I do not own Sword Art Online or any of the characters.

Showdown

Michael blinked, looking around, holding his rifle ready. He was interested about who he would face. And he seriously doubted the fight would end with his rifle. Especially given the location. He was on top of what he assumed had once been a metal catwalk between two buildings but the floor below him was gone. The tower on either side was a solid metal wall with the nearest window being too high to climb, run, or jump to. The area was designed for a fight. And boy would it be a good one.

Death Gun dropped out of one of the windows, landing in a crouch opposite Michael. Michael's rifle clattered to the ground and Michael groaned. He picked up the rifle, slinging it, then sprinted forward, leaping and slashing at Death Gun. Death Gun easily backed out of the way then flipped, over, kicking Michael into the ground and crashing down on him. He flipped, kicking Michael to the side then landed lightly, drawing his pistol.

"I won't be able to stop you with that knife will I?" Michael asked, summoning a new knife and putting it away. "Fine then."

He unequipped his rifle and equipped his Photon Sword instead. Death Gun laughed, leaning backward as he did. "Nice sword, but with no shield, you can't possibly beat me."

He sprinted forward and sent a kick at Michael. Michael spun out of the way, slashing at Death Gun. Death Gun smashed the blade skyward with his pistol. Then, his foot crashed into Michael again. Michael flew backward, flipping and landing on his feet, stabbing the sword into the floor to slow himself. He stood and his eyes narrowed at Death Gun. He drew and hurled his knife then charged as Death Gun smashed it away with the pistol.

He stabbed at Death Gun and Death Gun avoided it then kicked Michael, nearly throwing him off. Michael stabbed the ground, flipping under the bridge and catching a metal bar a few inches below the bridge. Then, he flipped up, kicking Death Gun in the back. Death Gun flipped, landing on his feet. Michael summoned a new knife and put it away as Death Gun put away his pistol. He pulled out a sniper rifle and Michael crouched, readying himself. Instead of shooting him, Death Gun twisted the silencer so that the bar below the bareel was exposed. Then, he pulled on the end. A long metal pole that tapered to a point came out and Death Gun slung his rifle after putting the sliencer back into place.

"A sword?" Michael blinked.

"You could call it that," Death Gun smirked.

Michael darted forward, slashing at Death Gun. Death Gun smashed the blade away and began to jab the metal pole at Michael in a series of blurred after-images. The spike tore into Michael's body, leaving gashes and stabs everywhere. Finally, Michael grabbed it and spun, hurling Death Gun across the bridge. Michael chased him, slashing at him as he recovered. The spike swung up, smashing the sword skyward before swinging back around, smashing Michael in the side of the head. Michael slipped sideways, feet slamming into the ground before his legs buckled. He hit hard and Death Gun lunged. Michael rolled to the side, jumping up and slashing upward at Death Gun. Death gun leaned out of the way and Michael charged slashing again.

"You never learn," Death Gun sneered. "Just like before."

Death Gun charged forward, laying almost flat along the ground. He held the spike level with the ground. Michael remembered seeing that fighting style during the raid on Laughing Coffin, which makes sense since Death Gun had a Laughing Coffin tattoo. He couldn't place which had had tbe fighting style, though.

He stepped forward, slashing at Death Gun. Death Gun easily deflected the sword then drove his weapon through Michael's throat, suspending him off the ground as his health dropped rapidly. He looked at Death Gun's mask and saw a flash of a similar mask with red eyes in Sword Art Online on one of Laughing Coffin's leaders. If only he had payed attention to the names.

Finally his health hit red and he closed his eyes, praying that he survived. Then, his avatar exploded. A moment later, he was back in the waiting area. Sinon and Kirito rushed over. Kirito slowed but Sinon did not. She leapt at him, wrapping her arms around him, sobbing. Michael wrapped his arms around her as well, sighing in relief. He looked to Kirito who nodded.

"We were watching," Kirito stated. "Looks like you're safe."

"No," Michael said. "It's just the pistol. That's the key to whatever his plan is. Don't get shot. Then you're safe."

Kirito nodded. Michael looked down at Sinon who was still sobbing into his chest.

"How long until the finals?" Michael asked.

"Th-They're...n-not until t-tomorrow," Sinon stammered, trying to gain control herself.

"Alright," Michael nodded as Sinon buried her face in his chest again. "Come on Sinon. It's alright. I'm fine. I'm not going anywhere."

Sinon didn't respond. He sighed, gently stroking her hair. Slowly, she began to calm down until she was only sniffling. He smiled as she looked up at him.

"Feel better?" Michael asked.

"NO!" Sinon snapped. "You almost died! Do you know how terrified I was? I COULD HAVE LOST YOU! ! !"

Michael blinked in surprise and Sinon's face turned beat red. Then, she quickly logged out. Michael blinked in surprise and looked to Kirito who looked equally confused.

"Well, I should log out too," Kirito sighed.

"Yeah," Michael nodded. "Me too."

Kirito logged out, raising a hand as he disappeared. Michael logged out after he was gone.

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