I do not own Sword Art Online or any of the characters.
Glitches
Michael looked around, confused. They should have respawned to town, but instead he found himself standing in the middle of a forest, glowing red eyes watching him from the bushes.
He sighed, drawing his sword as tiny gnomes wearing red tube caps and suspenders began to sprint out of it at him. They were all armed with miniature swords and all very quick. Michael spun, slashing a pair of them before blocking a sword and leaping into the air as two swords passed under him. He split the gnome whose sword he was blocking open and flipped to the ground, drawing his left knife and stabbing a second gnome with it. He put the knife away, spinning and mowing down an arc of them before extending his wings, flying into the air. He looked down at the swarm of at least fifty as they watched him. He couldn't help but grin.
"What's the matter?" He taunted. "Can't reach?"
The gnomes all sprouted wings and Michael began grumbling about annoying games. Then, he turned, beginning to fly away, the gnomes following, now numbering much more than fifty. A cloud of them followed him. He turned, switching to his bow and firing three arrows that split into five fireballs each, blasting a good number of the gnomes in front but the cloud broke out of the smoke instantly. Michael switched back to his sword, growling in frustration just as the gnomes reached him, a few at a time. He blocked two swords, slashing them before spinning, slashing another below himself. Just as the next group reached him, Klein appeared off to one side of the cloud, slashing with his spectral arm, both blades launching a wall of flame, thinning the cloud instantly. A group branched off to fight him as Kirito appeared in front of him, one sword across his shoulders, blade glowing forest green. Michael snorted in amusement, activating his OSS as well, tearing through the gnomes around him. His last hit ended the group around him just as Kirito finished his attack, activating the same with his other sword.
"You bastard," Michael growled, waiting for his movement penalty to end as two gnomes flew at him.
Eugene appeared in front of him, slashing both before looking back at him.
"Thanks," Michael sighed, finally regaining the ability to move as Kirito finished the last of the gnomes with a third use of Michael's OSS. "Anybody know where the hell we are?"
"More or less," Kirito nodded pointing.
Michael turned to look and saw a massive column on the horizon.
"We're in New Aincrad?" Michael blinked. "The hell did that happen?"
"I dunno," Kirito shrugged. "Yui, any ideas?"
Yui didn't respond.
"Yui?" kirito blinked, looking in his pocket, eyes widening.
"She's with Asuna," Strea said, appearing on Michael's shoulder.
"Oh," Kirito sighed. "So, do you know how we got here then?"
"It seems like there are small glitches happening all over the Virtual World, not just in ALfheim Online," Strea said. "You'll probably notice a couple of things until it's fixed. but I can't tell what's causing it."
"Maybe there's just a problem with the servers," Kirito suggested.
"Maybe," Strea said, sounding unsure. "Anyway, we're on level six right now."
"Alright," Kirito nodded. We should get back and make sure the others made it back to town okay."
Michael nodded and they flew out of New Aincrad, turning back toward town. When they landed a few minutes later, they found Yuuki, Leafa, and Sinon waiting.
"There you are," Sinon sighed. "Where were you?"
"We respawned in New Aincrad floor six," Michael stated.
"New Aincrad?" Sinon blinked. "Okay then. So...where are the others?"
"We were kind of hoping they were here," Kirito said.
"We're here!" Asuna's voice called out from off to the side.
They turned to look and saw Asuna and the Sleeping Knights flying over and landing. As soon as they did, Yuuki leapt at Jun with a hug. Jun blinked in surprise as Yuuki stepped back, beaming at him.
"Thanks for saving me," Yuuki smiled.
"Oh...um...well...yeah," Jun said, scratching the back of his head. "Couldn't let you die now, could I?"
Yuuki smiled and Michael turned to look down a street off to one side, hiding his grin as Jun's reaction. Just as he did, he spotted Recon ducking behind a building and his grin widened.
"What are you grinning at?" Leafa asked.
"Your not-so-secret admirer is here," Michael grinned, nodding toward the building.
She sighed, resting her hand in her face just as something above them roared. They all looked up, eyes widening as Wyverns began to fly down at the village, landing on the buildings and attacking the various players and NPCs in the streets.
"What the hell?" Asuna blinked as one swooped down at them.
Yuuki leapt into the air, killing it then landing in front of them, looking up.
"I thought towns were safe," Yuuki said.
"They're supposed to be," Michael said. "This must be one of the glitches Strea mentioned."
"Yeah," Kirito nodded. "Well, shall we play exterminator?"
Michael nodded and they extended their wings, flying into the air with the others, spreading out to defend the town, dozens of other players flying up around them to help. Michael flew at a group of Wyverns that seemed to be stuck together by a glitch, since they were all trying to fly in a different direction but the group as a whole was following a single Wyvern's flight path. Michael flew past the group, slashing two of them before turning, ducking under a stream of flame as Sinon shot an arrow down the attacking Wyvern's throat, killing it. Michael flew at the group, slashing the one leading the others and killing it, allowing the others to fly their own directions, all four winging back around at him. He sighed, sword glowing blue and flew forward, flipping over the first, sword slicing through it from head to tail before he spun under the second, slashing its stomach twice before the third and fourth flew at him, Michael flipping over both and slashed their necks. As his ability finished, he noticed the problem. None of the four had suffered damage. His sword had simply passed through them.
"Um...Strea, would you mind trying your sword on those four?" Michael asked as they swung back around at him, Sinon's arrows passing through them harmlessly.
Strea appeared in front of him, flying forward and slashing the first wyvern, sword splitting it open but its health failed to drop.
"Looks like I can't hurt them either," Strea said, a similar reaction occurring when she attacked the other three.
All four reached Michael and he attacked them again. This time, his attacks dealt normal damage and all four shattered a moment later.
"I hate glitches," Michael growled, flying off with Strea to fight another group.
Leafa spun and slashed another Wyvern, redirecting it away from herself, once again failing to kill it, though Agil did that for her when the Wyvern neared him.
"God this is so annoying!" Leafa shouted. "Quit stealing my experience!"
"If you want, i could form a team with you so you can get experience from either of our kills," Recon offered, flying up behind her.
"Have you killed any?" Leafa asked.
"Well...I was thinking we could weaken them for each other," Recon said.
"Sure," Leafa nodded. "Send the invite."
Recon nodded, face glowing with joy as he opened his menu and Leafa activated an ability, slashing her sword and sending out arcs of wind, blasting a Wyvern, once again failing to kill it. Just then, she got the invite as Recon flew out to meet the Wyvern as it flew at Leafa. She accepted just as Recon flipped over the Wyvern, slashing it and finishing it. Leafa grinned as she gained experience for the first time that fight and nodded to Recon.
She turned, slashing several Wyverns, sending them all at Recon. He shouted in surprise and fear before beginning to chant a spell, sending out small blades of wind, killing the Wyverns. Then, he drew his dagger, slashing a Wyvern and sending it at Leafa, who slashed it across the face, killing it. She heard wings behind herself and turned as the Wyvern's claws streaked toward her. At the last second, Recon shoved her out of the way, the claws tearing through his side as his glowing black dagger slashed the Wyvern, which imploded into a small black sphere which faded a moment later.
"You okay?" Leafa asked, flying over to Recon.
"They pack quite a punch," Recon stated pulling out a healing potion and drinking it.
"What was that ability?" Leafa asked.
"It was a Gravity Magic sword skill," Recon said. "I hadn't tried it yet."
"Looks like it works," Leafa grinned.
Recon nodded, smiling as Leafa hugged him.
"Even though it's just a game, thanks for saving me," Leafa smiled, pulling back to see Recon's face painted red and adorned with a silly grin. "Now focus, Lover Boy. We have more lizards to kill."
Recon shook his head and nodded, making Leafa snort and shake her head in amusement.
Klein ducked under a Wyvern, slashing it then turned to fight another as a female Sylph with long green hair and a japanese style kimono flew up beside it, jabbing it repeatedly with a rapier, killing it.
"Why thank you, Milady," Klein said, bowing low. "Will you do me the honor of allowing me to ask your na-"
He was cut off by Lisbeth's mace slamming into his head.
"Ow!" Klein shouted. "What the hell?"
"Do you ever stop flirting!?" Lisbeth demanded.
"Well...I was...um..." Klein trailed off, realizing she was right.
"God," Lisbeth sighed. "You're useless and blind."
"What do you mean blind?" Klein asked. "What do I not see?"
"It doesn't matter," Lisbeth sighed. "Just focus on killing the Wyverns so I can log out."
She turned and flew off, leaving Klein floating there, thoroughly confused.
"Having trouble?" Michael asked, flying backward past him, positioned so it looked like he was lying on his back.
"Why is she mad at me?" Klein asked. "And how am I blind?"
"If you have to ask, you are blind," Michael grinned. "But I'll give you a hint. Have you ever stopped to consider who it is you don't flirt with?"
Klein looked at him confused and Michael grinned.
"And I'm not talking about guys," Michael stated. "Just think about it. It'll come to you."
Michael flipped over, turning and splitting a Wyvern's head before flying off to rejoin Strea and Sinon.
"Who I...don't flirt with?" Klein blinked confused before shaking his head. "Whatever. I'll figure it out later."
Nori flipped over a pair of Wyverns, smashing her staff into them both before spinning as flames shot toward her. Before it could hit her, Talken grabbed her arm, pulling her out of the way before quickly killing the Wyvern with his lance. Three more flew at them and Talken flew around her, making short work of all three. Then, he stopped, sighing looking over at her.
"You know, you're pretty handy," Nori teased. "Maybe that's why we keep you around."
"Th-Thanks," Talken smiled, rubbing the back of his head.
"Then again, you do stutter a lot," Nori sighed. "You gotta loosen up or you'll never have confidence around girls."
"S-Sorry," Talken said, shoulder sinking.
Nori sighed, flying over and placing a quick kiss on his cheek.
"Thanks for the save," Nori smiled. "Let's go show these lizards who's boss."
Talken nodded, blushing furiously and unable to speak. Nori chuckled at his reaction and flew off, Talken following after a minute.
Yuuki slashed three Wyverns as they passed and Jun flew up behind her, blocking a stream of flame with a shield he had borrowed from a player nearby. She smiled back at him then spun around him, stabbing the Wyvern and killing it as Jun hurled the shield back.
"What are you my personal guardian now?" Yuuki joked.
"Absolutely," Jun nodded, slashing a Wyvern as it passed, noticing his sword not wounding it. "Uh oh. Glitch."
Yuuki looked as the Wyvern flew through several players, not affecting them, then got hit by Strea's sword, a wing coming off, inflicting bleeding damage but not actually harming it. Then, it bit a Sylph player, killing them and flew at Yuuki and Jun. Yuuki flipped over the dragon as she and Jun both slashed it, neither of their attacks harming it. It turned, flying at them again, breathing fire at them. Both avoided it and the Wyvern moved to slash Yuuki. Jun appeared in the way, sword blocking its claws before both of their swords stabbed it, finally damaging and killing it.
"Finally," Jun sighed as their wings began to dull. "Looks like we're almost out of flight time."
"That's going to complicate things," Yuuki sighed, looking around at the dozen or so still flying around, most not able to be harmed. "You know, if you keep protecting me I'm going to start owing you."
Jun shook his head, smiling just as his wings disappeared and he began to fall, Yuuki catching him.
"Um, thanks," Jun said, blushing slightly as Yuuki laughed, floating to the ground.
Michael flipped over Wyvern he, Sinon, and Strea had been trying to harm for five minutes. Just as he cleared its arch, his avatar began to blur.
"Shit, now what?" Michael grumbled.
A moment later, his Avatar was his GGO avatar, and he began to fall. Sinon caught him and he pulled out his Optical Rifle, beginning to fire at the dragon, the shots actually damaging it, killing it after a couple of seconds. Sinon landed and Michael looked down at himself and sighed.
"I hate glitches," he grumbled, opening a binary code panel and switching back to his ALfheim Online avatar.
Sinon snorted in amusement just as her bow was replaced with her Hecate II. She raised it,, killing a Wyvern before Michael switched it back for her.
"Well, this might get a bit interesting," Sinon grinned, pointing as a gigantic white and blue caterpillar inched its way over.
"Please help me," it said with Siune's voice.
Michael covered his mouth, snorting and then bursting out laughing, Sinon and Strea following suit.
"Please stop laughing," Siune pleaded.
Michael fell onto his back, rolling around while Strea composed herself, switching Siune's avatar back as Klein walked over with his Sword Art Online avatar.
"These glitches are starting to get on my nerves," Klein grumbled. "I fell from the top of the bell tower."
Michael nodded, completely understanding, and looked up as the last Wyvern suddenly grew blurry.
"Oh boy," Michael sighed as the others ran over, all of them having something wrong with their Avatars except Yuuki.
Strea began to correct the glitches and Michael drew his sword, stepping forward as the Wyvern transformed into a massive black and yellow dragon with glowing red eyes.
"Well...fuck," Michael sighed. "This aught to be entertaining."
He extended his wings, flying into the air and at the dragon, Sinon and Yuuki following, Jun just behind them, carrying a sword looking a lot like his but roughly the size of Silica's dagger.
"Nice piece Jun!" Michael called back, flipping over the dragon's tail, flying up its front, slashing it the entire way.
"Shut it Hacker!" Jun snapped, slashing the dragon rapidly with his minuscule sword, happy to see the damage remained unchanged.
Yuuki flew up in front of the dragon's face, activating her OSS, jabbing the dragon in the face eleven times before its left forefoot swung at her. Before it could reach her, Kirito flew up, blocking it with both of his swords. Then, Asuna appeared beside Yuuki, grabbing her and flying away as the dragon's other foot swiped through the area. They all stopped, floating around it as a massive red circle with symbols in it appeared behind it, several dozen fireballs appearing behind it. They fireballs flew out, targeting people seemingly at random, Michael getting the pleasure of five. He flew over the city, the fireballs closing in rapidly. He flew between two buildings, the fireballs exploding against them before he flew back up. The only fireball to not hit a building or the ground streaked up at him, hitting him in the back and exploding. He dropped several feet before catching himself, growling in annoyance. He looked left, seeing Recon being healed by Leafa after shielding her, and Jun being healed by Siune after doing the same for Yuuki.
"Alright that's it!" Michael shouted. "OSS party!"
Kirito and Yuuki grinned, nodding and the three of them flew up to the dragon's head, all three arriving at the same time as Asuna and Eugene. Michael and Kirito activated Michael's OSS as Eugene activated his own, and Yuuki and Asuna activated Yuuki's. The five sword skills tore into the Dragon's head and within the third hit from them all the dragon shattered and their swords all met, deflecting each other and stopping them all.
"Finally," Michael sighed. "Now that that's over, I think it's time for me to go to bed. Starting tomorrow, I have to visit the rest of the Sleeping Knights."
"Alright," Yuuki smiled as Michael landed and logged out.
The others all did the same one by one and Asuna told Yuuki she was welcome to stay at her and Kirito's house since she was the only one that actually had to live in the Virtual World for the moment. Then, Asuna logged out too and Yuuki left, leaving only Klein and Lisbeth.
"I'm sorry for making you angry," Klein said as Lisbeth opened her menu.
"You don't even know what you did do you?" Lisbeth asked.
"I assume it has something to do with me flirting with everyone," Klein said.
"Do you know why?" Lisbeth asked.
"Not exactly no," Klein said.
"I thought not," Lisbeth sighed. "I forgive you. I'm sorry for getting mad. I just...never mind."
"Why don't you tell me why it made you mad?" Klein asked.
"Where's the fun in that?" Lisbeth asked, giving him a mischievous smile before logging out.
Klein sighed, also logging out, still as confused as before.
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