Sonic and Kirito make it back to Arc Sophia safely at the teleport gate.
Sonic: Finally. Back in town.
Kirito: Yup. Let's see if we'll be able to head back.
Kirito checks the settings on the teleport gate.
Kirito: Yep. Looks like we'll be able to head back to the Hollow Area with no problem.
Sonic: Great! Gotta say, that Hollow Area is pretty interesting. And that girl, Philia. I don't think she's the type that would just kill another player. Something seems fishy about that orange cursor she has. I don't know what, but I just have that feeling.
?: Sonic! Kirito!
Tails, Leafa, and Silica arrive.
Leafa: Oh thank goodness!
Silica: We were so worried.
Sonic: Hey guys!
Tails: What happened, Sonic? You were with me earlier and you just somehow disappeared.
Silica: And we completely lost your location information for both of you! And you were both gone for such a long time. I-I...
Leafa: I'm so glad you two are ok. I really really thought...
Sonic: Aww cheer up. We aren't the ones who would go down easily. You know that you can check the Monument of Life to see if we're still alive. Oh, wait. You can't check that anymore.
Kirito: Well, we're here anyway, so what's up?
Asuna and Amy show up next.
Asuna: Kirito!
Amy: Sonic! Oh thank goodness you're ok!
Just as Amy was about to hug Sonic, he stops her. He and Tails look at each other and just shake their heads.
Sonic: Seriously, could everybody just chill out?
Asuna: Thank goodness you're alright!
Asuna hugs Kirito.
Asuna: Me and Amy were worried about you two. We panicked and looked everywhere. It's been such a long time and nobody heard anything from you guys. You've both been gone for a whole day! You could have at least sent someone a message!
Kirito: Well, we could have but it wasn't really our fault.
Tails: Yeah. Sonic just suddenly disappeared. They were probably caught up in some fight.
Yui runs in and also hugs Kirito.
Yui: Where were you, Daddy?! We were worried!
Kirito: It's a long story. Let's head back and we'll explain everything.
Asuna: Ok.
Asuna and Yui hold Kirito's arm.
Kirito: *Sigh*
The family of three walks off together.
Tails: And there they go.
Amy: Sonic!
Sonic: Nope! No kisses!
Amy: Can I hug you at least?!
Sonic: Ok, fine.
Amy hugs Sonic.
Sonic: *Sigh*
Silica: Well, at least we found you guys. That's the important thing.
Leafa: Yeah. I just wish that...
Sonic: Like I said. Chill out.
Tails: I don't think Sonic would just worry people on purpose. Besides, he's Sonic after all. And Kirito's just like Sonic.
Sonic: WHAT?!
Tails: NO! NO! NO! Strong like you!
Sonic: Oh.
Leafa: Yeah. You're right. Let's head back.
Everybody heads back to the inn and are greeted by Lisbeth, Sinon, Knuckles, Mighty, and Ray.
Lisbeth: Oh! There you are!
Mighty: Hey guys!
Ray: Glad you're ok!
Knuckles: See? Told you they're ok.
Sinon: They were probably just messing around somewhere.
Kirito: We weren't messing around, really.
Sinon: People worry too much. Especially Asuna and Amy.
Asuna: But I... Kirito...
Amy: We didn't know if they were ok!
Tails: Come on, Amy. You know Sonic as well as I do.
Lisbeth: Now then, Kirito! Sonic!
Sonic: What?
Lisbeth: Have you both apologized to your girlfriends for worrying them so much?!
Kirito: Yes! I have!
Sonic: Do I really have to?
Amy: Sonic!
The pink hedgehog shows her tears to the blue one.
Sonic: Alright fine! I'm sorry!
Lisbeth: You can't just wander off whenever you want!
Sonic: Oh, really?! I don't remember anybody having to tell me that before! Right guys?
Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Mighty, and Ray: Uh huh!
Kirito: It wasn't really our fault!
Sinon: Not your fault?
Kirito: Yeah. I was exploring this dungeon like normal and just suddenly got teleported out of there.
Sonic: And I was just going around town with Tails and I got teleported somewhere else.
Mighty: Really?! Is that even possible?
Amy: Forced teleportation? Just like what happened to me, Leafa, and Sinon?
Leafa: Does that mean you two got teleported to another world?
Kirito: No. That place we went to was without a doubt part of SAO. It was kind of a hidden area, though.
Sinon: Hidden area? Do things like that really exist here?
Sonic: Looks like it. But it wasn't like any of the floors here in Aincrad. Not to mention there were a lot of strong baddies.
Kirito: My guess is that it's an advanced difficulty area.
Knuckles: Wow.
Kirito: I bet we'll get ahold of lots of powerful equipment and items while beating monsters there. That's why we want to go back to the Hollow Area and explore some more.
Asuna: Is it really possible for areas like that to remain undiscovered? What do you think, Yui?
Yui: There are lots of areas in Aincrad that many players haven't been told about. But those areas were sealed off right at the start of the game, so nobody could access them.
Tails: Players have no way of entering non-public areas, right?
Yui: That's right. But right now, the Cardinal System is unstable. If you consider that, then it doesn't seem impossible for things like this to happen.
Asuna: I see. Thanks for explaining, Yui.
Yui: I don't think I did a very good job. I wish I knew more about the system's current operational status.
Sonic: I think that's enough for now.
Yui: Really? Great! As long as I'm able to help you guys, I'll be happy.
Lisbeth: Hey Yui. What about what Kirito said about there being new materials and stuff in this area?
Yui: I think it's possible.
Lisbeth: Wow. Unknown materials... New skills... Sounds pretty exciting!
Silica: Maybe there will be power-ups for Pina too!
Pina: Ssskraw!
Sinon: I think I'll get stronger weapons.
Leafa: Me too!
Mighty: We gotta check out that Hollow Area sometime. I bet we'll find some good stuff.
Knuckles: I bet we'll find some neat stuff!
Ray: You bet we will!
Tails: Hmm. That Hollow Area definitely sounds legit.
Asuna: Wait a minute everyone! Do you all really think about going to this place?
Sonic: Aww come on, Asuna! It'll be a blast!
Asuna: Still, something about it makes me feel uneasy.
Kirito: Think about it this way. If we use those items we find in this advanced difficulty area to toughen ourselves up, it would make our assaults a whole lot easier. We'd actually stand a chance of clearing the 100th floor!
Asuna: I suppose you're right. I'll come with you too. There's no way you guys are going back on your own.
Sonic: There's something else too. We met someone while we were there. Some girl named Philia. We somehow bumped into her and we had to fight this weak skull reaper.
All the girls glare at Sonic and Kirito.
Sonic: What are you guys glaring at?
Sinon: A girl named Philia?
Yui: Daddy! Sonic!
Knuckles: Is it that much of a problem if it's a girl?
Leafa: Are you two trying to cheat on your girlfriends?
Sinon: I bet you two were sweat-talking this girl, telling her "We'll do everything we can to help you."
Sonic: Oh! Sure! Two guys fighting over one girl!
Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Mighty, and Ray clap their hands.
Tails: I think we should put a sign up in our rooms saying no girls allowed. Just like lots of other guys would do.
Mighty: Oh, we definitely should! After that, let's play Fortnite! Not that we play a game inside of a game.
Ray: Actually, you can.
Lisbeth: Wow. Thanks. Still, we should be grateful that the Black Swordsman and the fastest thing alive are here. We should go and explore this place.
Sinon: Definitely. I don't plan to hang around in this game forever. I'll go too! I know I'll be strong enough if you two are there to help me!
Kirito: Yeah! Definitely!
Asuna: Hold on, you two! You're not going anywhere else today! You two said you fought a skull reaper, right? You guys need to rest!
Kirito: I'll be fine. My HP is looking good.
Sonic: And I could use a cup of cream soda right now.
Kirito: S-Sonic. Really?
Sonic: What? I'm beat right now.
Tails: Let's go tomorrow! You should take me there, Sonic.
Sonic: Yup. Oh, and Knuckles. That girl Philia is a treasure hunter.
Knuckles: Oh, really? We gotta see who's the best then.
Sonic and Tails get a cream soda shake.
Lisbeth: I don't get it. What kind of relationship do Sonic and Amy even have anyway?
Mighty: It's complicated. Don't tell her this but she's kind of an immature one. Ever since that Little Planet adventure, she's been madly in love with Sonic.
Lisbeth: Oof.