Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Digimon Fan Fiction / Crossover Fan Fiction ❯ Sailor Moon Online II: SAO Shippuden ❯ Arc I, Chapter 3: Ice Cold Sniper and Killer ( Chapter 3 )

We have arrived on the third chapter of the first arc of this brand new story and in the last chapter, you saw plenty of foreshadowing about future arcs in that last chapter. However, there are going to be no major spoiler alerts from me, folks. You are going to have to read and find out, everyone! And believe me, despite this paralleling another story series of mine, this story is going to be full of surprises! Now, I know that you hate me constantly doing this, but I would like to give thanks and credit to Belletiger and Kanius and Kanius’ YuYuGiDigiMoon series, especially this author’s The Invasion of the Rajita story, for giving me permission to use the idea of Valkyrie Sailor Soldiers and everything that’s a part of them.

 

I DO NOT OWN Sailor Moon, Sword Art Online, Accel World, Digimon series, Yu-Gi-Oh R/GX/5Ds/Zexal/Arc-V, Kingdom Hearts, Naruto,Queen’s Blade/Queen’s Gate, Gundam series, including Gundam Build Fighters, Sekirei, Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed, Senran Kagura, Dead or Alive, Ninja Gaiden, Tenchi Muyo series, Ronin Warriors, Dot-hack series, Stargate series, World of Warcraft series, Power Rangers series, Tron, Code Lyoko, Rave Master, Mouse, 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, Naruto is owned/licensed by Masashi Kishimoto, Yuuto Date, Jump Comics, and Studio Pierrot, Dead or Alive is owned/licensed by Team Ninja, Temco, and Tomonobu Itagaki, Ninja Gaiden is owned/licensed by owned/licensed by Team Ninja, Temco, and Tomonobu Itagaki, Digimon is owned/licensed by Toei Animation and its various directors, including Hiroyuki Kakudo, Yu-Gi-Oh is owned/licensed by Kazuki Takahashi, Toei Animation, and Studio Gallop, Yu-Gi-Oh GX is owned/licensed by Naoyuki Kageyama, Studio Gallop and its various directors, Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds is owned/licensed by Katsumi Ono and Studio Gallop, 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 mature violence, blood, gore, death, mild to explicit suggestive themes, including firearms usage, 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!

 

December 12, 2025, Tokyo, VR Division headquarters

 

It is nighttime in the city of Tokyo and we are on the top of the building that’s the headquarters for the government organization known as the ‘VR Division’. Seijirou Kikuoka, a member of the division, is on the roof with an elderly male with a long grey beard and mustache and wearing a brown male kimono.

 

Seijirou says, “Thank you for seeing me, Hanzo-dono.”

Hanzo says, with a smirk, “It is no problem. I see that you are getting up in the world.” Hanzo asks, “Anyway, how is ‘Underworld’ doing?”

 

Seijirou gives a look of pure surprise and he then says, with a smile, “I’m not surprised that you know about this. You made the ‘intelligence division’ what it is.”

 

Hanzo says, “Indeed.”

 

Seijirou says, taking a deep breath, “There is something that I need to ask of you.”

 

Hanzo asks, “Does it have to do with them?”

 

Seijirou says, fixing his glasses, “Yes. The various ninja clans ranging from the ‘good ninja’, the ‘evil ninja’, and those ninja clans, like the Hayabusa and Mugen Tenshin, who don’t believe as the government shinobi do know the truth about Sailor Moon, Sailor Celestial, and their origins.”

 

Hanzo says, “The knowledge of the Silver Millennium has been kept by all of the ninja clans of Japan for generations, Seijirou-san. It is the same with the organization that you are with and I am not talking about the government or the self-defense forces.”

 

Seijirou says, “And you know well why I made sure that knowledge about Moon and Celestial never got out. The knowledge about Etherion and the Silver Crystal can’t be known. You know, us, humans.”

 

Hanzo says, with a nod, “Yes, we have a tendency to ‘play around’ with things that should never be tampered with.”

 

Seijirou says, “However, I have some ‘bad news’, Hanzo-dono: There are reports that Kiriya’s fallen student and her group, which are now rogues from Hebijo, are taking a great interest in them especially Moon and Celestial.”

 

Hanzo asks, surprised, “Are you serious?” Seijirou hands Hanzo some files and he looks at them in which he says, “This is indeed serious.”

 

Seijirou says, “We believe that they have been employed by a division of ‘them’, Hanzo-dono.”

 

Hanzo says, “I see.”

 

Seijirou says, “I don’t think that I need to say anymore.”

 

Hanzo says, “Indeed, you don’t. I will contact Kiriya and prepare the girls immediately.”

 

Seijirou asks, surprised, “You are sending students on this mission?”

 

Hanzo says, “I believe so. Many of them are only students and my granddaughter and her friends could relate to that.”

 

Seijirou says, “I hope so. Sailor Moon and Sailor Celestial aren’t exactly in a good emotional and mental state with Sailor Moon especially for obvious reasons.”

 

Hanzo says, “Yes, I know. This is her best chance to recruit her to their side. We can’t let that happen.”

 

Seijirou says, “And you know what happens if they do.”

 

Hanzo responds, “Then heaven help us all.”

 

Sailor Moon Online II: SAO Shippuden

 

(Sword Art Online II opening song ‘Ignite’ starts)

 

In the starting scene, we find Kirito and Usagi, in their GGO avatars, standing back to back as they look in the direction that Kirito is looking, then it switches to Sinon, with a determined look in her eyes, and finally, there is none other than Death Gun and he fires his gun creating a bullet hole through the ‘screen’.

 

We next see Kazuto and Asuna sitting down in front of a table outside of a café in which images of Kirito’s SAO and first ALO avatars are walking down the street and the scene then switches to see Eternal Sailor Moon flying through the air with a plain look on her face as images of Usagi, in her SAO and ALO avatars appear by her sides, in which all of them look to see the shadow of Heathcliff/Kayaba looming over them in which the images of Valkyrie Sailor Moon and Usagi’ GGO avatar then appear.

 

The next scene shows Shino Asada sitting down on a swing as images her 11 year old self and Sinon appear and she then looks to see Kyouji Shinkawa in front of her, but he is then engulfed in flames where the infamous Death Gun appears from those flames.

 

Death Gun’s face is seen with Kirito and Usagi, in their GGO avatars, fighting back to back against ‘ghosts’ of SAO while the next scene shows Sinon being dragged into darkness.

 

The next scenes show Asuna, Leafa, Silica, Lisbeth, Klein, Strea, Philia, and Yui in ALO watching something and Asuna and Yui praying in which it switches to the Juuban Sailor Scouts, including Nebula and Neo Moon, watching and motioning from their secret base at Crown Fruit Arcade, then our Digidestined, minus Davis and Kari, and their Digimon partners also watching something, and from a room within GGO itself, Mamoru, Dai, and Akari, in their GGO avatars, are looking at the same thing with Mamoru praying in his own way.

 

Then Usagi and Kirito leap onto the battlefield in which they work together, using their photon/light-swords and guns, beating their opponents one after another with Sinon, using her Hecate II, taking out another opponent from a long distance.

 

Next, it goes into the main city of GGO itself where Kirito and Usagi are fighting against Death Gun himself where the deadly player is beating them off with an estoc and his ‘Death Gun’ with Kirito and Usagi fighting back against him with their guns and swords in which Kirito and Usagi seem the images of Laughing Coffin, the murder guild of SAO, as they charge him for one final attack.

 

On the meanwhile, Sinon snipes one opponent causing him to ‘explode’ and when she turns, she faces a barrage of bullets, but she leaps and starts to fire a submachine gun at her unseen enemy while the image of a mysterious Sailor Scout forms behind her.

 

Finally, Kirito, Usagi, and Sinon walk towards each with Kirito’s SAO and original ALO avatars behind him, Usagi, with images of her SAO and ALO avatars along with Eternal and Valkyrie Sailor Moon behind her, and finally, Sinon, the image of the mysterious Sailor Scout behind her, before all of them start running towards each other and it ends with all of them massed together.

 

(Sword Art Online II opening song ‘Ignite’ ends)

 

Arc I, Chapter 3: Ice Cold Sniper and Killer

 

December 13, 2025, GGO, SBC Glocken

 

Within SBC Glocken, the capital city of GGO, Kirito, in his new more feminine looking male avatar, and Sinon are inside of a gun store and looking around.

 

Kirito says, “Wow. This store looks like it has everything.”

 

Sinon says, “Well, the two main guns used in GGO are optical guns and live ammo guns. Optical guns are light and accurate, but they have their drawbacks. If an enemy player is using a shield, they only do half the damage and it could be lethal especially if your enemy is using a live ammo gun. For a tournament like BoB, a live ammo gun is the best bet.” Sinon says, “Let’s start with your stats.”

 

Kirito responds, “Well, I think my strength is my strongest stat and speed after that.”

 

Sinon says, “So, you are a STR-AGI build, huh? Okay, you have two choices for your main weapon: An assault rifle or heavy duty machine gun. Whichever you choose, you are going to need a handgun…” Kirito becomes nervous as Sinon sounds like she really knows ‘her stuff’ in their VRMMO and Sinon then asks, “Oh, wait! You said that you just converted right?”

 

Kirito says, using his right hand to make his personal menu appear, “It says that I have a thousand credits.”

 

Sinon responds, “That the starter amount.”

 

Kirito says, a bit nervously, “I see.”

 

Sinon says, “All you can get with that is a small ray gun…A used hand gun if you are lucky.” Sinon asks, “If you want, I could loan the money for the gun?”

 

Kirito responds, nervously, “That really sweet of you, but that’s not necessary! Is there a place where a new player like me can earn money?”

 

Sinon replies, “I don’t recommend them, but they are casino and gambling games like that one.” Sinon points in a direction and Kirito looks to see a sign with the words ‘Let’s Challenge’ with a cartoon cowboy head besides it pointing in a certain direction. What Sinon didn’t know is that she was about to get one of the first of her many surprises during today and the next day.

 

Within the regent’s office, Usagi is with another player, a male one, as she gets cold shivers down her spine.

 

The male player looks to be a young man in his twenties with black short combed hair under a military style beret, a pair of sunglasses over his brown eyes, and he is wearing a blue tight fitting muscle under a military green jacket, desert camouflage pants, and black military boots on his feet.

 

The male player asks, in a familiar male voice, “Is something wrong love?”

 

Usagi responds, “No, Mamoru-kun…Actually, I just got this feeling that Kirito just drew attention to himself and he is going to do something…embarrassing.”

 

The male player responds, “Normally, I would say that you are being paranoid, but you know Kirito better than I do, Usagi-chan.”

 

Usagi says, with a sigh, “Don’t I know it, Mamoru-kun. I hope that Dai and Akari can find him and get back on time to register for the Bob.”

 

The male player tells Usagi, “I wish that you would allow me to join you in the event.”

 

Usagi tells the male player, “But what if Death Gun isn’t joining the Bullet of Bullets? What if he uses this event to commit more murders? We don’t know how he is doing it. We don’t understand the trick at all!”

 

The male player says, “What we do know is that he wants an audience from his killings like any insane serial killer and it is most likely that he would use the Bullet of Bullets for that regard. He isn’t one to murder in the shadows.”

 

Usagi tells the male player, “I know, Mamoru-kun. With all of the big crowds, he could just attack someone and everyone could notice.”

 

The male player tells Usagi, “Love, you need to stop overly worrying like this. You can’t ‘him’ and ‘that’ rule your life.”

 

Usagi says, with a sigh, “I-I know, Mamoru-kun.”

 

The male player hugs Usagi and he asks, “We’ll do this your way, but if things get out of hand, I’m stepping in, do you understand?”

 

Usagi says, with a smile, “I understand.” Usagi kisses the male player, Mamoru, who is Darien’s GGO avatar, on the lips and they head off to wait for Kirito, Dai, and Akari in which Usagi thinks, “They had better hurry back if they want to register for the Bullet of Bullets.”

 

December 13, 2025, Tokyo, Juuban District, Crown Fruit Arcade

 

Back inside of the Sailor Scouts’ secret base within Crown Fruit Arcade, we find Serena’s, Darien’s, Davis’, and Kari’s forms lying down in the stations with the Amuspheres on their heads as they are diving in GGO while the rest of the Sailor Scouts, minus Sailor Mars and Sailor Jupiter, who are out to watch Kazuto’s form as the hospital that he is diving in, and the Digidestined and their Digimon partners as Ami and Joe work together to motion their vitals while the rest continue to wonder and worry. Well, most of them in which we find Mina and TK playing a game of Duel Monsters with TK using a fairy deck while Mina is using a Toon deck, the deck that the creator of Duel Monsters, Maxamillion Pegasus, used. They are playing on a mat instead using duel disks and the Solid Vision system for obvious reasons.

 

Mina says, with a grin, “Sorry, Takeru-kun, but I use Blue-Eyes Toon Dragon to attack you directly since I’ve got my Toon Kingdom Field Spell out.”

 

TK says, with a smirk, “But I play my Scrap-Iron Scarecrow to negate your attack.”

 

Mina says, “But I use my trap card, Toon Production, in which I can use one spell card as long as I have a Toon Monster and a Toon World out.” Mina says, putting one card in the spell/trap zone of the mat, “And I choose my Toon Rollback which means a second attack and game over, Takeru-kun.”

 

TK says, “Oh, man!”

 

Matt says, with a grin, “She got you good, bro.”

 

TK says, “I guess that I should have used my other deck.”

 

Yolei says, “Man! You have a deck exactly like the one that the creator of Duel Monsters used! You are lucky!”

 

Mina says, with a grin, “I know!”

 

Tai asks, annoyed, “How can you play games?”

 

Sora tells Tai, “Tai, please don’t.”

 

Tai says, with a sigh, “I’m sorry.”

 

TK tells Tai, “Kari is capable and so is Davis. The two of them have gotten much stronger than they were before.”

 

Veemon says, “Yeah, Kari is just fine with Davis.”

 

Gatomon says, “Plus, Kari and Davis are experts at the game. They know what they are doing.”

 

Ken says, “True, but we can’t help to worry since this is barely a few months since Sword Art World in which they barely gotten out of Rainbow Gardens before that.”

 

Yolei says, “However, you are really feeling the same way as we do, Ken.”

 

Ken says, with a sigh, “Yeah.”

 

Mimi asks, “What do you mean?”

 

TK tells Mimi, “Sorry to be insulting, Mimi, but you wouldn’t understand. It is…SAO survivor type of thing.”

 

Matt says, with a nod, “Yeah. This ‘Death Gun’…He seemed too familiar to me.”

 

Tai says, nodding his head, “Same here.”

 

Amara asks, “What do you mean?”

 

TK says, “He reminded us of a group of players in SAO…The worst players ever known in the game and their leader.”

 

Tai says, “And I think that deep down, Kazuto and Serena ‘senses’ the same thing that we are feeling. The familiarity of the way that this ‘Death Gun’ worked and how he made sure that his murders were in public eyes within the virtual world.”

 

TK says, “To be honest, I think that we can say that there has to be some kind of ‘trick’ to this ‘Death Gun’.”

 

Ken says, “But deep down, we can’t be sure until we know more. Hopefully, we’ll find out the truth before this ‘Death Gun’ can strike again.”

 

Trista says, with a nod, “Yes, we can only hope.”

 

December 13, 2025, GGO, SBC Glocken

 

In the streets of SBC Glocken within Gun Gale Online, Dai and Akari are walking around and looking for any signs of Kirito.

 

Akari tells Dai, “Dai-kun, we don’t even know if Kirito will look much the same as in ALO.”

 

Dai tells Akari, “It is an account transfer, Kari-chan.”

 

Akari says, “That’s true, Dai-kun. But it doesn’t mean that he will look a lot like his ALO avatar.” Just then the two of them look down towards the highway and they see Sinon and Kirito riding what looks like a motorized tricycle colored in military style colors and racing off towards the regent’s office.

 

Dai and Akari look at each other and they yell out in unison, “Kirito?!” Immediately, they find their own set of motorized tricycles and buy one in which they race off after them.

 

Dai asks, “Is it or was that Sinon with him?”

 

Akari says, “I don’t think that was you, Dai-kun.”

 

Dai says, with a groan, “Oh, boy.”

 

Akari tells Dai, with a smile, “Sinon isn’t that bad.”

 

Dai responds, “With us, Kari-chan. And you know what? I think that something tells me that Sinon doesn’t know the full story on Kirito and by the looks of it, I think that he did something that’s going to get Sinon pissed off at him.” Akari couldn’t help to feel that her boyfriend is exactly right. Later on, Sinon and Kirito, wearing a black outfit similar to the ones that he has worn before, are walking within the waiting area for the BoB preliminaries in which Sinon, in her classic outfit, is walking around with Sinon having quite a cross look while trying to remain stoic. Basically, when they got into the ‘dressing areas’ after both Sinon and Kirito applied for the tournament, which Kirito took note of getting the prizes for the tournament required getting real-life information about the player, Kirito told her the truth about his gender after Sinon was only clad in the ‘bare minimum’ of virtual clothing and you can guess what happened afterwards.

 

Sinon says, plainly, “Stop following me.”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “Okay, but I really don’t know what to do after this.”

 

Sinon says, plainly, “I said stop following me.”

 

Kirito says, “But I don’t know anyone else here.”

 

Just then a familiar female voice calls out, “Kirito? Kirito is that you?” Sinon and Kirito then look to see Usagi and Mamoru in front of them with Usagi having a stunned look on her face.

 

Kirito asks, surprised, “Usagi?!”

 

Usagi says, amazed, “It is you!”

 

Sinon says, “It looks like you were mistaken.” Sinon asks, “Hold up! I think I heard about you. You are that Usagi girl, aren’t you?”

 

Usagi says, a bit nervously, “You heard about me?”

 

Sinon responds, “There are very few of us, girls, in this game, so, it isn’t surprising.”

 

Usagi says, nervously, “Good point.”

 

Sinon says, “Heard that you are pretty good. You used quite a few guns, but the only thing that’s constant…” Sinon then glares at Kirito and she says, “You always use a light-sword like two other people that I know.”

Kirito then asks, “Two other people?”

 

Just then a familiar male voice yells out, “There you are!” Everyone then looks to see Dai and Akari running over to them.

 

Usagi asks, “Dai! Akari! What kept you?”

 

Dai tells Usagi, “Who do you think?” Kirito gives a nervous look and he rubs his head.

 

Akari says, seeing Sinon, “Hey, Sinon. It has been a while.”

 

Sinon says, with a nod, “It has, Akari. You and Dai look good as usual. I heard you came back a while ago after leaving for a few months.”

 

Dai says, with a grin, “We’ve still got our accounts, Sinon.”

 

Sinon says, with a smile, “You and Akari planning to rejoin the BoB? I doubt that your skills have dulled.”

 

Akari says, with a nervous smile, “Well, we planned to join the next BoB…”

 

Dai says, looking at Kirito, “But we were looking for someone since we knew that he would be here today and we missed our chance.”

 

Sinon asks, glaring at Kirito, “Oh, really?” Sinon then asks, “Wait! So, you know each other?”

 

Dai responds, “Oh, yeah. We have other accounts in other VRMMO and we met him at a fantasy VRMMO that we love to play.”

 

Akari says, with a smile, “He is really good in sword and close range combat.”

 

Sinon says, “Is that so? We’ll see.”

 

As Sinon walks away, Dai and Akari look at Kirito and Dai asks, “Okay, dude! What happened to make her so pissed her off at you?”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “Well, I…”

 

Usagi says, with a sigh, “Kirito, just tell us.” Kirito slumps his head and explains what happened between him and Sinon earlier.

 

When they are done, Dai slaps himself in forehead and he says, “Way to go, bro. You just got a major target on your back.”

 

Kirito asks, “Really? Do you know her?”

 

Akari tells Kirito, with a sigh, “Her name is Sinon. She is a veteran of this game and she is good…Real good. In fact, we helped teach her quite a bit of what she knows.”

 

Mamoru says, “Ah! She is your friend in this game that you told us about.”

 

Dai says, with a nod, “That’s her, Mamoru. In this game, she has gained the reputation as the ‘Ice Cold Sniper’ and snipers are rare in this game because firing live ammo guns in here is a lot like in real-life, so, you have to have the skills of a real-life police or military sniper to be one.”

Akari says, “In fact, she is the top sniper of GGO and she is known by the nickname ‘Hecate’.”

 

Kirito asks, “Hecate?”

 

Dai responds, “Because of a rare gun that she won some time ago, bro. It is known as PGM Ultima Ratio Hecate II. It is an anti-material sniper rifle in real life used to take down vehicles and there is a reason why it has been banned to be used against human targets.”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “Yeah, I’ll bet.”

 

Akari says, “There are only ten of those kind of rifles on the server and she got by beating a tough and rare boss monster in which she could earn two hundred thousand yen in real-life money by selling it.”

 

Kirito gives a whistle and Dai says, “However, she knows how to use that thing to its upmost potential and that’s the second reason that she is called ‘Hecate’.”

 

Kirito gives a confused look and Mamoru says, “Hecate is the name for the Greek Goddess of the Underworld.”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “Oh.” Kirito thinks in his mind, “Oh, boy. I just realize now that I pissed off one of the toughest players in this game. This is going to make this investigation so much harder.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, with a sigh, “Same old Kirito.”

 

Dai tells Kirito, “Anyway, bro, what’s the big idea of going and putting yourself into the BoB?”

 

Usagi says, “Kirito, even with your stats from ALO, you aren’t near the level that you were in SAO for one thing and even if you were, I doubt that you would have any easier time in the BoB. You have no experience in this type of game.”

 

Dai says, with a nod, “No joke. Kari-chan and I are veterans in the game and former BoB winners ourselves.”

 

Akari says, nodding her head in agreement, “Dai-kun is right, Kirito.”

 

Kirito says, “I know. I know. Personally, I think that there has to be some kind of ‘trick’ to ‘Death Gun’. I’m ninety-nine percent sure of that.”

 

Dai asks, “Only ninety-nine percent?”

 

Kirito says, “The final one percent is partially why I’m here and another part is that I still have to come here if I’m going to have any idea what his trick is. I need to see him in order to figure him out, but I really don’t like this plan.”

 

Mamoru says, “Because it could…it will give him another chance to kill someone.”

 

Kirito says, with a snarl, “Yeah…”

 

Dai says, “Well, having no idea about him is going to get people killed until we figure him out, dude.”

 

Akari says, with a nod, “Dai-kun is right, Kirito.”

 

Kirito says, “Yes, I know. From what I saw on what you recorded, this ‘Death Gun’ knew that when he shot that player that something was going to happen to him. There has to be some kind of trick to it, but unless I get some kind of details, I can’t guess what.”

 

Dai says, “I hear you, Kirito.”

 

Usagi says, with a sigh, “I feel the same way, but it is like you said, unless we get enough information, we can’t even come close to getting an idea on how he does this.”

 

Kirito says, “That’s why I need to meet Death Gun personally.”

 

Dai says, “Well, you might since you are now in the BoB, bro.”

 

Akari asks, “How can you be so sure that he is going to be in the tournament?”

 

Usagi says, “He is going to be there. I know it.”

 

Kirito says, nodding his head, “I feel the same way, Usagi. He wanted people to see him kill those people and with the BoB, which is the biggest event in GGO and also can be seen by other VRMMO as well as the ‘outside world’ due to MMO Stream, he has a grand audience for his ‘work’.”

 

Dai says, sarcastically, “No joke, Kirito.”

 

Usagi says, “Well, if he is going to be there, there is just Kirito and I and it is going to be harder if he and I are in the same racket.”

 

Akari uses her game menu to bring up the brackets for the BoB event and she looks at them in which she says, “I just checked. You are in different blocks…Oh, boy.”

 

Dai asks Akari, “What’s wrong?”

 

Akari tells Dai, “Sinon and Kirito are in the same preliminaries.”

 

Dai says, nervously, “Uh, boy.”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “You said it, Dai.”

 

Akari says, “However, it looks like they won’t meet each other until the finals and as long as you get to the finals of your preliminaries, you are part of the final round. They take the top two from each block for the final round.”

 

Kirito says, “That’s a bit of a relief. If I make to the finals of my preliminary block, I make it to the finals.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “That’s right, Kirito.”

 

Mamoru says, “And it is good that you are in different blocks. It means more chances to get into the finals.”

 

Akari says, “However, I’m more worried for Kirito than Usagi.”

 

Kirito says, “Well, I can’t blame you. Usagi already has experience in the game and I don’t.”

 

Usagi says, “And it isn’t going to be easy, trust me.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “I trust you, Usagi.”

 

Dai says, “Anyway, since you made us miss getting into the BoB, I guess we’ll have to make sure that there is no problems from this side and report to the others when we are able.”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “I said that I was sorry.”

 

Akari says, with a grin, “Dai-kun is only messing with you, Kirito.”

 

Dai asks, “What makes you say that?” Akari takes one of Dai’s arms and she then kisses him on the lips.

 

Kirito asks, “Are you sure about doing that?”

 

Usagi says, “It is publically known that the two of them are a couple and a couple not to be messed with.”

 

Mamoru says, “Since they are the first winners of the first BoB, it says something.”

 

Dai says, with a grin, “You know it, pal!”

 

Kirito tells Dai, a bit nervously, “Anyway, can I ask you and Akari for another favor?”

 

Akari asks, curiously, “What’s that?”

 

Kirito responds, nervously, “Since you are good friends with that sniper girl, can you help me clear things up with her? I rather not have another player on my back while trying to solve this mystery.”

 

Dai asks Kirito, “You’re kidding, right?” Kirito gives a confused look and Dai tells Kirito, “Sinon is a hard-core vet of this game, bro. As I said, she is known by the names ‘Hecate’ and ‘Ice Cold Sniper’ and for good reasons.”

 

Akari says, “She doesn’t forgive easily, Kirito.”

 

Kirito says, solemnly, “That’s just great.”

 

Dai says, with a sigh, “But since we are friends, I don’t see why we can’t try to lend a hand.”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “Thanks!”

 

Dai says, with a smirk, “Through I have to admit I don’t know to feel sorry for you or congratulate you on getting that rare avatar.”

 

Kirito says, sarcastically, “Thanks a lot. If this wasn’t a transfer, I would say: ‘Take my avatar, please’.”

 

Usagi says, with a giggle, “I guess so.”

 

Mamoru tells Kirito, “Kirito, you of all people should know that the avatar doesn’t make the player. It is your skill and ability, not your looks that make a good or bad player in the game.’

 

Dai says, “Mamoru is right, Kirito.”

 

Kirito says, “Yeah, I guess that you are right. An if a feminine looking male player is ‘kicking butt’, I could find ‘Death Gun’ even faster through I can’t believe that I’m saying this.”

 

Dai says, slapping Kirito in the back, “Now that’s the spirit, dude! Let’s head over to Sinon and see what we can do!” Kirito yelps as Dai drags him over to the table that Sinon is sitting at while Usagi, Mamoru, and Akari follow in which the others have a discussion with Sinon about the whole situation.

 

When they are done, Sinon says, “Fine. I’ll try not to hold it against him.”

 

Akari tells Sinon, “Kirito is an upstanding guy and he would never do anything so low down.”

 

Sinon tells Akari, “If it was anyone else, I wouldn’t even consider it. However, if he and I face off in the BoB, I won’t take it easy on him at all.”

 

Dai says, “We don’t expect any less of you, Sinon.”

 

Akari says, “Thank you.”

 

Sinon says, “You are the ones that help make me into the player that I am today, so, it’s no problem.” Sinon says, glaring at Kirito, “However, remind your friend over there that we are enemies on the battlefield. If we face each other, I will take him down without hesitation or mercy.”

 

Kirito thinks in his mind, nervously, “Yipe! She is really hard-core!”

 

Dai says, “Too bad Akari and I didn’t make it. We wanted to see how much you have improved.”

 

Sinon says, with a nod, “It is. However, you’ll see that I’m not the same girl as in the second BoB. It might make you glad that you didn’t make it in time.”

 

Sinon gives a smirk and Akari says, with a smile, “You sound pretty confident, Sinon.”

 

Sinon responds, “For good reason, Akari. I have to say that I missed you for the two months that you were gone and wondered where you were.”

 

Our group were mentally a bit nervous and Akari says, with a smile, “Let’s just say that we were busy with something ‘important’.”

 

Sinon says, “Don’t say anymore. I understand. Anyway, when you started to come back, you seemed even stronger than before. While you fight against monsters more these days, any player group that tried to attack you got demolished more than before your two month absence.”

 

Dai says, with a grin, “Let’s just say that we found a way to sharpen our edge.”

 

Sinon says, “It shows.”

 

Dai says, with a grin, “Anyway, something tells me that you are going to clean house in this tournament Sinon.”

 

Sinon responds, with a nod, “I will, Dai.” Sinon says, with a sinister smirk appearing on her lips, “I will defeat all of the strong players. I will kill them all.” Usagi and Kirito then get a shiver as they see that smile brings a chill to their virtual backs that they have felt for what seemed like ages, but it was only around one year that event ended: Sword Art Online. Just then the sound of footsteps break Usagi and Kirito out of their thoughts in which they see a male player coming up to them.

 

This male player is tall man with long silver hair hanging over his forehead, brown eyes, and his outfit consists of a dark grey/lighter grey clothing in a camo pattern with black boots to match the military camo clothing which had a bare minimum of armor on him.

 

Sinon says, “Hey, Spiegel.”

 

The male player says, “Hey, Sinon. You sure got here late. I wasn’t afraid that you weren’t going to make it. And it looks like Dai and Akari are here. It looks like you are going to have some competition this time.”

 

Sinon responds, “Actually, Dai and Akari missed signing up due to a distraction I had to take care of, Spiegel.”

 

The male player, Spiegel, asks, “Huh?”

 

Dai whispers to Kirito, “That’s Spiegel. Sinon’s friend that introduced her to GGO and they are friends in real life too.”

 

Kirito nods his head and Sinon tells Spiegel, “Anyway, I thought that you weren’t joining the competition Spiegel.”

 

Spiegel responds, a bit shyly, “I’m not. I’m here to root you on. I hope that you don’t mind. You get to watch the matches from the big screen here.”

 

Sinon nods her head and Akari asks, “How are you doing Spiegel?”

 

Spiegel says, “Okay, I guess.” Spiegel asks, “Anyway, what was that ‘distraction’ that Sinon mentioned that made you lose the chance to join in the tournament?” Sinon points to Kirito and he gives off a nervous look.

 

Dai says, “Before you say anything, Kirito is a dude.”

 

Spiegel gives a look of surprise and Akari says, “He has got a rare avatar model from this world.”

 

Spiegel asks, “You mean an M-9000 avatar type?”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “That what I heard…”

 

Dai says, “He has played a lot of VRMMO before and he is one of our buds in real life and from other VRMMO that we play including fantasy style ones.”

 

Spiegel says, “Oh, yeah. I heard from Sinon that you told her that you like a lot of VRMMO.”

 

Dai and Akari look at Sinon and she says, plainly, “I just mention that. I didn’t give out your life story or anything.”

 

Spiegel says, with a smile, “It didn’t surprise me that you were so good. It is like you spent a lifetime in VRMMO.”

 

Dai, Akari, Usagi, and Kirito give nervous looks and Usagi thinks in her mind, “That’s one good way of looking at it.”

 

Kirito says, “Anyway, I’m thankful for Sinon’s help. She really helped me since I got started today…”

 

Sinon glares at Kirito with daggers in her eyes and she responds, with a deadly glare, “I did no such thing and you are in no position to call me by name.”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “I said that I was sorry.”

 

Just then the music changed and then a soft female voice comes over the room saying, “Thank you for your patience. The preliminary blocks of the third Bullet of Bullets tournament will now begin. All players registered will be automatically teleported to the first-round field map at the end of the countdown. Best of luck.” Soon after, there are cheers as well as the firing of automatic weapons and laser fire.

 

Usagi says, sarcastically, “Here we go.”

 

Kirito tells Usagi, “Good luck, Usagi.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “You too, Kirito.” Usagi then shares a kiss with Mamoru and Dai and Akari nod and smile.

 

Sinon tells Kirito, “By the way, make it to the finals. I need to blow your head off.”

 

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

 

Kirito says, jokingly, “Well, I’m not one to turn down a date.”

 

Sinon glares angrily at Kirito and Dai thinks in his mind, “Oh, sure, bro, that’s going to make things so much better.” Spiegel also glares at Kirito and he gets nervous at this while Usagi mentally sighs in which she and Kirito are teleported away. Usagi then finds herself on a hexagonal panel within the darkness where is a pale red holo-window that showed ‘Usagi vs Yami-Rai’.

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “Dark Lightning?” She shakes it off her mind as she prepares herself for the match in which she equips her weapons including fully auto version of the M4 Assault Rifle and what looks like a strange metal tube attached to her left side as a sidearm. When the timer is done, Usagi finds herself within what looks like Wild West ghost town and she looks into the distance to see a vague figure before a series of small lines appears in her vision: A LOT of Bullet Lines. Immediately, Usagi uses agility and speed to barely avoid the attacks in which the shotgun pellets come at her at a high-speed in which a few nick her causing her to lose a bit of HP. Usagi then ducks into the buildings as the huge amount of shotgun pellets continues to blast through the buildings itself. Usagi thinks in her mind, “What the heck?! Where are all these shotgun pellets coming from?!” Usagi mentally yelps as she continues to dodge the onslaught of shotgun pellets, through barely, in which she manages to see her SWAT clad opponent in which he is holding an AA-12 automatic shotgun causing Usagi to think, “That explains that.” Usagi has her assault rifle slung on her back and she takes out takes out the metal cylinder from her side causing it to produce a violet blade of energy. Usagi then thinks in her mind, “Okay, here goes something.” Usagi then move to attack in her opponent unleashes another barrage of shotgun pellets in which she dodges plenty of them while using the energy blade to block the pellets she can’t dodge.

 

Her male opponent, Yami-Rai, yells out, stunned, “No way!” He tries to switch to his secondary firearm, but Usagi is too fast allowing her to get close, cut apart her opponent’s primary weapon, and with a flawless spin and swing, she bisects her opponent causing him to yelp as he vanishes in hundreds of data pixels. Soon after, the words ‘Congratulations’ appears and Usagi breathes a sigh of relief as she deactivates the energy blade and puts the metal cylinder device that it came from back onto latch on her outfit. She is then enveloped in a teleportation effect as she returns back to the lobby where she started and Dai, Akari, and Mamoru appear in front of her.

 

Dai yells out, “Way to go, girl!”

 

Mamoru says, with a smile, “Excellent as usual, Meatball Head. I still don’t get why you call yourself ‘bunny’ as your handle. In these worlds, it seems to undercut your abilities.”

 

Usagi tells Mamoru, “Thank you, sweetie. But you know the reason why I don’t like the standout in VRMMO worlds these days.”

 

Mamoru says, with a smile, “I know.”

 

Usagi tells Mamoru, “Can you go on to see how Kirito and Sinon are doing?”

 

Mamoru says, “That’s going to be hard, but I’ll see what I can do. I’ll be right back.” Usagi nods her head and Mamoru heads off to find out what happened to Sinon and Kirito, but on the meanwhile, we join Kirito as he is with his opponent, Uemaru, in which Kirito uses a similar ‘light sword’ that Usagi just used against her opponent and Uemaru roars out as he shatters into hundreds of data pixels. After the congratulations sign appears above him, Kirito then does the motion that he did with his swords in SAO and he quickly realizes his mistake before deactivating the energy blade and attaching the device that it came out from onto his outfit.

 

Kirito sighs and he says, “Four more rounds of this.” Soon after, Kirito is engulfed in a teleport effect. After the teleport effect ends, Kirito finds himself back within the lobby where he started to go for the Bullet of Bullets preliminaries in which he looks to see Dai, Akari, and Usagi waving at him.

 

Dai asks Kirito, with a grin, “What kept you?”

 

Kirito asks Usagi, surprised, “You are done already?”

 

Dai tells Kirito, “Dude, Usagi is a veteran or something close to a vet since she has already created an account in here to ‘investigate’ this game.”

 

Usagi gives a glare at Dai and Kirito says, “That explains it. Man, this is tough.”

 

Usagi tells Kirito, “I told you, Kirito. Even with your transferred specs, it is going to be tough.”

 

Kirito looks at the screens and he asks, “How is Sinon doing?”

 

Dai asks Kirito, with a smirk, “Want to make sure that she doesn’t get you in-between the eyes?”

 

Kirito glares at Dai and Akari says, with a chiding tone, “Dai-kun!” Usagi also giggles at Kirito’s displeasure, but then she and Dai get a ‘bad feeling’.

 

Akari asks Dai, “What’s up?”

 

Dai says, “Nothing really…Unless the player with the freaky metal skull mask has a problem with us.” Dai glares in one direction and the others turn to see none other than the player with a baggy and ragged cloak, metal skull mask with red glowing eyes, and combat boots is looking at them.

 

Kirito thinks in his mind, “I didn’t sense him. I’m either getting rusty or it is probably due to Dai’s experience in the game.”

 

Kirito’s eyes widen as he gains a bit of recognition about the player in front of him and Akari thinks in her mind, nervously, “It’s him! It’s the guy from before! That’s player that’s calling himself Death Gun!” The player with the skull mask, revealed to be the mysterious Death Gun, who supposed really killed two players with a virtual weapon, looks straight at Usagi and Kirito.

 

The so-called ‘Death Gun’ asks, in a deep sinister voice, “Are you, two, like the real deal?”

 

Death Gun is making Usagi and Kirito nervous and Usagi asks, confused, “Real deal?”

 

Kirito asks, “What do you mean?” Death Gun brings out his menu, sets it to visible mode, brings out the display for the Bullet of Bullets or BOB for short tournament rackets, and displays the brackets for both Kirito’s and Usagi’s matches that they just won.

 

Death Gun says, “Those names…Those Sword Skills…So, are you the real deal or what?”

 

Kirito thinks in his mind, nervously, “This player…I…No, Usagi and I have met him before. Wait! That’s it!”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, nervously, “He…He’s an SAO survivor just like Kirito and I! There are so many SAO survivors, but wait! No one other than my other close friends in SAO like Kirito and Asuna knew my player handle! Everyone else knew me as the ‘White Valkyrie’! Who…Who is this player? And why…Why does he put this chill on me?” As Kirito’s and Usagi’s minds race, Dai and Akari can tell the nervousness in them from looking at their avatars in which then they see Death Gun’s right arm covered in bandages unwrap a bit to show a tattoo of a black Western coffin that’s slightly open with a creepy cartoon face on the lid of the coffin with a bony arm coming out of the coffin. Usagi thinks in her mind, her nervousness starting to turn into fear, “No, it can’t be…!!!”

 

Death Gun asks, “Answer the question or don’t you understand it?”

 

Kirito says, “No, we don’t.”

 

Just then a male voice says, “Hey.” Everyone looks to see Mamoru walking over to them and he says, with a stern tone, “You are creeping out my girlfriend. I suggest you leave or I’ll find a way to get the GM on you for harassment.”

 

Dai thinks, nervously, “Yeah, it won’t make you his next target, dude.”

 

Death Gun responds, “Fine. It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter if you are fakes using those names or the real deal. Sooner or later, I will kill you both.” Soon after, Death Gun walks away leaving a quite fearful Kirito and Usagi in his wake.

 

Akari asks, concerned, “Kirito? Usagi?”

 

Dai asks, concerned, “Are you okay?” Kirito and Usagi, both, have fearful look in their eyes and Dai says, plainly, “I take that as a major ‘no’.”

 

Mamoru says, “Let’s get them to a chair right now.” Mamoru takes Usagi by the hand in which he wraps her arms tightly around his arm like her life depended on it causing a look of grave concern on Mamoru’s virtual facial features while Dai and Akari help escort Kirito to a seat nearby where both he and Usagi are helped into a sitting position.

 

Akari says, “It is like they saw a ghost.”

 

Dai says, “Something tells me that the case, Kari-chan.”

 

Akari says, with a nod, “No joke, Dai-kun.”

 

Mamoru says, “That player…That was Death Gun.”

 

Dai says, “Yep. I never forget a virtual face and you never forget that face.”

 

Akari says, “I don’t get how he could have caused such a reaction with them.”

 

Mamoru asks, “What happened?” Dai and Akari explain their encounter with Death Gun before Mamoru came onto the scene and Mamoru was quick to realize what was up in which he says, “He knows them!”

 

Dai asks, confused, “Huh?”

 

Mamoru responds, “Death Gun knows both Usagi and Kirito.”

 

Dai and Akari give surprised looks and Akari asks, “He does?”

 

Mamoru says, “It is only conclusion that I can think of. He mentioned ‘those names’ and ‘those Sword Skills’. By the way that you described, he knows them and not just by any reputation. They met.”

 

Dai asks, curiously, “Where?”

 

Akari asks, “ALO?”

 

Mamoru says, shaking his head, “I have a bad feeling that I know exactly where they met.” Mamoru looks at Usagi, who has that shocked and fearful look in her eyes, and he tells her, putting his hands on her cheeks to make her focus at his virtual face, “Look at me, Meatball Head. It’s me. Calm down and tell me.” Usagi then gently shakes her head to regain focus and she manages to regain focus in her expression, but her virtual form is still shaking.

 

Usagi says, weakly, “Mamoru-kun…”

 

Mamoru tells Usagi, “Death Gun…You know him, don’t you?”

 

Usagi says, “Yes…No…I mean, I know Kirito and I met him before…but I don’t get how he knows my handle…”

 

Dai asks, “What do you mean ‘doesn’t know your handle’?”

 

Usagi says, “Death Gun…He…”

 

Kirito says, regaining some composer, but a nervous look still in his eyes, “Death Gun is an SAO Survivor just like Usagi and I.”

 

Dai and Akari give looks of shock and Mamoru says, “I thought so.”

 

Dai asks, “Wait! Even if that guy is just like Kirito and Usagi, how could he scare you guys so much?”

 

Kirito says, solemnly, “He…Death Gun was a member of Laughing Coffin.”

 

There are looks of shock from Dai, Akari, and Mamoru and Mamoru asks, “Laughing Coffin?”

 

Dai asks, “Wait! You mean that group of sickos that killed players just for the sake of killing knowing that if they died there, they would die for real?”

 

Usagi responds, “Right, Dai.”

 

Akari asks, “Didn’t you defeat them in that horrible battle several months before the game ended?”

 

When Usagi and Kirito look at Akari in surprised, Dai tells them, “Sword Art World, dudes.”

 

Kirito says, “Oh, yeah. We remember. You had seen much of what we went through during our two years in SAO while you were trapped in Sword Art World.” Kirito thinks in his mind, “Including Sugu. She seems back to normal, but deep down, I know that the memories are haunting her.”

 

Usagi says, nervously, “That battle…Oh, Kami…It was a bloody nightmare…”

 

Mamoru says, realizing something, “Hold on! You said ‘doesn’t know your handle’. Laughing Coffin never knew your player handle in SAO.”

 

Dai says, “Heck! They didn’t even know your face!”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “That’s right. But Death Gun knows that Usagi and the ‘White Valkyrie of SAO’ are one and the same. He knows that Usagi is the greatest opponent that his guild had in that nightmare.”

 

There are gasps of shock and Dai says, “That’s not good.”

 

Mamoru says, “But I’m afraid not unexpected.” Everyone looks at Mamoru and he says, “Knowing people that warped, I’m not surprised that they would hold the grudge from SAO. From what you told me, they wore hooded cloaks and their faces are mainly unseen. I doubt that most players would know their faces. When the survivors of that group of insane fiends got back, they must have used that to figure out your player handle and your facial features since only your closest friends from SAO including Kirito knew your true face.”

 

Kirito says, nodding his head in agreement, “It is the only way that he knew that Usagi and the ‘White Valkyrie’ were one and the same. Most likely, he found a way to get the information from the survivors of the seventh-fifth floor and our battle with Kayaba.”

 

Mamoru says, “However, I doubt that they would go back on their promise with you and the Scouts.”

 

Dai says, “After doing what you did for them, there is no way that I can see that happening.”

 

Kirito says, “Not of their own free will.”

 

Dai tells Kirito, motioning to Usagi, “Real helpful and reassuring bro.”

 

Kirito gives a nervous look and Usagi says, “I just can’t believe…”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “I know, Usagi.”

 

Mamoru asks, “Are you sure that he is a member of that group?”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “He was one of them, Mamoru-kun. We know. On his right arm, we saw it…the insignia of Laughing Coffin is on his arm…” Usagi starts to breathe heavily as the memories of Laughing Coffin and SAO come back to her mind before Usagi’s focused is refocused on Mamoru, who is making her look at him.

 

Mamoru tells Usagi, “Calm down, Meatball Head. I’m here…We’re here…”

 

Usagi nods her head weakly and Dai says, “This changes things.”

 

Akari says, with a nod, “Big time, Dai-kun.”

 

Mamoru says, “One of us should log out and report to the others.”

 

Dai says, “Got you, Mamoru.”

 

Akari yells out, stunned, “What?!”

 

Dai tells Akari, “I know what you are going to say, Akari-chan, but do you really want to keep this from them? Do you think that trying to keep this a secret isn’t going to hurt them?”

 

Akari says, with a sigh, “You’re right, Dai-kun.”

 

Dai hugs Akari and he says, “I know. I’m worried about my family myself. However, we know, out of all people, what Tai and the others are going through.” Dai kisses Akari on the lips and he brings up his menu in which he uses to logout causing him to vanish.

 

Mamoru says, “Anyway, we know now that Death Gun is one of the survivors of Laughing Coffin from SAO and it looks like this person is back to his old murderous ways.”

 

Akari says, “Yeah. But we have no idea on how he is doing this.”

 

Mamoru says, “True, but it narrows down the number of suspects and the motives for this.”

 

Akari says, excitedly, “That means that we can find out who he is in real life!”

 

Mamoru says, shaking his head, “No, Akari. I doubt that he is using the same handle that he used in SAO and that means that we need to find his original handle…his SAO player name.”

 

Akari says, realizing what Mamoru is talking about, “Oh.”

 

Mamoru looks at Usagi, who looks at him, and he asks, “My love, do you have any idea what his SAO player name could be?”

 

Usagi says, nervously, “No, I don’t…I don’t…I can’t…”

 

As Usagi’s breathing becomes heaver and faster for a bit, Mamoru gently hugs Usagi and he says, “Whoa! Whoa! Easy, Meatball Head. Calm down.” Usagi’s breathing returns to normal and Mamoru tells her, “Don’t try to force the memories out, my bunny. You are going to hurt yourself. Just don’t…Okay?”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Okay.”

 

Akari asks Kirito, “Kirito, do you…?”

 

Kirito responds, shaking his head hastily, “No, I can’t, Akari.”

 

Akari nods her head in understanding and a familiar female voice says, “Hey, what happened to your friends? It looks like they have seen a ghost or something.” Everyone then looks to see Sinon walking up to them.

 

Akari says, with a smile, “Hey, Sinon. You must have won.”

 

Sinon says, “As if there is any doubt.” Sinon asks, looking at Usagi and Kirito, “The two of them have made it through the first round so fast and they ended up like this?”

 

Akari says, with a kind smile, “No, that’s not the case. They…”

 

Mamoru says, with a plain tone, “After they finished their matches, a player that reminded them of an event that was painful to them and they suffered a bit of shock.”

 

Sinon thinks in her mind, confused, “A player that reminded them of a painful event?”

 

Akari nods her head and Mamoru asks, “Could you leave us alone for a while?”

 

Akari tells Sinon, “I’m sorry about this.”

 

Sinon responds, her face showing confusion, “Sure. Anyway, where is Dai?”

 

Akari responds, “He had to return to IRL for something important.”

 

Sinon says, with a nod, “Okay.” Sinon walks away from the scene and she can’t help to wonder about what Mamoru just said to her causing her to look at Kirito and Usagi causing her to wonder, but she shakes it off, her stoic expression returns, and she prepares for her next match. Back with Akari, Mamoru, Usagi, and Kirito, Usagi and Kirito were trying to calm down, however, knowing that Death Gun was a former member of Laughing Coffin, the group of players in SAO that killed so many people by ‘killing’ them in the game allowing the NervGear to turn their minds into mush and truly killing them, caused the horrible memories to return for both of them especially the battle to end Laughing Coffin’s terror back in August of 2024. Before they could get their thoughts together, both Usagi and Kirito are enveloped in teleportation effects and vanish.

 

Akari says, “Oh no! They are moving onto their next rounds.”

 

Mamoru says, with a really concerned look on his features, “They aren’t in good enough shape for a fight.” Inside of a ruins type field, Usagi appears with her head low and she is thinking about what she just learned and the memories of SAO coming back into her mind.

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “Even after all of the pain…all of the death…they won’t stop killing…they can’t stop killing…Has there been enough? Can’t they just let SAO go?! It’s over and yet, they continue to hurt and kill people that are trying to enjoy VRMMO and their possibilities.” Usagi’s virtual hands turn into fists and she thinks in her mind, with a determined look in her eyes, “I swore that it would never happen again. That no one would ever use VRMMO like Kayaba used them. I will never have another ‘Sword Art Online’! Never again!” Usagi raises her head to show her very determined expression, not seen since the days of SAO, as her vision shows the bullet lines of her opponent’s weapon. She then whips out the cylinder that creates the ‘energy blade’, which is known as a Photon Sword in GGO, while slinging her main weapon, her assault rifle, to her back and using incredible agility and acrobatics as well as speed, she manages to get to her opponent, much to his shock, and more so when she easily slashes through him causing him to turn into hundreds of data pixels. She then blazes through the next rounds including the semi-finals with such speed and precision.

 

On the meanwhile, back in the lobby, the other players in there watch this and Kirito’s matches with incredible interest for obvious reasons especially Akari and Mamoru and Akari says, “Usagi…Kirito…It is like they are possessed or something.”

 

Mamoru says, with a plain tone, “By the ‘ghosts’ of SAO, Akari.” When Akari looks at him, Mamoru, with great concern in his expression, says, “Now that we know that this Death Gun was a former member of that horrible ‘killer group’ in SAO, the urgency of the situation has grown to astrological level especially for them. They know them. They fought them. They know how truly deadly and depraved that the members of Laughing Coffin truly are, Akari. The whole situation was already life and death, but it is more critical for them than ever before. Both Usagi and Kirito are trying to regain the player versus player combat abilities and skills that they had in SAO in order to stop them.”

 

Akari asks, “Yes, but at what cost?”

 

Mamoru says, “That’s what worries me the most Akari.” Soon after, Usagi finishes with her final in her preliminary block with a victory by once again using her Photon Sword instead of her primary weapon and cleaving her opponent in two. When she is teleported back into the lobby, she finds Akari, Mamoru, and Dai, who had just logged back in, waiting for her.

 

Usagi says, “Dai, you’re back.”

 

Dai says, “Just got back. Nice work on your final, Usagi.”

 

Usagi says, “My final? Oh, wait! Right.”

 

Dai tells Usagi, pointing to Akari and Mamoru, “They kind of told what you have been doing.”

 

Mamoru asks Usagi, “Do you remember your fights after meeting Death Gun?”

 

Usagi’s eyes widen at what Mamoru is implying at and Usagi says, solemnly, “No, I don’t remember most of it.” Soon after, the group manages to see the video of finals of block F where Kirito is facing Sinon and the two of them watch as Kirito just stands there, Sinon berates him, they have a duel where Kirito, using a similar Photon Sword to the one that Usagi is using, cuts the heavy caliber bullet from Sinon’s Hecate sniper rifle at POINT-BLANK range, shocking Sinon, and after pointing his Photon Sword’s blade at her neck manages to have Sinon give up leaving Kirito the winner of the match.

 

Dai says, slapping himself on the forehead, “Oh, boy.”

 

Akari says, with a nod, “I know, Dai-kun.” Soon after, Kirito reappears in the lobby and he is surprised to see Dai shaking his head at him.

 

Kirito asks, “What’s up?”

 

Dai tells Kirito, “Dude, you really set yourself up for a major pain. You had to piss her off.”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “Well, I didn’t want to cut her in half despite it not really harming her and I’m not trying to be…”

 

Usagi says, with a sigh, “We know, Kirito. However, as a veteran of MMO and VRMMO games, you should know that her pride just got ‘shot’.”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “Point taken.”

 

Mamoru says, “Anyway, both of you are in the finals now.”

 

Usagi says, “That’s right. Death Gun is going to be there.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Yeah. Since he is from Laughing Coffin, he will use that event to create a ‘grand show’ to terrify people. Something tells me that he doesn’t just want to kill the players, he must want to ‘kill’ GGO itself.”

 

Akari asks, “Kill GGO?”

 

Mamoru says, with a nod, “I believe Kirito is right. I believe that this Death Gun may want to spread such terror that GGO might be shut down for good.”

 

Dai says, with a plain tone, “And do it for the sake of ‘killing’ a VRMMO.”

 

Mamoru asks Dai, “How are the others taking the news?”

 

Dai responds, “As best as they can be. Let’s get back to them and talk about what happened today.”

 

Akari says, “Good idea. We need to form a plan.” The others nod their heads in agreement, but Kirito and Usagi can’t get the fact that this ‘Death Gun’ is actually a survivor from the former ‘red guild’ of SAO, Laughing Coffin, brings back horrible memories that they have tried to make fade away through thanks to events like what happened with Kaiou, Rainbow Gardens, and Sword Art World kept the ‘nightmare’ very much alive in their minds in which it only has been around two months since the end of Sword Art World and Kayaba/Heathcliff. The two of them know that ‘Death Gun’ is part of the legacy of Sword Art Online and a legacy that they have to stop in order to perverse this VRMMO world from it.

 

December 13, 2025, Unknown location

 

Inside of an unknown location, Suzume is looking over a tablet and nodding her head.

 

Suzume says, with a smile, “Well, this is an interesting twist.”

 

A female voice says, “It is, Suzume-sensei.” Suzume looks to see Sakura stepping out of the shadows. Sakura asks, “So, why aren’t we doing something? We have the data, don’t we?”

 

Suzume responds, “We do, but do we know which one of Laughing Coffin Death Gun is?”

 

Sakura replies, with a sigh, “No, we don’t. However, it won’t take us too long to find him. There are less than a dozen of these guys left.”

 

Suzume says, with a sly smile, “Too true.”

 

Sakura asks Suzume, “But you want to wait in order to see what happens with Moon girl and the others?”

 

Suzume asks Sakura, “You are questioning me?”

 

Sakura replies, with a glare, “Damn right I am, Suzume-sensei. You might have helped us turn into stronger ninjas, but let’s just say while I don’t agree with the whole ‘good ninja, bad ninja’ crap, I’m not going to stay silent with you.”

 

Suzume then zips over to Sakura, shocking her a bit, and Suzume tells her, with a sly smirk, “Well, I see that you have gained backbone, Sakura.” Sakura yelps as Suzume grabs her by the neck and Suzume tells her, “However, remember, just because I don’t use chakra doesn’t mean that I’m weaker than you.” Suzume kisses Sakura on the lips causing her to flush wildly.

 

When Suzume releases Sakura from the kiss, Sakura yells out, “I hate it when you do that!”

 

Suzume says, “Anyway, we must get prepared for tomorrow. Let’s join Naruto-kun in bed.” Sakura gives a wild blush as Suzume walks off and Sakura groans as she follows her.

 

End of Chapter 3

 

(Sword Art Online II ending music ‘Startear’ starts)

 

As the scene starts, we find Shion Asada looking around and then an 11 year old Shion Asada looking solemn with dark shadows looming all around her.

 

The next scene shows the teenage Shion running from some kind of unknown pursuer.

 

She is then in a school classroom looking out the window, looking bore sitting in front of a school desk, and walking away from a chalkboard.

 

Shion is then wrapping a long scarf around herself and she is joined by her child-like self in which they look to see Sinon, Shion’s GGO avatar, looking at them.

 

Sinon, wielding her large sniper rifle, is in her hands and the unknown Sailor Scout with a compound bow that transforms powerful futuristic sniper rifle aiming at some kind of unknown foe.

 

Shion then looks at the unknown Sailor Scout in the eyes as she extends her hand to her and she takes it into her in which Shion gains a pair of huge feather wings with the image of the unknown Sailor Scout behind her as they look to the skies as a group of people including Dai and Akari extend their hands to them.

 

(Sword Art Online II ending music ‘Startear’ ends)

 

Preview (Usagi’s voice)

 

“Next time: Gunning for Past Scars.”

 

Well, that’s the end of this chapter, everyone! Anyway, you recognize that scene where ‘Death Gun’ introduced himself to Kirito and Usagi, don’t you? I had to make a slight modification from the preview for obvious reasons, but it is pretty much the same, folks. One of the questions that you must be asking: Why did you focus only on Usagi’s matches in GGO? Well, Kirito’s matches from the Phantom Bullet arc are pretty much the same. Now that ‘Death Gun’ has revealed himself to our heroes and heroines, things are going to start heating up. Keep reading and reviewing, everyone, but no flames, please! Later and best wishes, Crossover Fans!