Hi again! Back with a SAO fanfic this time! I do not own Sword Art Online. Only the OC I created. Please review! Any and all criticism or advice is appreciated!

With that said, ENJOY!

A beautiful sunset painted the virtual sky I looked upon. Green pixels under my feet; the unnatural breeze blew. Then, suddenly there was a Forced Summon to the Town of Begginings square. A red warning tile glared angrily against the soft colors of sunset. The bright red tiles spread across the sky until it covered the square like a dome. Blood leaked from the cracks of the crimson tiles creating a figure. The figure was hooded and called himself "Kayaba Akihiko." The famed creator of Sword Art Online and NerveGear. Nothing could have prepared me for what he said next "As you all have surely noticed the "log out" option is not included on your menus."

I checked my menu, there was no "log out."

"This is not a glitch, it was excluded on purpose. You can not log out nor can you have anyone outside remove the NerveGear. If the NerveGear is removed then a powerful microwave will go through the brain, frying it and effectively killing you. There are no second chances in this game. The only way out is to reach the 100th floor and beat the boss."

We have to beat the game? Even as an experienced beta tester I've only gotten through to floor 6!

"Here is a parting gift from me to you."

Parting gift? I clicked through my menu and searched my inventory, there it was.

A mirror.

I looked in the mirror once then everything changed. I became myself, I saw my true face in the digital reflection. I looked around me and saw the others had changed as well.

The robed figure was gone. As the startling information started to sink in, people started to panic. Mobs of players ran to the position of the figure screaming "You're kidding me!" and "I'll kill you!" I saw kids crying, only 10, maybe 11 years old.

A little boy came over crying and told me to help his sister. We ran over. Her life meter was in the red, probably trampled by players who didn't see her. I gave her a health potion; it slowly started to rise into the yellow then the green. Her brother watched with wide eyes, while clutching his sister's hand tightly. The girl sat up weak and dazed, then smiled at her brother.

After witnessing the udder ignorance of the other players, I decided.

That night.

"Excuse me! Could someone help me find the younger players and see if they're ok?"

No one answered. Still worried about their own hides, huh? I scowled, this was not going as well as I planned. I know there are impressionable kids in this game! Why won't they help?! But then a woman approached me. And said "I would like to help with your search." I smiled and asked her "What's your name?"

"Sasha."

"That's a beautiful name."

And then we got started finding the children.

We found them in allys and behind buildings, scared and cold, they joined us. Slowly we rounded them all up. We brought them to the inn, but there were too many of us and not enough money. So we brought them to the church where they could rest and we didn't have to pay. No NPCs, so it was neutral territory, so no problems there. Now food and money. These players need equipment, obviously they're not going to be fighting in this state, but they need to be able to protect themselves.

"Sasha, how much gold do you have?"

"Not much."

"I guess I'll go out in the fields tomorrow."

Wait. The hunting spots around town will be hunted dry. I need to get to the next town... And fast!