I don't own Sword Art Online, but I own Haruko and my friend, Maylay, owns Reito.
Please no flames, since this is my first FanFiction, but reviews and welcome!
Thoughts – Ex: Tacos are awesome
Sword Art Online Stuff – Ex: Elucidator
Visual Reference: Alibaba VS Jamil (Magi: Labyrinth of Magic)
Youtube Link: Alibaba VS Jammil by Azami Otaku watch?v=P5MJmv5qBw0
Basically, Haruko is Alibaba(blonde hair) and Reito is Jamil(black hair), but less... crazy.
Chapter One: The Golden-Haired Avatar
In the year 2022, a new game was created that signaled a new era in the gaming world. It was the first of its genre and everyone wanted to play it. A game like no other. A little game called...
Lucent Heart, the first ever Zodiac MMORPG! Wait no, wrong game and timeline. Right. *clears throat* The game everyone wanted to play was...
Sword Art Online, the first VRMMORPG was created! Only 10,000 copies of this game were released and 1,000 people could beta test it. This story is about two of those lucky beta testers and owners of those limited copies. This story is about two different pairs of eyes. Two different colors. Two different points of view.
This, is Sapphire and Onyx.
In an apartment, a flatscreen tv flickered back and forth, changing from a green-haired girl with twin tails singing, "The World is Mine," to an orange-haired boy dueling a brown-haired man. Until the tv finally stopped, settling on a channel that told of the latest news in games, both online and video.
A news reporter eating a sandwich and then noticed the camera. Startled, he quickly hid the food behind his back and turned to the side, whispering harshly, "Why didn't you tell me we were on?"
He turned back to the camera and put on a headset. With a smile, he yelled, "Hey gamers! Welcome to Gamers' Weekly Update! Have you heard of the latest gaming craze that's been swarming all of Japan? If not, here it is!" He held up a plastic case of some game. "The one and only in its genre, Sword Art Online!"
The crowd behind him cheered wildly. "As you can see, the crowd of people behind me is going crazy about this new game, especially since today is also the launch day for the game!" The reporter gestured to the crowd behind him. "Each and every one of these people are in line for Sword Art Online!" He pointed at the camera. "But there's a way for you people at home can get a copy too!"
He gestured to the copy of SAO in his hands. "We, at Gamers' Weekly Update, have one copy of Sword Art Online, along with a NerveGear and all the equipment needed!" He held up a pointer finger. "That's it, just one set of all this stuff!" The reporter spread his arms out wide. "We're giving it all away to a lucky person who's watching this show right now!"
"All they have to do to win this, is be the first one to call and answer this single question correctly! Can I have a little silence, please?" The crowd quieted down per request of the reporter and the latter stared seriously at the camera. "Sword Art Online has its own Aincrad Calendar with specially named months. What is the Aincrad name for April?"
Almost immediately, a phone could be heard ringing in the background. A man handed the phone to the reporter and he answered. "Yes, who am I speaking to?" A feminine voice could be heard on the other side of the phone. "I see, well our speaker wants to keep their name hidden from the public, so they will be going to go by their Sword Art Online screen name, Haruko." Some people, who recognized the name, cheered loudly at it. "That's right, people, we have a beta tester on the other line!" More people cheered at the announcement. "So, Haruko, what is the Aincrad name for April?"
The voice replied and the reporter announced, "That is correct! The Aincrad name for April is the Month of Sakura! That means that you have won the Sword Art Online set! Congratulations!" The crowd roared and the reporter had to shout above their voices. "The stuff will delivered to your household as soon as possible, so please enjoy! We'll be back after this commercial break! Later, we'll interview another beta tester more commonly known to his comrades by his screen name, Diabel, stay tuned!"
The TV turned off and I yawned. I stretched my arms and dropped both the remote and cellphone I was carrying. Chuckling to myself, I said aloud, "So Diabel went public? I didn't think he had the guts to do it."
The doorbell rang and I strided over to the door. Opening it, I found a smiling young man carrying a large cardboard box at my door.
"Hey, Haru-chan!" The man waved at me. "Some people dropped this off saying this was for you."
"Thanks, Takumi." I took the box out of my landlord's hands.
"You're welcome, Haru-chan!" Takumi replied brightly, rubbing his neck. "Um, after you finish playing, do you want to go eat okonomiyaki together?"
"Sure!" I smiled.
"Okay, I'll see you later!" Takumi waved before walking down the hallway, away from my apartment.
Huh, it must be warmer than I thought, cause I could have sworn his face was red... oh well, I'll ask him when we eat out.
I closed the door with a swift kick and turned on a heel, plopping on the beige couch in front of the TV and set the box down next to me. I took a pair of scissors from the coffee table near me and used it to slice open the packaging tape. I opened the box and marveled at its contents, especially the NerveGear and copy of Sword Art Online that now belonged to me.
I jolted at the sound of the 12 rings of my clock and quickly started setting up all the equipment in time for the launch day of Sword Art Online. Soon, it was several seconds to one and luckily, all my equipment was in place. I plugged in the NerveGear and laid down on my couch with the headpiece placed on my head. A beeping sound came from the NerveGear, probably counting down the seconds to launch day.
5
So this is really it.
4
The day has come.
3
I could feel my lips curl into a smile.
2
Then I realized something, causing my eyes to widen.
1
I really need to go to the bathroom.
0
And, like usually, my mouth acted before my mind. "LINK START!"
Well, no time to go anymore...
I felt a surge go through my body and my view changed from the ceiling of my apartment through a black visor, to simply bright white. I did a test on my five senses and logged into my existing account under screen name, Haruko. Soon, the words Welcome to Sword Art Online popped up and multiple pillars of bluish light zoomed past my view.
Haruko virtualized in a large plaza, blending in with the crowd of players that seemed to have arrived at the same moment. The beautiful digital architecture caused the player to stare in awe. Spotting a large fountain nearby, Haruko ran to it, looking down to the cerulean blue waters to see the avatar's reflection.
Haruko's avatar had yellow, cat-like eyes and blonde hair up to the neck. The beta tester frowned a bit at the few strands sticking out.
Dang it, I knew I should have stayed with Hairstyle 7 instead of 3.
Though with the mistakes in choosing the wrong hairstyle, Haruko smiled brightly and took a deep breath, spreading my arms wide to feel that slight cool breeze, no matter how fake the blonde knew it to be.
It really is good to be back.
As Haruko arms fell back down, an elbow smashed into something and someone yell, "Hey!"
Haruko looked down to see a girl on her knees and rubbing her head. She had hazelnut brown hair that reached her shoulders and freckles sprayed onto the bridge of her nose, like someone took a pepper shaker, opened it, and dumped all the contents on her.
The girl looked up angrily at Haruko with rusty brown eyes and shouted, "What's the big deal?"
The blonde raised an eyebrow at her outburst, "The big deal?"
She stood up, face to face with Haruko, which wasn't quite literal with her short stature. "I was just minding my own business and then you just come and whack me in the head with your elbow!"
Haruko stared blankly, "I'm sorry for hitting you in the head."
She glared pointedly back. "You don't sound sincere. You hit me on purpose, didn't you?"
"No. I-" Haruko started, but the girl interrupted the blonde.
"I bet you think it's just funny to hit a noob!" She pointed accusingly. "I know, you're one of those 'pheta testers', aren't you? Messing around with new players just for fun!"
"The term is-" Haruko started once more and the girl interrupted me again as well.
"Well you know what, pheta tester? I may be knew, but I at least know how to do this!" The girl slid her hand down and pressed several buttons, causing a message to pop up on Haruko's menu.
Reito challenges you to a First Strike duel. Do you accept?
Haruko sweatdropped at this message.
It's only been 15 minutes since launching and I already have a duel request?
Reito's outbursts had slowly drew a crowd around us, whispering, "A beta tester?" and "They're gonna fight?"
"Oi!" Reito pulled a Plain Rapier from her belt and pointed it at Haruko. The long thin blade gleamed under the virtual sun and with the dark intent of cutting through Haruko. "Don't even think that you can run away from this fight, coward!" She smirked. "Though, I won't believe if you already have, you pheta tester. Only proves how much you people are worth even after playing the game beforehand."
Haruko sighed and stared exhaustedly at the girl. The blonde was simply tired of the nonsense and prattle that had spewed from Reito's ironic big blabbermouth, "Look, if I accept and win, will you at least listen to what I have been trying to tell you?"
Reito shrugged, "Sure, but I doubt you will, pheta tester. After all, you're looking at the amazing Reito!" She smiled proudly, pointing a thumb at herself.
"Whatever." Haruko pressed the blue circle and the message disappeared, a countdown appearing above our heads in its place.
Reito stepped back several steps from the blonde. "Oh, and by the way, if I win, then you'll hand over all the information you have and admit pheta testers are losers."
"I can't admit pheta testers are losers when I'm not one." Haruko equipped a Small Sword. The blade was more of that of a dagger than that of an actual sword. "Nor are any of the other players here. At least I hope not, I mean who wants to be a turban tester?"
Reito looked dumbfounded at Haruko's words and blinked several times. "What?"
Haruko gave her a bored look. "That's what I thought someone who doesn't know about the term, beta tester, would react."
Above their heads, the timer beeped, signaling the end of the countdown.
The brunette glared sharply at the blonde and charged. "Just go die, cheater!"
Reito angrily slashed at Haruko to and fro, while the latter simply dodged each attack, moving left and right to avoid Reito's attacks. Haruko held the Small Sword in a front guard stance, holding the blade in front with one hand and resting the other hand behind. The blonde stared dully at Reito. "You lack strategy and thought in your attacks, Reito. Your agility may be fine for your level, but at this rate, you'll trip over your own two feet before laying a scratch on me. Not to mention that rapier is twice your size, it'll tip you over with its weight."
Haruko's words infuriated the brunette even further, and both the speed and bad accuracy of Reito's attacks increased. "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" Reito thrust her rapier forward and Haruko didn't dodge this time, instead parrying with her short blade, causing Reito's rapier to skid against Haruko's sword, sparks igniting with the clash between the two. It also caused Reito to lose balance and Haruko sidestepped, letting the brunette fall to the ground and the latter's rapier to pierce the ground.
"Damn!" Reito continuously tried to pull her sword from the dirt, but failed terribly, earning laughter from the crowd.
Haruko approached her. "With your sword unusable, will you surrender?"
Reito snorted, "Course not!" She pulled Black Dagger from her belt and charged once again.
Haruko sighed, "I tire of this sad game you continuously wish to play." Haruko avoided Reito's charge and struck her wrist with the hilt of Small Sword. The brunette winced and dropped her dagger, the weapon clattering in contact with the floor. Haruko swiftly rotated around and sliced Reito's neck.
Silence fell around them as Reito panted and coughed, holding her throat, while Haruko sheathed the Small Sword in a scabbard slung across the blonde's back. A bell sounded above them, signaling the end of the duel, and a system notice appeared on Reito and Haruko's menu, telling the respective person that they won or lost. Reito grabbed Black Dagger and returned it to its rightful place in her belt, while Haruko walked over to Reito's rapier and pulled it out of the ground with ease.
"Here." Haruko held the hilt out to Reito. Reito snatched her sword away from Haruko and shoved it back into her belt on the opposite side of Black Dagger. The blonde sighed and pulled the short namesake hair that had fallen down behind the ear. "You ready to listen now?"
Reito huffed and crossed her arms, looking away from Haruko. Under her voice, she mumbled some incoherent words.
"Care to repeat?" Haruko raised an eyebrow.
The brunette pouted and she repeated louder. "I said fine."
"Great. Shall we head somewhere a little more private?" Haruko asked, glancing around at the crowd still lingering around them.
"Sure." Reito shrugged, and the blonde started walking away somewhere. "Though I have to ask, why the throat?" Haruko looked backed to see Reito gesturing to her still bleeding neck.
"Because you talk too much." Haruko quipped. "Unfortunately for me, it doesn't look like it helped quiet you."
Reito said more under her breath, although Haruko didn't ask her what she said this time when the blonde heard bits of words that could only come from a sailor's mouth.
"Hey, wait up!" The brunette ran to catch up with Haruko when she noticed the blonde was walking away.
"So the only reason we got into such a big fight was cause you just had to be a hippie and sniff the daisies?" Reito asked, munching on a roast beef sandwich.
"It's called enjoying the scenery and smelling the roses." Haruko retorted and squeezed a milk carton harshly while sipping the creamy fluid through a straw.
The two of them had bought food at an NPC shop and ate in the West Fields, an area right outside of the Town of Beginnings. This area was filled with monsters called Frenzy Boars, so no one would possibly bother them, especially since they were in a tree.
"Whatever." Reito rolled her eyes and swallowed the last of her sandwich.
Haruko raised an eyebrow. "You really think it was a good idea to buy that sandwich? There's only so much money you have from starting the game."
"It's no problem." Reito waved away Haruko's statement. "My papa paid for extra money in my account."
Haruko chuckled, "Papa?" The blonde snorted in disbelief. "You call your dad, papa? What are you, 10?" Haruko looked up and down at Reito. "Though I wouldn't be surprised with your height."
Reito huffed, "Says the person drinking milk out of a Doraemon carton with a bendy straw."
Haruko shrugged. "Touché, so how much money did your dad put in your account?"
"Oh, uh…" Reito slid her hand down, opening her menu. She squinted at the screen. "I have Five Mega Col."
Haruko froze, letting go of the milk carton.
"Uh, hello?" Reito waved a hand in front of the blonde's face and Haruko suddenly grabbed Reito's shoulders.
"You have five Mega Col in your account?!" Haruko shouted.
Reito winced and shoved Haruko off her, "Yes! Why is that such a big deal?"
Haruko's still outstretched arms twitched ever so slightly. "F-Five Mega Col is worth five million normal Col. You could buy several custom-made weapons, or even a house in Selmburg."
Reito blinked several times. "Oh." She grinned widely. "Sweet!" She smirked at Haruko. "Guess you have a rich friend now!"
Earlier Reito had befriended Haruko in celebration of settling their differences. Though the brunette hasn't stopped shouting to people that she was friends with a beta tester…
"So," Haruko stood up and yawned. "Shall we go pig hunting?"
"You bet!" Reito laughed nervously and scratched her cheek slightly with her pointer finger. "Though, if you haven't noticed, I really can't fight."
"No, I totally didn't notice how I beat you with a tiny sword." Haruko said, every word dripping with sarcasm.
Reito's face flushed slightly. "Yeah… I don't want to get beat up by Wilbur or Babe."
Haruko smiled.
Aw, so adorable. She reminds me of an old friend of mine.
Haruko gazed down at the still sitting Reito. "It'll be fine. I'll even teach you."
Reito's eyes brightened and she looked up at Haruko. "Really?"
"Sure!" Haruko smiled wider and held out her hand. "Shall we go, Reito?"
Reito smiled back. "Let's, Haruko." With that, Reito clasped Haruko's hand.
This was the start of a new story and a friendship that would go beyond the bonds of the virtual world. And this, was the first chapter in the story of the eyes of Sapphire and Onyx.
Please R&R!
Until next time! * ～（ゝ。o）