Sword Art Online: Unforeseen Content
Save File: Shadows
AN: Alright before we get into this chapter, I'm going to answer some anonymous reviewers who asked some very good questions:
To Wayward Son: Athena isn't from Digimon, she's from SAO, that's all I'm saying to avoid spoilers.
To Red John: The gang from SAO aren't traditional Digidestined, meaning they didn't have a moment with a Digimon early in their lives. I've already thought about that when I first started writing this story, and I've already got the answer, but I'm going to let Gennai answer it in a later chapter.
-Aincrad Floor 33 June 11th 9:32 AM-
"Your sister is in trouble?" Asuna asked skeptically. She and the others had their weekly meeting, with Kirito for the first time in a while, and Taiki had told them the events of what happened the previous night.
"I know it sounds weird," Taiki began.
"That's one word to say it." Agil muttered under his breath.
"But with all this Dark Ocean nonsense that's shown up, you can't deny something might be wrong." Taiki finished, shooting a glare at Agil, being that he heard the larger man.
"You can't deny there is some logic in what you say." Lunamon said, sipping some coffee.
"If we could only just go to the dark ocean, we could find out ourselves." Agumon suggested.
"No way," This came from Kirito.
"Come on man, it's our best option." Klein reminded.
"That's if it works," Kirito began.
"Yeah, getting to the dark ocean was never easy." Taiki reminded.
"That's not what I mean," Kirito brought up, surprising the others. "Every human he is essentially a copy of our real selves, if we leave for the dark ocean, or even the Digital world, what would the Cardinal System think?"
"It might think we jumped off the side of Aincrad, then it might consider us dead." Asuna said quietly after a moment of silence from everyone.
"So, you're afraid to go to the digital world, because it might kill you?" Gaomon asked confused. Kirito nodded.
"You can't deny, that makes sense." Lisbeth said with a sigh.
"Didn't even think of that." Taiki said with a sigh.
"Uh oh, I've got a new message." Asuna saw on her menu. "From the commander."
"Heathcliff called, damn it must be important." Taiki said with a bit of surprise in his tone.
However, every ounce of seriousness left Asuna's face, and was replaced by fear. "He, he's been spotted, he's on Floor 19!"
"Who?" Kirito asked horrified.
"P-p-p-p-," Asuna became ghostly white as she said. "PoH."
"Oh hell no." Taiki accurately, and horrifically summed up every humans thoughts, while confusing the Digimon.
"Who?" Lunamon asked confused, however knew this was bad seeing everyone's reactions.
"He's the leader of Laughing Coffin, the murder guild." Taiki gulped horrified.
"Murder guild?" The Digimon asked horrified.
"Alright, you know how this works right, we die in the game, we die in the real world." Klein explained, the Digimon nodded. "However, not everybody believes that statement, thinking there's no proof." Briefly, Silica was reminded of Rosalia, who thought the exact same way.
"So what, these guys don't think you die in the human world?" Falcomon asked, trying to make heads or tails of this.
"No, just the opposite," Agil said distrurbed. "Laughing Coffin is under the impression they can completely get away with murder in Sword Art Online."
"Being that without proof, all evidence points to Akihiko Kayaba." Lunamon said, getting the idea.
"It got so bad, last year we went to war with Laughing Coffin, PoH and three others escaped." Taiki explained, horrified of what happened.
"Wow, no wonder you're so terrified." Renamon said sympathetic of her partner.
"I don't blame any of you for being so frightened." Gaomon said in agreement.
"Where is he?" Taiki said firmly.
"Are you serious?" Agil asked surprised.
"No, he's right, we've got to end this before it begins." Kirito agreed.
"I swear, you two." Asuna grumbled angered.
"Well, let's go hunting." Agil said, agreeing with the two.
"Let's go." Klein agreed.
"Do you need to ask if I'm in?" Falcomon said with a smirk.
"Despite my weakened form, I am still a member of the Olypmus XII, and this criminal must be brought to justice." Lunamon said, crossing her arms. Silica nodded in agreement.
"Well, then what are we waiting for?" Agumon asked with a smile.
"Asuna, obviously." Taiki smirked.
"I hate you all." Asuna groaned in annoyance, getting up.
The team headed out the door, unaware, a pair of black eyes with white pupils was observing this through the windows.
-Real World Izzy's house 12:12 PM-
"Kari's missing too?" Sora asked confused and frightened. Ken nodded, having gotten the same news from the Kamiya family. Naturally, the Japanesee team had an emergency meeting to discuss their next course of action.
"And from what Izzy's scans have picked up, it she's in the Dark Ocean." Ken explained horrified.
"Damn it," Matt groaned, then turned to Gatomon. "Didn't you once go to the Dark Ocean with TK?"
"That was a onetime thing," Gatomon said with a sigh, remorse filled her tone. "I doubt it would work again."
"And Ken used the last of his digivice's dark energies to banish Daemon there, so we can't use that to find her." Izzy said, looking over the black gadget in question.
"Terrific." Davis grumbled, annoyed.
"I take it Athena hasn't contacted you about this?" Matt asked Izzy.
"If she knows, she's not saying for good reason." Izzy admitted reluctantly. "Our cloning expert could do a lot of damage with the Dark Ocean."
"That's putting it mildly." Yolie groaned.
"The fact is, we have to find Kari." Ken declared, summing up everybody's thoughts.
"But we don't even know where to look." Cody reminded.
"That's not completely right," Matt brought up, then turned to Gatomon. "Didn't you and TK once get to the Dark Ocean at the beach?"
"Yeah?" The cat admitted confused.
"Then maybe there might be a trace of the Dark Ocean at the beach in town." Izzy admitted with a bit of hope. "I know it's been a few years, but it's a start."
"It's better than nothing." Joe agreed.
"Then let's go." Davis suggested, starting to sound upbeat. Everyone left, with Ken lagging behind a little bit.
"Something up?" Matt asked quietly, noticing the boy's discomfort.
"Do you think Tai's already aware of this?" Ken asked concerned and quietly.
This instantly got Matt's attention. "Why, because of what Athena said?"
"Something, just made me feel uneasy I guess." Ken admitted.
"Don't worry, we'll get them back." Matt said enthusiastically. "Kari, TK, and Tai." For once, Ken actually believed Matt. True in recent days, Ken ordinarily couldn't stand the sight of Matt or Sora, very few could. But something changed in Matt, maybe it had been TK's disaperance, or maybe it was this whole clone thing. But the fact remained, they had a real leader now.
"Let's go." Ken said determined.
-Aincrad Floor 19 Hill of the Cross 2:17 PM-
Despite being the middle of the day, the darkness covered the area. A thick layer of fog rolled over the area. The spooky setting really set a few of the Defenders off, especially being so close to Griselda's tomb.
"Can we please move on, this place gives me the creeps!" Asuna begged, completely horrified.
"Wuss." Lisbeth smirked, only for something to run past her leg. The results cause her to leap into Taiki's arms.
"Who's a wuss?" Asuna asked rhetorically.
"He's not here, I can't get anyone's scent." Gaomon admitted.
"We might as well pack it in." Klein said, seeing nobody in sight.
"So soon, but we were just about to play." A fiendish and bone chilling voice said with a wicked smirk. Everyone turned slowly to Griselda's tomb seeing the murder guild leader standing there. Most of his features were still hidden by the long black hooded cloak.
"Aw good, I needed something to hit." Taiki said, drawing his sword. Everyone soon followed suit, however Silica and Asuna were a little bit shaken.
"Cute, but don't think for a second I came alone." PoH said with a smirk. He then snapped his fingers and several ghost like Digimon swarmed the area.
"Bakemon, I hate these guys." Taiki groaned, remembering vividly Myotismon's rampage. Asuna timidly looked at her Digivice.
Bakemon
Level: Champion
Type: Ghost
Attribute: Virus
Attacks: Ghost Chop, Dark Claw, Poison Breath
"Really, this is how we're doing things?" Agil asked rhetorically.
"Of course, my vengeance will be at hand with my new army." PoH cackled venomously. "You players cost me my livelihood."
"You were killing players left and right, you had to be stopped!" Silica shot back with Pina growling in agreement.
"So what, if you love something, don't stop," The cloaked man shrugged. "Speaking of, get them!" The Bakemon quickly charged forward.
"Everyone!" Taiki bellowed, the Digimon nodded.
AGUMON DIGIVOLVE TO GEOGREYMON
HUCKMON DIGIVOLVE TO BAOHUCKMON
RENAMON DIGIVOLVE TO KYUBIMON
FALCOMON DIGIVOLVE TO PECKMON
LALAMON DIGIVOLVE TO SUNFLOWMON
GAOMON DIGIVOLVE TO GAOGAMON
LUNAMON DIGIVOLVE TO LEKISMON
The seven champion Digimon stood tall, ready to fight.
"Fox tail Inferno!" Kyubimon fired several of her fireballs, causing the ghosts to disperse momentarily.
"Zombie Breath!" Several Bakemon fired a toxic gas from their mouths.
"MEGA ROAR!" GeoGreymon repelled the attacks with his sonic blasts. The results created a large green smoke wall. Despite the smoke, the Bakemon still charged through.
"Damn, these things won't die!" Klein pointed out angrily as he slashed one Bakemon that got too close.
"Aren't ghosts by definition dead?" Agil pointed out, blocking one with his hammer. Gaogamon lunged at another one.
"You know what I mean." Klein shot back swinging his sword, deleting a Bakemon that got too close to Silica.
"Odd." Lekismon noted, somewhat confused.
"What's up?" Sunflowmon asked, slamming one Bakemon with her tail.
"There tactics and their movements, they haven't taken one decent shot." Lekismon pointed out. "And with this swarm, they should have had several openings."
"Something's up." Peckmon agreed, dodging a Dark Claw.
"PUT ME DOWN!" Asuna bellowed horrified as the Bakemon lifted her into the sky.
"I got what I wanted, now see ya losers!" PoH cackled as a few Bakemon grabbed him. The swarm quickly flew off, taking Asuna and PoH with him.
"Let's move!" Kirito said, getting on BaoHuckmon. Everyone partnered up and ran after the swarm of ghosts.
"Where's he taking her?" Gaogamon asked concerned.
"From the looks of things, Shadow Shrine, an old boss dungeon," Peckmon explained, remembering hearing about it from the other members of Fuurinkazan. "Not a friendly place."
"It must be where he's been hiding for so long." Lekismon said, putting things together.
"Then let's flush out a rat!" Kyuubimon said determined to rescue her partner.
"Let's go!" Everyone agreed in unison.
-Real World Kiriguya Dojo 2:25 PM-
Suguha continued her set of moves as the rain hit the dojo. For two long years she waited, prayed her brother would one day return.
Before doing anything else, Suguha paused a moment, and quickly turned, thinking she saw something. Only to see nothing at all.
"That doesn't make any sense." Sugu said quietly. Slowly she crept outside, her kendo stick in hand, intent on finding the culprit.
Turning the corner, Suguha slowly spotted what looked like a blue reptilian tail. "What?" Sugu charged, however she was now smelling sea salt.
"Can't lose focus, I have to find the intruder." Suguha said determined. Quickly she leapt, only to see nothing. "Ok, now I've gone crazy." It was here, Suguha heard somebody scream in horror. "KARI?"
Instinctively, she got on her bike and pedaled, her destination, the beach. Why, she didn't even know. But, she could feel a strange set of yellow eyes observing her.
-Shadow Shrine, same time-
Taiki and the others rushed through the halls of the shrine, fully intent on saving Asuna. To their surprise, they found Asuna lying in a small stone tablet.
Slowly, Asuna began to stir, letting out a small yawn. "Good morning." She said quietly.
"Asuna, what happened?" Kirito asked, rushing to her side.
"I took a very nice nap, thank you for asking." Asuna said, still drowsy. Kirito looked over her, and saw a familiar icon next to Asuna's health bar.
"She's been hit with a sleep status, Asuna's movements will be sporadic for a bit." Kirito explained.
"So we're here, where's our host?" Lisbeth asked confused.
"HUMANS, PREPARE TO DIE!" A ghastly voice said. Everyone turned to see another Bakemon, this time it was huge and wearing a large witch's hat that covered it's eyes. Klein took a look at his digivice.
Soulmon
Level: Champion
Type: Ghost
Attribute: Virus
Attacks: Necro Dance, End Trance
"Well, that's new." Taiki admitted with a shrug.
"You humans will never leave this place alive, End Trance!" A giant skull soon descended from the air above the team. Quickly everybody scattered to avoid it.
"Somebody hit that thing!" Taiki ordered.
"You got it, MEGA FLAME!" GeoGreymon fired a stream of fires at Soulmon. The ghost took the attack midway, only for the others to rush him.
"Burning Flame/ Fox Tail Inferno/ Sunshine Beam/ Kunai Wing/ Tear Arrow/ Spiral Blow!" Everyone fired their long ranged attack, which blasted Soulmon, but seemed to do no damage.
"Necro Dance!" Dark energy swirled around Soulmon and fired at the defenders.
"Taste another, and another!" Soulmon fired again and again, in hopes of destroying the humans.
"Try this, Horn Impulse!" GeoGreymon rushed through, head first. Only for the giant dinosaur to pass through Soulmon.
"Hello, I'm a ghost, you can't touch me." Soulmon cackled. "End Trance." The skull was about to slam into GeoGreymon, only for Taiki to slash it in half.
"You're not getting rid of us that easily." Taiki said with a smirk.
"What the hell is going to take this thing down?" Lisbeth asked confused. It was here, Silica noticed something odd in the shadows behind Soulmon. Acting on instinct, she rushed and pushed out a rather tiny Soulmon, while the big one vanished.
"What the hell?" Agil asked confused.
"Let me go you human filth, I wasn't going to let you delete me!" Soulmon ordered from Silica's grip.
"What nonsense do you speak?" Lekismon asked confused.
"The other Bakemon told me you humans and Digimon like to delete random Digimon, I was protecting myself." Soulmon shot back.
"The ones working for PoH?" Agil guessed.
"Who?" Soulmon asked confused.
"Basically, he's a murderer, and chances are he used you." Kirito explained flatly.
"Oh, I'm so sorry." Soulmon said, realizing his mistake.
"Water under the bridge short stuff." Taiki said, clearly seeing someone protecting their home.
Before anything else could be said, Asuna dropped to the ground again asleep.
"I'll get her." Kirito offered politely. It was here a large black portal opened up, sucking in everything it could.
"EVERYBODY JUST HANG ON!" Taiki ordered. The humans held their ground the best they could, but a large blast of light blinded them. With that, all the Digimon and humans in the room were sent into the portal.
From behind, PoH and Ranamon smirked venomously. "Now to restart Laughing Coffin."
Taiki slowly stood up, spitting out the sand in his mouth. Wait, sand? "Oh hell no, Agumon!" The lizard slowly stood up, seeing a strange form of grey and black as a light source.
"Everybody wake up!" Taiki ordered. All of the defender's Digimon had reverted back to rookie, with Soulmon brushing off his hat. The humans slowly stired with the Asuna's condition restored.
"Taiki, tell me we aren't where I think we are?" Asuna asked horrified.
"Yeah, we're in the dark ocean." Taiki gulped horrified.
-Aincrad Unknown location same time-
"A portal opened up now?" The cloaked figure asked confused. "I could use this."
AN: I am so sorry if this seems rushed. I'm going away for the weekend, see you then.