Hello good people of the Fan net I am not dead (!^-^). I have just been on break well simply because I lost all my stories. Yup all of them, cuz I was an idiot and that loss as put me down a lot. Like seriously a lot. There was shit in there that I was working on for years, and poof it's gone and I never bothered to back them up *sigh. Well I am trying to make some sort of come back with this story here and I do want to bring back my other stories from the dead plus I had another story on a different account that I wanted to put here. For now though I'll start small. I have been working on this for a week and I know for a fact that I have probably a SHIT ton of grammar errors in here so please bear with it. (Get it bear). Anyhow I am looking through my friends to see who wants to be my beta but they just dis on it cause it is just bad at times and because their just a bunch of arses either way my grammar will hopefully get better.

Now story wise this is actually a scrapped up version of my original two year SAO project I was working on that got lost. It was originally going to follow an Oc but after awhile, and after watching a little of SAO 2 I decided to switch the Character to Kirito cuz why the fuck not, but seriously I felt their could have been so much more to SAO than what the Anime showed us.

So first off No Kirito/Asuna. This shit is redundant and I like Shino/Kirito a lot more. There will be no Harem cuz I don't want to.

I haven't decided which Pov would be best so I will switch in points from 1st to 3rd, all fight scenes will be 3rd though cuz it's easier that way.

Oh and it will be about three years trapped and not two, reason why will be explained later

And as always my imaginary friend Drako will appear somewhere along in the story, Hey he's been out of the job for about what a year maybe two this is his chance. Either way i guess it's time to begin.

Sword Art Online - The Black Swordsman and Blue Archer

Chapter one - The Aftermath

"Speaking"

'Thinking'

Bosses

Places/Guild

Skills/items

Disclaimer - I own nothing and if I did Asuna would have been more badass, Argo would have more screen time, and there would be a lot more death and a bigger impact of Sachi's death... Seriously her death and the after math was just one god damn episode, and then he just falls in love with Asuna like what the hell.

Kirito Pov

It was Christmas in SAO, it would be the first Christmas that everyone would celebrate. Things where still chaotic the first year, and no one noticed the snow and lights till it was over. Now a year later everyone was outside happy, smiling, and with friends. They had a right to be, a full year and they were about halfway through the game. Everyone could use a break, the holidays were here after all, and the next would be the marking of halfway point. It would be one of the hardest battles players would face. It seemed appropriate, Christmas being here at this point in the game. Players could cherish these moments of peace with their friends for possibly the last time before going off towards the boss battle.

So they had a right, something that I didn't. I had no right to be happy, all the guilt, pain that eats me away is sound. This is my punishment and I'll take it. They're all dead and it was my fault. I lied, and became arrogant. I let the numbers get to my head thinking that my level was enough. I don't even deserve to call them friends because it was my fault. What kind of friend lets their friends die. I had to watch every single one of them die, every detail of their death down to the number of pixels were engraved into my memory.

Every night each one of their deaths plays through my head. First Ducker, the first to go down, and he didn't even get to fight back as the mobs just picked him away like he was some rare metal waiting to be mined. Then came Tetsuo, his death was short and quick, Yet the fear that appeared on his face when the golem mob attacked him was etched into his mind. Sasamaru soon followed right after Tetsuo fighting to avenge his friend. He fought hard till the very end, and that's what made his death all the more worse. Even when his death was apparent he didn't stop. If only I could have done something more for him then maybe he might have survived, but then came Sachi. If I couldn't even save Sachi then there was nothing I could do for him. Sachi was the worst to watch and was one of the only one to make me wake up screaming out her name. I made a promise, and I couldn't keep it. I loved her and there was nothing I could do in the end to save her. I needed her, she filled in the void of loneliness in me. Her and the rest of the Black cats. By then I was already broken and Keita's death was just a numbing sensation in the back of my head. I would just see him falling. Never ending, he would just fall and disappear. It made me feel cold, and emotionless because that's what I felt watching him fall. It makes me sick knowing that this was my reaction to his death. I failed them.

Now, I don't sleep not because of the nightmare, but of the last few moments of Sachi's life. Those last few words that she said that I couldn't hear. I can still see her face, her lips moving yet not sound, her beautiful voice muted by the sound of her death. At night that moment is the worst as my own mind made up different words she could have been saying.

There is nothing I want more than to know what she was trying to say and now there might be a way for me to see her. About halfway through the year of non-stop fighting trying to kill myself I found out about a rumor of a revival item. Now today, Christmas Eve the only gift I want is to see and hear Sachi once again even if all she would say are curses.

3rd Pov

It was Christmas Eve and everyone was out and about celebrating. Snow was falling on all floors and the frontline spirits couldn't be any higher. Kirito sat alone on a bench his eyes where dark and shadowed by his hair. No one seemed to notice him or his dark aura around him as players continued to celebrate. He needed one last bit of information before he set out on his suicide quest. He didn't show it, but he was starting to get irritated on waiting for his informant. Just as his thoughts started to shift from his quest to his feminine rat friend he felt a weight on his shoulder and arm. "Kirito-".

"The information Argo" Kirito all but growled as he stared down the whiskered informant leaning against him. Argo winced at the tone of his voice. She was worried for him, he was the only person she could call a true friend and she cared deeply for him. Not romantically, but he was like a big brother to her ever since the beta and when he jumped in and saved her from to creeps on the second floor. He was the only one to ever want to get to know her, and when she asked for ridiculous prices for the info on her he paid. He paid to know more about her, and that was made him special to her. She never found out the full story, but knew that in the end his entire guild was killed. To see him fall so low, to see him near death several times hurt her. She didn't want to lose the only person that ever cared about her, the only person she ever cared about.

Recovering quickly she let out a heavy sigh. "There wasn't much valuable information I could get just a bunch of rumors, of this item and where it's located" she finally said removing herself from Kirito's side. Kirito looked forward once again "You disappoint me Argo, I thought you were the best information broker out there. Your just giving others a bad name like this". Argo recoiled at his statements. His words cut through her worse than anything she ever felt. Never once did he put her down on her skills or anything of her for the matter. She felt her eyes sting tears threatening to fall. She moved so that her cloaked hood covered her face. Steeling herself she spoke again "I can't give you solid information on a first time event, all I could find out is that a boss called the Nicholas The Renegade will appear under a Fir tree somewhere".

Kirito stayed silent before standing up. "You know where it is" Argo asked staring up at him. "I have an idea" he said before starting to walk away. "Wait you can't go soloing this by yourself. Kirito. KIRITO" Argo said yelling out his name as tears started to flow freely from her face. She was about to chase after him before he disappeared into the crowed. She sat there with tears as thoughts of her brother figure dying played through her head. She could easily find him but she wasn't equipped to fight a boss let alone force him to stop. She only had one choice available left. Wiping away her tears she quickly opened her menu and began typing a message.

Kirito Pov

Idiot, that's what I am. I let my own emotions get the better of me and now she probably hates me. Well that's fine this way if I die then I know that I died with her hating me. Probably not the best way to leave her but I need this. This is the closest thing I can get to closure and I just hope she understands. Either way the information was good enough. There was only one tree that stood out among all the floors and that was the tree in the The Forest Of Wandering on the 35th floor. a field dungeon a bit different than the normal Labyrinths the frontline players clear for the boss fights, but just as dangerous.

The Forest Of Wandering was unique in its own sense since people could literally roam the forest for hours and not be able to escape. All the trees were tall and were divided into different sections. One step into the forest and you are transported into a random section with almost no way out. Teleportation crystals will only end up sending you to a different section of the forest instead of the town. There was only one way out and that is to run through each section of the forest with a minute for each section. There were a many players that died in the beginning when the floor was first unlocked. Players couldn't get out and it wasn't till later that a map was found in a shop that showed the entire forest and what section you were in.

This was the map that I was currently looking over. There was one tree that was found in the northern corner of the forest. Unlike the other trees that stood tall and straight, this one bent at the truck making it curve slightly. It had been awhile since he'd been through the forest, but the route was still in his head.

Taking one step out of the current section of the forest, I was glad to see that I just needed to get out of this section to make it to the tree. I was about to break into a sprint when a group of players appeared to the right of me. Tensing up quickly my arm moved towards my sword. No one was going to get in my way now. If I had to go red because of it then so be it.

That would not be the case however, as Klein and his guild mates where the group that just arrived. The spiky red headed samurai looked at me with a smile. I couldn't help but growl at being interrupted in my quest. There was no possible way they stumbled upon this area by accident, there is a specific route needed to take in order to even get this far. That meant he followed me all the way through without me noticing.

"What's up" he said casually his hand raised waving at me. I knew why he was here, and that made me angry. "You followed me here" I said making sure to put enough venom in my words. I needed him to leave, this was my battle and I have to do this alone. "Of course, your after the revival item aren't you" he said so plainly waving his hand around. "Yea so".

"Look man don't be chasing rumors that might be bogus. You can't be messing around in here you know that trying to-".

"Shut up". Klein just stared at me in shock for a moment, but it was quickly filled with anger. "I'm trying to get you to stop this stupid soloing shit you have going on, I had Argo begging me to come find you, she was in fucking tears Kirito, I had her trying to give me money to stop you from soloing this boss". My body froze at Klein's words. Did I really hurt her that much, does she really care for me that much to beg Klein to find me. His words made me feel like a complete douche, but I still needed this. No matter what except this was no longer a suicide quest. I will fight and kill this boss, get the item, apologize to Argo, and hopefully see Sachi again. I owe her that much at least to not die here.

"Look man party up with us, we'll take this boss on together and whoever gets the drop keeps it no hard feelings. That's fair isn't it." Klein said trying to reason with me. My body unfroze and my eyes glared deeply at Klein's. Did he not know why I was doing this. No he doesn't, Argo must have only told him of my soloing escapade and my plan to take down this boss.

"But then there'd be no point. I have to do this alone" I said my voice cold and dark. My hand reached for the sword on my back and Klein's guild started to tense up. Each one of them gripped their weapons tightly and started to get into fighting positions. Klein held his arms in front of his party shaking his head. "Think about what you're doing Kirito it's suicide, are you planning on leaving Argo all alone like that. You weren't there you didn't see the look in her eyes". Klein's words were fell def to my ears as I began to pull out my sword. "KIRITO" Klein yelled out before blue blurs started to appear behind him.

"What the-" Klein and his group jumped back forming a line in front of me. Players started to appear in rapid numbers all of them wearing similar armor and colors. "Looks like you were followed as well". Klein smiled and laughed "Looks that way, I didn't expect the Holy Dragon Alliance to follow a small party like ours. I feel honored".

"Klein these guys will do anything for a rare item" One of the members in Klein's party said shakily. Klein only grunted at his words. This was not good, the Holy Dragon Alliance had a large number of players, they lacked a bit in power but were still a force to be reckoned with on the frontlines. If I left then Klein and his friends would be mopped up, and possibly killed. There is already enough blood on my hands I have to deal with.

"Damn it, Kirito get out of here" Klein said pulling out his Katana. I was shocked for a second, here he was trying to get me to join up with him and here he is telling me to leave. "What Klein you can't be serious". "Argo is going to beat the crap out of me for this but go we'll hold them off for you here just… just don't you dare die". I stood their frozen for a few seconds at Klein's words. I wouldn't, at least not yet, not here. "Thank you". Without another word I turned and ran towards the next section disappearing from everyone else's vision.

3rd Pov

The first thing he felt was the icy wind. It was colder than before making him shiver slightly. Kirito quickly shook it off and stared at the tree in front of him. There was a faint glow to the tree which made Kirito smile. 'This was it this was the right spot'. Stared at the tree intently waiting for something to happen. His frosty breath appearing in front of him as his eyes wondered the wide open field for the boss. It was a few seconds until he heard a faint jingle.

He looked everywhere before finally looking up to see two lines flowing over him way up in the sky. He squinted his eyes to get a better view and watched as a black dot seemed to jump down. Slowly the dot grew larger and started to take shape as it rocketed towards the ground. There was a large crash as snow was thrown everywhere blocking Kirito's vision for a few seconds.

When the snow finally settled he was able to get a good look at this boss. Standing in front of him was a ridiculous, huge, and ugly looking Santa Clause. He towered over him largely his entire body barely retching his thigh. His face was a pale blue and Kirito couldn't tell if his beard and hair where white or yellow, and his red eyes where facing in opposite directions. He didn't even know if the boss knew he was there the exaggerated look of his eyes. In his right hand hanging lazily was a giant axe.

It didn't matter what it looked like it was still a boss with four bars of health and it was the last thing standing in between him and the item. Hopefully this wouldn't be the last battle here, he still needed to apologize to Argo.

Unsheathing his sword Kirito to one last deep breath. He started to run forward breaking out into a full sprint towards the wannabe Santa Clause, letting his sword scrap against the snow leaving behind a trail. This was when Nicholas acted, he raised his axe over his head and brought it down quickly when Kirito was close enough.

It was a simple attack and he was able to dodge the axe easily. Spinning out of the attack Kirito plunged his blade into the bosses leg. Twisting the blade to try and inflict more damage he pulled out and tried to attack once more, but was surprised at its speed and strength as the leg he wounded kicked him back. His own health had gone down a quarter just from a simple kick. He shuddered imagining the kind of damage the axe was capable of. Recovering he once again rushed forward.

Nicholas brought his sword up and swiped it across. Kirito ducked under the swipe only to have lay flat on the ground as Nicholas swung his axe back around. He had little time to move as the giant Santa gripped the axe with both his hands and brought it down towards him. Kirito rolled away just barely missing the axe. Looking up he was able to bring up his sword as Nicholas's arm came swinging at him the bladed edge cutting into the bosses skin.

Pushing off of the arm he took a few swipes at the arm before jumping back away from the boss. His own health was already halfway through, his battle healing replenishing 10% of his health. Nicholas only had a quarter chipped away from his first health bar. He stared at the boss for a moment. 'Can I really do this. The longer I stare this thing down the less of a chance I feel I have'. Nicolas gave a loud roar and rushed towards Kirito. 'No I have to do, No matter what I have to kill him, I have to see Argo again, I have to know what Sachi was trying to say'. He steeled himself for what would be one of the longest battles of his life.


By the way Argo is around Silica's age maybe a year older I'm guessing by the way she looks in the show

So SAO started in November and it isn't till the beginning of December that they actually beat floor 1. For the rest of December the players are probably working hard and by the end of the year they are on floor 5. April is when Kirito meets the black cats and the frontline is on floor 26 and he stays with them for around months when they all die on June. Now in my story Kirito mourns for a month and then starts to play suicidal style all the way up till he learns of the Revival Item and begins to power level while Argo hunts down information on the item. December hits and Kirito is level 70 and the frontline is on floor 49. On Christmas Eve is when Kirito hunts down the item and fights Nicholas. so far its only been an offical year not counting the first to months of the game. now Kirito finds Silica 2 months into the new year, February.

So Silica is actually 11 in my story in the with the first year ending she is now 12. So Silica 12, Argo 12, Kirito 14, and when Sinon arrives she is the same age as Suguha and that is 13. That also makes Asuna 15.

Idk I just thought I let you know.

As for updates a week maybe two between chapters, I'll see what I can do about my other stories but for know I hope you enjoyed and please comment I would like to know what you people think

Oh and there is a poll since I will work on two stories max go and pick one story only one cuz this is already one.

From your neighborhood shadow

Chow (^-^)