At the training ground, Kirito and Eugeo are seen sparring together, Elucidator VS the Blue Rose Sword.
Kirito: HYAAAAAHHHH!
Eugeo: HRAAAAAAHHHH!
They swing their swords at each other with equal strength and sword skills. As they clash swords, they give each other a smile.
Kirito: I taught you real well, didn't I.
Eugeo: You sure did. I'm glad you were the one who taught me these skills, Kirito.
After the clash ends, they sheathe their swords. Once they do, they hear a clap of hands.
Heathcliff: What a fine match that was.
Kirito: Heathcliff? And...
Sonic: Hey Kirito.
Tails: Hey.
Asuna: You both seem to be really in it today.
Kirito: Are we? We were just practicing is all.
Eugeo: Uh, yeah. And also a bit of reminiscing.
Heathcliff: Eugeo, was it? I can see that you move exactly the same as Kirito.
Eugeo: Well, he did teach me the Aincrad style back in Rulid Village.
Heathcliff: Aincrad style? Hmm... A very fitting name.
Tails: Considering those are SAO's sword skills.
Heathcliff: Has Kirito taught you dual-wielding?
Eugeo: Umm... No, he hasn't.
Kirito: That's... Something I can't really teach.
Sonic: Aww, why not? You taught him your 1-handed sword skills so why not dual-wielding?
Asuna: I'm sure he has his reasons.
Kirito: So what's going on, exactly?
Heathcliff: Ah yes. Cardinal asked me to come get you. Same goes for Sonic, Tails, and Asuna.
Kirito: What does Cardinal need?
Heathcliff: She has something important to tell you.
Eugeo: Umm... Should I come along too?
Heathcliff: If you wish.
Eugeo: Oh, thanks.
Kirito: By the way, Tails. How come your face is red?
Tails: Do I really need to answer that?
Kirito: Nevermind. I already know.
They head over to see the pontifex, wondering what she has to say.
Kirito: What's going on, Cardinal?
Sonic: Is it an emergency?
Cardinal: We don't know what kind of creation we'll be up against.
Tails: You mean Tabuu?
Cardinal: Aye. It's also possible that he may double-cross Dr. Robotnik, Administrator, and the rest of their friends once he arrives.
Eugeo: He might betray his own army? But why?
Cardinal: Because it's power he wishes to gain. The Administrator had the same idea when she was going to turn the entire Human realm in the Underworld into Integrity Knights. However, she's not as powerful as Tabuu.
Sonic: Well, I'm gonna be the one taking care of him.
Everyone gasps.
Tails: What?!
Asuna: Sonic! Stop! You're saying you're gonna take him on yourself?!
Sonic: I'm the trump card here after all.
Cardinal: Even with the Chaos Emerald's, you cannot stop him all by yourself.
Sonic: Well I don't feel like losing anyone here.
Kirito: You won't have to worry about that, Sonic. We'll all be okay. Don't get me wrong, I kind of feel the same way you do.
Sonic: Yeah. But honestly, you guys should be worried about school. Plus, you and Asuna have Yui. If she woke up the next morning without her parents...
They don't say a word. But then, Heathcliff steps in.
Heathcliff: Kirito. Is it okay if me and you have a duel?
Kirito: Huh? A duel? But why?
Heathcliff: For old times sake.
Tails: You're not gonna cheat like you did the first time, are you?
Heathcliff: Oh don't worry. That's not gonna happen again. Plus, we'll just be stopping short. What do you say?
Kirito: Hmm... It's been a while since I last fought you. Nearly two years to be exact.
Eugeo: Are you sure about this, Kirito? Don't you hate him?
Kirito: I can't forgive him. But that doesn't mean I hate him. I admire his work a lot. After all, he's the reason that you, Alice, and the Underworld exist.
Heathcliff: Shall we head to the training grounds, then?
Sonic: Heh... Can't wait to see this.
A while later, they head down to the training grounds. Aside from them, everybody else shows up to see the duel.
Kirito: Did you have to bring everybody, Sonic?
Sonic: Why not? Plus, they can see what a valiant fighter Akihiko Kayaba is.
Airi: This will certainly be interesting.
Masaki: So we can finally see Kirito and his sword skills in action against the demon king.
George: A pretty interesting scenario, huh?
Houki: Why the heck did he even accept a duel with Kayaba?
Kanzashi: I actually heard Kayaba cheated the first time he and Kirito fought.
Tatenashi: Wait. Really? He cheated against Kirito?
Laura: I swear if he does it again...
Cecilia: Calm down! I don't think he will again.
Ichika: Well, if Sonic trusts him, then I will too.
Charlotte: I guess I will have to agree.
Minato: This might be an interesting fight. So Sonic fought alongside Kirito to beat him?
Joker: That's what we've heard. And we've actually seen Kirito's sword skills when we confronted Sugou on the Halberd.
Yosuke: Yeah. They're like flashing lights.
Ruby: That's what you'd expect from sword skills in VRMMO's like Asuka Empire and Alfheim Online. They have light effects.
Yu: That's kind of interesting with the light effects.
Chie: And pretty cool too.
Oracle: I wonder if Kayaba got that idea from PSO2.
Kanji: He could have.
Miyuki: I don't play video games, but I do admire their skills. Even Kirito's.
Tatsuya: They certainly are something.
Leo: So did SAO even have magic skills by the way?
Mighty: No. But they definitely had unique skills. Like Kirito's dual wielding and Heathcliff's divine blade.
Lina: Skills that go to a certain player, huh...
Sinon: Seriously... Kirito's always getting himself into trouble.
Lisbeth: Well, him and Sonic are kind of in the same boat.
Silica: Yeah. But I know Kirito will win this duel.
Leafa: Yeah. You're right. He always wins.
Mario: I have a feeling this will be-a one good match.
Luigi: Me too.
Kirby: Poyo!
Ragna: Okay Black Swordsman. Show me what you got.
Hyde: Let's see him in action. Again.
Link: Hmm...
Goofy: I'm betting my money on Kirito. A-hyuck!
Donald: Me too.
Sora: Same here.
Aerith: I hope there won't be any fatalities.
Leon: Don't think we need to worry about that. Besides, it's stop-short.
Yumi: I hope this doesn't disappoint me.
Coco: Okay. I got the popcorn here.
Crash: Oooohhh!
The guy bandicoot takes some.
Pit: Hey! Save some for me!
Palutena: Easy there Pit.
Bayonetta: So he's the famous Black Swordsman...
Kirito: Jeez... Now I really feel embarrassed.
Heathcliff: I certainly never expected all of our allies to come by. But I feel that they will enjoy seeing this match.
Kirito: Yeah.
?: Kirito!
?: Kirito-Senpai!
The Black Swordsman's mentor and page show up.
Kirito: Huh? Liena-Senpai?
Sortiliena: I will oversee this match. I'm rooting for you. I've seen just how strong you are back when you fought Volo and when you defeated PoH and Vecta.
Ronie: Good luck, Kirito-Senpai! Me and Tiese will be cheering you on!
Kirito: Thank you, Ronie. You too, Liena-Senpai.
Ronie heads up to the stands with Tiese.
Sortiliena: Now then. The match between Kirito and Heathcliff will now begin!
The two combatants prepare to battle. Heathcliff prepares his sword and readies his shield while Kirito prepares his Elucidator and Dark Repulser.
Deusolbert: Those dual-blades suit him quite well. Kind of a rare sight if you ask me.
Sonic: Just watch. It's gonna get hot.
Eldrie: Hmph!
A moment of silence streams throughout the field.
Sortiliena: Begin!
Kirito charges first at Heathcliff, swinging his two swords which he blocks with his shield. He tries to flank him by swinging his swords really fast. Very soon, Heathcliff swings his sword at him, but Kirito deflects it and strikes back at him. Unfortunately, Heathcliff blocked that attack too.
Heathcliff: Just as I remember.
Kirito: Yeah. You're defense is still hard to break through.
They continue their fight, swinging their swords. Very soon, Heathcliff raises his sword up in the air and prepares his ranged lightning elemental sword skill, and swings his sword three times. Luckily, Kirito was able to evade the incoming lightning slices.
Fox (Phantom Thief): He evaded them!
Teddie: Wow. Kirito's so cool!
Fuuka: Heathcliff's defense is incredible.
Rise: Not only that, but Kirito is really fast.
Morgana: No wonder why Kayaba got the Divine Blade and Kirito got Dual-Wielding. They're both equally matched.
Yui: My Daddy really is amazing.
Kirito: Now's my chance!
His two swords glow a bright blue.
Kirito: HRAAAAAAAGH!
This causes Heathcliff to gasp since he left an opening for Kirito to use The Eclipse. Heathcliff blocks the extremely powerful and fast strikes.
Kirito: Faster! I've gotta go faster!
Very soon, Kirito finally breaks through his defense.
Kirito: Now!
He unleashes the final blow of the sword skill on Heathcliff with both swords. Once that's finished, the match ends.
Sortiliena: The match is concluded! Kirito is the winner!
Everybody claps their hands.
Tsubaki: That was incredible!
Noel: Yeah! They were both equally matched and Kirito used that opening to finish him off!
Makoto: They're both pretty neat in combat!
The two combatants sheathe their swords. Soon after, Asuna, Yui, Eugeo, Alice, Sonic, and Tails run down to him.
Asuna: Kirito!
Yui: Daddy!
Little Yui jumps into Kirito's arms.
Kirito: Haha!
Eugeo: You were great!
Kirito: I honestly can't believe I did it on my own.
Sonic: Nice going, dude!
Heathcliff: Excellent, Kirito. You seem to have gotten more powerful than I remember. I never thought for once you would have bested me all on your own.
Sonic: Well, the first time, Heathcliff cheated and won, second time, me and Kirito won against him and it was a close match, and this being the third time, Kirito wins all on his own. I'm impressed! You didn't cheat this time.
?: Hey guys!
The IS Academy students come down.
Ichika: Hey. You guys were great.
Houki: I think I trust Kayaba now that I've seen you and him fight.
Cecilia: Yes. He has fought valiantly. And we do apologize for what we've said about you, Mr. Kayaba.
Heathcliff: Apologize? You shouldn't be apologizing to me. I should be criticized, you know.
Charlotte: We cannot forgive you. Even so, we trust you now.
Rin: I guess I trust you now.
Cardinal: You never cease to amaze me, Kirito. I hope you will do as well tomorrow as you did here.
Kirito: Thanks. I will.
Chifuyu and Yamada watch the group by Kirito and smile.
Yamada: That was really something, wasn't it?
Chifuyu: It sure was.
Later on, Sonic, Kirito, Ichika, the Shiba siblings, and their friends gather together.
Miyuki: That was wonderful, Kirito.
Honoka: Yeah! You were awesome!
Ichika: Yeah. If only I were like you, man. Say, if you ever could wield an IS, maybe you could come to our school.
Laura: There's gonna be loads of girls though.
Kirito: Yeah. No way.
Tatenashi: Aww, why not?
Kirito: I will never join your academy if it's the last thing I do.
Ichika: What's the matter? Can't handle all the girls? You'll get used to it. Besides, there's lots of girls in your group too.
Kirito: That's not what I meant. I'm talking about that.
He points at their uniforms they're wearing.
Rin: What? Our uniforms? What's wrong with them?
Kirito: They're too flashy. For me that is.
Cecilia: Too flashy? What in the world do you mean?
Asuna: Kirito doesn't like wearing white. He only prefers black.
Sonic: Yep. It's his only color.
Charlotte: You don't say.
Ichika: That would really suck for you, wouldn't it?
Kirito: Believe me. It was already a disaster when I joined the Knights of the Blood Oath.
Erika: Let me guess. You wouldn't join First High either, would you?
Kirito: Nope! Your uniforms are also too flashy for me.
Mikihiko: No surprise there.
Eugeo: At least North Centoria Swordcraft Academy lets elite disciples choose their colors.
Knuckles: I'll be honest. Black suits Kirito the most.
Sonic: Ever try blue?
Kirito: No.
Everybody laughs. Soon after, Kirito, Asuna, and Sonic notice little Yui with a sad face.
Asuna: What's wrong, Yui?
Yui: Umm... I... I...
Kirito: Hmm?
Cecilia: Oh no! Is she still traumatized from the other day?
Yui: N-No... That's not...
Tears start coming from her eyes.
Asuna: Yui!
Her parents go up to her and hug her.
Kirito: Sorry, everyone. Could you excuse us?
The little family of three steps out.
Mizuki: What could be wrong with Yui-Chan?
Miyuki: She couldn't still be traumatized, could she?
Mighty: I'm sure she'll be okay.
Sonic: You know what I think? She's worried about her mom and dad. That she's scared of what might happen tomorrow afternoon when we battle Tabuu. Cause we don't know who or what we're up against.
Miyuki: Poor Yui-Chan...
Tatsuya: Hey Miyuki. I noticed that you and Yui have gotten close.
Miyuki: Oh... Have we? Well, she is very sweet and she has gotten quite interested in me.
Charlotte: Well, you and Lina are more beautiful than anyone else here.
Miyuki: Well, it's also that she has quite the imagination.
Leafa: Miyuki the Fairy... Well, it does suit you well.
Miyuki: I think it's cute that she thinks of me that way.
Honoka: W-What about me?! I was in Mirage Bat too! You didn't show her my match?
Miyuki: Umm... I did... And she thought you did lovely.
Honoka: Oh...
Shizuku: You sound relieved, Honoka.
Sonic: Well, I don't think we need to worry about her losing anybody. Cause I'm gonna be fighting Tabuu myself.
Everyone gasps.
Ray: Wait a minute! Sonic! You're not serious are you?!
Knuckles: Even with the Chaos Emerald's, fighting him alone probably won't be enough!
Sonic: Well I'm the one he wants more than anyone else here. I'll let you guys take care of the other baddies. But I'm gonna be the one fighting Tabuu.
Tatsuya: Sonic. We don't know what sort of supernatural being we'll be up against.
Sonic: That's the thing. We don't know. All I do know is that he has to be taken down. Also, I'm gonna make sure everyone here makes it out alive. You can trust me on that.
Sinon: Seriously, Sonic. As if you weren't reckless plenty of times before.
Sonic: Well that's the gig. A hedgehog's gotta do what a hedgehog's gotta do.
Ichika: I'll get one thing straight with you. Don't die on us.
Sonic: Not that I plan to.
Tails: Don't worry guys. Sonic's gonna win. He always wins.
Miyuki: We believe in you, Sonic. Please be careful.
Sonic: I will. Trust me.