SAO: Avenger

by JCK824TO

It's been two months since SAO was cleared. But the 300 players remain comatose, including Asuna Yuuki. But when he learns about the arranged marriage & the possibility of Asuna in ALfheim Online, Kazuto, & his friends, dive into ALO in search of her. However, they're not the only ones. Steve Rogers, Thomas Anderson, & the Howler Platoon dives in to investigate.

12. Chapter 12

Onboard the USS Wilson:

"Sir, we've received word from Sergeant Ramirez that Colonel Rogers, Captain Burke, Lieutenant Preston, Captain Anderson and a few from the SAO guild made it inside the world tree." Maria Hill reported to Nick Fury.

"Finally," Nick Fury smirked, "and what about our airborne assault?"

"Well.." Hill continued. "According to Rogers' beliefs, and due to the fact that the game will be launched in less than fifteen minutes. We may have to launch our assault early.."

"And Delta One reports that there is no way to disable the launch from inside the World Tree."

"I see..." Fury then turned to the console. "Trinity, Unity. You two are up to hack into RECT?"

"Ready to attack," Trinity affirmed.

"Same here." Unity chirped.

Fury then got onto the phone.

"Hello Fury. Is it time?" The woman on the other end asked.

"Phase 4 of Finalizer is underway," Fury told Delta One, "make sure the front door is open for them and stop the launch."

"Will do Fury. Delta One out." The line went dead. Captain Miller oversaw the launch of several Quinjets carrying the Howlers to their targets.

"Everything's going according to plan.." Fury stated as he saw several Quinjets taking off.

"Looks like it," Miller replied, her eye narrowed. "But we can't be too careful."

"There's no telling if they're waiting for us or now.." Fury added.

Miller was silent for a moment. "Unity, keep all radar open for any enemy contacts, maximum range, all scanners active as well."

"Yes, ma'am!" the AI replied.

"Same goes for me too, ma'am.." Trinity added.

"Good. I want to be on high alert for possible enemy contacts." Her eye hardened. "I don't want to be caught off guard like so many others have been..."

"Yes, ma'am. It shall be done..." Trinity replied.

The two AI went to work, with Unity being the one to do the majority of the scanning. As she worked, Miller kept her gaze on the Quinjets.

---

Hydra lab, World Tree:

Asuna was brought into one of the labs. She struggled to free herself from the tentacles that are holding her in place.

"Let me go!" Asuna demanded.

"No use struggling, little girl.." Hideo sneered. "Soon, you'll be a loyal servant to Hydra."

Hideo removes Asuna off his back and laid her on the chair. He fastens the restraints on her wrists and ankles to hold her in place. Asuna struggled and strained against the straps. But it was no use.

"This won't take long.." Hideo remarked coldly as he types in the holo-keyboards to begin the process.

'No... I can't lose my memories like this...' Asuna thought.

"Argh!" Hideo groaned. The command he types in isn't responding. He types in the commands again and he got the same 'error' message read across the holo-screen. Then the chibi character appeared before him.

"Ah ah ah. You didn't say the magic word." The voice cackled and droned over and over again while wagging his finger. Hideo cursed at the hacked monitor. Asuna started to laugh.

He cursed under his breath. "What did you do?"

"Nothing.. I find that someone hacking into your servers amusing.." Asuna confessed.

"You're lying! You had something to do with this!" Hideo raised his voice.

"I doubt it." She replied. "It was like that before I betrayed all of you.. Remember?"

"Shut up!" The slug yelled back, "I don't know what the Supreme Commander saw in you, but you're just a stupid little girl!" The techie seemed to not care that there were two other Hydra guards in the room.

"Stupid? Your Supreme Commander was ogling over me. So he believes that I'm special.." Asuna smirked. "Or was it something else?"

"You know... He finds me beautiful. Which is why he captured me after SAO was cleared." She continued. "And the reason why Shuto tried to make a pass at me.."

Hideo looked like he wanted to slap Asuna. However, he manages to compose himself. "Not that it will matter..."

"Meaning?" Asuna raised her eyebrow.

"This game will launch in less than fifteen minutes, then the millions of gullible peons worldwide will be made to serve the New Order."

"You or the Supreme Command will not get that satisfaction." Asuna snarked.

"Oh yeah!?"

"Yeah.."

'That should by Kirito and the others more time..' She thought. 'I need to stall him as long as possible..'

---

World Tree gate:

Kirito and Captain America II stepped through the light. Followed by Lexar, Leafa, Yui, Strea, Colonel America, Iron Man II, and Iron Patriot II. The light nearly blinded the small group that walked through the gate. Captain America II quickly squinted his eyes to adjust.

"Too bright!" Leafa shielded her eyes. Captain America II quickly adjusted his helmet visor to help see.

"Okay! We should be arriving to the top!" Iron Patriot II concluded.

"Follow me," Captain America II called as he deployed his shield. They were greeted by the massive sunlight that continued to blind them.

After their eyes adjusted to the sunlight, they looked around and see leafy branches that stretched in all directions. Below were more branches as far as the eye could see as well as branches up ahead of t hem. They also see a series of paths carved in the giant tree branches.

"Uuuhhh..." Leafa groaned as she lay flat on her stomach.

"You okay?" Lexar asked as he picked her up.

"I'm fine.." Leafa brushed herself. She looked around and saw nothing but tree branches and leaves.

"Where's Yggdrasil City?" Leafa asked, very confused. "There's nothing up here. No fanfare, no gift, no nothing." She sighed sadly.

"It was all a lie," Kirito grit his teeth.

"What did you expect from Hydra covering up their experiments?" Iron Man II remarked.

"True.." Kirito knew about it. But that's not something to dwell over.

"I'm sorry Leafa.." Lexar comforted her. He knew that she wanted to get to the top of the world tree and be reborn as an alf.

"It... It's alright.. I had to accept it.." Leafa replied. Lexar smiled and stroked her cheek with care.

"Dad, look!" Strea exclaimed while pointed forward. Everyone looked to where Strea was pointing at. A very large branch that stretched towards the sunset, an artificial path that was carved into the center. At the center, he spotted what appears to be gleaming with gold.

"Could it be?" Lexar question.

"It's the birdcage!" Kirito exclaimed. "Asuna's in there!"

"A birdcage?" Leafa pondered aloud.

"It's the very same one Asuna's held in!" Lexar explained.

"Wait.." Yui interjected. She's in her normal size and not in a pixie form. "Mommy's not in that cage."

"Yui's right." The two AIs then scanned the entire area.

"Mommy's this way.." Yui called out.

"We should get going.." Captain II suggested. He turned to see Kirito, Lexar, Leafa, Yui and Strea already bolted into the foliage.

"Hey! Wait up!" Captain II called as he, Colonel America, Iron Man II, and Iron Patriot II chased after them.

They ran, pushed through colorful, oddly shaped leaves, up and down staircases that appeared in each vertical undulation of the branch. Kirito's heart was pounding in his chest with each second pass. After two long months of Sword Art Online being cleared and waiting for her to wake up, and after two days in exploring Alfheim and building up their skills, as well as starting an uprising throughout ALO, he'll finally be able to reunite with the love of his life. To have Asuna in his arms again.

Rogers, Burke, Preston, and Anderson struggled to keep up with Kirito and his company. Especially since both Colonel and Captain America still carrying the rifles in their arms. They quickly slung the rifles over their shoulders and picked up the pace.

"Hey Kids! Wait up!" Colonel America called up. However, his voice went unheard. They approached the dead end towards a tree trunk.

"A dead end.." Leafa breathed. But Yui and Strea pushed onto it. The side of the tree trunk disintegrated in light. Revealing a passage into the tree. The burst into the corridor after Yui and Strea destroys the main doors. Ran through the opening and approached in the corridor.

---

Hydra Lab:

Asuna was amused by Hideo's losing his temper every time he tried to override the proxy block. But fails to do so.

"Curse you, Yuuki!"

"Again, had nothing to do with the proxy block.." Asuna chuckled. "And I doubt you can crack it before reinforcements arrive..."

Hideo's avatar suddenly flashed as he assumed his standard humanoid form. He had a red-hot expression of anger of his face.

Asuna was surprised. "Wait... I thought you.." She didn't get a chance to finish as a loud slap sounded with a stinging pain on her left cheek.

"Aaahh!" Asuna yelped. She winced from the slap, realizing she hit a nerve.. The stinging sensation was intense all over her left cheek. One of the Hydra guards yelled at Hideo...

"What are you doing?!" He shouted.

"Putting this little wench in her place!"

"We're not ordered to manhandle Nobuyuki's mistress like that!" The guard protested. Hideo and the guards argued while Asuna glanced away. 'Kirito...'

---

Kirito and the others continued to follow Yui and Strea throughout the corridor. However, they came across Hydra soldiers roaming the hallways.

"Hey!" One Hydra trooper raised his weapon.

"Hey yourself!" Iron Patriot II retorted as he fires his repulsor blasts at the Hydra soldier. Knocking him down onto the floor.

Colonel America swung his shield hard, letting it knock down several more. Leafa and Lexar drew their weapons and opened up on the incoming Hydra soldiers. Captain America II primed a stun frisbee grenade.

"Mommy's this way!" Yui exclaimed.

"Get down!" Captain America II prompted Yui as he threw the grenade. Kirito and Strea shielded Yui as the grenade exploded. Captain America II quickly jumped in front of the three to shield them from return fire. He pulled out his P320 PDW to shoot back through the shield.

---

Asuna watched as Hideo argued with the two guards. She's still strapped to the chair so she can't move. Suddenly, there was a boom that sounded from down the hallways.

"We got intruders!" The guard yelled before heading towards the door with his weapon raised.

"Watch her. And don't do anything else!" The other guard ordered before following suit. Leaving Asuna with Hideo.

Hideo gave Asuna a dangerous glare.

"It seems that reinforcements have arrived." Asuna sneered. Hideo gritted his teeth as he assumed slug form again.

'What's he doing now?' Asuna thought.

He went back to the control console. "You asked for it!"

She felt the straps on her wrists and ankles release her. Now, she's confused. She was suddenly grabbed by the arms, legs, and neck.

"I will break you!"

"Ack!" She was lifted off from the chair and dangled upside-down. Asuna wrestled against her attacker. The tentacles managed to wrap around her body.

"Get go of me!" She shouted.

Hideo simply tightened his grip on her, especially around her neck.

"Uugghh!" Asuna groaned. The feeling of the slimy tentacles touching her bare skin is disgusting. However, she felt the tentacles constricting around her. She sees the tip that is dangerously close to her mouth. Thinking quickly. She bit down on it. Her teeth sank into the digital flesh of the tentacle.

"AAAHH" Hideo screamed and he pulled back. He growled angrily as he inspects the tentacle. Her teeth marks are visible on the surface.

"You're gonna pay for that!" Hideo shouted as his tentacles continued to constrict her body. Asuna gagged as she felt the life being squeezed out of her. During these moments, she wondered if she'll be able to be free again? If Kirito and the others will find their way up the world tree? And, if she'll be able to obtain her memories long before Sugou's experiments alter them?

---

Kirito and company had finished clearing the corridor of Hydra soldiers before continuing down. Yui and Strea destroyed every door they came across.

"Mommy!" Yui suddenly seemed frantic.

"What is it Yui?" Kirito asked.

"Mommy's up ahead." Yui called out. "And she's in trouble!"

"We need to get there, fast!" Kirito ordered as he sprinted faster. The others did the same.

"Wait up!" Captain America II called after them. Colonel America then looked to Iron Man II and Patriot II.

"We'll find the hostages sir." Iron Patriot II said.

"Very well, Cap and I will go for Yuuki and protect the SAO survivors. Go!"

"Yes sir!" Iron Man II and Patriot II saluted before splitting off. Heading down a different corridor. As Colonel and Captain rushed after Kirito and his band, the Captain noticed the relative lack of Hydra reinforcements.

"Colonel... There's hardly anyone here!" Captain II called out.

"We must have burned through their reinforcements..."

Yui and Strea arrived outside one of the labs and destroyed the doors. They barged into the room to see the purple slug near the control console. Then they saw who was in the slug's grasp...

"Asuna!" Kirito growled.

"Get him!" Lexar shouted as he took aim with his P418 rifle and fired in short, controlled bursts. The pulsar rounds hit the tentacles.

"Aahh!" The slug screamed as he is hit. Asuna was released and falls onto the floor. Lexar yelled as he raised his rifle and pounded on Hideo. Kirito, on the other hand, drew out his sword and charged at Hideo.

As the two boys attacked Hideo, Leafa, Strea, and Yui rushed to Asuna's side. Asuna groaned after landing on her side. She slowly looked up to see who's rushing to her and gasped in surprise. It was two girls roughly around her at and... Yui...

"Mommy!" Yui cried.

Shock ran through Asuna as cupped her mouth with her hands and tears swelled in her eyes. "Yui.."

"Mommy! Mommy!" Yui ran towards Asuna with her arms open wide. Asuna catches her in a leaping hug. Yui buried her face in her chest as happy tears spilled from their eyes. Asuna and Yui shared a fierce embrace, rubbing cheek to cheek, calling each other's name just to be sure if they're truly the other.

"Mommy..."

"Yui... Yui..."

"Mom?" Strea voiced her presence.

Asuna was confused by the strange girl's question. Strea knelt down next to Asuna with her sister. "We haven't met before. But I'm the little sister of Yui." Strea explained. This surprised Asuna even more.

Leafa regarded Asuna with both curiosity and relief that she was okay and they were finally meeting for real.

"I'm Leafa.. Kirito's sister." She introduced herself. "And it's nice to meet you."

Asuna looked at both Strea and Leafa with wonder and interest.

"The name's Asuna Yuuki..." Asuna said at last.. "And it's nice to meet you two.." The four girls all met in a hug.

As Kirito and Lexar had finished off Hideo, they turned back to the heartwarming scene.

Kirito slowly approached her, stopping a few steps away as Asuna wiped the tears away and stared at him. He wasn't sure if he should approach her. Either that his military-clad Spriggan avatar would be strange to her, or she could disappear the moment he touches her.

It was then her voice uttered his name. "...Kirito..."

"...Asuna..." Kirito's eyes widen and he approached her in two last steps and knelt down to his knees. Opening his arms and surrounding her fragile body, squeezing Yui in the middle. Smelling the familiar scent and feeling the familiar body warmth. Tears started spilling from his eyes as they leaned in and kissed passionately. After two months of being away from her since SAO. And after two days fighting in ALO. He finally gets to reunited with his beloved. After what felt like hours, they parted their kiss

"...I'm sorry it took so long." He moaned in a trembling voice.

"No need for apology, I knew that you'd find me. I knew you'd come to save me..." Asuna replied as she stared into his onyx eyes. They closed their eyes and touching foreheads to one another. Asuna's arms encircled his back and clutched tightly. Kirito blushed slightly as he felt Asuna's slim body through her skinsuit outfit.

Then she sees one more player approaching them. Asuna took a long look at the military-clad player from head-to-toe. However, she recognized the blonde, curtain-hairstyle anywhere.

"Lexar..." Asuna smiled.

"Hey Asuna," The American player replied. Leafa stood back next to Lexar as Kirito, Strea, and Yui helped Asuna to her feet.

"You ready to go home?" Kirito asks her.

"Yes... Let's..." Asuna sniffled.

"C'mon, let's go home." He looked down to Yui, who was still clinging both her parents. "Yui, can you log Asuna out of here?"

Yui looked at Asuna, and shook her head sadly. "Mommy's current status is locked down by some complicated code. I'll need a system console to undo it."

"Well... There's the console over there." Lexar pointed out the granite cube-like object a few feet away.

Asuna smiled a bit, but then remembered something... the launch.

"We gotta stop the launch of the game." Her voice tensed up. "But they've got the launch controls linked to the RECT control center in the real world."

"That's being taken care of.." A voice is heard. Asuna looked towards the source of the voice and sees two American-theme soldiers approaching them.

"Howler 7-3 and 7-4 should be launching their assault on RECT by now," the younger of the two said. Asuna's eyes widened in recognition of Revere behind his visor and star-emblazoned tactical helmet.

"R-Revere?" Asuna said.

"It's Captain America, Miss Yuuki," the American captain said with no hint of familiarity.

Asuna did a double-take. "Captain America?" She glanced at Colonel America. "But isn't he.."

"My superior officer and predecessor, Miss Yuuki," Captain America II spoke again.

"Oh?" Asuna was surprised again. She's amazed by how not only C- No, Colonel America and the second Revere joined with Kirito and her friends from SAO..

"And like he said," Colonel America smiled, "we have men in the real world handling that launch right now..."

---

RECT Progress Inc HQ, Tokyo:

"Landing point confirmed, airdrop is a go." Captain Pierson was standing behind the two pilots as he saw the massive RECT campus below. He looked down at his digital wristwatch displaying the operation time and the launch time of Alfheim Online. They only had ten minutes to take control of the campus and the servers. "Howler 7-3 is ready to go. Howler 7-4, status?"

"Howler 7-4 Actual," Captain Hernandez radioed from the second four aircraft assigned to the RECT capture mission, "7-4 is armed and ready to engage."

"We should be arriving at RECT shortly." Hernandez added.

"Good.." Pierson replied.

"Logan and 7-2 will handle Nobuyuki..." he muttered to himself, "it's on us to save the world..."

Suddenly, ground fire erupted from below.

"What the!?"

"They knew we were coming!" Hernandez shouted. "Pilot! Watch out for the snipers!"

"Not snipers!" Pierson's pilot grunted as he saw explosive rounds, "triple-A, CIWS!"

"We gotta land fast and take out those triple-A's!"

"No time," Pierson ordered, "open the ramps and let us drop out, then retreat!" He then yelled to his troops in the back. "Lock and load!"

The Howlers loaded up as the Quinjet ramp opened up and started jumping out of the Quinjets. Activating their wingsuits, they glided down towards the RECT HQ building.

"Howler 7-3 away."

"Howler 7-4 in flight."

Pierson glanced the other Quinjet deploying Howler soldiers from the rear hatch. However, Captain Hernandez barely made the jump just before a Stinger struck the aircraft.

'Almost bought the farm..' Pierson thought. He made the jump as the other two remaining Quinjets emptied their soldiers and sped away. They glided down towards the RECT rooftop while dodging Triple-A gunfire. Pierson grunted as several Hydra troopers disguised as security came to greet them with rifles and light machine guns. He shifted his weight to let his legs forward, kicking one of them in the face.

Pierson quickly drew out his rifle and took down three Hydra troopers. "Contact!"

More Howler soldiers landed safely as well as drew out weapons and engaged Hydra soldiers. The fight was vicious as some of the Hydra troopers killed some of the Howler Rangers, while the more experienced ones quickly avenged their comrades by pressing forward.

"Rooftop clear! Down the stairs!"

---

Inside RECT:

"It's finally started." Fuji whispered. He, Yuki, George, and others found by Asuna and Naomi to be against Hydra were huddled up in the security room... with the agent who called herself Delta One. She managed to make contact with Fuji and the others and have formed a plan during the Howlers advanced through ALO. They watched as the Howlers made great strides down into RECT, but began to be bogged down as the inner defenses of Hydra had been prepared for their insertion.

"Alright, everyone remember the plan?" Delta One asked.

"We do," Yuki affirmed as he watched the whole battle on the security cameras, "and we'd better act because the Americans are getting bogged down."

"Still, I wonder who could have leaked their operation details..." Fuji wondered.

"There's some encrypted messages that was discovered." Yuki answered. "However, the decoding will take some time.." He takes out his Glock 17 pistol. "But for now, we should focus on assisting the Americans."

Delta One then began to work the security controls. Most of the security doors have been overridden and the communications are tapped in. An angry voice patched into the security room's intercom in Japanese...

"We got ears.." Delta One said before tapping into the locked door leading into the mainframe.

"Security, what in blazes are you doing!?"

"Won't take long before they find out what's going on.." Fuji concluded. George had a grim look as he inspected a G36K he had managed to take off a Hydra goon.

"We're ready to take them.." He stated.

"But you know what happens if the Howlers recognize you and some of the other former soldiers here," Fuji pointed out.

"I'm aware of that, Fuji." George replied. "And I'm ready to owe up for my actions."

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there," Black Widow said as she climbed into an air vent.

"Where are you going?" George asked.

"I'm preparing the Element of Surprise." She replied.

"What's that supposed to be?" The young Fuji tried not to stare at her rear, accentuated by the black skin suit.

"You know when Hydra comes your way.." She disappears into the vent. "And... to stop that launch..." Black Widow muttered to herself.

"I see you checking her out.." Yuki whispered in a teasing tone. Causing the young Yamane man to blush.

"Guys..." one of the female loyalists rolled her eyes.

"What? There's nothing wrong with giving others compliments. Right?" Yuki chuckled.

"Yeah, but she looked like a Russian," the girl groaned.

"Really?" He raised his eyebrow in curiosity.

Another female spoke up, "you didn't hear her accent?"

"I did.." Fuji replied.

"Don't Russians bother you?"

"Why would it?" Yuki asked.

"Focus people, focus," George reminded, "we're in a real combat situation."

"He's right." Yuki nodded. "Let's get out there and show them that the free world's not theirs to take."

---

With Black Widow:

She crawls through the air ducts. She knew that Howlers 7-3 and 7-4 were not going to make it to the mainframe in time to halt the launch of Alfheim Online. Which is why Fury ordered her to go ahead and sabotage the game's launch, buying the others time to completely stop Hydra. She quickly dropped down into the storage room next to Gaming and Moderation.

She locates her small duffle bag, unzips it and finds her disguise. No one in RECT knows that she's a spy and, since most of the security guards are Hydra soldiers, she like to keep it that way. She quickly did her hair in a short pony tail and put on her glasses and coat.

"Okay Natasha. Time to got to work." She said to herself. She exited the room to find the operations center in an uproar. On all of the monitors, she sees the chibi character on the screen droning on in a taunting manner. The Hydra techies cursed and swore, while the few she recognized as those Asuna identified as being family loyalists worked silently.

'Good. At least they'll help stall the game's launch.' She thought in observation. She quietly made her way over to a young female techie she knew to be loyal to the Yuukis. She also had to make sure that none of the Hydra techies are watching or listening to her.

"I need you to help me," 'Natsumi' whispered...

"Really?" The female techie whispered back. "What do you need?"

"Can we stop the launch and brainwashing program?"

"I can stop the game's launch. But the brainwash is another matter. But I'll give it a try.."

The female techie looked warily over to the Hydra loyalists, "but there are still too many..."

"Don't worry about them. I'll handle them when the time comes." Natasha reassured her. "Just focus on stopping the launch."

Natasha then went over to another console and began her own work on taking down Hydra's media jammer.

'This shouldn't take long.' She thought. Even if they could not stop the launch... if she could break Hydra's media blackout over Japan...

---

Hydra Lab:

Naomi almost wanted to cry...

"Kenta-niisan.." She stiffen her tears.

"Wait, what is going on Naomi?" Kibaou questioned, "first I get a notification of being logged out of SAO, and now I find you here... wherever we are!"

"Kenta... We're in another VR game called Alfheim Online.." Naomi answered.

"And... why?"

"Because of Nobuyuki... Sugou Nobuyuki. He's the leader of the resurrected Hydra." She explains.

"Nobuyuki? Your boss?" Kibaou raised an eyebrow, "and Hydra?"

"Yes... He's captured 300 players from SAO for his experiment to manipulate the human mind and soul. Which he plans to use it to take over the world." She continues. "You've been in here for two months."

Kibaou stumbled back with his shotgun. He stared at the other columns that sat in the lab, spotting the holograms of the human brain in each one. "I... I was stuck like that!?"

Naomi, silently nodded. She gazed towards the floor in shame. "And you were experimented on to be a loyal soldier for Hydra."

It was at this point, Naomi begins to break down in tears. "I'm sorry that I've taken part of this." She sobbed.

"What do you mean?" Kibaou was even more confused.

"I participated in Nobuyuki's schemes.." She cried. "He forced me into holding everyone, including you, in ALO like lab rats."

"What?" Kibaou did a double-take.

"I didn't want to do it! But he killed our dad after he found out about Hydra. And threaten the rest of our family if I refused!"

"D... Dad is dead!?" Kibaou yelled.

"Y-Yes!" Naomi sobbed into her hands. "They presented me with his decapitated head, and said they would do the same to Naoki and Mom if I told anyone else!"

Kibaou, shocked from his sister's revelations, didn't respond. He gently pulled Naomi into a gentle hug as she sobbed into his shoulder. "W-when was this?"

Naomi sobbed, "nearly two months ago... he... he went missing after the chief of police refused to approve his investigation into the three hundred SAO players..."

"N-Nobuyuki was the one who revealed he had him beheaded as... an ultimatum for me to serve him and Hydra. He has al-almost all of Japan under his r-rule.."

"And you were to be among the first of Hydra's sleepers to enforce their rule. Both Virtual and in Real Life."

Kibaou looked back at the other players. "We need to get them out." He said.

"I have the triggers to restore their avatars and motor functions," Naomi told Kibaou, "but we need to get to the primary GM console to log all of you out."

It was then the lab doors opened. Naomi and Kibaou turned their attention towards the door. To their surprise, instead of Hydra soldiers. They see two armored individuals entering inside the lab. The red and gold armored soldier scanned the room with his repulsors while the patriot-themed one spotted Kibaou and Naomi.

"We got two individuals here. One of them armed with a shotgun." Iron Patriot II reported. "Neither of them are hostile."

"Identify yourselves," Iron Man II ordered the two individuals.

"N-Naomi Hunter... And this is Kenta, my brother.." Naomi sniffled.

Iron Man II scanned the both of them. "They're clean... One of them are part of the 300 players from SAO."

"I-Iron Man?" Kibaou recognized the superhero, "what are you doing here?"

"We're here to rescue all of you and stop Hydra." Iron Man II answered. Naomi looked to Iron Man, and saw that he had Howler Platoon markings on his armored uniform.

"Wait a minute... You're Howler Platoon." She deduced. "You're not Tony Stark, are you?"

The face plate folded open to reveal a man in mid-thirties and without a goatee. "Lieutenant Jack Preston, at your service." He introduced himself. "My superiors are also here to rescue Asuna Yuuki, and the rest of our unit has gone to capture Sugou Nobuyuki."

"Asuna?" Kibaou wondered. He seemed to be awkward and uncomfortable at the mention of Asuna. "As in Lightning Flash?" He added.

"Wait... don't tell me the beater is here as well," he groaned.

"The what?" Iron Patriot II asked, confused.

"The beater.. Kirito." Kibaou answered.

"He is here to rescue his wife," Iron Man II responded.

"Wife?" Kibaou did a double-take. "He got married?"

"He said that he and Asuna married while trapped in SAO." Iron Patriot II explained.

Kibaou groaned, "them again."

Naomi gave her elder brother a look. "Brother... Asuna's risking her life to help free everyone... That includes you..."

"You don't know them," Kibaou protested.

"And neither do you." Naomi shot back. "I've met her and she gave me the will to risk everything to rescue you."

"If it wasn't for her, you'd still be a brain on a pedestal to be probed with memory suppressors and I'd still be a weakling forced to experiment on her own brother!"

Kibaou was silent after his little sister's statement.

Iron Patriot II cleared his throat. "If you two are done, we should have all of your rescued before Captain America and Colonel America return with Asuna and Kirito in tow." Iron Patriot II heads to the GM console. "I'm going to activate a log out portal for all of you to escape through."

"After we get all of you out. We'll bring the systems here to a halt." He continued. Naomi then remembered to set the triggers for all the other players.

"I've added a program that'll allow the 300 players to escape from the pedestals." She explains. "They should be coming out of them soon." As she said that, the players known as Yolko and Caynz suddenly began to take form.

"Huh?" Iron Man II watched as the two players rose from the pedestals. The avatars formed around the brains... One avatar shows a female in her late-teens and sports long, brown hair and blue eyes. She also sports slim, but curvy, features of her body. Mainly in the chest area. The other shows a male player in his late-teens. He sports light-brown hair and red eyes as well as a toned body, which could be seen through the outline of his clothing. The two blinked their eyes as the system lowered them to the floor.

"Yolko" Kibaou gasped as the female player approached him. He then pointed to the male player next to Yolko. "Who are you?"

"Caynz.." The male player answered. "I'm... with Yolko here."

"Where are we?" Yolko looked around. She then looked to Kibaou, and frowned.

"Kibaou.." Yolko said, disapproval in her tone.

Naomi stood in front of her brother.

"Who are you?" Caynz asked Naomi.

"The one who helped you two regain your avatars..." Naomi then explains the situation to the two players.

"And that's why you both are here," Naomi exhaled deeply.

Both Yolko and Caynz were stunned by Naomi's revelation. Being trapped in SAO for two years was one thing, but being captured and trapped by a madman for two months was another.

"And this Nobuyuki... your boss, is the Supreme Commander of the new Hydra!?" Caynz asked.

Naomi nodded.

"Unbelievable.." Caynz muttered.

"And you're Kibaou's little sister..." Yolko remarked, "and made to experiment on him?"

Naomi looked away in shame. "They tortured and beheaded my father... and threatened Kenta, Mom, and our little sister if I refused."

"That's awful..." Yolko gasped, and even the greedy and notorious Kibaou still seemed to be shaken at the description of what Hydra did to his and Naomi's police father.

It was then Iron Patriot II spoke up. "Well, Hydra's scheme is coming to an end. Once we shut down their operation, Nobuyuki will answer for his crimes."

"I didn't think that the United States Army had an interest in him," Caynz said. As he spoke, several more players started to activate.

"We do..." Iron Man II grimaced at the sight of the lab, while also being relieved that the brains were turning back into people, "that evil scumbag tortured, experimented, and killed many of our fellow Rangers back in California and Colorado."

"Don't forget Oregon and Washington." Iron Patriot II pointed out. Kibaou, Caynz, and Yolko stared as they were processing how evil this new Hydra and its leader were.

"Anyways, as soon as Cap and Colonel get back here with Kirito and Asuna, we should get the heck out," Iron Man II said.

Yolko's eyes widened upon hearing about Kirito and Asuna.

"Kirito? Asuna?" Yolko was nearly at a loss of words.

"They were... experimented on like the rest of us!?" Yolko cried as she collapsed with her arms wrapped around herself. Caynz rushed to his girlfriend to steady her.

"Just Asuna..." Iron Patriot II said.. "But she was held in the bird cage instead of the pedestals here."

"But she had a clever ruse to free all of you," Naomi pointed out.

"R-Really?" Yolko stammered.

"She pretended to be... stricken by Nobuyuki's power and joined Hydra."

"Huh... Clever girl.." Caynz commented. He was impressed. The other players began to awake.

"I'm counting two-hundred and ninety-six players waking up.." Iron Patriot II deduced as he scanned the awakening players.

"I'm gonna head to the console to see if we can get the players out of here." Iron Patriot II as he steps out of his armor and went over to the granite cube structure and typed in on on holo-keyboard. The chibi character on the screen disappeared in seconds.

"All too easy..." Anderson smiled.

---

With Kirito and Asuna:

"It won't be long, Asuna.." Kirito smiled. "Soon, everything will be back to normal and we'll be together again in the real world."

"Kirito..." Asuna sighed. She hugs him again, burying her face into his shoulder.

"Hate to break it to you.." Captain America II interjected. "But we still got Hydra to stop."

"He's right.." Kirito agreed. "Once we get things settled here. I'll log off and head on to your hospital and we'll meet again for the first t-" Kirito stopped mid-sentence. He spun around towards the lab's entrance and drew out his sword. He sense something terrible. Lexar sensed it too as he slung over his P418 rifle and aims it towards the door as if to wait for some unknown enemy. Both Colonel and Captain America drew out their weapons as well and took aim at the lab's entrance. It was the feeling they've felt back in SAO whenever a player with orange cursors is near.

"Everyone get back!" Colonel America ordered as he switch the safety to off on the rifle. Leafa and Strea were freaked out, Asuna held onto Yui tightly. Tensing up at whatever is nearing.

Then, it happened...

The laboratory around them starts to be doused in distorted, liquid pixels. Then, the dark, sticky substance covered them completely. The colors around them started to drain. dissolve. The clean white panels of the lab was replaced by blackness.

"What is happening!?" Asuna screamed. Her voice warped as through a combination of compressed water pressure and a distorted computer voice chip.

"Lexar!" Leafa shouted.

Both Kirito and Lexar tried to spin around, but their bodies wouldn't cooperate. Colonel and Captain America tried to approach them. But were stopped by an invisible barrier. Preventing them from reaching them.

Soon after, the whole world was thrown into the void of blackness before them. The male teens struggled to move. Despite the agonizing pain and stiffness, they turned around to face the girls.

"Aahh! Mommy! Daddy!" Yui screamed as she writhed in agony in Asuna's arms. "Be careful! Something bad... is ha-" She was cut off when purple light crawled around her small body. She flashed brightly- and then, Asuna's arms were empty.

"Yui!" Both Kirito and Asuna screamed. But nothing came out.

"Mom! Dad!" Strea screamed as she too writhed in agony before the same purple light crawled over her and disappeared in the bright light.

"Strea!" Kirito yelled. Only the four of them were left in the thick, sludge blackness.

"Lexar! I'm scared!" Leafa shouted.

It was then they felt a strong wave of tremendous gravity, like a great weight pressing down on their bodies. Their knees couldn't stand the weight and they buckled onto the floor. Kirito and Lexar dropped their weapons as they were forced onto their hands and knees.

Kirito tries to reach out for Asuna, who was also trying to do the same. Lexar and Leafa also tried desperately to reach out for each other, their eyes filled with fear. But before their fingertips could touch, again, another wave of tremendous gravity forced them onto the floor.

"Kiri... to..." Asuna mumbled as she looked into his eyes.

Lex... ar..." Leafa groaned.

The two boys tried to crawl towards them. However, they're unable to. Before either one of them could speak. They heard a high-pitch, clinging voice echoed triumphantly through the darkness.

"Hehehe... How do you like my new spell? It's planned to go in the next update. But I'd wondered if it was too strong. Plus, your friends' appearance force me to make the Industrial Revolution update instead." Kirito and Lexar recognized that twisted, happy-go-lucky tone. It was no doubt who it belonged to.

"Sugou!" Kirito growled.

"Now now, that's not a way to address your king." Sugou's voice cackled. Then a figure came out of the darkness. He was wearing a toga in a venomous shade of green, white tights that covered his legs and his feet covered in gaudily, embroidered boots.

Leafa watched as he stepped his foot on Kirito's head, examining him as he turned it left and right. The face that looked too perfect that it's fake sported a gloated sneer.

"Sugou!" Asuna braced herself against the floor, only for her to raise her head up. "Everyone has seen what you're doing here! The crimes that you've committed... You won't get away with them!"

"Oh?" Sugou tilted his head to her. "And who's gonna stop me? You? Him? Your friends here? Your parents? Maybe God. Sorry sweetheart, but there is only one god in his world: Me!" He laughed. He then proceeds to step on Kirito's head in. He slumped down onto the floor, unable to bear the extra weight.

"Stop it! Stop it you coward!"

Sugou ignored Asuna's insults, bent over and picked up Kirito's sword that was laying next to him. He examined it as he held it on the tip of his finger, spinning it in the perfect vertical spin.

"I must say Kirigaya. Or should I say, Kirito? You and your friends have been causing me a lot of trouble yesterday." He turned to Asuna. "I even found out my little mistress been reeking havoc throughout the base today. Sabotaging communications and unlocking doors everywhere. I wasn't even logged on when she did. I was rushing back to give her some much-needed discipline, only to find that-surprise! Five cockroaches had scuttled inside the cage. Along with two strange pieces of code..."

The madman trailed off before swiping his left hand to bring up the menu. He stared at the blue screen with a frown. He snorted and closed the menu.

"...They must've gotten protective firewalls and can't hack into their avatars. What were they? How did the three of you get up here, anyway?"

"We flew up here." Lexar answered. "We got flight packs."

He sneered. "I can get a straight answer out from you. All I have to do is read your brain Lexar... Or should I say, Alex Mitchell?"

"...What?" Lexar gasped.

"You didn't think I created Alfheim Online just for kicks and jollies, did you?" He bounced Kirito's sword, leering venomously. "With the generous help from the three-hundred former SAO players, my research into the basic of thought and memory manipulation is nearly eighty-five percent complete. Despite everything going astray, thanks to Asuna. In a very short time, I will achieve an unprecedented, godly feat: absolute control over the human soul! Once that's complete, Hydra's dream of a new world order will become a reality!" Sugou smiled wickedly. "On top of that, I've got a brand new test subject for me to play with! What fun! I can't wait to poke through your memories and rewrite your emotions! I'm getting chills just thinking about it!"

Everyone was horrified from the revelations, especially Leafa.

"You can't do such a thing!" Leafa protested. Sugou turned his attention to the green-clad female player.

"Oh, but I can, my dear."

"You monster!" Kirito shouted. Sugou responded by putting his foot back on his head. Tapping his toe up and down.

"You and Mitchell didn't learn your lessons-you're plugged in with the NerveGears again, didn't you? Which makes you two and your friends no less helpful than any of my test subjects. Kids are so stupid. Even a dog knows it's made a mistake when it gets kicked."

"No.. No. You can't do that, Sugou!" Asuna screamed. Her face pale. "Don't you dare hurt him."

"Get off of him!" Leafa shouted.

"You're not getting away with this!" Lexar added.

Sugou just smiled. "Little bird, the day is nigh that I can turn your hatred into subservience with a flip of a switch..." He replied, intoxicated with his lust for power. Then his tone was replaced with anger. "Especially since I've gave you everything and you repaid me by betraying me. No matter..." He waved his hand. "I forgive you. I was gonna leave your memory and soul unaltered. But, I guess I'll get my queen... One way or the other..."

He stabs Kirito's sword into the floor.

"But! Before I recreate your souls to my liking, let's have a little party! Finally... The moment I've been waiting for-the guest of honor has arrived, plus two other guests." Glancing at Lexar and Leafa before continuing. "It truly was worth testing the very limits of my patience."

He spun around and threw his hands wide. "As of now, I'm recording everything that happens within this space for posterity! Don't forget to smile for the camera, kids! Your folks will be watching your performance!"

He raised his left hand up and snapped his fingers.

---

Hydra Lab:

Both Colonel America and Captain America II are stunned by what has just transpired. One minute Everything's fine. The next, Kirito, Asuna, Lexar, Leafa, Yui, and Strea had vanished.

"Colonel!" Captain America II spun around, "we have to find them! If that was Hydra-"

It was just then, Both Yui and Strea appeared out of thin air. Exactly from the same spot the others disappeared.

"Yui, Strea," Colonel America and Captain America quickly rushed to keep them from collapsing.

"What happened?" Captain America II asked.

"Mommy! Daddy! Everyone's been kidnapped!" Yui cried.

"Mom, Dad, Uncle Lexar and Aunt Leafa have been taken!" Strea panicked. "We managed to escape before the system could take us too. But..." She shook. "We're afraid for them.."

Colonel America decided to get in touch with Iron Patriot, while Captain America worked to calm the girls. "Look at me," Captain America II said firmly.

Both Yui and Strea looked at him, tears streaming from their eyes.

"We're going to get your parents back, you hear me?" Captain America was authoritative, but also had an older brother tone to his voice, "but you have to help me and Colonel get to them somehow."

"Please do!" Yui teared up.

"We'll do what we can to help, Captain.." Strea sniffled.

"You two are mental health AIs, right," Captain got straight to the point, "track down Kirito and Asuna's signatures, and calculate a path for me and Colonel to break through. Can you both do that?"

"Yes... We'll do that.." The two AIs replied. They managed to calm down.

"Okay, we're scanning.." Yui and Strea closed their eyes.

It was then that Colonel America got through to Patriot. "Patriot, this is Colonel, the kids were taken by Hydra. We need help locating them."

"On it sir. I'm at one of the consoles right now.." Iron Patriot replied. "Wait.. Something appeared on the holo-screen.."

"I'm getting a transmission from... Delta One?"

"I managed to get the signal jammer disabled." Delta One said. "Now everyone will learn about ALO."

The scrambled voice of Delta One also added, "I am now working on the launch controls for the game."

"Delta One, this is Colonel America, we have a situation..." He continued. "We've located the Yuuki girl. But she, along with Kirito and their friends, have been taken. Is there a way to get through to them?"

"Hold on... It may take some time to find them.." Delta One replied.

"Please hurry," Colonel urged, "they are in great danger."

Captain America II grasped his M4v1 tight. His vision started to glitch slightly again.

'No. Not again..' He thought. He didn't say anything though as Yui and Strea clung to his frame as they focused. After what seemed like hours. Yui and Strea opened their eyes.

"They're still in ALO.." Strea said. "But their statuses is faded. As if they're somewhere else.."

"What do you mean?" The Captain asked. "Can we still get to them?"

"We can..." Strea continued. "But it may take some time as we'll have to go to a series of codes to do so.."

Captain America looked to the Colonel. "Is that Delta One you're talking to, sir?"

"Yes, Captain." Colonel America answered. "She's gonna help locate Kirito and the others and open a link to reach them."

"She'd better, or she'll have to deal with me if something happens to those kids," Captain growled.

"Don't worry. We'll get to them." He reassured the Captain.

---

Inner Alne City:

Everyone have reached past the World Tree gate and back into the inner city of Alne.

Sergeant Ramirez called out, "head counts!"

"All of us are here!" Damion replied. "With the exception for the Colonel, Captain, Lieutenant, Captain, and the others."

Ramirez then turned to the nine race leaders. "What about you guys!?"

"Everyone's here and accounted for." Sakuya replied.

"Same for my group.." Alias added. The other race leaders also confirmed that all the other players not forced to log out were also accounted for.

"I sure hope Leafa's doing alright.." Sigurd muttered. Recon gave Sigurd a surprised look.

"What?" Sigurd gritted his teeth. "Just the thought of her up there with those terrorists... I should be up there..."

"Same goes for me..." Recon added. Silica and Lisbeth huddled next to their respective boyfriends.

"I sure hope they rescued Asuna..." Silica clutched onto Sleek. Worried about Kirito and the others.

"They will, Silica," Sleek said, "they have the new Captain America and Iron Man on their side."

"As well as the original Captain America and the new Iron Patriot.." Mace added. "That should even the odds."

"Even?" Lisbeth raised an eyebrow, "they should crush Hydra with them!"

"I know what you mean.." Mace held her.

It was then the holo-screen appeared before the World Tree again. This time, it only showed the blackness across the screen. At first, everyone thought it was not broadcasting. And then, they see Kirito, with Asuna, Lexar, and Leafa.

"You didn't think I created Alfheim Online just for kicks and jollies, did you? With the generous help from the three-hundred former SAO players, my research into the basic of thought and memory manipulation is nearly eighty-five percent complete. Despite everything going astray, thanks to Asuna. In a very short time, I will achieve an unprecedented, godly feat: absolute control over the human soul! Once that's complete, Hydra's dream of a new world order will become a reality!"

Everyone's gazed turned towards the giant holo-screen and watched in horror as Nobuyuki revealed his plans to Kirito and the others.

"That's... Nobuyuki?" Rain shuddered.

"Calling himself a king..." Haze gasped.

"What has he done to them?" Lisbeth clutched onto Mace. Silica turned away as Nobuyuki pressed his foot on Kirito's head while holding his sword. Asuna shouting to stop.

"Little bird, the day is nigh that I can turn your hatred into subservience with a flip of a switch... Especially since I've gave you everything and you repaid me by betraying me. No matter... I forgive you. I was gonna leave your memory and soul unaltered. But, I guess I'll get my queen... One way or the other..."

"He's a madman..." Castle muttered in disgust.

"But! Before I recreate your souls to my liking, let's have a little party! Finally... The moment I've been waiting for-the guest of honor has arrived, plus two other guests. It truly was worth testing the very limits of my patience."

"As of now, I'm recording everything that happens within this space for posterity! Don't forget to smile for the camera, kids! Your folks will be watching your performance!"

Everyone realized that the footage is being recorded for his own amusement.

---

The Void:

The chains suddenly fell from the infinite darkness that had golden shackles on the end. They landed right in front of Asuna. He gave the chain a tug, which extended up into the darkness and retracted. Asuna's arms was hauled up by Sugou's right hand and stopped at the exact point where the tips of her fingers could touch his face. He took them and started snapping one of the shackles on Asuna's right wrist.

"What are you doing!?" Kirito demanded. But Sugou ignored him as he reached for the other shackle.

"Don't worry Kirigaya, I've got plenty of props ready for you. This will do for now." He finished snapping the other shackle on Asuna's left wrist. The chains rattled upward, and Asuna was left dangling in midair by her arms. With the gravity spell still in effect, the sudden pain surged through her body, giving out a facial expression of agony.

"Nice!" Sugou grinned. "You don't get expressions like that with the NCP women." He opens the window and, with a push of a button. Asuna's outfit is changed from her back wardrobe to that wedding-style dress that she wore during her two months. The dress that revealed much of her body, including her feet.

Asuna glared furiously at him, then shut her eyes to fight the pain. Sugou grabbed a handful of her long hair and sniffed it.

"Mmmmm.. That's a lovely scent. It was quiet difficult to recreate the real Asuna smell in-game. I had to hide an odor analyzer in her sickroom. Seems to me that you should appreciate that kind of attention to detail." He rubbed his face against Asuna cheeks while the girl winced in disgust.

"Leave her alone!" Kirito screamed. He struggled to get up again. He managed to get up one of his knees. Sugou shook his head before approaching him.

"The audience wasn't suppose to stand up... Get back to crawling!" He kicked Kirito's legs from underneath him, falling onto the ground. Kirito got the wind knocked out of his lungs when Sugou kicked him for the second time.

"You peasants need to learn to always grovel to your king!" Sugou raised Kirito's sword up in the air, poised in a icepick grip and, with all his strength, drove the sword through Kirito. The blade pierced through his back and exited out through his chest, wedging it into the floor. Kirito yelled as he felt the sword penetrating his body. The pain shooting through his chest and back.

"Kirito!" Asuna and Leafa both screamed. The sight of this madman driving the sword into Kirito's body was unbearable to watch. Sugou noted Leafa's reaction and approached her. He squatted down to examine her features and her outfit.

"You're such a pretty bird." Sugou licked his lips. "Too bad you've sided with the troublesome kids. Suguha..."

"Get away from me," Leafa groaned.

Lexar struggled to support himself up off the floor. But was unable to and can only raise his head up. He looked at Leafa. "Sugu! Log out! We'll be fine here!" He shouted while struggling to get up. Leafa swipes her left hand down to bring out the options window. But nothing appeared before her. She swiped again, still nothing.

"You can't log out here. You have no control here." Nobuyuki laughed wickedly. "This is my world now.."

"Also, if anyone tries to remove the VR helmets from the outside, whenever if it's NerveGear or AmuSphere. The Pain Absorber will be automatically set to zero and will cause immense pain." He added with a laughter. "And so intense that... you could just as well die..."

Leafa's eyes widen upon hearing this revelation. If her parents tried to remove the AmuSphere off of her or the NerveGears off of her brother and beloved. They could die.

---

Kirigaya Household:

The Kirigaya adults watched as plays exited out of the World Tree gates. Not too long ago, they all entered inside. However, nothing prepared them for the next broadcast... They see Kazuto, along with Asuna and the two players pinned against the floor by the gravity spell.

"Kazuto!" Midori gasped.

"And Asuna's with them..." Minetaka added. But they noticed the other two players with them.

"Who are they?" Midori asked. Minetaka looked closely.

"I think that one's Alex..." He deduced as he observed the blonde haired male character. Then he shifted his eyes on the blonde female player. She looked very different in color, but the face...

Minetaka's eyes widen as he got a closer look.. "That's Suguha!"

Midori let out a yelp of fear upon realizing her now-blonde daughter. They watched at the green-robe figure, deducing that it's Nobuyuki's avatar, chaining up Asuna and leaving her dangled in the air. Midori gasped in horror, while Minetaka's eyes burned in silent anger at what was playing out. They watched Nobuyuki made advances towards Asuna while boasting how he managed to sneak an odor analyzer in her hospital room. Then he took Kirito's sword and jabbed it through his back while he lay helpless on the floor.

Midori screamed for her adopted son. As Nobuyuki begins to inspect Leafa. Minetaka heads towards Kazuto's bedroom. Midori heard the madman stating that trapping them in his world. And that if anyone outside in the real world tries to log them out by force. The Pain Absorber will drop to zero and kill anyone with immense pain.

"Minetaka!" Midori ran towards her husband. "Don't unplug their headgear!"

"Nobuyuki said that he's tampered with the pain absorber and that it could kill them!"

Minetaka did a double take. "For real?"

Midori nodded. The two turned back to the screen... and saw pure horror.

---

The Void:

"Stay away from her, you creep!" Lexar shouted, he struggled to support himself up off the floor. But was unable to and can only raise his head up. Sugou turned to face the blonde-haired boy and a very grin wicked smile crested across his face. He then started to laugh manically.

"Ahahahahahahahaa... It was so obvious. I know for a fact that she's special for you two. She's Kazuto's brother, and Alex's beloved..." He clapped his hands excitedly. "You didn't think I'd noticed how you were holding her earlier at the hospital. Even though I'm set to marry Asuna. I can have Sugu to myself as well.." He snaps his fingers. A second set of chains fell from the infinite darkness, they sported silver shackles on each end. This time, they landed in front of Leafa.

"No..." Leafa said weakly as she felt his hand grab her wrist and slaps the shackler onto her wrist.

"Get your hands off of her!" Lexar shouted, struggling to move.

"I stand corrected, she's is your princess, Mitchell." Sugou laughed as he finished snapping the shackles on. The chains rattled, and Leafa was hauled up and left dangling in midair by her arms alongside with Asuna. Leafa winced as she felt the effects of the gravity spell pulling her down. Causing pain to coarse through her.

"Heh! Even better with two birdies all strung up together!" Sugou cackled. He took a handful of Leafa's hair and sniffed it.

"It's a good thing I snuck another odor analyzer on your person when you're not looking." He explained.

Leafa was horrified, and tried to get herself loose somehow. Unfortunately, the pain caused by the gravity spell kept her from moving any further.

He inhaled in Leafa's hair. "Mmmm.. Now I got both Asuna's and Suguha's real smell.." Sugou grabbed the chains Leafa's suspended on and dragged it close to Asuna. He removed the hair tie from Leafa, letting her blonde hair fall freely. He took both handfuls of their hair and sniffled them.

"Mmmmm... This is more like it." Sugou grinned with lust. Both Asuna and Leafa winced in disgust and terror.

"Get away from them!" Kirito screamed.

Lexar looked to his right, his P418 rifle laying a couple of inches away from him. If he could reach out and grab it, he'll take the monster down with the headshot while he is distracted. Despite the effects of the gravity spell, he focused all of his strength to push himself up from the floor and reached for the rifle. His fingers gripped the straps and starts pulling on them.

'Come on!' Lexar thought as he dragged the rifle closer to him. He managed to grab the butt stock of the rifle and pulled on it some more.

Almost there...' His fingertips gripped and pulled on the rifle's stock. The pistol grip is inches away from his grasp.

'Almost there...'

Just then, a sudden pressure stomped onto his wrist. He was inches away of grabbing the pistol grip.

"Gaakk!" Lexar lost his grip on the rifle. He looked to see that Sugou's foot stomped onto his wrist, causing him to release the weapon.

"My my, still got some fight in you, Mitchell." Sugou sneered as he kicked the rifle away. He knelt down to examine him. Bracing Lexar's wrist with his knee while he pressed his hand down on Lexar's head. "You Americans are always alike. Never knowing when to give up! Sticking your noses in everybody's personal affairs!"

"I got a special prop for you, Mitchell.." Sugou snapped his fingers. A lone chain fell from the infinite darkness above and landed in front of him with a loud clang. Lexar looked closely and sees a large iron hook on the end of the chain. The very kind that butchers hang up meat in freezers. Sugou pulled Lexar up by the shirt as he grabbed the large meat hook with his right hand.

"By the way, this video is being played for your father and older brother to witness." He grinned before adding. "Just to show that people like them cause a lot of trouble. And all of you need to mind your own business!" Sugou drove the hook into Lexar's shoulder.

"Aaahh!" Lexar shouted as he felt the hook dig deep into his shoulder.

"Lexar!" Leafa screamed. Sugou lets go of him and stood back up. The chain rattled as Lexar was hauled up off the floor. He screamed as the hook dug further in as he was left dangling in the air. He held onto the chains to keep the hook from going in further. He even tried to pull himself up. However, with the gravity spell in effect, this became impossible.

Sugou then tilted his head up to the sky and crowned. "System Command! Set the pain absorber to level four!"

Kirito and Lexar felt increased, sharp pains in their chests and shoulder and screamed.

"The pain will increase whenever I set the pain absorber lower. The lower the level, the higher the pain increases... The pain absorber was set to five to hinder your siege on Alne city and the World Tree..." Sugou explained with a wicked grin. "... Observe." He went over to Lexar and started pushing him around, swinging away from Kirito and the others. Sugou then tugged violently onto Lexar's legs and waist. Swinging onto him and sliding around while inflicting as much pain as he could. Lexar screamed in agony as the hook shifted and dug deeper into his shoulder. Severe pain shot through his body.

"Let him go! You monster!" Asuna shouted.

"STOP IT! YOU'RE HURTING HIM!" Leafa screamed. Tears streamed down her face as the false king tortured her beloved. Their cries to make him stop were ignored, as Sugou laughed sadistically.

---

Alne City:

"No! Wait! You can't go back in there!" Ramirez held on Spade as the latter was seething with rage.

"That's my cousin up there!" Spade growled.

Ramirez looked around at the SAO and ALO crowd... the plaza was becoming increasingly rowdy with an angry mob.

"How dare he harm Leafa, Lexar, and Asuna!" Lisbeth shouted.

"If only we went up there with them..." Mace was shaking with rage. He gripped on the AA-12 tighter.

Both Sigurd and Recon begin to feel rage coursing through them.

"I'll kill that bastard!" Charlie screamed.

"We need to get back up there!" Sakuya yelled.

"Everyone stay calm!" One Howler Platoon sergeant tried to calm the player base, but failed.

"They need our help!" Philia shouted. "We can't just stand here and do nothing while they get tortured up there!" Klein and his band were also swearing like sailors in rage.

"He did something to Strea and Yui too!" Codex added to the shouts. Lexar's screams continued to be heard from the broadcast, echoing throughout Alfheim. It was followed by the screams from both Asuna and Leafa to stop. But the laughter of the madman showed signs of defiance.

"LEXAR!" Sleek yelled collapsing to the ground in shock. Silica dropped onto her knees and held onto him.

"You devil!" Eugene yelled with the other Salamanders.

"I'm gonna strangle all you Hydra alive!" Barris clenched his fists.

"Save some for the rest of us!" Alicia interjected.

"Let me go!" Spade struggled against Ramirez's grip. The veteran Army Ranger kept a firm grip on Spade as he tried to radio for his Captain... but it seemed the Tree was blocking communications.

---

The Void:

After what seemed like an hour passed, Nobuyuki then he lets him go. Allowing the chain to stop swinging. Lexar's face distorted in pain with tears streaming down and his breaths are short as he fought the pain.

Sugou sneered before turning to the others. "However, that was just the appetizer. I'll just bump up the stages as we go along. If I set the absorber to level three or lower, you'll remain in a state of shock even after you log off." He turned his attention back to Asuna and Leafa.

"Kids like Kirigaya and Mitchell are troublesome. Always causing trouble and becoming pests and running their mouths."

He extends his hands towards Asuna and Leafa, and traced their cheeks from behind. The girls turned their heads, trying to break free, but the powerful gravity kept them from moving. His fingertips ran across all over their faces before sliding down their necks. Their faces were twisted with disgust.

"So smooth..."

"Stop it, Sugou!" Kirito shouted while trying to get up. But the sword wedged into his body prevents him from doing so.

"Please... Stop..." Leafa begged. She shook with fear as she felt his fingers tracing down her body.

"Lovely sister, Kazuto Kirigaya..." Sugou gave an evil smirk, "I wonder if Miss Suguha here can withstand my charm for long."

Kirito continued to try to free himself. Lexar's rage was climbing by the second despite the pain in his shoulder.

Asuna turned to Leafa. "Suguha... It's alright." She said bravely, with a trembling face. "This is virtual reality, it's not real." She turned to Kirito and Lexar. "We won't let this hurt us."

Sugou, however, just laughed. "That's what I like to hear. How long will you two be able to maintain that pride?" His hands traced across their stomachs. "...Thirty seconds? An hour? An entire day?" His hands reached their tops. "...Do your best to prolong my pleasure, ladies!" As he finished. He grabs the tops of Asuna's dress and Leafa's outfit and ripped them away with one motion. Exposing their chests while their tops were discarded. Asuna and Leafa shut their eyes tightly as they're shamefully exposed to him.

All Kirito and Lexar could do was watch in horror as he then moved behind them with the wicked, wide crescent.

"Heh-heh! Want to know what I'm thinking about right now?" He said as his tongue continued to extend towards Asuna's neck. "Once I have my fun with you two here, I'll send agents to visit your hospital room and Kirigaya's home. I can set up a room in a disclosed location, and it will be our little paradise, just the two of you and me. I'll set up a nice big monitor, play the footage of today's recording, and enjoy it all over again with your real bodies."

Asuna's and Leafa's eyes went wide, but the former bravely knotted her lips for a moment.

Then he continued. "First, I steal the purity of your hearts–and then I ruin the chastity of your bodies! HowFascinating! What a unique form of entertainment, don't you think?" He cackled when he finished.

The girls were terrified at the thought of their bodies being violated in the real world. It was too much for Asuna to handle as two clear drops lingered on her eyelashes, and started to stream down her face. Tears were already streaming down Leafa's face as Sugou flicked his tongue to taste them.

"Ahh… Sweet, so sweet! Go on, give me more tears!" He said, as he lustfully licked the tears from their faces and gropes their breasts.

"Stop it, Sugou! STOP IT!" Kirito screamed at the top of his lungs as Sugou proceeds to violate the helpless girls. He squirmed, trying to move. But was unable to.

"You son of a bitch! Bastard! BASTARD!" Lexar screamed as he strained to lift himself off from the hook. But the powerful gravity and the sharp pain prevented him. The man turned to the two boys and laughed while he continued to assault the girls, who remained helpless in his grasp, unable to move and unable to defend themselves.

"We will kill you, Sugou! You hear!? WE WILL KILL YOU! YOU'LL DIE BY OUR HANDS!" Kirito shouts were drowned out by the sounds of Sugou's laughter. However, Asuna's hands curled into fists, small arcs of energy begin to spark. No one noticed it.

---

With Iron Patriot II;

Thomas turned away from the holoscreen, pale and horrified from the live footage he'd just witnessed. He bent over on his knees as if he was going to vomit if the system would allow it. He was almost regretting the live feed of ALO for the world to see this... violation. However, the world must know of this madman and his plans.

Yolko, on the other hand, buried her face against Caynz's chest. Unable to watch anything else. Naomi and the other players were horrified as they saw firsthand the depravity of Hydra's Supreme Commander. Kibaou felt sick to his stomach.

"Kirito, Asuna!" Naomi noticed that a short, female player identified as Argo screamed in horror.

The other player, Misumi Tozawa, aka Mito, cupped her hands to her mouth in horror of the green-robed man violating Asuna, her fellow classmate and friend.

"A-Asuna...?" Mito stammered.

Iron Man II tried to contact his Captain. "Lieutenant Preston to Captain America. Lieutenant to Captain America.. Do you read me? Over."

"Captain America here, what's the sitrep on your end?"

"The rest of the 299 players are awake and free from Hydra's mind control.." Iron Man II replied.

"Roger, begin exfil ASAP," Captain ordered.

"On it... And sir... Are you seeing this?" Iron Man II's voice trailed off.

"You have your orders, Lieutenant," Captain America II's voice was firm.

"But sir..."

---

With Colonel America:

"That's an order, let us handle Kirito and Asuna," Captain told his adjutant officer.

Iron Man II sighed from the other end. "Yes sir.. We're starting extraction of the hostages now.."

"Good, and Godspeed," Captain America II replied.

Both Yui and Strea cried and became distress at the sight of Nobuyuki violating their mother and aunt while torturing their uncle. Their adopted Dad was also injured and in severe pain. The AIs felt the incredible amount of pain from both Kirito and Lexar. But fear from Asuna and Leafa.

"Strea, Yui," the new Captain America saw the two AIs crying, "stay with us and help us get to them."

"He's violating both Mommy and Auntie Leafa!" Yui sobbed.

"And I feel their pain and fear!" Strea cried.

"Then help me and Colonel get to them," Captain America II held them by the shoulders, "get us there, and we'll stop him!"

Yui sniffles and wipes the tears away.. "O-Okay..."

Colonel America was still on the line with Delta One.

"You need any help on your end?" Delta One asks.

"Where are you on the pathway to that void?" Colonel America also remained calm as he talked it through with Delta One.

"I am. There's a digital void that was created within the ALO servers. I can help open a portal to it."

"But it could take up to three to five minutes for me to break through the firewall."

Captain America II overheard that. "Yui and Strea will help us break through the firewall.." He called out. "Perhaps they can boost Delta One's hacking."

"You hear that, Delta One?" Colonel America asked. "My Captain thinks that we have two AIs that can assist us," Colonel pitched to Delta One.

"Okay.. How fast can they break through the firewall?" She asks.

"Sir, let me talk to Delta One," Captain America II asked.

"Sure... Patching you through now.."

Captain America II patched through.

"Captain.."

"Listen, Delta One, whoever you are," Captain laid it down, "we don't have three minutes. I need you working with Strea and Yui to get us to the target."

"I understand, but we have only five minutes to stop the launch as well," Delta One explained.

"Where the heck are Trinity and Unity?" Captain asked.

"They're breaking through the firewall to help stop the launch." Delta One answered.

"Dedicate all launch abort tasks to those AIs and get with Yui and Strea to get us on target, now," Captain America laid it down.

---

Onboard the USS Wilson:

For what it was worth, Unity was not just angry. She was furious.

To bear witness to what she had just seen? That was enough to push her to her limits. The AI put all her processing power to breaking through the firewalls at full power. She shifted all control to the automatic functions of the carrier, diverting all her efforts into breaking the firewall. This would render the ship reliant on the automatic programs that had been developed, but it would allow her to put everything she had into the breaking of the firewall. And as it stood, with that power behind it...

The firewall was going to go down... hard!

"The RECT firewall's down." Trinity reported.

Unity let out a laugh. "All clear, guys! The firewall's been breached!"

"We're in the RECT game launch for Alfheim Online.." Trinity added.

"Just say the word and we'll shut it down!" Unity remarked.

"The block has been added. The game's release internationally has been halted." Trinity proclaimed.

---

With Captain and Colonel:

"We've located the Void's firewall.." Strea said. "We're disabling it now.."

Captain and Colonel looked to one another as they racked their rifles. Colonel also checked his shield.

"I'm ready Colonel," Captain said, "let's get that creep."

"I'm ready too, Captain." Colonel replied.

"We're almost through.." Yui stated. A field enveloped the four. The brightness of the white lab dissolves into blackness.

---

Kirigaya household:

Midori turned away from the screen and cried into Minetaka's shoulder. The footage of Nobuyuki violating their daughter was too much for her to bear witness. The whole thing was bringing back bad flashbacks of Minetaka's police career. Most of which investigation of victims who were assaulted. And the complete madness of some of the perps he had to arrest or even kill.

"Oh Minetaka! Our children!" Midori sobbed.

Minetaka held Midori tightly. It was not very professional, but he almost wanted to shoot Nobuyuki dead for doing this to his family. Especially for torturing Alex.

'If I ever find him, I'll kill him myself..' He thought darkly.

---

RECT basement:

The Mitchells and Shouzou Yuuki were forced to watch the footage of Nobuyuki's sadistic torture. The image of Alex being strung up on a meat hook and being subjected to immense pain while being violently tugged was sending the Mitchells into rage.

Jonathan was foaming as he tried to break his cuffs.

"AAARRRGGGGHHH!" He screamed. His wrists were starting to chaff. But he ignored the pain as he desperately tried to break the cuffs apart. "I'LL SKIN YOU ALIVE, SUGOU!"

Shouzou remained silent and gazed down, away from the screen. He started to hear more and more voices as his dormant powers reawakened under his crumbling composure. Two of which are the voices coming from the same room he's in. One voice cursing Shouzou's name..

Shouzou looked up to see Jonathan glaring angrily at him. The voice came from his thoughts..

'This is all your fault, Shouzou.! Jon said mentally. 'You arranged all of this! You threw your daughter away and set her up to marry a madman!'

Shouzou looked at David's location. He seemed focused in prayer. However, it didn't prevent Jon's negative thoughts from projecting into Shouzou's mind.

'Kouichirou's right! You and your wife are thoughtless! If you have listen to him, we wouldn't be in this mess!'

'Asuna...' Shouzou's thoughts projected outwards in his turmoil. 'I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...' He gazed down shamefully. His thoughts suddenly radiated out. David looked towards Shouzou.

"What was that?"

"W-What?" Shouzou asked.

"I heard you in... my head," David told him.

"Y-You did?"

---

The Void:

Asuna heard it again. In the midst of Nobuyuki violating both her and Suguha. The voice of her father appeared out of nowhere. Like before, there was a deep sorrow and repentance in his voice. But the sense of regret was much stronger than before.

"F-Father?" Asuna's voice trembled.

Sugou heard her. "Your father can't help you here." Nobuyuki laughed. Asuna glared at Sugou with tears in her eyes.

"Aww... No need for sadness..." He cackled. "After all, your parents set this whole marriage up for the both of us!" He grabbed her cheeks. "It's best that you get use to it, dear."

Asuna clenched her fists, now sparking. However, Nobuyuki doesn't seem to notice.

---

The USS Wilson:

In the real world, Unity heard it as well. 'The heck was that...?' she thought in confusion. And it seemed that Asuna and Unity were not the only ones...

"Did you hear that, Unity?" Trinity asked.

"Yeah... I did.." Unity answered. "But who said that.."

"I'm unable to detect the source of the voice.." Trinity surmised. "But I'm detecting a hint of both sadness and regret in the male's voice."

---

The Void:

Lexar tried to pull himself up the chain. Trying to lift himself off from the iron hook. However, no matter how hard he pulled. The gravity spell had him remain in his place. The sight of Nobuyuki, the very man who had held Kirito's beloved and 299 players trapped. Is not only violating her, but violating Leafa as well. It was enough to send him into white, burning rage within him.

He then noticed his hands glowed red, then orange and yellow. The chain he was holding onto started to glow red as well.

'My powers..' He thought. He looked down to see Kirito, still pinned down by his own sword. He turned to witness Nobuyuki begin undressing both Asuna and Leafa. The rage coursed through his veins again. And, at the same time, his hands glowed some more. They glowed white hot. His powers are somehow connected to his emotions.

As for Kirito... He started to doubt himself. Thinking that he could beat the system like he did with SAO.

"I... I can't..."

It was then he heard a voice. "Are you gonna give up that easily?"

He looked up and glanced to the side... He saw a familiar figure in a white lab coat standing next to him.

"K-Kayaba?" Kirito groaned.

"Did you honestly think the system's got you beat?" He asked. "After all... ALO's built on the codings of SAO.."

"And you... SAO was also a test to tap into your inner strength and powers.." He added. "And you've proved yourself during your two years in SAO. Over and over again."

"Kayaba..." Kirito reached out. At that moment, Kirito felt the pain in his chest going numb. Thinking about Asuna gave him a strange warmth and strength in his chest. It also filled him with determination.

Suddenly he felt his chest... shifting around the blade, as though he could push it out of himself. He starts to push himself off from the floor and stood up on his knees. The sword coming up with him.

"Hrrrgghhh!" Kirito groaned and exhaled as the sword suddenly fell out his back, which sealed up quickly. At the same time, Lexar fell onto the floor. Managing to break the chain by heating them up to melting point.

"Uggh!" Lexar groaned after plopping onto the floor.

Sugou turned around... A look of shock was seen on his face when he see the two boys managing to break free. He quickly recovered though. "I guess I have a few bugs to work out.. No matter. I'll summon up more chains to hook you two kid-" He never got to finish his sentence. As out of nowhere, something hit him in the side of Nobuyuki's head. Knocking him on to the floor. He groaned as he tumbled onto the floor. A metallic ring was heard in the air as the small object flew in the air and back towards where it was thrown. Everyone turned just in time to see the object being caught.

It was Colonel America. And the object that was thrown was his shield. Captain America II came jumping in alongside the Colonel with Yui and Strea, M4v1 trained on Nobuyuki.

"Freeze, you're under arrest!"

Nobuyuki quickly got up on his feet to see Colonel America and Captain America present before him.

"Well well.. I guess you were responsible for the mess that has been going on.." Nobuyuki laughed. Seemily unafraid.

"Sugou Nobuyuki... you are under arrest for kidnapping, murder, and crimes against humanity and the United States of America..." Captain America II warned, "surrender yourself to the authorities and stand down!"

Nobuyuki simply laughed, "oh... you mean your band of US Army Rangers coming to assault my mansion. Captain America isn't it... or should I say Captain Christopher Samuel Burke?"

Captain America II stiffened up in surprise.

"I knew that you Americans were on a secret mission that involved arresting me.." He continued. "But I already knew beforehand. Therefore, I'm prepared to repel your little invasion force in the Real World."

Kirito, Lexar, and Asuna continued to glare angrily at Nobuyuki. Leafa, despite being violated, looked up.

"You know?" Captain America II kept his composure as he and Colonel surrounded their target, but it was clear that both men were surprised and cautious at the revelation.

"Oh yes, I know." Nobuyuki replied with a wicked smiled. "After all, I have people everywhere. Even after your little civil war, I managed to slip people inside to feed me information while Hydra rebuilt itself."

---

Across Alfheim and Japan:

"While everyone in the world, including you Americans, were fighting themselves. I rebuild Hydra from the ground up years after Project Insight failed." He continued.

The Kirigaya parents sat in shocked silence at both the evil Hydra leader's words and the sight of the new Captain America.

"It was worth the wait to watch the high and mighty to fall hard. All thanks to the Sokovia Accords that were drafted in the United Nations. To be honest, I never thought they would go for it. But to my surprise, they did!" He laughed.

---

Shouzou and the Mitchells were shocked in silence. Hydra planted the seeds of the Sokovia Accords into the UN? It was hard to believe that an organization that fell in 2014 would pull this stunt.

"And look at you both... far from your wretched country and disobeying your President and violating the sovereignty of another nation!"

"You call Hydra taking over Japan sovereignty?!" Asuna snapped.

Sugou spun around. "My family helped rebuild this nation!"

"And you plan to brainwash everyone in the world with Hydra ideals!" Asuna shot back. "And you've used my father's company to conduct your inhuman experiments!"

It was then that Asuna's body began to glow.

---

Ramirez, Spade, Sakuya, Alicia, and everyone in the SAO and ALO guild watched as the Yuuki girl glowed brightly. So bright that her features can no longer be seen.

"AND I WON"T STAND FOR IT!" The bright, glowing light begins to dim. They see Asuna, now free from her bonds, and in a outfit that was too peculiar. Lisbeth, Silica, Philia, and the other SAO girls gasped... It was the very same outfit Asuna wore while she was a Sub-Commander of the Knight of the Blood guild. The red skirt, the white chest plate, and white boots and stockings that ran up to her thighs. All of which have the red cross on it, symbolizing the Knights of Blood. Her eyes glowed and her hair flowed as she seemed to float briefly. An item materialized in her right hand. A few seconds later, she sports a blue rapier. The Lambent Light.

The players of ALO and citizens of Japan watching the confrontation live stared and gasped at Asuna. For Kirito, she was a sight for sore eyes. Asuna landed gracefully on the floor with poise in her stance, wielding her Lambent Light for the first time since SAO.

Nobuyuki, just grinned. "Well well. It seems I've underestimated you once again, Titania.."

"Asuna..." Kirito almost wanted to cry in joy.

"That's right..." Asuna smiled. "The name's Asuna... Not Titania.."

She suddenly jumped up and landed next to Kirito. "And Kirito's my husband. My true love.. Unlike you..."

"You tell him, Asuna!" Lisbeth cheered.

"That guy is her husband?" Sigurd asked aloud.

"Yes... He is.." Sakuya smiled.. "He told us about it before the battle.."

Philia screamed as she glomped onto Damion in excitement.

"Kirito and Asuna got hitched!" She squealed.

"And I think they are about to kick his kisser together," Damion laughed and groaned with a smile.

"I-I can't believe Asuna's her old SAO self.." Silica gasped.

"How did she do that?" Charlie asked.

"I have no idea..." Codex answered, dumbfounded by Asuna's new ability. "She didn't receive an upgrade from Anderson.."

"Alright! Go Asuna!" Klein cheered.

---

Kirigaya Household:

The Kirigaya parents were amazed. Their daughter-in-law has the ability to change her outfit and free herself. They're also relieved that their Kazuto and Alex have managed to free themselves as well. But Suguha... They watched the blonde Suguha closely. She was still chained up, but her exposed chest was obscured by her long, blonde hair.

"Kazuto... Alex... Please save her." Minetaka muttered as he held his crying wife.

---

The Void:

The Hydra Supreme Commander's eyes twitched as Asuna revealed her true love and marriage to Kirito.

"And besides..." Asuna continued. "You're not family material anyway... Not even husband material.." She finished with a smirk. Sugou gritted his teeth with growing rage at the SAO couple, now flanked by the old and new Captain Americas.

"That's it!? After all I've given you! I even gave you a seat of power and you're throwing it all away for this nobody, COMMONER BRAT!?" He yelled.

Asuna glared as she flashed her Lambent Light. "I could never rule with a horrid devil like you! Not after how you treated me, my beloved, and my family! Both in real life and SAO!"

Kirito picked up his own swords and raised them. "Let's take him down once and for all, Asuna.." He planted a kiss on his beloved's cheek. That was enough to completely enraged Nobuyuki. He raised his hand and gave the system commands...

"System Command: Summon Excalibur!" A massive gold sword materialized. "And several Guardians!" He bellowed.

Suddenly the void was filled with several of the white guardians armed with swords, bows, and even rifles.

"Contact!" Captain America called as he and the Colonel raised their shields and carbines around Kirito and Asuna. Lexar lit his fists aflame while keeping Yui and Strea close to him.

"Prepare to suffer the wrath of Hydra!" He screamed as he charged at the couple. Only to feel a sudden pain in the right side of his face. Lexar punched him hard. Sugou was sent reeling.

"You're gonna pay for harming Suguha!" Lexar shouted as he charged at him with another punch. He was suddenly fired upon with light arrows and bullets.

"Cover him!" Colonel ordered as he fired his MCX.

Captain America II quickly threw a frisbee grenade and followed up with his M4v1. The Guardians were hit by the grenade's explosion and were sent flying backwards. Kirito and Asuna rushed forward under cover fire and slashed at several Guardians. While this was happening, both Yui and Strea rushed over to Leafa. Strea slashes the chains holding her up and catches her when she fell.

"Got you, Aunt Leafa.." Strea said. Leafa stumbled up as Strea and Yui held her.

"It's alright, Auntie Leafa.." Yui said in a soothing, tone. Leafa looked up, and saw Kirito and Asuna. They're fighting alongside with Lexar, Colonel and Captain America, against Nobuyuki and the Guardians.

"Give me a sword... or a gun."

"We'll help you out, Auntie.." Yui waved her tiny hand. A new top materialized and covered up her exposed chest. Strea produced the M24 that Leafa dropped earlier.

"Give it... to me..." Leafa said in a low voice.

Strea hands the M24 bullpup rifle to Leafa. The Sylph girl checks the magazine and chambers a fresh round. Leafa breathed heavy, but rose her head with angry green eyes towards Oberon/Sugou. She takes aim at the perverted Hydra leader, who's back was turned as he fought Kirito and the others.

Captain America, Colonel America, and Lexar tried to get to Sugou, but ended up having to fight off the waves of Guardians while Kirito and Asuna used their speed to get up close. Sugou had time to download sword-fighting techniques into his avatar to fight the two, but was forced onto the defensive. Lexar have drawn out his sword, the Great Steel Broadsword. Combined with his ability, the sword glowed with his hands.

Captain tried to shoot some Guardians, but ended up having to deploy his repulsor shield to block several arrows and bullets with no opportunity to return fire.

Nobuyuki manages to hold out against attacks from Kirito and Asuna. Lexar, however, is taking on two Guardians at the same time. Colonel saw his younger Captain and Lexar struggling. Leaping over some sword-wielding beasts, he threw his shield. It knocked down one of the Guardians. That freed Lexar up to slash the other Guardian and rush over to Captain America II.

He stabs the third Guardian through the head with his sword. "Captain!" Lexar called out to him as he charged up a fireball in his left hand for some of the musketeers and archers shooting at Captain's shield. He throws the giant fireball at the Guardians. The inferno blast almost knocked down Captain America II as he used his shield to protect himself.

"That was danger close!" The seasoned Captain replied.

The Guardians then charged at Lexar. Aiming their muskets and arrows at him. Knowing that the enemy was too close, Captain America II quickly detached his 12 gauge launcher from his rifle... drawing out his folding sword and slapping it on with a rail mount. He raised his rifle with the blade again... poised for a bayonet thrust.

"Lexar! Get down!" He ordered. Cap produced a non-explosive hard frisbee from the left gauntlet and threw it as he ran. One of the Guardians gets hit in the head and fell over. Captain yelled as he fired more pulsar bullets at the Guardians, felling some and disabling others. Lexar takes this opportunity and delivered striking blows with his sword while they're on the ground. Captain also got in a few of his own slashes and stabs with his folding bayonet, alternating between strokes and shots.

---

In Alne:

Everyone was watching the battle in shock and awe of Kirito and Asuna taking on Hydra leader Sugou Nobuyuki with sudden displays of new powers, the powers Lexar himself was displaying, and the new and old Captain Americas showing strength and coordination in their defense and offense.

"I feel that we should be up there fighting against Hydra.." Lisbeth pointed out.

"I-I hear you, Lisbeth.." Silica replied. She was still shaken after witnessing Nobuyuki violating Asuna and Leafa in front of Kirito and Lexar. Sleek held Silica as she trembled. Mace grinned as he saw the SAO lovebirds and his best friend fight alongside the new Captain America.

"Come on, Alex.." Spade muttered to himself.

Spike pointed at the new Captain America. "Still can't believe that's Revere.."

"I thought he died."

"That's his twin brother.." Mace clarified.

"That creep called him Christopher," Codex remembered.

"So... Who was the other Revere from SAO?" Spike asked.

"Taylor..." Spade spoke up. "Revere One was Taylor..."

Sigurd and Recon watched as Leafa took aim with her M24 rifle at Nobuyuki.

"Leafa..." Recon gasped.

The Sylph girl squeezed the trigger, discharging several controlled shots. The bullets have hit Nobuyuki in the shoulder. Sugou seemed to be injured. But Leafa didn't let up, she fired again. This time, hitting him in the lower back and thigh. Sugou stumbled, but then let out an evil laugh.

"My pain absorber's separated from the main system.." He gloated as he turned around. "I'm immune from any tampering."

He then commanded the system to heal him. Everyone watched as the wounds he sustained begin to disappear.

"That's so unfair!" Alicia screamed with a shaking fist.

"That's cheating!" Alias added in fury. The ALO crowd lost more and more patience by the minute.

It was then Eugene approached Ramirez. "Is there any way we could go back up there? They need our help."

"You wanna tangle with the Guardians after all the damage we took?" Ramirez gave his assessment, "even if we did get up there, we don't know how much firepower Hydra still has."

"So far, we're not getting attacked by Hydra down here." Eugene shot back. "And besides, those people are our friends and they're not gonna last long."

"I understand your feelings," Ramirez said, "but Captain gave me a responsibility to protect our unit and all you civilian volunteers. We really don't know how lethal Nobuyuki can be if he can eliminate the Pain Absorber and not be affected by it!"

Eugene, realize the futility of the situation, turned away in disappointment. Groaning in defeat.

"I'm afraid the sergeant is right," Thomasina said as she did a virtual headcount of all her Leprechauns, "I've lost a lot of volunteers to defeats and many others being forced to log out to seek medical attention for phantom pain."

"I know.." Eugene sighed. "But I feel like we're doing nothing now but to watch the whole fate of Japan, and the Free World, hanging in the balance up in the World Tree."

"True, but your army is hardly in any condition to advance like mine," Barris said, "we would barely survive another incursion through the World Tree."

"And several of our Platoon just got sent to medical as well," Punisher added, "no way we can get through without serious damage."

During this, Ramirez hears his radio crackling. "Perhaps we can help."

---

USS Wilson:

"We're working to try and shut down the Pain Absorbers!" Unity remarked. "However... there is a problem..."

The ship continued on a preprogrammed course, its crew waiting as Unity worked hard with Trinity.

"I had to delegate all ship functions to automatic programs."

"It may take some time to fully break into the RECT servers." Trinity added. "But, we'll do our best to help out any way we can."

"Trinity and Unity?" Sergeant Ramirez asked over the comms.

"The one and the same!" Unity cackled.

"Kirito, the Colonel and Captain are taking a beating up in the World Tree. But we can't risk of sending any more into the Gate without clashing against the Guardians." Ramirez reported.

"What can you two do exactly?" The sergeant asked.

"We're inside the RECT servers." Trinity explained. Fury and Captain Miller both smiled.

"And we're searching for the server connected to Nobuyuki's VR headset." She continued.

"That's great and all, but if it is possible to bypass the World Tree dungeon," Ramirez clarified, "then I can lead the healthiest remaining Rangers and militia to assist the Captain and Colonel."

Unity gave a sinister chuckle. "Oh, I think I got something in the works~!" she sang.

"We'll see what we can do and we'll get back to you." Trinity replied. "Also, Hydra may try to erase all of their research from the RECT servers now that the secret's out. So, it'll take some time.."

"I'll see what I can salvage as well!" Unity said.

"Okay then, keep us posted. Ramirez out!" The line was disconnected.

---

The Void:

Leafa posed her bayonet towards Nobuyuki, preparing to charge at him. Nobuyuki simply fended with his Excalibur copy.

"Leafa!" Kirito called. However, his voice went unheard as the rage within the female Sylph surged through her body.

"My my, that frown does not suit you, Sugu," Sugou remarked with an evil laugh.

"Wanna bet?" Leafa retorted before firing more shots at him. The rounds hit him in the head, knocking him back. Then Leafa charged at him with the bayonet, driving it into the madman's chest.

"You creep!"

However, despite driving the bayonet into the creature's chest. Nobuyuki just grinned. He kicked Leafa hard.

"Aaaahh!" Leafa hit the ground hard, her weapon scattered across the floor. Asuna rushed forward in a flash of red and white. Knocking Nobuyuki down with a flying slash with her sword.

"Nobuyuki!" Asuna's eyes flashed as she continued her attack. Executing her slash and stab attacks with her rapier with remarkable speed.

Lexar looked over to Leafa as he and Captain covered for each other. He ran to her after knocking down one of the Guardians.

"Sugu!" He knelt down to help her up. Leafa looked up and saw her boyfriend with tears in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Leafa.." He pulled her in a tight, but gentle hug. "I should've been faster and freed you.."

"Ugh!" Captain America II took a hit to his helmet, which thankfully, deflected the worst of the light bullet.

Strea reformed her rifle and shot the Guardian who hit Captain. She ran towards Leafa and Lexar. As Captain continued to provide cover fire...

"Uncle Lexar? Aunt Leafa?" Strea asked with concern.

"Lexar..." Leafa groaned.

He continued to hold her in a hug. "I'm so sorry..." Sniffles could be heard.

Leafa began to tear up as well. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled herself in his embrace.

Strea could feel that the two were hurt and yet, trying to comfort one another.

"I s-should've b-been faster.." He said through the sobs.

Captain America blocked several more arrows with his shield, but found himself starting to stumble back from the rifle fire. Colonel America threw his shield at one of the Guardians.

"Colonel!"

One of the Guardians' managed to get behind Rogers and slash him in the back.

"Aahh!" Rogers stumbles onto the ground. The Guardian poised for the kill, but Rogers moves out of the way in time to dodge its attack. Captain America II fired three rounds into the chest of the assailant. The Guardian went down with a thud. Captain America II knew that while he and Colonel were both super soldiers, they were getting tired from the waves of enemies. He patched into his coms. "Howler 7-2 Actual, this is Howler 7-1 Actual, we are in contact with the enemy in Alfheim Online! We need a status report on your progress towards neutralizing HVT callsign Luther!"

---

Nobuyuki Mansion:

Captain Logan Walker ducked behind a support pillar as automated turret fire rained down on the grand front lobby of the Nobuyuki Mansion.

"Howler 7-2 Actual, do you copy?" Captain America II aka Chris Burke radioed again.

"We're pinned down 7-1 Actual!" Logan yelled as he gripped his Mk.18 as he tried to glance over for a shot, "I've got men down and our support aircraft are all destroyed!"

"They were expecting us! Over!"

---

The Void:

Kirito and Asuna clashed swords with Nobuyuki again. The latter's quick speeds overwhelmed Nobuyuki's defenses. Asuna was about to thrust, but had to pull back from a Guardian swipe.

'Had to be careful with these guys..' She thought.

Nobuyuki looked Kirito in the eye as he forced the black swordsman on the defensive. "I don't know how you recovered like that..."

"But whatever the case is, I won't be beaten by a common boy!"

Kirito flashed back in anger, "you kidnapped my wife and 299 others... And you molested her and my sister!" Kirito then drew his second sword. "And you brainwashed and murdered innocent people!" He clashed two swords against Nobuyuki's Excalibur. "And you tricked people into attacking us!"

Nobuyuki laughed evilly. "And they will make for fine soldiers in the end... while you lose your head!"

"Not if I take off your head first!" Kirito shot back as he brought two swords down on him. Only for Nobuyuki to block them.

"How dark of you!" Nobuyuki teased sadistically. "Did SAO made you into a killer? Hunting down other players and taking their loot after slaying them? It's no wonder why Kyouko decided to hand-pick me to be Asuna's suiter.."

Asuna quickly tore into the Guardians holding her back and sped towards Sugou's back. She was blocked by a Guardian who had his back. She slashed and stabbed at the Guardian as hard and fast as she could.

Nobuyuki glanced back with obsessive eyes at the sight of a combative Asuna. "She'll make a perfect for me in Hydra's New World Order... Even after she's processed." He licked his lips.

Asuna glared at him.

"Oh come on now. After how you made your advanced towards me when you decided to play along.." Nobuyuki purred. "You're much more of Hydra material than I could ever imagine. And I didn't even have to alter your mind to do it." He laughed.

"I don't brainwash, torture, and behead people like you, psychopath!" Asuna vented in clear anger.

"Not yet... But once I defeat your friends here. You'll come to enjoying all of it!" He laughed. "I could even offer Kirito's head here as a gift!"

That only enraged Asuna even more. She managed to counter the attacks of the Guardian before charging towards Nobuyuki with her sword pointing directing at him. Nobuyuki deftly side-stepped Kirito, causing him to fall forward, before being kicked right into Asuna. The couple tumbled onto the ground.

"Seize them!" Nobuyuki ordered two Guardians. However, Colonel America threw his shield. Hitting two of them after bouncing off the first Guardian.

"Get away from them!" Captain America II fired several shots at Nobuyuki. But he shrugged off the shots as if they're nothing. He then held out his left hand and manifested another weapon... Sugou sinisterly grinned as he leveled a PKM machine gun with a Pulsar Resonator.

A wide-eyed Captain America barely put up his shield as he was showered with energized 7.62mm slugs. Colonel America, who managed to get his shield back, brought up his own shield as the energized 7.62mm slugs showered on him. Nobuyuki laughed maniacally.

"They're in trouble.." Lexar said as he and Leafa hear the pulsar gunshots.

"Mommy! Daddy!" Yui cried as she buried her face in Strea's shoulder. Leafa however, grit her teeth in exhaustion and anger as she regained her composure and rifle. Lexar finds his P418 rifle laying on the ground. He picked it up as he too regained his composure.

"Let's get him." Lexar growled as he takes aim. He fires the first shots at Nobuyuki's arm. Hitting him and knocking the PKM machine gun out of his hands.

"Insolent! Guardians!" The Guardians turned their attention towards Lexar and Leafa. Who quickly took them down with headshots. Many more continued to spawn in however.

"Colonel, there's too many of them!" Captain yelled as he continued to shoot.

"Keep fighting soldier!" Colonel ordered, "we have to shut this down no matter what!"

Kirito and Asuna looked around as the Guardians continued to spawn in all directions. They felt their blood freeze when Nobuyuki appeared before them.

"Now... Where were we?" He grinned as he stood over them. He raised the Excalibur towards Kirito. He brought it down with force.

"NOOOOO!" Asuna screamed.

---

Kirigaya Household:

The Kirigaya adults watched at the battle against the Leader of Hydra took place. They also saw two girls freeing Suguha from the chains.

Midori cried as she watched the whole battle unfold. While Minetaka could do is hold her as Kirito and the others fought tooth and nail against Nobuyuki and his Guardians. However, no matter how many they've slain. More will respawn and descend on the group. They even saw the original Captain America in action, alongside what appeared to be a younger dark blue armored counterpart shooting at the monsters, then at Nobuyuki.

However, Nobuyuki shrugs off the gunshots as he heals himself through the system command.

"How are they supposed to bring him down!?" Minetaka found the battle more absurd by the minute as his two children and their new daughter-in-law battled alongside the three Americans and the two other young girls. It was then things took a turn when Nobuyuki produced a PKM light machine gun with the Pulsor Resonator attachement and opened up on both the new and old Captain Americas.

"Just die already!" Midori screamed, showing an uncharacteristic anger to her as she started to really hate Nobuyuki. Minetaka held her tighter. They watched the back and forth as Colonel and Captain America tried to reach Kirito and Asuna.

It was then they see Nobuyuki poised for the kills. He raised his Excalibur sword up in a icepick grip, aimed at Kazuto. Midori gasped with wide eyes in fright.

"NOOOOO!" Asuna screamed as Nobuyuki brought the sword down. It suddenly stopped in mid-air.

"What?!" Nobuyuki exclaimed in surprise to see his downward thrust was stopped by an invisible force. Except... it was not invisible... but rather a white energy dome coming from Asuna's panicked hand.

The Kirigaya adults watched in bewilderment of Asuna's ability. Asuna was projecting an energy shield, they realized. They're unsure if it was an ability in-game or if she could project it in real life. But one thing for certain, she protected Kazuto from Nobuyuki's sword. Thus, saving both Kazuto and herself.

---

The Void:

Asuna yelled as she pushed back with her shield. Nobuyuki found himself being pushed back by the Yuuki girl's newfound ability.

This was noticed by the two American super officers.

"What is that?" Captain America asked. He was straining under the heavy Guardian fire as he saw the whole struggle.

"I don't know... But that's certainly new.." Colonel America replied. The last thing the two expected was to hear a shrieking as a salvo of missiles struck out of nowhere, slamming into the Guardians.

"WHOA!" Lexar exclaimed as he and Leafa jumped out of the way. Yui and Strea did the same.

"Colonel America, Captain America!"

"Heavy artillery in need?" Unity asked as a small imp appeared, landing on the ground with a missile launcher held over her shoulder. It was actually quite comical, really.

Captain America II saw Unity as a little girl avatar styled after the Imps of ALO.

"What are you doing here!?" Captain asked, "what about the launch!?"

"We took care of it," Unity explained. "That launch is not happening anytime soon." She spun around and fired her launcher a second time, the missiles hitting the Guardians again.

"Who is that?" Leafa whispered to Lexar.

"The name's Unity!" The imp replied. She glanced back and grinned. "Just call me a little helper~!"

Yui and Strea scanned the newcomer.

"She's an AI, like me and Strea..." Yui explained.

"Yep. And I'm not just any AI, either," Unity added as she fired a third round of missiles. The missile launcher beeped and she grunted as she tossed it aside, materializing another.

"And I brought more friends!"

"R-Really?" Leafa asked.

"Captain!" Sergeant Ramirez yelled as he came in firing his SCAR 25.

"Kirito!" Klein called out. He came in shooting at the Guardians with his SC-2010 battle rifle. Sergeant Castle also appeared and fired on the Guardians around Colonel America. Along with Mace, Spade, Agil, Sigurd, Eugene, Sakuya, Alicia, Thomasina, Alias, Barris, and everyone. They were all the strong players and military leaders still healthy enough to fight.

"Let's show him the price for using us as pawn!" Eugene yelled as he discharged rifle rounds at one of the Guardians.

Asuna then used her force field to shove Nobuyuki away.

"AAH!" Nobuyuki yelled as he was flying backwards and landed onto the floor. His Excalibur sword skidded away from him. Kirito stood beside Asuna and in wonder of his wife.

"I'm not sure how I did it, Kirito.." Asuna explained, knowing what he was thinking. "It just came naturally.."

"I guess there's more to you than I realized." Kirito smiled. He then plants a soft kiss on Asuna's cheek. "Thank you."

Asuna let a small smile form across her face. "Mmmm, you're welcome Kirito.."

Captain America II and Unity blasted through the swarms fo Guardians.

Agil, Mace, Lisbeth, Rios, and Salem lay down covering fire on the Guardians whenever they respawn. Having them be met in a hail of bullets and shotgun slugs.

Kirito and Asuna stood together as they faced Sugou.

"Not a step closer!" Sugou warned. Suddenly images popped up in the void, "or the Yuukis get it!"

Kirito and Asuna looked closer at the images. They're both Shouzou and Kyouko Yuuki. The former's tied up in the chair with Alex's father and brother below the RECT HQ basement. While her mother is held with their servant, Sada.

"And if I send an authorization code..." Sugou laughed, "I've reserved seven packs of C4 for each of them..."