I do not own Sword Art Online or any of the characters.
Rematch
Michael sat at the bar and Agil passed him a drink. He sipped at it, staring at Agil's computer. When Kirito hadbsaved Asuna, killing ALfheim Online's game master in the process, whatever was left of Kayaba had given him something called the seed, which Kirito had entrusted to Agil. Agil had analyzed it and discovered that it was a program package that would allow anyone to create their own virtual world. Kirito had had Agil upload it, and within a week, dozens of VRMMOs were running, and ALfheim Online, which had been about to be shut down, was saved.
It had been roughly two months since the incident in ALfheim Online. They all still played, including Agil and Klein now, and Alfheim had gained an update that granted it skills and abilities like SAO had had. Michael, however, was more excited about another game that was gaining popularity. Gun Gale Online. It was an American game, an if Michael knew his home country like he thought he did, the name was exceptionally fitting.
"So how you been Michael?" Agil asked.
"Not bad," Michael shrugged. "You hear about Archon?"
"Yeah," Agil nodded. "Insanity. True enough but still."
Michael nodded. Archon had been transferred to a mental institution where he would have full access to an amusphere as a meathod of keeping him from harming anyone in the real world. Michael had run into Archon in ALfheim Online only once since and Archon had proceeded to attack Michael furiously. And had died doing it.
"So, you try any other games yet?" Michael asked.
"No," Agil said. "But I hear GGO is pretty popular."
"Same," Michael nodded. "I'm gonna play it soon, I think."
"If I know you, you're going to be delayed," Agil chuckled. "That place arrives at 11 tonight."
"For real?" Mjchael blinked.
"For real," Agil nodded. "Yggdrasil City."
"I'll be there," Michael grinned. "Now, can I borrow your laptop? I wanna make a copy of my character stats to transfer to GGO when i play it."
"Sure," Agil nodded passing him the computer. "Suppose you can get my ALfheim character to finally accept my SAO stats?"
"Sure," Michael chuckled, performing both tasks in minutes and giving the computer back just as Kirito and Asuna arrived with Leafa, or rather Suguha, just behind them.
Lizbeth passed out drinks and the party got started. Before too long though, Michael got a message. He opened it and saw it was through his ALfheim character and was from Eugene. After the events at the meeting, Eugene had actually gotten in touch with Michael and the two had gotten ito a kind of odd friendshjp. This message said that Eugene wanted to talk to Michael. Michael sighed and closed his phone, saying his goodbyes then left heading home and logging on, quickly flying to the usual meeting point where he and Eugene talked, and often where they left for any missions they wo4ked on together. Doing that was what had allowed Michael to get the green light armor chest plate he now wore below his coat. The armor increased his speed exponentially and his defense a good deal.
"So, what is it this time Eugene?" Michael asked.
"I wanted to talk about the surprise coming tonight," Eugene stated. "Since there's going to need to be a clearing guild, like there was in the original, I figured the strongest player should head it up. Unfortunately, Kirito turned the offer down. So that leaves you and me."
"All yours," Michael snorted. "I'm going to be splitting my time between this and Gun Gale Online. You lead the guild."
"Alright," Eugene nodded. "Then in that case, you're going to be second in command."
Michael couldn't help but laugh. He nodded the looked up at the sun.
"You know, I've been thinking lately," Michael grinned. "We haven't tested ourselves against each other for a while. And I want to test out my new armor."
Eugene laughed and drew Gram. Michael crouched, drawing his own sword, which he had never botherex fo replace, though Lizbeth had offered to make him a new one. Eugene took a step forward, sword glowing red. Michael laughed, leaping into the air over the first slash and spinning, his own sword blocking the second and instantly lighting up a bright blue. He flipped over Eugene and slashed at his bqck. Eugene spun, blocking the attack with the next step of his ability and a massive wall of ice spikes exploded off of Michael's blade, launching Eugene away, his health in yellow. Eugene stood, sprinting forward, not bothering with an ability. Michael ducked under the blade, rememberi g it's ability all too well. As he stood, he slahed at Eugene and Eugene blocked it, shovi g the blade away and alsashing at Michael. Michael managed to avoid being bisected but the gash still dropped his health to yellow.
"You've gotten a lot stronger," Michael noted. "New item?"
Eugene tapped his headband and it glowed red for a moment before the light faded. Michael nodded and sprinted forward, sword glowing green. Eugene met Michael's charge and slashed at him. Michael spun out of the way and slashed at Eugene. Eugene swept the sword aside then slashed at Michael again. Michael spun out of the way, slashing at Eugene's waist as he did. Eugene avoided is and Michael flipped backward as Gram crashed into the ground where he had been. Then, Michael sprinted forward again, slashing at Eugene again.
Eugene was a bit too slow this time and the sword slashed a small line into his armor but his health began to drain, refilling Michael's part way, leaving Eugene red and Michael green. Michael turned to him, sword glowing black and grinned.
"Oh not that one," Eugene groaned.
Michael stabbed the ground ans a wormhe appeared below them, flattening Eugene against the ground.
"I love gravity magic," Michael grinned.
Eugene began to push himself up, moving slowly, and Michael began forward, swapping his sword for his knives. Eugene stabbed the ground, the wormhole fading and then slashed at Michael. Michael barely avoided it and Eugene spun, slaahing again. Michael backed out of range then darted forward. At the last second, Eugene shouted, a fire barrier defending him, as he had done against Kirito. Eugene sprinted out of the smoke as Michael stood and both grinned. Michael hurled a knife just as Eugene split him hlin half. The knife missed Eugene by a milimeter and Michael sighed as Eugene revived him. Michael healed Eugene then smirked.
"That was fun," Michael grinned. I'm going to head over to Yggdrasil City and save then log out. See you in Aincrad."
Eugene nodded and Michael left, reaching Yggdrasil City in minutes.