Chapter 1: Fated Encounter
It was a black and peaceful night. Cars were strolling by the streets, people are walking by, minding their ow businesses.
On top of a giant building, a young man is playing on his mobile gaming device.
"Heh…" He sighed. "It's such a shame that game like these always end…"
He beats the boss, and the screen shows a Level Clear. He put the device away, and looked up to the sky.
"Such beauty…" He sighed. "I wonder how I will solve your puzzle?"
I've gotta believe!
(A circle camera shot of Kirito and Asuna, back to back, looking around, as the world pixelates and revealing the title)
I don't wanna know heta na shinjitsu nara I don't wanna know shiranai kurai ga ii noni
(The SAO gang talking together)
Why? Why? Why? Why? Kizukeba I came too far
(The floor suddenly crash and all of them fall, their bodies pixelating into their SAO avatars. They slowly get up, looking around the pitch blackness)
Tomaranai kanjiru kono yokan wa
(The world shatters into color and the Riders walk up to them)
The new beginning
(Each Rider show their Gashats)
Michi no ryuoiki ima wo kirihirakunda
(The SAO gang prepare to fight as the Riders go into Level 1)
I've gotta believe!
(The Riders go Level 2)
(Turn it on!) soutou
(The Gamer Driver lever turns)
EXCITE! EXCITE! Takanaru
(Ex-Aid VS Kirito and Asuna)
EXCITE! EXCITE! Kokoro ga
(Brave VS Silica and Lisbeth, Snipe VS Sinon and Leafa)
Michibiku ano basho e kakenukete ikudake
(In an explosion, Lazer tears by with Ex-Aid riding)
(Hey!) I'm on a mission right now
(Ex-Aid (on top of Lazer in Bike mode), Brave, Snipe, prepare for battle with Kirito, Asuna, and Sinon respectively, and the SAO gang take back seat, despite posing for them too.)
(Hey!) I'm on a mission right now
(Graphite and Genmu also get into a battle stance)
EXCITE! EXCITE! Kotae wa
(Graphite VS the SAO gang)
EXCITE! EXCITE! Kotae wa
(Ex-Aid & other Riders VS Genmu)
(One!) kono te no naka
(Sinon (GGO) and Snipe raising their guns to their faces)
(Two!) susumubeki Life
(Asuna and Brave clashing swords)
(Three!) ikitekudake
(Kirito & Ex-Aid run towards each other as the title appears once more)
"Alright, guys!" Kirito shouted. "We almost got it!"
The gang are currently fighting a monster in the ARMMORPG game of Alfheim Online. It was the size of tree, but it was rather resilient. It had been able to live through a barrage of assaults of the gang.
"Okay, then!" Klein smiled. "Try this on for size!"
He drew his sword, and with a war cry, he slashed straight through the monster, shattering it instantly.
"Score one for Klein!" He shouted.
"Alright, no need to brag." Lisbeth shrugged.
They later returned to Liz's shop, and there rested up.
"Did we get anything?" Kirito asked.
"Nah. It's just the typical stuff." Asuna replied. "Meat, scales, and all that."
"Aw…" Silica sighed. "And I thought we hit the jackpot this time…"
Sinon wasn't paying attention. By the looks of things, she appeared to be reading something.
"Sinon?" Kirito asked.
"Huh?" She snapped.
"What are you doing?" Kirito asked. "You're spacing out."
"Sorry." Sinon said. "I was reading an article on this. Well, now that I mention, it would be better if everyone read it."
She scrolled down her menu, and sent a mail to everyone containing the said article.
"What is this?" Liz asked.
"It was an article about ALO." Sinon explained. "There are a plenty of information about the game here, but the troubling part is the third paragraph."
When she mentioned that, everyone rolled over to the third paragraph and read it.
Over the course of these past two years of gameplay, it is safe to say that this VRMMORPG is not as tragic as the Sword Art Online incident. However, there was this group of players that are now playing ALO. But they aren't your average players. They have survived the monstrosity that is Sword Art Online, and have grown as such. I have seen how they play. I'm surprised the game servers haven't been trying to shut them out just due to the sheer overpower they represent to the rest of the players who are enjoying the game. But, once you gloss over them, the mechanics and graphics of the game will be candy to your eyes.
"What is this?" Klein asked. "Is this talking about us?"
"Who else would it be talking about?" Leafa frowned.
"Who wrote this?" Kirito asked.
Sinon looked it up quickly. "It's a reporter named Emu Hojo." She said.
"Wait! I know him!" Leafa yelled. "I follow him on Twitter!"
"What can you tell us?" Asuna asked.
"He was a guest speaker to some of the guys in the TV program at school." Leafa explained. "He gave us his blog site and Twitter, and I'm been following him since."
"Does he give out where he'll be?" Kirito asked coldly.
"Well…" Leafa wondered. "I'll have to check."
"We're going have to log off then, huh?" Klein suggested.
"That would be for the best case." Sinon added. "We'll meet up, Leafa will find thei Emu guy's next location, and we'll converge there."
"It's settled." Kirito concluded. "We'll meet at my place. See you on the other side."
Everyone agreed, and one by one they logged out of ALO and back into the real world.
Kazuto Kirigaya woke up on his bed. He took of his gear and walked over to Suguha's room.
"Anything?" He asked.
"Nothing." Sugu sighed. "All I got was this picture of this cup of latte he posted 5 minutes ago."
She showed him the picture. The latte was there, but Kazuto recognized it.
"I know that latte." He said. "That's one of Agil's best sellers!"
"Should we head over there then?" Sugu asked.
"No, let's wait for everyone first." Kazuto said.
After a bit of waiting, everyone came. Asuna had arrived first, followed by Shino (Sinon), Keiko (Silica), Rika (Lisbeth), and Ryotaro (Klein). They explained that Emu is currently at Agil's café, and they'll meet him there.
They hurried over and are now in front of the café.
"Let's find this guy." Klein said, cracking his neck.
They opened the door and found the place just as quiet as it always was. Everyone looked around, until Agil greeted them.
"Yo, what's up, guys?" He smiled.
"Hey, man." Klein shrugged.
"There he is!" Suguha shouted, pointing somewhere.
There, by the window, sat a young man with a cup of the same latte that Suguha had shown the picture of. He was dressed in red pants with sneakers, and a yellow gaming shirt and a white hoodie. He was currently writing something in his notebook. This is Emu Hojo.
"Um… Excuse me?" asked a voice.
Emu turned and saw Suguha in front of him.
"Oh." He said. "Aren't you from that class I guest-spoke for?"
"Yes." Suguha answered. "I've been reading a lot of articles you've written over the past couple of weeks, and I have a question."
"Sorry. No question about my sources." Emu stated. "A reporter's secret is a secret to him and him alone."
"I don't have to beat the answer out of you, do I?" asked another voice.
Emu and Suguha turned and saw Kazuto and everyone else. Kazuto had an emotionless face, while everyone else was pouting.
"Can I… help you?" Emu asked.
"Kazuto!" Suguha shot. "Be polite!"
Kazuto just ignored her. He walked over to Emu.
"Look, I don't know how you knew all about the SAO things you wrote." He commented coldly. "But there are people who respect their privacy."
Emu didn't look intimidated.
"Look." He began. "As long as I can put pen to paper, I'll write the truth."
"I'm sorry if my article took shots at you." Emu continued. "But I'm just doing my job here."
"Well, your 'job' doesn't mean stick your nose in everywhere." Kazuto retorted.
"Actually it does-" Klein began.
"Not now, man!" Kazuto shouted back.
Agil saw what was going. He walked over and cooled the tension down.
"Hey, hey, hey." He said. "You bros gonna fight, take it somewhere else okay? I just paid the bill for this place."
Kazuto breathed in, and pulled back. "You play ALO?" He asked.
"Yes?" Emu answered uncertainly.
"Meet us by the big tree outside Sylvain." He stated. "I'll be waiting."
And with that, the gang left the café. Agil just looked confused.
"Don't worry. They're usually a lot nicer than this." He assured.
Emu just stood up, packed up, and paid Agil. He then walked out of the café and smiled.
"Leave gaming to me…" He whispered happily.