Ok, finally got around to chapter 2! Let's do this ! onwards!
Sonic: The boundaries between the virtual world and reality are almost non-existent now.
It's been about two months ever since Kintobar sealed us off from reality.
Since then, almost 2,000 people have been lost to this death trap of a video game.
The only way I have been able to stay alive for so long was to keep working towards my goal: Beat Kintobar's game, and earn my way back to the real world.
The tough part, however, is that during this two-month period, we hadn't found the boss room.
If all of the dungeons were going to be this hard, what's the point of trying to beat them?
Ugh, stupid thinking Sonic.
But anyway, the good news we finally found the boss room.
Now that we found the boss room, we are having a meeting to strategize.
I just hope we can make it out of there alive.
Ugh, Enough with that kind of thinking Sonic.
Remember, Get scared later.
I-no We, can do this.
(play sonic x theme mashed with SAO theme. I don't know, listen to whatever)
Sonic sat down in one of the many rows of seats on the first-floor stadium, and he layed back and relaxed.
He looked around the entire stadium and smirked.
Sonic: As usual, I got here first.
Well, at least Sonic thought he did.
He was looking all around the stadium, when his eyes settled on a mysterious looking figure sitting across the stadium.
He couldn't really see anything that pointed out their identity, except two small pink quill that stuck out from the cloak on either side.
He held up his hand to call out to the Cloaked figure, but just then, the doors to the stadium burst open.
A bunch of people crowded in, sitting everywhere. There were hedgehogs, enchiladas, foxes, the whole deal.
The one person who stood out the most however was a metal robot.
He looked almost exactly like Sonic to a tee.
It was so weird. There was no way that guy looked like that in real life. So why did Kintobar leave him looking like that?
Once everyone had been seated in the stadium, the robot stood up, and stepped onto the stage.
?: Greetings, Fellow Players. My Designation is MS-2187, But I simply call myself NEO.
The players were still in shock at the robotic being in front of us.
NEO: Rest assured, this is my real form from reality. A group dedicated to free you used the nerve gear to download my program into the game to see if I could hack everyone out, but the game trapped my program here as well. So, I decided the only way to help players escape from our world was to help them beat the game.
Sonic's eyes widened. So people were actually trying to help them escape the digital realm? That was great!
NEO: Now, we have located the first boss room. The most logical and efficient way of taking down the beast has been calculated, and formatted into a perfect plan.
Sonic smiled, and leaned forward, rubbing his hands together.
NEO: First, however, it would be beneficial for you To group up in pairs.
Sonic's cool attitude immediately vanished. He began panicking as he looked around, desperate to find a group. But it was too late. Everyone else was already paired up, except…
That cloaked figure at the other end of the stadium.
Sonic quickly scooched over to them, and sat down.
Sonic: So, Nobody wanted them you in their group either huh?
The figure looked at him, then looked away.
?: No.
Sonic could tell by the voice that she was female.
?: I didn't bother joining anyone's group.
Sonic: Why not?
?: Let's just say some people are against having females play with "Real Players"
Sonic: That doesn't seem very fair.
?: You don't even know the half of it.
Sonic looked at the girl. It sounded like she had a tough time ever since she joined this game.
Sonic: Well, how about me and you join up?
The girl looked at Sonic.
Sonic: It'll just be this one time. Besides, NEO did say that We would work faster in teams.
The girl was silent for a little, then gave him a nod.
Sonic sent her a party request, in which she hesitantly accept.
Sonic glanced up, and now read the name hovering next to his.
Amelia.
Once everyone had joined up, NEO stood back up again.
NEO: Now then, If you all have joined up properly, We can go over the strategies we-
?: Hold up a minute!
Sonic Turned his attention to a shadowy figure standing up and jumping to the ground at the bottom of the stadium.
The figure was a bright green hawk, with feathers sticking out from behind his goggles.
?: My name is Jet the hawk, and there is something I wanna get off my chest.
NEO: Very well then.
Jet turned to the crowd and glared at them.
Jet: Before we go on any further, some of you need to apologize to the 2,00 people who have died so far!
Sonic looked the hawk in curiosity.
NEO: Jet, are you referring to your "Beta Tester" Nonsense?
Jet: It Ain't nonsense, it's the truth!
Sonic tensed up at the words, "Beta testers". He had avoided the discrimination for his whole two months, but it looked like it finally caught up too him.
Jet: The BT's took all the good quests and experience before any of us noobs could do it! I Think they should give up all the items they have!
Sonic clenched his fists tightly. He started to stand up, when he felt a restraining hand on his arm.
The girl (Amelia, Sonic remembered) Shook her head.
Amelia: He's not worth it.
Sonic grumbled and sat back down.
NEO: Jet, I think you're being a little unreasonable here.
Jet: NEO, You know I'm right. The Beta testers only care about themselves. If they expect us to trust them, why should they hog everything for themselves?
?: E-excuse me, but can I say something?
Sonic turned and saw a small orange fox stand up from the crowd. Sonic noticed he had two tails sprouting from his back
Jet scoffed at the kid.
Jet: What are you doing here, Little boy? The front lines are for MEN only.
The Fox huffed indignantly.
Fox: You said your name is Jet, right?
Jet: yeah what about it?
Fox: My name is Tails, and I wanted to see if I heard everything.
You say the beta testers were selfish, took all the good stuff, and didn't give us help at all?
Jet: Yeah, that's right.
"Tails" held out a small book for Jet and the crowd to see.
Tails: Did everyone get a copy of this book?
The crowd members nodded. One of them called out:
Crowd member: Yeah, that's the guide for the game.
Tails: Exactly. The information inside was compiled by the Beta testers.
The crowds and Jets eyes widened at this.
Tails: Everyone had equal access to this information, yet they still, regrettably, died. I wish to escape this game, and get as much people out alive as possible. And I would rather avoid this ugly discrimination.
With that thought, Tails sat back down, content with his contribution.
Jet stood there with an open mouth, it opening and closing like a fish.
Eventually, he sat back down grumpily.
NEO sighed in relief.
NEO: If we have gotten all that out of the way, Let's go over the information we have gathered.
It's all in here - the latest issue of the guidebook you just heard about.
According to the book, the boss's name is Illfang the Kobold Lord.
Also, he'll be surrounded by his minions - the Ruin Kobold badniks.
Illfang carries an axe and a buckler.
He has four health bars, and when the last one turns red, he switches to a curved sword type weapon called a Talwar.
He can change his patterns of attack, too.
Sonic's eyes narrowed. This Boss pattern was almost exactly like in the Beta. Wouldn't it have changed?
NEO: Ok people! Meet here tommorow at noon! This meeting is concluded!
Sonic watched as all the people, stood up, stretched, and began to talk to one another.
Sonic turned to confer with his new partner-
And found out she had disappeared without looking.
Sonic: Geeze, Mysterious much?
Sonic stretched, and stood up and walked out of the colosseum.
He didn't notice NEO's eyes following him.
The group of people who met that morning were now having a little before party, in case not all of them made it back alive.
Sonic was goofing around with them, and relaxing, when he noticed the girl, his party member Amelia, was sitting Alone on a bench a couple feet away.
Sonic walked over and sat next to her.
He noticed she was trying to eat a piece of the bread from the town. They were course, and
tough to chew through.
Sonic: Hey, is it ok if I sit here?
The girl barely looked at him. After a while, she gave him a small nod.
Sonic looked over at her trying to naw through the piece of bread.
Sonic: those taste pretty good, huh?
Amelia looked at him, and though sonic couldn't see her eyes, he thought they were full of doubt.
Amelia: I can barely bite through this. How can it taste good?
Sonic: Cause, I have a trick.
Sonic set a small jar down on the bench next to them.
Amelia stared at, then hesitantly tapped the lid of the jar.
He fingers glowed white, and she tapped the bread with it.
A familiar white substance appeared on the bread.
Amelia: Icing?
The girl looked at Sonic, doubt in her eyes.
Sonic was already scarfing through his portion. He glanced at the girl.
Sonic: Yeah, icing on bread may sound a little weird, but trust me. It's good.
Amelia glanced down at her bread.
She took a small bite.
Sonic stared at her, as she processed the taste.
The she scarfed down the bread, faster than you could blink.
Sonic smirked at her.
Sonic: I got it from a quest at the village back. If you want, I could show ya how to do it.
The girl shook her head.
Amelia: No thanks.
Sonic: Why not?
Amelia was quiet. Then she spoke.
Amelia: I didn't join this group to eat food.
Sonic: Then why did you join?
Amelia was quiet.
Sonic just shrugged. He put the bread closer to his mouth to take another bite when she piped up.
Amelia: So, I don't lose myself.
Sonic: Hmm?
Amelia: I'm not fool. Everyone in the town of beginnings was terrified. They locked themselves in the rooms, determined not to leave until the death game was finished.
Sonic stared at her. Where was, she going with this?
Amelia: But me, I'm not into hiding from danger. I'm no damsel in distress. I don't wanna hide like everyone else. If im gonna die, I'm gonna do it fighting.
Sonic looked at the girl sympathetically. She was trying to look brave, but she sounded terrified of what would happen.
Sonic: Hey. Look at me.
The hooded girl glanced at Sonic, her eye's still invisible due to the cloak.
Sonic: I'm never letting one of My friends, or party members die on my watch. Alright? Just remember, whatever happens tommorow, I got your back.
The girl turned to fully look at Sonic, and for the first time, he saw her eyes. They were the color of jade, and they were full of confusion.
Amelia: You think we're friends? But we just met this morning.
Sonic shrugged, and took another bite of his bread.
Sonic: You seem pretty-cool to me. Besides, even if we weren't friends, like, if we hated each other? If you were about to die, I'd save ya.
Amelia stared at him
Amelia: Really? If someone you hated was about to die, you would save them? Why?
Sonic once again shrugged.
Sonic: I like to think that everyone deserves a second chance. No matter what they did.
Amelia: Even Kintobar?
That question threw Sonic for a loop.
Sonic: …I have mixed feelings about him. But, I must admit, if someone set him before me, offered me a gun, and told me I had the decision to kill him or spare his life, I would spare him.
Amelia looked up at the sky.
Amelia: You would do that?
Sonic: Even Kintobar deserves a second chance. Everyone deserves to live. Remember that tommorow, ok?
Amelia just nodded as she kept looking up at the sky.
Sonic had gotten up early, and after eating another piece of bread, he did a few laps around the inn, then went to the meeting place. About fifty out of the one hundred people were already there conversing. His partner was there, sitting on a tree stump.
After the other half finally joined the group, they set off for the dungeon.
They walked in single line, as they talked strategy, and just goofed off as they headed to the boss room.
Sonic and Amelia were walking side by side.
Sonic: Let's go over it again. As much as I hate it, we're gonna be the backup. We're gonna go after the Minions, The kobold Badniks.
Amelia: Right.
Sonic: I'll use a sword skill to knock them back, then we switch, and you finish them off.
Amelia: Switch?
Sonic: You don't know what a switch is? Have you ever partied before?
Amelia: Not really.
Sonic's mouth dropped open, and he let out a big sigh.
Sonic: This is gonna be a long day.
After Finally reaching the dungeon, they climbed the long staircase, and reached the Boss room door.
Everyone began preparing as they equipped weapons and crystals and potions.
NEO raised his hand, and everyone looked towards him.
NEO: Listen guys. Today is the day we show the people of Aincrad, AND Kintobar that this game is beatable. Who's with me?
All the solders yelled in unison.
NEO pushed open the doors, and stared inside.
It was a long corridor, with a throne at the end. Two shiny red eyes stared out from behind the throne.
The creature jumped up, and landed in the middle of the room.
The creature looked like a giant red dog, wearing a loin cloth. True to his word, he had an axe and a buckler. He also had two cyber kinetic arms, which was very odd.
Words formed next to the creature, as well as three health bars.
ILLFANG THE KOLBOLD LORD.
NEO: Commence attack!
Squads A and C, switch in!
The creature
Here it comes! Squad B, block!
Squad C, keep guarding and prepare to switch!
Everyone else, when you fall back, regroup and flank them!
Squads D, E and F, keep those minions off us!
NEO turned to sonic.
NEO: Sonic, You and your partner help D, F, and E!
Sonic: right!
Sonic charged towards one of the badniks, and activated a sword skill, blasting them back.
Sonic: Switch now!
A blur shot by him, and Sonic's eyes widened.
Amelia charged towards the off balance, and for the first time, her sword was revealed to Sonic.
It had a red hilt, with a green gem set in the middle. The blade was long, and the point wasn't very sharp. More rounded.
Amelia: Take this, Freaks!
Amelia swung her sword and slammed it into the creature so hard, that it flew back and slammed into four other Badniks.
Sonic's mouth dropped open.
Sonic: Wow, she's really fast, but it looks like strength is more her strong suit. And I thought she was just a beginner. Heh.
Sonic: Great job, keep it up!
Sonic took out a few more Badniks with his signature skill, Spin dash slash.
After almost all of the Badniks were gone, and the boss's third health bar went into the red zone, the creature dropped his axe and buckler and roared defiantly.
Sonic: here we go.
Sonic and the others got read to charge, but NEO stopped him.
NEO: I'll take it from here.
Neo charged up to the front, his metallic hands generating two iron swords from either side.
The creature roared, and reached behind his back for his secondary weapon.
Sonic smirked at this as he brushed back another badnik.
Sonic: Exactly like in the Beta.
Then the creature drew a giant sword that had a doubled edged blade, speckled with black and red spots.
Sonic's eyes widened.
He shoved the Badnik back once more, and ran towards NEO and the group of defenders behind him.
Sonic: NEO wait! That's not a Talwar! It's a NODACHI!
NEO's virtual eyes widened, but before he could dodge the attack, the sword slammed into him, and he smashed into the floor.
Sonic: No! NEO!
Sonic sped over to him, and knelt next to NEO.
Sonic: NEO, what the heck! That was stupid! Here take the potion!
Sonic started to hand him a health potion, but NEO shook his head.
NEO: You weRe a part of the BEta test too, weren't you?
Sonic's eyes widened in shock. NEO was starting to glitch out, but he could understand him
Sonic: B-but, I thought you said you were a program, not a player!
NEO: I w-waS A part oF thE BEta as Well BUt As A COmputEd PROgram To ASSist PLAyers. WHEb=n I LEArned ABOut your PRedicameNt, I REinStalled MySelf to Help You.
Sonic's eyes widened.
NEO: PLeaSe. YOu Have TO help theM Now. ONly yoU C-C-can leeeeee- lead them. PLeAAAASE!
NEO gave one last heroic look, and shattered into a bunch of blue polygons.
Sonic stood where NEO had once been with a shocked look on his face.
Sonic: when I first started this game, I only thought about how I was gonna survive.
Sonic flashed back to when he left Knuckles in the town of beginings.
Sonic: But NEO, you cared about the players, and never gave up on them. Do not worry my friend. I'll make sure your final mission was carried out.
Sonic stood up, and glared at the creature.
He tightened his grip on his sword, Excalibur. He upgraded his weapon a few months ago. It wasn't as light as calibur, but it was strong still.
Sonic saw a blur skid to stop next to him.
Amelia: I'm coming too.
Sonic: You sure?
Amelia nodded.
Amelia: I'm not letting a friend die.
Sonic smirked.
Sonic: try and keep up.
He dashed towards the creature, Amelia running right beside him.
Sonic: Same plan we used on the Badniks!
Amelia: Got it!
Sonic charged up his move, Chaos spear, and blocked the Strong attack from ILLFANG.
Sonic: Now! Switch!
Sonic jumped out, as Amelia prepared to charge up her most powerful sword skill.
However, ILLFANG saw this coming, and raised his sword in a position to cut directly through Amelia.
Sonic's eyes widen, and he called out desperately to her.
Sonic: Amelia, Watch out!
Amelia's eyes widened under her cloak, and she twisted her body, making sure the sword would miss.
The sword missed her, but barely. He latched onto her cloak, ripping it off.
Amelia's eyes filled with anger as she slammed her most powerful skill into the creature, knocking it back.
Sonic turned around after knocking a Badnik back that had gotten close to her- and froze.
Amelia had been revealed to be a beautiful pink hedgehog, with emerald green eyes, and Long quills, sweeping over her shoulder. She wore a simple tank-top and a skirt, while wearing a brown vest. She had a pair of white gloves on, and two silver rings around her wrists.
Sonic was still stunned at her beauty, but quickly shook himself out of it. He jumped up and ran towards the creature, who had lunged at Amelia.
He took the blunt of the attack, and he slammed into her, and they rolled across the floor.
The attack had put Sonic's health in the red zone, and Amelia had broken her ankle.
They both looked up too see the creature raising his long sword to take them up.
CLANG!
Both of Amy's and Sonic's eyes widened as a small two tailed fox deflected the attack with a little spear.
Tails: Don't worry guys! We will hold em off till you recover!
Tails and a group of responders attack the creature with everything they had, while Amelia handed him a health potion.
ILLFANG quickly recovered his wits, and began attacking all out again.
Sonic got too his feet, and with Amelia charging by him, they released a series of attacks on him, reducing his health multiple times.
Sonic: One more! Amelia, charge up your most powerful skill!
Amelia charged up her Signature skill, Piko bash, and knocked the creature back.
Sonic: Switch!
Sonic charged in, and delivered all of his might into his Attack.
Sonic: Spin dash slash!
Sonic screamed as he cut through the creature, and jumped and rolled across the ground behind him.
The creature let out one last defiant roar, and then shattered into a bunch of polygons.
The room went dark, and a sign announcing CONGRATULATIONS! announced they had beaten the boss.
Everyone jumped up and cheered. They began hugging and crying to each other.
Sonic knelt on one knee, and breathed heavily. A sign appeared in front of him announcing he had gotten the last attacking bonuses.
Scarf of defense
Light speed shoes.
Tails: you were great out there. That was some fine fighting.
Amelia: Yeah. Great job.
Sonic: But-
?: STOP CHEERING!
Everyone turned to see a certain group of players, kneeling where NEO had died.
One of those Players was Jet the hawk.
Jet: Why did ya do it?! Why did ya let NEO die?!
Sonic's eyes narrowed.
Sonic: Let him?
Jet: you knew what technique the boss was gonna use. If you had told us, NEO would still be alive.
Guy: He's a beta tester! That's the only way he would have known! And I bet he's not the only one!
Sonic grimaced as he stared down at the congrats screen. He was getting sick of all this discrimination too beta testers. He decided there was only one way to stop it. And that was to turn the hate to himself.
Tails: Everyone stop it! This all-
He was interrupted by maniacal laughter.
Everyone turned to see sonic laughing like a lunatic.
Sonic: I can't believe you guys think I'm a beta tester. I'm way better than those wimps.
Jet: Uh, what?
Sonic: Most of the people who gained a slot in the test were noobs. They were so new; they didn't even know how to level up.
Sonic stood up and walked to the staircase that had opened up and stopped.
Sonic: Me though, I got higher than any other player. I reached floors with boss's unheard of.
Sonic: I know almost everything about this game. More than any info broker.
Jet's eyes widened in anger.
Jet: Then you're worse than a beta tester. You're a damn Cheater!
Player: A beater!
Sonic smirked at the kiddy name for the two. He kinda liked it.
Sonic: Good name. call me that, but don't call me a beta tester from now on. I'm not even compared to them.
He tapped on the items, and two brand new sleek shoes appeared on his feet, and a brown scarf with the symbol of Aincrad appeared around his neck.
He smiled back at the players, and ascended the staircase.
He almost made it to the door that leaded to the next floor, when a voice stopped him.
Amelia: wait!
Sonic stopped, but didn't turn to look at her.
Amelia: When that boss was about to hit me, you called me by my name.
Sonic looked back at her.
Sonic: I wasn't trying to be rude. Would you prefer to be called "Amy" instead?
Amelia: how'd ya even know it?
Sonic pointed the space above her head.
Sonic: you look right about here, you'll see another HP gauge under yours.
There's a name written right next to it, yeah?
Amelia made the conscious effort, and she saw the name "Sonic" under hers.
Amelia: S..Sonn-ic? Your name is Sonic?
Sonic nodded back at her.
She was quiet. Then an adorable smile broke out on her face, and she giggled.
Amelia: I'm an idiot. It was there the whole time and I never knew.
Sonic smiled faintly at her reaction.
Sonic: you can become strong on your own, but if someone you trust offers you to join a guild, don't hesitate.
Amelia gave him a confused look.
Amelia: what about you? Your gonna be alone.
Sonic didn't answer her as he opened his menu, and dissolved the party he had formed with her. Without another word, he continued up the staircase, determined to escape the death game.
And done!