A single white rose, this gave Ruby a small glimmer of hope that she and her team could survive this daunting ordeal they had been thrown into, she leaned down and cupped the blooming rose starring at it with love reminding her of her mother Summer Rose. Kirito look over her shoulder and smiled admiring the rose as Killgrave stood back and scoffed a little "You know we don't have time to stop and smell the roses little rose." Killgrave remarked slightly annoyed at the sight. Ruby stood and turned to face Killgrave With her usual cheery smile on however this time her eyes showed the pain "Sorry it's just white roses have a special meaning to and make me feel at ease." Kirito interjected following Ruby "Let her have this Killgrave who knows when the next time will be we get to enjoy something and feel relaxed?" Killgrave went to retort and then stopped showing some self restraint knowing these were his teammates and they could turn if he made angry after all he wasn't even sure if his powers would work on people from different worlds. "Yes of course sorry for my rudeness however we should be going we may not have long." Killgrave pointed out this time sound at least half way sincere trying to urge his teammates to move without voicing his opinion incorrectly." Ruby took turned for a moment just to take in the beautiful blooming white rose one more time as if to engrave the feeling of hope in her mind, just as a leather booted foot stomped it into the ground.

The year is 2024 it has been nearly two years since the death game known as Sword Art Online started, what was meant to be a massive leap for the video game world as the worlds first V.R.M.M.O.R.P.G. or Virtual Reality Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game quickly turned into the worlds single most horrible disaster as over 6,000 have already died since the games launch in 2022. Among the remaining players a single man stood out in clad black he to those who didn't befriend him was known as the terrifying black swordsman the man who dual wielded swords, a unique trait for S.A.O. however to those who did take the time to break down his tough exterior he was simply Kirito. Kirito sat on the couch in the beautiful log cabin him and his newly wed wife Asuna had just purchased with their remaining Col from their wedding, this was sure to be a great honeymoon however there was one problem their friends didn't want to leave. Kirito sat surrounded by his probably best friends Klein who did nothing the entire time but gorge on food Asuna had cooked for the party they were having and nudge Kirito making perverted jokes and of course Agili. Agili sat sternly laughing a bit but trying not to cry as he spoke of his wife back in the real world and how he wanted to see her again but then would turn and continue to tell Kirito how lucky he was that he had found someone to love in this death game and he had to treasure her or else. Kirito felt the or else was an empty threat he was a much higher level than Agili and much much more skilled than Agili might ever be. It was in this that spending half his life locked away playing games came in handy in this game he was something he would never be in the real world strong and powerful.

Across from Kirito in two chairs was Asunas best friend Lizbeth a blacksmith Asuna had introduced Kirito to when he wanted to make his second sword the Dark Repulser, Oh how that was an adventure getting stuck in a dragons nest over night with probably the exact definition of a Tsundere someone who claimed to hate him but then got so upset when she found out about Asuna and him. Next to Liz in the next chair was the commander of the Knights of the Blood Oath the one who had approved their time off to marry and take a honey moon after the ordeal with Kuradeel. Commander Heathcliff probably one of the few people in this game who could best Kirito as he had already proven in their duel, it was either that or Kirito really was good and Heathcliff was somehow cheating with G.M. codes or something but how would he get those? Kirito brushed the idea away it was way to far fetched that Heathcliff had G.M. codes he was just salty about losing to someone better than him. Kirito chuckled at some corny joke Klein told trying not to make Klein feel out of place and he heard Asuna laugh in the kitchen preparing more food, Kirito wasn's sure if she truly found it funny or was just trying to humour Klein because he was Kiritos friend either way he would find out later tonight. Heathcliff held up a glass as Asuna came in with more snacks in he cute yellow shirt and white skirt wearing a red apron, "Cheers to the newly wed couple and proof that maybe this game isn't all bad after all!" "Cheers!" Everyone sounded holding up their drinks Klein added something after his cheers "And to hopes that I'll eventually get a girlfriend!" Everyone sat their glasses down and laughed "Oh come on guys! Mr. doom and gloom in black here can't be the only one that gets lucky right?" Lizbeth glared at Klein "See unlike you Klein Kirito isn't a perv so he's instantly bound to get more action than you ever will you creep." Liz sounded almost serious but still had that joking hint in her voice upsetting Klein but still making him and everyone laugh at the harsh humour Liz served out.

Kirito was glad his and Asunas friends had finally left leaving him and Asuna alone together on the first night of their Honeymoon, Kirito wanted nothing more than to just be around her that alone brightened his day, in the two years he had been here he could say he loved this world as it is where he met his love that beautiful chestnut haired lightning flash Asuna. Asuna leaned over Kirito wrapping her arms around him and kissing him on the cheek from behind leaning in to whisper in his ear "We're finally alone.' Kirito relaxed enjoying the sound of her voice and loving every second of it as she kissed him again they heard a pounding at the door and instantly separated embarrassed almost like a teen couple caught by one of their parents. Kirito relaxed "It's probably Klein trying to give a bad time and joke some more let me go shoo him off." Asuna nodded and dipped in to their bedroom to wait for him Kirito watched happily as she smiled passing through the door. Kirito strode up to the door and opened it wearing nothing but his casual black shirt and pants "Klein go away and no you can't- Kirito stopped mid thought as before stood a man who was not Klein but a even more disturbing man one dressed in black with gold lining and dark blue eyes. The man smiled "What I can't watch what a shame I don't see much excitement these days, but alas your plans are not what I'm here for you'll have to give your wife a rain check me and you have a game to play!"

Kirito thrust himself backwards opening his menu and using his quick bar to equip his battle gear but was quickly tripped by the man in black who had somehow moved from the door way all the way to the living behind Kirito faster than what seemed possible. Kirito Rolled away from him on the ground and jumped up drawing his swords "Who are you, Kayaba?" The man in black chuckled "Oh please don't compare to that freak his power is only an illusion based off data see me I have real power!" He said unsheathing a blue light blade that seemed to match his eyes "I am Watcher." Asuna ran out of the bedroom in her nightie to see Kirito and Watcher locked in a starring match "Kiri-" she was cut off as Watcher suddenly appeared behind her and held his sword to her throat "Come with me or lightning flash gets it!" Kirito lowered his swords "Normally I'd be pretty upset I mean I still am your touching my wife but we are in a safe zone you can't hurt her here." Asuna smiled but was unnerved as Watcher began to laugh "You think the laws of this pathetic man made creation could ever affect the servant of my master! You pitiful being you I'll show you!" Watcher stabbed Asuna in the hand clearly making her health drop and her shriek in terror. "Now one more time Kaz come with me or she gets it!" Kirito lowered his weapons and sheathed them "Okay I'll come just don't hurt Asuna please!" Kirito walked toward Watcher and traded his place with Asuna as Watcher wrapped his arm around Kirito. The last thing Kirito saw before the blue light overtook his sight was the terrified look on his beautiful wife's face he hated seeing her cry he wanted to hold her.

That single glimmer of hope the one thing that made Ruby smile in this dark time was crushed so quickly by the looming figure of a man in an animal skin vest and fur pants, his skin was white and his face scarred covered in ragged facial hair with very close cut brown hair. He stood starring at Ruby and the others with raging brown eyes "You are in my territory children these forests are mine." Kirito leaned into an attack ready position gripping his Elucidator in one and his Dark Repulser in the other, Ruby took a step forward gripping her Crescent Rose in her right hand. Killgrave stepped forward motioning his teammates to stand down "I got this we may not have to fight" He whispered walking past "You scar-face surrender and walkaway" Killgrave commanded choosing his words purposefully knowing how to word things after years of accidental commands. The man looked at Killgrave curiously and then drew his knife from his boot "Why would I listen to you, you purple freak." These words severely upset Killgrave he was used to most people obeying his commands only one had ever actively been able to ignore them. Kirito felt a tingle in his jacket as he withdrew the manual and opened it reading aloud from a new page, "Beware the Huntsman a fierce some opponent immune to all viruses and diseases, the forests are his domain where lives and hunts dare not anger him he will skin you much like his next prey." Killgrave withdrew knowing he doesn't have a weapon to defend himself with "Well that explains that much" Killgrave backing away "Sorry you two my power is useless against Scar face here" Kirito nodded "Huntsman forgive my friend for his brashness if this forest is your territory then let us leave in peace we had no idea "It is to little to late to apologize blackie you took my supplies and invaded my forest it's time for you to die!"

Kirito drew his swords and placed them in a cross like defensive stance putting his prominent right foot backwards in order to steady himself and brace for the incoming attack of the lunging Huntsman. The Huntsman's blade connected with Kirito's swords Kirito stepped back the force of the attack was much stronger than he had anticipated, he tried to shove The Huntsman off but was unable to compensate for The Huntsman's immense strength He was barely able to hold his position as it was. Ruby during this had withdrawn her Crescent Rose in rifle mode and fired a shot hitting all three blades sending Kirito backwards and The Huntsman withdrawing in surprise as another rang towards him hitting him in his right arm. Ruby flipped her Rose into scythe mode and lunged for an attack using a bullet to gain momentum and clashed blades with The Huntsman's knife. Ruby spun the Crescent Rose above her head and brought it firing another bullet to increase it's speed not giving The Huntsman a chance to counter all her could was defend and get sent flying backwards. Kirito saw an opening and lunged after The Huntsman using his Elucidator to knock his knife away from his left hand and then brought the hilt of the Dark Repulser into The Huntsman's injured arm. He yipped in pain knowing this situation but usually experiencing it from the other end he was now the prey against the superiors, The Huntsman dropped under the waist and lunged for his blade and dodge rolled away from a bullet and strike form Kirito. The Huntsman took one more look at his new prey as he ran into the forest. Kirito relaxed at the site of The Huntsman running and sheathed his swords turning to Ruby and Killgrave "I get the feeling Killgrave that wasn't the last we'll see of Scar face there, and you there Ruby right that weapon of yours is it a gun or a sword?" Kirito looked over at Ruby who had already moved over to the trampled white rose "Mom.." Ruby stopped for a second and let her enjoy the site.

As Ruby rose from the tragic site she looked at Kirito with a truly happy look in her eyes excited to talk about her Crescent Rose "It's both it's a sniper rifle and a scythe I named it the Crescent Rose my uncle Qrow helped me make it when he trained me to fight!" Ruby started almost bouncing talking about her weapon. Killgrave sat in the back mocking the children in a silent manner making a mouth with his hand mimicking everything they said. "a scythe and a gun amazing that's something straight out of a fantasy game!" Kirito admired it as Ruby wanted nothing but to show it off. The two kids stopped for a second and looked at Killgrave who was still mocking them not realizing they stopped talking. Killgrave stopped and looked at them embarrassed he had been caught in a childish act as the other two laughed, "Well Ruby I hate to admit it but Killgrave is right we should get going out of here before Scar face or someone worse shows up." The three nodded in agreement as Killgrave pulled out the map and compass from his bag and pointed out a town on the map "Here there is a town named Kargath North of here the opposite way Scar face went" " Ruby nodded "Sounds good to me the less fighting the better with people the better."

Sinbad stood on a cliff edge looking out from the cave him and Cole had been thrown into, he stood proud and smug looking over the forest "The waves are moving there was a fight" Cole stood from his seated position in the cave behind Sinbad "So you can read a wave in everything even though it's not water?" Sinbad turned towards Cole "Of course every living thing has a wave and it works together in a single flow I can see it all and how it moves I've known how to read since I was a kid." Cole nodded and stood next to Sinbad "I guess it's a good thing we ended up as the only pair with our powers you know?" Sinbad laughed for a second "Yes the electric man Cole Macgrath and Prince Sinbad master of the lightning Djinn Baal!" Yes the pair made quite a team this reason is why they were stuck in a team of only two together, the others would think it to be a disadvantage to only have two players but in truth it was the safety of the other players that Team 4 wasn't even more powerful. Sinbad stared ahead of them into the distance and started to walk forward "Well it's time we go" Cole looked at Sinbad puzzled "How do you intend we get down" Sinbad smiled "Well Cole I will have no issue riding the waves down and as for you Cole don't you have that levitating power you developed in that place called Empire City?" Cole put his hand on his chin and nodded he had forgotten that he could use a magnetic field to hoover "Yeah I guess I do it's just been forever since I've used those powers." Sinbad took a running leap off the cliff face "My servant of deception and confidence Transform my whole body into that of a great Magus!" A white light enveloped Sinbad as he transformed into a strange version of himself with long white hair and losing most of his clothing, this is what Sinbad described to Cole as his full body Djinn Equip. Cole followed off the cliff face forcing the magnetic waves out of palms to steady himself falling using just enough power to levitate down without falling all the way to his death.

Sesshomaru knelt at the edge of a lake in the forest cupping the water out to drink it with a sheepish Kitty Pryde behind him who was still terrified of him after the first 5 minutes of the journey together when Sesshomaru slew Skeletor without a second thought. "You know he was what you call a bad guy right?" Kitty looked intently at Sesshomaru and nodded folding her arms behind her back unsure of what he was gonna do "I know." Oh she knew Skeletor was obviously a bad guy but Sesshomaru she didn't know about. Sesshomaru motioned her to come forward "Drink your fill here so we can conserve the most of out water supply we don't know when we'll find more." Kitty walked next to Sesshomaru and knelt drinking calmly keeping an eye on Sesshomaru. He looked at her and stood "I won't kill you, you remember that book we found in the house we started in?" "Yeah somewhat I do why?" Kitty said while trying to recall the memories that had transpired just an hour ago that day.

Kitty, Sesshomaru and Skeletor had "Spawned" (As Peter would have said) in a log cabin where Skeletor quickly went to work establishing himself as group leader and went on about how Sesshomaru and Kitty would follow him without question or face dire consequences. "Listen you boobs I will lead this team to victory and I will conquer this world along with Enternia! You will both survive as long as you obey me and follow my instructions to the exact!" Sesshomaru brushed him off and walked over to the other side of the room where a book lay on a single wooden table with no chair. "Sesshomaru! You smelly fur-brain get over and leave that book alone we must discuss battle plans!" Sesshomaru ignored Skeletor and opened the book reading it's contents with an expressionless face seemingly unconcerned with the threats of the mannish skeleton thing calling itself Skeletor. "Sesshomaru one more time if I must tell you I will punish you , you flee bitten bumbling fur head!" Sesshomaru kept reading unworried about Skeletor and his high pitched verbal threats. "You have to the count of three you mutt! ONE... TWO... THREE! That's it!" Skeletor rose his hand to use what Kitty could only assume was some type of magic, but before Skeletor could get his hand above his waist Sesshomaru had his Sword drawn and recited a name quietly barely audible enough for Kitty to hear. "Baksaiga!" A streamlined light flew from the white katana and it entirely destroyed Skeletor nothing was left of the bony man thing.

Kitty recounted the events and finally asked "Well what was in the book?" Sesshomaru withdrew it and read aloud "It's a type of manual the Dungeon Master calls a game manual in it is the entire life and powers and weaknesses of every person here, Skeletor was a type of evil warlock who tried to conquer his own dimension.' Sesshomaru stopped and handed Kitty the book and watched her open it "It says you are something called an mutant from a team called the X-Men." Kitty looked up and nodded finally standing to her feet to continue reading the book. "And here it says your a demon and the son of a great demon at that your sword is named Baksaiga it will slowly kill anything it even nicks, it says your from a form of the Japanese Edo period." Sesshomaru nodded "The book also has info on our enemies but remember thy as well now have that info to use." Kitty stood in amazement "All these powers Mind Control, Lightning, djinn's, cybernetics..." Sesshomaru turned to start walking "The book also says we are all from different universes or worlds." Kitty couldn't believe what she was reading, video game player from 2024, Cyborg from the 60's, Mages and huntresses." She looked up from the book to see Sesshomaru walking away north into the forest motioning her to come along "What hold on wait for me!"

Sinbad now out of his Djinn equip walked in to open air they had finally arrived at the village of Kargath and were out of the forest, he stretched for a moment and then turned to Cole. "You know the others will be coming for this place as well right?" Cole nodded "I know I'm counting on it, maybe enough early defeats can end this game before it starts though I would rather not kill anyone." Sinbad nodded in agreement he had killed before but only in defense of him and his friends he tried his best to leave everyone alive wherever he went. They both took in the scene around them and the situation they were truly in a mutant from a dystopian future with electrical powers partnered with a man who captured genies from a medieval world of magic and knights standing at the edge of a forest starring down a dirt road straight to an unknown town soon to be a battle ground for other unfortunate players. Cole walked on as Sinbad stood at the edge of the treeline starring back into the forest something had caught his attention Cole turned towards Sin with anticipation, "Sinbad? Is everything okay?" Sinbad stood motionless still starring into the forest. They stood starring for what must have been only minutes but felt like an eternity "Cole there are people in that village yes?" Cole look at Sin puzzled "Yeah I mean I would assume so? It is a village after all people tend to live there." Cole said giving Sin the are you crazy look he had so come to enjoy giving Zeke. "I mean sure they may look like people but are they people? This world was engineered by Dungeon Master according to the players guide and he calls it a game so are those people real or fake?" Cole paused he hadn't thought of that until now he heard the word game and assumed N.P.C.s but Sin brought up a good point were these real people they were about to endanger to draw out their enemies or were they just put there by Dungeon Master to look real? The thought of putting innocent people in harms way sent a shiver down Cole's spine he had done that once and never ever wanted to do it again less he end up like Kesseler.

Killgrave lead the charge since he was holding the map and compass towards Kargath they had long sense abandoned the woods and were in open fields south of Kargath but for some reason Killgrave still felt it necessary to keep the map and compass on him in case of emergency. Though Kirito couldn't think of what emergency Killgrave was thinking of and another thing he still couldn't trust Killgrave not after reading what the book said he did to that woman Jessica, Kirito dared not show it to Ruby at least for the time being he feared it might be to much for her to handle hearing all those details. Though from the looks of it Ruby didn't trust Killgrave either she gave him an unending stare of unease while still struggling to keep that disturbingly cheery and optimistic face on Kirito made a mental note he would have to tell her later about how it's okay to look down in dark situations that sometimes cheery made people feel un easy. The trio stopped as they capped a hill and starred down the road into Kargath where quests would await for them to earn food and water and maybe find a way out of this death game. Killgrave began to walk briskly toward the village and was stopped by the sudden chorus of wait or nos coming from his younger companions "What is it now kiddos?" Kirito stepped forward and looked Killgrave dead in the eye "That place is bound to be filled with the other "Players" soon we should be prepared for a fight or to at least defend ourselves." Ruby nodded in agreement noting that Kirito has obviously spent his fair amount of time in games. Killgrave starred Kirito down puzzled "And how do you know that can you read their minds?" Killgrave said slightly annoyed by the interruption. Ruby piped up from behind Kirito "Mr. Killgrave sir have you ever played an M.M.O. before?" Killgrave looked at Ruby with immense skepticism and curiosity "A M M what O" Kirito sighed "A Massive Multiplayer Online game they are games that were developed for thousands of people to play online at once together to compete for resources and items." Killgrave gained a look and understanding "Oh no I never really played games growing up I had better stuff to be doing like discovering my powers!" Ruby shrunk backwards in surprise "Listen Killgrave what the girl is trying to say like me is that it's common knowledge that most players in a game online will try to rush the nearest possible location to grab all the loot and items they can in order to have advantage over the other players because if they take it the others won't be able to the same rule applies here in a death match everyone will rush here first trying to get a special weapon or something before someone else so they can have an easier time killing everyone." Killgrave stood in amazement and annoyance "You learned all that playing games?" Kirito nodded at the same time as Ruby "Then why agree to come here?" Ruby walked up "Well if we play our cards right and hide we can take some gear and items as everyone else fights this way we can also scale their abilities for ourselves the book Kirito had tells us about them but seeing someone fight first hand gives you a much better idea about what to watch for." Killgrave nodded it was clear the other two had thought this out he had better listen to them for the time being they might keep him alive in case his powers didn't work on his opponents.

The trio snuck around the side of the town to the west ducking into an alley that came to the outside of the town Kirito convinced Killgrave to let Ruby lead the charge as the book declared her to have far more experience in the stealth side of things than Kirito or Killgrave would ever have. As they snuck down an alley filled with cats and trash cans they peered into the streets as they passed by and noticed a distinct lack of something that a village should posses... People.

Sin and Cole walked down the center street of the town from the east side of town where they had exited the forest Sin and Cole's fears were quitied when they noticed the empty streets minus the occasional rat or cat. The town was barren and lifeless "Sinbad where are all the people?" Sin was silent for a moment "I sense three people in the middle of town and three more sneaking around somewheres I assume these 6 are two of the other teams." Cole nodded in response to Sin it looked like they walked right into a fight "We could run now Sinbad?" Sin shook his head "No we fight after we try and reason with them maybe if we can work together we can fight against that Watcher man." Cole sighed he couldn't disagree with Sin but his instincts told him to run but his morale side won over and continued on. As they neared the center of town Sin peered into an alley way and noticed Ruby, Kirito and Killgrave hiding there and nodded at them mouthing "Truce?" after some debacle amongst themselves Ruby nodded. That affirmation made Sin feel more at ease at least everyone wasn't out to kill him.

As Sin and Cole entered the center of town they saw waiting for them in what looked like the town square a man in gold armour Sin remembered him by the name Gilgamesh, he was part of team number 1 with the cyborg Joe Shimimura and Green Arrow. Sin stepped forward taking the lead for his team "You must Gilgamesh the self proclaimed King of Kings, you know for a town it's really quite empty." Gilgamesh clenched his arms "No I am the King of Kings and I know it is I killed its inhabitants they pissed me off."

Chapter: 2 End Fleeting Fear

Chapter: 3 Coming Soon Lightning Strikes Twice.