SAO Episode 2: Beater

Episode Guide:

Bold=In Episode Dialogue

'Bold Italics'=In Episode Character Thoughts

Italics=In Episode Description/Action

Normal Script=Outside Of The Episode Talking And Action

Kirito sighed in relief when the screen blackened, and remained silent. It was over.

When Klein noticed younger boy relax, he just had to ruffle the kid's hair. "Aw, quit pouting squirt. It all worked out in the end." Kirito must have been less than amused, because the next thing he knew there was an elbow in his gut. Right, tease the kid, and expect a world of pain. Gotta remember that. "Well if you're back to causing bodily harm on your elders, you're probably fine."

Kirito huffed, trying to hide a smile. "Says the man who cried over missing some weird pizza."

Klein decided to ham it up a bit, maybe break up the gloom and doom that had descended on everyone. "No! My poor teriyaki mayo pizza. They just don't make those like they used to anymore." He got up and clutched his heart dramatically. "Oh my poor depraved heart, deprived of the best pizza on the planet for over two years. Oi! Kayaba you owe me $25.50 for a new pizza." That remark got a few chuckles. He was pretty sure Kayaba was hiding a smile, but he couldn't be sure.

"Do you think it's over? Can we go home?" Leafa asked the group.

Sinon shook her head. "I don't think so. Look at the screen."

The others turned to a now blue screen. The words Beater appeared.

"Great, more on a bunch of cheaters." Kibaou grumbled.

"What do you mean by that?" Asuna said, while beginning to rise out of her seat. Kirito grabbed her hand, entwining their fingers. "Kirito?"

"It's fine. I'm used to it. Let's just get this next episode over with ok?" He smiled, and Asuna couldn't hold onto her anger anymore. She opened her mouth to reply, but the music on the screen interrupted her. She gave Kirito's hand a squeeze. It would be okay. They would get through this together.

The screen shows a breakdown of the digital plane that compromises the flying castle of Aincraid. A long cylindrical shape connects two planes. The camera draws closer to cylinder, slowly an image of a large stone tower takes the place of the cylinder. At last the image becomes clear, it is the tower that connects the first floor of Aincraid to the second, and a dungeon filled with monsters. At the top lies the first boss of Aincraid, guarding the entrance to the next stage of the death game.

Kirito: Since the game began, a whole month has gone by. Over two thousand people have died so far.
After all this time, none of the players have been able to clear Floor One. I used to be a beta tester, and even I haven't found out where the boss's lair is. And today, finally, we're having a meeting to figure out how to find and defeat the First Floor boss.

"A little ominous aren't we?" Asuna teased. "You should be a little happier. This is where we met for the first time."

Leafa pushed aside her chair in excitement, grabbing a hold of her brother, and shaking him to and fro. "Why didn't you ever tell me? How? When? Did you all like each other right away? Tell me."

Asuna tried to placate the excited girl. Kirito was never going to be able to answer is she kept shaking him, and to be honest he was starting to look a little green too. "Now. Now. If you just calm down, you'll see okay Leafa-chan?"

"Oh." Leafa blushed, and let go of her brother. Kirito started hyperventilating, laying down on the floor, and trying to his lungs working again. He could hear Asuna urging Leafa to sit back down, but to be honest his mind was elsewhere. If this episode was going to show what really happened…

Kirito used his position on the ground to covertly glance at the orange cactus head. The man was currently sitting with his arm crossed, and glaring at the screen. The man had been a major thorn in Kirito's side since the first floor in Sword Art Online. He was one of the founders of the Aincraid Liberation Front, otherwise known as the A.R.M.Y. to the other players. It was a massive organization that catered to the beginning and middle players in the game. Kibaou had not only fostered a powerful position in the A.R.M.Y., but brought his hatred of beta testers with him. He never ordered any direct attacks on any known beta testers, but he made sure they were discredited. Sometimes even forcefully making them turn over any good loot they were to acquire, and often tried to blacklist them from his own and other guilds if they decided to join. Conversely, while never in public, Kibaou was not above asking Kirito for help. He often deferred to the black swordsmen during boss meetings, before he disappeared from the front lines, and moved back to the Town of Beginnings.

Despite his unreserved hatred for supposed beta testers, if he saw everything this episode would reveal, it might just break him. Kirito didn't know how to make the revelation any easier. Kibaou blamed beta testers for most of the deaths in Sword Art Online. How do you tell someone that a person that they worshiped was actually…

"Kirito?" A vision of hazelnut hair and eyes intruded upon the swordsmen's thoughts. Asuna smiled at her boyfriend's prone position. "Are you okay? Do you need a hand?" She held out her dainty, but strong hand.

He sighed, and smiled at the young woman. She was always there to pull him out of his darkness wasn't she? With her, they would all get through this. "Fine. I'm back, just taking a moment to think."

Sinon chuckled. "Does it usually take that long? Or you just slow on the uptake?"

Kirito stuck out his tongue like the incredibly mature almost adult he is. "No. I like to strategize, not just jump from ridiculous heights guns blazing." Sinon smiled in response, and the screen began to play again.

The camera pans through the last village before the tower to the second floor. Many players make their way to a stone amphitheater. Kirito stands silently, letting other pass him by. Only when no one is watching, does he makes his way to join the others sitting down amongst the stands.

Diabel: Okay, people! Now that everyone's here, let's get this meeting started. Thank you for responding to my summons today. Good to see you. My name is Diabel. My job is… in my own mind, I like to think I'm a knight.

Random Guy #1: Dude, there's no job system in this game!

The newly dubbed knight lets the crowd heckle him for a bit, before raising his hands to quiet everyone down. His expression turns serious, his previous silly nature all but gone.

Diabel: Today, our party discovered the boss room at the top of the tower today. First, we need to defeat the boss make it to Floor Two, and tell everyone waiting in the Town of Beginnings that it is possible to beat this game! Fact is, it's our duty as the most capable players here! Isn't that right everyone?

Warily, the other players look to each other. Eventually one screws up the courage to begin clapping. Whistles break out. Players smile, while others begin to cheer. The whole crowd is now under Diabel's thrall.

Kirito smiles with nostalgia. "He was truly amazing. Brave, inspiring, and willing to take on a challenge I would never would want to take on."

Leafa tilted her head to the side questioningly. "What do you mean big brother?"

Kirito smiled at his sister. "Well…"

"What does it matter?" Kibaou interrupted. "He's dead, thanks to dirty little Beaters like you!"

Asuna pounded both fists on the table. "Kibaou! You know that's not true!"

"Whatever." The older man snorted. "Soon enough, everyone is gonna know the truth."

Klein, who had been silent throughout most of the drama, questioned the orangette. "What does that mean man?"

Kibaou snorted, and refused to reply.

Diabel: Okay, glad to hear you're all with me on this. Now let's figure out how we're going to beat the boss. First off, we'll team up into parties of six. A typical party doesn't stand a chance against a floor boss. We need a raid group made up of multiple parties.

Kirito's face so full of hope, transforms into one of fear. All around him, the other players are teaming up. Invites screens are being pulled out. Leaders are being chosen. While he is alone. Kirito looks around for anyone else struggling to find a team, and spots another loner on the opposite side of the theater. As he scoots closer, he notices a dirty brown cape shrouding the figure. It doesn't seem to faze him, because even with just one more member he can still be a part of the raid.

Kirito: You got left out too, huh?

Cloaked Figure: I wasn't left out. It's just everyone seems like they're already friends.

Kirito: So you're solo too? You want to form a party with me? You heard what the guy just said.
We can't beat the boss on our own. So just for this one fight?

The cloaked figure doesn't object, so Kirito opens up his menu. An invitation screen pops up in front of the mysterious figure. They push the accept button, and a new name is added underneath Kirito's health bar. Kirito looks closer, and the mysterious figure's name is revealed to be A-S-U-N-A.

"WHAT!" Everyone but Asuna and Kirito scream. Asuna blushes. Kirito tries to cover his ears.

Klein leaves his seat, and puts Kirito into a headlock. "You sly dog! Already entrenching yourself with most famous beauty in the entire game. No wonder none of the others guys stood a chance."

"No it wasn't like that." Kirito tries to choke out, while his air supply is being restricted.

Meanwhile the girls had cornered Asuna. "Ne. Asuna-chan you never told me you and big brother had known each other for so long." Leafa berated her guildmate.

Sinon pushed the younger girl out of the way. "Wait. Why did you use the same screen name as your real name? Didn't you worry about some pervert invading your privacy?"

Asuna was starting to panic. "Well, you see, it wasn't like that at all. I didn't know much about gaming then. I was totally a newbie, and well…"

A loud AHEM, broke up the impromptu interrogation. Kayaba finally had enough. "If you will sit down, and act your age, then I'm sure all of your questions will be answered. If you have forgotten, we cannot leave until the person who arranged all of this is sure we've seen every image they want us too. You are wasting valuable time on pointless frivolities."

Suitably cowed, the others began to return to their seat, but Kirito wasn't about to let Kayaba have the last word. "It's not frivolous to ask questions of a friend. It's about strengthening the bonds between us. Something in all your time pretending to be a god, has deprived you of. After all, a god has to be untouchable."

"Childish." With that last remark, Kayaba sat down, and the screen began to play again.

Diabel: All right. Looks like everyone's teamed up. Now then...

Kibaou: Hold up a sec!

An orange headed man interrupts the meeting. He jumps from the top of the amphitheater, landing on step, and propelling off for another leap. He finally lands in front Diabel.

Kibaou: My name's Kibaou, got that? Before we take on the boss, I want to get something off my chest! We all know about the two thousand people who died so far, yeah? Well, some of you need to apologize to them right now!

Sinon glares at the orangette in their company. "Was that necessary? You all were trapped in a death game and you want to stop to point fingers?"

"What would you know girlie?" Kibaou gets up to scream. "Those damn cheaters caused the deaths of thousands, and no has been punished for it. Sure most of the blame goes to this guy." Kibaou stops to point at Kayaba, who only sneers at the accusation. "But our government has done nothing about any of it. I'm sick of it all. When I get out of here, everyone is gonna know that Kayaba is still around. That somehow this coward is out there playing dead to avoid persecution. By the time I'm done, the whole world is going to know who to blame for the thousands killed are none other than Akihito Kayaba and his cheating beta testers."

"Now hold on there." Now even Klein had to protest. "You know that's unfair. Kayaba may have been the one pulling the strings, or data in this case, but the beta testers were no different than any other player."

Leafa was done being quiet. She marched over to Kibaou and poked him solidly in the chest. "Besides Mr. I Know Everything, the only reason you even got out that mess was because of my big brother. A beta tester who was the hero of Sword Art Online. You are only here right now because he cleared the game."

Kibaou sniffed. "Oh yeah? How do we know that all wasn't some trick? Maybe he was in league with Kayaba all along? Maybe…"

"What did you mean that soon everyone will know?" Came a soft but firm command from the black swordsman. The whole room became deadly quiet. Kirito hadn't moved once all the commotion began, but everyone could feel a dark rage emanating from the teen. He glared at Kibaou, causing the older man to shudder. "What have you been up to since we all returned to real world Kibaou?"

"I-I-I've been," Kibaou took a deep breath to stop his stuttering. How could he let a kid get to him like this? "Once I woke up in the hospital, my job and my home were all gone. No one wanted to hire me after I got back. Many were too afraid that I had been a part of some murder guild or something. Others wanted me to wait, make sure I didn't have some sort of side effects or something from being plugged into a computer."

Suddenly, the orangette smiled. "Then I got an idea. The government had spent so much time hushing the whole incident up, that no one really knew what had happened in there. So why not let everyone know about the cheaters, PKers, and other low downs that took advantage of the players. And didn't the families of those who died deserve to know who took their loved ones away? It was SAO that cost me everything, so why not use it to get some payback? That makes sense right?"

The others were too horrified to reply. Asuna stood up, shaking her head from side to side like she hoped she misheard. "You're kidding right? That would ruin the lives of so many people! No one knew for sure that if you died in the game, it was for real. Many had to kill others, just to be sure they survived. Plus the beta testers had to endure years of shame and rejection, and you want to drag all of that back into the real world too? Are you crazy?"

Kibaou was not impressed. "Oh, grow up missy. I won't be using any real names. Your boyfriend will be fine. It's a work based off what really happened. Not an autobiography, but more like inspired by true events."

Sinon crossed her arms in annoyance. "That doesn't mean people won't believe that it's the absolute truth, especially if they know the author was a real SAO player. You could be hurting a lot of people with this plan."

"So what?" Kibaou snorted. "They'll just be getting their just desserts." No one knew how to contradict the man, and screen began to play again. The others reluctantly took back their seats, but no one was looking at Kibaou if they could help it.

Diabel: Kibaou, I think I know who you're referring to. You mean the ones who were ex-beta testers, right?

Kibaou: Course I mean them! The day this stupid ass game started, the beta guys just got up and vanished right? They ditched all us beginners! They snagged all the good hunting spots, and they grabbed all the easy quests too! They were the only ones getting stronger in here. This whole time, they've ignored us like we were nothing.

Kirito clenched his hands into fists. "Not true." When the others turned to look at him, he repeated himself louder. "Not true! What about Argo? (Character from the SAO Progressive series.) What about all the beta testers who provided guides for everyone? Not everyone ran away like I did!"

"Big brother." Leafa admonished, while taking his hand.

Kibaou: Hell, I bet there are some of them here! Come on out beta testers! We should make them apologize to us, and we should make them all give up their money and the items they hoarded!
They can't expect the party to trust them when they don't trust us! Why should we?!

"And we come to real reason at last. Greed." Sinon snarked.

A tall dark stranger stood up from amongst the crowd. The stranger was a powerful axe wielder, who towered over Kibaou, His presence seemed to intimidate the man.

Agil: Can I say something? Hey, my name's Agil. Kibaou right? I want to make sure I'm on the same page. You say the ex-beta testers should be blamed for the rookies' deaths because they didn't help them, and you want them to apologize and give out compensation. I leave anything out?

Kibaou: No, you didn't.

Agil held up a small brown book in front of the orangette.

Agil: The item store hands these out for free. It's a guidebook. You got one, didn't you?

Kibaou: Sure I got one. So, what about it?

Agil: You know who was handing these out? The ex-beta testers.

The crowd whispered amongst themselves. Agil nodded, and then turned to address the rest of the crowd.

Agil: Listen up! Everyone had equal access to this information. Even so, lots of players still died.

I didn't come here to point fingers at anyone. I'm here because I want to learn from those players' deaths. I'm here because I want to find out how we're gonna beat the boss.
Klein smiled. "Damn. I knew I liked that dude for a reason. Way to stand up for what's important big guy!"

Kibaou harrumphed, but went to sit down in the stands. Diabel could finally get back to what was really important.

Diabel: Okay, can we get back to the meeting now? For info on the boss, 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 Sentinels. 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. His patterns of attack change with his weapon too. That's it for the briefing. As for the distribution of loot, money will be divided equally among everyone. The party that defeats the boss gets the EXP; and whoever gets an item, gets to keep it. Any objections? Good! We leave tomorrow at ten in the morning! Meeting adjourned, people.

People began gathering in their chosen parties after the dismissal of the meeting. However, Kirito's cloaked partner left without saying another word.

The scene changes to nighttime in the village square. Kibaou and Diabel can be seen drinking together with most of the warriors at the meeting. In a secluded alleyway, we see Kirito's partner struggling to tear into a cheap roll of bread.

Kirito: Those are pretty good, aren't they? Mind if I sit down?

Klein smirks at his younger friend. "Is this the start of a beautiful romance?" The aforementioned couple just glare, and the trickster puts up his hand in surrender.

Asuna: You really think these taste good?

Kirito: Uh-huh. Since I came to this town, I end up eating at least one a day. Of course, I've got a trick to make it taste better.

Kirito sits down on the same ledge, but the cloaked figure scoots away to create more distance. The boy pretends not to notice, and brings out a little jar from his inventory. He places it in the middle of the ledge, allowing them both to share.

Asuna: What trick?

Kirito: Try putting some of that on the bread.

Warily, the stranger clicks on the pot. A white light surrounds their fingers, indication that the contents of the pot can now be added onto another item. She spreads the light onto the bread, and thick gooey substance appears.

Asuna: Cream?

Kirito: It's a reward from a quest called "The Heifer Strikes Back". It's in the one village behind this one, if you want to know how I did it.

Kirito then adds the cream to his own bread roll. While he eats, the stranger watches him. Warily, the figure takes a small bite. It must have been delicious, because the mysterious partner then proceeds to devour the bread roll, even sighing happily when it's all gone.

Asuna: Uh-uh. I appreciate the offer, but I didn't come to this town to eat good food.

Kirito: Okay. Why are you here?

Asuna: So I don't lose sight of who I am. I don't want to lock myself in a room in the Town of Beginnings and slowly rot away. I'd rather stay the way I am till the last moment. Even if a monster beats me and I die, I won't lose to this game or this world. No matter what.

Kirito: I wouldn't want a party member dying on me… So try not to die tomorrow.

Kayaba was a little perturbed by this statement. He knew that the young lady on screen had been quite the force to be reckoned with. It was why he recruited her to become his lieutenant. How could the woman depicted on screen become the dynamo that inspired the Crimson Knights? He almost turned to ask, but stopped. He knew Kirito and Asuna might be able to give him answers, but would they? None of the others wanted him to be there, and on some level he didn't blame them. He huffed silently. Why was he concerned about this? All this talk of feelings and useless things must be getting to him, distracting him from the one thing that mattered.

Kayaba stared at boy who had changed everything, before reluctantly turning back to the screen.

The scene changed to Diabel leading everyone through the forest leading to the boss dungeon, and entrance to the second floor. Kirito was trying to bring his mysterious partner Asuna up to speed.

Kirito: Let's go over it again. We're the backup. So, our target's gonna be the boss's minions - the Ruin Kobold Sentinels.

Asuna: I know.

Kirito: I'll use a sword skill to knock their weapons up and out of the way. When I do, switch and jump in.

Asuna: What's the switch?

Kirito stops and stares at his partner.

Kirito: Okay, level with me. Is this the first time you've ever been in a party?

Asuna: Uh-huh.

Everyone laughs as the Kirito on screen loudly one more time. Leafa turns to Asuna. "Really Asuna-chan? Did you even read the manual before jumping into the game?"

Asuna smiles and shakes her head. The room erupts with laughter once again.

The scene switches once again. Now the whole group has gathered outside the doors leading to the boss. Diabel stands in front, sword down, and ready to give some encouragement to the brave participators in the very first SAO boss battle.

Diabel: Listen up, everyone. I've only got one thing to say to you. Let's win! Come on!

Despite being angry, Kirito knows he can't wait any longer. He stands up, gaining everyone's attention. He walks over and clasps Kibaou's shoulder.

"What?" The orangette asks. He glances up to see the teen staring at him with an intense, and somber expression.

Kirito closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and plunges into some of the most difficult words he's ever had to say. "I really respected Diabel. He was everything I could never be. Brave. Inspiring. A true leader. I admired him deeply, and I know you did too. What you are about to see…I don't want anything to change that for you."

"Like anything could…" Kibaou sneered, before Kirito cut him off.

"Diabel had a secret. If this shows what I think it will, then you need to be prepared. It doesn't change the kind of person he was. I'm sure he had a good reason for attempting what he did. I'm just asking you to remember all the good he did okay? Hold onto that." With one final squeeze. He let Kibaou go, and returned to his seat. He closed his eyes, and tried to ignore the curious stares he was getting from everyone else. They would learn soon enough.

Diabel pushes open the boss' room doors, and the players cautiously follow. On a throne, in the darkened part of the room, a monsters starts to awaken. Red eyes glitter in the darkness. A clawed hand reaches for a large axe. The room lights up as everyone enters the room, and Illfang the Kobold Lord jumps toward the players. He lets out a mighty roar, as his four health bars appear above his head. Three of the lord's minion's appear, and together they rush the players. The battle has begun!

Diabel: Commence attack! Squads A and C, switch in!
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!

Kirito: Yeah, you got it!

Kirito moves into action. He uses a sword skill to knock the Kobold minion off balance. He calls out to his partner.

Kirito: Switch!

Asuna: I'm on it!

The cloaked figure flies past Kirito. Her sword ready to tear the minion apart.

Kirito: I thought she was a beginner, but she's got good skills. She's so fast, I can't even see the tip of her sword!

Meanwhile the Asuna on screen has already caused critical damage to the minion they've been attacking. Causing the monster to break into green and blue pixels. Kirito smiles in approval.

Kirito: Good job!

The real life Asuna turns her head, so no one could see her blush. Who knew that from the beginning Kirito held such a high opinion of her?

While Kirito and Asuna had been fending off the minions, the others tackled the main boss. They had whittled Illfang's health down to the last bar, and it was getting closer and closer to the red zone. Finally, the boss let out a snarl, and threw away his axe and shield.

Kibaou: Looks like the guidebook was right.

Diabel: Stay back! I've got it!

Kirito: 'I thought the plan was for everyone in the group to surround it!'

Diabel moved forward, ready to take on the boss by himself. Kirito threw the last minion off balance, and let Asuna move in. He stopped to stare at their leader in confusion. Diabel glanced at Kirito, smirking. Kirito began to get a bad feeling. Illfang pulled out his last weapon. Kirito paled.

Kirito: 'That's not a Talwar! It's a No-dachi! This isn't like the beta!'
Wait, stop!

Kibaou: Huh?

Kirito: It's no good! Get out of there!

Kirito disable the last minion. He tried to move towards Diabel, but it was too late. Diabel had already released a sword skill. He couldn't stop. Illfang leapt into the air, bounced off a pillar, and slashed down at the knight. Diabel was hit, but the monster didn't stop there. It followed its attack with another slash. The force of the attack threw Diabel into the air.

Kibaou: Diabel! No!

The others wanted to move towards their comrade, but they suddenly found themselves face to face with a snarling Kobold lord. Their pattern was broken. They couldn't counter attack. Kirito ignored the battle, and rushed towards the fallen knight. He pulled out a potion, but the knight stopped him.

Kirito: Diabel! What the hell were you thinking?

Diabel: You know - you were a beta-tester too, weren't you?

By this point most of the girls were in tears, but Kibaou was hit the hardest. He stood up, not even noticing when his chair fell over. "No. It can't be true. There's no possible way. Why?"

Klein got up to comfort the other man. "I never met the man, but it's obvious he was a hero. Don't demean his sacrifice just because you learned something new about him."

Kibaou began out right crying. His sobs racking his entire body. Klein led him back to his seat. Everyone except Kayaba got up to place a hand on the man. Silently telling him he was not alone. It took several minutes for the crying to stop, and they could resume watching the screen.

Kirito: You were after the Last Attack Bonus - the rare item. You're a beta tester, just like me.

Diabel: Please... you have to... defeat the boss... for everyone here!

Diabel struggled to smile at his successor, before bursting into shards. Leaving Kirito crushed. He thought back to the day he had left Klein behind.

Kirito: 'When this death game started, the only thing I thought about was how I was gonna survive.
Nothing else mattered. But you weren't like that, Diabel. You never abandoned the other players.
You brought them together. You led everyone, and you fought brilliantly.
You tried to accomplish something I couldn't.'

Kirito grit his teeth, and stood up. The other defenders had broken formation. Some ran back to the entrance of the boss' room. Several others had been knocked off balance, helpless before the raging Illfang. Asuna came and stood by Kirito, their hands grasping the hilt of their weapons.

Asuna: I'll go too.

Kirito: Thanks. We'll hit him just like we did the minions!

Asuna: You got it.

Together the duo rushed towards the boss. Illfang began a forward thrust skill, but Kirito was prepared. He unleashed a sword skill of his own. Kirito's sword turned a rich blue, and suddenly the boy's body was flying. The two skills canceled each other, leaving the two opponents off balance.

Kirito: Switch! Asuna!

The rapier in Asuna's hand glowed, but before she could unleash the skill movement Illfang's eye's glowed. The boss slashed at the cloaked figure, and Asuna barely dodged. Illfang's weapon caught on the cloak instead. The garment ripped apart, leaving behind a girl with glittering chestnut hair. The girl screamed in defiance. With her glowing rapier, she unleashed a powerful attack. Kirito was left dumbstruck.

Sinon couldn't resist teasing the black swordsmen. "Do you always lose focus like that on the battlefield Kirito? Or only when you see a pretty face?" She laughed as the couple both turned red.

Kirito: Oh, no! He's coming back!

While Asuna had struck a mighty blow, the boss was still not defeated. Kirito got back into the fight. Using his previous experience he was able to counter Illfang's sword skills. Then Asuna would dart in to strike while the monster was off balance. It was a delicate dance. One wrong move would spell disaster. Finally, the boss was able to land a hit on Kirito. The force of the blow knocked the swordsman into Asuna as well. Kirito's health bar dropped dramatically, and Asuna was trapped underneath him. Illfang dropped on top of them, prepared to swing one more time. All hope seemed lost.

Asuna raised her weapon, and prepared to block. A green light burst out between Asuna's sword and Illfang's No-daichi. When the light cleared, the two swordsmen could see a tall but familiar axe man standing between the duo and the boss. Another group of players rushed to fend off the monsters while their savior checked on them.

Agil: We can hold this bastard off until your health's back up!

The group of watchers cheered at the entrance of the axe wielder. Even though they knew the couple had survived, it was still tough to watch the people you care about in such danger.

"You saved them! Way to go Agil-sama!" Leafa cheered.

"You have a good friend there." Sinon pointed out to Kirito.

"I know," Kirito smiled. "He's always been there for everyone, in the game, or in real life."

Klein was shouting at the top of his lungs. Even Kibaou cracked a smile, but quickly covered it up. Kayaba didn't say anything, but inwardly he was relieved too.

Kirito: You got it!

Random guy #2: Back off monster!
Random guy #3: You're going down!

Agil's team surrounded the boss, but that turned out to be a mistake. The boss let out a circular attack that knocked them all into the air. Before the monster could unleash its next attack, Kirito was unleashing another sword skill.

Kirito: Watch out!

Kirito's sword began to glow, propelling his attack forward. One miscalculation and this move wouldn't counter Illfang's skill, it would just put the boy in line for the monster's next attack.

Kirito: I'll get you first.

His gamble paid off. Kirito hit the Kobold lord midair, canceling the monster's skill, and causing massive damage. Illfang crashed into the ground, and Kirito quickly landed on his feet. Already, he was turned around, and moving to unleash his next strike.

Kirito: Come on, Asuna! Help me beat this sucker! One last attack!

Asuna: Roger!

Once more the swordsmen attacked. Kirito blocked, and Asuna attacked. Except this time they didn't stop to regroup, and try again. They continued to hit the lord, again, and again. Enraged, Kirito let out his final sword skill, cutting the Kobold lord from stomach to its head. It was the last straw. The mighty beast blew apart into hundreds of shards. It was over.

Klein got up to slap Kirito on the back. "Damn. Remind to not get on your bad side. That was badass."

Everyone: We did it!

A large screen proclaimed 'Congratulations!' to the players. The whole room erupted into celebration. Kirito collapsed onto the floor, gasping for breath. A tiny screen appeared in front of him. The screen read: Last attack bonus-coat of midnight. Kirito was about to put the item into inventory, when a certain chestnut haired girl moved toward the collapsed swordsman. Agil followed.

Asuna: Nice job.

Agil: That was some fine swordsmanship.
Congratulations - today's victory is all thanks to you.

Kirito: No.

Random Guy #4: Yeah! You rock, man!

The other players began cheering and clapping. Kirito let out a tentative smile. Everyone honoring the man that turned almost defeat, into stunning victory. All except one, who couldn't keep his jealousy and despair contained.

Kibaou: Stop cheering!
Why'd you do it, huh? Why'd you let Diabel die?!

Leafa began to cry again. This couldn't be happening, just when her brother was enjoying himself.

Sinon glared at the orangette. "You absolute bastard! Is that how you treat someone that just saved your sorry behind?"

Kibaou didn't respond. He was still too broken to formulate a reply. Wasn't it the swordsman fault? If he had just shared his prior knowledge then… But Diabel had been hiding something too. So it was the knights own fault? He was so confused.

The room turned instantly silent. The other players frozen in shock.

Kirito: Let him die?

Kibaou: That's what I said. Admit it! You knew the technique the boss was gonna use. You could've told us! Then Diabel would've stood a chance...He wouldn't have died!

Random Guy #5: I know the truth! He used to be a beta-tester! Think about it! He knew the boss's attack patterns! He knew, but he kept it from us! And I bet he's not the only beta-tester here! Come on, show yourselves!

Kirito: 'This is bad... at this rate...'

What was once a celebration had turned into a den of suspicion. Player accused player. Angered mutterings filled the room. Kirito looked around, noticing the rising tension. He thought back to Diabel's dying words: 'For everyone'

Agil: Hey! Calm down! Hm?

Kirito looked back at his new item screen. It suddenly dawned on him how he could fix all of this. If he was just brave enough…He gulped, and began his plan. A loud evil cackle began to fill the room. Everyone turned to watch the young swordsman as he laughed manically. He rose from his crouched position to face the room, smirking all the while.

Kirito: So, you guys think I used to be a beta-tester. I wish you wouldn't compare me to those noobs.

Kibaou: What'd you say?

Asuna had enough. She knew why he'd done it the first time, and watching it again only made the reasoning clearer. It was still a boneheaded, heroic, stupid, ingenious move. She punched her boyfriend in the shoulder. "I know why you did it, but if you ever make a sacrificial move like that again I will skin you." She got right into her boy's face. "Got it?" Kirito nodded his head in fear. You do not mess with Asuna when she got into a mood like this.

Kirito: You heard me. Most of the thousand people who scored a slot in SAO's beta were rookies. They were so green, they didn't even know how to level up. Hell, even you guys are better than they were.
But me, I'm nothing like those guys. During the beta, I made it to floors that were higher than any of the other testers. That's a fact. I knew about the boss, because I fought tons of monsters with those sword skills on higher floors! I know a bunch of other things, too. More than you can imagine. More than any info broker.

Kayaba was intrigued. By turning himself into a villain, Kirito had followed an almost inverted path to the one Kayaba had planned for himself. Kirito made himself renowned as the evil beta tester. A man who was too strong to ignore, but could never be trusted. While Kayaba had made his character into the hero. A man respected as the strongest and noblest of leaders. Both hiding behind a mask, only revealing their true selves at the very end. Kayaba turning against the other players as the final boss, and Kirito revealing himself to the selfless hero that would save them all. Ironic? Yes. Coincidence? He wasn't sure.

Kibaou: W-What the hell? If that's true, then you're worse than a beta-tester! You're a goddamn cheater, that's what you are!

Random Guy #6: He's a beta-tester and a cheater! He's a Beater!

Watching his other self began to rouse Kibaou out of his melancholy. He felt like his whole world had been turned upside down. He had known that most of the beat… no Kirito's act had been fake. Something he could admit to himself, but never the public. He had even turned it around to bolster his own success, while in private using the solitary swordsman's good nature when no one was watching. He had watched as the other frontliners had distanced themselves from the Beater, glad to know that a filthy cheater would never be truly accepted. Now though, he began to feel a little ashamed. Just a little.

Kirito: A beater... Yeah, that's good. I like it. Okay, you can call me a beater. Just make sure you don't confuse me with the other beta-testers anymore.

While shocking everyone with his monologue, Kirito began fussing with control over his equipment screens. One final confirmation, and a black coat appeared. He smiled at his new dark look, and swept by the others players left speechless in his wake. Asuna wasn't fooled though. She caught up to the other swordsman on the stairs.

Asuna: Wait! When we were fighting the boss, you called me by my name.

Kirito: I wasn't trying to be rude. Did I mess up the pronunciation?

Asuna: How'd you even know it?

"REALLY?" The others in the room yelled. Even Kayaba raised an eyebrow towards the young woman.

Asuna huffed, looking like put out child. "It was my first time in a party! How was I supposed to know?"

Kirito: If you look right about here, you'll see another HP gauge under yours. There's a name written right next to it, yeah?

The onscreen Asuna narrowed her eyes, looking towards at the health bar hidden in the periphery of her vision. There. Right below her own gauge was the name of her partner.

Asuna: Ki-ri-to...
Kirito?
Your name's Kirito.

Kirito: Yeah.

Asuna: I'm so dumb. It was there the whole time and I never knew.

Kirito: You can become powerful here on your own. But if the day comes when someone you trust invites you to join a guild, don't turn it down, because there're limits to what a solo player can do.

Asuna: Then what about you?

Kirito didn't turn around. He didn't want to get anyone else involved. He began scrolling through the screens, until he came to the invite screen, and dissolved their party.

"You idiot!" Leafa got up and slapped her big brother, crying the whole time. "Why? Why did you go off all on your own? Asuna didn't ask to be left alone. She didn't believe all the crap you told everyone else. Why did you let her go?"

Kirito smiled gently. He wiped the tears from his sister's eyes before replying. "Taking her with me would've condemned her to the same fate as me."

"And you thought I wouldn't be able to handle that?" Asuna challenged, her eyes glittering in anger.

"No. No." Kirito shook his head. "I knew that she already had a strength that I couldn't match. That she could be a light to guide all the other players. If I had taken her with me, the stigma of a beater would've shadowed her entry into other guilds. If she came with me, then she would've had to play solo, whether she wanted to or not.

"Idiot." Asuna told him. Leafa nodded in agreement, but that didn't stop both girls from hugging him. They remained like that for the rest of the episode, giving comfort to each other.

Kirito continues up the stairway, and enters the door to the second floor alone. The camera stays on him until he disappears into the darkness of doorway. A blue and green screen appears detailing the name of the next episode: The Red-Nosed Reindeer

Whew. It's over. I don't think that the rest of the chapters will be this long, but we'll see. I'm taking down the poll about episodes 4&5. It's clear that most people want those episodes in this fic. Instead I'm putting up another poll. If and I mean IF, I decide to do a watching the series Fairy Dance arc, who would you want to be on the panel. Kirito, Asuna, and Yui are non-negotiable, but I'm not sure who else I could add. So vote, review, and let me know what you think.

Also, thank you Lordban for your review. You totally gave me some ideas on how to make watching those episodes important for the character growth of our captive audience. Thanks for everyone who review, it totally motivates me to keep going.