Crossover Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Sailor Moon Online ❯ Into the World of Fairies ( Chapter 9 )

This is the next chapter of the story and we are going into the Fairy Dance arc, so, you can expect plenty of similarities and plenty of difference from what you saw in the Sword Art Online anime/manga/light novel and in my fanfiction. So, what is Serena’s ‘fairy form’ going to be for ALO? Well, you are going to have to read and find out, everyone! And you can expect plenty of familiar faces from both Sailor Moon and Sword Art Online series to be there, but you need to read to find out, folks!

I DO NOT OWN Sailor Moon, Sword Art Online, Accel World, Digimon series, 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 Itô!

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

Chapter 9: Into the World of Fairies

January 17, 2025, Jewelry OSA-P

On the roof of OSA-P, the jewelry store owned by Serena’s childhood friend, Molly Baker, Eternal Sailor Moon and Eternal Sailor Neo-Moon land on the rooftop of the building and they look around for Sailor Nebula, the mysterious new Sailor Scout that ‘called’ them here with her letter.

Sailor Moon asks, “Where is she?”

Just then a female voice says, “Hello, Serena.” Sailor Moon and Sailor Neo-Moon whip to the source to see a brand new Sailor Scout right in front of them.

This new Sailor Scout has wavy reddish-brown hair that’s in a style similar to Sailor Venus’ hairstyle with blue bow in the top center portion of the rare of her scalp, she has two sets of three rainbow feathers on the forward portion of her scalp, a rainbow five-pointed star on her forehead, blue eyes, deep, full, and lovely pink lips, she has a sailor fuku that has a blue sailor color, a silver bodysuit instead of white with the broach that Molly had earlier (A/N: Refer to Chapter 8 for details.), in the chest area of the bodysuit, white shoulder pads, silver colored gloves of similar design to Eternal Sailor Moon’s gloves, she has pink, red, and blue skirt with a rainbow star on the top center portion of her skirt, she has white versions of Sailor Venus’ high-heeled shoes on her feet, and she has got two pairs of rainbow wings coming out of her back.

Sailor Neo-Moon asks, amazed, “Are you Sailor Nebula?”

Just then Aurora comes out and she says, “That’s correct. Sailor Moon, greetings. I am Sailor Nebula’s partner, Aurora.”

Sailor Moon says, “Nice to meet you.”

Sailor Nebula says, “It is good to see you again after so long Sailor Moon.”

Sailor Moon says, recognizing her voice, “Your voice…”

Sailor Nebula says, with a nod, “It’s me, Serena.”

Sailor Moon gasps and she yells out, “Molly?!”

Sailor Nebula says, with a smile while putting her index finger on her lips, “Easy, Serena! You want to tell the whole world?!”

Sailor Moon responds, a bit nervously, “Sorry.”

Sailor Nebula says, “I’m so glad to see you up and about again.”

Sailor Moon asks, shocked, “Molly, how long?”

Sailor Nebula responds, “After Galaxia, Serena. It is your battle with her that actually caused me to awaken and it was a good thing too since it kept my star seed safe.” Sailor Nebula says, “However, I knew that you were Sailor Moon since the battle with the Negamoon.”

Sailor Moon asks, stunned, “You knew for that long?”

Sailor Nebula says, with a nod, “I did. And I realized that the others must be your fellow Sailor Scouts. It is the reason that I stayed away and it is like history repeating itself. Back in the Silver Millennium, you and I were childhood friends, but we had to grow apart since I had to fulfill my duty as Sailor Nebula and you were the heiress to the throne in which I knew that the inner court would raise you well. Before I left, they promised me that they would.”

Just then memories come into Sailor Moon’s mind and she says, shedding a tear, “I remember. I begged you not to go, but you told me that we had our duties to perform.”

Sailor Nebula says, “Same as now, Serena. The instant that I awoke, I was thrown into the fight and I had my own battles to perform which got even worse the instant that you were trapped in SAO.”

Sailor Moon says, “The girls said that you visited me quite a few times, Molly.”

Sailor Nebula says, “I cried Serena. I also felt the fear that you could die at any time, but when you kept living longer and longer, I gained hope. And that hope grew with every day, but with you, gone, Serena, I knew that the evil forces would figure it out. I knew that they would sense the weakness in Earth’s defenses and I was right. You already know what’s going on with the others.”

Sailor Moon says, “Yes. They wanted to keep me out of it as long as possible, but I can’t just stay away. I hate fighting, but if I do nothing, I will lose what’s precious to me and after going through that, if I can help it, I will do what I can to save the good, the innocent, and those that are precious to me.”

Sailor Nebula says, with a smile, “Deep down, you never really changed Serena. I’m glad that SAO didn’t destroy the gentle person that’s my best childhood friend.” Sailor Nebula says, “However, you can’t fight in this battle yet. Remember, the Silver Crystal gains strength from your heart and right now, your heart is in turmoil, Serena. And you know it.”

Sailor Moon says, with a sigh, “I know.” Sailor Moon asks, remembering, “Wait! Did you…?”

Sailor Nebula says, with a nod, “Yes. I’m glad that Aurora got to you. And I’m here to help you get your friend back Serena. Aurora told me that there is more to this and he said… that SAO was just the beginning.”

Sailor Moon and Sailor Neo Moon gasp and Sailor Neo-Moon asks, “Beginning of what?”

Sailor Nebula says, “Our next battle, Sailor Neo-Moon. Begin the Guardian Sailor Soldier of every single star seeds from birth to death, I have access to the powers of the other Sailor Scouts. Right now, the future is starting to go into flux, but it is so small that you aren’t affected by it, Sailor Neo-Moon.”

Aurora says, “However, we have prepared countermeasures. We keep hoping that you wouldn’t have to use the Time Gates to go into the past since any radical change in the past could affect your existence.”

Sailor Neo Moon asks, “There are ways for me to travel into the past and not get affected by any changes to it?”

Aurora says, “There are different forms of time travel that work on one of two principles.”

Sailor Nebula says, with a smile, “That’s a story for another day.” Sailor Nebula says, “Right now, we need to discuss that picture. Please follow me.” Sailor Moon nods her head and she and Neo-Moon follows Sailor Nebula and Aurora into Molly Baker’s room of her home. Inside of her house, Sailor Nebula displays an Amusphere and game package that has a male and female with fairy wings and has words ‘Alfheim Online’ on the game package.

Sailor Moon asks, “What’s this?”

Sailor Nebula says, “This is Amusphere. This is the successor to the NervGear that you have with you.”

Aurora says, “It is basically that same unit with additional security features including ways to make sure that your brain can’t be fried by the unit.”

Sailor Neo Moon says, “I’ve heard about it back home. That’s why it is considered a second generation Full-Dive system like the NervGear.”

Sailor Moon asks, “Second generation?”

Sailor Nebula says, with a smile, “Later, Serena.” Sailor Nebula pushes the game package and she says, “Take a look at this.”

Sailor Moon asks, “Alf… heim… Online?”

Sailor Nebula responds, “It’s actually pronounced ‘Alv-heym’, Serena. It means ‘Land of the Fairies. It is a VRMMO for this unit.”

Sailor Moon says, with a just a nod of recognition, “I see.” Sailor Moon asks, “But what does it have to do with Asuna?”

Aurora says, “This was taken in the game, your majesty. Inside of Alfheim Online.”

There are gasps and Sailor Moon says, “No way!”

Sailor Nebula says, “It’s true, Serena.” Sailor Nebula says, “And before you say anything, this game isn’t as cute as it sounds. It is a hard core MMO.”

Sailor Moon asks, “Hard-core? How?”

Sailor Neo-Moon says, “It’s totally skilled based, Serena. You don’t have a level and you can only power up your skills through use with your health barely going up as you play. Actually, battling depends on the player’s actual athletic ability.”

Sailor Nebula says, “It is like Sword Art Online, but without sword skills and using magic, Serena. And Player Killer is encouraged.”

Sailor Moon asks, stunned, “Really?”

Sailor Nebula says, “There are nine different kinds of fairies in this game and you are allowed to kill other kinds.”

Aurora says, “And its graphics and animation are equal to SAO or so they say.”

Sailor Moon says, shocked, “No way!”

Sailor Nebula says, “That’s what we have heard and this came out about one year after you got trapped in SAO.”

Sailor Moon asks, getting suspicious, “Hold up! How did they get it out so fast?” Sailor Moon asks Sailor Neo Moon, “And how did you know about it?”

Sailor Neo Moon says, with a smile, “It’s the top VRMMO of Crystal Tokyo. I mean, my time’s version has been greatly improved, but there are about tens of millions of players, Serena.”

Sailor Moon says, amazed, “Wow.”

Aurora says, “However, it might not happen if the evil afoot in ALO is allowed to continue.”
Sailor Neo Moon asks, “What do you mean?”

Sailor Nebula turns the game package to its back, depicting the land and a huge tree in the center, “Here is the land of Alfheim, the setting for the game. And in the center, there is the World Tree. The current main quest of the game is one of the nine races of fairies to be the first race to the top of the World Tree and this group of five players, wearing the lightest armor possible, stood on each other’s backs, heaviest on the bottom to lightest on the top, and they launched themselves up.”

Sailor Moon asks, shocked, “They launched themselves?”

Sailor Nebula says, “Oops! I forgot that since the players can fly since they are fairies!”

Sailor Moon asks, amazed, “They can fly?”

Aurora says, “Yes, the game has a ‘flight engine’ that allows players to fly.”

Sailor Moon says, awe-struck, “That’s incredible! Even in VR, you could only fly in machines and stuff! How can you move things that you don’t have? Amazing!”

Sailor Neo Moon tells Sailor Moon, “Focus, Sailor Moon.”

Sailor Moon responds, nervously, “Right, sorry.” Sailor Moon asks, “So, why didn’t they fly to the tree?”

Sailor Nebula says, “The game has a time limit on flight. Ten minutes max as I heard.”

Sailor Moon says, with a snort, “Major bummer.”

Aurora says, “Anyway, the players couldn’t get to the lowest branches, but they took pictures of what they saw.”

Sailor Nebula says, taking out two pictures, “And this is what they saw.” Sailor Moon and Sailor Neo-Moon see a picture of a golden birdcage on a branch and Sailor Nebula says, showing the same picture that came with the letter that she had sent, “And when they zoomed in, they saw her.”

Sailor Moon asks, “What’s she doing there?” Sailor Moon then looks at the back of the game container and her eyes widen in which she takes the box.

Sailor Neo Moon asks, “Sailor Moon? What’s wrong?”

Sailor Moon sees the RCT progress logo on the bottom left corner of the backside of the game box and she thinks, “RCT progress? But that’s…”

Aurora says, “I take it that you noticed that this game is run by RCT progress, the RCT industries Full-Dive division, who’s head is…”

Sailor Moon says, “Sugou Nobuyuki.”

Sailor Neo Moon asks, “Who’s that?”

Sailor Moon says, “He is a power hungry jerk that’s second only to Kayaba when it comes to Full-Dive technology. He went to the same school as Kayaba and he always hated to be ‘second best’. He would love a chance to ‘one up’ him. He has fooled a lot of people making them believe that he is a nice guy, but he is really amoral jerk that would do anything to get ahead in life and he loves to step on people. My family saw him for who he is.” Sailor Moon asks, “Molly, do you have any evidence that Asuna and the other remaining SAO players are trapped somewhere in ALO?”

Aurora says, “If we had that evidence, we would go straight to the police and especially the government task force who’s job is to ‘manage’ the SAO incident, your majesty.”

Sailor Moon says, with a sigh, “Good point.” Sailor Moon says, solemnly, “I guess that there is only one way.”

Sailor Neo Moon asks, “You don’t mean…?”

Aurora says, “You need to get onto Alfheim Online and find out the truth.”

Sailor Nebula says, “I want to go with you, Serena. However, I’m barely holding on against the Dark Agency.”

Sailor Moon says, “Then I should stay and help!”

Sailor Nebula says, “No way, Serena! If you always keep Asuna and the other SAO players in your mind, you won’t be able to fight at full strength and that’s dangerous!”

Sailor Moon asks, “There is another reason, isn’t there?”

Aurora says, with a nod, “Yes, your majesty. Asuna Yuuki and Kazuto Kirigaya have an important role in the future. You are going to need them for the journeys ahead, but what they are, I really don’t know and I honestly don’t know.”

Sailor Moon is silent for a few moments and she then asks, “Where can I buy an Amusphere?”

Sailor Neo Moon gives a surprised look and Sailor Nebula says, “It will work with the NervGear. Like we mentioned, the Amusphere is just a NervGear with better security.”

Sailor Moon says, “That’s good to know. I… I’ll log in right away.”

There are looks of surprise from Sailor Nebula, Aurora, and Neo Moon in which Sailor Neo Moon asks, “Hold up, Meatball Head! What about the others?”

Sailor Nebula says, “I’ve got to agree with your future daughter, Serena. The others…”

Sailor Moon says, in a stern tone, “No!” The others are taken aback by Sailor Moon’s stern tone, which is unusual for our Moon Princess before SAO, and she says, “If there is something going on in this game, I don’t want to put the others in any danger! There have been too many people that have suffered by this ‘dark legacy’ of my family and it’s my responsibility to end this.”

Sailor Neo Moon asks, surprised, “Are you listening to yourself, Meatball Head?”

Sailor Nebula says, “This isn’t like you, Serena.”

Sailor Moon responds, “I’ve changed, Molly. I’m not the same person and right now… I’m not Serena Tsukino.” There are confused looks and Sailor Moon says, “I know. It is crazy, but I just don’t feel like myself. It’s like Serena Tsukino is just a persona to me now and I’m more like Usagi, the White Valkyrie of SAO.” Sailor Moon says, shaking her head, “I don’t know… Maybe I’ve gone insane.”

Sailor Nebula tells Sailor Moon, with a warm smile, “No, Serena. Asuna is a valued friend and you really care about people which is why every death in SAO struck you to the core, Serena. It is part of the reason that you did everything to save those people.”

Sailor Moon says, with a weak smile, “Yeah, but it wasn’t enough.”

Sailor Nebula says, with a sigh, “You may be Sailor Moon, but you are still human, Serena. Not even Sailor Moon can save everyone. But your court can agree with me that they wished that you never had to learn it in that way.”

Sailor Moon says, “And I don’t want to ever to learn that lesson ever again and especially not with my friends’ and my Darien-kun’s lives. I don’t want to jump into anything especially without them, but I don’t want to put them through any of the same risk as I went through in SAO. I couldn’t live with myself.”

Sailor Neo Moon asks, “What about Kazuto-san?”

Sailor Moon’s eyes grow wide and she thinks in her mind, “Kirito…” She gains plenty of warm memories with her times with Kirito and Asuna and her heart aches as she remembers Kazuto at the bedside of Asuna as she lies in her bed with her NervGear in which she can’t help to feel guilt in which she regained her life, her friends, and the man that she loved while Kazuto has to watch the one that he loves helplessly fade away. And with Asuna, one of her best friends in SAO, she can’t help to despise that while she got her life back, Asuna is trapped in a virtual world and if what she saw is true and she is trapped in ALO, she is a prisoner and based on who is keeping her imprisoned, who knows what kind of horrors she is suffering. Sailor Moon says, shaking her head, “I want to tell him… he deserves to know… but knowing Kirito, he would rush right in without thinking. I don’t want to risk his life anymore that he has done. A member of my family caused this problem and I have to finish it once and for all. And if anything happened to him, Asuna would never forgive me and I would never forgive myself.”

Sailor Neo Moon says, with a sigh, “Sailor Moon.”

Aurora says, “It seems like you are resolved, your majesty.”

Sailor Moon nods her head and Sailor Nebula says, “You need to put the ‘ghosts of SAO’ to bed once and for all.”

Sailor Moon asks, with a winch, “Geez, Molly, did you have to say ghosts?”

Sailor Nebula says, with a smile, “Sorry, Serena.”

Sailor Moon says, “Anyway, I do, Molly. For me, SAO will never be over until Asuna and the others come home.”

Sailor Nebula says, “Okay.”

Sailor Neo Moon says, “And I’m coming with you.”

Sailor Moon yells out, “No way!”

Sailor Neo Moon says, sternly, “Yes way, Meatball Head. You aren’t going in there alone and that’s final. I go or I open my mouth to Darien and the others and I mean it!”

Sailor Moon says, with a sigh, “Okay! Okay!” Sailor Moon tells Sailor Neo Moon, “But you don’t have anything to log in.”

Sailor Neo Moon says, with a smirk, “That’s where you are wrong, Sailor Moon.” Sailor Neo Moon then takes something off and a collar-like high-tech device appears around her neck.

Sailor Moon asks, “What’s that? And where did it come from?”

Sailor Neo Moon says, with a smile, “This is my Neuro Linker, Sailor Moon. You can call it the fifth generation Full-Dive device, three ‘advances’ from the NervGear and Amusphere, which allows to Full Dive anywhere at any time.”

Sailor Moon asks, shocked, “You’re kidding me!”

Sailor Neo Moon says, shaking her head, “Nope. I had under an illusion spell this whole time. Anyway, in my time, the internet and world wide web has involved into a complete virtual network where there is basically a virtual world hidden under the ‘real one’, Sailor Moon. You don’t just Full Dive for games anymore through virtual games is main form of gaming in my time. You basically Full Dive for everyday life through mom and dad make sure to tell everyone to spend equal amounts of time in the real world and make sure to keep their bodies healthy in all sorts of ways.”

Sailor Moon says, awe-struck, “Incredible.”

Sailor Neo Moon says, “Anyway, ALO is number one VRMMO of my time, but it is way more advanced that the one of this time since it is just starting. However, in my time, Sailor Mercury adapted a program that will allow me to use my future ALO avatar in this version in which while ALO of the thirtieth century is way ‘advanced’, the core of it remains the same in this time as in my time. The program also allows me to use my Neuro Linker to log in a lot like you do with a NervGear or Amusphere just without the device attached to your head and it will work the same way. It might need a few modifications, but it will work.”

Aurora says, “That’s good.”

Sailor Nebula says, “However, I’m not letting my childhood friend go in there with that thing unless we know that same risk of using it again is negated.”

Sailor Moon asks, “Is that the reason that you asked me to bring my NervGear?”

Aurora says, “Molly has a new friend that will be able to modify your NervGear to be as safe or at least as close as safe to an Amusphere as possible.”

Sailor Moon asks, amazed, “Really?”

Sailor Nebula says, with a smile, “Yep! Follow me!” Sailor Nebula takes Aurora into her arms and they head out into the room in which the three Sailor Scouts head out to Sailor Nebula’s friend where Sailor Moon can get her NervGear modified so it will be safer.

January 17, 2025, Odiaba District

Somewhere in the Odiaba District, Serena, Molly, with Aurora in her arms, and Rini are inside of what look a high-tech home laboratory with a young man of 18 years of age with well-groomed short black hair, brown eyes with small glasses in front of them giving a ‘cute smart guy’ look, and wearing a lab coat over basic grey shirt, blue jeans, and black shoes. With this young man, there is a small Ultimate Digimon known as Datamon with him.

He is looking over the NervGear and he asks, amazed, “Whoa! How were you able to keep this? All of the NervGears were recalled ever since the start of the SAO incident.”

Serena becomes solemn and Molly says, nervously, “It isn’t something that Serena wants to talk about, Luke.”

The young man responds, “Well, the only way that you would still have one is if you were…” His eyes widen, he looks at Serena, and Molly whispers something to him in which the young man, Luke, responds, “I see. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”

Serena responds, “It’s all right, Luke-san. You didn’t mean to bring up such bad memories, but then again, some of my memories ‘over there’ were good.”

Luke says, “Anyway, Datamon and I will get to work.”

Serena says, “I’ve heard of these Digidestined. They were involved in those ‘strange monster incidents’ that happened around two years before I became Sailor Moon.”

Molly says, with a nod, “That’s right, Serena. While you were ‘over there’, the information about the Digidestined and the Digital World became general knowledge since the number of Digidestined sky-rocketed from hundreds to millions in just a few years. However, Luke only took residence in Odiaba recently, so, he isn’t a ‘native’ to the home of the original Digidestined which came from this area.”

Rini asks, “So, he is really good with Full Dive technology?”

Molly says, with a smile, “He and his father were part of the team that developed the Amusphere.”

Serena asks, shocked, “Really?”

Luke says, “Only my dad was part of the team, but I had helped him as much as possible. We had taken NervGear that were confiscated to examine them in order to figure out how to create a Full-Dive that was based on it only someone won’t be able to use them like the way that they were used to trap SAO survivors like yourself, Serena-san.” Luke says, with a smile, “And Datamon knows his way around electronics.”

Datamon says, “It amazes the digital mind that you, humans, are able to come up with such. You are quite an interesting species of living being. My studies are much fruitful.” Later on, Luke presents Serena’s NervGear and it looks like brand new.

Luke says, “Done. We’ve modified it so the microwaves can never be lethal again, but we’ve put in special ‘safety devices’ just to make sure of that.”

Serena says, taking the NervGear, “Thank you, Luke.”

Luke responds, “No problem, Serena-san. Any friend of Molly’s is a friend of mine, but what I don’t get is after that horrible nightmare, you want to put this on again?”

Serena says, with a sigh, “I don’t want to, but it is because I have to.”

Molly tells Luke, “Please, Luke, I need for you to keep this quiet.”

Luke says, “Okay, I trust you, Molly.”

Molly takes out some money and she says, “You deserve this after a job well done.”

Luke says, taking the money, “You don’t have to do this especially not have you and your family help fund the research to develop the Amusphere.” Serena and Rini look at Molly in surprise and she giggles.

Molly asks, “After my childhood friend was taken away from me, you don’t think that I would stand here and do nothing, would you?”

Serena says, with a smile, “I guess not.”

Molly tells Luke, “Thank you, Luke.”

Luke says, with a smile, “Later, Molly.”

Serena, Molly, Aurora, and Rini take off in which Datamon says, “I must say that your kind is a very confusing yet interesting species, partner.”

Luke says, with a nod, “Yes, we are. Yes, we are.”

January 17, 2025, Jewelry OSA-P

Deep in the basement of Molly’s jewelry store home, Serena, Rini, Aurora, and Molly watch as Molly pushes in a hidden panel and a hidden door opens in which they find themselves in a high-tech command center similar to the one at Crown Arcade.

Serena asks, amazed, “You have your own command center?”

Aurora says, “Of course, your majesty.”

Molly says, “I said that I have been fighting a while, Serena.”

Serena asks, “Why not join up with the other Scouts?”

Molly gives a sigh and Aurora says, “She wants to and she asked me so many times, but she needed to stay in the shadows to prepare for the upcoming storm.”

Rini asks, “Upcoming storm?”

Aurora says, “A story for another day young princess.” Soon after, they set up Serena’s NervGear complete rig and attached it to the high-tech computer and insert Alfheim Online ROM card inside in which when the NervGear signaled that it is ready to go, Serena lies down a comfortable mattress and puts it on her head after letting her hair out of her classic pigtails to put it on.

Molly asks Serena, “Are you sure about not telling the others?”

Serena responds, “I really want to tell them and I know that I’m being selfish. I just… I don’t want to put them in anymore danger that my… that my uncle has put me, Kirito, Asuna, and the others through and if I think who I think is responsible for Asuna’s imprisonment on ALO, then this monster won’t hesitate to do horrible things to them. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to them.” Serena tells Rini, “Especially you, Rini. You are pain, but you are still my daughter and I still don’t like the idea of having you come with me.”

Rini responds, “And if anything happens to you, I won’t get born, Meatball Head! You are going to be my mommy in the future and right now, I’m afraid for you. After the pain that I saw in mommy’s eyes when she told me about her horrible experience in SAO, you must be really hurting. I’m not letting you go it alone and get yourself hurt, Serena!”

Serena says, with a smile, “Thanks, squirt.”

Rini says, with a grin, “I’m not a squirt!”

Serena says, with a grin, “You always will be in my book.”

Rini grins as Molly tells the two of them, “I already have another ROM card ready for Rini. To make sure that there won’t be any problems for either of you. Rini is going to wait awhile before she logs in. You will go in first and Rini will follow you.”

Serena nods her head and she asks, “Molly, how can you afford two cards?”

Molly says, with a giggle, “Ever since it became known that this was where Sailor Moon first appeared, we have gotten quite a bit more business lately and plus, mom invested excellently, but she wants to me to continue to go to public school. She started out as a ‘regular girl’ and she feels that I need to be a ‘regular girl’ to be a success in what I want to be.”

Serena says, with a nod, “Makes sense.”

Molly tells Serena, “And I should thank you for helping my family through it wasn’t what you planned to do at the time, I realize.”

Serena says, “I was more worried about you, Molly. I never thought about fame.”
Molly says, with a smile, “I know, Serena. It is all about the people that you care about like this. Good luck, Serena.”

Serena thinks in her mind, “I’m going to need it, Molly.” Serena then gently pats down her NervGear and she thinks, “This… This is the thing that kept me bound to a nightmare for two long miserable years. But this thing is an old friend that went through good times and bad until SAO and during that whole nightmare, it worked perfectly without pause that kept me alive too. I need your help, one more time. Please.” Serena then closes her eyes and she shouts out, “Link start!” Like over two years ago, Serena goes into a ‘slumber’ as her mind is transported into a virtual world and after going through a check of the system and such, she finds herself inside of a mainly dark virtual stage with the words ‘Welcome to Alfheim Online’.

Just then a female voice calls out, as a virtual keyboard appears in front of her, “Welcome to Alfheim Online! Please enter your gender and the name that you wish to go as.” She puts her gender as female and she enters the name ‘Usagi’ in which when she is done, nine female fairies with different clothing styles, hair, and whatnot appear in front of her in which the female voice says, “There are nine races of fairies to choose from. Please select the race that you wish to play as.” Our Moon Princess looks at them and she then selects a blue haired fairy woman and the female voice asks, “You have selected Undine. Your character’s appearance will be chosen at random. Do you wish to continue?” When our Moon Princess pushes the ‘yes’ button, the female voice says, “You will now be teleported to your home town in Undine territory. Good luck, player.”

Our Moon Princess thinks, “I’m going to need it.” She is then is enveloped in a virtual glow as her new virtual body/avatar takes form and our Moon Princess looks to see a castle-like structure fills her view in which when she gets closer and closer, she is enveloped in a blue light as she is teleported into virtual town below.

January 17, 2025, Alfheim Online, Undine Capital

In a town that’s inside of a massive castle-like structure, our Moon Princess, in her new virtual body appears and when she regains her ‘virtual senses’, our Moon Princess, now called Usagi once more, looks around to see herself within a virtual town where she sees a lot of people, male and female, in which she notices that all of them have blue hair and pointed elf-like ears.

Usagi looks around and she thinks in her mind, “Whoa! What I heard is right! This place looks just as good as Sword Art Online!” Usagi thinks in her mind, suspiciously, “Okay, getting a game out that looks just as good in a year? This just makes me more suspicious than ever.” Usagi shakes that thought from her head and she thinks, “Well, here I am again. After all that I went through, I’m back in a virtual world. You think that I would have learned from last time.” Usagi decides to shake out the thought since what kind of ‘dark thoughts’ could lead with that kind of thinking and she starts to walk off in order to gather information about this virtual world first before she heads off to find Rini, wherever she is in this virtual world, and then head off to The World Tree to find out about the truth about that picture and if what is believed is true, rescue Asuna. Usagi feels guilty about not telling the Scouts, her love, and especially Kazuto about this, but she didn’t want to put her friends in any danger and she didn’t want to cause Kazuto any distress if the remote chance that this proved to be a ‘wild goose chase’.

Just then a male voice says, “Hi! You must be new here!” Usagi yelps and she whips to see a man with short blue hair, blue eyes, and white sleeveless shirt under a silver armored breast plate, blue jean-like pants with armored kneepads, black boots, black gloves with a sword strapped to his waist and a shield around his left arm in which like the other players, he had also elf-like ears.

Usagi replies, nervously, “Yeah, that’s me.”

The man responds, “I’m not surprised since you have your starter gear. The man is Don.”

Usagi responds, nervously, “I’m Usagi. Nice to meet you.”

The man says, “Nice to meet a cute Undine like you. You must have gotten lucky or unlucky since the guys are going to hit on you.” Usagi gives a surprised look and when she sees her reflection, she is surprised by her new appearance.

Usagi, like the other players in this virtual community, has blue hair, but it is long and tied in her classic pigtails, her blue eyes are also the same as her real life self, she has deep, full, and gorgeous pink lips, and she is wearing a simple white and blue shirt, light blue shorts, white flat shoes, and across her waist, there is a belt containing a sheath for a simple long sword. The outfit shows the lines and curves of her of her feminine body including her very well-developed chest through not in an obscene manner and like the other players around her, she has elf-like ears, but they give her a really lovely female elf-like look.

Usagi thinks in her mind, stunned, “That’s me?”

The player, Don, tells Usagi, “Since your new here, how about me being your guild?”

Usagi responds, with a kind smile, “No, it’s okay. I’m just going to get to know this place.”

Don says, with a nod, “Okay. But if you need help, Usagi-san, just let me know. Don’t worry, plenty of players know me.”

Usagi says, with a smile, “Okay.” Usagi then steps away to find a private place, not knowing that she was being observed by someone. Later on, Usagi is sitting down on a bench and testing her starter long sword in which she says, shaking her head, “Yikes. What a piece of garbage. Oh, well.” She puts the long sword back in its sheath and swings her right hand to call up the player menu, but nothing happens. Usagi gives a confused look and tries again, but nothing happens. She tries for a third and fourth time and when nothing happens in which she says, “Why isn’t it working? I hope that it isn’t a bug.”

Just then a female voice says, “You need to use your left hand, my princess.”

Usagi then uses her left hand, calls up a player menu that looks exactly like the one in SAO, and she says, “Oh, thank you-Yipe!” Usagi then whips her head to the source of the voice to see an Undine woman with wavy blue hair that falls only just past her shoulders, deep blue eyes, perfectly colored ruby red lips, elf-like ears, and she is wearing a gorgeous light blue dress with matching high-heeled shoes tightly hugs her gorgeous feminine frame. Usagi then gasps as she recognizes the person in front of her and she asks, shocked, “M-Michelle?”

The woman responds, with a kind smile, “Yes, but I’m Michiru here.”

Usagi leaps to her feet and she asks, stunned, “What are you doing here?”

The woman, now revealed to be Michelle Kaiou AKA Sailor Neptune, who is called Michiru in ALO, responds, “I should be asking you the same thing, my princess.”

Usagi becomes nervous, gives a nervous laugh, and she thinks, with a sigh, “I’m so busted.” Usagi sighs and she talks with Michiru revealing why she is here in ALO.

When she is done as she looks at the picture on a screen that Usagi produced, Michiru says, “Yes, it looks like that Asuna girl.”

Usagi says, with a sigh, “It can’t be a coincidence, so, I came here to find out what’s going on. I’m sorry, Michelle… I mean, Michiru. I didn’t tell you, the girls, or Darien-kun because I didn’t want to put you in any danger.”

Michiru says, “And you also felt that since your uncle started all this, it was your responsibility to end it.”

Usagi says, with a nod and sigh, “Yes. It is the reason that I didn’t tell Kirito. And if this proved to be some kind of ‘wild goose chase’, I didn’t want him to get in danger for nothing even though it might be a remote possibility. He has been through enough already.”

Michiru tells Usagi, with a smile, “While I am grateful that your caring for others hasn’t changed, you can’t keep doing this to yourself.”

Just then another female voice says, “That’s right. We’re always here for you.” Michiru and Usagi then look to see an young Undine with short light blue hair, blue eyes, lovely and full blue lips, elf-like ears to give her a ‘cute female look’ and wearing an aqua-blue open kimono with slits in the legs area to show white stockings and brown sandals on her feet walking up to them. Usagi gasps, but Michiru silences her as two male Undine in aqua-blue knight armor fly down.

The young lady tells them, “She is a friend of me and Michiru IRL. I’ll be fine. Please take the day off.”

One of the knights responds, “As you wish, Lady Mizuno.”

When the ‘Undine knights’ are gone, the young lady goes over and she asks, “Ami-chan?”

The young lady responds, with a nod, “Yes, it’s me. I’m called Mizuno and I’m the leader of the Undine people.”

Usagi asks, amazed, “Really?”

The young lady, revealed to be none other than Ami Mizuno AKA Sailor Mercury, known as Mizuno in ALO, says, with a nod, “Yes.”

Usagi asks, “Wait! How did you know I was here?”

Michiru tells Usagi, with a smile, “Isn’t it obvious? I had called Mizuno when I had spotted you talking with Don.”

Mizuno goes over and she tells Usagi, “I’m guessing that you are here since you have gotten a clue about Asuna-san, haven’t you?”

Usagi says, with a nod, “That’s right.” Usagi then shows Mizuno the picture that Molly showed her before and tells the story behind it causing Mizuno to nod her head.

Mizuno says, “It is her.”

Usagi says, “You can see why I’m here.”

Mizuno says, “And you didn’t want us involved out of fear of getting us hurt.”

Usagi says, with a sigh, “You got me.”

Mizuno says, with a sigh, “You should know better. We are your friends and your guardians. For two long years, we had to watch you waste away and we were basically powerless to do anything to help you as you could have died at any time. We never want to feel that helplessness again. To watch a person most precious, not just because of our duty, but because she means the world and beyond to us.”

Usagi says, with a warm smile, “I’m sorry.”

Michiru says, “We understand, princess. You went through a lot and you don’t want us to get hurt, but you also feel responsible for what happen despite what we feel that you have no reason to feel any guilt for what happened.”

Usagi says, “Even if it isn’t true, I can’t feel at rest until Asuna and the other SAO players are home especially Asuna. She is one of my few friends in SAO and one of the closest other than Kirito. They helped me keep me from losing myself to the game and when I was with them, they were among the few happy moments ‘over there’.”

Mizuno says, with a smile, “We understand. And that’s why we’re going to help you.”

Michiru says, “Whatever you like it or not, our princess.”

Usagi says, with a warm smile with a tear down her cheek, “Thank you.”

Mizuno says, “We’re your best friends and your fellow Sailor Scouts. We will always be here for you.” Usagi nods her head gently and she smiles warmly at her beloved friends.

Usagi then asks, “Wait! How long have you been playing ALO?”

Michiru says, “Ever since the game was brought out. We noticed that this game had a lot of similarities to SAO.”

Usagi says, looking around, “Well, the quality is just as good.”

Mizuno says, “Well, there are more similarities than just what you see here. There were a lot of things similar between SAO and ALO and we decided to play this game in the hopes of gathering information about the programming because if we knew the programming of ALO, then we knew what codes that keeps the players of SAO entrapped and what code disabled the safeties on the NervGear to… you know.”

Usagi asks, “And that’s why you played this game?”

Michiru says, “Indeed. In fact, we managed to gather enough information without getting in trouble to prepare to attempt to infiltrate into SAO, but you and Kazuto-san managed to defeat the game before we could try.”

Usagi says, “Well, to be honest, I might have had a heart attack if that happened.”

Mizuno says, with a smile, “Everything worked out, but when Asuna-san and the other SAO players didn’t come home, we continued to come into the game because it was so similar to SAO, we had our suspicions about it.”

Usagi asks, “We? You mean…?”

Michiru says, with a smile, “All of us are here, hime.”

Usagi asks, stunned, “Everyone?”

Mizuno says, “That’s right. Everyone started to play this game and even your brother has an account.”

Usagi gives a look of shock and Usagi asks, “Is he a well-known player?”

Michiru says, with a smile, “Actually, all of us are well-known here in ALO, hime.”

Mizuno says, with an embarrassed look, “All of us are well-known elite players here actually.”

Usagi says, “Not surprised since you have been since this game started.”

Mizuno says, “If Asuna-san is in the World Tree, we are going to need to travel there. However, you are only a beginner in this game. I would say that you should leave this to us, but I doubt that you will stay behind.”

Usagi says, “I’m not going to abandon any of my friends.”

Michiru says, with a smile, “We know. We should look at your abilities and see what we can do.” Usagi nods her head and she opens her player menu in which she looks through her stats causing her to gasp in shock.

Usagi asks, “What the heck?”

Mizuno asks, “What’s wrong?”

Usagi says, nervously, “I think that my data has a big bug.”

Mizuno asks, “Can you let me see?” Usagi, out of ‘SAO habit’, makes sure that no one else is watching and allows her player screen to be seen by Michiru and Mizuno in which they see causing them to be surprised in which they see her name, chosen fairy race of Undine, and basic started health and Mana points, but what’s really shocking is the various number of skills that she has and the ‘skill level’ of these skills, which ranges from 0 to 1000 with 1000 saying that the skill is mastered, are high level with quite a few of them at 1000 saying that they have been mastered.

Michiru says, amazed, “All of these skills.”

Mizuno says, “And it looks like they are saying that a lot of them are mastered or at least at a high level, but you just started this game. Maybe it is a bug.”

Usagi looks at the numbers and she says, with a gasp, “Wait! These numbers! These are my stats from SAO.”

Mizuno and Michiru look at Usagi in surprise and Mizuno asks, “Are you sure?”

Usagi says, with a nod, “I remember these numbers anywhere. There are some skills missing, but these are my skills and how good I was at them at the last moments of SAO.”

Michiru asks, “Why are you stats from SAO here?”

Mizuno says, “I have a theory.” Usagi and Michiru look at Mizuno and she asks Usagi, “Are you using your NervGear rig?”

Usagi says, with a nod, “Yes, but there are modifications to my NervGear to prevent it from killing me.”

Mizuno says, “Well, if the data in it wasn’t changed, I think that all of your old SAO avatar data that could be ‘adapted’ to ALO was merged with your new ALO avatar. It is possible since ALO is very similar to SAO thus making it possible that the way that you save data is the same allowing basically what parts of your SAO avatar that are compatible to be merged with your ALO avatar giving you such a ‘power up’.”

Usagi says, with a sigh, “Kirito used to be a beater, but now, I’m kind of worse than him and I’ve become a plain old cheater.”

Michiru says, with a smile, “This is actually very good for us as long as a GM doesn’t look into your account too deeply.”

Usagi nods her head and she replies, “Yeah, you’re right. I’m not here for a gaming experience.”

Michiru says, with a smile, “That’s a bit sad, hime. Despite us doing this for serious research and all, it is quite a fun game.”
Usagi says, with a smile, “Thanks, but forgive me for not being into it right now.”

Michiru says, “We understand.”

Mizuno tells Usagi, “Anyway, you had better check your items.” Usagi brings up her items menu and she finds all of her item slots have items in them with question marks or messed up code.

Usagi says, “Uh oh.”

Mizuno says, “This must your items from SAO. However, since they were compatible with this game, their encoding got messed up. You had better get rid of them before the error detection catches onto you.” Usagi nods her head, but she then notices two items that weren’t ‘messed up’. It was her swords, Escalon and Lunar Excelsior, in which she immediately materializes them and they appear the same as ever in which she quickly ‘trashes’ the other items to make sure that the game’s error detection doesn’t pick her up.

Michiru asks, “Those are your swords?”

Usagi says, with a nod, “Yes, but I don’t know how.”

Mizuno says, “Maybe unlike most of your items from SAO, there are probably blades that are similar to these. I heard that there are swords named Escalon and Lunar Excelsior in ALO.” Usagi straps the swords to her waist and she tests them in which they feel the same to her in which she remembers when she got them from Lisbeth.

Usagi thinks in her mind, “It’s like you want me to find them too, Liz.”

Michiru says, “Since we are going to the World Tree, you are going to have to learn to fly since it is the main way of getting to place to place.”

Usagi says, “Yeah, I have to see how that works.” Soon after, a pair of crystal blue wings appears on her back and she asks, “So, these are my wings, huh? How do I fly with them?”

Mizuno says, “There are actually two ways: Training controller and Voluntary Flight. With the training controller, you use a joystick that you can call up in your left hand to help you fly and Voluntary Flight is where you are able to control your wings with your virtual body without the need for a controller. You have to use the controller in your left land, so, it limits your combat abilities since you only have one free hand and your aerial mobility is limited because of that. Using Voluntary Flight is an expert skill and there are those in ALO who have been playing as long as we have and they haven’t been able to use Voluntary Flight or at least master it.”

Usagi says, amazed, “Wow! That must be a hard skill to learn!”

Michiru says, “It is, but all of us managed to learn Voluntary Flight through it was more difficult for some of us than others.”

Mizuno says, “We should start with the training controller for you, so, you can get used to it. You have to hold up your left hand and act like you are grasping something.” Usagi does so and virtual controller appears in her left hand. Mizuno says, “Pull back to ascend and push away to descend.”

Usagi pulls the controller to herself and she asks, “Like this?” However, she yelps as she quickly flies up into the air, bashes against a sign, and falls back to the ground with a nasty ‘thud’ in which she loses a small portion of her health causing Mizuno and Michiru to winch from that.

Michiru says, with a nervous smile, “Maybe we should train on a training field where you can easily beat the monsters there.”

Usagi says, with a groan, “Good idea.” Something told Usagi that this was going to be a long day for her.

January 18, 2025, Cherry Hill Temple

Right now, Serena, Molly, Rini, and Darien are walking together up the stairs to Cherry Hill Temple for a meeting with the other Sailor Scouts. After spending the day in ALO and learning how to fly with the training controller, she and Rini returned to Darien’s apartment where he was waiting for them and a bit disappointed for keeping this from him, but then again, he was keeping something from Serena in the form of he’s an ALO player too. He started later than the other Sailor Scouts, but joined later on to find a way to free his princess from SAO. However, he stopped playing once she and the other SAO survivors left SAO and focused on helping her recover, but Darien started playing again since he wants to help bring back Asuna and the other SAO players that haven’t ‘woken up’ yet to ease the ache in the heart of his beloved princess in which, like the other Scouts, is highly suspicious of ALO and its creators, which they were since ALO was put into the market, but they were focused on SAO at the time.

As they were walking up to the temple, Serena asks Molly, “Molly, did you know this?”

Molly responds, with a giggle, “Yes, but you never asked me that I knew.”

Serena gives an annoyed groan while with the two of them is Aurora and Luna in which Luna says, “Interesting to see you, again, Aurora.”

Aurora tells Luna, with a warm smile, “Nice to see you, too, Luna. Anyway, I hear you have been getting frisky with Artemis. It is about time.”

Luna yells out, with a blush, “I have not!”

Aurora says, with a smile, “Well, you are going to have to if you are going to have Diana, your daughter.” Luna gives a flustered expression in which Aurora gives a smirk as the group arrives where the other Sailor Scouts are waiting with Raye having her arms crossed in front of her chest and a cross look on her face.

Raye tells Serena, “Well, Meatball Head? Start explaining.”

Serena thinks in her mind, nervously, “Here we go.” Later on, they are inside of Raye’s room with the pictures that Molly had provided earlier.

Lita says, “That looks like Asuna-san.”

Amara says, “I’ve heard about this. The administration became shocked at this and put a barrier around the World Tree to make sure that they didn’t allow this again and now, we know why. I always thought that there was something sneaky going on over there.”

Hotaru asks, “So, could the other SAO players be there?”

Molly says, “It is most likely Hotaru. However, they are most likely being held inside of the World Tree. This ‘bird cage’ is used especially for Asuna-san.”

Raye says, “Which means one really sick mind.”

Mina asks Molly, “So, you knew that Serena was Sailor Moon for all this time?”

Molly says, with a nod, “Ever since the Negamoon, Mina. And after Chaos was driven out of Sailor Galaxia, I awoke as Sailor Nebula. I really don’t know how, but maybe Chaos’ defeat, Serena’s sealing of Chaos into everyone to seal it away for good, or both. Anyway, I awoke, Aurora found me afterwards, and I started my ‘journey’ as Sailor Nebula.”

Hotaru asks Trista, “Did you know Trista-mama?”

Trista responds, “I had my major suspicions, Firefly, but there are things even kept from me and the identity of Sailor Nebula’s reincarnation was one of them. For obvious reasons, since she is the Sailor Guardian of all Star Seeds, making her a very powerful and important Sailor Soldier.”

Molly says, “Princess Serenity and I were childhood friends, but once I had go deeper into my duties as Sailor Nebula, we grew apart due to our ‘duties’. Before I left, I asked you girls to take care of her.”

Lita says, with a nod, “I remember. The four of us were with you and asking you why didn’t you say goodbye to Serenity personality in which you told us that you already did.”

Molly says, with a nod, “That’s right. I was actually one of the first to fall during the fall of the Silver Millennium. I had helped Prince Endymon escape to the moon when his attempts to reason with his people out of Metallia’s control failed and he went to the Moon Kingdom knowing if that and the Silver Crystal fell to Metallia, all good in the universe would fall. I had faced off against Jadeite, Nephrite, Zoisite, and Malachite, Endymon’s four generals, who betrayed him by falling for the ‘sweet words’ of Metallia and Beryl. I thought that I had managed to get through to Nephrite, but the other three struck me down. While I didn’t die right away, I was given lethal wounds. I had crawled my way back to the Moon Kingdom only to find it in ruins and I could only cry for my fellow Sailor Soldiers and my childhood friend before I died.”

The others are amazed by this story and Trista says, with a nod of recognition, “Yes, I remember that horrible moment all too well. You weakly called out the Inner’s names and Serenity’s name, but it wasn’t your time to join the great beyond forever. Like the others, you were sent to Earth to be reborn into a new life in which it was hoped that you could be happy, but it looks like that time has repeated itself.”

Molly says, “Serena had to perform her duties as Sailor Moon and when I awoke, I knew that I had to perform mine. I really wanted to tell her and all of you, but I knew that I had my duty to perform and if I didn’t, I would see the horror that I remembered in my past life happen again and I promised that would never happen even if a painful ‘separation’ would have to happen again. However, the pain got worse when I learned that Serena was trapped in SAO and a fear of never coming back together due to us drifting apart for a second time, but I gathered my courage and believed that she would pull through. However, I had to make sure that there was a home for her to return to. Aurora told me that once the evil forces knew that Sailor Moon was ‘out of commission’ even if they didn’t know the reason, they would sense the ‘weakness’ in Earth’s defense and start a terrible war that could be like the end of the Silver Millennium.”

Ami says, “Just like you told us.”

Aurora says, “That’s right, Sailor Mercury. Molly and I knew that we had to hold the line until her majesty got back from Sword Art Online and based on how long she was there, the time it took for her to recover from the experience.”

Serena asks, shocked, “You fought this enemy all alone?”

Molly tells Serena, “The others had to focus their efforts on saving you if you and the other people trapped in SAO couldn’t get yourselves out, Serena. You were all on a limited time frame, even you, and if you got stalemated, it wouldn’t be good. Don’t worry, it wasn’t too bad.”

Molly gives a kind smile and Aurora thinks in her mind, “Molly, you are a poor liar.”

Molly says, “Anyway, we should focus on Serena’s friend from SAO and the other SAO players.”

Raye says, “I always felt something off about the game.”

Serena asks, “So, what’s the point of the game?”

Lita responds, “Well, the main quest of ALO is to get to the top of the World Tree. All of the fairy races can only fly for about ten minutes tops.”

Serena says, “Only ten minutes? What a drag.”

Mina says, with a smile, “Yep! But if you get to the top of the World Tree, you meet the Fairy King Oberon and you get reborn as a new class of fairy, known as ALF, and you can fly as long as you want.”

Serena says, with a whistle, “Enticing story.”

Amara says, “But up to today, no one has completed the main quest.”

Serena asks, stunned, “What? No way! Over a year?”

Lita says, “Yep! The way to the top of the tree is guarded by powerful NPC guardians that are really strong… Overly too powerful. People believe that we are either missing a key quest or more than one race must team up to fight them, but the thing is the second choice is a contradiction, the reward for the main quest is for the first fairy race to reach the top of the World Tree and if two races help each other, only one of them is going to get the reward.”

Serena says, her eyes widening, “You’re right.”

Trista says, “For now, the players think that they are just missing that key quest, but it seems like that they don’t want any players to reach the top of the World Tree.”

Amara says, pointing to the picture, “And now, we have an idea why.”

Raye says, “That settles it. We need to get to the World Tree and get inside of it somehow.”

The others nod their heads and Mina asks Serena, “Serena, have you told your friend, Kazuto?”

Serena becomes solemn, lowers her head, and she says, solemnly, “No.”

There are looks of surprise and Rini says, “Serena doesn’t want to get his hopes up if on the remote chance that this is some kind of ‘wild goose chase’ even though it is getting more unlikely, but she also feels that he has been through enough already. It was her uncle that started this nightmare and she feels that she needs to end it.”

The other Sailor Scouts look at Serena and Raye says, “Geez, Meatball Head, you have to stop with the ‘guilt trip’.”

Lita says, with a nod, “No joke, Serena. We can’t ever hope to understand the pain and horrors that you went through in SAO and the level of betrayal that your uncle did to you, but we can’t stand you hurting like this.”

Mina says, “Yeah, Serena. We’re your friends and your guardians. You are very precious to us, not just because you are our princess, but our best friend in two lifetimes.”

Ami says, “Let us help you carry your burden, Serena.” Darien then wraps his arms around Serena and she can’t help to smile warmly as she nuzzles Darien causing her to gently nod her head and shed tears of happiness in her eyes as Darien gently hugs her body with the others smiling at this.

Amara asks, “So, what’s the plan?”

Raye says, “Well, I, or my avatar is living in at Alne, the city at the trunk of the World Tree where the doors to the ‘Grand Quest’. I can wait for you there and keep my ear open for things.”

Hotaru says, “Rini and I are in Imp territory, our avatars’ home territory and Darien and Trista-mama are in Spriggan territory, their avatar’s home territory.”

Mina says, with a smile, “This works out for me since I’m going with Lady Rue and the Cait Sith, my ‘people’ so to speak, with an important meeting with the leader of the Sylph.”

Amara says, “I remember that. There is going to be an alliance treaty between the Sylphs and Cait Sith.”

Lita says, with a nod, “I know. I think that we are going to try to team up to take on the World Tree.”

Ami asks, “Really?”

Mina says, “Yeah. Since Cait Sith and Sylphs are not only neighbors, but they are friends with each other, it isn’t surprising that alliance could be formed against them.”

Amara says, “Through we had better watch out. The Salamanders are the single greatest ‘power’ in ALO and they know that once Sylphs and Cait Sith are allies, they won’t take it too kindly. If warfare starts to break out, it could make our plans to get to the World Tree a little more complicated.”

Michelle says, “Well, I think that it is best that we get together as soon as possible.”

Raye says, “Yeah, but Meatball Head has to learn how to fly first. From what you said, her first flights were too… encouraging.”

Serena says, drolly, “Thanks a lot, Pyro.”

Mina asks Molly, “What about you, Molly?”

Molly responds, shaking her head, “I have an Amusphere and an account, but I can’t join you. I need to be ready to assist the new Sailor Scouts that are coming.”

The others are stunned and Lita asks, “New Sailor Scouts?”

Molly says, “There are more Sailor Scouts than us from the Silver Millennium that have been reborn today, but they were never meant to be awakened unless a real serious emergency.”

Aurora says, “With what’s coming, it qualifies. Those other Scouts are ready to awaken and Nebula needs to remain on the front lines to assist them since the enemy will certainly target them since more Scouts mean a lot more trouble for them.”

Amara says, “Meaning that the instant that they awaken, they will be instant targets.”

Aurora says, “And they won’t be able to just get their powers and walk out into the battlefield unless they are a really powerful Sailor Soldier which means that they need a veteran to train and protect them in which Molly is an excellent Scout until the rest of you are able to enter the fray. For now, just focus on the task at hand because we believe that this ‘new war’ will be fought in the virtual realm as well as ‘reality’.”

Serena says, drolly, “Just great.”

Molly says, with a kind smile, “Sorry, Serena. I come back in your life and I just bring more trouble.”

Serena says, with a sigh, “No. I’m kind of used to this kind of thing by now.” Serena tells Molly, “Molly…”

Molly tells Serena, “I know, Serena. However, I feel that you and I are going to be working together on the battlefield soon enough. Not the way that I wanted to restart our friendship, but it’s the story of our lives, huh?”

Serena says, with a nod, “No kidding, Molly.” The two of them share a giggle with plenty of the other Sailor Scouts giggling and/or smiling at this.

January 19, 2025, Shield’s apartment home

In Darien’s apartment home, Serena and Darien are relaxing in bed together and Serena is taking a deep breath as they look into the night sky from windows.

Serena says, with a sigh of relief, “Man! I never thought that flying could be such hard work.”

Darien tells Serena, “Well, flying without the remote control is tough since you need to move your back with virtual bones and muscles connected to those wings, but based on what the others have said, you have done well in Voluntary Flight.”

Serena says, with a smile, “Well, I have been flying since become Eternal Sailor Moon, so, I guess it comes naturally to me, Darien.” Just then the phone rings and she says, with a smile, “I’ll get it!” Serena rolls over, grabs the phone, and she asks, “Hello?”

Kazuto’s voice says, “Hey.”

Serena says, with a smile, “Kirito!” Serena then asks, noticing his tone of voice, “What’s wrong?” As Darien looks over at his beloved, he sees Serena’s eyes widen in shock and horror and she screams out, shocked, “What?!” Serena then gains an irritated expression and she says, in an uncharacteristic very irritated tone, “That piece of sewer scum! I knew that he was low, but I never thought that he would do such a thing! Yes, Kirito! I know about that worthless rat, Sugou. I met him when I was younger with Kayaba. He was always jealous of him and his accomplishments as well as always being second best to him! I saw him for what he is: A coward that’s also greedy jerk that just wants power! You can’t lose to a piece of trash like him!” Serena says, taking a deep breath, “Please, Kirito, don’t worry, my friends will find out what’s going on soon. Just… be careful, okay? Don’t surrender Asuna to scum like him. Okay, bye.” Serena disconnects the throne and she tightens her grip on it.

Luna leaps onto the table and she asks, “What’s wrong, Serena?”

Serena says, with an angered expression that’s completely unlike her before SAO, “It’s Sugou.”

Darien asks, his eyes narrowing, “What did he do?”

Serena says, “He ‘sweet talked’ Asuna’s father to get them unofficially married.”

Luna and Darien gasp in shock and Luna yells out, “That’s not possible! You can only marry with the partner’s consent even if it is an arranged marriage!”

Serena says, with a nod, “That’s right. However, Sugou made it that he gets adopted into the Yuuki family.”

Darien says, with a snarl, “He is taking advantage of her condition!”

Serena says, “That’s right, Darien-kun. He revealed his true nature to Kirito and he gloated over that fact in which he mentioned that Asuna saw him for what he truly was in which she would agree to the marriage. He also said ‘That SAO servers and Asuna’s life was under his control’.”

Darien says, “This is too much to be a coincidence. He is the head of the RCT’s Full-Dive division and the ‘owners’ of ALO, a person that looks like Asuna-san appears in ALO, and now this.”
Luna says, with a nod, “I agree. Sugou must be the one that entrapped her in ALO and most likely, he has the other three hundred SAO players too. I don’t get is why he wants them. If he wanted to just gain more influence over the Yuuki family, he would trapped only Asuna, but I don’t get why he is keeping other players that may not have a connection to Asuna at all.”

Darien says, with a serious tone, “Whatever the reason, it can’t be good at all. And I fear the longer that we wait, the less the chances that we can save them.”

Serena says, “I agree, Darien-kun. I can’t stand Asuna being in that sicko’s grip.” Serena says, with a sigh, “But I also don’t like it that I had to lie to Kirito.”

Darien responds, gently hugging her, “I know, my love. However, this man is dangerous and to be honest, I don’t want you joining us, but she is really precious to you.”

Serena says, “As precious as any of the girls, Darien-kun.”

Darien says, “And we’ll get her back.” Serena smiles warmly at Darien and they share another kiss in which Darien can’t help to admire that while Serena has changed from the ‘scars’ that she suffered from SAO, her ‘core self’ hasn’t truly changed.

January 20, 2025, Kirigaya residence

The following morning, Kazuto watches his younger sister/cousin, Suguha, run out of the room with a red blush covering her face, he notices that there is a message on his still active computer and he looks to see that it is from none other than Agil, the merchant axe-welded friend of his from SAO.

Kazuto thinks in his mind, “Agil, huh? What does he want to show me?” Kazuto opens the message and he gasps to see the same picture that Serena saw just three days ago and he leaps to his feet and he thinks, flabbergasted, “Asuna?!” As Kirito looks at the picture, outside, the same grey cat with a silver crescent moon sigil on top of its forehead that was watching Suguha is watching the Kirigaya household now before leaping away.

And that’s the chapter, everyone! Well, I think that you couldn’t exactly be too surprised that Serena’s ‘fairy form’ would look too much different from her avatar in SAO and the same thing that happened to Kazuto/Kirito happened to her, right? Anyway, like I said, this is going to be a Serena/Darien and Kazuto AKA Kirito/Asuna story with Serena being like big sister type for Kirito/Kazuto and you are going to know why later on, but that’s later on in the story and I don’t want to give too many spoilers away, everyone! Please keep reading and reviewing and later and best wishes, Crossover Fans!