Chapter 11- The Black Knights Final part (Conquering the tree)

The last part in the Black Knights chapter. In this chapter The Black Knights put their training to the test as they take on the unconquerable world tree (I know that Kirito did do it back in the Fairy Dance Arc but other than that no one else has in a group so this still works). Will they succeed at their goal or will they fail and face defeat? As well as Mikael makes a discover about his nervegear and Sinon make a rash decision.

Day of the Assault

Mikael POV

I woke up in my room from having worked all night on the plan to conquer the world tree. As I got up I noticed that my old nervegear was laying on the chair positioned near my bed. I picked it up and placed it on my knees. 'This all came to be because I choose to put you on that day' I thought to myself remembering the day I first got my nervegear. It was on my tenth birthday. I was given it by my mother/aunt who told me that it was from my mother and father and wasn't supposed to have it until that day. I decide to put it on and said 'Link Start.' I found myself in what I called the nexus since it a room I entered when I hadn't load a game. I decide to look at through all the files that had been stored on it. As I looked through it I sat down in the centre as the photo of me and my friends before SAO. I started to cry at the thought of what happened to them as some of them were in SAO when we became trapped.

I then notice a video that I hadn't seen before that was addressed to me directly. I clicked on it to play it. Suddenly my father appeared on screen. "Hey Son" he said as if he was talking to me directly. "If you are watching this then it means that you have received the nervegear we got you. Anyway this video is mainly a way for me and your mother to tell you thing that you would understand when your older as well as a way for us to say goodbye properly" he told me. "Anyway where to begin well I guess the first thing to say is that I'm proud of you son and your mother is proud of you as well. We know that you have grown into a respectable young man under my sister care. I would also say I'm sorry that we had to leave you when you are so young. But these people and what they want is something I want to keep you safe from as long as possible but you need to know just exactly what Project Ascension is and how to get it to work properly" he said

'Project Ascension what on earth is that and why would people kill my parent's for it' I thought to myself. "Project Ascension is project that me and your mother worked on for most of our lives even when you and your brother Kazuto were born. It is the acceleration of VR so reality and the virtual world will blend through the use of Nano machines. The Nano machines are implanted into the blood stream. What they will do is simple. They will repair minor wounds and get rid of disease that affect the users however they do not stop death merely slow it down. When you use VR equipment the Nanos second purpose kick in which is when the user is in the virtual world they will go beyond the capability of a GM or A.I and basically manipulate the system itself to how you see fit so he who uses it will be like a god in the virtual world. All powerful and immortal" he told me. I could believe what I was hearing.

"However there is one problem the Nanos are missing a piece of code that will stop them from infecting the blood stream kill the user. This is why I recorded this video so that if anyone ever got a hold of my notebook they wouldn't be able to complete Ascension as the code is 1P9G-IT57QE-ZEZE636-0TOAILOVE=MIKAEL+KAZTUTO. I know it a bit strange to say that I love my children in a code for a project that could save millions people but they ae my world so it made sense. However, there is a reason why I recorded me saying the code so that my son Mikael Shizuka could decide whether this will be completed and used or not. For I know that he will make the right decision in the end. I have faith in him" he said as I began to cry at what he was telling me. "Anything you wish to say dear" he said looking at someone off screen. Suddenly the camera moved revealing my mother. "Mother" was the word that escaped my mouth.

"Yes I do darling. Hello Mikael I'm glad that you are able to view this if you are viewing this. There is something I need to tell you about the man who has helped us. His name is HACKER" she said. I instantly recognised the name. 'HACKER knew my parents' I thought as she continued "You will eventually meet this man one way or another. He is a good man. He has help your father and me with this project for some time and when you do meet he will need you to finish the work that we had started. It will be up to you if you give him the code but be aware that the moment there is only one person that the Nanos can be used on and that is you for the moment but don't be afraid they will not kill you. Your father and I would never design something only to have it kill you for we both love you with all our hearts. But you need to know that HACKER is hiding a secret and that secret is." Suddenly the video came to a stop "What is HACKER's secret" I shouted not accepting that was the end of the video. It took a minute but I realized that was it the end of the video. I smiled at the fact that they used the last chance they had to make video to tell what they had been working on as well as that they cared about me.

I took off the nervegear as It was getting late and it was now or never to conquer and I knew that I could do it for I had faith that we as the Black Knight could do anything if worked as a team. I went downstairs and into the study. An hour later I was all set up as Nariko gave me the okay signal. "Link Start" I said as I sat down in the chair. I awoke in my room at Black Castle and procced to make my way to the meeting room where everyone had gathered and waited for me. The Black Knights had gathered and waited for their commander. They all looked at me as I entered the room. They all had different facial expressions. Some were of hope and some were of joy but one thing hid behind those expressions that I could see as I had seen it countless times before. What was hiding was fear as they were afraid that we would be unable to conquer the world tree, to achieve one of our goal. I knew that I was the only one who could rid them of that facial expression for I was no longer the Black Sword the murder and neither was I Mikael Kitigawa the man who helped beat Sword Art Online. I was at moment Mikael Shizuka and Sabre commander of the Black Knights, the guild that conquered the world tree. As I sat down I saw that most of them had stop staring.

"I know that most of you are afraid of the task that we have. For it is a task that seems impossible to many but I know that we can do it. Let me tell you the tale of the Black Sword. He was a man without a home as he travelled from place to place with nothing but the clothes on his back and his swords. One day he entered a town that was run by bandits. When he enters the town the bandits immediately told him to get out. He refused and sat down on the ground. The bandits proceeded to beat him up yet he didn't move from that spot. As the beating proceed the townsfolk began to gather around the area. The bandit tried to get them to leave until their boss told them to stay so that they could see what would happen to someone that defied them. It wasn't until he began to spit blood that one of the townsfolk asked him "Why don't you fight back." To which he responded "I could ask you the same exact question." The old man then told him "We don't because we can't." The Black Sword then asked "Is why you don't fight back is because you can't or because your afraid." The old man's daughter then said "It because we are afraid. The just so many of them how are we supposed to fight back." "Simple have faith that the impossible can be beaten otherwise it pointless" he told them. The boss finally got impatient and told he men to finish off the Black Sword. Just as one of his men was about to deal the killer blow the old man stepped in a block the club with his cane. This only infuriated the boss who stepped in to deal with the old man." I told them

I continued "Suddenly the Black Sword the drew his sword and within an instant knocked him out. Soon the townsfolk had gathered around him as the bandit it came at him. It didn't take long for the townsfolk to chase the bandits out of their town. As they all celebrated the Black Sword proceed to make his way out of town only to be stopped by the old man's daughter who asked where he was going. He simple told her "somewhere else." This caused her to ask "what if those bandits return" his answer to this was "Have faith that the next time they show up that you will be able to beat them." That the end of that story but the morale of it is simple. When something seems impossible only believe that you can do it as that will make the impossible possible. And that what we must do. We need to do believe that we can conquer the world tree. So repeat after me, we will conquer the world tree." They all shouted in sync "WE WILL CONQUER THE WORLD TREE." "Then let go do that" I told them before we all walked out of the building. I equipped the Arcana Armour and we soon began to fly toward the world tree.

When we land I asked Zeon and Yui both to analyse the world tree and the enemies as Yui was there when Kirito got to the top the world tree and Zeon is able to bypass firewall and any other security to tell me all there was about the Guardians. It took them a minute to do so but it was worth the wait. "So the guardians are both ranged and melee as well as they will keep on spawning until we get pass the gate which requires a system admin to open" I asked them after they told us what they had learnt. "Yes" was both their responses. "So how are we going to beat them commander" Amy asked. "Please don't call me that. And the plan is simple both melee is weak against ranged and ranged is weak against melee so those of us who use melee will deal with the ranged when we bypass the melee but will help deal with the melee. Those of us who use ranged will deal with melee while being protected by a melee user. Asuna and Leafa I want you to use healing spells that affect the whole group that way you won't have to focus on one person at a time. We will also all make a charge if there is an opening as we will all make it to the top of the world tree. Everyone got that" I told them. "Rogue" they all replied. "However there is still the problem with the gate" I said trying to think of a way pass it. "That may not be a problem" Zeon told me as he appeared on my shoulder. "You have a solution Zeon" I asked. "I just might do. Bring Moonlight Sin closer to me" he told me.

I did as he asked and brought Moonlight Sin close enough so that he could touch it. Suddenly as Zeon touched it Moonlight Sin began glowing. It stopped after a while as Zeon said "Done." "What you do Zeon" I asked him. "I transferred a code into the sword that will match the required code to open it. Now all you have to do is piece the gate with the ability Gate Destroyer to open the gate" he told me. "Thank Zeon" I replied as he disappeared back into my mask. "Right is everyone ready to go" I asked them. They each responded "Yes" one after another except Amy who replied "Yes commander" which earned me giving he an evil look. We then walked through the door way to find ourselves in a large room that goes all the way to the top. "Get Ready" I told them as the first Guardian appeared. I quickly dealt with it as another one then appeared. It didn't take long for enough of them to appear to block the way.

They kept coming straight at us but we each took are of what came at us. The plan was working but at the rate we were going we wouldn't be able to make a gap large enough for all us to get through. I switched to use spell with my left hand and notice that every time I made a dent in their blockade large enough for three people in took them 30 second to refill that gap. It was then that I thought 'It would take them 110 second to refill a gap big enough for all of us to get through as it 10 seconds for one person. But that not long enough to get us all through.' It then hit me that I alone could make a gap that big with my sword ability Phoenix Charge but what if multiply sword abilities were used at once. I then called out to Yuuki, Kirito and Asuna to meet me in the centre. "What is it Mikael" Yuuki asked.

"Right I need all of you use most powerful one strike sword skill at the same time as I use mine" I told them. "Okay why" Asuna asked. "Simple I notice that a gap big enough for all of us would take them 110 second to fill which isn't long enough for all of us to get through which it what one of my sword skill can do but if we all use a sword skill at the same time then we should be able to make a gap big enough to get at 200 people through which come to about 2000 seconds for them to refill which should be long enough for all of us to get through but when that happen we need to head straight to the gate while protecting one enough, okay" I told them. They all nodded. "OKAY EVERYONE GET BEHIND ME, YUUKI, KIRITO AND ASUNA WE ARE GOING TO CHARGE STRAIGHT AT THEM MAKING A GAP FOR ALL OF US TO GET THROUGH WHEN WE DO SO YOU ALL GOING TO HAVE TO GO AS FAST AS YOU CAN TO GET THROUGH" I shouted to them. They did exactly as I told them and the four of us up front soon charged straight at the Guardian Blockade.

We soon distanced each other far enough to make the gap. As we closed in on the Guardians we then activated our sword skill. "Phoenix Charge" I shouted. "Starburst Strike" Kirito said. "Lighting Burst" Asuna yelled. "Sister Requiem" Yuuki shouted. Each of our attacks land perfectly which caused an explosion which was big enough to make the gap we need. "Alright everyone makes you way through now" I commanded as they began to follow after us. We were fortunate that everyone got through just in the nick of time. We were however unfortunate as the archer soon began their assault while the swordsmen noticed that we had gotten through. "Quick everyone, make your way to the gate while guarding one another" I told them. They did as I told them but it still wasn't enough as the arrow were still able to hit us. I notice that our health bars were depleting quickly. 'Dam what do I do' I thought to myself since at that rate everyone would be knocked out in no time.

"You need to use the GM ability" Zeon whispered to me. "What" I asked quietly. "Use the GM skill to slow down the Guardians attack that way your team will be able to get through. Also make sure that you are near them when you use it otherwise they will be affected as well" he whispered. "Okay how do I do that" I asked. "Just Concentrate on the system slowing down and it will happen" he told me. I concentrated for a moment then all of the sudden everything turned blue except for me and my guild. "What happened" Kirito asked as he noticed that the arrows were traveling slowly. "Daddy someone is manipulating the system to slow down the Guardians. I can't tell who it is though" Yui told him. "Well let's go then. This might be our chance to get to the top" I told them knowing that it won't last forever. We soon approached the gate as I used the sword ability to open it. "Gate Destroyer" I shouted as my sword began to glow as it pieced the gate. The gate then exploded into several crystals as a light then appeared. "Everyone grab on. We are going to teleport" I told them. Sinon grabbed my hand as we then began to link hand and teleport.

We all soon found ourselves in a corridor that was brightly lit. "We are here" I told them as I got up. They all proceed to get up as well and took in where we were. "Okay I remember where the system console Is. I'll guide us there" Asuna said and as about to start walking when I stopped her. "What is it Mikael" Asuna asked. "Everyone listen, back then when the guardians slowed down. I was the one who did it" I told them. "But how only a GM can manipulate the system to their use" Kirito said. "Well apparently when SAO was beaten, Kayaba turn my avatar into a GM for all games that use the cardinal system" I told him.

"But wait how comes it doesn't say you're a GM in your stats" Kirito asked. "I don't know, maybe the system doesn't register me as a GM so it only allows me to manipulate time and nothing else" I replied. "So what happen when you become a GM in the system" Asuna asked. "Well I was supposed to use the system to teleport to the ruby palace but I don't want to do that now" I told her.

"Why not" Yuuki asked. "Because these past couple of days have taught me something. That a guild leader is nothing without there guild so what happen when I take the easy way and complete the goal of the Black Knights to conquer Aincrad by reaching the Ruby Palace. So no I'm not going to take the easy route for we will do this as a guild, if you all wish to do so" I told them. They all said "Of course we want to do that." "Thanks all of you. I don't know what I would be without you. Well let finish this" I told them. We began to make our way to the system controller. When we found it I approached it and placed my hand on. "Are you sure about this Mikael" Zeon asked. "Yes I am" I responded. "Very well" he said before click on something. Suddenly I felt a surge of energy flow through me as the initials GM appeared in front of my name.

"We did" I told them. They then burst into cheers after I said that. "System teleport Black Castle" I commanded the system. We were then all teleported in front of Black Castle. "Hey everyone how about we celebrate this victory at my house" I asked them. They all responded in the own way but all of their answers was yes. "Okay just give me a few minutes to get everything ready. Oh here is the address to my house" I said to them before send each of them a message with my address on it. I then logged off and awoke in the office. I rushed around to get everything ready for the celebration as I dashed to a nearby shop to get everything and rushed about the kitchen getting it all prepared.

2 hour later after the celebration. We all had a good time celebrating conquering the world tree since by the end of the celebration all the food I had prepare was completely gone. My cooking must have been good since Asuna asked for some of the recipes that I had used. Each and every one had left except for me, Sinon and Nariko. "Hey Mikael do you mind driving me home" Sinon asked. "Yeah sure I don't mind" I replied. Sinon made her way I outside while I got my key to the bikes. As I was about to leave Nariko told me "Good luck Mikael." I soon got on my bike and Sinon got on behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist. "Hang on tight" I told her as we backed out of the driveway. I began to speed my way through the traffic to Sinon's place. As I was about to drive away Sinon asked me "Hey Mikael do you want to come inside for a drink." I was caught off guard since I wasn't expecting Sinon.

"Yeah why not" I responded to her question. I parked the bike and made my way up the stairs to her front door. I entered through the doorway into her apartment which was surprising comfortable for its size. I sat down in the chair she had near her desk while she made tea. "Mikael how do you take your tea" Sinon asked me. "I take two sugars and a splash of milk" I replied. I found it strange to be in Sinon's apartment since I never been invite to a girl's room yet alone a girl's place. Soon my curiosity got the better of me and a began to look around. I searched the drawers and found a model of a AMT Automag V (That is not the actual type of gun she has it just that I can't find out what it's actual caused). Sinon froze when she noticed I had it. "What are you doing" she asked. "Sorry I just got curious and found it" I told her as I placed it back where I found it. "No their nothing wrong with that it just that I still suffer trauma from the bank robbery" she told me. I noticed that her hand was shaking so I grabbed it and told her "Hey you going to be alright you just need time and support."

"Thanks Mikael" she responded. She then handed me my tea so we spent time enjoying each other company. I mostly listened to her as she told me that she would be returning to the game Gun Gale Online to participates in BOB tournament. As she continued to talk I thought about how she was so beautiful. Suddenly I felt something against my lips. I then looked down to see Sinon was kissing me. She pulled away before I could kiss her back. "I'm sorry it just that I was caught in the moment" she told me. "No it's okay" I replied. "Mikael can you please go I just need some time to myself" she told me so I did what she asked. As I left her apartment I thought to myself 'She has feeling for me, maybe a relationship just might be possible. Sinon I will tell you how I feel I just need you to wait until I finally know where my brother is.' I smiled as I got on my bike as I remembered the feel of her lips on mine.

The end of this chapter. WOW I am surprised as I thought that this would be a short chapter but it turned out like this. Well the Black Knights have conquered the world tree which we all knew was coming and now they are focusing in the battle with Death's Blade. Also Mikael now know about Project Ascension and what it does. Also Mikael is now a GM I wonder how that will come into play with the battle against Retribution. I also like that I have now official given an MikaelxSinon moment but how will that affect their relationship. In the next chapter we finally arrive at the moment that has been built up since the beginning as Mikael and HACKER finally meet and everything is revealed. I hope you have enjoyed.