Level Eighteen: Kidnapped

Country of Fallen Leaves: Grand Arc of the Cloud Palace – 7:20pm

The landscape covered in clouds, the tree canopies peeking through the misty surroundings loom like large domes as the group made their way to the Cloud Palace. Asuna, Merona, Akemi, Ayaori, and Versais had arrived in the Grand Arc, but immediately upon arrival they noticed how many guards and patrols were around. "This is weird… Normally they all stick to the palace…" Ayaori stated as they all watched from the tree tops, having been forced to take cover when they were almost seen. He glanced around at their party. "Akemi." He stated. "You're gonna need to keep your head down. I hear Mont Blanc's a summoner, he's going to want to take you out first." He stated.

"Huh? Wait, why would he want to take her out first?" Merona questioned.

"Because, summoners are almost always the biggest threat to other summoners in battle." Versais chimed in. "Especially when you're taking about a group battle. A summoner can bring out something that will demolish everyone else, if they do it right. Summoners are always first target of a party."

"Which is why I'm glad Cloud Palace's anti-GPS feature is here." Akemi said. "It means so long as no one sees me summoning, I won't be noticed as a summoner."

"But… how will you fight?" Asuna asked. Before anyone else could speak, Ayaori brought out what looked like a long katana, tattoo like inscriptions weaving down the blade face. "Wh-whoa… i-is that…?" she stared at the blade with Merona. "No way! That's the Black Dragon blade! I heard that item was only a part of the beta!"

"It was." Ayaori stated, handing the blade to Akemi. "Until the head admin granted it under special request for use."

"What? YOU know the head Admin?!"

"Yeah… is that a problem?" he asked as Akemi ran her fingers across the blade face. "I figured it would come in handy." Akemi nodded her head to him. "Noir wanted you to have it in the first place, so it was easy to ask Aria."

"Noir? Aria?"

"No time to waste. The gap for the sentinels is coming up in less than 60 seconds. Prepare to run. Fast." Akemi stated, sheathing the blade in what looked like a black lacquer scabbard. Everyone nodded, even though Merona and Asuna still seemed to be curious. "Ready?"

"Ready."

Desolate Cloud Tower:

Kirito had been annoyed, and he decided to take a bath to get away from the stupidly large bed in the room he was locked in. The King had been barging in on him constantly, and he was starting to get sick of it. At least here he wasn't being stared at constantly by a guard… but he heard the door, causing him to sink just a little more into the water as the King barged in once more, this time carrying a bottle of what looked like champagne and two glasses. "Drink with me."

"Get out." He replied.

"Why must you be so cruel? I give you more than that witch ever could." He said, walking closer. Kirito just looked away. "I provide you with a castle, with luxuries that would take her ten lifetimes to acquire! Why must you ignore me so coldly?"

"I only want Akemi. So get out." He heard the glasses drop and the bottle shatter, turning only to be grabbed by the chin and forced to look up at his captor who pressed him against the back of the tub. But before the King could do anything, someone called to him. He grumbled for a moment before letting go and looking down at the boy.

"I will purify you… her spell is strong, but you will be freed soon." He stated before he walked out. Once the door was closed, Kirito lowered his head and bit his inner cheek.

"Akemi… where are you?"

Grand Arc of the Cloud Palace:

Ten… Twenty… Twenty-five… "That's already 30 people she's felled." Versais said, impressed with Akemi's skills with the sword as they moved through the large swarms of guards that were trying to block them from the entrance to the Desolate Cloud Tower. "I didn't know she used swords… I thought she was a summoner through and through."

"You'd think that." Ayaori said, hardly having to lift a finger. "She was in kendo for a solid 8 years." He added. "And she kept practicing for a while after that too."

"Wow, kendo?" Versais asked, knocking another guard out of the way. "Impressive stuff." He nodded his head. When they looked up, Akemi had taken out another 20. "… She's on a rampage for sure…"

"Just don't get in her way and it's not so bad." Ayaori replied.

"Hey, c'mon slowpokes!" Merona called. "The gate's right there, hurry up-!"

"Merona, behind you!" Asuna called, seeing four guards sneaking up on the girl. Merona turned, unable to defend herself in time, a huge cloud of mist kicking up when the first strike hit. But as the mist cleared, there was a black vine-like thing grabbing Merona, holding her out of range of the attack. The weapons had all been shattered by a black scythe-like blade on the end of the vines.

"Shadow Master Summon: Dullahan Sickle." A black-cloaked man stood where Merona had been. The blade grew a handle and the man sliced at the attackers, causing them to all retreat. When another party of attackers came at them, the man just slashed at them too. The others stood and watched as he took them out faster than even Akemi had been. Once the attackers had all been removed as threats, the figure turned to the group. The vines let Merona down and the person went to stand infront of Ayaori and Akemi.

"You were careless, little one." He said to Akemi. "But, I commend your skills. You've grown since we last saw one another." He removed the hood of his cloak to reveal a tattoo running down the right side of his face.

"Noir…" she looked up at him. "Don't treat me like a kid. We're only 2 years apart in age." Noir tousled her hair and that caused her to pout at him. "Get off."

"Sorry, kid. No can do." He stated. "She asked me to check on you, so that's what I'm doing." Akemi sighed at the comment, rubbing the back of her neck.

"Of course."

"Hey wait." Versais looked over at the guy, Noir. "You seem… familiar." He thought about it for a minute. "Can't place it…"

"Don't place it." Akemi sighed. "You'll hurt yourself."

"Hey!"

"Do not pick on your team mates, little one."

"Do not call me little." She growled in response. "Anyway, what are you doing here?" she questioned. "Aren't you supposed to be at your Arc?"

"So? I hate waiting around at my arc, no one's even cleared Sea Dragon yet." He pouted. "I'd be waiting for another year."

"Don't pout." She sighed. "Your face is too childlike when you pout."

"So, you guys are invading the Desolate Cloud Tower?"

"Yes. We are. Now go back to your arc."

"Whoa whoa, easy." He said. "I'll go back if you stop being so cranky." He stated simply. "I know your boyfriend's been kidnapped by Felix, but if you go in there angry it'll only make things harder on you." Noir stated. "The other admins and I are getting on the case, okay?"

"Even if you are getting on the case, it won't matter." She stated. "I plan on killing this guy's avatar over and over till his hit meter glitches."

"Geez, you're so impulsive." He muttered. "But… I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. You were like that when you were a kid, too." He looked at the gate. "Looks like all the communication they tried to get through only got so far as to tell Felix that there was someone attacking the corridor. Looks like they messages were blocked." He said, smiling a little. "Go save your boyfriend."

"Shut up." She mumbled, cheeks tinting pink. "I'd still save him, even if you hadn't helped."

"Yes yes." He said. "Well, I'll go back to my arc. We'll be awaiting your message."

"W-wait you're not going to help?!" Merona questioned. But Noir was already gone. "… What the heck was that?" she asked. "He could have stayed to help-"

"No, he couldn't have." Ayaori stated. "Noir's an admin. Admins aren't allowed to enter each other's gates that lead out of Grand Arcs." He looked over at Merona. "If he broke protocol, he'd be booted from his position."

"Huh?"

"Leave it." Akemi stated. "Come on… it's already 9:50… we don't have a lot of time." She stated, placing the blade in the scabbard. "Let's get going." She walked towards the gate, Ayaori on her heels. The other three followed suit.

"These two are something else." Asuna said as they walked a little ways behind the two.

"They've got connections all over the place. I wonder why?" Merona questioned.

"Either way." Versais smiled. "We're still here to help, right? We can ask AFTER we get Kirito back." He nodded his head, the girls agreeing as they entered the gate and passed through. When they entered the space of the Desolate Cloud Tower, it was bright and seemed to peaceful. But the space was also devoid of tree tops, so it was easy to see why the name Desolate was used.

"It's too bright." Akemi complained as they made their way through the area towards the tower. "But all their guards are gone… Do you think they all went to the Grand Arc to try and stop us…?"

"Perhaps." Versais called out as they caught up. "Or perhaps they ran in fear when they heard a rampaging demon in all black was on the loose?" he asked, tousling her hair.

"Don't make me kick you." She pouted, making him laugh a little.

"Aww, you're so fun to tease, though." He said, shrugging his shoulders. "But oh well~ I'll leave you be so that you can get clingy with Kirito when we get him back and complain about whatever." He chuckled. Akemi sighed, cheeks bright red by now.

"Lay off." Ayaori stated. "Akemi may be a demon on the battle field, but when it comes to romance, she's a fragile person."

"Oooh, that so?" Versais smiled. "Well then we'd better get Kirito back faster~ So she doesn't get lonesome~"

"Stop talking about me like I'm not here!" she complained to Ayaori and Versais. Upon reaching the tower, the group noticed a line of guards. "Oh… there they all are." She said, rolling her shoulder. "Good, now I can blow off steam." She drew the sword and charged at the guards, the others following right after her.

Desolate Cloud Tower: Kirito's Chambers

Kirito was alone in the bedroom again, glad that for once, the King didn't seem to be trying to get to him. He heard someone screaming and went to the window to see what was going on. Upon reaching the window, his eyes went wide. Was that Asuna? It had to be, her uniform was unmistakable. And there was Ayaori too. His eyes darted around the crowd, seeing Versais as well as a girl he didn't recognize fighting off the guards. What were they doing here? Then he paused, noticing a figure in all black being attacked by multiple aggressors, but even though it seemed like Akemi, the figure was holding a sword. He seemed confused, and in his confused state, someone grabbed him from behind and restrained him. "G-get off of me!"

"Sorry boy, not happening." He realized it was the voice of the King's closest associate, the one who'd been there on day one of the open server. "The King has ordered you brought to his chambers, and I am doing just that." He stated, pulling Kirito along, the boy fighting his hardest but not managing to cause the man any damage.

Upon arriving in the King's Chambers, Kirito was thrown into the room and landed on his side, groaning from the impact. "Welcome, Kirito~" the King's voice was sickeningly sweet. "Come come, have a seat~" he went to the boy and dragged him to his feet, then over to the bed. Kirito's eyes went wide and he struggled even harder, but the fact that the restraints were there made it difficult. The King smirked and forced Kirito's control panel open. "Sadly I cannot prolong the cleansing, that witch is coming for you again." He sighed, removing the majority of Kirito's clothing and locking the panel. "I must proceed quickly, forgive me for being brazen about it."

"D-don't touch me!" Kirito exclaimed, trying to force the man off of him. But was the man was about to touch his now bare skin, Kirito felt the castle shaking. The King stopped and the man from day one entered the room again.

"Sir. She's here." He stated simply. "She was hiding her presence, but she has indeed arrived."

"Che… right when it was getting good, too." The man got up and put Kirito's clothes back in place. "I'll be back~" he smiled before closing the door behind him, making sure to lock it. Kirito felt like he might cry, needing to see Akemi before that bastard attempted to touch him again. He bit back a strangled sob, feeling so helpless.

"Damn it!" he slammed his hands against the mattress. "Akemi… Akemi, where are you?" he asked, unable to stop the trembling in his body. "Akemi…"

Desolate Cloud Tower: Floating Staircase

Asuna and Akemi had made it to the staircase at the center of the tower that lead up, having left Merona, Ayaori, and Versais to continue fighting the flunkies. Akemi had needed to summon in the middle of the fight, so she was running a little low on energy. As they made it a flight or two up, a sword flew at them, catching Akemi in the side. "A-akemi!"

"Asuna, move!" the two jumped out of the way as a large purple snake creature slammed its tail onto the stairs. "Damn, they were waiting…" Akemi held her damaged side, knowing that she had just taken a dangerous hit. The stairs weren't broken, but the snake thing blocked their way now. "… That's the snake from day one." She growled, seeing two men walk down towards them. Asuna readied her sword, standing with Akemi so her HP could come back up.

"I suggest you leave now." The King stated, glaring at them. "There is no hope for you to get him back." He stated to Akemi, who glared back at him. "He's mine now, so just go-" his eyes went wide, a little white bird-like creature flying at him with incredible speed, snatching the key ring on his hip and flying back to Akemi. "Give those keys back, little witch!"

"Oh come ON, seriously?" Akemi laughed. "How stupid can you be?" she asked, quirking an eyebrow as the bird landed on her shoulder. "Go, little one." She whispered to the bird, which flew out of the tower through a small window and headed up.

"Catch that bird!" The king demanded. A few soldiers who were heading towards them paused and ran back to where the bird had gone, summoning what may have been wings to catch the bird in flight. But as the guards flew up after it, the bird split into 6 and they all flew in intricate patterns, the guards trying to figure out which one was real. The King glared back at Akemi and removed his glove, his symbols glowing red. "I will destroy you! Red Sky Summon! Coloborhynchus!" the King summoned a huge red prehistoric creature group, each one large and menacing. "Destroy them!" As the creatures flew at the pair, it seemed as though the girls were going to be taken out. There were so many creatures, and both girls had HP that wasn't in the green. The creatures impacted, a huge tremor shaking the castle.

Desolate Cloud Tower: King's Bed Chambers

Kirito sat in the room, staring out the window, unable to see anything. But he felt the castle shaking again and it filled him with dread. But as he stared out the window, he noticed something avoiding the guards and fly past the bars into the room, landing on his shoulder. It cooed like a dove, but it was so small. He realized that it was carrying something, something that jangled. He took the ring from the Bird and suddenly keys materialized. He looked at the bird, which rubbed against his cheek in a manner that reminded him of Akemi. He blushed as the bird bowed to him before flying back out the window, a replica of the ring it had been carrying forming in its mouth before it flew away. Kirito went to the door immediately, beginning to try key by key. But then he paused. How was he supposed to fight without his weapons?

Desolate Cloud Tower: Floating Staircase

Asuna and Akemi had been prepared to take the impact, both girls having drawn their swords. But when they felt nothing, they both looked up, the dust cloud settling. There stood a girl with white hair and a white outfit, a large white fox at the girl's side. "Surely you two aren't done yet?" the girl turned to the pair, her gently blue eyes sparkling in amusement. "The fastest swordsman and a powerful summoner? Taken out by these jokers?" she chuckled. "That would make for terrible news." She said, turning back to the enemy as the dust cleared. Akemi's eyes went wide and she looked at the fox that glanced back at her and nodded its head. "Come on, Ake~" the girl smiled. "Get to your feet."

"... it can't be…" she whispered, staring at the girl. Asuna looked at the girls, looking shocked as well.

"Are you…?"

"Eeeeh, you remember me~" the girl chuckled. "… I'm sorry for everything bad that happened… because of me. But this is my way of making it up to you guys~" she said. "So. What do you say we do this as a team?" Akemi got to her feet, walking up next to the girl, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Noir took his time, letting you know…" Akemi mumbled, removing her hand and pulling the bandage wraps that covered her summoning tattoos, tossing them away. Asuna got to her feet as well and the girl in white smiled.

"I do apologize for that~" she smiled at Akemi. "Asuna-san are you alright to battle?"

"Y-yeah, I'm fine." The girl seemed skeptical, but seeing as Akemi wasn't reacting badly, she didn't question the new girl. "So, how to we do this?"

"Mmm, I think… we should just attack head on… you should show the guy with the broadsword who's better." The girl winked at Asuna. "Summoners like them look down on others. So, show them that just because he's a summoner doesn't mean he'll always win."

"Okay." Asuna readied her blade again as the girl in all white looked at Akemi's blade, then up to the girl's face.

"Are you still thinking of strategy?" she questioned with a smile, both men standing there but not moving, as though stunned that the massive attack hadn't left a scratch on the girls. Akemi shook her head, putting the sword back in its sheath and turning to the girl in all white.

"No. Just preparing for the fight, is all." She stated, turning back to the enemy. "… It's good to have you back… Hiwa."

((Reappearance of Hiwa, formerly known in Ryuuko as White Fox!

I hope you all like this chapter~ I really do hope you like it ; u ; ahaha I've been working out this chapter for 3 weeks now... /sob

Anyway, look forward to next chapter~ Big Boss fight happening!

-Winter Cheshire))