2016: The United Nations passes the Sokovia Accords to control and regulate any superhero individuals to fight for the United Nations, including the Avengers. The Avengers split over the matter. Presidential candidate John Henry Campbell, a political figure who openly opposed the Accords, was murdered by the US government before elections.
2017: The Fallout of the Sokovia Accords, the splitting of the Avengers, and the death of Campbell divides America, resulting in civil unrest.
2018: The Second American Civil War begins between the Free States of America and the Federated States of Pacifica.
2020: The Second Civil War ends in the Free States' victory, the death toll is twenty million total.
2022: The Sword Art Online incident began when 10,000 players are trapped in the game via NerveGear and the incident lasted until late 2024:
The Sword Art Online incident began on November 6th, 2022 JST as the game trapped 10,000 players via NerveGear helmet. Both the Japanese and the United States governments sought to free the trapped players and locate the creator of the death game. But with no success. After two years passed, the game was cleared with the death toll of roughly 4,000 players. However, the 300 players still remained trapped in the NerveGear helmets. But, the events of the trapped players, which will be explored by the Avengers, the American Rangers, and the 7th Platoon of the 75th Ranger Battalion, aka the Howler Platoon, will put the heroes to the test and the race against time.
January 14th, 2025 EST
Frankville, Virginia, USA:
The sun rises over the town of Frankville, signaling the start of a new day.
The town of Frankville is the most popular in the US state of Virginia. The town is famous for its large businesses, including working mines, a couple of car factories, and Anderson Tech Industries. Festivities such as the 4th of July, Halloween, and Christmas. Hunting seasons, mainly deer and turkey seasons. It is also known as one of the nation's major tourist attractions, ranging from American history to transportation museums. The town itself is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United States. Especially since the Second American Civil War.
Frankville was built in the 1730s named after Harris Frank, who settled from Ireland and founded a trading post for animal games, skins, and food. The town also played a major role during the American Revolution, as Frankville Minutemen prepared to fight the British and managed to take them by surprise. British soldiers tried to take Frankville but were repelled by the Colonists through a series of traps and marksmen shots.
After the Revolution, Frankville begins to grow with hopes for a future, and businesses grew in the early 1800s. However, business halted during the War of 1812, when the British declared war on America and the town became occupied. But the occupation didn't last long as American soldiers, as well as the locals, managed to drive British troops out. After the war ended, the town begins to flourish again.
When the First American Civil War began, Frankville became part of the Confederate States and housed much of the Army of North Virginia. When the First Battle of Frankville began, it was a success. But by mid-1863, the Union Army managed to catch the Confederates by surprise and drive them out, leaving Frankville for the United States.
After the First Civil War ended, the United States builds an army garrison called Fort David, located five miles northeast of the town to keep peace with the south during Reconstruction. Over time, the town expands from populations and businesses, and tourist attractions. The town also survived the Great Depression in the 1930s, as well as helped supply the United States Armed Forces during World War 2. It later sided with the Free States at the start of the Second Civil War when the majority of the military personal, including Fort David, mutinied and overthrew the loyalists.
The town of Frankville is also the birthplace of Anderson Tech Industries.
Founded in the mid-1960, the company helped the United States during the Oil Crisis in 1973. Anderson Tech expanded during the roaring 1980s and the Dot-Com boom of the 1990s, which gave a leap forward in microchip technology for both civilian and the US military. Anderson Tech would later form a partnership with Stark Industries, believing that two companies can work together rather than independently and compete against each other.
Both Anderson Tech and Stark Industries made weapons for the United States. However, Tony Stark announced the latter's discontinuing the production of weapons in May 2008 after being held by the Ten Rings for three months. Despite the sudden change and the strain between the two companies, their partnership remained intact, leaving Anderson Tech to continue the production of weapons. However, competition with other companies such as Hammer Technology and A.I.M. made it difficult. But they soon fell after scandals were revealed and later absorbed by Anderson Tech. Stark Industries was also absorbed by Anderson Tech after the second civil war ended.
Several people had already woken up hours earlier to start opening their businesses and starting the day. This also included Thomas Anderson, the CEO of Anderson Tech Industries, who left early for work. The drive through Frankville is a quiet trip, and often short with the exception of traffic lights turning red at almost every turn. But he didn't mind, he enjoyed the scenery. It's a shame that the route doesn't take him to the area where the Siege of Frankville began. After the war, the statue of himself, wearing the Iron Patriot suit, standing on top of the wrecked tank holding the American flag. Symbolizing the victory of the American Rangers.
Back in 2018, when the US government and the United Nations peacekeepers attempted to arrest Thomas Anderson for resisting the Sokovia Accords. Resulting in the clash between the armed forces and the militia known as the American Rangers. The rangers held out against the US/UN armed forces long enough for Thomas Anderson to activate his Iron Patriot suit, which is the exact copy of the Iron Man suit and pushed back and forced them to surrender.
During the war when the nation, and the military, dissolved in the chaos and the Free States of America was established. They called themselves the Free States Rangers as the symbol of hope against the Federated States of Pacifica and their allies, including the New England Separatists.
After the siege of Frankville began, the American Rangers destroyed the UN headquarters in New York City after having everyone evacuated first so no casualties are reported. However, the UN International Center in Vienna, Austria was destroyed by a special-made bomb that not only destroyed the center, but the entire city itself. It caused a chain reaction from the destruction of Vienna, along with the Brussels, Belgium, which served as the de facto capital of the European Union.
The American Rangers, many of whom were veteran soldiers of the 75th Ranger Regiment, would go on to reconstitute America's army, including the regiment itself, with Thomas Anderson himself being elected as the new military liaison officer with a mandate to rebuild the country's government and military.
After the war, the Federated States of Pacifica dissolved when the leaders, Glenn Milley, and Sandra B. Morris, were killed when their plane exploded in their attempt to flee. The deaths of the Pacifican leaders crippled the morale and everyone surrendered. Including Thaddeus Ross. However, the death toll of the second civil war was a staggering twenty million total.
It took a long time to clean up the damages the war caused, many buildings were destroyed. Including historical buildings such as the Alamo in Texas. The military leaders of Pacifica paid reparations and were executed for crimes against the American people and the Constitution of which America is build upon. Thus, the United States of America is reborn.
Despite the victory of the Free States, many Pacifican soldiers either went into hiding or fled the country. The Avengers and the American Rangers had to hunt down the remnants of the Pacifican army in the west coast. Mainly, the new US state of Jefferson. They finally crushed the remnants back in May.
However, the work of the heroes, soldiers, and leaders of the reconstituted nation was far from over, as the world at large was still in turmoil from the brief but devastating invasion of the alien Thanos. With ever shifting balances of power in the changing world order, and rogue regimes and terrorist groups carving out territories with terrifying new powers and weapons... the world was put on a high state of alert with a new Cold War on the horizon between the emerging new factions.
"It's a mad world." Thomas muttered to himself. Then, the view of the Anderson Tech HQ can be seen from view when he made the turn around the block. He had been officially summoned to the new US military headquarters as the one of the military's special liaison officers in the implementation of the mass rearmament policy...
He presented his identification to the security booth before driving in and parking inside the underground parking garage. After he reached to the elevator, he made his way to his office.
"Captain Anderson," he was greeted. Thomas returned his greetings to his fellow employees and soldiers with a smile.
"Colonel Rogers and the SecDef are expecting you in briefing room 3-7.
"Third floor, room seven. I'm on my way." Thomas replied. He heads towards the briefing room after taking the stairs. As he enters through the door, he sees Steve Rogers, aka Colonel America.
"Captain America," Thomas greeted by habit. Rogers let out a small smirk. Despite having his title changed to Colonel, some of the rangers and avengers, including Sam Wilson, called him by his old title. Thomas sits down in one of the chairs.
"Mr. Secretary."
"Captain Anderson." Secretary Tibault Coulson was normally quite cordial and friendly, but now he was all-business and lacking his usual humor. The door opens up and Jack Preston walks in and sits down next to Thomas.
"Lieutenant Preston," a voice called out behind him, "customs and courtesies before you enter the room." A young army captain with bright blue eyes, light blond hair, and a Ranger tab on his uniform called out after him.
"My apologies, Captain Burke." Preston said sheepishly before turning to Coulson. "Mr. Secretary." He said with a nod.
With a sigh, Captain Chris Burke saluted Steve. "Forgive the delay, sir, and please do excuse my subordinate's lapse of discipline. Captain Chris Burke of the 7th Platoon and Lieutenant Jack Preston reporting as ordered."
"Noted." Steve replied. Shortly after, the door opens up and two more walked in. One of them is dressed in black from the trench-coat to the boots, he sports a goatee, no hair, and wearing an eye patch over his left eye. The other one, also sports in black, and a shaved haircut. Some scars on his face are visible to the others.
"And I've brought former SHIELD Director Nick Fury and our own Master Sergeant Frank Castle here as per your orders, Colonel Rogers," Captain Burke added. He nodded to the older eye-patched soldier. "Sergeant."
"Fury. Sergeant Castle."
"Coulson," Fury went to greet his former subordinate's cousin.
Frank Castle sat beside Preston and whispered to his immediate superior, "what's going on, Lieutenant? Why us with the big shots all of a sudden?"
"Everything will be explained shortly." Preston whispered back.
After everyone got settled in, Secretary Coulson begins to speak. "Now, you're probably wondering why you're all called in here."
"And with all due respect, why I had to order two of my best but junior soldiers from the South Mexican border front with our ops down there being so hot," Captain Burke spoke. He looked to Colonel Rogers.
"Because, Captain Burke, we may have stumbled across new evidence on the current situation in Japan."
"Current situation? Sir?" Captain Burke was confused
"What does Japan have to do with us?" Sergeant Castle asked.
"Sergeant," Chris warned him.
It was then Coulson spoke. "Lieutenant Preston will fill in the details." That was Preston's cue to stand up.
"Thank you, sir." Preston saluted before he continued. "They've been a list of war criminals that have been left unaccounted from the second civil war. Last year in May, we've crushed the last of the Pacifican remnants in the state of Jefferson. We've rounded up the last of the soldiers and confiscated their equipment. Including several hard drives from laptop computers.
"However, they were encrypted to self-destruct if any attempts to break into them. So it took some time to break into them and extract all the files."
Preston took out the USB stick and plugged it into the drive that is set in the middle of the table. The files are uploaded and displayed in the hologram for everyone to see.
"During the final days of the war, I've heard rumors of someone within the Pacifican armed forces committing atrocities in various locations. Ranging from Montrose, Colorado and Portland, Oregon."
Now Captain Burke was surprised with his subordinate. "We know all that, but you were off the investigation since it was inconclusive." He then gave a harder look to Preston, "have you been conducting private investigations, Lieutenant?"
"I have, Captain Burke." Preston answered. "However, in the list of war criminals, I found a name that stuck out. And, looking up this person, I managed to trace the name all the way to Japan."
"Lieutenant!" Now Chris Burke was unhappy, "you are under my command and I will not have any of my soldiers acting as free agents!"
It then occurred to Burke... he whipped his gaze to both Rogers and Fury. "Colonel," he asked Rogers. "Did you authorize this?"
Rogers nodded before speaking. "Lieutenant Preston presented the files he pulled from the hard drives and gave him permission to lead the investigation on his individual. I, too, heard rumors when we push the Pacificans towards west. A name kept appearing from the survivors."
"But why was I not informed?" Captain Burke struck a respectful tone, "I thought Lieutenant Preston reported to me?"
"I did, sir," Preston quickly stepped in. "didn't you see any of my emails?"
"Excuse me?" Chris asked.
"I was sending you and the Colonel information and notices that I was also being pulled for cyber investigations and analysis of the war criminal profiles, sir," Jack Preston answered, "you should have gotten them."
Chris looked at his subordinate a bit, before taking out his phone. "There is nothing in my inbox, Lieutenant..."
"That can't be," Preston wondered aloud.
"Captain," Rogers spoke, "try the spam."
Taking Rogers' suggestion, the Ranger captain looked into his spam folder, and saw that it was full of files from a sender he did not recognize. Chris then put the cell phone screen to Preston's face. "This it?"
"That's correct, Captain." Preston answered. "Those are the files from the hard drive."
"Well apparently you made some sort of mistake, because you broke protocol and used an email address that I do not recognize, and is apparently not Army regulated," Chris pointed out.
Colonel Rogers glared at Preston. "Lieutenant..."
"It's true that I've used the email that isn't not Army regulated." Preston confessed. "However, when I found out the name. I figured that I notify the superiors."
"Well I'm also one of them," Chris reminded, "and not everyone uses a SHIELD-encryption code." He gave Nick Fury a hard look. "Colonel Rogers showed me before, so don't lie."
"Hey, I wasn't the one who told him to use it, Captain," Nick cleared it up.
Preston rubbed his head. "My bad, not used to this sort of thing..."
Chris just shook his head, "never mind, I'll just get briefed now..."
"Anyway." Preston continued. "The name has surfaced in the files, which proves that the rumors are true."
"Do we have a name for this individual, Lieutenant?" Anderson asked. Preston pressed the LED holo-buttons on the table in front of him. The images of the hologram changed to the man in his late-twenties, and wearing glasses along with the uniform of the Pacifican army officer.
"Sugou Nobuyuki."
"Went by the alias Barnas Shinsei."
"Why the alias?" Chris asked.
"Well, he was in America by the time the second civil war occurred. And, according to the files, he joined up with the People's Federated States Armed Forces shortly."
"But what interest would some Japanese have in a conflict having nothing to do with him?" Frank asked with a gruff tone.
"Well, after the war. Sugou, or Barnas, disappeared." Preston answered. The image faded away and the map of the world appeared and zoomed in on Japan. "Has anyone heard of a tech company called RECT Progress Inc?"
"A... video game company they call it?" Colonel Roger asked, still trying to get some of the modern terminologies and industries.
"That correct," Preston answered. "They also created the AmuSphere, the virtual reality helmet to replace the NerveGear helmet."
"Excuse me a pun, soldier," Secretary Coulson shook his head and rubbed his eyes, "but we have no time for games, so what is the significance of this?"
"Well, Mr. Secretary, Sir." Preston cleared his throat. "Sugou's name appeared in the company as one of the employees." Then he continued. "You recall the Sword Art Online death game that had occurred a couple of years ago?"
Colonel Rogers saw that Captain Burke stiffened up and grimaced. It was a painful topic for the soldier.
"Where are you going with this?" Captain Burke said in an interrogator tone.
"Well, after the incident. The company, Argus, went bankrupt, and it was absorbed by RECT. However, the 300 players didn't return, despite SAO being cleared two months ago." He turned to Coulson.
"Sir, if what the survivors said are true, I believe that Sugou's trying to finish what he started during the Civil War."
"Which is?" Secretary Coulson asked.
It was then Nick Fury spoke up. "Mr. Secretary. I believe Preston's talking about the experiments that were performed on the captives in the occupied cities."
"Mind control experiments, San Francisco," Captain Burke murmured, "the Lieutenant and I were both there, thought we arrested and executed all the scum responsible..."
"We did." Preston answered. "But Sugou managed to give us the slip."
"And you're telling us that he's continuing this mucked up project where he is now?" Captain Burke asked.
"That's correct, Captain Burke."
Chris pursed his lips.
"And with stolen American military technology in a nation like Japan," the SecDef sighed, "the President and the ambassador will have a lot of work then."
"But we cannot just go in guns blazing," Colonel Rogers pointed out, "we do that, it will be all over the Japanese and American news."
"Very true." Preston concluded. It was then he asked. "But, what if the experiments are taking place in the Virtual Reality simulator?"
"Virtus... sorry, what?" Colonel Rogers tried to keep up.
"Think about it, Colonel. Since the 300 players haven't came back from SAO. Also, they're no reports of their disappearances from hospitals. It's probably a hunch, but..." He was interrupted when Chris spoke up.
"A man like Nobuyuki working at a company managing a game responsible for the entrapment of 10,000 people and the deaths of nearly 4,000 is too much to be coincidence," Chris stated, "and we are talking about a man involved with an indoctrination experiment that tortured, injured, and killed innocent people."
"And using our technology to do it," the SecDef sighed, "Colonel, you know I have to run this through the White House and our diplomatic channels, but suppose we got approval, when can we have a team on the ground?"
"We'll get the Helicarrier ready in a few days, sir." Rogers answers.
"We can hold pattern outside of Japan, and if we get a clear from the local authorities, we can have him captured in an hour or less."
"Good." The SecDef said. "Any questions?"
It was then Thomas spoke up. "I would like to make a statement, if you don't mind, Mr. Secretary." He turned to the SecDef.
"This is a diplomatically sensitive mission, Anderson," the SecDef said, "where you would do best for the Army is to provide the technical expertise and support that you have delivered in spades, and make sure that our boys have the tools to do the mission... now excuse me while I go back to the White House for this sales pitch of ours."
"Okay." Anderson surmised.
"And I suppose that you would be ready for action again, old friend?" Rogers asked Fury.
"I'm always ready since New York City." Fury smiled.
"However, we may have to dive into virtual reality." Anderson turned to Rogers. "Think you can handle it?"
"If it is how people say it's like reality, what could be difficult about it?" Rogers grinned, "what I like to know first though..." He turned to the three other Rangers in the room. "... is whether my Howlers are ready to howl."
"If you are asking about Howler Platoon," Captain Burke glanced to Preston and Castle, "you've got no better team..."
"Once I get the VR helmets rigged up, we should be ready by the time the green light is given." Thomas added.
"But we still have active hot ops in Southern Mexico, gentlemen," Chris then added, "our unit was scheduled to take part in a sweep of south of that border."
"As a matter of fact, Howler Platoon's been removed from the mission," Steve answered.
"Wait, what?" Chris asked.
"I just requested that a Special Forces team handle the op as soon as our reassignment comes in," Steve said, "that will free us for redeployment to East Asia for military exercises with the Japanese Self Defense Forces..."
"Also, we'll be boarding one of the helicarriers." Fury added. "We want that son of a gun nabbed before he can use it or sell it off to whoever else would be interested in it."
Fury turned to Anderson. "How soon can you get those VR helmets ready?"
"It shouldn't take long." Thomas answered. "Just gonna run a scan on one of their games."
"Please make it quick," Colonel Rogers asked.
"I'll take Preston and Castle with me and round up the platoon on the frontlines as soon as we have a ready Helicarrier and aircraft to pick them up," Captain Burke stated.
"Will do, Cap. I mean, Colonel." Thomas chuckled sheepishly.
"Very well," Colonel Rogers smiled towards his subordinates, "let's get on it Rangers."
"Yes sir." Everyone said at the same time as they got up, saluted to Colonel Rogers and left the briefing room.
"Jack," Chris whispered, "a word with you."
"Sure," He steps aside with Chris. "What is it?"
"Jack, you and I have already served together for more than seven years," Chris said, "and you were with me through thick and thin when I was just a young officer cadet fresh out of ROTC thrust into leadership sooner than I had intended."
"Especially after the second civil war." Jack concluded.
"I respect you as a subordinate and friend," Chris went on, "but on that same token, I need to be able to trust you with the confidence of not keeping important secrets from me or the rest of the unit. At the end of the day, I am your commander as much as Colonel Rogers is. Not any random intelligence official, and certainly not Nick Fury."
"Will do." Jack confirmed. "And I'll remember to use the proper email address next time."
"I can certainly forgive and overlook this breach of protocol once," Chris added, "but I don't trust men like Fury... too many secrets and secret agendas. Men like that are dangerous."
"If he wants to deal with the men of Howler Platoon, he will deal with me first."
"Okay then, but SHIELD hasn't been around since the civil war. Still though, I see what you mean." Jack replied.
"As long as Colonel America keeps that man at arms length from me and the rest of us," Chris expressed, "I would be fine with that."
It was then Jack added. "And besides, the SHIELD tech's too complicated for me to use anyway."
"Typical... but, we should get going. I'm sending you and Castle back to Southern Mexico. Get the Howlers down there corralled and ready to redeploy. I'm going to go to Norfolk with orders for a Helicarrier and the necessary supplies, not to mention determining any additional reinforcements from the rest of the Ranger Regiment stateside."
"Okay Captain, it shouldn't take long."
"No fancy virtual reality or diplomatic arm twisting will change the fact that we have another techno-terrorist war criminal in our sights," Chris finished, "and we'll drag the son of a gun to justice for what guys like him did to our country."
"Right on, cap." Preston smiled. Ever since Chris Burke volunteered to take the super soldier serum, he'd became the next Captain America. Well, Captain America II to be precise.
"Hooah, Lieutenant," Chris, the new Captain America grinned, "carry on."
Preston salutes to Chris before he spun around and headed down the hallway. Getting ready for the mission in virtual reality.
January 19th, 5 pm JST,
Mitchell Residence:
The countryside of Otsukayama and Futtsu, Chiba Prefecture. The beautiful scenery that is within traveling distance to the city of Tokyo. It is also close to the US Navy base that was built in the nineties. During the mid-2010s, some of the houses were built at the Chiba Prefecture countryside. The Mitchell family occupied two of the houses, while the Hudsons, the Masons, and the Kennedys occupied the rest. The American families have been living in Japan since 2017, to escape from the civil unrest that continued to grow within America over the Sokovia Accords. The death of presidential candidate John Henry Campbell complicated things and proof that the US government allowed the bombings of the Campbell rally to take place. The families knew what would happen if the civil unrest continued, and the inevitability of the second civil war on the horizon, they didn't take the chances and decided to leave the United States.
While not totally exempt from the turmoil suffered by America's military, they were the least affected, and many quickly established their new ties and allegiances to the new government. After the civil war in America ended, the families had settled in Japan and grown custom to the Japanese lifestyles.
Alexander Mitchell arrives at the driveway of his home on the bike. He just returned from the hospital that Asuna was staying at. Asuna Yuuki, the girlfriend of Kazuto Kirigaya, or Kirito, hasn't woken up from the NerveGear helmet. Despite Kirito clearing the death game two months ago.
As he jumps off the bike and sets it with the others, he sighs sadly.
"Poor guy... all that and still nothing..." He still remembered the conversation he heard between Kazuto and Asuna's so-called fiancee, Sugou.
(FLASHBACK)
One hour earlier:
Alex followed Kazuto through the hospital and, finally, reached Asuna's room. He watched as his best friend sat down silently next to his girlfriend's bed and held her hand.
'It doesn't make sense.' Alex thought to himself. 'She should've been awake.'
"Hey again, Asuna..." Kazuto said with a longing smile. Despite everything, he still comes to visit her every day after SAO was cleared. Alex was glad that Kazuto managed to find the hospital Asuna's staying at. Right after SAO was cleared, the two boys were questioned by Seijirou Kikuoka, who works for the Ministry of Internal Affair's Telecommunications Bureau, Advanced Network Division, Second Office. And told them everything that happened in SAO.
They managed to stumble into each other while staying at the same hospital when Alex's father, David Mitchell, spotted him down the hallway while leaning on an IV drip stand for support. David rushed to help the both of them, and all three were introduced to each other. After their interview, Kikuoka gave Kazuto the location of Asuna's hospital.
As Alex watched on, two adults walked past him and into Asuna's room. He eyed them. One is an older man, in his late-forties. He recognized him as Shouzou Yuuki, Asuna's father. The other man, he doesn't recognize.
Kazuto looked up. "Mr. Yuuki," he greeted.
"Kazuto." Shouzou greeted the Kirigaya boy. He and Alex have meet him several times during visiting hours. They've made great terms with Asuna's father. However, the other man, who just came in with Shouzou.
"Greetings Kazuto, the name's Sugou Nobuyuki." The man introduced himself. Alex watched from outside as Sugou shook Kazuto's hand, proclaiming him as Kirito, the kid who cleared SAO. However, there was something off about him. Sugou's happy-go-lucky personality isn't fooling him.
He watched on as Sugou acted happily that he'll take over Shouzou's position as head CEO of RECT Progress Inc. The very company that took over Argus after the SAO incident bankrupted the company.
It was then Alex snapped his attention towards Sugou's mentioning about Asuna wearing the wedding dress.
After he thanked Sugou, Shouzou leaves Asuna's room, passed Alex. He wanted to say something to the elder Yuuki, to interject his protest about the 'arranged marriage'. However, he turned back to Kazuto and Sugou, who are now alone together.
It was then at that moment that Sugou took a strand of Asuna's long hair and sniffed it.
'I knew it.' Alex was enraged. He have a nerve to defile Asuna like the way he is doing now. But of course, he isn't the only one. Kazuto's becoming enraged as well.
"By the way," Sugou spoke to Kazuto. "The chat I had with her father was about the marriage of his daughter, Asuna."
'Marriage? He can't do that.' Alex thought disapproving. 'Not when Asuna's still under. This isn't right at all.' As he realizes this, he noticed Sugou's facial expression. Followed with him licking his lips and smiled.
His long fingers begin to touch Asuna's face. "But of course, there's a possibility that she'll reject my marriage proposal. So, I figured that this is the perfect time to pop the question through her family."
Alex's fist clenched in rage. How could her father and mother give Asuna away like that?
He started to see more of Sugou's twisted side as he continued to stroke Asuna's face, the sounds of lust could be heard in his breaths and on his face. It was then Kazuto grabbed Sugou's arm, making him stop touching her. Sugou let out a sigh of annoyance.
"I have every right to marry Asuna." Sugou stated. Before he asked. "Have you heard what happened to Argus?"
"I heard they shut down." Kazuto answered.
"Indeed, and after they shut down. RECT have absorbed the Cardinal System that ran SAO into the company, as I work for the Full-Dive Technology Research Division. Which, in return, is what keeping others, like Asuna, alive. I even asked for her hand in marriage as a return payment for what I've done."
Kazuto face tensed, signs of despair can be seen. Sugou smiled before he continued.
"Also, never come back to visit Asuna or contact her family. Being engaged and all, it is best that you don't." He let out a sadistic smile. "But don't worry, you're invited to the wedding. So that you can see her off once the knot is tied. From now on, stay away from Asuna and the Yuuki family" He stood up and leaves the hospital room. Alex watched as he passed him. He could see Sugou's eyes making a glance towards him, but didn't say anything and kept walking.
Alex turned back to Kazuto, who was completely devastated.
(FLASHBACK ENDS)
Alex clenched his fist in rage. That monster, Sugou, completely destroyed Kazuto. He wanted to go up and punch that creep in the face for doing so. But, it wouldn't help both Kazuto and Asuna. He never seen his friend in such despair, even when they parted ways to head back home.
"Can't believe this." Alex muttered to himself. He wanted to shout in anger, but he didn't want to attract any attention from his family or the neighbors. He wanted to do something about the situation, but there's nothing that he could do. He felt complete helplessness sweeping through the young American.
"If only there was a way." Alex said wistfully. He headed towards the front porch and sat down in the chair, sighing sadly for his friend's dilemma.
Kirigaya Residence, 8 pm JST:
Kazuto sat on the side of the bed. It had been hours since he returned from the hospital and haven't come out of the bedroom since. He didn't even bother to turn on the lights or the room's heater. All he could think about was what Sugou told him. Of how he's not allowed to see Asuna again, and he's not allowed to have contact with her family. His heart continues to sink in despair. Even when his American friend Alex tried to help reassure him after their encounter.
"Kazuto?" A knock is heard from his bedroom door. After a few seconds, the door slides open and walked in Suguha Kirigaya, Kazuto's sister.
"What's wrong? Why didn't you say something? Brr.. It's freezing in here." Suguha shivered as she went over to turn on the heater. It was then she noticed that Kazuto didn't respond. He didn't even respond earlier, telling him that the bath was ready. As she was about to ask Kazuto why he didn't turn on the heater, she sees his gaze facing the floor.
"Nii-san?" She slowly walked towards him.
"I'm sorry." He said at last. It's just... I'm so hopeless." His voice trembled. "I-I didn't want you to see me like this. Seeing your brother a crybaby." He stops with a sniffle.
Suguha shook her head with a smile.
Kazuto spoke again. "I-It's about Asuna."
"Asuna?" Sugu was surprised. "Did something happen to her?"
"She's leaving... Somewhere far away... I'm never..." His voice cracked in sobs. "I'm never gonna see her again." He breaks down in tears, sobbing into his hands. Sugu pulls him in a comfort hug as he cries in her shoulder. She felt him shaking in sobs and hiccups for air.
"Hey, don't give into despair." Sugu comforted him, stroking his hair. "If you love someone, don't ever give up on them. No matter how bad things are."
'I'm not giving up either, even for you.' Suguha thought to herself. As she continues to cradle her brother in her arms. She recollects the time they visited him with her mother, Midori, on his 16th birthday. During the conversation, Sugu learns that Kazuto managed to hack into the old file from the computer when he was ten years old. And learning that his real parents died in the accident, and he just a nephew, not their son. And when Sugu asked if that's the real reason he's been playing online games. Midori explains that's not the reason, and that he's already into making computers from junk parts. She believed that he inherited his love for computers from her. Sugu, on the other hand, was surprised that they're cousins, not siblings.
As Kazuto begins to fall asleep. Sugu tucked him in and laid next to him. Her feelings for him started to grow. Despite that it's forbidden.
'If Kazuto chooses to stay with Asuna, will be someone else for me?' She thought before dozing off. A small tear trickled down her cheek.
January 19th, 2 pm EST,
Anderson Tech Industries HQ, Frankville, Virginia.
Thomas Anderson sat in his work shop situation in the basement floor of the HQ. During his times, he made various items. With him were Colonel Rogers aka Colonel America, and Captain Chris Burke, now in his stealth blue uniform and armor as the newly christened Captain America II.
Next to Thomas, is the game cartilage ALfheim Online. He had it hooked to a USB drive which is hooked to the laptop. He typed in the numbers within the codes of the game.
"How long is this gonna take?" Chris asked.
"Not very long," Thomas answered, still facing towards the laptop screen. "Just making last adjustments on the scans."
"It doesn't change the fact that we need boots on the ground, though," Colonel America stated, "even if we do find him with this, it means nothing if we don't have Rangers ready to grab him.
"Too true." Thomas agreed. "However, it's a safe bet that the experiments are happening in the ALO servers. If true, we need to extract data and obtain the evidence." He turned to Rogers. "In short, we also need to get boots on the grounds of ALO."
"And if so, we need to neutralize them and release any hostages we encounter," Chris added, "Iron Man and I can lead the assault on the servers, and then join up with the main forces to nab the HVT in an aerial drop operation."
"Also," Thomas added. "I've altered the codes on the game's system. That way, we'll be able to log in and load up with modern weapons and such. Including the Iron Man suits and your shields."
"I do hope that they've been tested." Chris remarked.
"I have, managed to test it yesterday and it was a success." Thomas smiled. "However, I had to be careful when I was in ALO." He explained that his eldest daughter, Arshavin Nanairo Anderson, has been playing ALO in the past. And she's very smart to recognize him, even if he used the system's avatars to blend in.
"So... You'll be sitting this out?" Rogers asked.
"Yes, for the time being. Unless you want me in ALO once we got the lead." Chris glanced at the family portrait sitting on his work bench. It showed Thomas, with his wife Jenny, and their three children. Sadie, Thomas Jr., and Arshavin. Sadie is nine years old while Thomas Jr. is ten years old. Arshavin is 12 years old and is the eldest and adopted. During the war, the Avengers and the Rangers were evacuating civilians from the western states that have been turned to warzones. One of those evacuees was Arshavin and her father. Unfortunately, her father was killed when he took a stray bullet from the Pacifican soldiers and was forced to leave him behind. She was sent to Frankville, Virignia and that's when Thomas found her without a father. After discussions with his wife, Jenny, they decided to adopt her as she wanted another daughter.
"Nice family, Captain Anderson."
"Thanks."
Colonel America also looked. He examined the eldest of the children in the photo.
"She's an orphan too, huh?" Colonel Rogers remarked, remembering his own long departed parents.
"Yeah, she lost her father in the civil war." Thomas lamented. Still remembering how tearful Arshavin was when they arrived in Frankville. "Young university prodigy at MIT one moment, and the next, running for her life as the whole campus was blown to kingdom come."
Colonel Rogers sighed sadly at the thought. No one should have to go through what she did.
"Too many children were orphaned countrywide," Chris added, "the government and the states are still having to process so many and find good homes and families for them."
"I just hope that one day, families and their lives will be rebuilt." Thomas surmised. "But that won't be for a while."
"Speaking of which," Chris asked Rogers, "how are things with Sharon, sir?"
"Oh, Sharon and I are doing great." Rogers smiled.
"How long has it been? Since Thanos' invasion?" Thomas recalled.
"About seven years." Roger sighed. During the war, Rogers told Thomas about the invasion that took place roughly around the time the Second Civil War began. According to those who crossed paths with him, Thanos and the black order, sought to retrieve all of the Infinity Stones and use them to wipe out half of all life in the universe so that, in his view, the other half can thrive.
Rogers shuddered at the thought of Thanos almost achieved his goal. However, with Vision's quick thinking, he knocked down the Titan with the energy blast from the mind stone. The cosmic energy wasn't strong enough to slice him in half, but it was strong enough to knock Thanos back. Long enough for Thor to chop off the titan's left arm with the Stormbreaker. The enhanced axe made from uru on Nidavellir to replace the Mjolnir. Therefore, stopping Thanos from killing billions. Both Steve and Sharon had changed from the experience, as had everyone else present for that battle that day...
Including Tony Stark, who was wounded by Thanos during their fight on the ruins of Titan and he was brought to earth. Along with Dr. Steven Strange, Spider-Man, and the Guardians of the Galaxy. While the rest of humanity and the galaxy at large were blissfully unaware of how close Thanos came to genociding half the entire sentient population, many of the heroes and soldiers who had supported them came out of the victory against him changed people. While the world order had drastically changed from the invasion, many, thankfully, were unaware of just how close Thanos was to destroying them. The former Captain America and Iron Man had since shifted in their personalities and priorities since...
"I'm just thankful that Thanos was defeated before he could achieve his goal." Thomas remarked.
"Howler Platoon and I were mainly holding the line back here on Earth," Chris said, "but of all the heroes who came back, you and Stark really changed, Colonel."
"For one," Thomas said with a grin, "you and Sharon seem to be settling down more..."
"I see you two tying the know and having lots and lots of kids."
"Tom, stop it," Colonel Rogers just waved with a chuckle.
However, Chris seemed a little sad at hearing this... He once had a girlfriend... but they had drifted for reasons Chris refused to disclose to anyone.
"That's great," Chris forced a smile.
Then, they hear the laptop chimed. It was from Secretary Coulson...
Colonel Rogers answered the call. "Hello, Mr. Secretary."
"I spoke with the White House and State, and I have unfortunate news..."
"Which is..."
"The Japanese rebuffed us, Colonel," Coulson answered, "they will not allow US Army Rangers or any forces not connected to US Forces Japan to set foot in the country. They claim that the matter of Sugou Nobuyuki is currently a civil matter open only to Japanese authorities."
"Did you explain what we have found in the recovered files?"
"Of course," Coulson followed, "and they insisted on handling this themselves through their civil authorities."
"Great..." Chris murmured. "An enemy of our country in an allied state and we cannot touch him."
"While the American government has no official stance on Japanese internal affairs..." Coulson followed.
"I'm detecting a 'but', Mr. Secretary," Steve deduced quickly.
"Should any certain... elements of our forces take any action to independently pursue an operation, the American government shall deny all knowledge, approval, or involvement in any action you decide on going forward. Good day, Colonel."
And with that, the call ended. There was a silence as Colonel America and his young Captain America counterpart contemplated their next move.
It was then Thomas spoke up. "I believe that we should get everything set up." He checks the laptop and sees that the full scan is complete.
"Knowing you, Colonel," Captain America II said, "I don't need to say anything more..."
Rogers smiled. "Alright then, let's get moving. The quinjet isn't gonna wait on us."
"Hooah, Colonel America. Rangers lead the way." Thomas unhooks the USB device and the laptop before packing it. "You two do know that other than the Howler Platoon, we are pretty much on our own," Thomas warned.
"Hey," Chris shrugged, "we worked with less during the Civil War and the War against Thanos, wouldn't be the first time."
"Same goes with Fury and the rest of SHIELD that sided with us." Rogers concluded.
"How would you know?" Captain America II wondered.
As if to answer the question, Colonel America's cell phone rang. The caller was Fury. "Colonel America," Rogers answered.
"Rogers, we're right above your heads. We're sending down the quinjet to pick you up." Fury said from the other end.
"What did the big man say?" Colonel America said with a quirked brow.
"He flatly denied approval of the operation, as you probably know," Fury answered, "and said that anything that goes wrong will be on you and me, Colonel."
"That is correct. But we've done missions like this before."
"You and me both, old friend... you and me both. And I hope your new sidekick is up to it."
"I heard that, Mr. Fury," Captain America II retorted, "we're on speaker."
"I know." Fury chuckled.
"Also," Thomas added. "I created the American Rangers with various militias and resigned US soldiers. So, of course we're up to this mission."
"Maybe so," Chris responded, "but it's my brothers of the 75th current and past that make up the heart of what it is to be a Ranger. Don't forget that." He then added, "just remember this, Fury. At the end of the day, I answer to Colonel America, and my men answer to me, and no one else."
"Fair enough, be seeing you in ten minutes." Fury responded.
When the call ended, Captain America II turned to Colonel America. "I know you did not like Fury that much, sir, which is why I wonder why you continue to work with him."
"Because he has connections that helped me and the Avengers on certain missions." Rogers answers. "And while we've had our differences in the past, he and I have become fellow soldiers in the sweat and blood of past battles."
"I understand and respect that, sir," Chris said, "but at the end of the day, I defer to you, and not him."
"I understand." he paused for a moment. "We should get going soon."
"I'll saddle up Howler 7-3 and 7-4 stateside with supplies and our designated Helicarrier," Chris said, "Iron Man II and Punisher should also have 7-1 and 7-2 ready for flight out of Southern Mexico to meet us at the rendezvous point."
"Good. The sooner we're ready, the better." Rogers replied.
"Now go saddle our Howlers... Captain America." It was a bit strange for Rogers to call someone else by that former title, but it was about time to pass that torch.
"Yes sir," Chris saluted, then walked out in his full stride as the new Captain America.
Rogers turned to Thomas. "Let's get saddled up, Iron Patriot."
"Lead the way, Colonel America." They leave the workshop and headed up to the lobby before heading out the back.
Rogers and Thomas boarded the quinjet the moment it arrived. Nick Fury greeted them as they boarded the Air Force Quinjet.
"Alright, everyone strap in." Fury suggested as he clips on the safety clips on the belt. Rogers and Thomas did the same. The moment the rear ramp doors closed, they felt the quinjet taking off.
"I just sent Captain to marshal us troops and oversee the supplying of our Helicarrier," Rogers told Fury, "though I honestly do not see how we can get close to Japanese territory without setting off diplomatic alarm bells."
"Not to worry," Fury smiled. "All of the helicarriers have retro-reflective panels on the hulls, along with radar-cloaking systems. That way, no one will know we're in Japan."
"Ah... I see you've been overseeing some new... old pet projects," Rogers realized, "though I want to avoid another debacle like Insight."
"We won't have that happen to us." Fury replied.
The helicarriers resembled the very ones that were used for Project: Insight, when HYDRA attempted to use them to take over the world by wiping out anyone opposing them. However, with the help from Captain America, Black Widow, and Sam Wilson aka Falcon, they brought down the helicarriers before HYDRA could make any use of them and expose HYDRA to the public.
Three helicarriers have been constructed with the help of Wakandan technology. The USS Thomas Anderson, the USS Steve Rogers, and the USS Bruce Wilson.
The Helicarrier they're boarding is the USS Wilson.
"Just to cover our tracks..." Fury added, "I've made special arrangements with the Pacific Fleet, where it will appear that you and Howler Platoon are going to be on an aerial landing exercise off of Hawaii. You'll take the Wilson to Hawaii, take off to join the fleet, and somewhere along the way, split off and go radio silent as you fly west."
"How long until we reach Hawaii?" Thomas asked.
Rogers took a shot, "well, if I read the specs right. If we ascend into the upper atmosphere some... thirty-eight thousand feet or more, we should arrive Pacific side about two to three hours..."
"Alright then. Also, we would arrive at 5 to 6 am due to the time zones." Thomas surmised.
"Still, that is incredible..."
"I, myself, can hardly believe it too," Rogers remarked. "and I was flying in Red Skull's high speed bomber which, I thought, was crazy at the time."
Norfolk, Virginia:
"Saddle up, Howlers!" Chris was now barking orders as Captain America II, "break time is over and it's time to get howling again!"
"Sir! Yes sir!" The Howler soldiers shouted.
"Come on, you call that an answer!? I can't hear you all!" Chris barked out, "let me hear y'all bark!"
"SIR! YES SIR!"
"Now, all aboard!" Chris ordered. Everyone packed their gear and start making their way towards the USS Wilson. Amongst them, is Damion Burton.
"Try to keep up rookie," one of the older Rangers teased the young soldier.
Damion rolled his eyes before catching up with the others. As they started to board the Wilson, Chris' radio squawked.
"Ramirez, report," Captain America II called into his radio.
"We're almost ready, sir." Ramirez replied on the other end. "We're getting the last of the supplies loaded up."
"I want every single aircraft, Ranger, and munition we care spare for our upcoming 'exercise', sergeant," the Captain made clear, "we've got a long trip ahead for all of us."
"Affirmative, sir. We're going through the list already and I'll give out the full report when it's finished." Then Ramirez's voice spoke. "Hold on... Captain, we've got a Quinjet inbound for the deck, sir."
"That must be the Colonel on approach," Captain II indicated, "I'll be coming up shortly."
"Roger that, captain. Ramirez out." Five minutes later, Chris had come up alongside Sergeant Ramirez as Colonel America strode off the Quinjet, with many Rangers stopping to salute him.
"Welcome, Colonel America!' Chris greeted Rogers with the salute.
"Captain America," Colonel Rogers saluted back. He then saw Sergeant Ramirez, "this must be the new sergeant of Howler 7-1 that you've been talking about."
"Master Sergeant James Ramirez, sir," Ramirez introduced himself, "formerly of 2nd Platoon, 1st Company 'Hunter', and now serving under Captain Chris Burke, or Captain America."
"I promise you, sir, that Ramirez is a highly competent and decorated Ranger. I've found no other finer sergeant out there than Ramirez," Chris extolled, "he and I were part of the same Ranger class, and I can speak first hand of his accomplishments."
"I've also heard of his actions during the second civil war too." Rogers added.
"Hunter 2-1 took part in securing New York during the Civil War," Ramirez said, "some of the most vicious street-to-street fighting this side of the war against the separatists."
"It was tough." Ramirez said, thinking about the battle against the New England separatists. "But, we held on and fought hard."
"Not a great feeling to have fought other Americans, though..."
"There wasn't any other way to avoid it." Rogers reassured him.
"And they were being misled by rogue elements of our former government to overthrow our nation," Chris added, "and they had the assistance of other hostile countries. If you ask me... it makes me wonder if all that was the revenge of HYDRA remnants against the country that once defeated them..."
"Very true." Rogers lamented. "And I fought an entire World War to try and take HYDRA down with me."
There was a long pause before Chris spoke up. "Let's get below, we're getting ready to take off soon."
Colonel Rogers saw that the Assault Quinjets and the new F/A-18H Omega Hornets were being cable strapped to the deck along with the equipment. A smirk cracked across his face as he remember the first time boarding the helicarrier back in 2012.
"Right, we should get inside." Rogers surmises as he, along with Thomas, Chris, and Ramirez head on inside.
Nick Fury stepped off the Quinjet behind them, with one of the deck crew looking at him weird. "Excuse me, but who are you supposed to be?"
Nick Fury just grinned. "Nobody." He then walked in another direction to the bridge. Two minutes later, the USS Wilson started its repulsor-powered engines.
"USS Wilson, you are cleared for take off. Winds blowing west-to-southwest at ten miles per hour. Minimal cloud cover and minimal air traffic for two-hundred miles minimum. Safe travels."
"Thank you, air traffic control. USS Wilson out."
Colonel America and Nick Fury were on the bridge together as CIC called out their departure to the air base's ATC. The Wilson begins to rise out of the water and started the slow climb towards the sky.
"Just like when we first worked together," Colonel said.
"That indeed, Cap... That indeed." Nick Fury grinned as the Wilson is now at 300 feet and climbing. In just a few minutes, they're at 5,000 feet
"Won't be long now." Thomas commented as he sees the city underneath them disappear in the clouds.
It was then that Captain America II entered the bridge. "All Howlers of 7-3 and 7-4 are settled in," he said, "all that's left is to pick up my 7-1 and 7-2. Iron Man and Punisher have them boarding their aircraft out of Southern Mexico."
"Good, that way they'll meet us halfway towards Hawaii." Thomas added.
"Ten thousand feet." One of the officers reported.
"You scared of heights?" Fury asked Thomas.
"No sir. Not since I've started flying the Iron Patriot suit." Thomas answers. "Never felt more alive when I flew in the skies of Wakanda, and in America."
"That is true." Rogers smiled. Remembering Thomas flying in the Iron Patriot suit for the first time during his stay in Wakanda. "He's a great flyer, that's for sure."
"Alright, then." Fury turned back towards the view.
Soon, they're reached thirty-eight thousand feet as the Wilson begins heading west. Over the skies of the United States of America, to Hawaii, and finally, to Japan.
"First stop, Hawaii," Colonel America muttered.