Very sorry about lack of updates (holidays were busy, I got sick, work, life obligations, blah blah blah). Let's show Sinon and friends some love!

AN: IMPORTANT - legend: italicized text is narrated; dialogue will have character's first initial; (text like this means the character is doing something); and regular text is from Sinon's POV always.

During BoB, Kirito fights with Death Gun or Sterben and is mildly wounded in protecting Sinon. Sterben tries to get in Sinon's head and pushes her to use the Black Star on Kirito, claiming that Kirito is the one holding the real Sinon back. A hooded figure intervenes.

S: "It's Erika."

K: "Erika... Why?"

S: "I take it you know her?"

K: "I can't be sure."

(Sterben continues blocking the hooded figure's attack, but the jabs are too quick for him)

Sterben: "Who are you? A random player hoping to come in to steal the kill?"

(Sterben falls down)

Sterben: "All you sword users are the same. Don't underestimate the power of guns. Go back to your own game."

(Sterben fires his rifle and the hooded figure jumps back. The hood falls down to reveal a girl with long auburn colored hair)

K: "..."

Yes, that is definitely Erika from this morning. I didn't realize it then under that hood, but she is also the person on Kirito's phone wallpaper.

(Sinon looks at Kirito who looks completely out of it)

Why is this happening now? Here of all places?

K: "Sinon, I could still fight. I'm going to help her."

S: "..."

K: "I'm sorry. For everything."

S: "Wait, what exactly are you sorry for -"

K: "For getting you involved."

Involved? With Death Gun? Or him and Erika?

S: "Wait, don't go yet." (Grabbing his arm)

K: "I don't want anyone else to get hurt because of Death Gun."

(Sinon watches Erika's quick and agile movements)

S: "I think her form and skills are better than Death Gun. She's overpowering him. What if we are all just in the wrong place at the wrong time?"

K: (impatiently) "There's no time to chat. I have to do something!" (Pulls away from Sinon)

S: "Hey! I know this probably means a lot to you, but listen to me. You don't have to do everything by yourself."

(Kirito gets up, stumbles, and Sinon holds him back)

K: "I don't think you of all people should be telling me that."

S: "You could barely stand. Don't you think you'd be collateral damage if you joined the fight? Let's take a few minutes to come up with a strategy to help her."

(Kirito pauses and ponders Sinon's words)

K: "Fine. What do we know?"

He actually listened to me.

S: "Sterben really wanted me to use that Black Star on you. He claims that's the Death Gun."

K: "So those bullets could supposedly kill me in real life."

S: "Yes, but why didn't he just shoot us when he had the chance? Or why not just shoot Erika now? Is he waiting for something?"

K: "It doesn't matter if we don't know how or have proof that the gun could literally kill in real life. I'm not going to let him shoot anybody with it."

S: "Then we take that gun away from him. Don't let him use it."

K: "Use me."

S: (confused) "What?"

K: "As bait. He won't be able to resist killing me. Pretend like you're on his side. Take his gun. Pretend to shoot me. He hates me the most."

S: "Don't flatter yourself. He hates me just as much when he called me... a whore."

K: "That's... really misogynistic. Why?"

S: "He uhh...thinks we slept together..."

K: "..."

S: (shaking her head) "In any case, I don't think I'm capable of even being near that gun. You saw what happened."

K: "You have to try. At least disarm him or something."

(Kirito spies Erika and Sterben at a stand still, talking to each other)

K: "We are running out of time. Follow the plan. I'm going in."

S: "What plan? That's barely a plan!"

He's being hot-headed, but then again, I hesitate too much.

Kirito got up to join the fight. I didn't think he would stick around anyways. Should I do something? At this distance, I would just get in their way. There are many things I don't understand here.

.

Erika and Sterben are at a stand still, talking to each other.

Sterben: "Who are you?"

E: "..."

(Sterben brandishes his rifle threateningly)

Sterben: "You answer me, and I'll spare you Death Gun's power."

E: "..."

Sterben: "Fine."

(Sterben switches to the Black Star and aims it at Erika)

E: "You can't."

Sterben: "What?"

E: "You can't shoot me. It will prove nothing."

Sterben: "You will die at Death Gun's hands. Death proves everything."

E: "But I won't really die, and you know it."

Sterben: "..."

E: "Yes, I could see through your guise."

(Sterben takes a few steps back, still pointing the Black Star at Erika)

E: "Death Gun, you could stop this. Please."

(Erika slowly approaches Sterben)

E: "It's not too late. I could help you."

Sterben: "How dare you."

(Erika notices that Sterben is shaking and decides to take things slowly)

E: "I know what you've been doing."

Sterben: "You don't know anything about me."

E: "You're right, I can't possibly know you. But I do know that what you and your brother are doing will hurt you the most."

Sterben: (shocked) "What? You are so full of it. Who are you?"

E: "I could be your friend, if you let me."

Sterben: (angrily) "Shut up! Just shut up! You don't understand anything. No one does."

(Erika hesitates a bit, but she decides to continue with her tactics)

E: "You feel a lot of pressure to do things right, so you don't let them down. You have a legacy to uphold."

Sterben: "What?"

E: "You often feel trapped and Virtual Reality provides an escape. In fact, oftentimes, you feel like you're only truly living when you Dive into this other world."

Sterben: "..."

(Sterben lowers the Black Star slightly)

E: "At the end of the day, you still have your real life obligations, and no one truly understands what it is that you're going through."

Sterben: "..."

E: "I've felt like you countless times. It doesn't have to be like this, Death Gun."

(Sterben aims the Black Star towards Erika again)

Sterben: "Thanks, but no thanks."

(Erika fearlessly holds her ground)

E: "You've always had a choice."

Sterben: "A choice?"

E: "Even if all seems lost, there is always a choice. You could always choose to be better than you think you are."

Sterben: "I could still choose?"

E: "Yes."

(Sterben ponders her words closely as Erika advances closer)

Sterben: "Then I choose... to continue... KILLING those who stand in my way!"

E: "Wait...!" (Quickly takes a step back)

Sterben: "You're in my way."

.

Sinon watches Erika and Sterben from a distance.

I wonder if those two know each other. They've been talking for a while.

Erika must have said something to set him off. Sterben doesn't look so good. There's no telling what he'll do next. I hope she's prepared.

(Erika suddenly makes a dash towards Sterben with her sword)

She's taking the offensive. Wow, she moves so fast. Go Erika.

(Sinon senses something)

Wait, what is Sterben doing? He's doing something to his rifle.

(Sterben fiddles with his rifle and aims it at Erika)

I have to warn her. I hope she could hear me.

S: (shouting) "Erika, watch out! He changed his rifle just now."

(Erika hesitates a little, and Sterben fires his rifle. Something hits Erika and she falls to the ground)

(Sinon lets out an audible gasp)

Oh no...! I hope she's okay...

(Sinon runs to Erika's side)

I think I see a blue light near the place she got hit. Is that what I think it is?

(Sinon picks up the pace)

Wait, I think those are tranquilizer darts. She's just incapacitated, not dead, but she's extremely vulnerable right now.

E: (shouting) "Kirito, switch!"

Out of nowhere, Kirito moved with incredible speed to take Erika's place on the battlefield. Now that's team work, but how did they know?

(Sinon leans over Erika)

S: "Hey, you okay? You won't be able to move for a while. Don't worry, I won't let him shoot you."

E: "Thanks Sinon. It was Sinon, right? Don't worry about me. He won't shoot me with the Death Gun."

S: "What?"

E: "He can't."

S: "..."

E: "I could sense how unstable he is, but I don't think my words reached him just now."

I turned to watch the fight between Sterben and Kirito not very far from us. I could hear their words clearly.

K: (through clenched teeth) "That is the final straw. No one. I repeat, NO ONE, hurts those two. Not on my watch."

(Kirito brandishes his sword and makes a protective stance)

Kirito doesn't look too good. He's shaking.

(Sterben laughs maniacally)

Sterben: "Stop bringing your type into GGO. You all don't deserve to be here."

K: "You're obsessive and delusional. Quit now while you're ahead."

Sterben: "Empty threats."

K: "Your swords skills are weak. Your form is not well developed. You're new at this, aren't you?"

Sterben: "I don't need swords skills go blow your brains out."

K: "Where did you learn your sword skills? Did he teach you?"

Sterben: "All three of you are so nosy, pointing your noses where you don't belong."

(Sterben gets ready to fire tranquilizer darts to incapacitate Kirito)

K: "No one hurts Asuna. No one hurts Sinon. Not while I'm here."

(Sterben is about to pull the trigger when Kirito makes a dash towards him like Erika tried to, but Kirito's movements are more unpredictable)

(Sinon helps Erika get up to a safe distance and both watch the battle)

E: "Sinon, I'll be fine here. Please, go stop Kirito."

S: "Wait what?"

E: "I don't want him to succumb to his rage. He'll be beating himself up for it afterwards."

S: "..."

E: "He has a hero complex, and he obviously cares for us a lot if he's risking being shot by Death Gun to protect us."

S: "I don't understand."

E: "Kirito has a history with Death Gun's people. He must realize it by now. I know it's confusing, but you have to trust me. Kirito needs you."

S: "But this is just a game, right?"

E: "You and Kirito should be out of harm's way. As far me, I'm well protected."

S: "As long as we don't get shot. That's for certain?"

E: "I'm not 100% sure regarding you and Kirito just yet, but I am quite certain he won't be able to kill me."

S: "..."

Why am I hesitating when it comes to Kirito's well-being? Is it because I don't trust Erika? Or because I'm weak?

E: "Sinon, if you can disarm Death Gun and pretend to shoot me, it will prove my point. He can't kill me, and this would be the chance to break through the illusion, and take him out of GGO."

S: "I'm not sure I could do that..."

Just the sight of the gun makes me nauseous.

E: "Sinon, you can do it. You seem like the type of person who could achieve anything you want, with the right motivation and the strength to believe in yourself."

S: "I'm sorry Erika, but you don't understand."

Great, now I'm letting both of them down.

E: "Of course I don't, but as I'm not able to help Kirito in my current state, it's up to you!"

I took one quick look at her and knew she was right. I can't hold back any longer. I need to protect Kirito somehow. Even if none of this makes any sense. I just need to take the gun away and Kirito can deal the final blow. That way we know for sure no one will get hurt in real life.

S: "Okay, I'll give it my all."

E: "I knew he'd be in good hands."

S: "You stay here and take cover."

I got up and approached the fight. For now, I would have to rely on my handgun. I can do this. Just like all those times, I could do it. I stood behind Sterben and was about to pull the trigger.

S: "Hey!"

Sterben definitely heard me. He stopped trying to shoot Kirito and turned around.

(Sterben homes in on and grabs a hold of Sinon, while Kirito stops his advances for a bit in fear that Sterben will do anything rash to Sinon)

(Sterben tightens his grip around Sinon's neck)

Sterben: "You foolish little girl. You'd risk your life for him."

Right where I want you.

S: (gasping) "Spiegel, I... I have decided to join you. Together, we could... be... unstoppable...!"

Sterben: "What?" (loosens his grip)

S: "I finally see the light. I need to be with you to be... my strongest."

I can't believe those words came out of mouth. How degrading.

Sterben: "..."

S: "Give me the gun. I'll prove to you that Sinon is the strongest... all because of you again."

(Sterben lets Sinon go)

Sterben: (excitedly) "This is quite sudden; I knew you had it in you! Together, we will become one."

He has a strong grip. That could have been really ugly.

S: "Yes, let's take out both of them tonight."

I eyed the Black Star. No episodes this time, Sinon.

Sterben: "What? No! We just need to kill him. We could spare the other one."

S: "I wanna practice by shooting the girl first."

Sterben: "What are you thinking?! You don't need practice! You've killed before. Unless..."

(Sterben suddenly has Sinon in his grip again)

Sterben: (menacingly) "Unless, she told you our secret!"

S: (gasping heavily) "H-hey, I can't... breathe... s-stop!"

Sterben: "She told you about my brother and how he can't kill her in real life, didn't she? Because he doesn't know her physical location. To shatter everything that we worked for building Death Gun's legacy? But I told him where you live Asada-san, and I followed that punk back to his place. In the end it's over for both of you!"

(Sterben angrily dealt a blow to Sinon's face, and threw her to the ground. With no life left in him, he lowered the Black Star to shoot her)

As I laid there, I looked at Death in the eye. Somehow, it feels different than I imagined. I don't feel alone anymore.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't do it. I tried.

(Sinon closed her eyes when she heard sounds of scuffling and an angry scream)

I opened my eyes and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Kirito came out of nowhere and disarmed Sterben. The Black Star fell to the ground, and I fumbled around to grab it. Kirito knocked Sterben to the ground. Sterben tried to escape but before he could do anything, Kirito stood over him. There was no delay in Kirito's movements.

I saw Kirito mouth something to Sterben, but couldn't hear or make it out. I could feel Kirito's deadly killing intent; it definitely was not warm, but rather cold and ruthless. Kirito raised the photon sword, and aimed it straight through Sterben's armor to his virtual heart. He struggled and screamed. With a flash of light and the sound of anguish, Death Gun was no more.

You did it, Kirito. You saved us all.