skirt is too short.”

 

Leafa says, annoyed, “I think that the length is fine! I have skirts that are shorter than this one.”

 

Kirito raises an eyebrow and he asks, “Really? Does mom know about them?”

 

Leafa blushes in embarrassment and she yells out, “It isn’t like that at all! Ecchi big brother!”

 

Kirito responds, “Hey, you are the one that mentioned it!”

 

Usagi tells Leafa, “It is your fault that he went into ‘overprotective big brother mode’, Leafa.”

 

Leafa says, with a blush between her cheeks, “I know.” Leafa tells Kirito, “But that’s the not the point! While you are an expert in SAO, you are a completely clueless when it comes to the world of fashion.”

 

Usagi says, with a plain tone, “Can’t argue with that one, Leafa.”

 

Kirito says, annoyed, “Hey!”

 

Leafa says, with a smile, “She has a point, big brother.”

 

Usagi says, “Well, you can’t blame him for being so ignorant and for being so practical. If you aren’t practical in SAO, let’s just say that I don’t want to think about THAT.”

 

Leafa says, with a sigh, “Point taken, Usagi-chan.”

 

Soon enough, the three of them went into the park and Kirito thinks in his mind, remembering what he talked about with Asuna, “If Kayaba is targeting Sugu and used her friend to get her into SAO, does it mean that the two of them have a ‘shared history’ from the Silver Millennium? Wait! Could it be possible that Sugu…?”

 

Leafa tells Kirito, seeing his ‘spaced out look’, “Big brother, is something wrong? Are you bored?”

 

Kirito responds, shaking his head, “No! No! I had a lot of my mind, Sugu. Despite saving Philia from the Hollow Area and defeating Mimete, we still have ten more floors to go and I don’t think the floor bosses are going to be the hardest part.”

 

Usagi says, “Yeah. We don’t what kind of stuff that Mimete’s actions did to the remaining ten floors.”

 

Kirito says, “And there has been something bugging me lately. It is about what Kayaba’s purpose is for the game.”

 

Usagi and Leafa look at Kirito and Leafa asks, “Didn’t you say that he say what his purpose was at the beginning of this nightmare? Do you think that he was lying to you and the other players, big brother?”

 

Kirito responds, shaking his head, “No, Leafa. He wasn’t lying, I could tell. The thing is: I don’t think that he was telling the whole truth.” Kirito tells Usagi, “You felt it, too, didn’t you?”

 

Usagi says, with a solemn sigh, “Yeah, I felt that he was leaving something out, but I don’t know what. I really don’t know what to think anymore.”

 

Leafa says, solemnly, “Usagi…” Just then Usagi and Leafa yelp from a strong wind as it hits them and then vanishes as it came.

 

Kirito says, amazed, “That was a surprising strong wind.”

 

Leafa says, “It surprised me too.” Leafa tells them, with a smile, “Anyway, you and Usagi go on ahead.”

 

Kirito asks, “Why?”

 

Leafa says, “I need to readjust my ribbon.”

 

Kirito responds, “It doesn’t look like it got messed up.”

 

Leafa says, annoyed, “Kirito really doesn’t know a thing about beauty.”

 

Usagi says, “Well, you can’t blame him since he isn’t the social type before, Leafa.”

 

Kirito asks, drolly, “You really aren’t going to let that go, are you?”

 

Usagi gives a cheeky smile and Leafa says, with a smile, “Don’t worry, this will take just a minute.” Leafa then uses her menu to remove her ribbon which causes her hair to flow down and Usagi then gains an image of a young teen girl with the same blond hair as Princess Serenity putting it into pigtails similar to her hairstyle in which she is wearing a rainbow and silver version of Princess Serenity’s dress. While Usagi is mentally shaking her head from this ‘vision’, Kirito is staring at her with a surprise look on his face and Leafa asks, “What is it?”

 

Kirito responds, nervously, “Sorry. I was just surprised at how different you look without your ribbon and it is a fresh look on you. It is nice.”

 

Leafa asks, with a blush, “Really?” Leafa then says, still with a blush, “Anyway, letting your hair down might be good and you can change your hairstyles in game. It might be a good idea. Anyway, it makes a bit nervous at you staring at me like that, so, turn around.”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “Right…” Kirito turns around and Leafa uses her menu to return to her ribbon and return her hairstyle to its usual look. When Kirito sees it, he tells Leafa, “Oh, you went back to your usual look, Leafa. Well, I think that it is best. I don’t think that it is good that you have too much decoration and anything. I think that the best Leafa is the more natural Leafa.”

 

Leafa says, with a blush, “Well, okay…”

 

Usagi tells Leafa, with a smile, “Kirito is that kind of guy that looks for things beyond ‘skin deep’, Leafa.”

Leafa says, with a smile, “Yeah, I guess so.”

 

January 17, 2025, Floor 76, Arc Sofia

 

Kibaou and his group are with Alberich and his group and they are discussing something.

 

Kibaou says, with a serious tone, “When we are going to get that wretched beater and Kayaba’s rotten princess already? I’m tired of this waiting! We’ve been pumped up!”

 

Alberich says, with a wicked smile, “Patience, my friend. I feel that you can take on the so-called Black Swordsman and White Valkyrie easily, but our ‘mutual associate’ believes that we should have insurance.”

 

Kibaou asks, “What do you mean ‘insurance’?”

 

Just then a female voice says, “This, human.” Everyone then looks to see a violet cloaked and hooded figure come out of a dark portal and just then a pair of dark red eyes appears in the portal making plenty of the group pretty nervous about what they see.

 

January 17, 2025, Floor 91, Field

 

Right now, Kirito, Usagi, Mamoru, Philia, Dai, and Akari are with the Digital Knights as they prepare to explore Floor 91 after they had recently beaten the floor boss monster of Floor 90.

 

Miyako says, “Just a few more floors to go.”

 

Takashi says, “Yeah, but that fight wasn’t easy.”

 

Taichi says, “And I don’t expect things to get easier!”

 

Just then a male voice shouts out, “Hey!” Everyone then looks to see a male player with brown eyes and deep brown hair wearing an outfit that consists of orange and grey jacket, black pants, orange and black fingerless gloves, and black boots runs over to them.

 

Usagi says, “I don’t have a good feeling about this.”

 

Kirito asks the player, “What’s wrong?”

 

The player responds, “You are the Black Swordsman! Oh, man! I’m glad to see you and the White Valkyrie! You need to help big time!”

 

Usagi asks, “What’s wrong?”

 

The player replies, “A group of rogues from the Army are up there! I barely escaped with my life!”

 

There are gasps and Sam asks, “Wait! What?”

 

Usagi asks Kirito, “Kirito, do you think…?”

 

Kirito nods his head and he asks, “Do you know what they look like?”

 

The player tells him, “It is hard to remember them all, but I know that they were being led by a guy that had spiky hair like he was some kind of street punk. I think that they called him ‘Kibaou’.”

 

Kirito and Usagi gasp and Yamato asks, “I think that I heard of him. Wasn’t that guy part of the lead group before his guild got really busted up on the twenty-fifth floor?”

 

Kirito says, “Yeah. He led the Aincrad Liberation Squad, which was led by him until that fiasco on floor twenty-five.”

 

Usagi says, “Where he went off with half-ass intelligence and got a lot of players killed in conquering that floor.”

 

Kirito says, “He merged with another guild to form the Aincrad Liberation Force or Aincrad Liberation Army, the largest guild headquartered on the first floor, until he attempted a coup against the co-leader, Thinker. Asuna and I rescued Thinker and got Kibaou kicked out of the guild.”

 

Usagi says, “In which I helped in that regard.”

 

Dai says, “Something tells me that he doesn’t like you, two.”

 

Kirito responds, “Nope. He was the one who created the ‘beater’ term and he doesn’t like Usagi just because she is the niece of Kayaba.”

 

Miyako says, “That’s stupid.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Yeah, but I didn’t help things between him and I and getting him kicked out of the guild that he partially created is just another thing that he would want to kill me for.”

 

The male player, known as Tera, says, “I’m glad that my partner was with me. She would have been killed by those guys especially with that weird monster under their control.”

 

Miyako asks, confused, “Wait! What?”

 

Sam asks, “One of them is a beast tamer?”

 

Tera responds, “I really don’t know, but they unleashed a real powerful monster on me. It looked like an armored rhino or something and it unleashed fireballs from its mouth in which it called the words ‘Volcanic Strike’ before it did that.”

 

Dai, Akari, and the Digital Knights gasp and Taichi asks, with a serious tone, “Are you sure?”

 

Tera says, with a nod, “Yeah, I believe so. I was concerned about getting out of there, but now, my partner is trapped in the sky ruin up ahead. However, if she finds a way out of there and back there, those guys are going to kill her. I think that they are attempting to kill other players to lure you out Black Swordsman. They were...referring you to the term used to insult you.”

 

Kirito says, “I’m used to it. I’m just glad that you are safe and alive. There has been too many deaths already. Get back into town and get more supplies. We’ll deal with this.”

 

Tera says, with a nod, “Thank you, but be careful, Black Swordsman-san.”

 

Kirito says, “We will.” Tera then races back into the town and the group looks at each other.

 

Philia asks the Digital Knights, “Do you know what’s going on?”

 

Sam says, “Maybe, but we’re not sure how it is possible.”

 

Kirito asks, “You know what he was talking about?”

 

Sam responds, with a nod, “That attack belongs to a Digimon. It is a Digimon known as Monochromon, an armored dinosaur Digimon that might be considered an armored rhino if one doesn’t know what a Digimon is, and its main attack is known as Volcanic Strike, where it unleashed a volley of fireballs.”

 

Miyako asks, “But what is a Digimon doing here?”

 

Yamato asks, “How can it be here?”

 

Takashi responds, “Well, I don’t think that it isn’t too hard for a Digimon to exist here. This is a ‘digital world’, bro. It is how the Digimon got here in the first place that worries me.”

 

Mamoru says, pointing ahead, “I believe that we are going to find out, everyone.” Everyone then looks to see Kibaou and his group with none other than the Digimon in question, Monochromon, but the Digimon has a dark ring around its waist and glowing red eyes.

 

Sam asks, shocked, “A Dark Ring?”

 

Philia asks, “A what?”

 

Takashi says, “A Dark Ring. It is a device that can control Digimon. The Digimon is under the control an evil force.”

 

Taichi asks, “But how is that possible?”

 

Yamato says, “There are no more Control Spires in the Digital World anymore, Ken is free from the control of the Dark Spore, and Arukenimon and Mummymon are also gone.”

 

Dai says, drawing his Keyblades, “I don’t think that it matters right now.”

 

As the group gets into their defenses formation, Kibaou says, with an evil smile, “Finally, it is the wretched beater and Kayaba’s worthless princess.”

 

Usagi asks, “What do you want now?”

 

Kibaou yells out, angrily, “What do you think, you wench?! You got me thrown out of my guild!”

 

Kirito responds, with a serious tone, “You tried to murder Thinker, Kibaou! You got what you deserve!”

 

Kibaou says, with a sneer, “I lost everything because of you and Kayaba’s bitchy niece and now, it is time for you to pay! And if anyone gets in my way, they are no better than a beater like you and they will die with you!”

Usagi says, with a serious tone, “Leave them out of this Kibaou! If you want Kirito and me, you got us!”

 

Kibaou says, with an evil grin, “Oh, yes! I got you where I want you and more!”

 

There is a glow from our group of heroes and heroines and Miyako says, seeing the barrier, “What the? That’s not impossible!”

 

Takashi asks, “How did he do that?”

 

Kirito says, with a serious tone, “You can’t do this!”

 

Kibaou says, with an evil grin, “I can and I will, beater boy!” Kibaou tells the controlled Monochromon, “Get them!” Monochromon roars as it prepares to attack our group, but then Dai and Akari noticed an icon appear in front of them.

 

“Lightning Paw!”

 

When everyone looks at the source of the voice, a familiar feline Digimon comes down from the sky, seemly, and slams her right paw-like fist into the face of Monochromon, but it hits the Digimon in his armored face, so, it doesn’t feel anything other than being annoyed in which the feline Digimon barely gets out of the way.

 

Akari says, amazed, “Gatomon!”

 

Just then another voice shouts out, “Don’t forget about me!” Soon after, a familiar blue dragon Digimon with a yellow ‘V’ on his forehead appears in front of the players.

 

Dai says, excitedly, “Veemon!”

 

The blue dragon Digimon looks at Dai and he responds, “That’s my name! Don’t wear it out!”

 

Philia asks, nervously, “You know…?”

 

Akari says, with a smile, “It is a long story.”

 

One of Kibaou’s men asks, confused, “What’s going on here?”

 

Kibaou roars out, angrily, “I don’t fucking care! I want them dead!”

 

Dai says, seriously, “I don’t think so jerk!” Dai asks Akari, “Kari, did you…?”

 

Akari then displays a strange white egg with the Crest of Light on it and she says, “You got it, Dai-kun!”

 

Dai says, showing off a red egg with a ‘spike’ in it that has the Crest of Courage engraved in it, “All right! Let’s show them how we roll!”

 

The Digital Knights are shocked and Taichi asks, “But how?”

 

Dai and Akari shout out in unison, “Digi-Armor Energize!” Soon after, the ‘strange eggs’ glow and bath both Veemon and Gatomon in that light.

 

Armor Digivolution

 

“Veemon Armor Digivolve to…Flamedramon, the fire of Courage!”

 

“Gatomon Armor Digivolve to…Nefertimon, the angel of Light!”

 

End Armor Digivolution

 

When the light dies down, Flamedramon and Nefertimon replace Veemon and Gatomon and shocked those never seen Digimon digivolve of any type before.

 

Usagi says, amazed, “That’s something you don’t see every day even for this place.”

 

(Digimon theme music ‘Run Around’ starts)

 

Monochromon roars as it charges right at Flamedramon, but Flamedramon easily grabs the horn of the Digimon and lifts the dinosaur Digimon into the air before throwing him down to the ground in which he slams back down into the virtual ground with a massive ‘crash’.

 

Dai yells out, excitedly, “Way to go, Flamedramon!”

 

Flamedramon says, with a smirk, “It feels good to be back in action.”

 

Nefertimon tells Flamedramon, “Don’t get too cocky, Flamedramon. You haven’t been in action for nearly two years.”

 

Akari shouts out, “Nefertimon, you take care of Monochromon.”

 

Dai says, with a grin, “We’ll take care of these jerks.”

 

Kibaou booms out, drawing his sword, “Is that so, brat? You are going to regret those words!” He then moves with incredible speed and Kirito yelps as he gets nick in the face causing a significant amount of damage while Kibaou’s cursor goes from green to orange.

 

Philia says, shocked, “Kirito!”

 

Kibaou says, with a sneer, “Surprised, beater bastard? Thanks to a new friend, I’m more powerful than you can ever hope to be and I don’t care if I go orange. Thanks to you, my boys and I are living as orange players now!” Kibaou tells his ‘crew’, “Let’s get them!”

 

Kibaou’s crew draws their weapons and one of them, with a sinister smirk, “With pleasure!” Soon after, Kibaou and his group attack the others with incredible speed and power that they shouldn’t have and the others are barely holding them back.

 

Taichi asks, shocked, “What the heck?”

 

Sam says, with a serious tone, “They shouldn’t be this strong!” Flamedramon and Nefertimon watch in shock and horror as their partners and the others, but they dodge an attack from Monochromon.

 

Nefertimon says, “We have to hurry Flamedramon!”

 

Flamedramon responds, “No kidding, Nefertimon!” As the two Armor Digimon take on the controlled Champion, Kibaou and his group, all of whom now having orange cursors, are ruthlessly fighting the others, who are barely holding on.

 

Kirito says, “You shouldn’t be at this high level! Someone is helping you!”

 

Kibaou responds, with a sinister smirk, “Maybe I got help and maybe I didn’t, but you should worry about your worthless life beater brat! Thanks to you, I lost everything!”

 

Usagi shouts out, strongly, “You deserved it, Kibaou! You accused Kirito and the beta testers of taking everything for themselves, but after you left the front lines what did you do, you prayed on scared players in the Town of Beginnings and did the same things with your new ‘Aincrad Liberation Army’ in oppressing other players! You are a hypocrite Kibaou and you got what you deserve!”

 

Kibaou roars out, “You worthless witch! I’m going enjoy cutting your throat!” Kibaou kicks Kirito aside and charges at Usagi who barely blocks with her sword and Keyblade.

 

Mamoru yells out, “No!”

 

Usagi calls out, “Stay back, Mamoru-kun!”

 

“Volcanic Strike!”

 

On the meanwhile, Monochromon unleashes his fireballs at the two Armor Digimon, but Flamedramon, being a fire Digimon himself, easily negates the attack and bashing Monochromon the unprotected portion of his face causing him to stumble and giving Nefertimon an opening.

 

“Rosetta Stone!”

 

Nefertimon unleashes a stone from a portal that slams into the Dark Ring on Monochromon and it shatters on impact causing Monochromon’s eyes to return to normal and before he can ask what’s going on, the freed Digimon vanishes in a flash of light.

 

Kibaou sees this and he yells out, shocked, “No!” Usagi, seeing Kibaou’s lapse in focus, then uses this chance to use her Cross Block, the Duel Wielding defensive ability, to throw Kibaou off her and Dai moves in for the attack.

 

“Nebularaid Empress!”

 

Dai then slams Kibaou with the 22 hit Secret Ultimate technique of the Duel Wielding Sword Skill and Kibaou roars out as he is hit hard with only his supped up level and stats that prevent him from losing all of his HP in which the attack leaves him in the critical red as well as slamming him into the ground, hard.

 

(Digimon theme music ‘Run Around’ ends)

 

The others are shocked by this and they yell out in unison, “Kibaou!” Usagi then uses this chance and takes out some knifes and using her Throwing Skill to hit the rest of Kibaou’s group in which they collapse to the ground suffering a paralyzing effect.

 

Kirito says, with a smirk, “Nice, Usagi.”

 

Mamoru asks Usagi, coming over to her, “Are you okay?”

 

Usagi says, with a warm smile, “I am and I’m just glad everyone else is okay.”

 

Junpier asks, “What was that?”

 

Usagi responds, “Knives with a top level paralyzing potion. It is something that I learned from orange guilds.”

 

Yamato says, with a smirk, “You turned the tactic that they use against innocent players against them, huh? Nice, I like it!”

 

Taichi says, with a smile, “Yeah, you are giving them a taste of what it feels like.”

 

Flamedramon and Nefertimon go over to their partners and Akari says, amazed, “Nefertimon, I’m so glad to see you!”

 

Nefertimon responds, “It is good to see you, again, though I have been for two years, Kari.”

 

Akari replies, “What do you mean?”

 

Takashi asks, “A better question is: How did you get here? And how come a Digimon was working with him?”

 

Just then a sinister female voice shouts out, “I think that we should be able to answer that.” Everyone then looks to see a mummy Digimon with a blaster and a large red spider Digimon with an upper female body coming towards them.

 

Sam asks, stunned, “Mummymon and Arukenimon?”

 

Kirito asks, “You know them?”

 

Taichi says, with a serious tone, “They are Digimon and they are big trouble!”

 

Takashi asks, shocked, “But I thought that MaloMyotismon destroyed them?”

 

Mummymon says, with a sinister smile, “We are, but we are back better than ever!”

 

Flamedramon says, “Then we are going to send you back to your tomb!”

 

Mummymon responds, “Just try it, lizard breath!”

 

“Necrophobia!”

 

Mummymon then unleashes a blast from his laser gun that slams into Flamedramon and Nefertimon so hard that they are forced to de-digivolve back into Veemon and Gatomon.

 

Akari says, shocked, “Gatomon!”

 

Dai says, “No, Veemon!”

 

Sam says, “They are Ultimate level Digimon! They don’t stand a chance!”

 

Mummymon says, pointing to his laser gun at the group, “And neither do you!”

 

Dai says, with a serious tone, “We beat you before and we can do it again!”

 

Arukenimon responds, “Ha! You had Paildramon and your other DNA Digivolved partners to fight us on an even plain. You don’t stand a chance. It is finally time for the end of Digidestined once and for all. It will take a miracle for you to win!”

 

Dai retorts, with a strong tone, “Like that has stopped us before!” Dai says, images blaring through his mind, “There are too many people counting on us to bring them out of this nightmare and return them to the people that they love including Tai and the others! This prison has already taken too much from these people and I’m not going to let you, that mummy freak, or even Kayaba! I will fight and I win even if it takes a miracle! I will create that miracle!”

 

Akari responds, “I’m with you, Dai-kun!” Just then a blazing golden light erupts from Dai while a powerful pink one comes from Kari and it surrounds them as well as stunning everyone.

 

Junpier asks, shocked, “Davis?”

Taichi asks, stunned, “Kari?”

Philia asks, confused, “What’s happening to them?” Arukenimon and Mummymon are stunned and Mummymon fires at them, but his attack bounce off their forms which are protected by the light. Just then a blue and white D-3 and a pink and white D-3 appear in front of Dai and Akari in that order, much to their shock, but new knowledge fills their minds and they grab their D-3 digivices.

 

Sam says, stunned, “Their Digivices!” Soon after, Veemon and Gatomon get to their feet as they are also glowing.

 

Veemon says, “Davis, I feel your strength…your determination…your power…”

 

Gatomon says, with a nod, “Same here. You and Kari…are giving us so much strength.”

 

Dai shouts out, “Then let’s take these clowns together, partner! Time to get back to action!”

 

Akari says, “Let’s do it, Gatomon!”

 

Dai and Akari shout out in unison, “Warp Digivolve now!” Soon after, their D-3 digivices shoot beams of light into Veemon and Gatomon.

 

Warp Digivolution

 

“Veemon Warp Digivolve to…UlforceVeedramon!”

 

& ldquo;Gatomon Warp Digivolve to…Magnadramon!”

 

End Warp Digivolution

 

Afterwards, there is a massive pink dragon with white feathered wings all over its long dragon-like body in place of Gatomon while a humanoid blue and silver armored dragon knight with a golden ‘V’ on its armor chest replaces Veemon.

 

The others are shocked and Yamato says, stunned, “No way!”

 

Miyako says, shocked, “They…They’ve become Mega Digimon!”

 

Mummymon and Arukenimon are stunned and Mummymon says, flabbergasted, “Oh no, not again! They have both become Mega!”

 

Digimon Analyzer (Magnadramon’s voice)

 

“And that means Mega trouble for you, Mummymon! I am Magnadramon, a Holy Dragon Digimon, the great dragon of light, and my Fire Tornado and Dragon Fire will vaporize my enemies in sacred light and flame! And now, Veemon has become UlforceVeedramon, a Holy Dragon Knight Digimon, one of the legendary Royal Knights and covered in the rarest armor of the whole Digital World! The Legendary Dragon Knight of Miracles can bust you up with his Shining V-Force and Ulforce Saber attacks!”

 

Akari says, amazed, “Incredible.”

Magnadramon says, “It is because of you and Davis, Kari.”

 

UlforceVeedramon responds, “Your determination to save everyone in SAO no matter what the odds has unlocked your hidden strength, Davis. You are one of the most powerful Digidestined that ever is and will be, partner. I knew that you had that strength, partner. One day, you will regain the strength those assholes that attacked Yolei and her family took away from you…No, you will be stronger, partner. Now, let’s kick these two from here to the Digital World and beyond!”

 

Dai responds, with a grin, “Yeah, let’s get them partner!” When the two Digidestined and their two Mega Digimon partners look at Mummymon and Arukenimon, they become really nervous.

 

(Digimon theme music ‘Let’s kick it up’ starts)

 

Mummymon says, nervously, “Oh, boy.”

 

Arukenimon yells out, in a panic, “Fire! Fire, you overgrown mess of bandages!” Mummymon then fires his weapon at the two Mega Digimon, but UlforceVeedramon slaps the attacks away into the ceiling of the floor of Aincrad and the two Mega Digimon then charge at their opponents, who fire their attacks desperately to fend off the two new Mega Digimon, but Magnadramon and UlforceVeedramon easily deflect/avoid the attacks in which UlforceVeedramon rams into Arukenimon and drags her airborne. On the meanwhile, Magnadramon rams into Mummymon, who yelps out in pain as Magnadramon bites into his shoulder.

 

Magnadramon winches and she thinks, “Ugh! Bad idea! He tastes like old gym socks and I know old gym socks! Disgusting!” Magnadramon uses her long dragon body to wrap around Mummymon and sends him airborne while UlforceVeedramon bashes Arukenimon into the air causing her to slam into Mummymon in mid-air.

 

“Dragon Fire!”

 

&l dquo;Shining V-Force!”

 

Magnadramon unleashes a powerful pink flame from her mouth while UlforceVeedramon unleashes a golden beam of energy from the ‘V’ on his chest in which the combined assault slams into the two Ultimate Digimon in which they scream out in pain and agony before they turn into data particles.

 

(Digimon theme music ‘Let’s kick it up’ ends)

 

Dai shouts out, excitedly, “Oh, yeah!”

 

Akari says, amazed, “They did it!”

 

Taichi tells Akari, with a warm smile, “No, you did it with your partners, Kari.” But then there is a blue glow and everyone looks where Kibaou was in which he has vanished.

 

Kibaou’s group is shocked and one of them shouts out, in a panic, “Hey, you can’t leave without us!” Soon enough, they are surrounded by everyone else including the two new Mega Digimon.

 

Miyako asks, with a glare, “Going somewhere?”

 

Usagi says, with a plain tone, “My paralyzing potion hasn’t finished its effect, so, you aren’t going anywhere.”

 

Kirito tells Dai, Akari, and the Digital Knights, “I think that you need to clear up some things with us.”

 

Yamato responds, “Yeah, but we don’t know what’s going on.”

 

Junpier asks, “So, what do we do with them?”

 

Kirito says, “We can’t take them back into town since they are orange players and the NPC would attack despite us escorting them, but we can’t let them rejoin Kibaou.”

 

Usagi says, “Well, we can’t wait until their cursors go back to normal since this is their first offensive...I think. The poison will wear off before then.”

 

Takashi says, “We can’t seem them to the prison area because that’s on the first floor and right now, the teleporting between the floors below Floor 76 and up here are ‘glitching’. We can’t know where they end up.”

 

Miyako says, “Well, we can’t create our own prison area.”

 

Usagi then gets an idea and she says, “Maybe we can.” Soon after, Usagi starts to explain her idea the others.

 

January 17, 2025, Floor 76, Arc Sofia

 

Back within Arc Sofia, Kibaou, having regained his green cursor/regular player status, is confronting Alberich and he isn’t happy to say the least.

 

Alberich says, with a snarl on his features, “My associate had given you assistance that not even the game could stop and I increased your level beyond the Black Swordsman and his allies and you still lost.”

 

Kibaou says, with a snort, “That dirty beater cheated somehow and somehow brought two of those ‘Digimon’ whatever creatures too! And his stupid friend bashed me with a sword skill that I had never seen before! He won’t do it again!”

 

Alberich responds, bringing his menu, “Yes, he won’t…because you will be in prison and I will take care of things myself.”

 

Kibaou yells out, “What? Wait…!!” However, Alberich pushes buttons on his menu and Kibaou yelps out as he vanishes in a flash of light.

 

One of Alberich’s associates says, with a smirk, “Good riddance. He was trash.”

 

Alberich says, with a snort, “It seems like I will have to step up my plans since those fools have met with us. The Black Swordsman and all of his allies will know about us if they don’t know already.”

 

Another of Alberich’s associates says, “I think that we should stay at the base for the time being.”

 

Alberich says, with a smile, “Fine idea.” Elsewhere in Arc Sofia, Kirito, Leafa, Lisbeth, Silica, Sinon, Philia, Asuna, Agil, Klein, Mamoru, the Sailor Scouts, and all of the Digidestined inside of SAO are assembled together with Veemon and Gatomon with Dai and Akari.

 

Asuna says, “The new prison area that Usagi set up with her GM privileges work just fine and thanks to making it an anti-crystal area and with us taking all of their equipment away, they won’t be escaping ever.”

 

Lisbeth says, “That’s the good news.”

 

Agil says, with a nod, “Now, we know that Alberich has administrative privileges in this world.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “During the beta test, there were multiple GM and Kayaba didn’t get rid of those accounts at all because there would be no one to use them since he figured that Argus would collapse and no one would risk entering this ‘death game’. All of the assets of Argus were given to RCT Progress who had brought all of us and its assets including those special administrative accounts for SAO. The only way that Alberich could have one of them is he is an employee at Argus and I doubt that it was any other way.”

 

Klein says, “And by the sounds of it, he isn’t here to help us.”

 

Mamoru says, “From what they have said, Alberich is performing some kind of experiment and the players are his ‘lab rats’.”

 

Haruka says, “Most likely, he is the cause of these ‘spirited away’ stories.”

 

Asuna says, with a nod, “I believe so. The stories about players mysteriously vanishing and their names not being crossed out at the Monument of Life at Blackiron Palace, which shows that they are still alive, must be caused by Alberich.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a sneer, “I knew that he was trouble.”

 

Sam says, “Well, it explains why the anti-criminal code didn’t work for him and his men. He used his administrate account privileges to make sure that code only works for them in the ways that they want it.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “That’s true, Sam. However, Usagi’s account is now at the same rank as Kayaba’s account meaning that her privileges outrank Alberich’s privileges since Kayaba was at the core of the creation of SAO and that means that his GM account is supreme over any other.”

 

Mamoru says, “It may prove to be our ‘ace in the hole’ against him.”

 

Asuna asks, “Does he suspect?”

 

Kirito says, “He may have an idea, but I believe that he doesn’t realize Usagi’s account. He may think that it was Kayaba.”

 

Asuna says, “Let’s keep that way until we need to. The game is unstable, but right now, Usagi’s GM abilities are what we need against him.”

 

Hino says, “However, we can’t just rush to fight him. We need to find the players that have gone missing and free them for whatever sick things that Alberich is doing to them and knowing a sick man like him, he is a coward and he is hiding somewhere in which he may use the players as shields.”

 

Haruka says, looking at Veemon and Gatomon, “There is also the fact that Digimon creature entered SAO and it was under the control of an evil force.”

 

Sam says, with a sigh, “I thought that my legacy as the Digimon Emperor ended long ago.”

 

Dai says, “Geez, bro. You were under the control of a Dark Spore just like those kids. It feed on your unnecessary guilt over your brother’s death as well as your problems of being compared to him.”

 

Miyako says, with a plain tone, “You aren’t that person anymore. The Dark Spore has no longer any control over your life and in fact, you managed to use the leftover ‘dark energies’ to open that gateway to the Dark Ocean to help us get rid of Daemon.”

 

Sam says, with a nod, “I know, but I’m worried about new ‘Digimon Emperors’ being crated from what Veemon and Gatomon just said.”

 

Veemon says, “Things are pretty bad back home.”

 

Gatomon says, with a nod, “No kidding. It is all out war with those monsters that those Sailor Scouts fight coming out in broad daylight and they are part of the news with rogue Digimon and seemly ‘Dark Digidestined’ going on rampages. The others wanted to come along, but they had to stay behind to defend Odiaba and Juuban if not all of Tokyo itself. They managed to regain the power of their crests on their own and Tentomon and Biyomon gained their Mega forms, but even with Digidestined reinforcements all over the world and these alien Sailor Scouts, Sailor Galaxia and Sailor Starlights, aiding Nebula and Neo Moon, it is only a matter of time that it turns into all-out war.”

 

There are gasps of shock and Yamato says, seriously, “We have got to get back and get back fast!”

 

Sam says, “Yeah. With the more time that we spend in SAO, there will be more that we have to recover in the real world when we get back.”

 

Veemon says, “And the others need someone like Tai or you to lead them, Davis. Sora has taken command of the Digidestined with Izzy helping her, but she is barely holding it together.”

 

Taichi says, pounding his two fists together, “Damn it!”

 

Kirito says, “Something tells that whoever gave Alberich and Kibaou that ‘assistance’ doesn’t want you getting back for obvious reasons. Even with Mimete and Organization Thirteen gone, there are more than our lives at stake. If we don’t get back soon, we may not have a home to return to.”

 

Lisbeth says, drolly, “Just great.”

 

Haruka says, looking at Veemon and Gatomon, “However, we may have another ace in the hole with these two. While Digimon can come here since they are digital beings, but they aren’t just man-made programs like the NPC characters and monsters in this world, they are actual ‘digital life-forms’, living beings made of digital data and ‘born’ of the data from human technology, which means that I doubt that even something as advanced as the severs of SAO could have any ‘control’ over them, but it also may cause plenty of problems.”

 

Klein asks, “What do you mean?”

 

Kirito responds, “It is just like Haruka said. Veemon and Gatomon are digital life-forms, actual living beings, and I think that their ‘digital DNA’ would be too complex for even Cardinal to process which means that we don't know how the game will be affected by them as how the game will affect Veemon and Gatomon. They exist here now, but they are beyond the ability of Cardinal to ‘nail down’.”

 

Gatomon says, “I’m not a cat to get ‘nailed down’ by a stupid computer.”

 

Sam says, “However, it means that you and Veemon need to be careful on how you interact with everything in SAO.”

 

Veemon nods his head and Kirito says, “However, I think that we are going to need them since we have no idea on who sent that other Digimon into SAO. To be honest, I think that events are far from Kayaba’s control now.”

 

Everyone looks at Kirito and Klein asks, “Are you sure, dude?”

 

Usagi says, with a plain tone, “I think that Kirito is right.”

 

Asuna says, nodding her head, “I agree with Usagi and Kirito-kun. There is more than just our lives on the line still and we need to escape from here to start to help things along.”

 

Akari asks Gatomon, “By the way, Gatomon, what did you mean earlier by watching over us?”

 

Gatomon responds, “Veemon and I have been watching over your bodies for the past two years, Kari.”

 

There are gasps and Dai asks, surprised, “Our bodies?”

 

Veemon says, with a nod, “Yeah, Davis. You and Kari were in bad shape.”

 

Gatomon says, drolly, “That’s putting it nicely, Veemon.” Gatomon says, with a sigh, “After we had driven the enemy Digimon away and we learned that you were still in the building when it exploded and collapses, we frantically looked around until we found both of you in some rubble. You had tried to protect each other and you were in the worst type of shape. It was a miracle that the collapse help shield you from much of the explosion, but your bodies were wrecked. However, the recovery chambers based on the Medicuboids were undamaged and they had power to them. We got you, two, into them just in time and transferred your minds into the system, but someone managed to rip your minds out of the mainframe computer that they used for the chambers.”

 

There are looks of surprise and Taichi asks, “Wait! Go back! You said that someone hacked into the system and took Davis’ and Kari’s minds from the computer systems?”

 

Gatomon says, with a nod, “Yep. We thought that it was a virus, but we figured out it was a hack. Someone hacked into the systems and took Davis’ and Kari’s minds from the virtual matrix where Luke was storing them as Davis’ and Kari’s bodies were being ‘rebuilt’.”

 

There are gasps of shock and Miyako says, “Basically, it means that Davis and Kari or at least their minds were kidnapped!”

 

Junpier asks, “But why?”

 

Veemon says, shaking his head, “We don’t know!” Veemon says, with a smile, “However, we recently found out that Davis’ and Kari’s minds were here and we came here to find them and help them return to their bodies which are back to normal!”

 

There are more gasps and Akari asks, “Wait! Are you saying…?”

 

Gatomon says, with a smile, “The chambers worked Kari! You and Davis’ bodies are just fine! They look like that nothing happened to them!”

 

The Digital Knights are excited and Taichi says, excitedly, “I knew it!”

 

Takashi says, excitedly, “That’s great! It means that we can bring Davis and Kari back home with us!”

 

Davis and Kari give looks of amazement and Asuna says, with a smile, “I’m so happy!”

Kirito, however, is giving an intense look and Usagi asks Kirito, “What’s wrong, Kirito?”

 

When everyone looks at Kirito, he responds, coming out of his stupor, “Nothing, Usagi.”

 

Usagi asks Kirito, “You are thinking about who took Dai’s and Kari’s minds from the place that they saved, aren’t you?”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “You and Asuna know me all too well.”

 

Asuna responds, with a warm smile, “It isn’t surprising, Kirito-kun.”

 

Kirito says, “The thing is: I’m not sure that it is a coincidence that someone took them from that orphanage that they saved and now, they are appearing in SAO under mysterious circumstances.”

 

Dai asks, “What? Are you saying that we were dumped in Rainbow Gardens on purpose?”

 

Kirito says, with a serious tone, “I believe so, Dai.”

 

There are gasps and Taichi asks, “But who and why?”

 

Kirito says, “I don’t know, Taichi. And that’s what worries me.”

 

Mamoru says, “There are so many questions now.”

 

Kirito says, “And there is only one person that can answer them.”

 

Klein asks, “Who is that?”

 

Haruka responds, plainly, “Kayaba.”

 

Hino says, “If he is still around.”

Leafa says, with a plain tone, “He is still here.” When everyone looks at Leafa, she says, “The closer that we get to the top floor, the stronger than this feeling gets. I know Kayaba is still in SAO and he is waiting for us at the top floor.”

 

Lisbeth asks, “How can you ‘sense’ him? Are you sure that it isn’t nerves or something?”

 

Leafa responds, shaking her head, “No, I know. I really don’t know how I can sense him at all, but I know that I could the day that I got to SAO. And something tells me that the reason why can only be answered by him.”

 

Kirito thinks in his mind, “That’s what I’m most afraid of Sugu.”

 

January 22, 2025, Floor 76, Arc Sofia

 

Today, we find Usagi and Kirito walking into Agil’s inn/shop together and discussing about a lot of things.

 

Usagi says, “We finally made it to ninety-third floor.”

 

Kirito says, “But no sign of Alberich at all. However, there are still reports of players disappearing while their names are still on the Monument of Life back in the Town of Beginnings.”

 

Usagi says, “The slime is still at work.”

 

Leafa’s voice then booms, “Hey, Kirito!” Usagi and Kirito then look to see Leafa coming over to them.

 

Kirito asks, “What’s up, Leafa?”

 

Leafa asks, “Do you and Usagi have some time and see if you can help with me with Sword Skills?”

 

Usagi asks, curiously, “Do you really need any help Leafa?”

 

Kirito says, “You did great in that boss battle some days ago and also, I’m not good at teaching…”

 

Leafa responds, “Well, Kirito and Usagi know a lot about Sword Skills right?”

 

Kirito says, “Well, it does depend on the weapon and Usagi’s Mimic Skill allows her to use all types of Sword Skills…”

 

Usagi tells Kirito, with a plain tone, “Doesn’t mean that I’m expert in them, Kirito.” Usagi then says, “Maybe we should go out in the field and see.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Good idea.”

 

Leafa says, nodding her head, “Okay!”

 

January 22, 2025, Floor 76, Field

 

Out in the field, Usagi, Kirito, and Leafa are together and they find some monsters, which by now are no challenge to the three of them.

 

Leafa says, “Okay, I’ll take on these monsters.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “They aren’t any challenge at our level now, Leafa, so, there is no danger.”

 

Kirito says, “However, we will be here just in case, Leafa.”

 

Leafa says, with a nod, “All right, Kirito, I’ll get started.” Soon after, Leafa uses the monsters to basically show what Sword Skills she has in her usage.

 

When she is done, Leafa comes over and Usagi says, “I don’t think that you need our help, Leafa.”

 

Leafa says, with a smile, “That’s because the enemies are low-level. You and big brother could have taken them easily, Usagi.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “True, but your movements using those Sword Skills were excellent. They were beautifully performed that I couldn’t take my eyes off them.”

 

Leafa says, with a blush, “Geez, Kirito, you are going to make me shy with those words.” Leafa says, “Anyway, it still feels strange despite me using this ‘body’ for a year or so. I can move with practice, but it seems like my mind is moving faster than my body.”

 

Usagi says, “I’m not surprised that you feel that way, Leafa-chan.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “If you want to move the way that you want, you are going to have to time your body movements with the casting of the Sword Skill. It can’t be taught, Leafa. You have to learn through experience, but you already get the basics and move, so, I’m sure that you’ll be fine.”

 

Leafa says, with a nod, “I see.”

 

Kirito says, “The only thing that bothers me is that you have so few Sword Skills. You need a vast range of skills to deal with different kinds of enemies and you’ll gain experience much faster that way.”

 

Leafa says, “That’s true, but many of the One-Handed Sword Skill deviate from the practice of kendo. So, I choose skills that aren’t a bad influence to kendo. Sorry to be a problem since you is taking a lot of consideration to me.”

 

Usagi says, “It is a no problem at all.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Yeah, Usagi is right. And I should say my sorry.” Usagi and Leafa look at Kirito and he says, “If I didn’t play SAO, you wouldn’t have been in here. You really must want to get to reality.”

 

Leafa tells Kirito, “I came here out of my own will. I came here because I really wanted to see my big brother. Your apology is like telling me that it was better that if I didn’t come here. Can’t I worry about my big brother? Can’t I come to meet my most important big brother?”

 

Kirito says, “Sugu…”

 

Leafa says, with a sigh, “But maybe…No, it is more than just that. Big brother, I must admit there is more to it than that.” Leafa looks up at the virtual ceiling which is made out to be a sky and she says, “You know that I know the truth about our blood and you must have felt out of place in our family when you found out when you were ten, right? I…I always felt that way ever since I could remember.”

 

Usagi and Kirito are stunned by this and Kirito says, “Sugu…”

Leafa says, “I know that it doesn’t make sense at all. But as far as I could remember, I had this ‘nagging feeling’ that I always felt ‘out of place’. It was not only with my own family, but this time and place. I tried to make it due to the distance that came between us when you found out the truth that you are my aunt’s son, not mom’s son, but I knew that it wasn’t the truth. Those feelings grew ever since you got trapped in SAO. The instant that it happened, I got a weird feeling that this kind of horror and tragedy happened before which didn’t make sense and feelings of anger and betrayal just welled up within me. And those feelings became focused on that man: Kayaba. I couldn’t understand it. I should be angry with him by taking my brother away, but these feelings…It was like I knew Kayaba personally somehow which shouldn’t be possible. You had more knowledge of Kayaba than I could. But now, learning about Usagi and the truth about her being Sailor Moon, I think…No, I KNOW: Kayaba and I shared a history back in that time…In the Silver Millennium!”

 

Usagi’s and Kirito’s eyes grow wide and Kirito says, with a sigh, “That’s what I theorized Sugu.”

 

Leafa says, nodding her head, “I figured that you did, big brother. Kayaba did something so horrible…commit a betrayal so deep that it resonate in my heart in this life. Ever since you have been trapped, I’ve felt a ‘calling’ to come to SAO to find those answers and to finish some kind of ‘unfinished business’. I can’t understand these feelings at all and I know that only Kayaba has answers to these unusual questions in my mind. Like: Am I who I say I am or is Suguha Kirigaya just a persona? Do I belong in this time or am I a relic of a time long dead? Do I play kendo for what I thought that I did or is this just training for some far greater? Those questions just burst out ever since SAO started and I learned the truth about our ‘relationship’, big brother. And there is only one person that can answer them: Kayaba himself. I have to find him, make him talk, and something in my heart tells me, I need to fight him.”

 

Kirito says, concerned, “Sugu, he’s dangerous!”

 

Leafa says, with a nod, “I know, big brother. I came here to get you and bring you home to our family, but there is a voice in my mind and in my heart. That voice is screaming…begging me to stop him…stop Kayaba. They are saying that the cycle of death of SAO can only end by the tragedy of the two that started it all. I think…I know that voice is saying that somehow SAO started long ago between Kayaba and me, big brother.”

 

Kirito tells Leafa, “Sugu, that’s crazy.”

 

Leafa responds, “With all that happened, can you really believe that?”

 

Kirito replies to that by saying, with a sigh and a solemn tone, “Not anymore, Sugu.”

 

Usagi tells Leafa, “Leafa, if you fight Kayaba, I feel…I know in my heart that something horrible will happen.”

 

Leafa tells Usagi, with a warm smile, “I know how you feel, Usagi. It is just…every time that I see you and Kirito in pain because of him, it hurts my heart too.” Usagi is surprised by this and Leafa tells Kirito, “Big brother, if you make it to reality and anything happens to me…”

 

Kirito tells Leafa, hugging her, “Don’t say that, Sugu! We will make it back home together!”

 

Leafa says, with a warm smile, “Yeah, we will. Sorry, big brother.” Leafa says, with a smile yet solemn tone in her voice, “However, I won’t let you stop me. I have to find Kayaba and I have to know the truth. It may be the thing that defines my future.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, concerned, “That’s what I fear the most, Leafa.” Just then Usagi then sees someone that looks like her as Princess Serenity, but she has a rainbow Milky Way sigil behind her golden crescent moon sigil and her dress looks like a rainbow and silver person of her ‘royal dress’ as Princess Serenity with her eyes are dark grey and not blue.

 

January 26, 2025, Floor 95, Dungeon

 

Within the entrance to the boss’ chamber in the Floor 95 main dungeon, there is a large group of players, a boss raid party, in which Kirito, Usagi, Mamoru, Leafa, Dai, Akari, and others of our heroes and heroines coming out with Veemon and Gatomon by the sides of their Digidestined partners.

 

In this group are Rua and Luca and Rua says, with a grin, “Another day and another boss going to get clobbered!”

 

Luca tells Rua, “Geez, Rua, don’t think that it is going to be that easy.”

 

Rua responds, “Come on, sis! With the Black Swordsman, White Valkyrie, and all of their new friends, we have been getting through boss fights without losing a single person ever since we fought the seventy-six floor boss!”

 

Aaron, who is also part of the group, says, “That’s true, but you have to remember that we had plenty of close calls.”

 

Rua says, with a smile, “Yeah, I know. But with kick butt players like them and their new friends, like that Dai guy, we have been getting out of tough scraps!”

 

Luca says, “That might be true, but if we lower our guard, here, it will be fatal!”

 

Usagi tells Rua, “Your sister is right, Rua. You have to listen to her. I know that we have been doing well, but it doesn’t mean that we can let our guard down at all especially with what has happened lately.”

 

Asuna says, “Usagi is right, everyone! We have made it to ninety-five floor, but it is more reason to be even more vigilante as ever! We are getting close to the end and that means that the challenges will be the toughest of them! And we need to be ready for them if we want to get back home without any more deaths from this horror! When this horror started, all I felt is despair and that we would never get home, but as we fought and conquered every floor, I gained more and more hope and now, I know that we can get home. However, my greatest fear now is the cost of getting home. How many more of us, players, have to die in order for the rest of us to get home to the people that we love and the lives taken from us? So, please, everyone, come out of this and final boss fights alive!”

 

As the group prepares to enter the boss’ chamber, a familiar female voice shouts out, “Kirito!”

 

Everyone then looks to see Strea running up to them and Kirito asks, “What are you doing in a place like this Strea?”

 

Strea responds, with a smile, “Why do you think Kirito? I’ve been leveling up when I got here and I decided to see if you had started the boss fight yet. Can I join you?”

 

Akari says, “I don’t think that it will be much of a problem. Her Two-Handed Sword Skills are mainly slashing attacks and the boss is weak against those types of attacks.”

 

Kirito asks Strea, “It would be good with more players, but will you be okay?”

 

Strea responds, with a smile, “I already got switching and POT rotations down. I won’t be any trouble.”

 

Kirito says, “Okay.” Soon after, the group enters the boss’ room where the floor boss, The Genocide Eyes, a red armored version of The Gleameyes with a huge cleaver that has a ‘spiked’ blade.

 

However, Strea gives out a scream and everyone looks to see that she collapses to the ground, holding her head, in which Rua asks, “What’s happened to her?”

 

Luca says, “I don’t think that it is stasis effect.”

 

Usagi yells out, concerned, “Oh no, Strea!”

 

Strea says, weakly, “Kirito…Usagi…”

 

Kirito tells Usagi, “Usagi, get Strea out of here! We’ll take care of the rest!”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Okay!” Usagi rushes over, puts Strea over her right shoulder with her left arm around her back, and she drags her away to a corner of the room while the rest of the boss raid party fight against the boss monster. The fight started off pretty hard at first, but when Veemon and Gatomon turned into their Mega forms of UlforceVeedramon and Magnadramon, the battle ended nearly as it began and the boss monster shatters into hundreds of data particles.

 

After the ‘Congratulations’ sign that signals the end of the boss fight appears, the players start cheering and Rua says, with a grin and excited tone in his voice, “Easy!”

 

Luca retorts, with a sigh, “Yeah, right.”

 

On the meanwhile, Kirito and others go over and Usagi asks Strea, “Are you okay?”

 

Strea moans out, “Kirito…Usagi…I can’t let you completely the game…”

 

Usagi asks, confused, “Huh?” Just then Usagi yelps as Strea does a spin kick against her and Usagi asks, “What was that for?”

 

Kirito asks, surprised, “Strea?”

 

Just then Strea’s eyes go blank and she says, in a monotone voice, “I’m fine now…There is nothing wrong since I know…I have to protect this world…I have to go…” Soon after, Strea vanishes through a classic teleportation scheme, but she doesn’t use any crystals or whatnot to do that.

 

Kirito says, shocked, “Strea!”

 

Leafa asks, “Where did she go?”

 

Mamoru says, “She didn’t use any teleportation crystals.”

 

Akari asks, “How is that possible?”

 

Haruka says, plainly, “I think that we have seen Strea’s true face, Akari.”

 

Everyone looks at Haruka and Dai asks, “What do you mean?”

 

Haruka responds, “Setsuna, Hino, and I have suspect this for some time, but we weren’t sure, so, we said nothing. However, I’m sure…No, I know that Strea isn’t human.”

 

There are gasps of shock and Usagi asks, “What do you mean?”

 

Kirito thinks in his mind, “Could it be true? Could it be possible that Strea is exactly like Yui?” As questions form in Kirito’s mind, the others can’t help to wonder what Haruka meant and where Strea could be now.

 

And that’s the end of the chapter, everyone! Yes, I know that I’m jumping along and Hollow Fragment has tons of cut scenes, but right now, they are best put in the ‘background’ of the context of my fanfiction at this moment. Right now, I will admit that within several chapters, the grand finale of the story will be written! Some of you may have an idea on what it will be, but you are going to have to read and find out, folks! Later and best wishes, Crossover Fans!