Mirage arrives back at base as he parks and transform one of his arms to slowly bring out a bag and place it to the floor before transforming to his Bi-Pedal mode.
"Oh ho man! I can't wait to give this nerve gear a try, although I'll need to mass shift it. I'm sure Ratchet won't mind." Mirage says as he shrugs his shoulder as he uses it on the nervegear, making sure it fit for his head. He would then start to hook it up, following the manual that was within the box. Uncaring of the booming footsteps behind him.
"Ah Mirage. You have returned from your mission. Good. Arcee told me you and her did a substantial amount of damage to the decepticons. Keep up the good work, Soldier. I am appreciative to you rising to more prominent responsibilities and... what is that?" Optimus Prime, the big man himself looks from behind Mirage to whatever this was.
"Oh, hey big man! It's a nervegear! The humans on this world just released it and I've been waiting to get this thing!"
"The humans make it at this size?"
"What? Oh no, I used Ratchets mass shift device on it?"
"With his permission I hope?"
"Uh... sure! But tell you what, you should give it a try!" Mirage says as he hands Prime the helmet.
"I have some tasks I should attend to." Prime says, shaking his head.
"You don't have to stay in there long! Just for half a cycle! I'm telling ya the humans are crazy for it! Just give it a try! Besides, didn't you say a leader should be a part of his soldiers activities from time to time?" The prime looks to Mirage when he says that and then back at the helmet.
"So you were listening to that. I am happy to hear that. But, you do hold a valid point. Alright then. I will see what this Nerve gear can do." Optimus gets into the seat of the nerve gear as mirage sets him up into it and boots in one game that Mirage had gotten along with the nerve gear: Sword art online.
"How did you come to acquire one of these, Mirage? You didn't ask help from our human friends I hope." Prime said, half thinking that Mirage would do such.
"Nah man, I ordered it at one of the stores and they put it in the car once I showed my human Hologram that Wheeljack set up."
"Hmm. Alright then. I suppose that is a good way to go about it. I ask that you please not make a habit of it."
"Sure thing, boss! You ready to dive in?"
"As I'll ever be, Mirage. Begin." At that moment, Optimus could feel his consciousness slip away as his eyes felt heavy for a moment before opening back up to see a grass laid field. With tall wondrous structures and creatures he hasn't seen before on any world.
He would look at himself and see he had human digits and looking down, he would soon see that he was a human. If greatly confused him at first, even shocking him as he would walk around for a bit, even falling to his knees for a moment.
"Wow... I'm... a human? I did not anticipate this. But this may be helpful considering what I truly look like." Optimus said to himself as he would see a menu pop up. Asking for a username.
"User name... hmm... well... considering I look human... nobody will know who or what I really am. So I will stick to my name for now. Besides, I shall only be here for 30 human minutes." Prime would then input his full name and enter it as it welcomed him to the world of SAO. Even so much as providing a guidebook for him on what the monsters in this world are and as well as how to be able to fight.
Optimus would see a boar pop up in front of him to begin the combat tutorial. But for this, it seemed that the combat was based on actual fluid motion rather than relying on a based animation. He would take down the Boar easily and would see that he leveled up as well as seeing his stats increase.
'So, this is what humans are finding as... fantasy. A way to escape their world to be... someone else. It does seem nice. But in end, one such as my kind cannot afford such luxuries. At least... not for long.' Optimus would think to himself as he was cut off by a pained groan behind of him a male voice.
He would rush towards the sound and see a man on the ground, writhing a bit along with a Boar looking as if it intends to charge at the man.
"Hang on! I'm coming!" Optimus would call out.
Optimus would spring to action as he draws his blade and would strike down the boar. Now with slightly less time with the level up he had received. He did not level up this time as he did not mind or care as he went over to the man.
"Are you alright?" Optimus would ask, kneeling down to the man. Realizing that as a human, he no longer towered over humans anymore. Which was interesting to say the least.
"Man those things hit hard!"
"From the guidebook it says you do not physically feel any of the pain in this game." Optimus says, earning a couple blinks from the man.
"Oh yeah that's right. Force of habit I suppose. I uh... do Larping and such."
Optimus did not know of the term, nor had the means to look it up so he simply nodded to it.
"Well, thanks for the help, man. The names Klein. Think you could teach me how you play this game?"
"I am learning it myself, but I believe it'll be more efficient to learn together."
"I like that idea. Plus I gotta wait till my friends get in game. Some are still at work. So I gotta up my game to myself look more cool ya know?"
Optimus nodded to the statement. Klein reminded him or Mirage or even that of Bumblebee.
"Well then, let's not waste anymore time then." Optimus said.
"If you don't mind me asking, what's your name, don't think you told me yours yet." Optimus was surprised at himself a little. He was the base decency of common etiquette. He's slacking, shockingly.
"Optimus Prime."
"That's a badass username! Well, good to meet ya, Optimus." As he suspected, they will think his real name is just a username, although he's the first of many. But then again, he's only gonna be on here for 30 human minutes. He looks to see he's got about 10 minutes.
Both Klein and Optimus stay in the fields, attacking boars for the next ten minutes as they both stop for the moment.
"Well I better get off now. I have a pizza set up for me back at my place. What about you, Prime? You staying on?"
"Unfortunately I have duties of my own I must attend to. I do not believe I will be on as often as yourself though, but if we do come across one another again. I should like that. You are a good player. This is my first game."
"REALLY?! But you fight like an extremely skilled swordsman. Like you've done it all your life!"
"I... do a lot of... swordplay, in what I do."
"Ohhh I get it. Like kendo classes and stuff?"
"...yes." Optimus hated lying. It was dishonest and it wasn't something he wanted to do, but at the moment he couldn't think of anything better to respond with.
"Well, either way, you're kickass! But I'll see ya when I see ya!" Klein says as he opens the menu, but something was wrong. He hadn't left. Optimus didn't mind it too much as he himself opens up the menu but he was seeing something was wrong too. The logout button was gone. Blank.
"Uhh, Optimus. I can't logout..."
"It seems the same is happening for me as well. Perhaps it is an error in the games system."
"Well, it is the first day of the game so I guess that makes sense. Well damn... guess my pizza is screwed." Optimus himself didn't seem worried, considering that worrying would do nothing. He has to push on. No matter what.
"Is there any towns nearby?" Optimus asked.
"There should be one a few-" Before Klein could finish what all he was saying; Both he and Optimus are transported.
"-minutes away." Klein says as he and Optimus are both surprised as they are surrounded by what looks like the entirety of the player base in the game. It stretches far out through the massive city.
"Klein, stay close. No need to get lost. But stay calm." Optimus says, trying to assured the confused man.
"Alright. I'll stick with you man. What the hell is going on??"
"I am unsure. But... something tells me we are about to find out." Optimus says as he looks to the once blue sky, now a crimson red. As if the sky was angry. Soon after, a titan of a man towered over the people in the city, covering them in its robed shadow.
"Attention, players. Welcome to my world." The robed man said, his voice booming as it echoed through the city.
"This must be the creator." Optimus said under his breath.
"My name is Kayaba Akihiko. As of this moment, I am the sole person who can control this world." There were murmurs amongst the crowd as they look at one another, while Optimus kept looking on.
"I'm sure you've already noticed, that the logout button is missing from the main menu. But this is not a defect in the game…I repeat..this is not a defect in the game. It is a feature of Sword Art Online." Optimus eyes widen in surprise to this revelation.
"Feature...?" Klein said out loud. Not earning a response from the Prime.
"You cannot log out of SAO yourselves. And no one on the outside can shutdown or remove the NerveGear. Should this be attempted the transmitter inside the NerveGear will emit a powerful microwave, destroying your brain and thus ending your life." There were gasps abound. Some not believing Kayabas words.
"H-He's gotta be lying. Right?!" Klein asked, now standing next to Optimus.
"Unfortunately what he says is the truth. From what I read of the Nervegear from the manual while my friend was setting it up, there is indeed a transmitter within it." Optimus said, his hand to his chin, but also making Klein even more worried.
"Unfortunately, several players' friends and families have ignored this warning and have attempted to remove the NerveGear. As a result, two hundred and thirteen players Are gone forever, from both Aincrad and the real world." Some screams can be heard as Optimus scowled at Kayaba.
"213 lives. This man has taken 213 peoples lives away... for this?!" Optimus replied angrily. The malice that he sees in this man was apparent and now was a threat that he must see to.
"As you can see, news organizations across the world, are reporting all of this, including the deaths. Thus, you can assume that the danger, of a NerveGear being removed is no minimal. I hope you will relax and attempt to clear the game. But I want you to remember this clearly. There is no longer any method to revive someone within the game. If your HP drops to zero, your avatar will be forever lost. and simultaneously the NerveGear will destroy your brain. There is only one means of escape. To complete the game. You are presently on the lowest floor of Aincrad, Floor 1. If you make your way through the dungeon and defeat the Floor Boss, you may advance to the next level. Defeat the boss on Floor 100, and you will clear the game." Kayaba says, earning gasps once more and people yelling angrily at the robed hologram.
"Finally, I've added a quick patch. Instead of players seeing one another in their Create a characters, I've decided that you all should see one another as for who you all are. That's the end of the announcement." The robed man disappears as all of the people start to glow and quickly change to what they look like in their real bodies.
"Oh man, so it shows me for who I am huh?" Klein said, looking at himself.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!" One of the people in the crowd said as Klein looks around to see Optimus in his real form. His metal form looking amongst the crowd, but thankfully, he wasn't at his actual height, but he was taller than everyone else though by a good several inches.
Optimus kept silent. Looking around at the crowd. As a screen popped up in front of him.
"Dear user, Optimus Prime. Due to error 75e491wci. We are unable to fit you at your current height parameters and have fit you in the maximum height parameters. Enjoy SAO!'
"That is... an unexpected character..." Kayabas voice can be heard booming once more. Even hearing slight comments in the background, yet not loud enough for it to be understood. "Nonetheless. All characters are welcome! Back to the main topic."
"Bro, Optimus... you look... BADASS! What is that a costume?! Bro that sick, where'd you get that made, Etsy??" Klein asked, astonished as he looked around Optimus. Optimus, begrudgingly, used this opportunity.
"Yes. It was... a costume I had put on when I put on the Nervegear."
"Dude, I gotta say... I'm a big cosplayer myself. I know the feeling dude. Especially in the wallet. But mad props to you." Klein said, putting a hand to primes shoulder. Prime said nothing, but nodded to the compliment as he eyes went back to Kayaba.
"Right now, you're all probably wondering, 'why'. Why would Kayaba Akihiko, developer of Sword Art Online and the Nerve Gear, do all this? My goal has already been achieved. I created Sword Art Online for one reason. To create this world and intervene in it. But now, it is complete. This ends the tutorial for the official Sword Art Online Launch. Good luck players!" Kayaba finishes as the hologram fades and the skies go back to blue.
Some of the people stick with their friends, family with their loved ones, even some form groups just to have stronger numbers. Prime, looking at them all, decides to walk away. Down to one of the streets. He wasn't angry at Mirage, he wouldn't have known this would happen. Although, he is sure that the others are scrambling around. Wondering what they should do, what Optimus would do. But wondering about it would be wasting energy. He needs to survive. Not only for them. But now the humans as well who are trapped here.
"Hey Prime, wait up!" Kleins voice call out to him as he stops to face the man.
"Yes, Klein?"
"Hey man, I was wondering. Since the people here are choosing to pair up. Why don't you hitch with me and my friends. They're in the plaza. Together we can be stronger! Especially with you around." Kleins suggestion was sound. Logical. But then again, his friends surely would question him about his appearance. They may not buy what Klein thought Optimus was, and the last thing he needed was to be questioned. He liked Klein, of that he had no doubts on, but in the end. It may not benefit him nor the team. They may even see Klein as their leader.
With Optimus' wisdom, they may see it as him and Klein clashing. The last thing he'd want to do was to cause further discourse. But he won't outright deny the request.
"Could I have time to think on it? For now, I am new to all of this. While I may have combat skills, I am still rather... green. In the end result, but, if I do think I need further guidance. I'll think of you firstly, my friend."
"Yeah man! That's perfectly understandable! I'll send you a friend request so that we can keep tabs with one another." Klein said, opening up his menu to friend Optimus.
"Good thinking." Optimus said, quickly accepting the request.
"Optimus, survive ok? I wanna meet you in the real world if we get out of here, ok?"
"I... would like that very much. But I promise, I will all that I can. With all of my sp-... heart." Optimus corrected himself at the last second as he bumped his chest with his metal hand and soon shook Kleins hand firmly as he went out of the town. Sword in hand.
"I will survive... for my autobots. For the humans. And to bring Kayaba down for his crimes against humanity."
"That character... the one that didn't look human... find out what you can about him." A man said, wearing a lab coat it seemed.
"Of course, are you still planning to go in sir? You know you won't be able to get out..."
"I am fully aware. I'm the one who made it. But correspond with messages about him when you can. This seems... more interesting by the minute, but should be an issue, I'm sure I'll think of something."