Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Digimon Fan Fiction / Crossover Fan Fiction ❯ Sailor Moon Online II: SAO Shippuden ❯ Arc I, Chapter 6: Revelation: Death Gun ( Chapter 6 )

As we start this next big chapter of this first arc, the action is getting ‘hot’, huh? Well, remember this is just the first arc, everyone, and I can promise more action to come. And did you really think that I would forget about Philia and Strea? I don’t think so! However, I can say that they may not be ‘major characters’ like they were like in my Hollow Fragment story, but this story has a long way to go, so, we are going to have to see, folks! Anyway, before I start, once again, 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, Log Horizon, 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 14, 2025, Tokyo, Juuban District, Crown Fruit Arcade

 

Inside of the Sailor Scouts’ hidden base within the Crown Fruit Arcade, we find Serena, Kari, and Darien with their Amusphere around their heads and showing that they are in a Full-Dive while Davis is with the other Sailor Scouts, minus Lita and Raye, the Digidestined, and the Digidestined’s Digimon partners along with Davis’ sister, Jun Motomiya, another SAO survivor, as they listen in on what happened in GGO recently.

 

Tai slams his fist on a table and he says, “Damn it!”

 

Hotaru says, solemnly, “This is terrible.”

 

Amara says, “Death Gun claimed his third victim.”

 

Mimi asks, concerned, “What can we do?”

 

Joe responds, “What can we do Mimi?”

 

TK says, with a nod, “It is all up to Kazuto and Serena now.”

 

Jun says, “It is like…that place again.”

 

Yolei says, “I know, Jun.” Yolei says, angrily, “Those bakas in the government should have known better! They should have put them in ‘nut houses’ for the rest of their lives at least!”

 

Trista says, “Government is complex.”

 

Matt says, annoyed, “And annoying at times, Trista.”

 

Mina says, “Anyway, we have two more suspects to focus on: The Musketeer X player and ‘Steven’.”

 

Ami responds, “You’re wrong, Mina. That player name isn’t Steven misspelled.”

 

Everyone looks at Ami and Davis asks, “What do you mean?”

 

Ami responds, “That’s a medical term: Sterben. It is what doctors and medical person use to say that a person died in the hospital.”

 

Amara asks, “Wait! Are you saying that this player made his player handler for this game based on a term hospitals use when people die?”

 

Ami says, with a nod, “That’s right, Amara.”

 

Mimi says, “That’s just creepy.”

 

Tai says, with a serious tone, “And that says something about the player too.”

 

Sora asks Tai, “Really, Tai?”

 

Matt says, “Yeah, it does.”

 

Ken says, “You may think that it is just a silly name, but what a player names himself in an MMO says something about that player: Good or bad.”

 

Amara says, “Well, personally, that name just speaks volumes.”

 

Tai says, with a nod, “No joke, Amara.”

 

Ken asks, “Do you think that this ‘Sterben’ player could be…?” Ken then tells Izzy, “Izzy, I need you, Ami, and Trista to cross-reference the real-life identities of the Laughing Coffin members with doctors and hospitals. Namely if any of them are connected with any doctors, hospitals, or medical centers.”

 

Izzy asks, confused, “Huh?”

 

Yolei yells out, “Don’t argue with Ken, Izzy! Do it!”

Trista tells Ami, “I believe I know what Ken is implying. We must get to work immediately.”

 

Ami says, with a nod, “Right.” Ami, Trista, and Izzy then start to work on cross-referencing the information about the real-life identities of the Laughing Coffin members with the medical community.

 

Davis asks Ken, “Ken?”

 

Ken responds, “Davis, if I’m right about my theory, we may have found Death Gun.”

 

Davis asks, amazed, “Really?”

 

Wormmon says, with a smile, “I know that you are Ken. Then you must have an idea about Death Gun’s ‘trick’.”

 

Mimi asks, amazed, “Really?”

 

Ken says, “Maybe…I can’t be certain until I get that information. But what I do know is that if I’m right, even if Death Gun…No, Death Gun can’t shoot Kazuto and Serena with that pistol.”

 

Mina asks, curiously, “Why not?”

 

Ken responds, “Then it would destroy Death Gun for good because it would prove that he is firing ‘blanks’, Mina.” Plenty of the others can’t help to get confused by Ken’s words, but plenty of them feel that Ken might have just solved the mystery of Death Gun, but it was too late for Pale Rider and they know that Kazuto and Serena need to stop Death Gun in GGO before another player loses their life because of his bloodlust.

 

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 6: Revelation: Death Gun

 

December 14, 2025, GGO, ISL Ragnarok

 

On ISL Ragnarok, the massive battlefield where the finals of the Bullet of Bullets tournament is taking place, we find ourselves in the abandoned city that’s in the center where Kirito, Usagi, and Sinon are entering to find Death Gun, the player that’s seemly able to kill people in real life from a bullet with the game and only known Usagi and Kirito, is a former member of Laughing Coffin, the ‘red guild’ of SAO, who’s only existence was to kill other players of the game despite death in SAO meant true death and in fact, they kill other players because that was the case.

 

Kirito says, “Okay, we need to split up.”

 

Usagi asks, “Are you sure Kirito?”

 

Kirito responds, with a nod, “You and I need to take Musketeer X from two sides to divide that player’s fire on us and if that’s Death Gun’s real name, it is more important to do so.”

 

Usagi says, nodding her head, “Good point, Kirito.”

 

Kirito tells Sinon, “Sinon, you find a good position to stay hidden and if and when you see a good shot, take it.”

 

Sinon replies, plainly, “Roger that. And remember, you owe me.”

 

Kirito says, “Got you, Sinon.” Kirito and Usagi look at each other, nod their heads, and take off in separate direction where they know that Musketeer X, one of the two players that suspects of being Death Gun, is located and when they are out of sight, she can’t help to wonder about the two of them, but she shook it off and focused on the task at hand in which once she gets it done, this whole ‘Death Gun’ stuff will be done and over with and Kirito and Usagi will be nothing more than opponents. However, before she could head off, she yelp as she is hit in the shoulder and collapses like a sack of potatoes onto the ground on her waist. She was confused at what happened and she tries to move her virtual avatar body, but it won’t obey in which she looks to find a stun bullet piercing the left shoulder of her virtual form. She can’t understand how anyone could have snuck up on her due to the Satellite Scan, but the answer came from Death Gun appeared from a series of ‘dots’ of light and ‘formed’ in front of her.

 

Sinon thinks in her mind, stunned, “Optical Camo!!” Sinon was stunned to see Death Gun using that since, based on what she knew, is that only high level monsters in GGO, had that ability. However, Sinon, now, realizes that ability is how Death Gun was able to hide from the Satellite Scan. Death Gun walked over to her and stood over her paralyzed form.

 

Death Gun says, “Kirito…This will tell if you and your current partner are real or false. I will see if that woman is none other than ‘White Valkyrie’ that troubled us for so long in there. I remember you seeing you fierce with rage. When I kill this woman, the ally of your and your comrade, I will know if you are real if you go mad again. I know that she is real if her tears of pain and agony soak her eyes and cheeks. Show me your rage…your bloodlust…and your madness once again, Kirito.” On the meanwhile, Sinon manages to get her right arm to move and reach for her MP7 in which she knows that if she points at him and empties the clip, it is ‘game over’. As Death Gun went through his routine, Sinon managed to get her right hand to her MP7 and all she needed to do is point and fire since she already turned off the safeties. However, when she saw the pistol in Death Gun’s hand, she froze when she saw the black star on the grip of the pistol. Sinon recognized the pistol. It was a pistol that haunted her nightmare as her ‘real self’: A Black Star Type 54. She was frozen with fear and surprise that she dropped her MP7 and as she looked at Death Gun, she didn’t see Death Gun’s skull mask anymore, she saw the face of a man with bloodshot white eyes, small black irises, and dilated pupils that looked like deep holes. Pure fear completely froze Sinon as Death Gun prepared to fire at her and truly kill her, but then there was a gunshot. Sinon looked to see her HP gauge didn’t even move down a bit and when she looks up, she finds that it was Death Gun that got hit. Soon after, he got hit from multiple rapid shots causing him to leap back, hide a column, and switch his pistol for his rifle in which he puts in a clip of non-stun rounds for the sniper rifle in which he starts to fire back. But then a grenade lands in-between Death Gun and Sinon.

 

Sinon thinks in her mind, “A grenade!” Sinon closes her eyes, waiting for the explosion, and Death Gun leaps out of the way, but the grenade then expels a lot of smoke covering her form.

 

Just then a familiar female voice shouts out, “Kirito, over here!” She then sees Usagi and Kirito coming over to her.

 

Kirito tells Usagi, “Get her weapon. I’ll get Sinon.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Right.” Usagi goes over, grabs Sinon’s Hecate, and she thinks in her mind, “Oh, wow! It is a good thing that I choose to be a strength-build first in this game.”

 

Kirito says, carrying Sinon on his shoulders, “Let’s go!”

 

Usagi says, nodding her head, “No kidding.” Usagi and Kirito then start to run away as fast as possible in which a bullet passes between them and Usagi. Usagi says, nervously, “Yipe! That was close!”

 

Kirito says, “He must be using his sniper rifle on us.” Kirito thinks in his mind, “Death Gun is using his rifle for us and not his ‘Death Gun’, huh? What makes us different from Sinon?”

 

Like she knows what Kirito is thinking, Usagi asks, “He is using his sniper rifle on us?”

 

Kirito says, “Yeah, he is. He wants us out of the way and his main target is Sinon. He is only going to use that pistol on her.”

 

Usagi asks, confused, “Why her?”

 

Kirito responds, “I’ve got no idea. All I know is that we’ve got to get her away from him until we figure this out.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Right.” Soon enough, they come to an area where there are a pair of buggies and strange mechanical robot horse. Usagi tells Kirito, “Buggies, Kirito. The buggies are hard enough, but this is even harder. It isn’t the numbers, it is the player.”

 

Kirito says, nodding his head in understand, “I got you, Usagi.” The three of them get in the buggies with Usagi taking one with Sinon and Kirito going in the other with Usagi giving Kirito Sinon’s Hecate sniper rifle in which they start to take off. However, they stop and Kirito says, “We should take out the horse anyway.”

 

Usagi says, “Not with my weapon. It is meant for people, not for machines.”

 

Kirito tells Sinon, “Sinon, could you take the horse out?”

 

Sinon gives a surprised look and she says, “S-Sure.” Sinon removes the stun round and aims her Hecate at the horse, but when she tries to fire, her finger doesn’t pull the trigger. She tries make her finger move, but it refuses the respond.

 

Usagi yells out, “Too late! We have to go!”

 

Kirito says, “Hang on, Sinon!” Immediately, Usagi and Kirito race off into the distance and Sinon can’t help to wonder if they are going to escape. However, Kirito then shouts out, “Oh, crap! Here he comes!” Sinon then looks to see Death Gun riding the robot horse and her eyes widen with fear.

 

Usagi shouts out, “Hey, no way! It has been around a year since this game got started and no one has ridden one of those things!”

 

Kirito says, “Well, it looks like he can! By the way, I can’t believe that you know how to ride one of these things!”

 

Usagi yells out, annoyed, “Can we focus on the murderous madman on our heels, please?” As they continue on, due to the weight on the buggy, Death Gun kept getting closer and closer causing Sinon’s fear to grow and grow.

 

Sinon yells out, fearful voice that’s not like the usual manner of the infamous sniper of GGO, “He is getting closer…faster…faster…!!”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, surprised, “Sinon?” As the chase kept going, Death Gun got close enough in which he pulls out his pistol and aims it at Sinon in which when the bullet line hits her left cheek, she bends her head away just as the shot is fired causing it to pass by her cheek. Sinon yelps in fear as the bullet hits an old car and she yelps even more as the next shot hits the bumper of the buggy that they were on.

 

Sinon whimpers lowly and fearfully, “Oh no….help me…please help me…”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, looking at Sinon, “He’s focused on Sinon!”

 

Kirito gets the same idea as he notices Usagi focusing her attention on Sinon at times and he yells out, “Sinon! Sinon!” Sinon, a haggard and fearful look in her normally strong eyes, looks at Kirito and he says, “Sinon, he is going to catch up to us at this rate. I don’t know why, he is targeting you. We need to get away in order to protect you, but you are going to need to snipe him.”

 

Sinon says, weakly, “I can’t…”

 

Kirito says, “You don’t need to hit him! Just keep him at all!”

 

Sinon says, weakly, “But I…”

 

Kirito yells out, “Then throw the gun to Usagi and let her do it!”

 

Usagi shouts out, “Hey, I may be an expert gamer, but I don’t know how to ‘run and gun’ here!” However, Sinon turns around, weakly shoulders her weapon, and aims at Death Gun.

 

Sinon says, weakly, “I can’t…I can’t…My finger won’t pull the trigger. I can’t fight anymore.”

 

Kirito shouts out, “Yes, you can! Everyone can fight! The only choice is whether to fight or not to fight!” However, Sinon’s will to fight has faded and she prepares not to fight, but Kirito, fixing the pedal at top speed with Usagi making sure that they don’t crash into anything, helps Sinon out, but the bullet circle in Sinon’s view expands wildly with her rapidly beating heart.

 

Sinon says, weakly, “It is no good. There is just too much shaking to aim.”

 

Kirito responds, “Don’t worry about the aim! Now, focus and fire!” Soon after, Kirito helps Sinon fire the shot and it hit goes right to Death Gun and his horse behind them.

 

Sinon thinks in her mind, “I missed…” However, the bullet strikes an old truck’s gas tank and it causes a massive explosion seemly enveloping Death Gun and his robot horse in the explosion of flames while both buggies fly through the air since they hit a ‘ramp’. After they hit the ground with a loud ‘thump’, Usagi yelps from it while all of them stop as they look at the massive fireball in front of them.

 

Usagi says, “That’s not going to stop him.”

 

Kirito says, “Yeah, Usagi. I saw it too. However, he has no way to catch up to us.”

 

Usagi says, “Let’s get to the desert. We can use that to hide from the satellite scans until we can figure out something.”

 

Kirito says, “Good idea. Let’s go.” Soon after, Usagi and Kirito, with Sinon in tow, take off for the desert area. A good time afterwards, they arrive within the desert area and go inside one of the caves. Once inside, Kirito helps Sinon off and helps her to the ground while Usagi puts Sinon’s Hecate nearby its ‘partner’.

 

Usagi says, “We can hide in here for the time being, but that means that we can’t satellite scan data either. Plus, sooner or later, someone is going to suspect that we are in here and one grenade…”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Right.”

 

After a while, Sinon asks, “Do you think that Death Gun…died in that explosion?”

 

Usagi says, shaking her head, “He managed to escape at the last moment. I know that he suffered some damage from that, but I doubt that would be close to killing him. He is an expert of evasion that he learned from the last VRMMO that he was in.”

 

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

 

Sinon asks, “How were you able to save me from the stadium?”

 

Kirito says, “Well, first of all, we were able to determine that Musketeer X wasn’t the player that were after…”

 

Sinon asks, “How did you know that?”

 

Kirito replies, with a smile, “Usagi and I know a woman when we see one.” Sinon gives a look of surprise before a look of recognition and Kirito says, “Usagi and I realized that we missed something big so we took her out in quick step and then we saw that you were in trouble. I ‘borrowed’ Musketeer X’s weapon and grenades and we used them...Well, the rest that you know.”

 

Usagi says, “Something tells me that he might know what we are planning.”

 

Kirito says, nodding his head, “Yeah, we need to go out and lure him away.”

 

Usagi says, annoyed tone in her voice, “I was afraid that you say that.”

 

Sinon asks, “Wait! You are going to fight Death Gun?”

 

Kirito says, “Yeah. He has stats that puts up above all the rest. I’m not sure if we can avoid his pistol this time, but I’m starting to get a feeling that Usagi and I might not be in danger.”

 

Usagi asks Kirito, “You do?”

 

Kirito says, “I noticed that you were looking at Sinon as he was chasing us, Usagi.”

 

Sinon looks at Usagi and she says, “The thing is…I think that Death Gun was focused on Sinon.”

 

Sinon thinks in her mind, “On me? Then…Then he has to be…”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “I thought so. I got the same idea as you were focused on Sinon. It also made me think that he could have tried to take me out and caused a crash, but he didn’t use the pistol on me back then.”

 

Usagi asks, “Also, why didn’t he take out that Dyne guy too?”

 

Kirito says, “He was taken out…”

 

Kirito’s eyes widen and Usagi says, “Remember, you have to stay in your ‘dead’ avatar body until the tournament is over.”

 

Kirito says, “Well, it doesn’t really matter if we are in danger or not. Sinon and other players are in danger and we have to stop him.”

 

Usagi says, with a sigh, “Yeah, we do.”

 

Sinon says, “Hey, what if you are wrong? What if you are in danger if you get shot by him? It could be truly lethal!”

 

Kirito says, “You have a point. The old me would have gone after him even if it was deadly, but now, I’ve got things to protect and I don’t want to die.”

 

Sinon asks, surprised, “Things to protect?”

 

Kirito says, “In the real and virtual worlds.”

 

Usagi says, with a sigh, “Same here. I don’t want to die, but I can’t sit around and do nothing. You don’t understand Sinon, but this is a continuation of a ‘dark legacy’. A ‘dark legacy’ that has haunted my dreams for a year after its end. One that I can’t let repeat. I swore that I would never let ‘that event’ ever happen again and I would close the book on it for good.” Usagi’s left arm starts to shake a little and she rubs it.

 

Kirito tells Usagi, “Something tells me that the others were telling you to stop punishing yourself like this.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “I know, Kirito…But as long as that story isn’t done, I just can’t seem to move on beyond it.”

 

Kirito tells Usagi, “Remember Sugu feels the same way and it is one of the reasons that we kept her out of it.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Yep.”

 

Kirito tells Sinon, “Anyway, Sinon, you should remain here until at least one of us comes back to inform you that Death Gun is gone and you can continue on with the competition if there are any more left.”

 

Sinon thinks about it for a moment and she says, “I…I won’t run.”

 

Usagi asks, “Huh?”

 

Sinon says, “I won’t run. I won’t hide here. I’ll go out there and fight too.”

 

Usagi gasps in shock and Kirito says, “You can’t, Sinon. If he shoots you…you might actually die too. In fact, I’m more sure of it through I don’t know how. I’m a close combat fighter and Usagi is too. However, you are a long ranger fighter being a sniper and if he catches up close, you are done.”

 

Sinon says, “I don’t care if I die.”

 

Usagi yells out, concerned, “You can’t really mean that!”

 

Sinon responds, “I was terrified of dying. I was weaker than I was years ago so I acted to weak and pitiful and that’s not going to cut it. If I’m going to keep living that way, I would rather be dead.”

Usagi says, in disbelief, “Don’t say that!”

 

Kirito says, “Usagi is right. It makes sense to be afraid.”

 

Sinon says, “Well, I don’t like being afraid. I’m tired of living in fear. I’m not asking you to help me with this. If necessary, I’ll fight alone.”

 

Usagi says, concerned, “You can’t!”

 

Sinon says, “If you aren’t going to help, then stay back.”

 

Usagi blocks Sinon’s way and she says, “You are wrong, Sinon! You don’t die alone! There are people that must care about you! What happens to them if you die?! You must have family! Friends!”

 

Kirito helps Usagi block Sinon’s way and he says, “Usagi is right! The part of you that lives inside of them would die with you! You can’t just leave them alone!”

 

Sinon yells out, angrily, “Neither of you damn well don’t know anything about me! You can’t do anything for me, so, don’t act like you know me! This is my fight and my fight alone! If I lose and die in the process, no one has the right to criticize me for it! Why should you care?! Why should you care for this murderer’s life?!”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, surprised, “Murderer? Could she be…?” Sinon then starts to beat on Kirito’s virtual chest and waist with her fists in which she might be giving some really tiny bit of damage to his HP, but he isn’t moving as she continues to pound on his chest and virtual tears stream down her cheeks. A good while later, Usagi and Kirito are sitting down while Sinon is lying down on Kirito’s legs.

 

After a short time of silence, Sinon says, “The thing is…I killed someone. I killed someone in real life. Five years ago, there was an attempted robbery of a post office in a small town in Tohoku. The media reported that the culprit shot one of the employees, then died when the gun backfired. That wasn’t what happened. I was there. I stole the robber’s gun and shot him with it. I was just eleven at the time and I suffer some nasty injuries, but they healed. However, some things don’t heal. Ever since then, I’ve vomited and passed out when I see a gun even on television and manga. When I see a gun, I see the face of the man I killed and I get scared and terrified.”

 

Usagi says, “But not here.”

 

Sinon says, “I’m fine in this world. Not only do I not have spasms, but I really learn to care for some guns. I thought that if I become the strongest in this world, I can become stronger in reality too. I’ll be able to forget that memory, but when Death Gun attacked us earlier, I nearly had an episode. I wasn’t Sinon anymore, but the ‘real me’. That’s why I need to fight him or I will never be able to be Sinon again. I’m afraid of dying, but I’m tired of living in fear. If I run from Death Gun and my memory, I’ll be weaker and I’ll never have a normal life.”

 

Kirito says, “I know how you feel since I’ve killed someone too.”

 

Sinon looks at Kirito and Usagi tells Kirito, concerned, “Kirito…”

 

Kirito gives ‘it will be all right look’ and he tells Sinon, “We told you that we met Death Gun from a different game. You would know that game since it was been part of the world news for two years straight. The name of the game was…Sword Art Online.”

 

Sinon says, her eyes widening, “Then you are…”

 

Usagi says, with a solemn nod and tone, “Yes, we’re SAO survivors.”

 

Sinon says, “I knew it. The phrase that you spoke…”

 

Kirito says, “The words of the creator of SAO: Akihiko Kayaba.”

 

Usagi says, “Death Gun is another SAO survivor.”

 

Sinon asks, surprised, “Huh?”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Yeah, we’re sure that we fought him before. He belonged to a guild known as Laughing Coffin. They were a murder guild. In SAO, based the color of your player cursor, we called criminal players ‘orange players’ and guilds of orange players are known as ‘orange guilds’, but those that actually went for killing other players for no other reason that killing them…we called them red players.”

 

Sinon asks, “Wait. If you died in SAO, didn’t you die in real life?”

 

Usagi says, with a solemn nod and tone, “That’s right, Sinon. Despite them…No, in fact, it is because of this fact that they killed other players knowing that they were actually die.” Sinon’s eyes widen in shock and a bit of horror and Usagi says, “Murdering other SAO players was the ultimate thrill to them and Laughing Coffin was the worst of the worst. They attacked other players outside of the towns where the system won’t protect them and they took pleasure in killing other players. They only took items and money to maintain the spree of murder.”

 

Kirito says, continuing, “We formed a massive party to stop them and found out, at great cost, where they were. Usagi lead the scouting them to confirm the information and we went to ambush them, but our plans got leaked out and if Usagi didn’t warn us of Laughing Coffin’s ambush, it would have been much worse.”

 

Usagi says, with a sigh, “I don’t think that it was enough.”

 

Kirito says, with a sigh, “And in that battle…I killed two of them.”

 

Usagi says, “One of them to save my life when I lost focus and got hit with a paralyzing poison.”

 

Kirito says, “Maybe, Usagi. But I let fear and anger control me and I might be no better than they are…”

 

Usagi yells out, angrily, “Don’t you dare say that Kirito! You are a better person than they are! Than they could ever be! You fought to protect while they fought only to satisfy their bloodlust! They are monsters and murderers! You are nothing close to them!”

 

Kirito flinches from Usagi scolding of him and Sinon asks Usagi, “So, you were there?”

 

Usagi says, with a sigh, “Yes, I was there. I was…another top player. In fact, I knew more about Laughing Coffin than anyone since I fought against them the most.”

 

Kirito tells Sinon, “Usagi was the main enemy of Laughing Coffin. She did everything in her power to protect the other players from Laughing Coffin even it meant she was in great danger of dying herself.”

 

Sinon asks Usagi, “Why would you do that?”

 

Kirito gives a concerned look and Usagi responds, with a solemn tone, “Because…Akihiko Kayaba was my uncle.”

 

Sinon asks, stunned, “What?” Sinon asks, in disbelief, “Wait! The monster that created Sword Art Online, the ‘death game’ that trapped ten thousand people with it, and cost the lives of nearly four thousand people…he…you…”

 

Usagi says, with a solemn tone, “Yes, I was his niece and he kept me trapped in SAO for two long years.” As tears start to flow from Usagi’s virtual eyes, she says, weakly, “When it all started, I couldn’t believe it. I thought that it was a nightmare. My uncle seemed to be so gentle. So kind. He called me his princess. His shining jewel of the moon. However…it wasn’t a nightmare, but a cold hard reality despite it being virtual reality. He trapped me and nearly ten thousand others in what was supposed to be a dream come true. A new frontier for people to experience and enjoy. And he turned into a cold unyielding ‘living’ netherworld. I lived in that place for two long years…fighting to find him…to get answers on why he did this…commit this crime…unleash this horror…”

 

As tears start to flow from Usagi’s eyes, Kirito says, “She had never killed anyone in SAO unlike me, but she felt, through some kind of responsibility, that she should protect the other players. You can imagine how many players…how many people she saw die.”

 

Sinon thinks in her mind, looking at Usagi, “If she did everything that she could possibly do to save those people, I can’t even begin to imagine how many people that she saw die in there.” Sinon asks Usagi and Kirito, “And is that why you are here?”

 

Kirito says, “Yes, we are. We think…No, we know that Death Gun is one of the survivors of Laughing Coffin that we managed to imprison. His attitude and such sparked memories in both of us. We can almost remember what his old player handle was…”

 

Usagi says, “And we need to know that name in order to stop him. He is basically trying to recreate Sword Art Online in his own way in this game…in this world.”

 

Sinon thinks in her mind, her eyes widening, “Recreate Sword Art Online? That horror that killed…that murdered nearly four thousand people?” However, she pushed this thought aside because she had another question that she had to get off her chest and she asks, looking Kirito and Usagi in their eyes, “Kirito…Usagi…It isn’t my place to judge for who you are or what you did. But I need to know: How did you overcome those memories? How did you beat your pasts? How can you both be so strong?”

 

Usagi and Kirito look at each other and Kirito tells Sinon, “Actually, Sinon, I haven’t overcome them.” Sinon gives a look of surprise and Kirito says, “Last night, after I met Death Gun and realized that he was from Laughing Coffin, I had nightmares of what happened and the people that I killed with my sword including one later on that tried to murder me as well as killed another good member of the Assault Team. I barely got any sleep and I’ll never forget their faces and voices as well as the words that they said before they disappeared…”

 

Sinon asks, nervously, “But…what am I supposed to do?”

 

Kirito tells Sinon, “Sinon, I think not forgetting them is the right way of things. I lost my mind to fear and anger and killed people, but I wasn’t blamed for it. In fact, they called me a hero for doing that. No one punished me and no one taught me how to make amends for what I did. I took advantage of that, avoided examining what I did, and I tried to forget. I cut them down, ended their lives, and I should have taken on the weight of what happened, but I didn’t.”

 

Sinon says, weakly, “But I…I can’t do that…”

 

Usagi tells Sinon, “Sinon…” When Sinon looks at Usagi, she says, “You keep thinking about the people that you killed, but you aren’t thinking about the people that you saved. Did you ever think about what happened if that madman, in which he must have been on drugs or something, got the gun away from you? Did you think on what could have happened if you remained in your seat and did nothing for your mother or the people in that post office? If that guy got his gun back, he would have most likely killed you, killed your mother, and killed more people before someone would have tried to stop him or even worse, he would have gotten away and his crimes taken time to get punished in which he would have gone out to kill more people just to get more money for whatever he was on.”

 

Sinon’s eyes widen and she says, “I…I never thought about that…”

 

Usagi says, “I’m not the brightest bulb in the shed…” Usagi thinks in her mind, “As Pyro keeps pointing out! Ugh!” Usagi then says, continuing, “…but I know a lesson: ‘Evil wins when good people do nothing’. And I know that lesson…because people died when I did nothing either.”

 

Sinon’s eyes widen and Kirito says, concerned, “Usagi…” However, Usagi ignores Kirito and talks about an infamous scouting mission that she was on in SAO where she was part of the scouting team and she felt that something was wrong, but she didn’t speak up due to not wanting to cause conflict with the leader of the scout team who had quite a ‘disliking’ to her.

 

When Usagi is done, Sinon says, stunned, “Oh, Kami…”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “That’s my mistake…A mistake that cost lives…”

 

Kirito tells Usagi, “It wasn’t your fault, Usagi! Would that asshole have listened to you on a ‘feeling’? He had it in for you despite proving yourself to be a friend to all good players again and again! It was that moron’s fault that they fell into the trap!”

 

Usagi says, “Maybe you are right, Kirito…”

 

Kirito replies, “I am right, Usagi.” Kirito tells Sinon, “This is what we have to live with, Sinon. We have to live with the memories and fight to move on pass them into the future. We can’t change the past, but only to learn from it and move onto the future. It hasn’t been easy since even after the game ended, we still had to live with the ‘legacy’ of SAO every day. Remember, the Sword Art World Incident?”

 

Sinon responds, “Who hasn’t? The news that Kayaba managed to escape justice by downloading his mind into cyberspace was huge and from what I heard, the government suffered a ‘nasty black eye’ in which any laws on restricting VRMMO and Full-Dive technology was majorly frowned upon since people thought that the government was to blame for that and not Future Divers since they were founded by former SAO beta testers that didn’t get trapped in the game and they went to the government for help. Hold on! You were part of that?!”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Yeah. My younger sister was greatly involved in that. It is a long story, but she was the one to destroy Kayaba’s ‘mind’ and he no longer exists in the real world and in cyber space.”

 

Sinon says, “I see. That was a few months ago.”

 

Kirito says, “Usagi and I…All SAO survivors live with the scars of that time and we’re going to live with those scars for maybe the rest of our lives. You might be thinking that after all that we are crazy still going into VRMMO games, but we can’t let SAO rule our lives forever. However, we also feel that we can’t let happen to us happen to anyone else and let the legacy of Sword Art Online ‘scar’ anyone else. Death Gun is part of that legacy.”

 

Sinon asks, “Death Gun…There is a real person under that tattered cloak?”

 

Kirito says, “Yes, there is. He was a former member of Laughing Coffin. Usagi and I have friends that were part of the task force that tried to free us from the real world and they have information on all SAO players including their real names and addresses.”

 

Usagi says, “If we find his SAO name, we would know where he is in the real world and stop him once and for all. It is the reason that we are here.”

 

Sinon thinks about this information for a second and Sinon asks, “So, he is here in GGO because he couldn’t get over what happened in SAO? He is here to keep continue to PK?”

 

Kirito says, “It is more than that. He killed XeXeeD and Tarako in the ways that he did to get himself noticed and to convince people that he can truly kill from the game.”

 

Sinon asks, “But how is that possible? The Amusphere isn’t like the…NervGear, right?”

 

Usagi says, “That’s right. And the fact is that these two died from heart failure, not brain damage.”

 

Sinon asks, surprised, “Heart…Heart failure? But that shouldn’t be possible right?”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “It shouldn’t be. However, when I saw that footage that Dai and Akari took when they witnessed XeXeeD’s death, I knew that Death Gun knew that someone was going to happen shortly after he shot him. I think that there is some kind of trick, but I don’t even know what it is. I talked it over with the person that hired me to assist Usagi, but there is no way to stop a person’s heart with a virtual bullet.” Kirito says, getting curious, “Through when Usagi and I attacked him, he switched to his rifle and not use his pistol.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Yeah, you’re right. There is also another thing. Remember what happened on the bridge. He could have shot that other guy…Dyne, was it? He left him alone, but not because he was ‘dead’. Remember, the ‘dead’ players have to remain in their avatars until the event has a winner and with Dyne out and trapped in his paralyzed avatar, he couldn’t do anything and we couldn’t stop him.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Yeah. He could have also used that pistol on me, but he was targeting Sinon.”

 

Sinon says, “Well, he did say that he wanted to bring out yours and Usagi’s rage and fury.”

 

Usagi says, with a sarcastic annoyed tone, “That’s nice.”

 

Kirito says, shaking his head, “No, there has got to be more than that.” Usagi, Sinon, and Kirito began to discuss theories on why Death Gun didn’t use his pistol on either Usagi and Kirito and only Sinon, but the discussion headed nowhere until Sinon mentioned about the prizes and real-life prizes coming from the BoB. Kirito asks, “Wait! Model guns? Not in-game items, but actual physical replicas?”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Dai and Akari told me about that. They come from international mail.”

Kirito tells Usagi, “International mail?”

 

Usagi asks Kirito, curiously, “Kirito?”

 

Kirito asks Usagi, “How would they get your real-life address?”

 

Usagi replies, “The registration for the BoB prelims. In order to get certain prizes, you are going to…!!”

 

Usagi’s eyes widen and Sinon asks, “What?”

 

Usagi asks Kirito, “Kirito, did you just figure it out?”

 

Sinon’s eyes widen and Kirito doesn’t reply for a few minutes in which he says, “Yeah, I think I do. And I think that we missed something big.”

 

Usagi asks, “What is it Kirito?”

 

Kirito says, “When you play a VRMMO, the player’s mind goes from the real world and into the virtual world in which you are doing everything in the game there. We had assumed that Death Gun was choosing his targets from there, but we were wrong. We had forgotten about the basics of Full-Dive that we had known since SAO. The player’s body and mind aren’t going nowhere and the only difference between the two ‘worlds’ currently is the amount of information processed. A player wearing the Amusphere only sees and hears the digital sights converted into electron pulses. When XeXeeD and the others died, they were in their own rooms…with the real killer…”

 

Sinon asks, confused, “The real killer?”

 

Kirito says, “There are TWO Death Guns.”

 

Usagi asks, shocked, “TWO?!”

 

Kirito says, “The avatar in the cloak shoots the person in the game, but the SECOND ONE, in the real-life target’s room, kills the player as they lie defenseless and unaware.”

 

Sinon asks, confused, “But how? How could they find their….?”

 

Usagi says, interrupting, “I agree with Sinon, Kirito. I don’t get how they could find them in real life.”

 

Kirito says, “The prizes for the tournament, Usagi. You and Sinon provided that clue. Remember what you said? The registration for the tournament.”

 

Usagi gasps and she asks, “Wait! You mean that they managed to get the real-life information that they needed from there?”

 

Sinon says, “That can’t be. The distance effects render the text impossible to read and you would be able to notice someone watching over your shoulder.”

 

Kirito asks, “What about a scope or binoculars?”

 

Usagi says, shaking her head, “There is a rule against that, Kirito. The American take harassment very seriously.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “I figured as much, but then I remember his camouflage.”

 

Usagi’s eyes widen and she says, “His Optical Camo! Hold on! He could use it in town? Wait! It could be possible! Dai, Akari, Mamoru, and I have heard plenty of rumors that you could buy ‘special power ups’ and such for real-life cash! And that Optical Camo is usually held by high-level monsters in the game.”

 

Kirito says, “Yeah, I figure that would be possible with the kind of system in this game, Usagi.”

 

Sinon asks, “Okay, good point. But how about their homes? They would have electronic locks and what about their families?”

 

Usagi says, “XeXeeD and Tarako lived alone in old apartments with old security systems. I know about this from friends of mine. It wouldn’t be too hard to break into and plus, it could be possible that they could have gotten master key cards used by emergency personal and such to get into these apartment homes quickly for emergencies.”

 

Kirito says, “And the victim would be Full-Dive and that means that they wouldn’t be able to do anything to do them. They are perfect target.”

 

Sinon asks, “But how do they kill them? You said that they died from heart failure right? Can they use a method to stop a person’s heart that the police and doctors couldn’t detect?”

 

Kirito says, “Both XeXeeD and Tarako were found days after they died Sinon. Their bodies decomposed enough and remember? It is quite common for VRMMO players to die from heart failure due to them not taking care of themselves in the real world. Plus, because of SAO, they were focused on the condition of their brains and not looking for a drug that could have them heart failure, Sinon. As long as they don’t disturb the house in any way to make it look like any form of robbery, the crime can go undetected.”

 

Usagi says, “That means that we have to look for Laughing Coffin members with any connection to hospitals. From what I know from Ami-chan, the kind of chemicals needed for doing something like are best found in medical centers.”

 

Kirito says, “Not necessary, Usagi, but you have a point, Usagi.”

 

Usagi says, “Man! We need to tell the others this information!”

 

Kirito tells Usagi, “They’re smart, Usagi. They’ll figure out. Now, we know that we are safe since I’m in the hospital with Nurse Aki watching my real body and you are safe at your…hidden location with all our friends keeping your body safe too…” Kirito’s eyes then widen and Sinon gets a horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach.

 

Usagi asks Kirito, a bit nervously, “Kirito?”

 

Kirito asks Sinon, looking her in the eyes with a VERY serious expression, “Sinon, I need to ask you: Do you live alone?”

 

Sinon responds, getting a bit nervous, “Y-Yes.”

 

Kirito asks, “Do you lock up? Do you have a door chain?”

 

Sinon replies, “I have both an electronic lock and a cylinder lock.”

 

Usagi asks, getting at what Kirito is thinking and making her nervous, “What kind of lock is it?”

 

Sinon says, “An early electronic lock and the chain…might not be on.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, nervously, “Oh no.”

 

Kirito tells Sinon, “Sinon, I need for you to listen to me very carefully. Death Gun tried to shoot you while you were paralyzed at the stadium and focused on you while we tried to escape. It could only mean one thing: His preparations are complete.”

 

Sinon asks, nervously, “Preparations?”

 

Kirito responds, “Death Gun’s accomplice is in your room right now back in the real world. He is watching the tournament at this moment, thanks to MMO Stream, and he is waiting for the moment that you get shot.” Sinon then imagines her real-life body with the Amusphere around her head and lying on her bed in her apartment room, completely helpless as her mind is in this world, and she images a dark figure standing over her form which is about to inject her with a lethal substance.

 

Sinon starts to panic and she moans out, “No…No…it can’t be…” Her breathing becoming frantic as pure panic surges through her and her heart starts to beat at what feels like a thousand times a minute in which soon a warning message comes over her eyes warning her about her accelerated heart rate that might cause a disconnection.

 

Kirito grabs Sinon’s arms and he shouts out, “No, Sinon! It’s too dangerous to log out now! You disconnect on your own! Calm down! Please calm down!” Kirito gently hugs her to calm Sinon down and Kirito whispers to her, gently, “The intruder can’t do a thing until you are shot by that pistol. That’s the rule that they created. However, if you disconnect now and you see the intruder’s face, you will be in mortal danger.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod of recognition, “I can’t imagine what they will do to keep the secret of ‘Death Gun’.”

 

Kirito says, “Yeah, Usagi. And most likely, the ‘second Death Gun’ is another member of Laughing Coffin. It has to be a former ‘comrade in arms’ to coordinate the killings so well and perfectly.”

 

Usagi says, nodding her head in agreement with Kirito, “You’re right, Kirito. We aren’t dealing with one member of Laughing Coffin…We are dealing with two at least.” Usagi says, nervously, “But what if we are dealing with more? You might be able to find players easily here, but in real life, all of the players can’t be so close together.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “You’re right, Usagi. They might have multiple targets since they already killed Pale Rider and now, they are after Sinon. We can’t be sure how many targets that they have in this tournament beyond Pale Rider and Sinon.”

 

Usagi says, “We’ve got to get back to the others!”

 

Kirito says, shaking his head, “No good. We can’t leave until there is a winner of the tournament, Usagi. You know that. However, if we beat Death Gun here, then the ‘game’ is over. They set up this ‘rule’ so strictly and knowing that this is Laughing Coffin, they are crazy enough to follow it. They want people to believe in Death Gun and they won’t risk anything that will completely discredit them. However, it doesn’t mean that we can’t get knocked out…At least, until Death Gun is down and out of commission.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Right.”

 

Kirito looks at Sinon and he asks, “Are you okay?”

 

Sinon says, with a nod, “Yes, I am.”

 

Kirito tells Sinon, “Now that we know that we aren’t in danger, Usagi and I can go in through not at full bore because we can’t let ourselves get knocked out until Death Gun is beaten. We can’t be sure how many players are just like you, XeXeeD, Tarako, and Pale Rider. Death Gun and his associates are targeting multiple players in this tournament and one person is already dead. We can’t let this go on and I won’t let him kill you to satisfy his bloodlust.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “We will end this madness.”

 

Sinon says, “Even through his Black Star is mainly worthless against you, he is still plenty tough. He was able to dodge my Hecate shot from just a hundred yards, remember? That’s point blank range considering my weapon.”

 

Kirito says, “If I was alone, I wouldn’t be confident in my chances, but I know that with Usagi, I can win.”

 

Usagi says, “We have to work fast, Kirito. Sinon can’t stay in here forever. Other players will figure out that we are in here and there aren’t too many caves in this field.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “I see.” Kirito says, “Well, Death Gun wants to take us out to make sure that we don’t interfere with his plans. He knows that in order to have a chance to use that pistol on Sinon, we need to be out of the way first. He knows that Sinon is with us. We go first and use ourselves as bait to lure him away making him think that Sinon is with us.”

 

Usagi tells Kirito, “That’s going to be a problem, Kirito. He has that camo remember? He basically snuck up on Pale Rider and Sinon with ease and he has the silenced weapon.”

 

Kirito says, with a sigh, “Yeah.”

 

Sinon tells Kirito and Usagi, “You need a third pair of eyes.” When Kirito and Usagi look at Sinon, Sinon says, “You’ve got them and a long range sniper just like him.”

 

Usagi says, “Sinon, the instant he hits you with a bullet from that pistol, the person waiting to kill you…”

 

Sinon says, plainly, “I just don’t get hit right. The Black Star is an old fashion hand gun and single action. While I’m a strength first build, my agility isn’t lacking. Plus, he has to be in close range of me to use it. I’m also thinking that he also wants you two knocked out in order to get to me, so, he will go after you two first especially since he has some kind of ‘grudge’ against you two.”

 

Usagi and Kirito give nervous looks and Kirito says, nervously, “Good point.”

 

Sinon says, “And also, this is my life that we are talking about. I deserve a chance to fight for it. Plus, three of us against one of him gives us a better chance especially since he is so good. And a combination of two close range fighters with one long range fighter puts him at a disadvantage as we have multiple opinions.”

 

Kirito says, with a sigh, “I’m going to have to agree with your words.”

 

Sinon says, “Then let’s start work on our plan.” Usagi, Sinon, and Kirito start to work on their plan while getting over a bit of embarrassment that one of the cameras that’s checking the action found them and catching Kirito’s way of calming down Sinon much to Kirito’s embarrassment.

 

December 14, 2025, ALO, Yggdrasil City

 

Returning to Kirito’s and Asuna’s place within Yggdrasil City in ALO, the group watching Death Gun’s murder of Pale Rider look as they see a tall male Undine enter the room.

 

This male Undine has long blue-hair styled in a simple part, silver framed glasses in front of his eyes, and he is wearing a plain dark blue robe.

 

Lisbeth tells the male Undine, “You’re late, Chrysheight!”

 

The male Undine says, in the familiar male voice of Seijirou Kikuoka, “I flew as quickly as I could from my save point. If ALO had a speed limit, my license would have been revoked.”

 

Asuna stomps over to the male Undine and she asks, staring at him square in the eyes, “What’s going on?”

 

The male Undine, Seijirou’s ALO avatar of Chrysheight, responds, a bit nervously, “It might take some time to explain everything for you. I’m going to need to figure out where to begin…”

 

Asuna yells out, annoyed, “Dodging the question?”

 

Yui, in her pixie form, flies up and she says, “Then I’ll do it for you.” Soon after, she, with help from Strea, explains about Death Gun starting from the killing of XeXeeD up until this point.

 

Chrysheight says, amazed, “Wow! You are really incredible! You are not just a Navigation Pixie. Have you considered a job in the VR Division?”

 

Asuna glared at Chrysheight dangerously and he responds, nervously, “Sorry! Sorry!” Chrysheight then says, “What you heard is true. Every single word of it.”

 

Klein responds, angrily, “All right, Chrys. You are the one that hired for this, right? So, you are saying that you knew about the murders and you still sent him into the game anyway?!”

 

Chrysheight holds out his hand to stop Klein and he says, “We can’t be sure that they are murders, Klein.” When Klein stops from going over to ‘assault’ Chrysheight, he says, “Just think about it. How would he kill them? The Amusphere is not a NervGear and in fact, the Amusphere was created because of what happened with a NervGear in which it was designed with every possible safety for every possible situation in which it was improved when ‘new situations’ were found out like the case for Sword Art World for example.” Philia and Leafa give a winch from remembering that experience and Chrysheight says, “Kirito and I discussed this and we came to the conclusion that the Amusphere couldn’t harm the brain much less the heart. There is no way to kill a person’s real body with a virtual bullet.”

 

Leafa asks, “Then why did you ask my brother to go to GGO?”

 

Chrysheight responds, “You already know that answer Leafa. And your brother felt the same way. To be honest, I wanted your brother for his deductive skills to aid a certain somebody who started their own investigation. I think that you know her since she is an SAO survivor like most of you and your ‘royal sister’.”

 

There are multiple gasps, knowing what Chrysheight meant, and Asuna says, with a sigh, “Usagi.”

 

Chrysheight responds, “That’s right. She was part of the investigation from the beginning since Dai and Akari witnessed Death Gun ‘killing’ XeXeeD on that day.”

 

There are gasps and Lisbeth asks, “Dai and Akari saw that?”

 

Chrysheight responds, with a nod, “Yep. They went to their friends, the Digidestined, and Usagi and her ‘girlfriends’ with her boyfriend right away. When they found out about XeXeeD’s real life body being found, she was at my throat for details.”

 

Klein slaps himself on the forehead and he says, “Oh, boy. That’s why they haven’t been here so often.” Klein says, shaking his head, “Usagi…That girl…”

 

Lisbeth says, with a sigh, “I know, Klein. I know.”

 

Chrysheight asks, “When Dai and Akari showed Kirito what they already showed the others, Kirito knew that something was going on. I wanted him to join up with Usagi and the others and use his deductive skills to figure out Death Gun. I mean, he is the one that exposed Kayaba, I believe, correct?”

 

Asuna says, “Yes, with the clue given to him by Usagi about the system when he used it to beat Kirito to make sure that his secret wasn’t exposed.”

 

Chrysheight says, “That’s what I wanted Kirito to do. Join up with Usagi, Dai, Akari, and Mamoru, all of whom had accounts in GGO, and figure out any clues that they had. To be honest, the original plan was for Usagi, Dai, and Akari to join the Bullet of Bullets tournament to confront Death Gun since they felt that since he wanted some kind of ‘audience’ for his actions, he is certain to be part of it.”

 

There are surprised looks and Leafa asks, “Usagi planned to fight in that tournament?”

 

Lisbeth says, “Well, I’m not too worried for Dai and Akari since they are ex-champions of that tournament, but Usagi?! She is good at VRMMO, but…Whoa!”

 

Chrysheight says, “It wasn’t my plan, but it looks like things changed and to be honest, I can’t say that I’m too surprised at Kirito doing this through I can’t be sure why.”

 

Leafa says, “Because big brother knows that Death Gun is hiding some kind of terrible secret and you knew it too. You saw the footage too.”

 

Asuna tells Chrysheight, “Chrysheight, Death Gun is an SAO survivor just like most of us.”

 

Chrysheight gives a look of shock and he asks, “Are you sure?”

 

Asuna responds, “We’re certain, Chrys. He is a survivor of Laughing Coffin, the murder guild.”

 

Chrysheight gives another look of shock, but he regains his composer and asks, in a serious tone, “Are you sure?”

 

Asuna replies, “Yes, we are. Klein and I were part of the Assault Team’s battle against Laughing Coffin along with Usagi and Kirito-kun. We don’t know his original name from SAO, but we can be certain that he is a high ranking member.” Asuna tells Chrysheight, “Chrys, I don’t know how Death Gun is killing people, but you are a former member of the SAO Task Force, the leader in fact, along with Mizuno, Izumi, and Setsuna, wouldn’t be able to look up the records of Laughing Coffin survivors and cross-reference it with those connected to the GGO servers.”

 

Chrysheight responds, “Hang on! First off, I would need some kind of court order to do that…” Chrysheight then stops, shakes his head, and replies, “No, it wouldn’t be possible to begin with Asuna. Just knowing that he is a Laughing Coffin member isn’t enough. Okay, thanks to the limited data that we got from the game combined with the player testimony, we know which of the players belonged to Laughing Coffin despite the SAO severs not providing us with that information since they gave only real name, character name, and final level. However, the fact is, knowing that they are a Laughing Coffin member won’t help us track down the location. There are more than one survivor from that guild, right? So, it would mean that we would have to search all of the real-life addresses of all of the survivors of Laughing Coffin not knowing who is the real killer and there is the fact that there is no proof that these are murders. As I have said before, there is no physical evidence of foul play here. I believe that the only chance that we have is to get the knowledge of what Death Gun’s former SAO handle was.”

 

Leafa responds, “And it is the reason that my brother and Usagi are fighting him now.” Everyone looks at Leafa and she says, “When big brother came home last night, he had a terrible look on his face. Both of them must have confronted Death Gun there and found out the same fact about him that we do now. Usagi and big brother realized that Death Gun belonged to Laughing Coffin. And now, it is the reason that they are fighting him now. They are trying to figure out his SAO name in order to stop him from PK…No, from murdering again.”

 

Asuna thinks in her mind, “Kirito-kun…Usagi-chan…the two of you…you can’t help yourselves…”

 

Klein slams his fist on the virtual bar stand and he yells out, “Damn it! You idiots! How could you leave us out of the loop? Kirito, you baka, if you said one word about this, I could have gone with you to help!”

 

Silica says, with a weak smile, “I’m not surprised. Kirito and Usagi felt if there was the slightest bit of danger, they would do their best to keep us out of it. Dai and Akari were the first to find out, so, it is most likely the reason that Usagi joined up with them and the Dai’s and Akari’s friends especially those that were trapped with us felt the same way that Kirito and Usagi did. They wanted to keep as many of us out of it as possible and Usagi’s friends and boyfriend were told because they would have figured it out since they know Usagi so well before SAO.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a smile, “Yeah.” Lisbeth says, looking at Leafa and Philia, “And most likely, Sword Art World is still on his mind too.”

 

Leafa and Philia give embarrassed looks for a moment and Philia says, “Usagi and Kirito feel…No, they know that this is remaining legacy of SAO. And it is the reason that Usagi must feel strongly to stopping it.”

 

Leafa says, with a sigh, “I guess she and I are closely bonded sisters because I felt the same way. Usagi doesn’t want a ‘second SAO’ ever. I think that Death Gun wants to do just that in his own way and based on the memories that I got from Sword Art World, since Death Gun is part of Laughing Coffin, he wants to ‘kill’ GGO too.”

 

Klein says, with a nod, “Yeah, I believe that.”

 

Leafa thinks in her mind, “Kazuto…you and sis…Geez!”

 

Asuna asks Leafa, “Leafa, you said that Kirito isn’t diving from your home?”

 

Leafa replies, “No, he isn’t. However, I do know that he is diving from the center of Tokyo. Since this is a serious situation and sis is at the center of this too, she must have a few of the Scouts at his location already guarding his body.”

 

Asuna asks Chrysheight, “Since you hired Kirito-kun, you know the answer to this question: Where is Kirito-kun diving right now?”

 

Chrysheight says, nervously, “Well…” Asuna stomps forward and he responds, nervously, “Yes, I know. I set it up. The security is air tight and he is being monitored. I made sure that someone trustworthy is with him and it sounds like there are ‘extra guards’ for him…”

 

Asuna yells out, “Where is he?”

 

Chrysheight responds, “The hospital in Ochanomiza Chiyoda Ward, but only because they had heart monitors and I wanted that as an extra precaution not because I felt that Kirito would suffer bodily harm.”

 

Asuna asks, “Wait, you mean the one that he visited for his physical rehab?”

 

Chrysheight says, with a nod, “Yes.”

 

Asuna responds, “Okay, everyone. I’ll heading over to where Kirito-kun is in real life.”

 

The others give a look of surprise and Lisbeth says, “We understand.”

 

Leafa says, “We’ll try to get in contact with the others. I have an idea on where they could be diving.”

 

Asuna says, “Good idea, Leafa. Something tells me that they already know that Death Gun is a survivor of Laughing Coffin and they may have more information that could be used to help Kirito-kun and Usagi-chan in order to end this madness.” Asuna then uses her menu to logout of ALO in order to head for the hospital where Kirito’s/Kazuto’s real-life body was Full-Diving at this moment.

 

Lisbeth says, “Knowing Kirito, he is most likely protecting one of his competitors in the tournament right now.”

 

Philia asks, “Really?”

 

Leafa says, with a smile, “Most likely, Philia. My big brother and Usagi must have seen what happened to that player most likely make sure that it doesn’t happen to someone else.”

 

Chrysheight asks, “Wait! What?”

 

Klein responds, “We just witnessed Death Gun just offing another player in GGO.”

 

After Klein and the others explains what they saw happen to Pale Rider, Chrysheight gives a solemn sigh and he says, “That brings up his total to three. And he acts like a member of Laughing Coffin.”

 

Klein says, “Fits their MO perfectly.”

 

Leafa asks, “Could that be what Death Gun guy meant when he said ‘It isn’t over’?” When everyone looks at Leafa, Leafa asks, “Could it mean that Death Gun feels that this is part of SAO?”

 

Klein says, with a plain tone, “Probably, Leafa.”

 

Philia says, “But SAO is over and Sword Art World is also gone to be rebuilt as a brand new VRMMO.”

 

Klein says, “True, Philia. However, those fucking asses can’t let go because they are like sharks and other predators. Once the taste of blood gets in their fangs, they can’t let it go.”

 

Chrysheight says, with a nod, “You may have a point, Klein.”

 

Leafa says, “Anyway, I’m going off to find the others.”

 

Lisbeth asks, “Are you sure you know where they are?”

 

Leafa says, “I know that there are several places, but I know where to start looking.” Leafa brings out her menu and she says, “Oh, Liz, remind me to help Asuna when she and I give big brother and sis a piece of our minds.” Leafa then uses her menu to logout and head out in the real world where Davis, Kari, Serena, and Darien are Full-Diving from and confront them and the others about the situation that they saw in GGO while plenty of them can’t help to wonder if the ‘story’ of SAO will ever stop being ‘written’.

 

End of Chapter 6

 

(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: Death Gun, the Sniper, and Twin Gunswords.”

 

Well, we managed to get another chapter and we are at the climax of the first arc. Next, it is the big battle between Death Gun, Kirito, and our Moon Princess and getting to the end of the first arc of the newest story in the ‘main’ Sailor Moon Online story series. You might have an idea on what’s going to happen at the end of this arc, but you are going to have to read and find out, everyone. Later and best wishes, Crossover Fans!