"You idiots! That was so anti-climatic! You two could have fought in one last fight to see who is more powerful. But no, you two decide the best course of action would be to make it a historic, first time ever, draw! Didn't you guys want not too much attention drawn to yourselves? Kind of misses the point really I just- ow, that hurt!"

Ever since Sinon and Sabretooth returned from the BoB to join up with the other three (all within Zero X's shop), Starbug had been complaining non-stop on: how the duel ended, the lack of a fight at the end and just what happened in general after she blew up the two Humvees. She pointed. She cursed. She just kept on moaning. Until Zero X hit Starbug over the head with her MG3. The complaining stopped.

"Anyway," Zero X begun, after clearing her throat, "Anyone got any ideas on what to do now? That threat might have to be taken seriously, so we need to react appropriately."

"I agree," Sabretooth replied, testing a G11 in front of the counter, "Several have died by his hand already, but I do sincerely doubt they were committed within virtual space. Which only begs the question how? I do consider the threat that he knows where Sinon lives is not an empty one. Yet, how would one find out someone's address without many connection to them except for a single game…"

"There might be a place…" A voice came as the front door swung open suddenly and violently. He had a grey exoskeleton from head to toes that covered everything except his face. Moreover, there was something familiar about those shallow blue eyes, from the Battle of Bullets. It was Patriot, battered and tired.

"Daisuke? What are you doing here?" Zero X took a step back and rubbed her eyes, "I thought we talked through everything you wanted to know."

"Nearly everything," Patriot replied, walking up to the counter and facing Sabretooth, "I wanted to check for myself and what you said is true after all. Sorry for doubting you. Furthermore, Andrew, I wanted to make up for what I said previously. I simply did not fully understand the situation and came to a ridiculously wrong conclusion too easily. For that, I must apologise with all of my heart and nothing will change my mind in helping in your quest. So, please forgive my actions since that event and let us all work together!"

He held his hand out welcomely. Sabretooth looked at the hand then back at him. He gently placed down the G11, turning to face Patriot.

"Oi! No hugs!" Sabretooth had crashed into him at full force, sending both of them to the floor in one swooping hug. He was forgiven for his actions. "Alright! Alright! I get it! You can stop hugging me now!"

After some giggles from the others, both Sabretooth and Patriot rose back to their feet followed by some more laughs. "Glad to have you back Daisuke. Now, what was your idea?"

Composing himself (by clearing his throat and leaning onto the counter) Patriot began, "There's a serious exploit that not many know about. Hell, I only found out by accident. Overheard some players just outside the dome a few days ago, thought nothing of it until now. The invisible walls preventing players from reaching on top of buildings can be glitched through. I'll need some help to replicate it, but I do believe this may solve the address issue. There are several buildings very close to where everyone signed up for the BoBs. We just need to find the right angle."

Sabretooth thought about this for a second, hand on cheek, while putting the G11 back with the rest of its kind. "Furthermore, with that mantle, no one would be able to see him… You're onto something. Ahmya help him out with that, you're good at finding these kinds of things. Report to me as soon as possible."

"On it!" Replied Starbug with overflowing enthusiasm, a vast contrast to the complaining from moments ago, "C'mon then, show me the place!"

Thus, Starbug and Patriot left on their quest as quickly as their avatars could take them. Sabretooth continued as the two galloped down the street just outside. "Kujo, contact Seijirou and tell him to be on standby at the address given soon. I'll send it over shortly. Say when he's ready."

"That won't take too long. I'll see you all on the other side!" Subaru scrolled through the menu tab and pressed the 'log out' button. He vanished into blue pixels instantly with a wave. These pixels vanished into thin air as well. Then there was three left.

"Kei, ask around to see if anyone has seen anyone or even anything suspicious recently. Like a person keeping to the shadows or something. We need connections to figure out who is really behind this and if they have had any help."

"Understood and… please be careful Andrew. I'll lock up the shop after you two leave." Zero X slowly made her way to the front windows of her shop. The Neon lights were shut off and shutters were draped over the windows. She also looked around and adjusted anything out of place, like a grenade not in line with the rest or a gun in the wrong place. That left Sinon and Sabretooth.

"Sinon, do not allow anyone to enter wherever you live until I get there. It is safe to assume this Death Gun knows your location alongside a few others working for him. We need to make sure you're safe above all else. You understand? It is going to be a long night."

Sinon sighed, a tear in her eye tricked down, "Thank you… For everything… This would've gone very differently without you around. I guess I just needed to put my trust into someone else for a change and help them as they have helped me. I'll send my address via message once you've logged out."

"Alright, I'll be there as soon as possible. Good luck and stay safe. Thank God for the messaging app!" Sabretooth would vanish into blue pixels too. Some pixels lingered for a little longer, Sinon attempted to reach for one. It disappeared just as her hands were cupped around the block. It wouldn't be long until he got to her, but each second would drag into minutes.

"Take care dear." Zero X placed a hand on Sinon's shoulder, "He won't be long and you are strong enough to keep going. Just stay safe Sinon."

Those were the last words she heard before returning to the real world.

"Pegasus needs to have a reanalysis, yes I've read through all of it. I read through it after landing a few days back then again this morning! The system is flawed I tell you! Yes, it helped to get those on the more normal side to return to day-to-day life, but not those who lived off killing others. The system failed them. My evidence? What about my reports over the last day or so? Yes, there wasn't a huge amount to go off w- New report? I don't have time for a new report! All I can do now is tell you what I have and remind you what your forces should be doing. Here's what I've got…

"As it turns out, Daisuke (Sears to you) was right with the building roof idea; with a simple trick of unequipping and then equipping while passing through the barrier, while jumping, allows players to reach the roofs of buildings. Thus, once on top, one can spy on the terminals where addresses are confirmed with a powerful scope. Which an Arctic Warfare has. Furthermore, the person we are dealing with also has a special kind of mantle that makes them almost entirely invisible. In a nutshell, no one would know they were there while being spied on.

"This 'Death Gun', which I still think is a stupid name, was also formly a part of that death guild from SAO: Laughing Coffin. Yes, that one… Which is why I remarked how the system has failed. All players from Sword Art Online went through that program, so don't give me any buts on it. Saying the system is fine is complete BS when people like this have gone through it nearly unchanged. You want this to be an isolated incident or not?

"Anyway, my final point. It is pretty much confirmed it is not just one person working on this. It has to be at least one or two more. I have evidence of multiple players talking to this Death Gun over deals and planning over staged murders! There is a very strong possibility there is a network of these guys. All deaths reported were when he used a pistol, a Type 54 I believe. Death Gun did defeat some other players with his pistol, and yes it has to be done with the pistol for some reason, so they need to be checked on as well. To see if they're alive or not. On top of that, find a possible connection on why they were targeted. There is plenty of good players to choose from. Didn't the first guy live alone? Oh, sorry, I was just thinking out loud.

"Yes… Yes, yes. I am in a rush. There's one more target. I met her by chance before all of this really took off, don't know much about her currently, but I do have her location. Her address is definitely going to be targeted as Death Gun failed during the tournament. Yes, I advised her to remain inside and not allow anyone in. No, no I still haven't figured out how one would kill someone without a trace. There's numerous ways: chemicals, something to trigger a heart attack, or something like that. Wouldn't you need access to a hospital to get this kind of stuff? Thought so…

"I'll get a full written report done in the next few days I assure you. Yes, alongside comparing Pegasus. I just want to tie off some loose ends first… I'm sorry, could you repeat that?.. Join the force? New branch? I'll have to think about it. What's the pay like? Hmm.. Not too bad. Anyway, to conclude, get some rozzers down to the address I'll send over. Oh, and a medical team. Whatever is used to kill these people, it is clearly powerful stuff. Yes, yes. I'll call you back. Bye!"

Shino had been disconnected for well over five minutes by now. The only sounds that echoed among her apartment was the aircon in a corner humming along and the occasional creak from her bed. All the lights had been switched on. She waited, she checked every nook and cranny, she scanned every window. Nothing, just absolutely nothing. No attempts to get in. No scratches on the door or lock. No event had occurred in and around her apartment. Still nothing. Shino fell back onto her bed. She was safe, for now at least. All she had to do now was wait for-

A door bell. Who could it have been? Sabretooth would have said when he got here. Others had their jobs to do as well. Couldn't have been someone sent to kill her. They wouldn't just announce their presence surely. Then, who was it? Quietly, she approached the door. Another ring quickly followed by another. Shino held her ground behind the door until a familiar voice called out, muffled by the door.

"Asada, you there? It's me Asada." It was Kyouji, "I just wanted to congratulate you on your win today. I brought some pastries."

Shino let him in, welcoming Kyouji as he entered. He placed the small white box on a small wooden table beside her bed before sitting on a pillow gifted temporarily. An awkward silence followed him as he took off his black cap, allowing it to rest beside the white box of pastries. The smell crept through two small holes beside the handles gently. Finally, he began after some nervous clearing of his throat.

"Congrats, you were so awesome Asada! You finally did it, you're the best player in GGO now. I knew all along you could do it. You're real strong, you deserve to be number one."

"T-thank you…" replied Shino fidgeting and with a smile. This was followed by some quiet nervous giggles too. Finally, someone congratulating her for the actions she had taken throughout her-

"You said to wait remember?" Shinkawa suddenly splerted out, "You told me to wait and you would be mine. From now on, I will always be with you."

The phone ran. Shino rang. "O-one moment please. Hello?"

"Sinon? Sinon! Thank God you answered!" It was Sabretooth, clearly worried and concentrated. A rumble of a turbo-charged four-cylinder engine revved through the gears in the background. "We've narrowed down the suspects! The people working for Death Gun have to have direct connections to a hospital for a certain drug. We're not sure which, but definitely locked behind some doors. You still alone?"

"N-no, I let a friend in. He's called Shinkawa Kyouji. What a coincidence, his dad works in a hospital. Should we ask?"

"I see why not, put him through!"

However, Kyouji had a very very different idea of what he wanted to do next. He only stared back with cold blank eyes. "You don't need him to protect you, that's my job. I love you Asada and you're mine forever!"

He went for a slow surprise hug and clenched her tightly. Shino attempted to get out of his lock. The phone escaped her hand. She was… helpless to Kyouji's unwavering eternal love for her. His voice changed. The awkwardness had vanished and had been replaced by horrifying love. Even his eyes widened more. Shino cried out "Let go!" several times to no avail. That was until the last attempt. She managed to shove him back across the room and into a chest of draws. Even the white cardboard bag fell to the floor in shock.

"We made a promise remember?" Kyouji's words spluttered out in horror to his rejected love. Then, he grabbed something from his yellow jacket: a syringe. A big syringe. A big syringe used in a hospital.

"No sudden movements, please Asada." He continued, the phone within ear shot listening to every word extremely carefully, "This syringe has a drug that will paralyse your muscles in an instant. Before you know it, your lungs and heart will stop."

No… A thousand piece jigsaw puzzle had suddenly begun fallen into place: the mysterious deaths without anything in their system, the means of doing so and someone with the capacity of holding such a drug. He was helping Death Gun all along with his plans and now Shino was on the receiving end of what only a few before went through. Only difference was that she was fully awake for the procedure.

"You're the other Death Gun?!" Shino managed to squeeze out while having the large plastic syringe against her neck.

"Impressive… You managed to figure out our little secret. It is true. I'm Death Gun's partner in crime!"

By now, Shino was frozen in fear. Even if she could move without a needle entering her neck, none of her muscles wanted to move. Her eyes widened.

"Before this BoB, I was playing as Sterben. I performed the grand show. But today, I insisted to be the one to perform this game irl. Don't you see? I had to be the one doing to job. I couldn't let another guy touch you. Even if that guy is my brother."

Now the final pieces had fallen into place. If his brother was also Death Gun, then he also has access to the drugs. He was the one warped during his time in Laughing Coffin. Killing again and again without consequence, only for profit. Thus he spread his ideals onto his younger brother. Then they were let loose into the world. Everything else that happened, led to here. They had to be stopped, now!

"I've heard everything I need to know." Sabretooth's voice emitted from the phone, "I'll serve some good old justice on a silver plate! Stay alive Sinon, I'm only a block or so away!" The call ended. He turned up the industrial music, changed down a gear, and floored it. Every second mattered and Honda did not want to waste a single one.

"This isn't real… It can't be..."

Shino isolated herself in her mind while Kyouji rambled on about being together into the next life, laughing maniacally. She curled up. White and blue crystals hovered all around her, they glowed as if under a night sky. All around her was only the cold, lifeless crystals. Some fit into a palm while others towered above and below endlessly. The occasional blue crystal reflected light like a mirror. They only drifted, caring little for the situation she was in.

"It was all for nothing. He'll be in danger as soon as he arrives and I can't do anything about it!"

"That's not true."

Shino slightly turned her head where a hand wearing a fingerless glove rested. The figure was her. Well, Sinon her. Everything was identical to her avatar from the pale blue hair to the black combat boots. She floated in the void as well, but stood tall over Shino with a smile. Sinon continued: "Up to this point we were just looking out for ourselves. We never fought for or along side anyone else. But, just for this once, let us fight for someone else. Me and you. Together."

Sinon held out a hand. She was right. Up until recently Shino had worked solo on most things. She never connected with many other people, to prevent similar heartbreaks of the past coming around again. No one could betray you. No one could harm you. No one could break your heart. Perhaps, now it was a time for change. Look what she managed to achieve if she put some trust into others: fun as a group, laughing together and always excited for a new adventure. If Shino could get through this, there would be more adventures in the future. Who knows what the next adventure will bring? Shino accepted Sinon's hand.

"Come on, let's go!" Sinon cheerfully spoke, drifting upwards, "We have a battle to fight."

Shino opened her eyes to Kyouji just above her. The time for action was now. In a flash, her arm struck his face stunning him for a few seconds. Next, she shoved the syringe away while attempting to get to him off. Kyouji went on the counterattack. He attempted to climb on top of Shino only to be kicked back by both legs. She couldn't stay the needle was always within arm reach. They jostled their positions upon the bed, kicks and punches were constantly thrown between each other. One kick from Kyouji sent Shino flying off the bed and onto the cushion he sat on only minutes prior. The perfect opportunity. As fast she could, she raised to her feet and threw an internal door open. She raced for the door, constantly panting shallowly. Shino reached the door. Remove the locks. Unlock the door. Faster. Faster! However, Kyouji was not too far behind, he grasped as her ankles forcing her downwards just as the final lock had been removed. All he did was call her name time and time again. He only wanted her. Only her. Nothing else mattered. Nothing else mattered. Nothing else mattered.

Suddenly, the door flung open just as Shino screamed. A leg flew over her and hit Kyouji in the jaw and sent him flying. The figure followed him deeper into the apartment. More punches came flying from both sides. Kyouji smashed into a cupboard, then lept for another attack. The figure raised his fists for more attacks.

"Let me deal with the creep!"

Shino finally saw the figure that charged in. His wavy brown hair seemed familiar and was very pale. Is it healthy to be that pale? Then, there was an eye patch over his left eye. He wore a red jacket that hung loosely around the sleeves. Beneath that, some slim-fit black trousers with too many pockets to count. The voice, the appearance, it all made sense: it was Sabretooth in the flesh. He meant business too.

Their struggle of equal footing lead the two into the main room in the apartment. Punches and kicks just kept on coming from both sides. One had to let up eventually...

Sabretooth made a misstep, one kick that missed turned the tide within an instant. Kyouji took full opportunity of it. One kick in the other leg made him lose balance, then finally a single punch sent him onto the floor. His head rested on Shino's bed as Kyouji climbed on top.

"You monster!" he cried in desperation and anger, "This is all your fault Andrew! She is suppose to be mine! Stay away from her!"

Then, the punches came with greater force. They were all aimed at his head. Each hit with a thwack. Still, Honda attempted to keep a smile. "I'm no monster." Honda replied between deep breathes, "Monsters are the work of fiction and imagination. Yet, here I am in the flesh!"

There was still one card to play: the syringe. Kyouji had to win. He just had to. From his green jacket pocket, he grabbed onto it. Finally, Honda saw the weapon that cost the lives of a few before him. No more.

"Sabre!" Shino cried out, but it was too late. Kyouji raised the syringe for a finishing blow. How could he be countered? Honda had to act quickly. However, he lacked much strength to move. Racing against the clock, trying to solve the mystery behind it all and the beating he delivered took a toll on his available energy. No… There was one thing he could try. It was risky, but it was literally do or die. Just as the syringe dived from above, Honda (with what might he had left) undercut Kyouji. His aim was led off target. It was in his chest, now the syringe thundered right into the eyepatch. Then, an ear piercing sound like decompressing air: he pulled the trigger. No time to waste. Shino quickly rose to her feet. Something to use! Something to help! Her radio? It had to do.

While Kyouji giggled and laughed, Shino grabbed the radio and threw it at him. Instantly, Kyouji fell to the ground and dropped the syringe. He was knocked out cold. Surprisingly, the radio was perfectly fine after the knock. She rushed to Honda. "You OK? Please say you're OK!"

After some groans, a reply came, "A bit bruised up. Tis just a scratch. I'll need a new eyepatch though. Luckily mine is quite thick."

He was right. A clear, colourless liquid oozed from a small hole in his eyepatch. Luckily the syringe hadn't penetrated through the patch. Shino grabbed a tissue and began to wipe up the viscous liquid. The tissue absorbed much of the liquid after some gentle taps. All of whatever was in that syringe had been ejected, it still dripped extremely slowly onto the carpet in tiny droplets. Best not to touch it.

"He's not a great shot but at least he was dedicated… But, I must admit, you did scare me a little. I didn't expect there to be such a coincidence and- ouch!"

Shino grabbed him by his jacket, shaking him semi-violently. "I scared you? How do you think I feel! I thought you were going to die dumbass!"

"Heh, don't worry I wasn't going to die. Not to a crazy creep anyway."

Honda rose up a little (after Shino stopped shaking him) and looked at Kyouji's motionless body, blood trickled down his nose. "He's still alive, right? That was a hell of a thwack."

Shino crawled over to Kyouji and placed two fingers on his wrist. "Yep, there's still a pulse."

She then looked over to beside a chest of draws, where the syringe ended up after the fight. It lay alongside the white pastry box. The syringe had done its job, it was a tool and weapon. Now, it could rest knowing the evil that once used it for their selfish needs no longer did. The syringe could be at peace.

"You're crazy but thanks for coming over uhh…"

"Honda. Honda Andrew. You never got my name did you? How rude of me. Ouch, yep that's sprained. May I have your name? So I can at least address you properly."

"Shino Asada… That's my name..." Shino lowered her head. Her glasses reflected off the lamplight, covering her eyes. Then the tears came. The tears fell like drops of a worn tap. They came faster as more tears appeared.

Honda shuffled closer (with some pain), allowing her head to rest against his chest. The crying continued as he patted her head gently. He sighed relaxedly. They had won…

Writer's Notes:

Panzer_Bros:

A lot happened this chapter, which marks the beginning of the end for this Tale. There is a few chapters left to go to fully wrap up as many things as possible. I had to rewatch the last two/three episodes of the Phantom Bullet arc so I could get a more indepth view of how to progress with the chapters. I hope I didn't retread on the same ground too much to give a more fresh perspective of the events displayed here. Furthermore I thought it might work a little better to change around some details to fit better in this version of the story.

Anyway, get ready for the conclusion, I hope it will be a satisfying end to this little story.