"Incoming, Yuuki!" Nick shouted, drawing his sword and slashing at the monster's weapon that had been on a course to impale Yuuki.
"Thanks for the save, Nick!" Yuuki giggled before flying upwards and aiming her sword. "Now eat THIS!"
Yuuki dove downwards until she planted her sword in the monster's head. The Great Demon Tree gurgled twice before falling over and exploding into particles of light.
"Sorry, tree boy, but you'll have to wake up just a little earlier than that to pull one over on the Absolute Sword!" Yuuki proclaimed.
Nick sheathed his sword, smiling at how easily Yuuki had been able to clean up the monsters around this field area.
"Well, that was... something," Yuuki quipped. "I definitely wasn't expecting that tree thing to come to life and try to eat us!"
"And we're on our guard now, at least," Nick replied. "This place isn't called the Animated Forest for nothing, you know."
Yuuki looked up at Nick, noticing that while he seemed excited about the hunt through this strange forest, his eyes still held a deep sadness to them.
It had been five days since Nick's mother had been murdered by the reformed Death Gun, and Yuuki would be lying if she said she didn't notice how frazzled Nick had looked lately. He was staying at the hospital for the time being, both so he could be close to Yuuki, and because it was the safest place for him to be, what with Death Gun possibly prowling the streets at night.
"What's up, Yuuki?" Nick asked.
"When's the funeral?" Yuuki replied. "I know that's what you're thinking about."
"It's tomorrow," Nick replied. "This is always the part I dread about this whole messed-up process, because it's probably the last time I'm ever going to see mom."
Yuuki thought for a few seconds. "You want me to come with you?"
Nick was surprised at that request. "But... I thought you couldn't leave the hospital?"
Yuuki just smiled. "I think I know someone who can help."
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(Never give up on your dreams, especially if you consider them to be worth fighting for.)
The Blue Time Ranger presents...
Sword Art Online: Memory Rosario
Story Created: September 14th, 2015
Today's Episode: September 21st, 2015
Rated: T for Teen
Summary: Nick Kelly and Yuuki Konno have had a rather odd life. With Yuuki constantly in the hospital, Nick has taken it upon himself to care for her, knowing that he may not have much time left with his best friend. However, a series of strange events begin to plague them. Between ALfheim Online where Nick and Yuuki are being stalked by a strange guild, and the real world where rumors are spreading about the return of Death Gun, Nick and Yuuki will have to protect each other with their lives if they hope to survive...
On Today's Episode: After the funeral, Nick and Yuuki accept their determination to take Death Gun down at any cost. Though there seems to be no clear pattern to Death Gun's madness, a clue may come during a trip through the floor 31 labyrinth. When a member of Death Gun attempts to eliminate the raid party, he shouts something that drives Nick into a frenzied rage...
Timeline Placement: Though a slight AU to accomodate my OC, this story takes place before the end of the Mother's Rosario arc (Volume 7 of the novels and most of the second half of anime season 2), basically inbetween the time when Asuna reconciled with her mother and... *sniff* no spoilers. *sob* (even though you probably know already).
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Sword Art Online. That's Reki Kawahara, not me. Anything I don't own, I am just borrowing. The character of Nick Kelly belongs to me, and he many only be used in your stuff with my permission. (I'll probably always say yes, as long as you don't make him look bad.)
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Episode 4: Through the Curtains of Grief
"You want to borrow my Bidirectional Communication Probe?" Asuna asked. She and Kazuto were visiting the hospital again to see how Yuuki was doing.
"Yuuki wants to come with me to my mom's funeral tomorrow, and I wondered how she could do that, if she's not allowed to leave the hospital," Nick explained. "She explained that you used that probe to take her to school a while ago."
"Oh, of course!" Asuna laughed. "I just have to get it from Kazuto. He's the one who put it together."
Asuna noticed how sad Nick got when he mentioned the funeral, and how he seemingly felt better when he said that Yuuki had wanted to accompany him.
"You really love Yuuki, don't you, Nick?" Asuna stated.
"Yeah, yeah I do," Nick admitted. "We spent so much time together over these past two years, just going on adventures and enjoying the time she has left. I remember the times when she wouldn't shut up about you..."
"Well, Yuuki taught me a lesson that I really needed," Asuna replied. "Sometimes, you have to fight to get your point across."
"Yeah, Yuuki taught me that, too," Nick responded. "When I realized I was in love with her, I was honestly a little worried, considering she may not have much time left. But mom told me to go for it, to tell her how I felt while I had the chance, so I wouldn't spend the rest of my life wondering what could have been."
Asuna smiled brightly. "Take good care of her, Nick, okay?"
"You know I will," Nick replied.
The next day...
Nick was still surprised at the turnout. Many of Nick's relatives were still living far away from Japan (he and his family had originally lived in North America before they'd moved to Japan about five years ago), but most of them had been able to make it.
"You have a really nice family, Nick," Yuuki stated. The Bidirectional Communication Probe was attached to Nick's shoulder so Yuuki could see everything he could.
"Most of my relatives live in America," Nick replied. "I lived there for most of my life before I came to Japan."
"Hey, if you can't think of anything to say, I can help," Yuuki offered. She knew Nick was having a hard time thinking of something to say when it was his turn to speak.
"I might just do that," Nick answered. "I'm bad at speaking to crowds in these situations. When grandma died, I could barely even speak."
"I felt the same way when my mother died," Yuuki stated.
When it was Nick's turn to speak, he slowly walked to his mother's casket, making sure to get one last good look as his mother, knowing it would be the last time he saw her.
"Hello, everyone," Nick proclaimed. "Thank you all for coming. Now, most of you know that I'm not really good with words when I'm under a lot of stress."
Nick gestured to the Bidirectional Communication Probe on his shoulder. "But a friend of mine, who's in the hospital at the moment, would like to say something. You're on, Yuuki."
"Thanks," Yuuki replied. "Now, I didn't know Kelly-san for very long, but I really liked what I did know about her. She was a firm, but fair woman, who always wanted her son to be the best he could be. She was very supportive of Nick coming to visit me while I'm stuck in the hospital, and she said so without even batting an eye."
Nick looked out at the crowd as Yuuki continued to speak. "I'm no stranger to losing family, so I know exactly how Nick feels right now. We've all lost a wonderful woman, but she wouldn't want us to ruminate on her death. She'd want us to celebrate her life, the way she lived. So her memory will stay forever etched in our hearts."
Nick had to dry a few tears. Yuuki really knew just what to say. "Even though she was taken from us in the prime of her life by a certifiable madman, we shouldn't let this stop us from remembering her as the woman she aspired to be: a caring mother, a devoted husband, and an inspiration to us all. Thanks, everyone."
"Thanks, Yuuki," Nick stated.
"Anytime," Yuuki replied.
Once the service was over, Nick hastily excused himself from the main room.
"Are you okay, Nick?" Yuuki asked.
"I... I don't know anymore, Yuuki," Nick sighed. "I don't know why this had to happen... I mean, it's bad enough that I lost my dad last year, and now my mom's dead, too."
"I wish I could explain," Yuuki replied. "But we're going to get Death Gun good for this."
Nick clenched his fist tightly at the mere mention of Death Gun.
"I know how you feel, Nick," Yuuki stated. "I know mom taught me to always look for the good in everyone, I'm seriously thinking that there's no good left in those jerks. We need to take them down."
"Exactly what I was thinking," Nick growled. "They've already crossed the line."
Nick laid a hand on top of the probe, as if he was trying to hold Yuuki's hand.
"I love you, Nick," Yuuki stated.
"I love you, too, Yuuki," Nick replied, letting a few tears fall.
What no one at the funeral home knew, was that a member of Death Gun was hiding in a far-off alley, watching the funeral.
"That boy could be a real thorn in our side," the figure proclaimed. "I really should ask the boss how we're going to deal with them."
Later that day, the floor 31 labyrinth...
"I really don't like this place," Yuuki stammered. Somehow, the floor thirty-one labyrinth was even creepier than the one on floor thirty. "I'm freaking out that those bat things on the wall might come to life and attack me... I've never been all that fond of bats..."
"Hey, I think they're cute," Asuna giggled. She and Kirito had decided to join the raid party in order to scout out any possible Death Gun members.
"You would say that," Kirito sighed. "Any sign of them, Yui?"
"I don't sense any suspicious players, daddy," Yui answered. "But I'll keep looking."
As the raid party continued through the labyrinth, one of the players, deciding that now was the time to proceed, waved his hand once, causing most of the raid team to disappear in a dark flash.
"W-what the heck?!" Yuuki exclaimed.
"They were just illusions?!" Kirito exclaimed, knowing that whoever had controlled the illusions must have been a Spriggan.
The remaining ten figures shifted their appearances to a black hood, symbolic of Death Gun.
"How easily you fell into our trap," the first figure proclaimed.
"Then... there was no raid party?!" Asuna gasped.
"We've been double-crossed!" Yuuki shouted.
"How observant," the leader proclaimed. "Not that there was any hope for you anyway. We are here for our revenge, Kirito."
"Then you must be Johnny Black," Kirito growled, drawing Dark Repulsor and Excalibur.
"The one and only," Johnny responded. "I've waited for this moment for a very long time, Black Swordsman. You ruined our plans six months ago, and we have now come for our revenge."
"Don't bet on it," Asuna shot back, drawing her rapier.
"Yeah, we've got four of the best players in ALfheim!" Yuuki proclaimed. "You and your mooks don't stand a chance!"
Johnny drew a very familiar weapon, the Estoc that Red-Eyed XaXa had used in Gun Gale Online.
"Where did you get that?!" Kirito shouted.
"Simple how a little hacking of the system can grant wonders," Johnny replied. "Kirito, you have no idea how much you hurt me, do you?"
"Enlighten me," Kirito growled, readying his swords.
"Well, then. After Kyouji and Shouichi were arrested, I was forced on the run, unable to show my face in the city without facing retribution. But I still felt the need to kill again. And, once I killed someone in the real world, I finally felt the joy of killing. I knew then that this was my life's calling," Johnny proclaimed.
"You're sick," Nick shot back. "I swear, Johnny, on my mother's memory, we will take you and your posse down!"
"Oh, is that fact?" Johnny taunted. "I'd like to see you lot try. Anyways, where was I? Oh, yes. It was so fun to pull the trigger and watch the man and his car go flying out of control, right into the guardrail."
Nick unsheathed his sword loudly at that, a chill running through his body. "I'm sorry, what was that?" Nick growled.
"Oh, the man I killed. I didn't really pick and choose who to kill back then, but he did nicely. One shot the back of his neck was all it took to send him colliding with that semi. It was marvelous to watch."
Nick really didn't like where this was going. That description sounded eerily similar to what had happened to...
"They ruled it a mere accident," Nick proclaimed, his voice low and hateful. "But it wasn't, was it?"
"You catch on quick, don't you, boy?" Johnny laughed. "Yes, the local news ruled his death an accident, and they would never know that it was the signal, the beginning of Death Gun's re-emergence, until it was too late."
Nick's hands began to shake, grasping Liberty Bell as if his life depended on it. His breathing became quick and shallow.
"Oh, did I touch a nerve, boy?" Johnny proclaimed, knowing exactly how to egg him on. "Did you know the victim, by any chance? An older friend, maybe?"
Nick swung his sword so hard that an orange trail of light ripped through the air where he'd slashed.
"That man... the man you killed..."
Nick brought Liberty Bell behind him, ready to charge.
"THAT WAS MY FATHER, YOU SON OF A BITCH!"
Nick's words echoed throughout the labyrinth as he roared in pure rage and charged straight for Johnny at blinding speeds.
Not expecting the attack, Johnny couldn't dodge in time as Nick ripped forward with Liberty Bell, an orange light trailing behind the weapon's blade as it cut through Johnny's midsection.
Nick didn't hesitate in attacking again, leaving a wide gash on Johnny's chest.
"You bastards tried to ruin my life!" Nick screamed, slicing through the air and Johnny's avatar like wildfire. "You killed my parents, my family, FOR WHAT?! For your own sick pleasures?!"
"Stop him!" one of the other figures proclaimed, only to be stopped as Kirito, Asuna, and Yuuki placed themselves in front of the horde.
"You're not going anywhere, you monsters," Asuna proclaimed, literally shaking with rage.
"Let's take 'em out!" Yuuki shouted.
Kirito, Asuna, and Yuuki proceeded to fight the hooded figures while Nick continued to unleash his rage against Johnny Black.
"You sons of bitches can't even call yourselves human beings anymore!" Nick screamed, tears falling from his eyes as he continued to attack, not letting up for even a second. "You lost the right when you started killing people just because it satisfied your goddamn demented bloodlust!"
"It's not something you could understand," Johnny replied, unable to find an opening to counter and forced to watch his health bar dwindling.
"No, I can't! Because I actually care about human life, you monster!" Nick shot back, pushing Johnny back before unleashing an Ars Arcanum, the multiple furious strikes swiftly depleting Johnny's health.
"Human life means nothing to me," Johnny cackled, surprisingly unfazed that he was getting destroyed.
"Yeah, I can see that!" Nick shouted, landing the final blow of Ars Arcanum and driving Johnny to his knees. Nick immediately positioned the blade of Liberty Bell mere inches from Johnny's neck. "Now, how do you plead, you son of a bitch?!"
"I vote for a stay of execution," Johnny taunted, quickly reaching for his Estoc and swinging before Nick could react, knocking Liberty Bell away from him.
"Oh, jeez! Nick, hold on!" Yuuki exclaimed, breaking off from her battle to rush over and assist Nick.
"Now DIE!" Johnny exclaimed, ready to stab Nick in the head, only to keel over in pain as Yuuki slashed his back.
Kirito immediately joined the fight, brandishing both blades as he unleashed one of his newest Sword Skills, Nebularaid Empress, an impressive flurry of spinning sword slashes.
Asuna jumped in as well, shouting a loud battle cry as she assaulted Johnny with her own Original Sword Skill, Starry Tear.
For the finisher, Yuuki reared back as Nick slashed Johnny one more time to force him back to his knees, giving Yuuki the needed time to finish off Johnny's remaining health with a Mother's Rosario.
When the furious assault had finally subsided, Johnny fell to his knees, uncountable holes carved through his avatar and making him look rather like swiss cheese.
"Go ahead, strike me down if you wish," Johnny wheezed. "But we will rise, no matter what you do."
Nick screamed so loudly he could have shattered the mirrors paneling the walls before slicing Johnny's avatar in half with a final overhead chop, causing Johnny's avatar to explode into shards of light.
"Oh, shit, he just defeated Johnny," one of the five remaining hooded players gasped.
"I think we officially need to run," another figure stammered, only to freeze dead in his tracks when Nick snapped his attention to them.
"You're not going anywhere!" Nick screamed, zipping over to the hooded players and cutting through them mercilessly, depleting their health in mere seconds.
By the time Nick was finished, all five hooded players exploded into particles of light, and Nick simply sheathed his sword before falling unconscious from exerting so much pressure.
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Back in reality, a masked figure kept to prowling the late-night streets, still highly irritated that he'd been defeated by a mere boy.
"This is unacceptable," Johnny Black growled. "If only I knew where he was now, I could take him out..."
"Boss!" one of Johnny's subordinates proclaimed, rushing up to him. He was clad in a burlap sack-like robe, to disguise his identity to everyone who might still be awake at this time of night. "Is everything okay?"
"For now," Johnny replied. "I won't let this stop me. I'll find that boy sooner or later, and he will feel my wrath when I do."
"Speaking of which, boss, I found some information that you may find interesting," the hooded figure stated, handing Johnny the printouts he'd made. One of them showed what appeared to be the Floating Castle of New Aincrad...
...only with something else hanging underneath the castle.
"The... Hollow Area?" Johnny queried.
"I just found out about it," the hooded figure proclaimed. "I have no idea if it's a glitched-out area, something that intended to be brought to SAO, or what, but it's coming in the next update."
As Johnny read through the apparently-leaked information pertaining to the Hollow Area, he smiled wickedly. The game had just gotten interesting.
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"Hey, I think he's waking up..."
Nick slowly opened his eyes, wondering where he was. This definitely wasn't the labyrinth on thirty-one.
"Oh, thank goodness you're all right," Asuna sighed in relief, and now Nick could clearly make out the forest house that Kirito and Asuna owned, which meant they must be on floor twenty-two.
"Ugh... what happened? Why does my head hurt so badly?" Nick wondered as he sat up, Yuuki holding him for support.
"You could tell us," Yuuki replied. "You just... I don't know, exploded and destroyed everyone that was left from that Death Gun collection."
"I just... I can't believe I lost myself to my rage..." Nick groaned. "What he said just infuriated me. I wanted to pay him back tenfold for the pain he caused me, even if this is just a virtual world..."
"You can definitely be scary when you get angry," Asuna giggled.
"And now we know not to get on your bad side," Kirito laughed.
"Are you going to be okay, Nick?" Yuuki asked, reaching out to give Nick a hug.
"Not until Death Gun goes down for good," Nick growled. "Mom and dad can't ever rest in peace as long as Johnny Black and his goons are prowling the streets. I don't care how long it takes, I don't care what I have to do, but I promise, I will see Johnny Black dead for what he's done."
"Well, whatever happens, just know that I've got your back every step of the way," Yuuki proclaimed. "I'm not gonna let you face this alone."
"We've all got your back, every one of us," Asuna proclaimed, referring to the rest of her and Kirito's friends from SAO. "Those monsters seriously crossed the line this time."
"I'll contact Kikouka-san when we go back to the real world," Kirito stated. "Maybe he might be able to help us track down Johnny."
All Nick could do was smile and nod.
Later that night, Yuuki was sitting outside the forest house, watching the stars of New Aincrad.
I sincerely hope Nick's doing all right, Yuuki thought. He really needs me now. After what Johnny said... urgh, I've never actually hated anyone before, but this guy takes the cake!
"I didn't know you were still up, Yuuki," Nick stated as he walked over to where Yuuki was sitting.
"I just like watching the stars from out here," Yuuki admitted. "It gives me time to think about stuff."
"Anything particular you're thinking about?" Nick wondered.
"Oh, just how much I freakin' hate this Johnny Black character," Yuuki quipped. "Yeah, I know, I was taught to look for the good in everyone, but there's seriously not a single redeemable thing about this jerk! It just... oof, I've never felt this angry before! I just wanna murder that joker!"
"You're not the only one, Yuuki," Nick replied, sitting down next to Yuuki. "I really wish I knew where he's hiding out in real life so I can find him and knock him down a few pegs."
"We may as well let Kirito-san and the authorities handle the situation for now," Yuuki answered. "The police don't really have any leads on him right now."
"Here's hoping we can get some leads soon, because I'm sick of just resting on my laurels," Nick replied.
"Yeah, yeah, mister man of action," Yuuki giggled.
Even in his stressed state, Nick couldn't help but chuckle at Yuuki's joke.
"Yuuki?" Nick asked. "When is this nightmare going to end? I was so sure we'd seen the last of Death Gun, but now they're back, and even worse than ever... I mean, for god's sake, they nearly broke my spirit..."
"But they didn't," Yuuki replied, looping her arms around Nick. "And that makes all the difference. Seriously, Nick, did you forget your own motto? 'Suffer not from defeat, for it only makes you stronger in the end'. Death Gun didn't completely break you, and you're still here, still fighting the good fight. That should be all the reason you need to keep on going and drive that point straight through Death Gun's black heart!"
Nick had to smile at that. "Never knew you were such a good therapist, Yuuki."
"Hey, I'm no Yui, but I try," Yuuki laughed. "Really, Nick, you're still here, and that's all you should ever need. We'll fight these morons to the bitter end, no matter what it takes."
Nick reached out to hold Yuuki's hand. "You really are the best girlfriend I could have asked for, you know that?"
Yuuki giggled. "I'd say it was fate, but I know you don't believe in fate, mister 'my destiny is my own'."
"Good point," Nick laughed. "Now how about we just watch the stars for a while and not think about Death Gun?"
"Exactly what I was thinking," Yuuki replied, and the pair laid back and watched the twinkling stars, just to take their minds off their troubles.
Nick almost thought he was seeing things, but he could have sworn he'd seen a transparent image of his mother and father in the stars, watching him from heaven.
I can't get my mind off this tragedy, no matter what I do, Nick thought. But Yuuki's right. You may have hurt me, Death Gun, but you've only made me stronger. And I swear, before this year ends, I will utterly destroy you, Johnny Black, and any of your followers.
Nick leaned over and kissed a now-sleeping Yuuki on the cheek. I swear it, Death Gun. You're going down, for good.
To be continued...
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On the next episode...
Yuuki: Hey, what the heck is that thing?
Nick: I was wondering that myself. What's that strange sphere under Aincrad?
Asuna: Kirito, is something the matter?
Kirito: I wish I knew. I just got a strange chill from looking at this oddity.
Yuuki: From what I can gather, it came with the recent update and it's called "The Hollow Area". Sounds like a bonus dungeon to me!
Nick: Still, I have my suspicions. This was the only thing that the update log didn't mention.
Yuuki: Maybe they wanted to keep it a surprise?
Nick: I don't know. I'm gonna go check it out, because I'm hearing strange things about this place. Next time on Sword Art Online: Memory Rosario, "A Hollow Feeling"!
Yuuki: This may be a game, but it's not something you play!
