(flashback continues)

November 6th, 2022:

David is at his office down at the naval base, Alex and Jonathan had bought themselves the newest of virtual reality gaming systems; The NerveGear helmets. It is the next generation of Virtual Reality as the helmets send out microwave signals to the user's brain, redirecting their consciousness through their brain and body, sending its own waves to stimulate the five senses. This renders the players unconscious and lets their mind control their avatars; this is done so that the players won't injure themselves or other people while they play the games.

He'd read up on the man who created such helmets, Akihiko Kayaba, according to the article he read it explained, that players can start what he calls a "full dive" session into the virtual world of gaming as well as throughout the world wide web. Therefore, taking internet surfing and playing to a whole new level. He also heard about it from the First Generation was the large scale amusement park machine as a publicity stunt to show the world the wonders of the next generation of virtual reality.

The new game was released with the NerveGear, Sword Art Online; a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) where players can explore the world of Aincrad where medieval weapons and quests are available to play. The company of the game, "Argus" released the game as a demo for Beta testers of the game and helmet and then released both to the public. Both Jonathan and Alex played the game as Beta testers as well as the helmets they've bought and then later the game itself. However, due to Jonathan's duties at the base, Alex was left to play the game alone. Alex promised to have a spot for him in his guild once he gets far enough in the game.

"Hard to believe how fast the helmets and game were bought up," David commented to himself. The sales of the NerveGear and Sword Art Online skyrocketed in not just Japan, but Brazil, Australia, the UK, and America. Several nations of the Coalition have gotten their purchases with the products and are expecting them to arrive soon while some of them already have them in their grasps.

He continued writing his reports when his elder son Jonathan came into his office, David looked up to see his son's face looking nervous.

"What is it?" He asked, becoming a concern.

"It's about the NerveGear helmets," Jon replied frantically. The Captain turned on the small flat-screen TV and flips onto the news channel.

"We're getting further reports on the deaths of players who have purchased the NerveGear helmets and the game 'Sword Art Online'." The news anchorman says. "According to police and hospital reports, players begin dying as the chips inside the helmets heated up from the back; therefore frying the brain in the process." David sat in his desk, frozen with shock. For him and Jon, it didn't take long for them to remember Alex playing the game.

"Alex…" David said before he quickly got up and headed out the door with Jonathan following him. They both hopped into the Humvee and floored it, driving out of the base and back towards their home and quickly hopped out.

As they entered through the front door they see Marie who's in tears.

"David, he's not waking up." She sobbed. David ran into his bedroom and sees Alex laying motionless on the bed with the NerveGear helmet on.

"Alex…" He murmured. He was about to tear the helmet off of him, hoping to get him out of this deathtrap, but both Marie and Jonathan stopped him.

"Dad! Don't tear it off!" Jon warned him.

"Why not?! Gotta get him out of there!" David asked, nearly shouting. It was then they told him that several people tried to remove the helmets by force when they learned about what is going on, but the chips ended up frying the brains, killing them in the process. This left David in a state of fear. If he dies in the game, he dies in the real world; if he tries to force the helmet off, he'll die that way.

"No… I gotta wake him up." David said as he shook Alex, hoping it'll wake him up.

"Alex… Alex!" He shouted. "ALEEEEXXX!" His voice reached up to the heavens.


Later in the hospital:

David, Marie, and Jonathan are in the hospital room with Alex. All of them are worried about Alex who is now trapped in the death game.

"Alex…. I'm sorry." Jonathan said mournfully as he placed his hand on his little brother's shoulder. David held onto Marie.

"I'm scared, David." Marie sobbed into his shoulder, their youngest son is probably figured out what has happened in the game and is scared. David heard further reports that America, Brazil, Australia, and the UK are reporting similar incidents but they're fewer incidents in other countries. Those who have purchased the game but didn't play it themselves are aware of the situation and demanded of Argus, "what is going on."

"I'm scared too, Marie," David said softly. "But we need to keep faith that he'll pull through." He knew that it won't be easy for her as she's the nurse of this very hospital and they're already taking up patients who are comatose in the NerveGear helmets.

'Be strong Alex. You got to be strong.' David mentally said.


November 7th, 2024:

Two years since the Sword Art Online death game trapped 16,000 players. So far, around 7,000 players have died in the death game. But for the rest, they've been fortunate.

David, along with Jonathan arrived at the hospital, as they passed through the hallways, some of them are patients of the SAO death game; including the boy who's down the hallway from where Alex's room was. When they arrived, they saw Marie standing with the doctor and next to him was Alex; his appearance is pasty and in a state of depletion as if the toothpaste tube is almost empty. It's a miracle that he survived, but what the doctor had to say isn't good news.

"Jonathan, Captain, and Mrs. Mitchell." The doctor said. "I'm afraid I have some bad news." He explained that their son has survived a long two years. But judging by his depleting state, he may not last long.

"There has to be a better way," David said.

"There are two ways." The doctor replied. "One that you can still hope he makes it out, or two; you may have to pull the plug." He suggested with a grim tone.

"Then I pick the first option," David said.

"Right, there's no way we're pulling the plug on Alex." Jonathan pointed out.

"Same," Marie said.

"Alright then, but I can't make any promises of what's going on." The doctor said. David thanked him before he walked out of the room. It was then that they sat down around the bed, praying the prayer they've been praying for the past two years. It was the one that would give them a miracle.

"God… Please help our son to escape." David said. "We can't lose him… we just can't."

Everything all seems hopeless and without any options left. But just as they're about to give up' Alex's fingers begin to twitch, followed with the movement of his hands. What they didn't know was that something had happened in the SAO game but in a good way.

"Dad…. Alex's hands… He's waking up." Jonathan showed him, they see the young heir of the Mitchell family opening his eyes. He groaned from the long slumber and slowly sat up.

"Wha... what?" Alex groaned. The family became overwhelmed with joy at the sight of him returning from the death game.

"Alex… Oh Alex." David teared up as he pulled his younger brother into a hug; he had to be mindful of his frail condition.

"F… Father…" Alex croaked, he managed to speak after two years of neglect. David just held onto him as he used to when he was a baby. It didn't take long for Marie and Jonathan to join in the group hug. For a moment, the horrible years of him trapped in SAO have become a forgotten memory.

"Wha… what happened?" He asked.

"You're free Alex," David replied. "You're finally free."

"But how…." Alex paused for a moment. It was then he murmured. "Kirito…."

"Who?" David asked in confusion. It was then Alex begins to explain that Kirito is one of the players of SAO, he'd met him after he saved him from dying and became friends since then. He told them how Kirito battled Heathcliff in order to clear the game but at the cost of his life as well as another player named Asuna.

"At least they freed you and others like a true pair of noble and just Knights or Samurai," David said.

Alex just nodded, Marie asked David to find the doctor and to notify him that Alex is awake.

As David stepped out of the hallway to find the doctor and to thank God, it was then he saw a teenage boy coming out of his room, he was leaning on an IV drip stand for support. Like Alex, he too was in a depleted state and his hair had grown long as well.

"Must be another victim of that game as well," David said to himself. It was then the boy stumbled and nearly fell onto the floor. David acted quickly and caught him. "You okay?" He asked.

"Gotta find her…. gotta find Asuna." The boy muttered.

"Who?" David was confused for a moment; however, the name that his son mentioned is one of the players who helped free the others. However, he noticed tears streaming down the boy's face and off his chin.

"What seems to be the problem?" David asked. He helped the boy into the room that Alex was in and it was then he told them about how he was trapped in SAO and had managed to defeat Kayaba in the game and freed the others from the death game. However, the victory has cost him the love of his life as she sacrificed herself to save him and lamented how she died in his arms. But they met again as SAO was clearing and spent the last moments together before disappearing in the light.

It was then Alex looked up and immediately recognized him. "Kirito…."

"What?" David then learned that the boy in the hallway is Kirito, which is his avatar's name, as his real name is Kazuto Kirigaya, Alex's avatar name was Lexar. Sometime later, they listened to the boys' adventures while trapped in SAO.

"So, it was more than a game..." David muttered. It was then a man walked into the room, but he isn't a doctor. He appeared to be in his early to mid-forties and wears a business suit and glasses.

"Who are you?" Jon asked.

"Sorry, allow me to introduce myself." The man spoke. "The name's Seijirou Kikuoka; I'm the Lead Investigator in the SAO Case Victims Rescue Force."

"Huh?" This continues to surprise David and his family. Kikuoka further explains that after the incident began and Argus came under fire, the SAO Case Victim Rescue Force is created to find ways to rescue the players as well as keep an eye on the SAO victims.

"Your youngest son is one such person we're tasked with helping," Kikuoka said.

"What about Kirito? He's the one who defeated Kayaba." Alex pointed out. Kikuoka turned to Kazuto.

"It's true…" He answers.

"Please, do tell," Kikuoka said. Kirito or Kazuto tells Kikuoka of what he did and how he'd made it far with help from his friends and the girl Asuna. His face turns to sadness. However, Kikuoka has some news on the girl.

"Kazuto…. The girl you've mentioned, Asuna Yuuki….. she's alive." Kazuto's face lit up in both surprise and happiness. David could tell that to him, this is wonderful news.

"However, she's not in this hospital." It was then the man explained that she's being taken care of in a different hospital and the staff reported her vital signs are stable. However, she hasn't woken up yet but he reassured him that she'll be awake soon.

Kazuto bowed to Kikuoka. "Thank you so much Mr. Kikuoka."

"You're welcome," Kikuoka said. David smiled on; not only he got his son back, but the boy Kazuto will be reuniting with the girl he fell in love with soon. Little did everyone know that Kazuto, along with his son will go through a trial to rescue her as well as expose a horrible experiment on the 400 players.


January 20th, 2025:

It's been two months since SAO was cleared, however, 400 players are still under. Both Alex and Kazuto have made amazing recoveries within two months. David was stunned when Alex told him that he'll be diving into ALFheim Online with his friend Kazuto to investigate the remaining 400 players. However, the process isn't going smoothly.

"Out of the question son," David said. He was relieved that his son Alex came back from the SAO death game, every moment; he visited him while he was in rehab. Alex has made great progress in his recovery in the past two months.

"But father…" Alex protested. "He saved my life while I was trapped in SAO. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be standing here. I owe my life to him."

"I understand what you said about Kazuto is true, and I believe you. But I almost lost you in SAO. I can't afford to lose you again."

"But I've heard that this time, this game 'ALO' has the logout button and it's safer compared to the NerveGear helmet." The conversation went on for 20 minutes until they hear a knock on the door. David opens the door and sees Pvt. Jenkins, one of the intelligence officers. Jenkins gives David a salute while the latter returns the salute.

"I've come here to inform you of the situation." Pvt. Jenkins said as he hands him the envelope. David takes it and looks at it.

"We'll continue this later," David said to Alex as he leaves, ignoring Alex's protests. As he heads to his office, he sat down in his chair and opens the envelope and reads it. It mentions that the Coalition of Allied Nations have begun the investigation two months ago after the SAO death game was cleared. The report reads that the 400 players haven't woken up from the coma.

'Was this the 400 players Alex mentioned?' he thought to himself as he continues reading.

The report continues to say that the players weren't just in the coma in Japan, but in the United States as well and since Japan is part of the Coalition, the US government issued an investigation for the Coalition and so far they've traced the source towards Japan. It is believed that someone within the Japanese-based company RECT Progress Inc. may have something to do with all of it but doesn't have any further evidence. The Coalition of Allied Nations offered its own agents from different countries to aid David in the investigation.

David thought about it for a moment. He could use the assistance in this investigation of the 400 comatose players. He could bring in the agents from the Coalition to investigate, but what if it's actually taken place from the virtual world. It could be the reason why the players haven't woken up. Then he thought of Alex. He met Kazuto Kirigaya while he was visiting the same hospital Alex was in. Then he pulls out several photographs of the players, and one of them is a 17-year old teenage girl with hazelnut hair that reaches beyond her shoulders and hazelnut eyes. She's dressed in what appears to be an outfit that reveals much of her body. But the look on her face tells that she isn't happy.

'This must be the girl Kazuto mentioned.' He thought to himself. Then he thought of the conversation he had with his son earlier before the report came in. He recalled Alex saying that Kazuto looked white as a sheet, but he didn't ask what happened until the next morning. Then he told him that he had a picture of what appears to be Asuna in the game which matches the description of the girl in the picture.

Although he almost lost Alex in SAO and never left his side for two years. However, he must put his trust and faith in him if what he and the report say are true. He gets up from his desk and left his office to find Alex in his bedroom.

"Father, I know what you're gonna say," Alex said as soon as he walked in. "But I still stand by my decision."

"I understand son," David replied as he begins to explain when he hears a knock on the door.

"I'll get it," Alex said as he headed towards the front door. As he opens it, he sees a young man at the door; he appears to be in his mid-twenties.

"Um… excuse me, but is this the Mitchell Residence?" The young man asked.

"Why yes, it is," David replied. "You can come in if you like." The young man thanked David before stepping inside. He introduced himself as Kouchirou Yuuki.

"Kouchirou Yuuki? You by any chance related to Asuna?" Alex asked.

"Indeed, I'm her older brother," Kouchirou replied. "I'm sure that you're aware of what has happened to her."

"Yes." Alex nodded. It was then David stepped up and asked him about Asuna. In the next few minutes, Kouchirou explains that she was trapped in SAO along with everyone else and like the 400 players, she remained in the NerveGear.

"400 players." David clarified as he mentioned that the other 100 players are still under the helmet in America.

"Right." The older Yuuki heir agreed. "But I came here because I needed help and since Kazuto Kirigaya has mentioned your son Mitchell. It's about Asuna; she hasn't come back from SAO for two months after it cleared."

"OK…" David listened.

"But that's not the worst part." He gulped. "An arranged marriage is being organized and she is to be married to an older man from the RECT PROGRESS Company; Sugou Nobuyuki."

It was then Alex perked up when the man's name is mentioned before asking. "Sugou…About early-thirties, brown neat hair, glasses, and blue business suit?"

"You know him?" David asked.

"I overheard the conversation between him and Kazuto." Alex then tells his father and Kouchirou that he is the only one who can keep Asuna alive, but he had a feeling that something's way off about the way he said it. He then proceeded to taunt Kazuto, saying that they weren't meant to be and tells him not to visit her anymore.

"That bastard.." David muttered under his breath.

"If only I could get my hands on him, I'd make sure he keeps his hands off of Asuna," Kouchirou said with venom in his voice.

"Did you tell your parents about him? I'm sure they'd understand." David asked. It was then the young man looked at him.

"You think I haven't done that?" He then said. "They're the ones who hand-picked him themselves, especially mother. They said he's the right suiter for Asuna as well as for the business they're running. I'd tried to tell them about his sick personality, but they don't even see that. All they do is look at his social status and say how a wonderful guy he is. They don't even care about the commoners."

This left David with disgust, how people who live in a high social life could dismiss people who don't live the life they do as how Kouchirou mentioned. It was then that Kouchirou shook his head sadly.

"All of this is my fault." He said somberly. "It should've been me trapped there instead of her. If only I didn't have that business trip at that time, I would've spared Asuna from that fate."

David felt sympathy for the young man; he cared deeply for his little sister's safety and blames himself for her imprisonment in the SAO death game and the NerveGear helmet.

It was then he explained that he'd read the report and it becomes suspicious since the situation isn't isolated as the players in America haven't gotten back up. He'll lead the investigation of the situation, but he was planning to ask Alex if he's ready to take on this mission since he had a special assignment for him that includes Alex going into the virtual world of the ALO game.

"I also received a photograph of a girl of the description you've mentioned," David concluded. It was then Kouchirou's blood ran cold the second he mentioned it.

"It's gotta be her! She must be held in that prison that creature set up!" He then said in anger.

"Calm down Mr. Yuuki, we're not sure if he's responsible for her imprisonment as well as the imprisonment of the 400 players, but we're gonna start the investigating of the whole thing." David then turned to his son.

"I'll let you go help your friend," David said to him. "But on one condition: You'll report everything you've learned while in the ALO world to me," David explains that they'll modify the AmuSphere that'll have two-way communication between the two of them.

"Thanks, father." Alex smiled and he hugged him. After they broke the hug, he turned to Kouchirou.

"We'll try to bring back your sister, you can count on us." It was then Kouchirou got up and thanked him with a bow.

"Thank you so much." He said, almost in tears. "But… if I may ask if you and your children can help out with me?" He explains that Sugou had made some visits to Asuna's comatose body during visiting hours and he tried his best to beat him to it so he doesn't do anything to her body. However, he couldn't do it alone and asked if they can help out.

"We'll do the best we can," Alex said with determination. David agreed to get Jonathan to help out as well as David himself help out whenever he could.

"Thank you again." Kouchirou bowed to him again. They're doing this for Kazuto, Asuna and the rest of the 400 players who are trapped in the helmets.


January 21st:

Both David and Jonathan headed to the entrance of the hospital to make a visit to one of the patients, Asuna Yuuki, who is staying here with help from both Seijirou Kikuoka and Alex Mitchell. What they didn't know was that they would encounter the piece of human dung that Asuna's parents were trying to marry off despite his wretched past. After checking in at the desk, one of the nurses leads them to her room where she lay asleep, immobile from the NerveGear helmet she sports.

"Wow, she looks very pretty," Jon commented. "It's no wonder Kazuto took a liking to her."

"You said it." David agreed. There was a small silence before the elder son spoke.

"I just realized something, all of the other players looked deprived after being under for so long, and yet this girl looked like she just became trapped yesterday."

"Now that you've mentioned it, you're right." David concluded, "She did come from a rich family." They both learned that Asuna's parents are from the upper-class society. Her father, Shouzou Yuuki is the CEO of RECT Progress Inc. the very company that bought the branch from Argus after the latter filed bankruptcy from the massive lawsuits over the Sword Art Online death game. Her mother, Kyouko Yuuki, is a professor of the academy that teaches future CEOs for the very same company. RECT was also responsible for creating the AmuSpheres, part of the second generation of VR gaming systems; unlike the NerveGear, the AmuSpheres are safer than their predecessors as they sport both the Heart and H2O systems, if the heart rate goes up or the player gets dehydrated, they'll be automatically logged out.

"According to Alex and Kouchirou Yuuki, the family had arranged a marriage with someone from RECT." Jonathan pointed out.

"Which is no doubt is this Sugou," David replied. He thought of what Alex said yesterday and Kouchirou that Sugou Nobuyuki is bad news. The latter mentions that it was his mother who handpicked him while the father arranged the marriage despite the Yuuki heir's warnings.

It was then that someone entered the room with them, they turned to see a man, early to mid-thirties, brown slick hair, sports glasses, and a blue business suit. The description has checked out, it was none other than Sugou.

"Oh…. Well hello gentlemen; never seen you before." He said as he introduced himself as Sugou Nobuyuki. They pretended to greet him friendly, but secretly they, mostly Jonathan, wanted to pound this guy.

"You know…. it's kinda odd that her parents would arrange this marriage without her consent." Jonathan pointed out as the girl is still under the NerveGear's effects.

"Well, that decision was made for the best." Sugou defended the statement.

"For the best my ass..." Jonathan said to himself in his head.

"So you're part of RECT?" David asked, trying to keep the conversation from tensing up.

"Indeed I am and highly respected," Sugou responded. He mentioned that once the marriage with the daughter Asuna is completed, he'll take a higher position in the company and will do his best to rescue the 400 players still trapped.

'Thank you for sharing dumbass.' David thought to himself. Unknown to the bastard, David and Jonathan was secretly recording their conversation with him. Both David and Jonathan have a bad feeling about this guy, despite his friendly happy-go-lucky smile, there's something about them that they're not seeing. So, they decided to press forward very carefully.

"Your last names are Mitchell, am I correct?" He asked the question threw him off guard. David had to think of something fast, but thankfully he had an answer ready quickly.

"Yes… What's it to you?" He finished with a question.

"Oh… nothing just didn't think to run into another Mitchell." Sugou then concluded. This caused David and Jonathan to realize he was referring to Alex.

"Bastard." David thought to himself.

"Met him yesterday…. Interesting lad, although misguided." He continued.

'Misguided my ass.' Jonathan thought to himself. Little did they know that the two are standing in front of Asuna's bed; they unknowingly became the barrier between the girl and the creature. As fate was going to work in the favor of the duo and against the creepy bastard that not even the Devil himself would want in Hell. David could see the frown beginning to form on Sugou's face, either from the conversation's not going his way or something else. He knew something was up and he had to think fast to keep it in his favor.

It was then Sugou spoke up. "The Sword Art Online incident was very tragic." Surprised, but keeping their guard up, David and Jonathan appeared to agree. "

And of course, the 400 players who haven't come back, they're being taken care of." He continued. It was then he moves closer to them that a whisper could be heard.

"Also, they're under my care and I'm doing my very best to make sure that they return back from that hellish nightmare called the NerveGear…. that also includes my bride to be."

'Bingo... thanks for telling us that bit... moron...' David thought to himself. It was then Sugou decided to leave.

"But the progress to help them is for the greater good, especially for the 100 players from the States." He added. He was about to leave before turning back. "Oh, and it's very dangerous to stick noses in places where they don't belong; just for food for thought." After that, he leaves. For David and Jonathan, that last bit confirmed their suspicions very clearly like daylight.

"We should look this guy up," Jon suggested.

"Yes, we should," David said. Shortly after Kouchirou arrived and thanked the two men for protecting his little sister.

"Thank you, gentlemen." The elder Yuuki heir bowed to the two.

"No problem Kouchirou." Jon nodded, and with it the two leaves the room and eventually the hospital.

"That Sugou guy gave me the creeps," Jon confessed.

"Same here," David said as they headed towards the parking lot.


February 11th:

David and Jonathan just returned from the base with Alex. The latter finished with his interview with one of the Coalition's officials Jack Ryan Johnston and Seijirou Kikuoka.

During the research a couple of months back, they've learned that Sugou had made several donations to the Clinton Foundations back in 2008 and 2012 which connects to the presidential campaigns for the tyrannical president. And the shocking part of it all is a photograph of him in his young years with the president. They also learned that the authorities have found Akihiko Kayaba's body; according to the autopsy, he had killed himself after having downloaded his consciousness to the Internet via a special NerveGear helmet.

Around that time Alex was finished, they all witnessed the interrogation of the victim's mother, Kyouko Yuuki.

"The nerve of her," Jon commented. David agreed. In the wake of the ALO and Sugou incidents, Asuna's mother Kyouko tried to keep her daughter from seeing Kazuto after he and Alex went all the way to save her. "Heartless lady," David said. He still remembered their conversation nine days ago, comparing to Asuna, she isn't kind-hearted like her daughter is. The woman went on how Kazuto isn't allowed to be with her daughter after taking down the creature. But the worst part of it that she herself blames America for sticking their noses in a business where they don't belong. There was no doubt that she also ran into their young heir Alex and told him off when he tried to reason with her.

"What a jerk weasel," Jonathan said.

"You said it." David agreed, when they saw Alex at the hospital he almost appeared to be on the verge of breaking down in tears. Despite his strong will, David managed to comfort him.

Hours earlier, evidence shows that Kyouko herself became involved in Sugou's illegal, inhumane experiments on the 400 players which not only manipulates the human mind and soul but to release a radio transmission in players who use the AmuSpheres throughout the Coalition and bring them under his control. She was in the Whole Nine Yards on the scheme for the Second Revolution that happened twelve years ago. She saw this as revenge against America as well as the creature did. They all just looked in disgust at what they saw before them.

After the evidence was exposed to the media along with the phone conversations she had made, she was arrested and is waiting for trial. They headed towards the front door when they see another vehicle pull into the driveway.

"Who's that?" David asked. Before Jon could answer, the side door opened and out came two people he recognized.

"I know those two," David said, Shouzou and Kouchirou Yuuki. It was no doubt that their home is under investigation in the wake of Kyouko's involvement.

"Shouzou, Kouchirou." David greeted the father and son as he led them in his home. Marie has fixed them some tea as they explained that they've left the manor.

"What do you have to say this time?" David asked.

"We need a place to stay," Shouzou replied. Kouchirou however, was beside himself in rage, but he had to keep himself from exploding; plus he already unloaded his rage against his former mother.

"The nerve of Kyouko." Kouchirou said, no longer referring to her as 'mother'. "I've warned her about that creature of what she's capable of. But did she listen? No, only saw his social status." Shouzou remained silent as his son vented.

"And if that wasn't enough, she tried to keep my sister from seeing Kazuto. I mean, he'd risked his life to save her. And how did Kyouko reward him? By judging his social status and went to extreme lengths to keep them from seeing each other." David silently agreed. Even after she lost her job back in 2013 due to the Second Revolution, she resorted to collaboration with the creature in the latter's inhumane experiments.

"Son…." Shouzou pleaded. Ever since the ALO and Sugou incidents, Shouzou felt responsible for arranging the marriage to him as the creature tried to rape her in ALO. David could tell he's been wracked with guilt over it since then.

"Screw you, dad... you had a hand in this in one way."

David was about to step in when Shouzou stopped him.

"It's OK…. I had this coming." He said before continuing. "I've stood by her when she lost her job and friends. I thought that she would overcome that obstacle and move on." The Yuuki father lamented. "But since SAO and her involvement with the creature, it only furthered herself deep into the hole." He just shook his head in shame; their company RECT went down in ruins and now there's the possibility that they may lose their home due to Kyouko's involvement.

David felt sympathy for the Yuuki family, if only they could help them. It was then he had an idea.

"I think there's a way out for you." David then spoke. "A loop-hole that could save your reputation as well as your home." The Yuuki's listened as David explained that only Kyouko was involved and the media has begun its investigation on the Yuuki family due to her. All Shouzou had to do is confess to the public of admitting to Arranging his daughter's marriage to the creature, but had no knowledge of his wife's involvement. If he did that, he'll be pardoned and cleared of any charges.

"You think it'll work?" Kouchirou asked. He is skeptical of the whole plan, but he decided to go along with it.

"Positive," David replied. It was the least they could do in the aftermath of it all and to keep their family name clean afterward. Then Shouzou stood up before he said.

"Ok, I'll do this… But I'll be doing this for Asuna. We need to show her that she still got her father and older brother to care for her." It was then Kouchirou stood up as well and agreed.

"Also, you two can stay here as long as you can until you're able to go back home," David added with a smile.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Mitchell." Shouzou bowed to him in gratitude, so did his son. It'll be a bumpy road for them, but David knew that they'll return to normal in no time.


March 19th:

A month has passed since Kyouko Yuuki was found guilty for her involvement with the creature's plans to bring down the Coalition of Allied Nations and trying to sell her own daughter as a slave to him as well as trying to assassinate her boyfriend who saved her, she was sentenced to sixty years in prison. Shouzou Yuuki confessed that he arranged her daughter to be married to Sugou but knew nothing of his ex-wife's conspiracy with him.

David escorted Shouzou to his car after receiving news that Kouchirou had already gone ahead to pick up Asuna from the hospital and brought her back to the Yuuki manor.

"Here you go." David gestured Shouzou to the passenger seat; the latter has gotten comfort to the seat before David closed the door and headed to the driver's side. After living in Japan for over ten years, he'd gotten used to the culture; especially the driving as everyone in Japan drives on the left side of the road like in Britain.

During the one hour drive to Setagaya, Tokyo; they recollect of the aftermath of the trial of Kyouko Yuuki. After he admitted arranging Asuna's marriage of the creature as well as not knowing about her involvement; Shouzou himself filed for divorce, even though it was very painful for him but it had to be done. Also, the Tokyo police department as well as the Coalition officials have placed Shouzou under house arrest but managed to stay at the Mitchell Residence for some time while the battle to keep the Yuuki manor in their family name; the Mitchells helped out in court. After a couple of weeks in legal issues, the case was won in their favor and Shouzou managed to maintain the manor in their name.

"I want to thank you so much for helping us," Shouzou said.

"Hey, no problem gotta help to get back on your feet," David replied with a smile. During their stay, Shouzou slept in the guest bedroom while Kouchirou slept on the couch. The latter said he didn't mind as long as they get away from the manor for a while.

After they won the case, Shouzou continued to make regular hospital visits to Asuna. He and Kouchirou have also met Kazuto Kirigaya numerous times and, according to Asuna, he is the greatest person she has ever met in her life while trapped in SAO. His love for her was enough for him to go in and rescue her; with help from Suguha and Alex.

"They're something," David commented. "Very true…. especially Kazuto.." Shouzou lamented, the media were behind their support in the wake of the incidents and urged others to continue. It also caused the membership of the Society for Integrity in Marriage to skyrocket throughout the Coalition. "They'll go down in history, that's for sure," David added. "Indeed." Shouzou agreed.

After an hour or so through traffic, they finally reached Setagaya and arrived in the neighboring houses until they reached the Yuuki manor. David marveled at how fancy the home looked for people who had formerly worked for RECT Progress Inc. However, after the company fell, it has put them in a financial situation. It was then Shouzou tells David that he'd found job positions for the Coalition headquarters in Tokyo, the payment was the same as it was when he and his son worked for RECT. "That's very good," David said. He knew that they'll be able to let him as he was pardoned after weeks of house arrest. Although they may keep him on surveillance to make sure that he won't be committing criminal activities anymore.

They arrived at the doorstep and Sana, the housekeeper, answers the door and lets them in. They see Kouchirou along with his little sister Asuna and her boyfriend Kazuto. Asuna was discharged for the first time in over two years and she is now on crutches. It'll take some time before she'll be able to walk again.

"Father." Asuna chimed. Shouzou went over and gave his daughter a hug.

"Asuna," Shouzou replied. David smirked at the little family reunion that is displaying before him. Not long after, Kouchirou joined in and later, Kazuto. Thought it would be a long road, bonds that were broken could be fixed in due time.

After they broke the hug, Asuna thanked David for bringing him home as well as taking care of him.

"No problem Ms. Yuuki," David said with a smile. "Wouldn't want your family hanging after all that." She nodded before David turned to help out with Shouzou and Kouchirou with moving some stuff from upstairs. He noticed that some of the family portraits on the walls in the hallway and the bedroom. He sees one with the entire Yuuki family, Shouzou, Kouchirou, and Asuna. He also noticed that it has been cropped, the area is missing and he assumed it's what used to be Kyouko.

He sees a small box that contains portraits of Kyouko. It was no doubt that everyone in the Yuuki family has officially severed all ties from her and want nothing to do with her. Even Kouchirou himself told him that he'd severed the ties from her. And he couldn't' blame him for it.

"The divorce was finalized a week ago," Shouzou mentioned as he hands the box to his son.

David moved up to him and said. "Listen… if you're having trouble, you can tell me."

"I know that it's very hard, but we'll be able to get over this bump," Shouzou replied. David gently patted him on the shoulder and he too is given a box. He carries it out of the bedroom and down the stairs. The young couple caught his eye. He stood silently to hear what they're saying.

'So, what comes next?' David thought to himself.

"No matter what, I'll always be by your side Asuna," Kazuto promised as he held her hands, rubbing them with tender care. He knew that she'll need support after the family officially disowned Kyouko, time eventually heals all wounds.

"Thanks, Kirito." Asuna replied. It was then she realized her mistake. "Oops… I mean Kazuto." She blushed. She still called him by his avatar name; it'll take some time until she calls him by his real-life name.

Kazuto chuckled before saying. "It's OK Asuna." The two remained silent as they exchanged heated gazes and scooted together until their noses were inches away from touching one another.

Without another word, the two individuals leaned in until their lips met in a sweet, passionate kiss. David smiled on as he witnessed the display of young love; their flushing faces and their hands intertwined together are enough proof. They parted lips and rested their foreheads together, processing what had happened.

It was then Kouchirou came down and appeared around the corner behind David. The couple blushed out of embarrassment when they saw the two who were standing around the corner the whole time.

"Am I interrupting anything?" Kouchirou asked, followed with a chuckled.

Asuna's cheeks were turning red, but Kazuto is rosier. "Well… uh… I mean" Asuna stammered.

"But your lover is showing a lovely shade of red right now along with you," Kouchirou said in a cheeky bastard fashion.

"Your brother's got a point." David pointed out. The couple continued to blush. "Nothing to be embarrassed about Asuna." Her older brother reassured her. David understands how deep their love is. Kouchirou went over and patted Asuna lightly on the shoulder. His sister looked up and gave a sheepish smile.

"Besides, I approve of this, unlike that weasel we called mom..." Kouchirou said.

"Yeah…" Asuna said, she made a small frown at the mention of her mother, but Kazuto managed to scoot over and hug her.

"There there Asuna." Kazuto cooed softly. "We'll get over this rough patch." Asuna smiled and hugged her boyfriend. The two smiled on because of the affection they had for each other.

It was then Kouchirou perked up and spoke.

"Remember that old school in Nishitokyo, Tokyo?" He asked. David nodded; he explains that the school was scheduled for demolition. But in the wake of the SAO incident, the Japanese government has decided to use the school for students who were behind their grades due to SAO. The school itself has its own garden park and an open swimming pool for swimming classes. David had heard about other countries commissioning their own programs for students who survived SAO across the world. However, Britain had fewer casualties so their program will only be smaller as nearly 85% are adults.

"Heard that the school will begin shortly." He also added. This also means his son Alex will be attending the school. He also learned that the school will provide everything for free, even the school uniforms. It was the least they could offer after the ordeal everyone went through, especially the couple who are in the room.

"I guess things will get back to normal," David commented.

"Indeed Mr. Mitchell." Asuna agreed.

"Thank you again for everything." Kouchirou thanked him along with a bow of gratitude. Both Asuna and Kazuto did the same. It was then David knows that things will turn out for the better from now on.


(END FLASHBACK) the Present:

David finished with recollections of all of the events; it all lead to this point, his son Alex maintained his friendship with Kazuto and the other SAO survivors as well as began a relationship with the girl Suguha. He was amazed that she was a sibling to Kazuto; he even chuckled from the thought of his son flirting with his best friend's sister, but he highly doubted as Alex told him that they met during the ALO incident but only knew each other by their avatars' names.

He also had the talk with his son about the Birds and the Bees. He'll have to take his relationship with Sugu slowly in order to build up a relationship with a strong foundation. But he knows that his son will make the right decisions and lead down the road to adulthood.

During the talk, he also learned that he tried to find love with one of the players while trapped in SAO; Rika Shinozaki aka Lisbeth. But when they kissed, neither of them felt the chemistry together; but he remained friends with her and had eventually found the spark with Suguha.

"Better things had come indeed," David said to himself as he sat silently in his chair.