Hey guys here I am back with a new chapter this one here will be a long one I do hope you all enjoy it.
A/N Also just to clear somethings up while I did mention Augma in a chapter in this story the events of the movie ordinal scale did not happen thought I would clear that up.
A/N 07/10/2021 here is chapter 9 the story is now where i last left i should have the final chapter up in a couple of weeks, after that i will go and correct a beaters guild and finish that one off
Disclaimer I do not own sword art online Reki Kawahara does.
: Underworld:
Kirito glares at his opponent. "You know this is getting really old PoH just accept that you lost and turn yourself in because if not I will end this here and now because I am really tired of you laughing coffin fucks, messing with my family." Kirito snarls at him.
PoH just laughs at him. "Oh my dear black swordsman this is so much more than what you did to us in SAO and GGO, that might have been Shinkawa's motive but not mine, but for now you know who you has trapped you in here but I must take my leave for you see my newest partner and I need to plan on the next step, by the way he says to say hello Hero-Kun." PoH says before vanishing.
Alice just looked over at Kirito who had a look of pure anger on his face. "Kirito are you ok?" She asked him.
He looked over at her. "Yes, Alice I am ok just got all my memories back is all and now I have an idea on why they took Eugeo, to get at me." Kirito explained.
"But my question is why did he call you Hero-Kun?" Alice asked.
Kirito just sighed. "Listen Alice I'm just now starting to remember everything can it wait till another time I need rest at this point to clear my head." Kirito said with a little irritation his voice.
Alice just followed him not saying anything else.
: Conference room Rect Progress:
Kikuoka was at the table he was surrounded by Asuna, Shino, Midori, Andrew Ryou, Rika, and the others.
Midori was the first to speak. "So let me get this straight you kidnapped my son while he is in a coma at the hospital to test a new AI you are trying to develop and don't even mention that this is happening, what the hell were you thinking." She said to him sternly.
"I do apologize Kirigaya-San I was also doing it because the STL also has the ability to heal minor damage to the brain's neurons and I felt I owed it to Kirito-Kun to try and help him for everything he has done for us." Kikuoka explained.
Asuna slammed her hand on the table. "Then please explain to us what happened and why you need us to go into this virtual world you have made." Asuna demanded.
Shino sat there listening to everything but remained silent.
"It appears the one known as PoH has taken control of the underworld server we are using to try and make the AI's military weapons instead of the peacekeeper and medical design we intended for them, but that is not all he has someone who has more experience with working with VR working with him and we just found out who it is 2 days ago." Kikuoka explained.
"It seems Sugou Nobuyuki has gotten out of prison and is working with PoH to finally get his mind control through VR project rolling again as well as converting the AI's into military type weapons that they can sell to the highest bidder, we believe if we send people in that have experience with dealing with a life or death situation in VR would be able to not only save Kirito but the AI's as well while we track down where the two are accessing the server are." He explained.
"What are the risks and what do we need to do?" Suguha asks him.
Kikuoka sighs as he looks at all of them. "To be honest the same risks as when you were trapped in SAO you will be using the STL's instead of a nerve gear there is a chance that if you die in underworld that you will also experience death in the real world due to feedback and the way the STL reads your brain it's how the server is set up." He explains.
A fist slams on the table everyone looks up to see a very pissed off Ryutaro.
"What the hell what is it with you people and death games was the two years of us stuck in SAO not enough you had to go make another one!" He yells.
Kikuoka put his hands up in defense. "Actually, until the server was taken more or less there was no danger at all, but that being said I need volunteers to go in there and try and free Kirito-Kun you will link in from our base of operations." He stated.
Before anyone could answer Shino stood up. "When do we begin and what do we have to do to get Kazuto out?" She said standing up.
Suguha was the first to jump up. "Shino are you insane your three months pregnant there is no telling what could happen to your body in there it is too dangerous." She stated to Shino.
Shino slammed her hands on the table. "No Sugu there was nothing I could do after SAO ended and I had to wait for him to rescue me, he is my fiancé and the man I love I am going in there to save him end of discussion." Shino stated.
"Actually Asada-San I have to agree with Kirigaya-San as we are unsure of what can happen to you in there or how long you will be in there for both you and Izawa-San will remain out of the game due to your pregnancies and no there is nothing that will change my mind." Kikuoka stated.
After the whole group talked among each other Andrew stood up. "Very well we have decided Me, my wife, Ryutaro, Asuna, Suguha, Keiko, Tetsuo, and Ducker will be the ones to go and save Kirito." Andrew informed him.
Kikuoka nodded when there were voices coming from the Holo screen in the room. "Hey guys don't forget about us no way we are leaving Kirito to whatever these guys have planned for him." Yuuki said as Ran and Yui nodded in agreement.
Kikuoka smiled and nodded.
"Very well we leave for my base of operations in 48 hours please get prepared with whatever you need." Kikuoka said.
"Wait how do we save Kirito-Kun once we find him." Asuna asked.
"You need to distract PoH and Sugou if he is in there giving us enough time at Rath to log him out safely and lock them out as well." He explained.
"Hmm seems simple enough." Tetsuo said.
"No, it will not be they have AIs under their command called integrity Knights and they can be tough to defeat." Kikuoka said.
"Well, we survived SAO we can handle this all-right guy let's get ready." Ryu said.
Kikuoka left after giving the address for them all to meet him at in 48 hours, Kouichirou stood up.
"Now that he has left, I am going to say I'm not very trusting of him at the moment so with that being said, Me Shino, Rika, Kana, Saori and Keita will be here at Rect looking for ways to help as well." Kouichirou explained as they all nodded.
: 50 Hours later at Rath complex off the coast of Japan:
"All right guys these STL units we are using to send you into the Underworld will cause you to feel a little off when you log in, but that will pass just remember please that time moves a lot faster in there than out here." One of the programmers explained to them.
"Also we have made a slight change to the mission to try and limit the danger your main job now is to get in there make contact with Kirito and bring him to these coordinates within underworld and that should allow us to log him out with the rest of you, please be careful while this server was meant for research for the AI's we were developing you can die here if you die in the Underworld so please be careful." He explained as they all nodded.
The 8 of them then lay down while they were hooked up to the STL after about ten minutes they were logged in.
: A random location about 30 kilometers from the main castle:
All 8 got their bearings and were met by Ran, Yuuki and Yui.
"Ok everyone Papa's signal is showing him just outside that castle lets go get him." Yui explained as they all nodded.
After about an hour and a half of traveling they came up to the castle area when they saw a blond woman talking to a dark-haired man they too easily recognized.
Asuna ran towards him. "Kirito-Kun!" Asuna yelled as she ran over to her best friend while everyone else followed.
Kirito looked up and was surprised by the sight before him there was Klein, Asuna, Silica, Tetsuo, Ducker, and Agil with his wife who went by the Handle Gideon as well as his sister Leefa.
"Guys what, what are you all doing here, how are you here?" He asked them.
"Kikuoka came to us to help you get out of here Oni-Chan." Leefa said.
"But how I have been in here for 17 years how is this even possible you should all be way older than this now. And how are Yuuki and Ran here?" he asked not even knowing about the time difference.
"Kirito-Kun you have only been in here for 3 weeks, time moves a hell of a lot faster here than in the outside world." Asuna explained.
"Yeah man we have to get you to this point, and we can log you out," Klein said.
Kirito shook his head. "No, I got to save my friend Eugeo first." He said to them.
Agil was about to speak up when they heard another voice from behind them causing them to turn around.
"I don't think so, it was a mistake for you all to come here you are now at me and my partners mercy." The all too familiar voice stated.
They then noticed PoH as well as Sugou and a third partner they were not expecting and behind them they had several Knights with them.
"Roselia why am I not surprised you throw your lot in with these lunatics." Silica stated at the third partner.
"Silly little idol to get revenge on the asshole that put me away in the game and had me locked up in the real world." Roselia stated.
Kirito draws his sword. "Where is Eugeo tell us now and we will let you walk away." Kirito says.
Sugou states as his knights draw their weapons as well/
"You are outnumbered Hero-Kun just surrender now, and I promise you will not be harmed just reprogrammed to work for me." Sugou states.
The others draw their weapons as well as more knights show up.
They are outnumbered almost 8 to 1 by the Knights under Sugou's command.
"Now be good little children and surrender to your new King." Sugou ordered as the knights prepared for a battle.
Kirito and the others seeing that this is lost cause surrender to him rather than try to fight and die.
: Rath headquarters:
"Sir we have a problem." the lead tech states.
"What is it?" Kikuoka asks.
"Sir it seems that PoH and Sugou knew they were coming he has locked out our ability to log them out, Kirito and his crew had to surrender for now they are being led to the castle." The lead tech said to Kikuoka.
"Is there anything we can do for them at all?" Kikuoka asks.
The tech shakes his head. "No sir at the moment they are at his mercy we can only hope that they can get a chance to fight back." The tech replies.
: Underworld:
PoH and Sugou lead Kirito and his crew into what looks like a court room, they all stop short.
"What is this Sugou why are we here?" Asuna asks.
Sugou licks his lips.
"My dear Asuna this is a court room you see Kirito has broken the absolute law here in underworld by not doing his sacred job he will now be tried convicted and executed, as long as the rest of you cooperate, I give my word you get to leave alive try and fight me and you all die." Sugou stated.
"Everyone of us here would give our lives to stop you sicko." Andrew says as Klein stands next to him and affirms this.
"No everyone stands down you all have families and children to get back too as long as you all and Shino are safe, I will do what is needed, but you Sugou you give your word that they are not to be harmed in anyway." Kirito demands.
"Oni-Chan no don't" Leefa says.
"Kirito-Kun no think of what that will do to Shino." Asuna states.
All of them make pleas for him to fight remembering from Shino not to mention her pregnancy one she wanted to tell him herself second, she was afraid Kirito would sacrifice himself to make sure both are safe.
"No guys listen you're the best friends and family anyone can ask for but just like when we were trapped in SAO if me getting hurt or even dying meant you all were safe I would do it no questions asked." Kirito explained.
Sugou licked his lips. "You have my word Hero-Kun no one else will be harmed now we should let this trial begin." He states.
: Rect progress Full Dive R and D room:
Kouichirou and the others that remained behind were looking at the screen that Yui and Ran had set up for them to monitor the situation.
"Are you guys seeing this?" Yuuki says as she her sister and Yui are hiding from sight.
"We are Yuuki-San." Kouichirou says.
He then turns around to the others. "Listen we do not have much time with the time difference in the underworld so me and Keita have reconfigured these medicuboid units here to link to the underworld and you will not have the same danger as the others however if your avatar does die in underworld, you will not be able to reenter, so only one shot at getting Kirito out." Kouichirou explains.
"Kouichirou-San does this also mean that Shino-San and Kana-San cannot enter?" Saori asks.
He looks over at her. "No, these medicuboid units have been configured for them being pregnant and there will be no stress on their body, but Kana-Chan please be careful because emotional stress can still cause you problems." He explains she nods.
"So, when do we go in?" Shino asks with a glare on her face.
"Soon Shino soon we are getting some back up as well, Kouichirou-Sama I have contacted the members of Fuurinkazan as well as a few other SAO survivors that are willing to help us." Rika states.
"Ok Rika-San did you explain the risk to them as well?" Kouichirou asks.
She nods.
"Ok guys let's get into the medicuboid units also have our back up ready to link in as well Kouichirou-Sama I have configured everything to port them directly to underworld." Keita states.
"Yosh! Let us go rescue our brother guys!" Rika yells as they are all linked in.
: Underworld Courtroom:
The trial has completed, and the judge is reading off the sentence.
"The being known as Kirito has been found guilty of violating the cardinal law of Underworld, you sir by the decision of this court you are to be put to death by decapitation, the sentence will be carried out at dawn." The Judge states as Asuna and Silica start crying followed by both Agil and Klein slamming their fists on the rail in front of their chairs.
"AS for your co-defendants their sentence is banishment from Underworld never to return under penalty of death" He states to the others.
They are all then lead out of the court room and to a small cell in the basement.
Once they are locked up and left alone everyone turns to look at Kirito.
"Kirito-Kun please tell me you got a plan to escape, please tell me you are not going to sacrifice yourself tomorrow?" Asuna says crying.
He just shakes his head then looks at all of them. "Listen guys this is my last night with you all let's not waste it crying please just make sure Shino is safe when you leave." Kirito says silently.
"No damnit Oni-Chan you cannot give in this easily I can't lose you Shino can't either." Leefa says.
He looks at her and smiles. "Sugu Shino will be ok she will have you Asuna silica and the rest of you I do this to save you all please understand." Kirito says.
"Just like when we were freed from SAO." Agil says.
"What do you mean dear?" Gideon asks.
"Well when Kayaba challenged Kirito to a duel to the death to end SAO, he acted the same way willing to sacrifice his life to protect us all no matter what, it is what makes Kirito, Kirito." Klein then explained.
Leefa still crying. "While I understand why you're doing this Oni-Chan, I don't like it." Leefa says hugging her brother.
: The next morning the courtyard in Underworld main castle:
Kirito is lead up to the platform while bound by the hands, Asuna and the others are forced to watch.
Kirito is placed on his knees in front of the block of wood where they will remove his head with an axe, they then have him lay his head down and a rope is tied around his shoulders to secure him to the block.
"Kirito your sentence of death will now be carried out do you have any last words?" The judge says from the side.
"Asuna tell Shino I love her." Kirito says.
"Very well the last words are recorded you may now execute the prisoner." The judge states.
The Knight raises the axe above his head, Kirito clamps his eyes shut as do the others, but there is no sound of chopping only a small whoosh sound and a light thud.
Asuna opens her eyes and sees the Knight stagger backwards there is an arrow in his chest.
Another one hits him and then a third, the knight drops his axe and falls to his knees before disappearing in a shower of pixels.
Before the other knights could do anything, something moves in fast and cuts the ropes holding Kirito to the block, he is grabbed as are the others and they all make a break for it.
As the group got over 7 kilometers away, they are led into a small out of the way cave.
Once they all get inside and everyone has a chance to get their bearings do, they all notice who is there.
They see Liz, Sachi, Argo, Keita, Yuuki and Ran as well as Yui.
"Argo how what are you doing here?" Asuna asks.
"What's it look like Asu-Chan rescuing you all of course." Argo replies with a grin
Kirito looking around. "Wait if your all here who fired those arrows?" Kirito asks.
"You know they did not call me the Eagle-eyed archer is SAO for nothing Kazuto." Came a new voice.
Asuna and the others head snapped over to see Sinon standing there.
"Sinonon what are you and Argo doing here the babies Kikuoka said you two could not risk it due to your pregnancies." Asuna blurted out.
"Wait pregnancies wait Shino your pregnant?" Kirito asks her while looking at her surprised.
"Yes, Kazuto I am I was going to tell you the night of Rika's wedding when we got home but that did not work out as well." Shino explained.
Kirito stood there staring at Sinon when a large smile formed on his face, and he ran to her embracing her.
"I'm going to be a dad." Was all he said as he embraced his fiancé.
"Also, in response to Asuna-sans question Keita and her brother were able to reconfigure the medicuboid units we are using to link in to keep them safe." Sachi explains.
"I think the bigger question I have is how are Yuuki and Ran here?" Kirito asks them.
Ran chimes in before her sister can. "It was the same thing that Kayaba did at the end of SAO or at least that is how it was explained to us we are Yuuki and Ran but we are not really either nonetheless we are here to help." Ran explained.
"Where is here exactly?" Gideon asks.
"This is the base of the rebellion against Oberon and PoH." Alice now walking into the light says as all heads turn to her.
"Yes, this is where I took all Fluctlights that were not controlled by Sugou and PoH to form a group to fight against him and return Underworld to the way it was before." A new voice spoke up.
"And you are?" Klein asks.
"Yes, I am the cardinal system given form so I guess you can call me cardinal, I am like the one that controlled SAO and the first rendition of ALO, but I have been modified to understand human emotions better as I watch and control the world, I am in." Cardinal explains.
"So how are you not in control now?" Kirito asks.
"When Sugou and PoH hacked into the underworld system to take control of it Sugou tried to delete me but all he managed to do was remove my control over the system in favor of him controlling the system." Cardinal stated.
"Ok well now that we have Kirito is there a way out of here?" Silica asks.
Cardinal shakes her head. "I am sorry Sugou sealed off the exit that Rath had created for you all so the only way out is to defeat Sugou like you did with Kayaba Kirito." She explains.
"Don't worry about its Kirito we all will stand with you to end this once and for all." Keita stated as he walked up to Kirito it was then he noticed that all Fuurinkazan as well as the moonlit black cats were all there.
"Very well what do we know about their defenses is there a way to sneak in or do we have to take them head on like we did laughing coffin?" Kirito asks.
"This is going to have to be a full-on assault, but I am afraid we are still outnumbered and under gunned at the moment." Cardinal states.
Yui flies over to Kirito and the others. "Not exactly Papa I was able thanks to Rect access the data from when you were in SAO and voila." Yui says.
Suddenly Kirito, Klein, Silica, Agil, Ducker, and Tetsuo glowed in a bright white light then when it died down, they were decked out in there SAO armor with their weapons.
"Very well we head out in the morning and end this I just want this all to be over." Shino states as everyone agrees.
: Later that night:
Kirito and Shino are in a small out of the way room in the cave.
"Shino I am so sorry that I have not been there for you at all." Kirito says as Shino comforts him.
"It's ok Kazuto though I am not going to lie I tried to be strong on my own while you were in that coma, but I couldn't if it was not for our friends Sugu and Asuna more than anyone I don't think I could have made it this far." Shino tearfully stated.
He wrapped her in an embrace. "It's ok to be weak sometimes Shino I was when you were still trapped it was the same thing our friends kept me together long enough for us to rescue you." Kazuto explained.
Shino went to say something only to have Kazuto place a finger to her mouth.
"Enough talk for now I just want to hold you even though it has only been a couple of months for you it has been over 17 years for me in here I just want to hold you for right now, but I am so afraid I am going to wake up and you all will be gone." Kazuto said as he held her tighter.
"I will never leave your side Kazuto that was part of the deal with me becoming your wife soon and now we have a baby coming so know we will always be there for each other and if all goes well tomorrow we can go home and begin our future only going into VR for its true purpose to have fun." Shino says as she and Kazuto cuddle closer and both fall asleep.
Just above them was Yui watching over her parents as they slept.
She then flew out to the main area where cardinal and Alice were situated.
"Cardinal-Sama is there a way we can help mama and papa like get more troops here or anything." Yui asks.
Cardinal looks at her. "You are a strange AI little Yui you feel and experience human emotion, but to answer your question there might be a way look here I need you to go to this place and you should be able to find the help needed to make sure we win tomorrow, but you must leave now and be quick." Cardinal explains.
"Hai." Yui states and flies off to her parents' room.
She lands between them placing a kiss on each of their cheeks. "Do not worry Mama Papa I am going to get help we are going to get out of here I promise you." Yui states as she flies off.
: The next morning at a clearing near the Underworld castle:
Kirito and his group totaling of about 50 people mainly AI's that cardinal was able to rescue as they approached, they saw Roselia, PoH, and Sugou standing there with a large troop of Knights behind him.
"Well, well look at this Hero-Kun has come back to die at my hands." Sugou says.
PoH just smiles as Roselia smirks at him.
"No Sugou we have come to end this once and for all I will defeat you." Kirito states back.
Sugou laughs. "Kirito I am the game master here and this time I made sure to purge all of Kayaba's information and ways in." Sugou says.
"I have defeated a game master before with nothing but my will I can again." Kirito says as he draws his swords.
Sugou laughs as he nods towards PoH and Roselia.
They both step forward. "Knights attack all who would betray your king!" They both yell as the Knights run towards Kirito and his group.
The main line consists of the SAO survivors and their family as the AIs with Shino provide cover fire with arrows.
Kirito starts parrying the knights' attacks as Asuna starts laying into them, Klein and Fuurinkazan block and attack as best they can do.
While the Knights outnumber Kirito's group, they are basic foot soldiers and do not have the ability to adapt quickly like the humans do.
Sinon with the Ai archers in the back are picking off Knights one by one as the vanguard of Kirito, Asuna, Liz, Tetsuo and Agil try and protect them.
With Argo, Silica, Sachi, Keita, Leefa and Klein flanking the knights from the two sides, they are making some headway the Knights just seem endless.
PoH and Roselia are standing behind the group of knights watching while they smile, Roselia then turns to PoH.
"So, what do you say PoH should we join in on the fun I have a serious bone to pick with the little dragon tamer?" She speaks.
PoH just smiles back at her. "Yes, I do believe it is time for us to enjoy some of this fun." He says as he draws out his long sword and Roselia draws out her lance.
They both jump up into the air flipping up and over the Knights landing between them and Kirito's forces.
Roselia looks over at Silica and licks her lips. "Your mine little girl!" She yells as she charges towards Silica only to get blocked by Yukki.
"Hello crazy lady I am Yuuki, and I would like to fight you." Yukki says with a smile on her face as they engage in a battle.
PoH heads straight for Kirito but is blocked by Ran. "You know I am not having much fun fighting these boring Knights you look like you are a lot more fun to fight." Ran says with a smile and starts to attack PoH.
As the battle wages on Kirito's forces start losing some of their AI backup but the number of Knights has dropped by a lot and PoH and Roselia are having trouble fighting their opponents.
After about an hour of fighting Sugou yells something and the Knights stand down and back away from the rebel fighters.
Roselia not having any luck in her fight backs away, but she did better than PoH did as Ran had him on the ground with several wounds to his body and he was unable to get back up.
Sugou walks over to PoH and then signals a Knight to help him up he then turns to Kirito and licks his lips.
"So, hero-Kun it looks like we are at a standstill here but make no mistake I will come out the victor here and I will have them all as my slaves." Sugou says.
"You are wrong Sugou our forces still stand ready to fight yours are mindless constructs that are falling to our blades and your real fighters were no match for ours just surrender Sugou and end this now." Kirito states.
Sugou laughs. "Now come on Hero-Kun I have the advantage here tell me do you recognize this palace like you have seen it before?" Sugou states.
Kirito and the others look at the castle it is red a dark red hue almost looks like it is made of glass, no not glass but pure ruby.
Kirito gasps he has seen this castle before on the box that SAO came in when he received it.
"That is the Ruby palace from SAO, isn't it?" Kirito asks.
"My Hero-Kun you do have a good memory why yes, it is, and it is not the only thing I brought with me when I took over this world, for you see I integrated the data from the final boss the real final boss not Kayaba into my avatar." Sugou smiled.
"I just need a little more power from the defeated Knights to be able to transform into her, but with the defeat of PoH I think he will do nicely." Sugou stated as he walked over to where PoH was.
PoH looked at him horrified as Sugou placed his hand on PoH's chest and caused him to merge with Sugou.
After the light from the merge dies down Sugou just smiles.
"This young man's mind is more insane than they thought I was, but his essence will now be used for my transformation, and you Hero-Kun will die, and your friends will become my servants." Sugou said as he laughed.
Kirito in shock just stares at him. "What did you do to him Sugou?" Kirito demanded.
Sugou just smiled. "You see Hero-Kun everyone that comes into this world using the STL is a form of energy I came in another way through a new form of full dive using parts of a STL and a Medicuboid, I can absorb those forms of energy." Sugou states.
"As for his real body the shock of what I did will most likely make him a vegetable for the rest of his life, and me well I become smarter and stronger and believe me Hero-Kun I have truly become a god here, with all the AI's I absorbed and now the murderer I can finally finish you." Sugou states.
Kirito grips his sword as Sugou takes aim at him deciding he would rather absorb Kirito than kill him when he is suddenly stabbed from behind.
"You leave Kirito alone." A male voice stated.
Sugou turned around and saw one of his Knights had removed his helmet and attacked him.
Kirito noticed too it was Eugeo the boy he and Alice were searching for before PoH confronted him.
"Big Mistake boy." Sugou says as he slashes Eugeo across the chest and then throws him at Kirito.
Kirito and Alice run up to him. "Eugeo." Was all that Kirito being able to say?
Eugeo places his hand on Kirito. "Hey Kirito, Alice sorry to worry you both, please Kirito stop him for me buddy." Was all Eugeo said as he burst into a shower of pixels.
Kirito tighten his grip on his swords, and he snarled at Sugou.
"You know what I am tired of you and the other crazy people messing with my lifetime to end this." Kirito growled.
Sugou laughed. "You are so right Hero-Kun, and I will end you, BEHOLD AN INCARNATION OF THE RADIUS!" Sugou yells as he starts to transform.
His form changes to that of a large female form with bright red eyes and pale with skin holding a large lance in one hand and a sword in the other.
Everyone gasps and jumps back.
"That is what the true final boss of SAO was to look like?" Agil states.
Kirito rushes in to attack and hits a force field, he is then thrown back as Agil goes into attack.
He is also thrown back by the field.
"How do we even fight this thing?" Liz asks.
"We are going to need to overload his shield to get it to drop then attack him the best we can." Argo states.
Agil runs in charging up an Axe skill and jumps up and comes down hitting the shield head on as the monster turns to attack him, he calls out for a switch.
Kirito jumps in and attacks from the middle and calls for a switch which brings in Liz and Silica, as they all hit it the shield breaks and Sinon hits it with 3 arrows knocking it back Asuna rushes in and hits it with a linear attack.
After the monster had taken a bar of damage, she falls back but then her eyes glow and a tree forms behind her and a drop of water hits her head healing the damage and restoring the shield.
"How the hell do we defeat this thing if she heals?" Klein asks.
No one has an answer and after about 20 minutes of fighting they are no closer to defeating this monster than they were at the beginning.
Kirito only at 25 percent health and no way to heal is slammed against a wall by a fist and the monster is about to blast him the others are pinned down with no way to help.
"Kirito!" Both Agil and Klein yell as the monster is about to blast him.
Suddenly, she is hit from above by what appears to be another fighter Riding an exceptionally large Dragon.
When the smoke from the attack clears, they see it is Alicia Rue leader of the Cait Sith faction in ALO, and the name over the dragon excites Silica.
"Pina!" She yells as the dragon lands and Alicia jumps off and she shrinks down to her smaller size and hops onto Silica's shoulder.
The hit jarred the monster enough that it lost its hold on everyone and they fell and regrouped, Gideon immediately used healing crystals she had to heal everyone up.
But before they could all fully recover the monster charged at them with the lance.
As they all braced for the impact all they heard was it hit something metal Kirito looked up and saw a man clad in red armor holding an exceptionally large shield and long flowing gray hair.
"Heathcliff?" Was all Kirito said as this caught everyone's attention?
"Why help there Kirito-Kun it seems someone has stolen my data from SAO." He said as he turned his head towards Kirito.
"How are you here?" Was all Asuna said.
"That would be me Auntie Asuna I was able to go and get help and I brought everyone I could get a hold of." Yui states flying out of the back of Heathcliff's shield.
With that they all turned around and saw members of KotB as well as the DDA they then saw Yulier and Thinker with their guild mates from the ALF.
"Kirito you saved us all form SAO we owe you as much we are here to help." Thinker says as his soldiers draw their arms.
"And I feel I owe you once more for taking care of Yui for me and planting my seed Kirito-Kun." Heath cliff says.
Kirito getting a new wind in him turns to everyone.
"Me Asuna and Heathcliff will attack her from the front and just like before with the skull reaper you all hit her with everything you got." Kirito said as everyone nodded.
Sinon gave him a small kiss on the cheek. "Kazuto please do me a favor and try not to sacrifice yourself this time like last time the same goes for you Asuna." Sinon says as she moves to take her position in the back.
They both nod to her.
Klein and Liz turn to Leefa. "Ever want to see three people fight like they are one mind your about to see that with Asuna Kirito and Sinon." They said as Leefa looked surprised.
And with that everyone started to attack the boss while Heathcliff mainly focused on blocking her attacks and Kirito throwing her off balance for Asuna to go in for the hits.
After the monster took at least a bar of damage she fell back to heal.
"Cancel the magic fast." Heathcliff yelled out.
"We are on it!" Yuuki and Ran yelled out as they flew towards the monster, they were successful in interrupting her healing magic.
"Yatta, we did Nechan!" Yuuki yells out.
"You did it guys!" Asuna yells out as the monster in a rage swings her shorter sword and slices into Yuuki and Ran.
"NO YUUKI RAN!" Everyone hears Sinon yell out as she knocks an arrow and starts firing at the monster nonstop.
"YOU BASTARD I AM DONE WITH YOU TAKING MY FRIENDS AND THOSE I LOVE AWAY FROM ME!" Sinon yells as she keeps firing.
Heathcliff noticing this is knocking the monster off balance.
"There will be time to grieve later for your friends, but we have an opening everyone hit it with all you got." Heathcliff yells out
Kirito also angry for what happened starts charging at the monster it lunges its spear at him he uses his dual blades to cross block it.
"Switch!" he yells out.
Asuna comes rearing in her rapier glowing purple. "Now you will see why Yuuki was the Zekkan of ALO." Asuna says as she unleashes Mothers Rosario on the monster.
The monster down to its last bar of health summons out vines to try and stop everyone one as Kirito jumps in to perform his final attack.
Sinon starts blasting the vines with arrows as Heathcliff and the vanguards from Fuurinkazan and Moonlit black cats start blocking as many as they can with their shield.
There are still two vines heading right for Kirito and one massive one heading for Shino as she tries to aim at the two heading for Kirito the other one almost hits her only to have two people stand on each side of her cross blocking it with their halberds.
"No worries Sinon we got this take out the other ones." Sachi says.
Sinon smiles and fires two arrows they hit both vines causing them to veer off course.
"They missed him." She said to herself.
Kirito now free to attack flies in his swords crossed and glowing. "Starburst Stream." He says as he unleashes a large combo of sword strikes on the monster.
At the end of the combo, he launches up into the air and comes crashing down with the Dark Repulsor slicing into the monster from its head to its torso.
He lands the monster reels back as its hit points hit Zero and it disappears in a flash of pixels.
Everyone starts cheering as the Ruby Palace disappears and is replaced by Cardinal's castle and the Knights all stand down.
Where the monster was now only lays Sugou and PoH on the ground.
Kirito walks up to them and looks to Heathcliff.
"Are they?" He starts to ask.
"No Kirito-Kun they are not dead, but they will no longer be an issue for you either it might be a very long time before they can heal from this trauma and wake up." Heathcliff explains.
With that they hear a voice.
They look over and see Yuuki and Ran laying on the ground.
The group runs over to them.
"Yuuki, are you guys alright?" Asuna asks.
Yuuki smiles. "Don't worry Asuna we knew we would only be here to help free Kirito and we would return to where we belong." Yuuki states.
"No Yuuki we can't lose you again we can't." This time it was Silica.
"You never lost us the first time Silica-Chan as long as you remember us, we will always be alive in your hearts but both me and Ran knew this would be a temporary thing, all we ask is you guys please don't join us for a very long time." Yuuki says as everyone is over her and Ran with their heads held low.
"That goes double for you Kirito, don't scare us like that again." This time it is Ran speaking.
Kirito with tears in his eyes nods his head.
"We love you guys we will always remember you always, Yuuk-chan, Ran-Chan thank you." This time it was Argo speaking.
Both Yuuki and Ran smiled as they glowed and then disappeared, then there was another glow everyone turned to see Heathcliff glowing as well.
"Don't be so surprised Kirito-Kun I am dead as well don't forget Yui was able to reform me to help you, now it is my time to rejoin the Konno girls, and Kirito-Kun Asuna-San Sinon-San thank you for taking care of Yui by the way as a parting gift to all of you there is a pod in the lowest sub-basement of Argus I think you might find what is in there." Heathcliff said as he too vanished.
After that Kirito looked around at everyone and smiled "Guys I think it is time we went home what do you say to that?" he asks.
They all smiled and laughed.
Sinon walked up to Kirito. "I will see you when you get back to the hospital, I will be waiting for you there." Sinon said to him as they kissed and she and her group as well as all the backup that she and Yui got disappeared.
Kirito looked over at Asuna's group. "Kirito-Kun we are where your body is so we will see you a lot sooner." Asuna said as she hugged her best friend and the others smiled as they were logged out of the system.
He then turned towards Alice. "I am sorry I cannot take you out of here but maybe someday, I just wanted to say thank you for helping me out over the years you have been a great friend Alice." Kirito said to her as she blushed.
"It has been a pleasure Kirito I hope to see you again someday." Alice said.
"I would like that." Kirito said as he started to vanish as he was logged out.
All right folks I have just one more chapter after this one that will wrap up all the loose ends and then on the Beaters Guild top finish that one up, and now you also know why in my story the movie did not happen and yes I added Sugou into the story due to me thinking while PoH would have a decent reason for revenge he would have nothing to gain controlling underworld enter the nut-job Sugou.
Anyway, Read and review I look forward to hearing what you all think.
Until next chapter catch ya on the flip side