Chapter 1:

As it neared 11:00 at night, I did one last look around my house; yup, my family was asleep. Grinning, I grabbed my Oculus Rift 4, ready to play my new game: Pokémon Sword Art Online, PSAO.

What I didn't know, was how deadly the game actually was.

I booted up my Oculus. As I slipped the helmet on, I felt the virtual reality take my mind over. I selected PSAO as the game I wanted to play, and eventually saw the GameFreak and Nintendo logos go by.

Then the character screen appeared. It asked for my username ID: Brando(my normal nickname). Then it asked me which Pokémon I wished to be. What's cool about this game, is it combines the powers Pokémon have, and knights and whatnot(AN: this is my first time writing anything, so bear with me) .

My pokemon of choice? I, like any intelligent person, chose Riolu. He, in the game, is a kind of split Warrior/Mage, especially as a Lucario. Ya know, because Aura Sphere and all that jazz.

Then all hell broke loose, as this deathtrap of a game started. No one knew just what we got ourselves into.

Immediately, the first thing I noticed was the first floor's town: Beginner's Town. The game makers must not have much of an imagination when it comes to names. i then grabbed for my sword; it was a pretty basic blade, but this was my first time through normally. I was one of the lucky people who got to beta test the game. As a result, I was given choice of one move that I would later learn; I chose Aura Sphere. And I knew about the bosses all the way to floor 10.

I looked at my armor, it was basic as hell: leather everything, all tinged blue or black, the colors of Riolu. i knew it would get better as I leveled up, however.

I entered the town, already looking for my friends, a Rotom(the normal one) named Asura, and a Taillow named Grace. When I saw them, a saw an unfamiliar face. She had bright brown and white armor, so I guessed her to be an Eevee or Buneary.

It turned out my first guess was correct. "Brando!" said Grace, as she hugged me. I slapped Asura a high-five, then introductions were made. "This is Alex, a friend of mine IRL. She said she was going to be playing, so I told her to meet with us. Is that cool with you?"

"Of course it is. The more the merrier." I said. "The names Brando." I said, extending my hand to Alex.

"Nice to meet you, Brando. Quick question, the hell are you supposed to be? I can tell Asura is a Rotom, but I can't place you."

"I'm a Riolu, and I assume you're an Eevee?"

"You know your pokemon very well," she said. "I want to evolve into a Glaceon. So, what are we gonna do? I've been itching to fight."

In this game, the players fight against actual pokemon, while they are the pokemon/knight hybrid. So I suggested going to the fields to fight. "There are most likely going to be basic bitch pokemon there. Let's level up a couple of times for the day, then start back tomorrow."

"Sounds good," said Asura, who was a kind of Mage. "I can't wait to get used to my powers again."

We entered the field, fighting Rattata and Bidoof. We got to level 7, from starting at level 5. We called it a day, and I opened my menu, but couldn't find the logout button.

"Uh, can you guys find your logout buttons?" I asked, getting a little freaked out. I had a math test tomorrow, for chrissakes!

They all shook their heads, each of us becoming nervous.

"Maybe we need to be in a town or some safe area?" suggested Asura.

We headed back to town, which was in turmoil. I asked the nearest person what was wrong. He replied in a panicked voice that no one can find their logout button. Just then, there was a bright flash in the center of town. There was a Mewtwo standing there. Everyone in town went deathly silent, as if knowing what was going to be said.

"Hello, players! Many of you are probably wondering why you can't find a logout button." he smiled. "That is because there is not one to be found!" This caused an uproar. "Now, now," he chided. "there is a way to leave. All you people have to do, is reach the fiftieth floor, and defeat me in battle. Death in this game, means death for real. Also, know that soon, all your bodies will be placed in hospitals, courtesy of me. Be warned, surgery will cause severe brain damage, as will anyone who attempts to hack through the game to release the helmet. With that said, I bid you farewell."

The town was silent for a few moments longer, until someone shouted, "We're all going to die!" This caused everyone to huddle close to each other, deciding to hide in the town.

I decided to stand, and give all some motivation.

"Look, we may be trapped in this game, but what makes you all think we'll be able leave while staying on the first floor? We all need to come together, and fight our way to the fiftieth floor! What do you say?!"

At first, no one said anything, Then, "I'll stand with you!" To my surprise, it was Alex. Then Asura and Grace rose as well. Eventually, everyone was ready to face this game head-on, or die trying.