Chapter 20: They're Back!

Disclaimer: I do not own Sword Art Online and Super Mario.

Vukso's P.O.V

That guy… anyway I've been relaxing these few days since I have nothing to do and I have no assignments from HQ so I'm trying to sleep the day off but it seems like I couldn't even nap… This is weird… I usually sleep in a split second whenever I try… There must be something wrong happening with my friends… Deira said that she'll be here as fast as she could but I haven't seen her ever since she went to do 'Bonding' time which is kind of out of her character… She's probably out there 'experimenting' like always…

Well… I really couldn't sleep so I decided to head out for a change… it'll be lively everyday if Havuki was still here… He died by that sorry excuse for an opponent, Ze… when I was making him go to a corner, he actually betrayed his comrade just for the sake of his escape… that bastard… I already swore that when I get the chance, I will murder him with my own hands just so I can be at peace by killing the murderer of Havuki… Ze shall die…

Anyway I got a message from Guild leader, Asuna… it's rare for her to message me so I looked at the message as soon as I got it… They were all captured in some kind of force?! Must be the doing of Scarlet Temptation… The message said that the cause was by Mishoro… Whoever he is, he's going down… I equipped my currently hybrid greatsword, Arbite then I went on my way. I don't know what's going on today but I'm sure I'll know soon… I've always wanted to try to use the true power of my new blade…

'Meh… I can't believe I have to go all the way back to the dungeon… that's the only teleportation area so it's such a pain… I wish Kayaba could at least add a new one in Floor 77 as an update or something…' I sighed. Not so long after, I was in the floor where HQ was stationed in. My eyes were probably playing tricks on me I hope… I saw most of my guildmates stuck in some kind of cage where they were trapped in… some of them were even knocked out but fortunately, they're all alive. The cage had spike sticking out so they couldn't get out… I quickly rushed to them.

"What happened to you all?!" My eyes widened as I saw them all trapped in some weird cage that had spikes inserting slowly each second… it was just inches away from stabbing them all. "Someone named Mishoro did some kind of skill on us… or he just used an item I never heard off…" Asuna muttered as she was trying very hard to not get stabbed by the blades. "Those blades poisonous?" I unsheathed my weapon.

"How does it look like, Vukso-san?~ That blade's almost gonna hit me on the back!" Seems like the mood-swinging brat, Koyero's trapped in there too. "Anyway, Asuna-san really did say right. Someone just made us all in this freaking cage with spikes… Looks something like Super Mario for some weird reason…"

'… Super Mario? How is that relevant with the situation they're in? They're trapped in some kind of cage and that Koyero says Mario… haha...' I did a mental facepalm. 'Anyway back to business… first off all… how to get them all out and how can I stop the Scarlet Temptation members from making havoc while I free them?'

It was until it finally hit me… what if I just called Tadaiku and Shino (Sinon) to do it? Wait a minute… will they even accept my plea? You know… Shino and I don't really mix when we were classmates… I think she still probably dislikes me but who can blame her? I was a very terrible person that time but now I changed… Anyway… as if she'll listen to what I have to say… I have to be a lone wolf on this one… No one even Koyero would give enough manpower if Kirito, Asuna and Havuki aren't here…

'Kuso… I guess all I can rely on is myself… No one will aid me in this one… Deira's probably in a situation of her own so she can't help me I guess…' I thought to myself as I started focusing on breaking the cage. 'What is this cage made of?! My attacks aren't even scratching it even if it's a hybrid sword that was made through forging my blade with Havuki's blade… No… I can't give in…' I kept trying.

"Please hasten the pace… I'm beginning to feel like I'm being stabbed on the leg and I'm almost going to get impaled by these things… I doubt that I and the others will last any longer…" Koyero had blood flowing from his mouth for reasons unknown. "I won't accept that I'll die here with everyone… I want to finish the game with Kirito-san and most of all… survive for Silica-chan…" More blood poured since the blades were beginning to impale him since he seemingly volunteered to be the closest to them.

So this is how most of the Knights of Blood guild members will die? No… I swear that will not happen. I must think of a way to remove them from the cage one by one… There's nothing that really crossed my mind so what should I do? Should I continue hopelessly attempting to break it or get some help? If I do get some help then it'll look like I'm abandoning them… I'm quite in a corner right here… This will make the Mercenary Guild have a bad reputation but worst of all some of my friends could die here…

"Kuso!" I made a barrage of hits on the cage but the result was the same… "How am I even going to do this?! Why must this game be so cruel?!" I had anger in my heart as I was still attacking the cage. "First Havuki and now this?! What do you want from me?! Just tell me!" I used Concealing Banisher on the cage but it made just a few scratches. "Now I'm really-" I was pulled back by someone. "Nani?" I turned back to see who it was.

"Long time no see! Vukso-san… hehe…" It was that sorry excuse for a fighter, Ze. "I've brought in a friend here so I hope you remember him. It's no other than that Klein guy that I fought last time. We have gotten control over your teammates Figo and Klein so I would like to see what you can even do to us." Ze smirked and chuckled.

"I see that I can finally show my hatred and my revenge to you, eh? You have just made the wrong mistake of confronting me… Klein won't be a problem… you probably just have offered or blackmailed him something…" My Arbite was ready to taste the blood of this player. "I won't let you defeat me or get past-" Klein suddenly slashed at me with incredible speed but he seemed more ominous with his katana since it was glowing with a dark aura just like what Figo's Dark Radiance appeared like last time.

"You won't be able to defeat Dark Radiance…" Klein sounded like he was possessed or something. "I will defeat you and force this power unto you so you will experience its greatness…" This guy wasn't like Klein at all anymore but in my mind it felt like I heard his say help me or something and I know that it wasn't just my imagination… he is against his will right now and I shall help him…

2 against 1… this was the usual tactic of Ze… He was Level 91 now while I'm Level 93 which I achieved not so recently. Klein was already Level 90 so this may prove to be a challenge for me… I made some new moves for my new weapon instead of the Diminishing skills and Banishing skills… I added the Concealing skills to my skill tree so that I could surprise my old opponents and surpass my new ones… The Concealing skills focus a bit on the hit and run strategy but it mostly in quick weak attacks which is quite good for heavy weapons like mine.

"You're just going to die Vukso… you've beaten me and Ku and also me and Havuki but you can't possibly beat me and a vessel of Dark Radiance all alone… this game will kill you this instant…" Ze taunted until some shadowy figure went to my side, surprising me. "N-Nani?! That's impossible! I have already slain you and now you have come back?!" Ze stomped something out of anger.

"Sorry I'm late Vukso-san… I couldn't help but hide for the time being for the time wasn't right yet… I am now Level 94 so I hope I can really help you out now, my nakama…" It was Havuki carrying a scythe with his eyes giving an assuring stare and as usual his lower face was covered with a bandana (lower-face mask) and also his scythe's name is Redemption. "I will assist you now and onwards for I'm alive again thanks to Figo-sama and I will snap him out of his trance next time after I help you."

It seems like this is an even match now since the four of us will be fighting and plus, Ze wouldn't be able to slack off while fighting us since he knows the power of Havuki and I together. We won't be an easy force to defeat so he'd better keep his guard up or he may just make his air head severed… I will still not forgive what he has done… The only problem was that we had a limit… We had to defeat both of them before everyone in the cage will get impaled by the cage's blades.

Kirito's P.O.V

I didn't pay much attention to the time but due to the atmosphere of the area, I can say that Rujikiho and I have been fighting for 2 hours now… It seems like we couldn't make much progress in terms of fighting since we were both highly skilled in using the blade and parrying each other. I used a crystal just before I fell to poison and paralysis so I'm good. Zero gave me some healing crystals and the crystals that take off the paralysis and poison effect since he also knows their method of fighting. Make the opponent fall to the effect then mercilessly kill them… that's what their harsh method is.

"Kirito-san… I admit that you're good but I won't let you slide so easily… I will gain my revenge for what you have done to my master! You and Figo killed him!" Rujikiho flipped away, avoiding a hit. "Forgiveness is a word but I don't know how other people do it… How can they forgive someone that has just killed someone very important to that very person's life?!"

"it's because they see good in that person because they know they did the wrong thing so that is why people repent." I clashed with sword by sword then I managed to give a small cut on his cheek with Elucidator. "I'm sure your master has accepted the fact that he died and forgave Figo and I… I may not have clearly shown it but I'm guilty for what I have done…"

"That doesn't excuse it…" Rujikiho suddenly threw some kind of powder at me then kicked me aside. "This powder should help me give you the divine punishment that I have always been waiting for! I will rip you to shreds and I will happily say that I was the one who defeated the Black Swordsman…"

Right after he made that weird powder on me, I suddenly felt quite weaker like I became back to Level 80's. Whatever that powder is, I must be more cautious or else he may make more on me resulting to me getting even weaker. From what I heard from Zero, he told me that they had a new weapon that they bought when the update was done. It was called Crystal Powder if I remember. It weakens the consumer so it is a dangerous weapon since even one touch can weaken you to it since it goes inside not outside. Luckily, it wears off after 2 minutes… I think.

The thing about getting weakened was true. My Starburst Stream and Morning Star skills weren't giving him much damage to worry about while the attacks he gave me made me get a major drop in HP. This item in the update isn't really helping the victims of their guild so I wonder what Kayaba's planning this time… What could he be planning if he made an item that can help in defeating other players? It's also good for weaker players but it only works against players and not bosses… The updates are really getting mixed-up now.

"How does it feel to be hopeless, Kirito?! That's the exact emotion I had when you killed him! I felt like I lost everything until Tomomi-sempai plotted and devised a plan to subdue the stronger players first…" Rujikiho told me as we were clashing our blades. "First we made Figo controlled by his Dark Radiance then we took away Klein, Wukure's in battle, Vukso and that other guy as well and finally we've subdued Asuna the Flash… and now it's only you left… the only stronger one left in the game that's in Knights of Blood…"

'They got Asuna?! What did they do to her?' I paused like time has stopped for a brief moment. "What have you done to Asuna…? Answer me." I held the hilt of my dual blades harder than usual. "If you did anything to hurt Asuna then…" I muttered in an intense tone.

"Don't worry Kirito… She's practically dead already! No one escapes the cage that Mishoro makes! All of your teammates will die and so will you… No mercy will be given to any guild in SAO… No exceptions will be given to them…" He seems to be trying to taunt me and it's working… I can't take this anymore… "We will finish SAO and our guild name will be world-known as the strongest then our dream in the real world will be real…"

"You still haven't answered me… what have you done to Asuna…?" I repeated as I landed a kick on his chest causing him to fall and both my blades acting like scissors, threatening to slice his head… Lucky for him… it won't kill him in one shot… "I don't want to kill a player even if they're part of the red guild but if you contributed in the attempting to kill her… then I won't hold back. I ask you the same question." I warned him with a threat.

Time seemed to have slowed down once more but this time it was actually in my mind and not in SAO. It seems like my consciences are having quite the argument. I really don't feel like myself after knowing what I'm about to do to Rujikiho… something inside of me snapped and now it seems like my words aren't even from myself. Seeing those two people arguing who's probably my two consciences, I slowly approached them.

"Oi! We're having a slight argument as your consciences so tell us right now…" The more emo one muttered to me. "What will you choose? Kill him or not? Those are the only choices right now since whichever thing you say will activate the next event where you really will do that chosen action." The cheerful one smiled.

"Eto… I really don't know but I don't want to kill him… all I want to know is if Asuna is alright or not… I really don't want her hurt…" I grimaced as I told my answer. "Rujikiho may be evil a bit I guess but he has a reason for his behavior. He experienced the death of his master so I really can't blame him for that. I'll feel just the same when that happens to someone that's important to me…"

Then all at once, I was sucked back to reality. I was in the same situation where my blades were about to cut of his head. Instead of me slicing him, I just kicked him hard then used Embracer to make him blown away and get knocked to the ground. He staggered up but stood up, panting heavily since he may have thought that I would really kill him right there right now with no hesitation but I managed to find myself and remembered that I wasn't like them… I am not going to kill him… all I can do is capture.

"Hehe… it seems like this is your lucky day… I have to go back to HQ but don't think I'm running away just because I'm losing… I'm doing this to begin phase 2 of our plan… I will return and defeat you when I get the chance… Kirito…" He teleported before I attempted to subdue him. "You will see the true intention of us someday Kirito… you will see power and fear coursing through…" A voice appeared in my head but it quickly disappeared not so later.

I looked around, making sure his presence isn't here anymore and it really was gone then I remembered about him saying that they subdued Asuna so I quickly used a crystal but the floor negated the teleporting effect so I had to go all the way back... manually. I began sprinting but monsters blocked my path as if this part was scripted or something. They were really good in slowing down since it took me 10 seconds to kill 3 but there were loads of them surrounding… I must get out of this thing quick and save Asuna and the others…

Quorora's P.O.V

When I came back, Yumi was knocked out and was on the bench. I ran to her to check and fortunately she still had a pulse… I thought there was an effect happening to her making her like this but actually she was just unconscious from it seems like a bash from the shield. I sighed in relief but I slipped right after I took 2 steps. I slipped since it seems like there was some wet clothing on the ground but the question was where it came from… I looked around but all there was were trees and that place that we were in not too long ago.

The wind made my hair straight and going to the right since the west wind seems to have been common in this floor. I was wearing my casual clothing right now since it's been reported that this floor wasn't so much infested so it's safe. My clothing was actually a kimono since that was the only thing I could find in my guild… why did Figo-sempai leave a kimono in my closet I wonder… anyway this was the only thing that seemed appropriate in my closet so I took it.

I was carrying Yumi so I could bring her to her home with Hozume. It was on Floor 30 so it wasn't that hard to carry her since she was light. She was also wearing casual clothing so that explains the lightness. That hit from the shield really made her out… she still hasn't snapped out of her unconsciousness and is still with her eyes closed. I wonder how their fight ended…

"Hozume…-san…" Yumi muttered while I was carrying her so it seems like she's half-conscious now. "Where are we? Where is Zero? I haven't settled it just yet…" She coughed.

"Yumi-san… you mustn't push yourself any longer… you're about to reach your limit. You may not notice but I see that you've been looking stressed these days…" I worried. "Whatever Zero was looking for, we'll let it be for now until you're back to your best. You are not in the condition to fight a player for now. The training we had together was getting too rough and I should've noticed it sooner…"

"Don't think that way Quorora-san… Figo was perfectly fine after he took that hit from that glitch monster… He just came back from his own training but I'm sure he's fine after protecting us from that uncommon event…" She tried assuring me but it didn't work. "I may have gotten hit by it but my wound is well… even if it's still there, it doesn't hurt but it shows no sign of disappearing though. I'm not sure why there was a glitch that time but now I know that the SAO game is seemingly breaking apart… Kayaba's probably working on repairing though so there's that to expect…"

"Anyway… I'm bringing you to your house since you need the rest." I laid her on her bench which was just outside her house.

"Wait… How about Hozume-san?! Where is he, Quorora-san?" She looked around, looking very grim.

"I'll investigate his whereabouts for you so please just stay here, Yumi-san… Hozume-san and Figo-sempai will be found by me… Where are they I wonder…" I began walking away.

"Nai… I will not let you do it by your own-" She slipped and her wound from the glitch was revealed to be on her right leg.

"See, Yumi-san? I won't let you fight anymore while I'm here… you have already done too much. I'm taking my leave now…" I refused once more and walked away, leaving her on her bench where she decided to agree and take some sleep to attempt to heal the glitch wound. I went to the floor where HQ was.

"Quorora…" I heard someone call me from afar but all I could see was someone in a dark aura. I was still walking to HQ but this figure appeared.

"Who's there?" I calmly grabbed hold of my spear as I looked at my surroundings. 'Why do I get this weird feeling like this person calling is someone I know?' I softly bit my lip.

"I have already spread this power to Klein who is Level 90 and now I shall give the power to you… you are now Level 88…" I knew who it was now… but why? "I, your leader Figo shall generously give you the said power…" He was wearing his usual uniform for our guild which was a cloak and a brown tunic underneath.

"Nanidai?! What happened to you Figo-sempai?! I thought that you were just investigating the new Floor 82 which was opened when Scarlet Temptation defeated Floor 81…" My heart sank as I saw that the Figo I knew seemed like he became a full-time Scarlet Temptation member. "Did you join them again? I thought that you and Wukure swore that you'll both never join again… you said that Scarlet Temptation was tearing the relationship of the three of us…"

"I haven't joined them again… I'm just using my newfound power to forge a path for the three of us… if we assist them then we may just finish SAO and return the life that was taken away from us…" His eyes glowed red as he gave a grin at me. "Quorora, accept the power… I do now wish to force this to you but if I must fight then I will… When we get out of SAO, we'll be all back to normal anyway!"

'This isn't Figo-sempai at all… he wanted to finish SAO honestly and be with his friends… but now he wants to assist a red guild to do that goal… Scarlet Temptation must've used something on him to make his Dark Radiance take over… The true Figo would always stay in the good path and evade the wrong one… Figo-sempai was always there for me and so was Wukure… Real World or Game World, they're always there to aid me… and now I must do it back… I will make Figo-sempai back to his old self and not his evil self…' I was determined then I looked at him in the eye.

"I see… so you want to do it rough, eh?" He seemed to not like to have been left with the decision to fight me. "I really didn't want to fight you among all people but if you won't just accept it then I'm left with no option but to use force…" He unsheathed his blade then grabbed his sheathe with his left hand then the dark aura became stronger.

"I will make you back to the Figo-sempai I knew… the Figo-sempai that promised to protect me with all it takes that day and promised to be with me and Wukure like we were family…" I shuddered with sadness but we clashed, spear versus sword and sheathe. "The one that would always become grim whenever one of us would be gone… and the one that inspired me to go back to high-school when my twin sister died…" We continued clashing but sadness was still in my mind until a flash of light in my mind appeared. The only one that knew the death of my sister was me since I never told Figo but it seemed like my sister had a boyfriend when she was still alive but I never knew who it was since she died…

Past Quorora's P.O.V

-flashback-

I was still in middle-school when that accident happened to my sister… we were twins but the one who died first was her… she died by a truck accident and I'm the only one among my friends who knows about it since I haven't told them… I haven't even told my two childhood friends, Figo and Wukure about it… We were friends ever since we were toddlers so we know each other very well. I couldn't stop thinking about it for she was my sister and we were amazingly close to each other…

I haven't gone to high-school for a month now… I think the teachers find it understandable but it seems like their patience is beginning to run low. Depression is just an understatement for what I'm feeling right now… I feel broken and some part of me that can't be healed is within… Figo and Wukure usually visit me at the afternoon but that still doesn't cut it… My emptiness became worse as the time came… It was then that Figo was the only one to visit me this time on a Monday. Why was he here? There was school today if I remembered correctly…

"Why are you here? It's a Monday today… Ushara-san?" I muttered as I continued looking out the window and to the lawn which was the location where we held her funeral and where we buried her.

"Eh? I already told you to call me by my first name since we're friends… You've been calling me and Wukure by our last names ever since she died. Quorora-san please cheer up already. " He held out his hand. "If you wish then I will be with you in every step to make sure you're ok… I'm sure your sister wants to see you happy and so do we…"

"I need time Ushara-san… you wouldn't understand the feeling of losing a family member since you never experienced it since none of them died yet…" I reminded him. "Stop being all mushy when you're trying too… it makes me feel awkward and something like that…"

"Quorora-san… I'm your best friend and you know that and best friends don't like seeing each other like this. I may not look like it but I already experienced feeling like that." He made me confused when he said that he already experienced something like this. "I feel incomplete if one of my friends seems to not want to exist anymore… if I didn't have any friends like you then my life will just be bland and predictable… So I'm saying that Wukure and I are incomplete without you since you're our childhood friend and we promised that time that we'll back each other up when one of us is feeling down."

"Ushara-san…" I had tears on my eyes. "You really did remember that promise that I thought you both forgotten… Why haven't I realized sooner? That either one of you remembered that promise we had… no… pinky promise… we had. It was when the three of us were toddlers so I thought the both of you would forget."

"How could Wukure and I ever forget that? If I couldn't forget the times Wukure kept scaring me with his weird 'Ojou-sama' laugh before then how could I forget the promise?" He shivered as he said the part with Wukure in it. "Anyway forget about that 'Ojou-sama laugh' part since I still remember it clearly like it just happened recently. Quorora-san, the class misses you already. Whenever it was art class I accidentally… paint you…" He turned away, obviously regretting what he said but he looked kind of kawaii with that expression~.

"I see… so you're telling me to go back to school again, Ushara-san? I'll think about it so please go back to school." I smiled. "Anyway… Figo-sempai… Arigato gozaimasu for everything… I appreciate every attempt you and Wukure attempted when I was feeling down because of it…"

"That's what friends are for right? I'll always be there to assist you in any way I can so it's no problem, Quorora-san. I guess you're right though. I really have to go probably now since History-sensei may kill me…" He laughed nervously. "We call him that since… you know… he's amazing in teaching so we name him by his subject itself. It wasn't some kind of insult we were doing if you're thinking."

"Ok then… you may go, Figo-sempai. I'll just change to my attire I guess." I went upstairs, leaving him then he probably left already. 'Why do I feel queasy whenever he tells me stuff like that? I wonder if I really should go back… He was really determined to bring me back so should I? The others as well… so I think I should but what if they remind me of her? It'll make me even more depressed… I'll get some sleep and think about it…' I thought then I slept soundly on my futon.

The next day…

I have decided from my sleep that I will go back. I must say… the pathway towards school seems to have changed in just one month or it was because my school was a different one from my previous one. Anyway at least I knew the way. So far, the day seemed average though since it was a sunny day with no one to walk with… just like the first day of school scene. If you ask me what's my usual hobby when I'm alone then my answer would be playing the flute. I'm pretty decent in it but everyone else thinks otherwise and says that I'm masterful in using the instrument.

I practiced playing it ever since I was a toddler so that might explain it. I still remember the kawaii faces of Figo-sempai and Wukure-san every time I play in front of them when we were toddlers. I was walking to school, across a road until a déjà vu moment happened. I saw a truck driving towards me even if the stop light for vehicles was red. I couldn't move… it felt like I was now physically my sister in that moment. The truck came closer and closer with no sign of stopping so I slowly closed my eyes, awaiting my inevitable fate until…

"Quorora-san!" Figo came rushing through a crowd, shoving people away and kept running towards me. "I won't let this happen!" He pushed me to safety but the word safety did not describe his fate since he was the one with the fate instead. "I'm glad you're safe… Quorora-san…" He muttered as he was crashed by the truck.

"Figo-sempai!" My eyes widened in terror as he was pushed about 15 meters away by the force of the truck. "No… this can't be… why does history have to repeat itself at this time and why does it have to be Figo sempai…? No… I can't accept this… I can't!" I had tears as I fell on the ground, knees first.

"Ohayo, Quorora-san! It seems like you're going to school again." Wukure cheerfully patted my shoulder. "Why do you look quite pale? Did you sleep on the wrong side of the bed? Or did you have a bad daydream?"

"Figo-sempai got crashed by a truck! Why aren't you helping him, Wukure-san?!" I felt weak. "I thought you promised to both of us to help us even in a crisis that can endanger your life! Why didn't you save him…?"

"Nani? I'm right here, Quorora-san. We picked you up from your house not too earlier but you seemed to have spaced out so we led you already here. We'll be in school in no time in this pace." He told me "Wukure's right though… you seem pale while you were spacing out… did you really have a bad daydream? You don't have to worry since Wukure and I are here to comfort you when you feel down since we are nakamas."

"That accusation hurt ya know… It was a big 'ouch' to me physically and mentally…" Wukure frowned. "I can't blame you though. Déjà vu can make people accuse easily anyway. The truth was that the truck was just inches from crashing to you but we managed to pull you just in time… That crazy truck driver… did he even know how to drive and how big that truck is?!"

So it was all just a tragic fantasy that made me think that way or was it actually true and it happened somewhere in the past? I never knew more of the truck thing as school started since I needed to focus. I feel very nervous though… could this be a sign that something terrible to happen to Figo soon like it was foreshadowing or is it just pure coincidence? I needed to know but I still had no idea what happened to that truck that time. I was in Algebra class with Figo and Wukure so I really needed to focus since numbers aren't really good for me since I'm not that good in them but I'm really good in Literature I guess.

The time after school was pretty open since I didn't have so many plans but Figo and Wukure made me go to Figo's house to hang out I guess. Figo's younger sister was Ushara Deira. She's a girl with purple hair and pink eyes but I'm not sure if that's her true hair color though. Figo's hair was black so it either means that their father had black hair and their mother had purple hair or vice versa or she just dyed it. I still wonder what the real reason is but I never had the courage to speak to his sister though. I also see two other people but all I can say is that their names are Vukso and Havuki and I have nothing else to say.

"Why are we here again, Figo-sempai, Wukure-san?" I questioned.

"Well… we're here to celebrate the 'welcome back' part for you so that you'll be at least a little happier." Figo answered.

"Hai! I made some cake!" Wukure grinned.

"Why am I even invited?" Deira protested.

"Well…" I couldn't answer.

"It's because this is our house and we're siblings." Figo muttered.

"How about us then?" Vukso pointed at himself and Havuki.

"…" Havuki just stared at open space.

"Let's just start the party people! Wukure's beginning to feel impatient…" Wukure raised up a piece of cake, signalling the start.

"Tsk… luckily I have nothing to do." Deira finally obliged.

"Luckily Havuki and I like cake." Vukso crossed his arms and went with Havuki to the cake station.

"I hope you enjoy the little party I planned. Quorora-san." Figo smiled at me.

"Hai…" I suddenly flustered.

"Nani?! Are you feeling sick, Quorora-san?" He touched my forehead.

"Eto… Arigato gozaimasu for everything everyone…" I raised my head and smiled.

"Hehe… that's the spirit!" Wukure chuckled.

"Yeah… I had nothing to do with this but ok…" Deira seemed to have laughed secretly.

"…" Vukso and Havuki were eating cake together.

"It's no problem, Quorora-san." Figo held my hand and led me to a chair.

"F-Figo-sempai!" I blushed.

"I was just kidding. Enjoy yourself." He gave me a drink and smiled.

This was the best party I ever had. With my friends and the people I don't know much about. Wukure kept eating cake but he gave me a piece of it and playfully winked and whispered to me about the Ojou-sama laugh that made me giggle. Everything else that happened here was just a bonding of friends and acquaintances. I will never forget this moment.

-End of flashback-

Quorora's P.O.V

"That is why I want to bring the old Figo back!" My spear suddenly seemed to have glowed for a split second making Figo seem to have staggered. "I may just be Level 88 and you are Level 94, I will bring him back even it costs me an arm or leg or even my life!" I clashed with him once more but with more willpower.

"Y-You have this skill?! I thought Zero was the only one that had it since I thought it was a unique skill but it was actually not?! You have it too… so could it be that it's a twin special skill?" Figo seemed to have become frightened which I didn't know the reason about. "The more I hit, the stronger you become when in terms of attacking but it only works once per attack…" He bit his lip and used Dark Radiance.

"No you don't…" I spun my spear to ward of the darkness and jabbed him on the left arm, making him drop his sheathe. "I will bring you back to the light, Figo-sempai." I clashed with him continuously then we backed away.

"I guess I have no other choice…" His darkness made a big dome that seems to prevent escape if necessary. "I must get serious!" The darkness darkened as he made a barrage on me that almost caught me off-guard.

"No… I won't let you…" I blocked the hits with my spear but some hit me, resulting to a small HP drop. "I will not let this darkness overcome the Figo I once knew. I will not let you disappear from my life, Figo-sempai! I will not let you go to the wrong path because the three of us promised to bring someone going wrong back to the right path!" I charged as we clashed once more but he managed to pick up his sheathe again… then we continued.

Zero's P.O.V

I was currently in Floor 40 approaching the domain where Sinon and Tadaiku live in. In between a forest and cave, eh? I don't really understand the in between part but I get the underground part. The only problem was if both of them really are there. Anyway I probably should stay in a good composure since they may think I'm part of a shady group like Scarlet Temptation since I'm wearing a full-face mask and a black jacket with a black hoodie. I unequipped my attire and went in a more socializing attire. It was a normal red T-shirt but I made my lower clothing the same. I also tied a bandana around my waist like it was a belt so this should do.

I remembered it was underground so if I stomped hard, will it reveal their hideout? Worth a shot I guess. I harshly stomped on the ground until I fell into a hole of some sort. Luckily, it wasn't that big of a fall. I also can't believe that I got the exact location of the area in my first time. It was a decent place they had here… It seems like they made their own separation with each other to prevent any 'business' I guess. Tadaiku seems to be on the left part while Sinon was in the right part. When I say part, I mean big room.

Where could they be? I haven't seen either Tadaiku or Sinon yet. Could they be possibly hiding from me? For what reason could they be doing that for… I walked around their domain, hoping I could find them but all I found were traps but don't underestimate the leader of the Investigators Guild. I easily made my way through them and went deeper to their domain. I only noticed now that they made an underground tunnel right over south I guess…

I went in it and you wouldn't believe how long the tunnel was… It looked like it was even changing the Floor already. I continued exploring this interesting cave until I finally saw light but that was quickly changed when I noticed I was in Floor 82… How did they make a tunnel that makes you go all the way from Floor 40 to Floor 82?! Aren't the Floors stacked up on each other? I caught a glimpse of someone with brown hair so that was probably Tadaiku. I secretly followed them so I could really verify if they were Tadaiku and Sinon or not.

This was my perspective on their conversation:

"Sinon-san, are you sure their base is here? Kirito-san and the other rumored that their base was in Floor 81 and not here." Tadaiku doubted the directions Sinon was giving.

"Trust me… Rumors are usually false so I can't trust them. If you think the rumors are true then go to Floor 81 yourself because I am investigating this floor." Sinon glared slightly but she was still walking with him, shooting down any flying monsters.

"I see… I don't like to abandon you so I must stay." He quickly responded.

"That's what you always say whenever we get into some argument about our task. You always go with me later, don't you?" She sighed as Tadaiku impaled some monsters.

"Well… it's against my nature to argue with women… especially since that incident that keeps happening in my family… I never could win an argument with one." Tadaiku admitted as he seemed to have saddened.

"I guess I can believe that… since you never fight with me even if you find the path we're taking dangerous. Anyway we can survive it since we're high-levelled." Sinon sounded confident in her words.

"Well not to argue but you may not want to act like that since if you do, you may encounter some glitch or something like what happened to Yumi, Quorora and Figo." Tadaiku said.

"A glitch? Don't underestimate me. I won't get any glitches. I know I won't because you're here with me plus I can handle it myself as well." Sinon assured him that seemed to have just made him even more worried. "Plus… I know someone's there… show yourself, whoever you are."

'I knew that she'd find out about my location sooner or later. No reason for hiding now.' I revealed myself to both of them. 'Should I go straightforward with my questioning or should I make it stay hidden for now then tell them late? Decisions take time but as a leader, decisions must be swift.'

"Hello, let me introduce myself before anything else. I am Zero, the leader of the Investigators Guild and I would want to question you both about something important so I hope that both of you will cooperate with me for this can change the fate of SAO players." I explained to them first so they can know the gravity of this event. "All I want to know from one of you is the location of Yokoshiro Hozume… the reasons cannot be told but I need it so I can arrest this person."

"A warrant of arrest? Please tell us first why you want to arrest him. We may not look like it but his guild and we are quite close to an alliance so we will not rat out one of our fellow teammates." Tadaiku rejected my idea and waited. "I might not be able to win an argument with a woman but I will not let a friend go to jail with no reason given to others… I will not let you know. Right, Sinon-san?"

"I agree with you on that Tadaiku. No one should ever go to jail without a revealed reason. Tell us the reason and we may just tell his location." Sinon told me as well. "I don't really know him that much but I know that he is an ally and allies must never betray each other."

"Fine! You want me to tell you all the reason for his arrest?!" I wore my mask and jacket again. "It is because he is the real leader of Scarlet Temptation and he is also responsible for numerous deaths in SAO and also in the real world. The deaths in SAO have now increased to 350 by them and 35% of the deaths but no one knew it was actually him until I got some data that told me about his bio."

"L-Leader?" Tadaiku stared at me in disbelief. "How can he be the leader? I think you're lying. He never looked like he had the intention to hurt anybody. Sinon-san, do you think what he's saying is the truth? I know that you have the ability to analyse more than me."

"You don't seem to have any sign of lying but like what Tadaiku said, he doesn't seem to have any intention of hurting anyone… unless…" Sinon started analysing.

"Exactly… he lost his memory like Yanaihara Koyero… it seems like these two are linked to something but I can't put my finger on it… I also checked his bio but there was nothing there… so his past must be completely forgotten…" I nodded. "This is dangerous… if it's something like that then they must be in their HQ having a situation."

"What are we waiting for? Let's go then so we can assist…" Sinon followed me along with Tadaiku.

"Not if we can stop you all." A voice came from far away. "Hai Hai… we won't let you all get away easily…"

"I see someone's here…" Tadaiku unsheathed his Zweihander. "You two go ahead, I'll take care of this. Just be careful, Sinon-san…" Tadaiku charged at the figure which was revealed to be a man of average height and the Level of 95, just the same as Tadaiku. His player name was Yusharo.

"Fine… we'll see each other there. I trust that you'll defeat him." Sinon and I continued sprinting towards the area.

"We'll not let you through… Gomenosai…" A woman in a Yukata giggled. "For our plan to work, we must separate the powers and defeat you all one by one. I, Tomomi shall defeat you both…" She was Level 94

"I can take her on… even if I'm Level 92, doesn't mean I'll lose to her so go." Sinon muttered. "Don't even ask if I'm sure… The people in their guild need you more than I need you… Tadaiku should come here soon so don't worry…" Sinon unsheathed her bow and began firing flurry of arrows.

"Fine… if you say so…" I went to the teleportation area. "Kuso… they were right… the powers are being separated one by one for one on one battles… I will not allow their plans to succeed and I will arrest Yokoshiro Hozume to make peace in SAO… I salute the bravery of Tadaiku and Sinon… even if Sinon was a lower level… she forced me to go… I will come back for them after I help the people in the guild…"

"Gomen but all I can do is slow you down I guess…" A guy with formal silver hair came to attempt to slow me down I guess. "I am Ku. I may be just Level 85 but at least I can buy Scarlet Temptation some time by doing this…" He activated Last Resort and began fighting me.

"Kuso! Get out of my way! I don't have time for this!" I bashed him with my Shieldblade but he countered with his blade and looked at me. "I have no time to fight someone like you… I have to help the Knights of Blood Guild… they're in grave danger with betrayals and trickery!"

"I told you I'm here to slow you down so there are no excuses for me doing this." He leaped and jumped on my head. "Gomen for fighting though… The Two Kazes…" He suddenly became quicker and more agile.

"Must make a quick win for them… I have no other choice…" I raised my shield and removed the blade. "Twin Skill: Twin Shield Empowerment…" My shield grew one more blade on the center then I inserted my blade on it again. "Now the real fun begins…" I grinned then charged.

Battles and Results so far:

Kirito V.S Rujikiho- Kirito technically wins since Rujikiho retreated.

Wukure V.S Okasa- in progress

Vukso and Havuki V.S Ze and Klein (Dark Radiance)- in progress

Tadaiku V.S Yusharo- in progress

Sinon V.S Tomomi- in progress

Quorora V.S Figo (Dark Radiance)- Quorora is getting powered up by her willpower resulting to her becoming a bit on par but not quite.

Hozume V.S Mishoro- Mishoro wins and brings Hozume away after knocking him out but not killing him.

Deira V.S Tukorop- A battle that will test the master V.S student gap will occur next… after all the other battles end…

Zero V.S Ku- It's obvious who would win but will the obvious be the unexcpected or not?

Extra Scene: Christmas Special!

Description: This scene will be an alternate universe where the characters have finally finished SAO and have now moved on into ALO or Alfheim Online. This is a Christmas Special where only some characters will appear because lack of page space. This series will continue until it is ended so don't worry! The other characters may join in as a result if the Extra Scenes will continue like this.

Now let's start with the P.O.V of one of the main characters of my story, Yanaihara Koyero!

Koyero's P.O.V

Nya~ Koyero here and I finally did one of meh dreams~ to be a neko! Anyway I'm in ALO, using the Cait Sith race, Nya~. Anyway I should probably stop saying Nya~ now since it may be annoying you… Anyway, to the point. It is currently Christmas here in ALO so I hope there's mistletoes~. Like what a neko suggests, I have cat ears and a cat tail~. New Aincrad seems to be almost the same with the old one but it still holds dear memories of mine Nya~. I only usually see Silica-chan and Sinon-san though since they're the same race as me. The others are pretty much in different races.

Kirito-san, Tadaiku, Zero and Figo-san are Spriggans, Vukso and Havuki are Salamanders, Lisbeth and Deira-san are Leprechauns, Quorora is a Puca, Asuna is a Sylph (Asuna had two accounts: Undine and Sylph) That's all I practically know though since… I'm only here playing with yarn~ but I'm good in fighting here still anyway. I still use a Zweihander but when the time is right I use my claws or do I?

I finally stopped playing with yarn so I could go visit Kirito-san so I think he's playing in New Aincrad… I do hope I find him. I'm okay in magic but I'm better in using swords. I was right, Kirito was there talking to some people and of course he's with his wife-in-game, Asuna (who was in her Sylph account.) I sprinted to them on all-fours but they seemed to have noticed me. Luckily there are mistletoes and Silica-chan is here~ and Sinon-san. Actually only a very few were here. Even Pina the second was here… or was it the original one?

"Kirito-san!" I glomped him from behind making him instinctively punch me. "Ouch Nya~… You meanie… did you really have to punch me?" I made the kitty face which I always wanted to do.

"Eh? Gomen Koyero I didn't know it was you. You really shouldn't glomp people from behind when they're talking." Kirito sighed. "What did you want anyway, Koyero? If it's something about yarn, it's all in that treasure chest since I kind of predicted that you'll use Cait Sith because of your obsession with string."

"I knew you'd go here soon, Koyero… I was just about to test my accuracy by putting an apple on Kirito's head from 200 meters away and hitting it without hitting his head." Sinon's cat ears twitched as she stared at me. "Perhaps you can take his place. I don't really want to risk him all that much since this bow was made from Lisbeth of the Leprechaun race but now it has been upgraded with Twin Smithing so it should be able to go 300-400 meters or to make it sound less impossible, 250-300."

Kirito was giving me a mental message that said 'Good Luck' since it seems like Sinon-san won't take no as an answer. Silica-chan seemed to have been looking at me with a flustered expression for reasons unknown while Asuna-san was just sitting down, watching what will happen next. I accepted since there's no way out. I'll taste the wrath of Sinon in either way anyway so why should I stall the pain? She will definitely aim for my kitty face. She's a Cait Sith too but man her arrows go very far.

"Fine… but please don't hurt my face too badly…" I closed my eyes as I purred, waiting for it. "Crack!" The arrow precisely hit the middle of the apple and not the middle of my face in my relief. "I thought you were going to kill me Sinon-san, Nya~ T_T" I was in very deep relief.

"So you're saying my Archery is off and bad?" She glared at me with them creepy cat eyes.

"No! I t was just that I was very nervous all and all and I just wanted to go mistletoe with Silica-chan!" I explained myself resulting to an awkward silence.

"Wow…" Sinon facepalmed.

"N-Nani?! What's that supposed to mean… Koyero…" Silica had an extremely flustered expression.

"Anyway I… uh…" I tried looking for an excuse.

"…" Silica was blushing like crazy which looked cute with that kitty face since Cait Siths are all like nekos or really are nekos.

"Need to talk to Kirito-san for a moment!" I thought of an idea then grabbed Kirito's arm then dragged him away until the others were out of sight.

"We were just planning something…" I heard Asuna mutter as we left their presence.

"What are you doing?! I was planning something with Asuna…" He sighed then got over it since he knew I was very random.

"I have a mistletoe plan! You go do it with Asuna and I'll do it with Silica-chan! How does that sound? Nya~" I purred as I told him my plan for this Christmas' mistletoes.

"Not these plans of yours again… remember the last time you told me about your plan and we ended up getting into a misunderstanding with another race?" Kirito reminded me while shaking his head. "Seriously, if Quorora wasn't the leader of the Puca race then you'd cause and outbreak between the Cait Siths, Pucas and Spriggans…"

"I just wanted to take a friendly visit with you until I accidentally activated the Cait Sith's Beast Taming abilities and accidentally commanded that monster mascot to attack them… I'm not really good in Taming so Silica-chan's helping me." I managed to laugh it off. "The Puca race seems to be forgiving music lovers so I think they got over the small or should I say minor-major misunderstanding…"

"Luckily the leader of the Cait Siths (Alicia Rue) didn't hear anything about that incident or else we'd get into bigger trouble." Kirito said. "Quorora deserves the title as their leader since I already heard her play the flute while I was in my anniversary with Asuna in SAO when we were still there. The sound was calming so I think the Puca race really suits her very much since she's very good with music.

"Anyway will you do this plan? I'm going to do it already so pick quickly if you want to do it as well with Asuna-san." I felt excitement course through me. "I wonder is Silica-chan will like it though since I might become quite random at times, Nya~ What do you think Kirito-san? Is my randomness affecting my relationship with others or not? Be honest, I can take it.

"I don't really see it affecting since we all got used to it already. Your randomness can sometimes boost the spirits up after all like when we're in a serious situation like in SAO where we were approaching the boss doors then you made a gag scene to lift up the spirits." Kirito smiled. "Your randomness is what you are so don't get rid of it since if you're not there then I'll be the one in charge to do it then since I can as well.

"I see… I'll be going to Silica-chan now then! Follow me when you're ready!" I went out of the bushes and went to my Silica-chan making Sinon-san roll her eyes like she knew what I was going to do.

Yes, there were mistletoes above us so I think this should work but I said my plan out loud so I'm not really sure if she'll allow it anymore… a shot's worth more than doing nothing I guess so I have to give it a try even if the girl I'm going mistletoe fever on knows about my plans to kiss her this Christmas. After all, a kiss in Christmas is very memorable… that's what the book I read before said after all. I hope the book's right with the moment where the girl knows about it though… I really want to go kitty kiss.

"Eto… Ohayo, Silica-chan would you mind if I asked you something that may result to you purring in- I mean… never forgetting the moment that I'll do to you?" I gulped as I seemed to swallow my words. "It is Christmas so it's normal to do stuff like this I guess so I hope you'll accept it.

"Eto…" Silica had a questioned expression as we looked eye-to-eye. "I know it's Christmas and I also know that you want to kiss me so why not just ask me… Koyero-kun…" She flustered as she said the 'kun' part.

"So you'll accept the thing I'm going to do to you with no signs of regret or force?" I questioned her.

"Hai… I will let you Koyero. I wanted to do something like this ever since you built that house in SAO when we were still trapped…"

"It's not here in new Aincrad so I promise you that I'll just build it again for my Silica-chan." I saluted and went closer which made Sinon give the mental message saying 'Really? That's it?' while crossing her arms in embarrassment and looking away like she didn't want to watch anymore even if I didn't even invite her to watch this me and Silica-chan scene.

"Nani mo arimasen ga, dozo meshigatte kudasai…" We both looked up which revealed a mistletoe then we kissed on each other's arms. Not too long and not too deep since we're still not on par by means of romantic level with Kirito and Asuna who did the same. I knew he'd do my idea with the mistletoe! Or did Asuna do it? Meh no one will know so Nya~

"Arigato gozaimasu, Koyero…" Silica-chan blushed as she looked at me once more. "Arigato for being with me in my days in SAO ever since we met…" She was cuddling to me.

"You're welcome, Silica-chan… and I love you. Nya~" I cuddled back with a smile while Sinon was nowhere in sight now probably because she had enough of these things already. Kirito and Asuna seemed to have stopped as well, smiling at each other as their in-game-daughter, Yui was hovering around them like an angel but she's a navigation pixie if I remembered.

That's it for my Christmas in Alfheim Online so what is yours? I love my Silica-chan, Nya~. Kirito and Asuna enjoyed it too with a bit of my help… I wonder if the Puca race is still angry though but the past is past, present is present, future is future and love is love. Merry Christmas everybody and have a happy new year!

End of Chapter 20

Author's Notes: Thank you for reading minna-san! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! More chapters will come in the New Year so I hope to see you all too next year!

Translation: Nani mo arimasen ga, dozo meshigatte kudasai is this in English: "This is nothing but I hope you accept it" That's what I used but the full version is: This is nothing for me to brag about but I hope you accept it.

Next Chapter: Shall I give in?

Next Extra Scene: Christmas Special Part 2 (Deira's Christmas)