Naval Air Station Atsugi:
Shouzou was faced with Commanders Danvers and Koga as he was allowed to study a file they had gathered on Nobuyuki.
"As you're aware of, that Nobuyuki survived the severe phantom pain he received in ALO..." Commander Danvers explained. "And the new Captain America and his Army fellows got to him as he made another grab at your little girl."
"It was amazing that she was able to recover quickly before they can nab her. And she and Kazuto held out against Hydra on their own..." Commander Koga added.
"So I see..." Shouzou had a very good feeling about how Asuna was able to recover. If she was still recovering like the rest of the SAO survivors, Hydra would've been able to kidnap her while she can't defend herself.
"And also, Kazuto was able to heal from his injury when Nobuyuki shot at him..." Koga then pointed out. He showed the images of the Kirigaya boy with the bloody sleeve on the jacket he was wearing.
Now that was a surprise to Shouzou.
"According to Kazuto, the bullet pushed itself out of the wound and resealed itself." Koga tells him.
"So Kirigaya has superpowers?" Shouzou asked.
"From what he could tell, he does..." Danvers replied.
This was something to digest. He suspected his daughter could inherit her mother's gifts, but what were the odds that her boyfriend... new husband was gifted as well?
"While most of the security cameras in the hospital were destroyed during the raid.." Koga said, snapping Shouzou out of his thoughts. "So, we don't have much details how they managed to single-handedly take on Hydra..."
"Though I would say that had the new Captain not intervened, it could have been far worse," Danvers added.
"And of Nobuyuki?" Shouzou asked.
"He'll face trials for his crimes he committed in both the States and in ALO..." Koga answered. "He's been evading the law long enough..."
Shouzou hummed to himself, "and I will be glad to testify against him. As soon as I am released, I will sign the papers for his termination from the company so that he cannot use anymore RECT resources."
"We'll make sure that you do..." Danvers smirked.
Koga then asked. "Now that is out of the way, is there anymore information that you can provide on Nobuyuki, his family, and Hydra's operations inside RECT? If there is anything that we have not yet covered, it would aid us and the Americans in our investigations."
"Not that I know of... Other than the fact that they've been controlling RECT for months without my knowledge..." Shouzou answered. He grimaced as he remembered that a large number of players had been injured in the game aside from the 300 trapped SAO victims. If only he'd known about it two months ago. Let alone five-to-six months that Hydra was controlling RECT. They wouldn't be held in the virtual prison within ALO and the clash wouldn't have happened.
The American military investigator sighed as his Japanese counterpart withdrew the file. "Alright then, if you can sign your name here..." Koga tapped the line at the bottom of the paper with his finger. "We just need a witness signature to help verify what we discussed."
Shouzou nodded in agreement before picking up a pen and signed his name.
Later...
Shouzou was back in the barracks. David and Jon have left for more of their debriefing. He decided to take the time to meditate and increase the use of his powers again.
He expanded his senses. He focuses on his daughter's presence with her new husband, Kazuto. He also sensed the presence of two other people with them. They're roughly about Kazuto's and Asuna's age.
"Suguha Kirigaya..." Shouzou muttered. He realized that it's Kazuto's sister... He focuses on the boy with her. "Alex... Alexander Mitchell..." He tuned his mind to listen in.
"So... Alex..." Kazuto said. "How do you think the others are holding up?"
"I've texted Randy and the others after breakfast..." Alex, replied. "They said they're doing fine... Although Klein had to attend one of his posse members at the hospital for phantom pain..."
"How many is that already?" Suguha asked.
"We're still counting on the injuries..." Alex replied. "But it's by the hundreds from what I've hear."
He then heard Asuna speak. "From what I've heard, several hospitals were filled up with cases like that... But they said that the patients who experienced phantom pain reported that they no longer feel it.."
"That's good news... Right?" Kazuto asked.
"The pain in my right shoulder was gone." Alex added. "When I woke up, it felt like I never even have it.."
"Even better is that many of the others are waking up just like Asuna did," Kazuto said in a proud and loving tone.
"Even though they've got a long road to full recovery..." Suguha added.
"I almost feel bad..." Shouzou sensed Asuna's sadness, "I am here and happy with all of you while leaving the others in the dust."
Shouzou then sensed Alex perking up. "We could pay them visits later on... I'm sure they're some who we haven't seen in a long time..." He suggested.
"That would be great," Asuna expressed, "and I want to know if those loyal to me and my father inside RECT are safe, especially Naomi Hunter."
"I'm sure they're in safe custody..." Kazuto reassured her. "After all, without them, we wouldn't gotten this far..."
Shouzou digested this information. He considered of using his rediscovered powers to reach out to Asuna telepathically. But he realized they never told Asuna about their secret.
'And given how sensitive she is...' He decided it could wait. There were loyal employees who could use his help. He then shifts his focus on locating Asuna's loyalists. He decided to focus on whoever Naomi Hunter was.
After a few minutes or so of searching, he finally located Naomi Hunter. It was then that he could decipher her true name. He hummed in recognition.
She was the prodigy intern to RECT Progress... Naomi Ootomi. He recalled hiring her right after she graduated from college a few months or so back.
"She was caught up in all this..." he muttered. He then tuned his mind to listen to her conversation.
"How are you feeling, Kenta?" Naomi asked her brother. Shouzou sensed that Ootomi was at a hospital and surrounded by armed guards. They're a mix of both American soldiers and the JSDF military police. It was striking that she had that much security about her. Shouzou listened in.
"I've been better now that I'm able to be out of this thing..." Kenta replied. Referring to the NerveGear helmet.
"What's with all the soldiers? Your Secret Service?" He managed to joke.
He felt annoyance from Naomi.. "Half of them are soldiers who dove in to help us.. ... and some who breached RECT to stop Hydra and ended up losing their men for our sakes. Forgive me if I don't get any jokes right now."
Kenta remained silent for a moment. "Anyways, I want to catch up on you after two years of you being missing from my life... and you being proved by me under duress does not count."
"I understand..." Naomi sighs. "I just can't believe that we just went through a huge ordeal..."
Naomi then said, "and I'd love to catch up with you... and no, me probing your brain in Hydra experiments does not count."
"I still can't believe that I've been held in that prison for two months after SAO..." Kenta shook his head. "It's all fuzzy for me."
"It's because Hydra's forced us to add memory suppressive drugs to keep the players from panicking.." Naomi confessed. "Nobuyuki discovered in America that many of the test subjects went insane before inevitably dying."
"Experiments in America? What do you mean?" Kenta was confused. Shouzou sensed the young Naomi spilling it out.
"Nobuyuki was in America during the civil war. He went by the alias, Barnas Shinsei. He conducted experiments on prisoners of war for Pacifica... He was also the leader of Hydra that he and his family secretly rebuilt during the whole chaos. He and his family plotted Hydra's rebirth in Japan since World War II."
Shouzou felt the expression of shock through Kenta. "And... he actually beheaded Dad?"
Naomi, started to tear up, nodded. "Y-Yes..."
Shouzou himself was shocked and angered.
"D-Dad found out the truth and N-Nobuyuki had him m-murdered..." Naomi choked in her sobs.
Shouzou remembered something about Mr. Ootomi being a police investigator. The last thing he heard from Naomi was he was investigating some illegal activity going on through Tokyo.
"D-Dad s-suspected something... when you and the others didn't wake up. It w-was the last time I've s-saw and heard of him..."
Shouzou bit back a curse... one more life ruined because of SAO and Nobuyuki.
"And w-when he p-presented me h-his h-head... He t-threaten you, mom and our s-sister..." At this point, her sobs grew.
"Mom and Naoki... are they?" Kenta was concerned. "Do they know?"
Naomi hesitated at first, mainly to control her sobs before she can continue. "No... I've had to... k-keep it all a s-secret... H-He threaten to k-kill them if I t-told them or a-anybody about it..."
"H-He did?" Shouzou felt the rise of Kenta's anger towards Nobuyuki grew. Then Kenta said. "If only I was able to find that creep!"
"He was captured by the Americans when he tried to kidnap Asuna and kill Kirito."
"Captured? Good..."
Shouzou then decided to find his wife. He focuses on the Yuuki manor. He could still feel the presence of the press outside their home. Shouzou sighed as he knew that getting in and out will be difficult for him and his wife.
He felt Kyouko's emotional turmoil. He felt that Kyouko had just turned off the TV set after watching the news.
'This is such a dishonor.' He heard her think. 'If only we've seen Nobuyuki's true self before...'
'Kyouko..."'Shouzou reached out to her. He felt her train of thought stop abruptly.. 'It's me... Shouzou...'
Kyouko was clearly not expecting that. 'Shouzou?'
'Yes... It's me...' Shouzou replied mentally. 'I know I should be keeping my powers a secret... But I wanted to check on our daughter, her husband, and their friends...'
'H-Husband?!' He felt Kyouko did a double-take. 'Asuna proclaimed that this Kirito was her husband... Was she referring to him?'
'Yes... his name's Kazuto... He's the boy player in black with dual swords who fought Nobuyuki alongside Asuna.'
'I've tried to look up what happened in RECT's VR game... So far, I've found nothing... All I found was just news reports regarding ALO and RECT...'
'I'll have to check the game records... assuming Nobuyuki's men did not destroy them after the battle,' Shouzou mused.
'Shouzou... The news... I've seen the footages...' Kyouko was destressed.
'I know,' Shouzou projected, 'she thought you and Sada had been killed.'
'I know... I've just watched the footage of him moments ago... I never thought Asuna could actually do all that,' Kyouko thought, 'fighting like that and... killing someone in such a manner.'
'Me neither...' Shouzou replied. He added, 'something about Asuna has changed.'
'For a while, I feared that Hydra's influence has turned her..' Kyouko thought with concern and dread. Still remembering the recording of Asuna uttering 'Hail Hydra'. 'When they captured me... they forced me to listen to a recording of our daughter uttering her allegiance to Hydra... I was afraid, Shouzou... Afraid that SAO changed her into something worse...'
'Clearly we didn't give her enough credit,' Shouzou tried to joke, but sounded a bit awkward.
'Shouzou...' Kyouko warned.
'I mean... who would have thought that our daughter was that cunning... and brave even? I know it feels surreal, Kyouko... But our Asuna managed to brave danger and revealed the truth to the public...'
'But Hydra...' Kyouko replied, 'they bring RECT and our family to shame...'
'I know, dear... I know...' He lamented.
'And some are saying that we gave our daughter to the leader of Hydra,' Kyouko added. 'Even being in on it with Hydra..' She added.
'That's just wrong speculation,' Shouzou reassured her.
'What should we do?' She asked.
'I've signed to be a witness against Nobuyuki and his activities in RECT...' Shouzou explained. 'I want to expose him and separate our good name from his evil.'
He then adds. 'And no matter what happens, we'll get through this storm...'
Kirigaya Residence:
Asuna was led by Kazuto out into the snowy yard. Alex and Suguha remained inside and cuddling on the couch.
"I wanted to show you the rest of the place, including the dojo where Sugu and I practice," Kazuto pointed out.
"Sure, Kazuto..." Asuna smiled. She watched the snow gently fall into the yard and koi pond. Seeing the snow reminded her of her childhood, she spend most of her time with her grandparents.
Kazuto hugged her close on the porch. The snow also reminded them their time they've done quests through the floors with mountains. They're some misadventures with their friends. But for the young couple, they're wonderful memories.
Asuna reached her hand out and a snowflake landed on her hand.
"Coming back to the world we've left shows how much beautiful it is..." Kazuto admitted.
Asuna felt fuzzy. "It sure does..." She replied. She felt the snowflake melt in her hand, turning into water.
Asuna giggled. Then she takes the melted snowflake with her finger and gently taps Kazuto on the nose.
"Ah!"
"Gotcha..." Asuna giggles. Kazuto's face flushed. Asuna nuzzled into his cheek, humming with delight.
"You still blush hard, Kirito-kun," Asuna teased.
"You sure know how to make me blush..." Kazuto admitted.
"And I still can do this," Asuna suddenly cupped Kazuto's cheeks. She giggles as her beloved's face resembles a chipmunk when she squished his cheeks together. Then she leaned in and plants a sweet kiss on his lips.
"Mmm..." The Yuuki girl hummed. Kazuto's arms wrapped around her waist and he gently pulls her into his embrace.
Their bodies heated up with their make-out. Forgetting the cold, January air around them as their minds are lost in the passionate moment.
After what felt like several long minutes have passed, they parted lips. Asuna panted as she stared into his eyes.
"Kazuto..." Asuna cooed.
"Asuna..." Kazuto gasped.
Their noses touches one another. "Wanna make an igloo, Kazuto.." Asuna asked.
"S-Sure.." Kazuto replied. "... but how-"
"I want to experiment with something, Kazuto," Asuna answered. She held up her hands. She produces a small spark of energy from her fingertips.
Kazuto then remembered and grinned. "Let's make an igloo.."
Camp Zama:
"You're kidding," Damion was incredulous at what he heard one of his buddies say about Captain Burke.
"He's confined in quarters?" He asked again.
"Word is that they are considering disciplinary action," the older trooper said as others around Damion were warming up in the lounge.
Damion shook his head in disbelief. "But why?"
"Why they did it?" The older trooper asked.
"What in blazes do the JAGs want with Burke?" Another soldier asked, very unhappy about it.
It was then Ramirez entered the lounge. "I've got bad news people..."
Everyone turned to Ramirez. "The JAGs just arrived and had the Captain arrested and charged."
Damion was shocked. "For what!?"
"For nearly compromising Operation: Finalizer.." Ramirez replied while shaking his head.
"What!"
"That's a load of horse dung!"
"Unbelievable!"
"We completed the mission! Why are they so uptight over it!?"
"They're treating our hero and friend like a criminal for this..."
"This is like, the Sokovia Accords all over again!"
Damion was completely shocked and dismayed that the military law was seeking charges against Burke.
"We gotta do something about this!" One called out.
"Settle down people," Frank Castle suddenly came in. "Colonel Rogers is vowing to vouch for him in his defense," Castle added, "we just wanted to make sure that everyone was aware."
"Where are they holding him?" Another soldier asked.
Ramirez scratched his head. "Actually, they took Captain Burke away. The Colonel has gone with the military police."
"Where to?" Damion asked.
"To the Yokota AFB, headquarters of USFJ. From there, they'll hold the proceedings." Castle answered.
"They arrested Colonel America too!?" One soldier added.
Ramirez smacked his head. "They did not arrest him! Castle said he was going to vouch for the Captain!"
"I'm sorry..." The soldier sunk back, realizing his mistake. "It's just that... We've prevented Hydra from taking over the world and they're getting their panties in a twist over it..."
"Well, it's more like they think that the Captain put us all in danger," Castle rolled his eyes as he said that, "and used excessive force and endangered civilians in the process."
This hit Damion like a semi truck. He suddenly remembered many civilian players that were tricked into fighting the Howlers in ALO. "They actually blame him... for all that..." Damion muttered.
It was incomprehensible for the young soldier that Chris Burke, one of those most responsible for Finalizer being a success, was being charged with military crimes.
It was then Damion asked. "Anyone else vouching for the Captain?"
"That would be Anderson and Preston, our two Iron Men," Castle smirked.
"Of course, Anderson would be vouching for the Captain..." Damion breathed a sigh of relief. After all, Anderson did vouched for Steve Rogers back in 2016 up to the Second Civil War.
"Still, I don't like the odds or the way those JAGs looked at the Captain," Ramirez remarked, "some of them seem a little too ambitious, especially with someone like General Burke's son..."
"Knowing Anderson..." Castle said. "He'll pull some strings..."
Kirigaya Home:
Kazuto never thought something so simple and childish could be so refreshing and enjoyable. Especially since Asuna's using her newfound powers to make an igloo.
"Wow, Asuna..." Kazuto breathed in amazement. She knelt in the middle of her energy dome as she held the snow Kazuto poured on. The snow solidified by the energy dome in seconds.
Asuna giggled like a little girl like Yui. "This is fun.." She said, smiling happily. She looked up to Kazuto. "Get more, please!" Asuna sang.
"Sure thing, my love..." Kazuto smiled as he turned around and scooped more snow in his hands and poured more of it into the energy dome. There were then footsteps as Kazuto turned to see Suguha and Alex come looking.
"Making an igloo, I see.." Alex smiled in both amusement and amazement. Suguha, on the other hand, was in awe of what her sister-in-law was doing.
"Kazuto-kun... I think we should make the igloo bigger for all of us.." Asuna giggles. She closed her eyes and focused her forcefield. Everyone sees the forcefield dome started to expand.
Asuna sang as she had the smile of a little girl rediscovering fun. "Sugu, Alex, come play with me and Kazuto-kun!"
"Sure thing, Asuna-nesan." Sugu said, starting to giggle and tugged on Alex's arm. "Come on, Alex-kun."
Alex laughed as he saw his Sugu to all cute and childlike on him. "Sure thing, Sugu..." Together, they headed towards Kazuto and Asuna and started scooping up snow to expand their igloo.
"I've got something to help!" Alex chuckled as he held up his warm, glowing hands.
"Wow... Your powers from ALO?" Kazuto was surprised.
"To help thaw it," Alex beamed.
"That's amazing..." Asuna beamed.
Suguha giggled, "do it Alex-kun!"
Alex places his hands at the area where the entrance is to be at and he thaws the area through. He then thaws an area for the entrance they can enter through. He then places his hands on the igloo and rubs all over the surface. They see the snow thaw for a moment before solidifying over with a glossy appearance. Asuna and Suguha giggled as they watch Alex work on the igloo surface.
Kazuto was laughing too as he piled on the snow. Suguha was laughing as she hands Kazuto more snow to add.
"Niisan!"
"Got the entrance set!' Alex begin crawling inside. "I'll take care of the rest inside!"
Asuna came out giggling.
Suguha beamed as she held Asuna by the hands.
"We're almost done!" Sugu cheered. "I never thought having a sister was so much fun!" She squeed.
"This is fun!" Asuna laughs.
Alex pushes the thawed snow out of the entrance, making sure that the floor is nice and dry. Laughter could be heard from the inside. "All done!"
"Eeee!" Suguha squealed happily as she got on her knees and crawls inside. Asuna and Kazuto followed suit. All four teens are inside the igloo they've made together. Suguha hugged Alex as she saw the brightness from the skylight reflecting all around.
"This is amazing..." Sugu giggled.
Kazuto nuzzled his wife. "You've made a wonderful igloo..." Kazuto chuckled.
"Don't forget everyone helped..." Asuna giggles.
"And no need to worry about being cold..." Alex beamed before presenting his hands. They glowed and heat was felt from his hands. Sugu snuggled up to him.
Kazuto and Asuna hummed together in warmth.
"I hadn't had this much fun in a long time..." Alex admitted. He stroked Suguha's cheek as she gazed at him with a cute expression. He plants a sweet kiss on Sugu's forehead.
"You're such a cutie."
"Thanks..." Sugu giggles.. "... So are you..." She pinched his cheeks playfully.
"Such warm cheeks..." She giggles, much to Alex's blushes.
Kazuto and Asuna blushed as they realized that they were hardly cold, and relished in each other's body heat.
"So toasty in here..." Asuna coos.
"This is the best igloo ever, thanks to you Asuna..." Kazuto stroked her hair.
"Thanks, Kazuto..." Asuna sighs happily. She rests her head on her husband's shoulder... "It's hard to believe we can have such a wonderful time with something so silly and simple," Asuna muttered.
"We did... And these are the moments that shows how wonderful life is." Kazuto replied softly. "And I'm gonna spend every second of them with you..."
Asuna laughed softly. "And no one else in the world."
"And when we bring both Yui and Strea into the real world..." Kazuto continued. "... We'll spend them together as a big family..."
Asuna relished it as she rubbed cheeks with Kazuto.
"Don't forget," Suguha called with a childish grin, "I call dibs on being the doting, playful aunt."
"Same for me.." Alex added while chuckling. "I can be a fun, care-free uncle who will spoil them..."
"No spoiling on my watch," Kazuto gave a mischievous mock glare at his friend.
"Think you can keep up with Yui-chan, Sugu-nechan?" Asuna wiggled her eyebrows.
"I'm sure I can manage both Yui and Strea..." Sugu beamed.
"Come on Kazu," Alex threw up his hands playfully, "someone has to help make sure your girls don't turn into rogue rascals like you."
"Alright then..." Kazuto laughed. The four laughed like kids without a care in the world in their winter wonderland.
Inside the house:
Minetaka Kirigaya pulled out a small chest containing souvenirs of a life he thought he had left long ago after Suguha's birth. He opened the chest.
"It's been a long time since I've seen these..." Minetaka muttered. It was his police badge, documents, and even pictures of him with his old homicide investigation unit... There was even his old sidekick...
"My, how time flies..."
It was the very thing that made him famous for his moniker as 'Beretta Kirigaya'. He sees another photo of himself with his original firearm... The Beretta 92F handgun, with the basic black color scheme. Unusual for most of Japan's cops, but Minetaka's aim with the Beretta was virtually unmatched. Thus, earning the nickname as the result. He had used it to subdue and even put down some of Japan's most dangerous in the 1990s and 2000s.
"Those were the tough days..." He muttered.
Midori watched her husband. He seemed to stare at the photos for a long time. It was a part of Minetaka's life that made her love him, but she hated the anxiety it produced. But by the time Midori was carrying Suguha, Minetaka decided it was time to settle down. Sadly, it took the deaths of her sister and husband, and a near-death experience of his own to finally convince Minetaka to leave police duty to protect Suguha and Kazuto.
And now, his family is threaten by an enemy once thought defeated. Last night after the teens had gone to sleep, the two ended up having a tense discussion about what Minetaka now intended to do... He decided to contact some of his old friends in the police force. She had begged him, pleaded with him, and when that all failed, she had cried herself to sleep. But even she knew something has to be done to protect their children and their daughter-in-law.
She just turned away, and looked outside into the backyard. To her surprise, she sees an igloo that was built in the backyard. It was made of well-thawed ice. The sunlight reflected off of the igloo's surface like a polished mirror.
"How did that happen?"
Minetaka was snapped out of his thoughts and asked. "What was that, dear?"
"Come look," Midori pointed.
Minetaka got up and walked towards the window. When he looked where Midori's pointing at, he was surprised to see an igloo. "What's an igloo doing here?"
"I think the kids made it..." Midori deduced. It was then that Kazuto and Asuna came out smiling and laughing like little kids. Alex and Suguha followed shortly, they too were laughing and smiling. Suguha suddenly had a mischievous grin as she knelt down and picked up some snow into a ball and threw it. Kazuto gets hit by a snowball and started to laugh. He picked up some snow, rolled it into a ball and threw it. Alex steps in the way and gets hit. He too starts laughing.
"I'll protect you, my Sylph princess!" Alex laughed as he picked up and rolled more snowballs and threw it at Kazuto.
Kazuto got pelted before Asuna stepped in with a forcefield.
"No fair!" Suguha laughed. Asuna winked at Kazuto. Who then picked up more snowballs at superhuman speed and hurled them rapid-fire style. Both Alex and Suguha squealed and laughter as they both got pelted by a hail of snowballs.
Midori was at first surprised to see Kazuto and Asuna display their powers, but then giggled at the hilarity of the teens acting childlike. Even Minetaka cracked a smile across his face. It has been a long time since he saw both Kazuto and Suguha had fun. Suguha and Alex ran as Kazuto and Asuna picked up more snowballs and chased them.
"Protect me, my Spriggan knight!" Suguha called out.
"I will!" Alex let his hands glow slightly as he tried to put up a weak flame to melt the balls. The incoming snowballs melted mid-air into steaming water.
Kazuto looked to Asuna.
"Pass the snow to me, Kazuto!" Asuna called out with a wink. She formed another forcefield and let Kazuto pile on the snowballs. Meanwhile, Alex was making more snowballs as fast as he could.
Suguha threw them as she saw Kazuto piling on his snowballs. Then she sees the force field Asuna made for the snowballs.
"Alex!" She managed to yell before the both of them were bombarded by Asuna. Soon, both Alex and Suguha are buried in a pile of snowballs. The two seemed dumbfounded for a bit, before laughing.
"We surrender!" Alex laughed. The four laughed, with Asuna tackling Kazuto in victory.
Minetaka and Midori were heart warmed at the sight.
Alex and Suguha cuddled with each other in the snow.
Kazuto and Asuna laughed together before making out.
"It's nice to see them have fun..." Midori said. "Don't you agree?"
"I don't think I've ever seen Kazuto and Suguha laugh like that since they were little," Minetaka said, touched by the sight.
"And now, they have people that care for our children..." Midori sighed happily.
Minetaka watched the two couples revel in one another in the snow. It was things like this that convinced him that he was making the right decision. He wanted to protect this sort of happiness. And that's what he's planning to do.
Living Room:
Kazuto, Asuna, Alex, and Suguha came back inside.
Midori greeted them with some hot cocoa. "So you playful kids decided to come back out of the snow?" She cooed.
"We did, mom." Suguha giggled. Asuna's face was all cute and pink.
"It's amazing that you managed to make an igloo in short minutes..." Midori smiled. "I saw your force fields, Asuna-chan."
"I managed to use it to create the igloo.." Asuna explained before taking a sip of her hot cocoa.
"And a very nice one," Midori beamed, "you continue to amaze me."
"And Alex also helped with the thawing of the igloo..." Suguha added.
Midori smiled towards Alex.
"It was easy thawing the snow, as well as making it sturdy..." Alex beamed.
"With... those firepowers," Midori remembered.
"Yep..." Alex nodded.
Midori clasped her hands together. "I'm glad that all four of you had fun." She beamed. "And with superpowers some more!" She regarded Kazuto, Asuna, and Alex.
"And I don't feel any cold." Alex added. "I guess my powers also keeps me warm as well..." He sips more of his hot cocoa.
"I don't feel that much cold either," Kazuto noted.
"Same here," Asuna said as she and Kazuto clinked their cups together for cheers.
"I don't mind being cold..." Suguha giggled before snuggling up to Alex. "As long as I have Alex here, I'm all warm and toasty..."
"You are all so precious..." Midori squeed. The female Kirigaya adult bent down and hugged all four teens.
"Group hug," Asuna called like a little girl. Kazuto hummed as the family had their happy moment. With Asuna back and having joined them, his world was bright and happy.
Kennedy Residence:
Nathan 'Codex' Kennedy was online with all the other SAO players in a live chat. He knew that the ALO servers are shut down after the whole incident, so he logged onto his desktop computer and found the chat room with the others.
"Hey guys!"
"Codex!" Mace called out. "Glad you'd made it."
"So... What's the scoop on the ALO fallout?" Codex asked.
"Hold on," Codex realized, "I forgot to put the camera feeds on my end..." He did so, and soon he could see his friends' faces. Shortly after, he sees the faces of all his friends. "That's better..."
"Hey there," Lisbeth, or Rika Shinozaki waved.
"Glad to see you, Codex." Silica/Keiko Ayano waved.
"Don't forget us." Sleek, or Tim Hudson reminded.
"Hey, buddy!" Klein/Ryoutarou Tsuboi beamed, "welcome to the party!"
"Hey, Klein." Nathan waved. "How are your posse holding up?"
Klein shook his head. "Some of them are still in the hospital... but the doctors are saying that no permanent damage seems to be done."
"Well, it could've be worse..." Mace/Scott Mason replied.
"I'm hearing that some of the ALO players are being discharged rather early," Philia/Kotone Takemiya chimed in.
"Been hearing about that myself," Spike/Shigeru Hirose added. "I thought the pain absorber had been tampered with," he added.
"It was..." Spade/Randy Mitchell spoke up. "However, it doesn't seem to cause any further injuries or death, according to hospital reports..."
"Thank the Lord in Heaven," Agil/Andrew Gilbert Miles shook his head in relief, "we didn't need anymore dead than what already happened last night."
"Wait," Rain/Nijika Karatachi exclaimed, "some people in ALO were killed!?"
"No one got killed, Rain.." Haze/Haruto Nakajimi replied in reassurance. "People only got phantom pain..."
Nijika sighed in relief, but gave a glare. "You scared me Agil!"
"Sorry," the older man held up his hands apologetically.
"But... you did say there were people killed," Codex/Nathan realized.
"In the real world, yes..." Andrew explained, "forty-eight Rangers, at least one receptionist at the hospital, and many Hydra soldiers..."
Kureha/Momiji Takamine was shocked at the death toll. "Are you serious!?"
Andrew nodded, "and apparently more in those military Quinjets that crashed into the city. A few bystanders got injured from those crashes."
"Hydra caused so much trouble.." Rex/Kenji Takeuchi shook his head.
"Good American soldiers dead at the hands of those fascists," Scott growled.
"But at least Nobuyuki's in custody..." Randy said. He never forgotten how that monster tortured his cousin in the way he did.
Tim and Keiko shuddered at the mention of Nobuyuki.
"I've heard that Nobuyuki survived Asuna's attacks." Kenji then said.
Rika seemed both disturbed and disappointed. "I honestly hoped he was already dead. I hate to have to look at that creep's mug."
"Same for me, and all of us..." Randy agreed.
"Come to think of it," Klein remembered, "where are Kazuto and Alex?"
"And Asuna and Leafa?" Rika added. "You'd think that Asuna especially would be eager to meet with us again."
Scott then got a mischievous grin. "Who knows, maybe she and Kirito snuck up into a tree to-"
"Mace!" Rika scolded with a slight blush.
"... to make out." Scott finished.
"Knowing those two..." Klein chuckled. "They probably are..."
"Same goes for both Lexar and Leafa..." Kenji chimed in while grinning.
Momiji's jaw dropped. "Kenji, that's their private affair!"
"What?" Kenji put his hands up. "When we logged into Alfheim on the first day, Lexar took interest in Leafa after we rescued her and her friend..."
Randy then looked down at his phone.
"Spade?" Codex asked.
"Looks like Kirito and Alex's phones are online, maybe-"
Suddenly, there was a chat ringtone as Kirito showed up as active. A second later, a video window opens and they see Kazuto. And Asuna's sitting next to him.
"Hi everybody!" Asuna cheered and waved her hand to all of her friends.
"Asuna!" Everyone exclaimed.
"Don't forget me.." Kazuto chuckled.
"And us!" Suguha called. Kazuto moves the camera back and both Suguha and Alex appear on the video feed.
"Wait, is that Leafa?" Keiko asked.
"The one and only..." The short black-haired girl replied. "The name's Suguha..."
"And she's my new girlfriend now," Alex did a peck on Sugu's cheek with a thumbs up. Suguha giggles in a child-like manner as she felt his soft lips touch her cheek.
Scott whistled for all the chat to hear. "She's good looking." He gives Alex a thumbs up.
"You caught a real good one," Nathan laughed.
"Indeed, he has.." Kotone remarked.
Suguha blushed a bit as Kazuto cleared his throat. "Anyways, I think this is long overdue, so I think we all know what to give Asuna here."
"Correct.." Randy nodded.
"So with that..." Rika began for everyone.
"Welcome home, Asuna!" The whole chat erupted. Asuna's cheeks turned pink from the welcome party she's receiving.
"T-thank you, everyone." She bowed.
"We're all just glad that you and Kazuto made it back home safe and sound." Rika beamed.
"Me too," Keiko beamed.
"Count me in," Kotone chimed.
"And me!" Momiji cheered.
"And me to complete the sisterhood," Nijika giggled.
"So... You spent the night at Kazuto's, huh?" Kenji grinned. "And it's no doubt that Alex did the same..."
Asuna and Alex blushed as their Kirigaya partners gave bashful looks.
"No worry... It's custom for married couples to spend the night together..." Kenji chimed.
"Oh, are these your friends!?" An older woman with her brown hair in a bun suddenly came up from behind Asuna and Suguha.
"They are, mom.." Suguha smiled.
"Hi everybody!" Midori beamed.
Everyone was surprised to see someone relatively young-looking be called 'Mom' by Suguha.
"That's your mom, Kazuto?" Klein asked, making a double-take.
"She is, Klein..." Kazuto said. Then seeing Klein stare at her, Kazuto quickly told him, "her husband happens to be here, by the way."
"Eep!" Klein yelped as he quickly regained his composure.
"What is that I hear?" Minetaka Kirigaya wandered into view next to his wife. Some of the others were surprised at the man's tough and strong build.
"Nothing, Mr. Kirigaya-san..." Klein replied nervously.
Klein then recognized him. "Wait, Kirigaya? Inspector Kirigaya?"
"That's me..." Minetaka answered sternly.
"Wait Klein," Nathan asked, "you know who he is?"
"My father told me about him.." Klein answered. "He's the famous police detective, Beretta Kirigaya. He's the one who brought down serial killers in the late 90s. That's the guy who killed the Akihabara Otaku Killer in 2006!"
"For real?" Haruto did a double-take.
"Kazuto... your dad is a police officer!?" Kenji exclaimed.
"It was very surprising for me as well.." Kazuto chuckled.
"No way," Andrew awed. "I heard of a veteran Tokyo cop with a record number of arrests and kills on serial killers growing up, but I never thought he was your dad!"
"It was a shock for all of us..." Sugu admitted.
"Sounds like my reputation does still precede me after my retirement," Minetaka smirked a bit.
"Still hard to believe that Beretta Kirigaya's your father, Kazuto..." Shigeru said in awe.
"That's your dad?" Momiji asked, "the famous police pistol marksman?"
"Wait, why is he called Beretta Kirigaya?" Kotone wondered.
Momiji then explained...
"Because he's the only cop to use the Beretta 92F as his weapon of choice... It's unusual for anyone in Japan's police for to use one."
"I wasn't the only one..." Minetaka answered, "many in the Tokyo Special Investigative Team got their Berettas as issue weapons for violent felons. Nonetheless, I am not too ashamed to admit I ranked as the best shot with one."
Everyone in the chat dropped their jaws in awe from the male Kirigaya adult's story.
"But in all honesty," Midori put her hands together, "I prefer to remember him for the young men and women he saved during his service."
"Something to be proud of..." Nathan replied.
"Yeah... oh!" Kazuto then remembered as he brought out his NerveGear and plugged it in, "Asuna, we almost forgot someone... or two."
"We have?" Asuna asked before she sees her husband plugging in the NerveGear cord into the side of the laptop. Asuna's face then lit up. As two new windows opened up, and the images to two girls appeared. One of them is a nine-year-old girl with long, black hair and a snow-white dress. While the other is around in their mid-teens, sports a short lavender hair and red-violet eyes.
"Hi Mommy! Daddy!" Yui waved.
"Mom, Dad!" Strea beamed.
"Hi Yui! Strea!" Asuna chimed.
"How's our favorite nieces doing?" Alex chuckled.
"Uncle Lexar, we're the only nieces you and everyone else has..." Yui pointed out while giggling.
"I know..." Alex laughed.
"Yui-chan," Keiko waved, "Strea-san!"
"Hey Yui! Strea!" Randy smiled and waved.
"How you girls been doing?" Rika chimed.
"Everyone!" Strea sang joyously.
The Kirigaya adults watched on as the newcomers' reunion takes place.
Yui then noticed them both. "Hi!" Yui waved at them.
Midori's eyes glittered as she cooed. "Aren't you precious!"
"Yui, Strea. This is mother and father..." Kazuto introduced the two AIs to his parents.
"Your adoptive grandparents," Suguha added.
"Hi Grandma! Grandpa!" Yui chimed.
"Hello family!" Strea beamed, "nice to meet you, I'm Strea!"
"Nice to meet you too, Strea!" Midori smiled.
"So you two are Kazuto and Asuna's adopted girls?" Minetaka asked.
"That's right, grandfather..." Strea nodded happily.
"Though I have to say, you look more like a teenager," he told Strea.
"Actually... I'm Yui's little sister..." Strea explained.
"Little sister?" Midori was confused.
Minetaka did a double-take. "Can't be... You look too old to be her little sister..."
"Actually dad... She's right..." Kazuto said. He explained that Yui's older by two years.
Yui smiled as she put her hands in front in a cute gesture. "I was the first to be activated, and thus that makes me the first in the Mental Health Counseling Program series. Strea came along two years after my activation.."
Strea suddenly moved her window, and before Yui could react, she was glomped and lifted up. "But this big little sister is the one looking out for you."
"Strea!" Yui laughs.
Kazuto and Asuna laughed with everyone else at the utter adorableness of the whole sister-to-sister. Even Nathan adored the sight of his AI girlfriend playing with her little big sister.
"Hey Strea, don't hug your little big sister to death now!"
"I won't, Codex-kun..." Strea sang happily. "Besides, you're the only one I save the best hugs for!"
Nathan chuckles and blushes from Strea's statement.
"Oh?" Minetaka raised an eyebrow, "so fast and you already have a boyfriend?"
"That's right, grandfather.." Strea sang cheerfully.
"Kind of weird, but..." Minetaka sighed before smiling.
"My boyfriend's one of the SAO guild here..." Strea chimed.
"I see... then I will I have to give the-"
"Allow me, Dad," Kazuto joked. He then turned to Nathan. "Now I know that you're in love with Strea..." Kazuto gave a mock glare.
Asuna giggles as Kazuto continued.
"But you should know that if you should break her heart, I will break your face. Understood?" Kazuto threatened humorously.
"And same goes for me too..." Asuna added, giving Nathan a mock glare of her own. "I'll chase you down with a potato peeler..."
Midori cackled.
"No need to worry about that Kazuto... And Asuna..." Nathan pretended to be nervous. Knowing that he'd never plan to hurt Strea... Especially after what they went through together.
"Look out, Codex," Kotone teased.
"You don't want to mess with Asuna..." Alex teased. "I've seen her wield that potato peeler like it was a combat knife..."
"Slice and dice," Rika added with a guffaw.
"With onions on top," Scott finished.
"So, you better watch out..." Randy laughs.
Yui seemed to be laughing along, until something caught her attention and she stopped.
"Sis'?" Strea noticed her little big sister's ceased laughter.
"There seems to be an update on Captain Burke," Yui revealed.
"There is?" Kazuto asked.
Yui seemed to be reading off something. Strea seemed to look, and her face took on sadness and surprise. "Captain Burke was arrested!"
"Arrested!?" Randy exclaimed.
"Wait! What!?" Klein interjected.
"Wait... the new Captain America was arrested?" Minetaka was also shocked.
"It can't be!" Scott added. "Can it?"
Kazuto and Asuna thought they were mishearing things. "Who arrested the Captain?" Kazuto asked.
Yui and Strea looked to everyone, and then seemed to cast onto the TV newsfeed. The new window opens up to show the newsfeed. It was live news from the Star Spangled News TV network.
"This just in from Tokyo... The US military officer at the center of the Howler Platoon controversy, Army Captain Christopher Burke was arrested by military police at Camp Zama."
Everyone watched as a military helicopter being escorted to Yokota AFB.
"There you can see a military helicopter reported to be carrying Burke flying to United States Forces Japan Headquarters in Yokota Joint Air Force Base, where it is reported that he is to be detained for a short while until his trial in front of the military's judge advocates."
"Why are they arresting him for?!" Randy protested. "Did they not witnessed the broadcasts from ALO?!"
"Reporter Jerri Reinecker is reporting live from Tokyo on this breaking development. Jerri, what can you tell us about what is happening and why?"
The camera then focuses on the field reporter, Jerri Reinecker standing in front of the Yokota AFB.
The woman then spoke. "Captain Chris Burke was taken into custody without incident around 10:13AM Japan Standard Time. According to sources from US Forces Japan and the Pentagon, Burke stands accused of the following..."
She glances at the electronic tablet in her left hand.
"Breach of national security, endangering both military and civilian personal within the ALO server. Failure to observe military and diplomatic protocols in dealing with foreign nationals, leaking confidential information to unauthorized personnel, and willful disregard for the wellbeing of the soldiers under his command and civilians placed in harms way."
Everyone stared in disbelief.
"Thank you Jerri... Anything else that you can tell us about the situation over there?"
She looks at the table again. "From what I'm hearing... Support for the Howlers and the 300 players in both America and Japan continues to grow due to Nobuyuki's experiments... Including one group, the Society for Integrity in Marriage... And we can now confirm that the players known as the Sword Art Online 300 are now awake and well..."
"At least the other 299 players have escaped..." Alex remarked with a sigh of relief.
"Statements from the spokesmen of the Internal Affairs Ministry and the National Police confirm that the three hundred, including Yuuki family heiress, Asuna Yuuki, are safe."
There was then live feed of some of the victims now wide awake. All of which have doctors and nurse helping them with their recovery. Others were shown with crying and relieved friends and family. Asuna hummed in relief. Amongst them, the camera shows one of the patients being embraced by his sister. Asuna recognized them as Naomi and Kibaou.
"At least Naomi's reunited with her brother..." She hummed.
Kazuto realized. "That's Kibaou... only with brown hair."
"I thought I recognize him..." Alex remarked.
"Wait... Kibaou's one of the 300 players?" Randy was bewildered.
"That troublemaker and grouch was snatched up?" Rika frowned.
"Still haven't forgotten what he said about the Beta testers..." Randy sneered.
"And Asuna, wasn't he the one who nearly got you and Kazuto killed in a mutiny?" Kotone asked.
Asuna nodded. "Yes..." She looked back up at the real Naomi on screen.
It was then Alex spoke up. "I guess being kidnapped by Hydra was a rude wake-up call for him..."
"Wait," Minetaka asked, "you said Naomi?"
"Yes... I have..." Asuna answered. "You know her?"
"That looks like Naomi Ootomi... Ootomi's little girl."
"Ootomi-san was my best friend and partner in the force."
Kazuto and Asuna were stunned. Asuna gave her husband an uneasy glance.
"I lost touch with him some time back though. I wonder where he is right now," Minetaka said.
"H-He's dead..." Asuna answered. "Nobuyuki killed him..."
Minetaka did a double-take. "Asuna... if that was a joke," he sounded in disbelief, "it was not a very funny one."
"The guy is as tough-"
"It's true," Asuna cried, "I would never joke about this. I met Naomi as Naomi Hunter inside the World Tree." She then put her hands to her face as she sobbed, "h-he was tortured and massacred by Hydra. They presented his head to Naomi and threatened her to work for them!"
Kazuto held Asuna in a comfort hug.
Minetaka seemed to be in shock. "Not him..."
"They beheaded that girl's dad!?" Tim shuddered.
"You've got to be one sick devil to present something like that to the guy's daughter," Scott grimaced.
"I hope that they throw Nobuyuki in the Raft!" Rika interjected with disgust. "The sooner, the better!"
As Minetaka collapsed onto a chair, Midori had to tend to him.
"So you met that Naomi in the World Tree?" Suguha asked Asuna as Kazuto hugged her.
"I h-have..." Asuna choked down her sobs. "S-she was one of the researchers... t-they forced her to work on brainwashing, e-even on Kibaou."
Now it was Suguha's turn to hug Asuna.
"That's awful, even for Kibaou..." Klein gasped.
"Tell me about it..." Randy added. A guilty expression was shown on his face.
Suddenly, SSNTV shifted coverage back to Yokota. "Standby, we just got word that Captain Burke's helicopter has touched down at the base. Military News Today has been granted permission for a live shot inside the base, so let's take you viewers live to the scene."
The camera then turns towards the sky and catches the appearance of a military helicopter approaching. It touched down on the tarmac as the rotors began to slow for aircrews to safely approach the Blackhawk to put the chocks on. Two American military police with M4v1 rifles walked up to the aircraft as one of the airmen opened the side door.
Steve Rogers was the first to step out. Then they see Thomas Anderson stepping out next. Steve Rogers then gestured into the heli... and out came Captain Chris Burke. Followed by two soldiers in MP fatigues. As he stood, he was seen to nearly rival Steve Rogers in height, and his build was a that of a buff herculean. But the sight of him being escorted by the military police was unsettling for the SAO group.
"Unbelievable..." Scott muttered.
"This can't be real..." Tim shook his head.
However, Chris Burke seemed to show no consternation or distress on his face as he was led away from the chopper, merely putting on his patrol cap with Rogers and Anderson as he marched. The camera zooms in on Burke until he disappears through the double-doors.
"So that's Captain Burke," Keiko awed, "he looks so much like the old Revere, but taller."
"And well-built too..." Kotone observed.
Strea then looked to Nathan, "and you said that he's the son of some high-ranking military man?"
"General Samuel Burke," Nathan answered, "the commander of USSOCOM, our special operations command."
Another newsfeed came out of Washington. Reporters seemed to be flocking around a car being escorted by two military patrol vehicles out of the White House. The chyron showed the man inside the window to be General Burke, who seemed to neither look nor give any acknowledgement to the reporters badgering him with questions about his own son.
"Speaking of which..." Nathan observed.
"General, do you have anything to say about this ongoing case?"
"How do you feel about the accusations against your son?"
"What were you speaking to the President about?"
"Will your son face court-martial?"
However, the Protective Service soldiers got out and started pushing the reporters back. "The general has no comment on such matters. Step aside."
"Back up!"
The SAO chat group watched as the general showed no reaction or concern for Chris, merely just staring ahead.
"I guess I can see where Chris gets his demeanor," Kazuto remarked.
Asuna only nodded, she finally ceased sobbing, but continued to be cradled in her husband's arms.
"Still it's got to be a big deal when a general's son is being arrested, right?" Momiji asked.
"It's surprising that he's not reacting to the reporters' constant badgering..." Kenji remarked.
"More likely that he cannot be seen as reacting," Alex answered with a headshake.
"But that's his son," Suguha wondered, "surely that has to be something to him!"
"Maybe he has some confidence for Rogers?" Haruto wondered.
"He cannot react," Alex reiterated, "that's just that. He would never want to be seen as partial towards his own family no matter the case."
"So... He's putting up a strong face just to not show it?" Haruto asked.
"I'm no mind reader," Alex shrugged, "but that's just the fine line they walk with military justice."
"Okay then..." Haruto replied.
"But they seriously are nitpicking Revere over ALO?" Rika complained, "what a bunch of stuck-ups!"
"I thought that America would be different after the Civil War..." Shigeru pointed out.
"I thought so too..." Randy replied. "The Accords were the reason why most of us ended up in Japan..."
"Different government, but some of the same overambitious jerks," Scott growled.
"I can still remember how worried my father was back then..." Nathan grimaced. "I was very young at the time and wasn't aware of the civil unrest that continued to grow... But he knew what would happen if it continued along its course..."
"It's like the Blue Cosmos managed to survive the Civil War..." Tim said with disgust.
"Blue Cosmos?" Keiko asked.
"This Anti-Inhuman organization that appeared after the Battle of New York in 2012." Tim explained. "At first, no one paid any attention to this group. However, the Hydra Uprising in 2014, the Ultron Offense in 2015, and finally, the Sokovia Accords. They became a menace against both Inhumans and Freedom in America, and the world..."
"They even went after John Henry Campbell that year during the presidential campaign because he openly opposed the Accords..." He continued.
"Originally, they were some environmental pressure group out of Seattle," Alex added. "And they slowly grew through the state of Washington. And when the Accords was introduced in America, they spread their influence all over the West Coast."
Alex continued. "And when Pacifica went postal, the carried out most of the tortures and killings of Inhumans found on the West Coast..."
"Thankfully, they are dead," Nathan huffed, "and good riddance."
"They've caused so much pain and destruction throughout the occupied states east of Pacifica..." Alex added. "... Including Oklahoma..."
"And arrogant stuck-ups like the JAGs," Scott shook his head, "even if the JAGs don't massacre people."
"It's like they've forgotten what the Blue Cosmos and Pacifica did during the civil war..." Scott continued. "It's like they changed their motto to 'Forget the Alamo'..."
Suguha looked to Alex, "sounds like you boys are not such big fans of the judges."
"The Civil War left an negative impact on everyone..." Alex sighed.
"Agreed..." Randy replied. "The government changed in the wake of the Civil War after the coup."
"But it is safe to say that the military judges always find ways to be the biggest jackasses in the room," Scott chimed in, causing some snickers.
"I wonder how Damion and the other soldiers must be feeling," Kotone suddenly said.
"Another friend of yours?" Midori asked as she held her grieving husband.
Kotone's face suddenly went pink when she said this. "Well..."
"One of the soldiers that we met in ALO," Kazuto remarked, "a low-rank private."
Kotone's face flushed as she retorted, "he said he was a private first class! I don't know too much about military ranks, but it sounds like a good rank!"
Klein then smiled. "And you got a crush on the private too..." He teased.
"Hey!" Kotone blushed.
"I remember seeing you with Damion before we split into two teams..." Nathan snickered.
"That's right," Rika teased. "I remember you giving that young soldier a peck on the cheek, Philia..."
"Oh... love on the battlefield," Strea giggled.
"Indeed, Strea..." Nathan chuckled. Asuna and Suguha found themselves giggling despite the situation. Even Kazuto and Alex were chuckling..
"Come on!" Kotone whined.
"It's nothing to be ashamed about, Philia." Kazuto reassured her. "It's good that you've found someone..."
"Still, how did you get to meet him?" Alex asked.
Kotone tapped her fingers together. "Well... back at the camp... some of the young soldiers were giving Silica and Sleek a hard time."
"They wouldn't let us in..." Tim remembered.
"They made fun of us for being 'kids'" Keiko whined, "but they hardly looked like they were out of high school for long!"
"Damion looked very young for a soldier..." Randy recalled.
"I did try to help," Kotone added, "but when one of them pushed me down, that's when he came in."
"Some of those mainland Americans were being rude," Momiji shook her head.
"Tell me about it..." Keiko lamented.
"Damion came along and actually told them off," Kotone said with a flush.
"Which was great for him..." Tim replied.
"Apparently being a Private First Class gave him some authority," Kotone gushed a bit. Her cheeks went pink once again when mentioning Damion. "Though strangely, there is something familiar about him... I just can't put my finger on it."
"Are you saying that you've met him before?" Rika asked.
"Maybe..." Kotone shrugged, "but he is very nice... and a good shot."
"And good looking too..." Nijika teased.
Midori gushed. "Did I already say that you all are so precious?"
"You have, Grandma.." Yui chimed.
Everyone shared a good laugh again.
Andrew then expressed, "still, let's hope that things do turn out for the better with Burke. If anyone should be on trial, it's that Nobuyuki creep."
"Agreed..." Kazuto nodded. He held Asuna while Alex held Suguha. It was then that everyone's phones rang with email notifications. Everyone, including Nathan, pulled out their phones and checked their email inboxes.
"Hmmm... That's strange... I got an email from Anderson Tech Industries..." Alex said.
"Same here," Kazuto said.
"Even me," Asuna gasped as she looked at her repossessed phone.
"Well, let's see what Anderson has to say..." Randy suggested. Everyone opens it and reads its content. It simply said, 'speak about Captain America... the world needs the new Avenger.'
And they see the name at the bottom. 'T. Anderson...'
"It's Anderson..." Nathan realized.
"The new Avenger?" Suguha blinked.
"What does he mean by 'the New Avenger'?" Asuna asked.
It was then it dawned on Alex. "It's Burke... He's talking about Captain Burke..."
"Just like the original Captain America," Suguha's geekiness came out, "he was the first Avenger."
"Very true..." Kazuto smiled.
"Then we should do the same for Captain Burke..." Alex said with determination.
"The New Avenger?" Rika grinned, "sounds like history in the making."
"Indeed, Rika..." Scott smiled... "And we're the stepping stone to being added in the history books..."
"But more importantly," Asuna reminded, "the world does need a new Avenger to stop Hydra. I believe the Americans have a saying for that, right Alex?"
"A new sheriff's in town," Alex said with a grin. "An old threat has risen... And it's time for the new generation of heroes to step up and fight back..."
Klein guffawed, "the new Avengers? Sign me up!"
"And since some of us developed superpowers during the Grand Quest..." Andrew pointed out. "It's best that we should check if we all have Inhuman abilities as well... Right, Kirito?"
"Right- wait more of us?" Kazuto was surprised.
"I remember seeing Sleek stopping the Guardians' arrow and musketball attacks back in ALO..." Andrew replied. Everyone looked to Tim.
"It's true..." Tim admitted. "And I'm not sure how I was able to do it. It just came out and saved both Silica and Lisbeth..."
"It was the craziest and most amazing thing I've seen," Keiko added.
"Indeed, Silica." Rika pointed out. "I thought we were goners. Until Sleek stepped up and stopped the arrows and musketballs mid-air. Then he sent all of them back to the Guardians..."
"That's so cool!" Momiji awed.
"Agil," Kenji asked, "you think that all of us could have superpowers?"
"I don't know," Andrew shrugged, "but at this point, stranger things have happened. I mean, who would have known that Kirito and Asuna were not only a star couple, but a power one as well?"
"He's right, Rex..." Kazuto replied. "It was a surprise for me and Asuna in both ALO and the real world."
Minetaka recomposed himself.
"You alright, dad?" Suguha asked with concern.
"Yeah... just a shock, that's all," Minetaka said.
"I'm very sorry..." Asuna apologized.
"Still," he rubbed his head, "Ootomi-kun... what a way to go..."
"Don't worry, Kirigaya-san..." Alex then said. "His death won't be in vain. Hydra will pay for what they've done..."
"And we're far from helpless," Asuna held up a glowing hand for emphasis. "And if they try to move on us and destroy our lives, we'll be ready for them..."
"But first," Kazuto held up his phone, "let's post far and wide about Captain America's heroism."
"Agreed..." Alex nodded. "We have gone through the touch trials in Sword Art Online. And we've faced the trials in Alfheim Online two months later."
"And maybe we can help out a real American hero for helping us," Asuna held up her phone, "so let's start posting!"
"Captain Burke helped us through ALO, and now it's the time we return the favor..." Kazuto brought out his phone. "... Let's get to work everybody..."
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA:
Hailey Felix set her guitar down after her country night performance had concluded, with fair skin, long flowing brown hair, and violet eyes, she was a real pretty girl of 24 years.
"Another long evening..." Hailey sighed.
"Hey Hailey!"
The country singer turned her attention to the source of the voice. It was one of her lady friends on her prep costume prep team. "You should see the news, your old boyfriend seems to to be on!"
"No, I haven't..." Hailey answered. She turned her attention to the flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. She picked up the remote and turned it on. She flipped to one of the news channels. It went to SSNT, and the camera's focused at the Yokota AFB.
Hailey nearly dropped the remote. As stepping out of the Blackhawk, was Captain Chris Burke. And he's being escorted by the military police. It had been over two years since she had last talked to him, let alone seen him.
The chyron below read 'Cpt. Burke Arrested.'
"Chris..." Hailey muttered. It was indeed her old boyfriend, but something about him seemed different. He appeared to be tall and well-built. Almost as tall as Colonel Steve Rogers, who was escorting him. Moreover, he seemed to be even more steely-eyed and stern than when she last remembered him.
"Oh Chris... What have you got yourself into?" Hailey muttered her question.
"That's your old boyfriend, right?" Her friend asked.
"Y-Yes... He was..." Hailey answered.
The lady friend beside her seemed to admire him. "I don't know what happened between you two, but man he is hot!"
This caused the country singer to shoot a glare at her friend. "Kaylee!"
"What? I'm just saying." Kaylee stepped back with her hands up.
Hailey stared back up at the screen. She watches Chris enter through the double-doors of the AFB. "What are they arresting him for, and why is he in Japan?"
"Not sure Hailey..." Kaylee admitted. "Haven't been keeping tabs on the news..."
Hailey pursed her lips. She walked into her dressing room. After closing the door, she sat down in the chair. She got out her phone, and decided to make a call to her dad, General Franklin Felix in USSOCOM.
She speed-dial her father's number and waited.
"Hello?"
"Daddy?" Hailey replied.
"Hailey?"
"Daddy, I'm seeing Chris on the news in Japan. What's going on?"
"Hailey, that's none of your concern-"
Hailey cuts him off. "Daddy, please! Why am I seeing Chris getting in trouble in Japan!? I thought he was in Mexico!" The young country singer wanted some answers.
She hears her father sigh from the other end. "If you want to know..."
"I do, daddy." Hailey replied.
The old general answered, "he's accused of endangering his platoon and civilians in an op that was not officially sanctioned."
"Not officially? What do you mean?" Hailey asked.
"Not officially is what it sounds like," her dad answered, "and in the process violated operational security of his unit and put many lives at risk."
"Is there anything you can do for him?" Hailey asked again.
The general was blunt. "No, and I'm not about to interfere with a military justice affair that I have no involvement in. And take my advice, he is not your problem either."
Hailey wanted to pressure her father. But she knew it was hopeless.
"Now are we done with this discussion? I don't want you troubling yourself over him."
"Okay, dad..." Hailey sighed.
"Good," her strict father said, "now enjoy yourself. Remember, I love you."
"I will... I love you too..." Hailey replied before the line went dead. She knew that her dad still blamed Chris for her brother Kyle's death... She could not even imagine what things were like between him and General Burke, the two being colleagues in USSOCOM.
"Oh Chris..." Hailey shook her head. She then proceeded to dress out of her country costume. Hailey breathed heavily as she felt so many questions swimming in her head. She tried to keep her composer.
Why had Chris not talked to her for these past two years after Kyle's death in SAO had been announced? What was going on with him? Why was he now getting in trouble in Japan when he was supposed to be peacekeeping in southern Mexico?
All of it doesn't make any sense to her. Chris' life had become an enigma to Hailey, and yet she could not get her childhood crush out of her mind.
She nearly collapsed from being overwhelmed. The country singer barely registered the knocking on her door from her friend, Kaylee.
"Hailey? You okay in there?" The door opens, and Kaylee sees Hailey all distressed.
"Hailey girl!" She rushes over and helps her friend to a chair.. "What's wrong?"
"What?" Hailey seemed to be dazed, but she was sweating and crying.
"Come here!" Kaylee brought her friend in a comfort hug.
"Kaylee?" Hailey sobbed.
"Sshhhhh... It's okay, Hailey..." Kaylee cooed as her friend sobbed into her shoulder.
"Hailey," an agent called for her, "you've got fans waiting for your autographs!"
"Not now!" Kaylee retorted.
"Is something wrong?" The agent asked.
"It's personal..." She explained.
Hailey barely managed to compose herself enough to say, "I'll be out there in fifteen minutes."
"Okay..." The agent replied before leaving and closing the door.
"Tell me, girl," Kaylee asked, "does it have to do with that boyfriend of yours?"
Hailey, still on the verge of sobbing again, just nodded.
"How... how long has it been?" Kaylee asked carefully.
"T... Two years..." Hailey manages to reply. "I can't forget him... I just can't forget him..."
"I... I'm sorry..." Kaylee hugged Hailey harder.
"I don't know what's happened to him..." Hailey cried, "I feel like I've lost him when I lost Kyle..."
Kaylee didn't say anything else as she continued to cry. The room felt silent, only the sobs of the country singer was the only sound filling the air.