Last extra one for a while. The Future of Aincrad - Special Announcement! · 1:54am Feb 12th, 2021
Next week’s Episode is titled “Last Attack Bonus.” Enough said. I have a much bigger and more important announcement that I am sure you all will want to read. Bear with me, this will get a bit long, but it is important to set things up properly for the announcement.
So, for those that don’t know SAO, this might be a spoiler, but I am sure you are starting to realize something is up, especially if you read any of the comments. It has been stated, in the comments, that EQG:SAO - Aincrad ends at 100 Episodes, which is less than 10 away. Does that mean 100th Floor on the 100th Episode? No. So um, yeah. For those that don't know SAO, there is an event that sets everyone free. That is all I will say, because I don't want to spoil anything more.
Aincrad was supposed to be a short adventure tale. 10, maybe 20 chapters. It placed the EQG7 into SAO/Aincrad. It doesn’t mess with anything canon in the series. The girls are filling in the major gaps. Little was written about Kirito, Asuna, Heathcliff, Lisbeth, Silica, Klein, Agil, (and the others) time in Aincrad outside of the First day, the last days in Aincrad, and a few other moments.
Reki Kawahara (pictured below) has been writing SAO Progressives, going back in and writing more, but he hasn’t gone past Floor 6. It is a daunting task, especially as he progresses more of the Sword Art Online Series and his other works, “Accel World” and “The Isolator.”
After SAO's arc finishes, there are more shenanigans that move Kirito into the Fairy Dance Arc in ALfheim Online (another VRMMORPG) to defeat an even worse enemy than Kayaba. After, Kirito has to deal with more problems in the Phantom Bullet Arc in Gun Gale Online, and finally into the Alicization Arc, in the Underworld. Asuna even gets her own arc in Mother’s Rosario, set in ALfheim Online. None of that will be touched by my story.
Aincrad, as stated, was a crossover only. I’m preparing for a new story, the “rewrite,” which is an Alternative Universe. Because of how Aincrad grew away from me, there were some things I wasn’t prepared to deal with, and things I wish I could have changed. Aincrad is a great story, it won’t get deleted, and has a place of its own, but this one will be so much better. It will be a true Alternative Universe Crossover between Equestria Girls, and Sword Art Online.
EQG: Sword Art Online - Ruby Palace.
(Cover Art to Come. Still need to work that out. I am open to suggestions.)
The girls will take a more forward roll in this story. I can mess with certain canon aspects, like having the girls in the first Floor Boss battle, but don’t think for a second that you will get any less time or fun with the others. Kirito, Asuna, Klein, Lisbeth, Silica and Pina, Godfree, Heathcliff, Argo, PoH, and others will be there, and be seen and interacted with more. I need to keep some canon events so that their characters remain unchanged, but I have a lot planned for Ruby Palace.
Some things will be the same, much will be similar, but there are a lot of changes coming and brand new things to see and explore. The start is dramatically different, outside of the unavoidable getting trapped part. I cut out 8 episodes to get Aincrad to stop at 100, so we could move on to Ruby Palace, and you will get to see those. They fit better in Ruby Palace than in Aincrad. I am not as far along as I hoped, so I can't release it right after I finish Aincrad. I want to have enough of a buffer so that you all get consistent updates, and are not left wondering when the next one will be. I may release more teasers, but currently, I am unsure when I can launch Ruby Palace.
Look forward to seeing some new Skills, some new Extra Skills, the rest of the Unique Skills being revealed, The Phoenix, The Black Velvet Band, Merlin (and more about who he is), The White Swordsman, all of Aincrad’s Great Dragons, Thorn Island getting reworked, Wondercolt Foals, and so, so, so very much more. Also, I have a ton of new Wing Banners to separate out the end of the chapter from the stats.
Some characters will be renamed. Some of the new names are Malus, Konpeito, and Natora. Poly Stitch/Astro is gone, but has a more logical replacement. The girls have a better story kickstarting them into SAO, which speaking of that, I think this is the perfect segway into the teaser.
Japan. Sunset Shimmer walked off the plane and through the jetwalk, adjusting her backpack as she walked. Customs was ahead and she needed to focus on getting through. It wouldn't, shouldn’t, be too hard. The flight had been long and it was the last thing she wanted to deal with, but it was a necessary, adult, step.
She was a senior in highschool and she was in Japan for a foreign exchange semester. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Twilight had also qualified for the program, but were on different flights to Tokyo. Canterlot High School had a good relationship with a Japanese high school and both schools regularly traded students for a semester abroad. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. CHS taught Japanese as one of their language credits. This semester abroad qualified as a second year language credit, but the experience was so much more than a few credits.
To even be eligible, you had to take at least Japanese 101 over Junior Year. Sunset Shimmer had taken Japanese 101 as a Sophomore, and 102 a Junior. She hadn’t planned on taking advantage of the exchange program when she chose Japanese as her language credit, but her new friends changed all of that.
Fluttershy had started Japanese as a freshman. She was fluent in Japanese. No one had realized that she had even taken Japanese until they had begun to talk about the exchange program.
Pinkie Pie had also started as a Sophomore. The three of them had their language credits for the school’s graduation qualifications satisfied, making the exchange less stressful, at least for Sunset Shimmer. She wouldn’t have stress over the language proficiency test at the end of the semester because she didn't have to take it. She had a good grip on the language and felt confident, despite her obvious accent. She hoped it would dwindle in the short time she would have here.
The rest of the others had taken Japanese 101 the previous school year. Over the last few weeks they had been spending time talking and texting in Japanese to stay sharp. They all had varying degrees of success at grasping the language, but each one had passed the test enough to qualify for the exchange program. Learning any language in just one year was difficult and Japanese was no exception. This exchange would provide a full immersion into the language and culture and help solidify the language in their minds.
Pinkie Pie and Sunset Shimmer were carrying out entire conversations in Japanese, without the need for a lexicon or help. Pinkie Pie was quick with the language and worse, she was already able to do word play with it. Fluttershy, as usual, kept pretty quiet in the group chat, until she had to correct Pinkie Pie’s attempt at a word play. It never failed to shock Sunset Shimmer when Fluttershy explained everything in Japanese like their teacher, but better.
Thankfully, if any of them began to struggle, they had a safety net. Japan required their students to learn English all throughout the various levels of school. How well they could speak it varied from person to person, but if they had trouble communicating verbally, they could at least do it over a written exchange.
There was more to qualifying for the exchange program than language credits. Students had to have the grades for their other classes. They needed recommendation letters, and good ones that impressed both schools. Both schools had to believe the students could handle the transitions, especially back to their home school after winter break. Japan used trimester instead of semesters, making that transition an interesting hurdle for students. The student’s success was the most important thing being gauged, even if it didn’t feel like it. But that didn’t matter anymore because she had already been accepted, and so had her friends.
Sunset Shimmer was called forward to the next customs counter. She presented her passport, opened to her student visa. She was asked a few basic questions and then welcomed to Japan. She stepped past the counter, officially entering Japanese ground. Haneda Airport was an international airport and Tokyo's main airport. It served many different nationalities and languages. Many of the directional signs were in Japanese, Korean, Chinese, English, and a few other languages for the convenience of the travelers. It made it easy for Sunset to navigate to the carousels where her luggage would be. She needed easy after the grueling flight and as her nerves began to heighten.
More important than her luggage was the fact that her exchange family would be there, waiting for her. They knew her name, had her picture, her basic questionnaire file, and had agreed on the flight time. They also had sent a few emails back and forth since they were matched, getting to know each other more.
Her “exchange parents” were Mr. Nakamura Isoraku and Mrs. Nakamura Riko. They had an 8 year old daughter, Himari, and an 19 year old son, Haruki, who was already in University and out of the house. Isoraku worked for the government, and Riko enjoyed caring for their children. They had wanted to be exchange parents for several years, but decided to wait until Haruki was in college and out of the house.
Japanese schools were just getting off summer break and starting their second trimester. School wouldn’t start for her until Monday, September 5th, almost two weeks away, with an orientation day for the international students on Friday, the 2nd. The extra time would allow her to adjust to living with a new “family” before the stress of a new school, and a school structure that would be dramatically different. The Nakamauras had a plan to show Sunset Shimmer around Tokyo and help her get accustomed to the culture, city, and most importantly the vast public transit network.
Sunset was looking forward to seeing the city. The Nakamura family lived in Chiyoda Ward, not far from the Imperial Palace. It was a good location for a government employee to live since the ward was home to most of Japan’s federal government. What exactly Nakamura Isoraku did wasn’t discussed and it was obvious it wasn’t a topic to discuss further.
Sunset spotted the Nakamura family by the handmade sign with her name on it. The colorful sign was held by a Himari. She headed straight for them. Her luggage wouldn’t be available for a little while longer. She waved to them as she walked over, and then choked, unsure what to say or do. She was going to be living with these people for a few months, like their own kid, but not.
They bowed and it reminded Sunset to bow back. “Sorry,” Sunset apologized in Japanese. “I thought I was more prepared than I am. The shock is sinking in.”
“That’s understandable,” Mr. Nakamura replied with a smile. “It is for us too. But it is wonderful to meet you. We are very excited to be able to extend our house and this exchange opportunity to you.”
“It is very appreciated,” Sunset replied. “I promise I will make the most of it.”
“We are certain you will,” Mr. Nakamura said. “But there is more to life than school, and that is what this program is also about. We can’t wait to show you the city and our heritage. I know the school system is different, and will take adjusting, but I do hope you take every opportunity outside the classroom to expand yourself.”
“I will keep that in mind and do my best,” Sunset Shimmer replied.
The carousel buzzed and began to move. It changed their focus to getting Sunset Shimmer’s bags. She only had one suitcase. School would require a uniform and she would be getting that in a few days. There was a good chance she would leave with a second bag, but for her arrival, it was just one and her backpack.
Sunset Shimmer grabbed it off the carousel, but Mr. Nakamura took it from her and led them all out of the airport. They didn’t head to the parking lot.
“I know the flight was long, but I figured this would be a good time to introduce you to our public transit system. The train station is right by our house.”
“That’s fine,” Sunset replied. “We have a decent bus system in Canterlot, and I am used to walking places, but our infrastructure just isn’t built to handle anything but cars.”
All of the train information was written small, to fit on the map and maximize the information available at the stations. There wasn’t a lot of room to give that information out. For now, Sunset Shimmer only made a few mental notes, but let the Nakamura family guide her.
They got off at their stop and only had to walk another two blocks to the building. It was a multi-tenant building, but from what Sunset understood, they owned their portion of it. It was basically a condominium. Sunset was shocked at how nice the inside was. She had seen pictures, and she knew they lived in a nice place, but the pictures didn’t do it justice. Mr. Nakamura had to make some good money to afford what she was seeing.
They entered the unit and the Nakamura family had a pair of slippers for Sunset. They were not the guest slippers. They had purchased a personal pair just for her. Sunset would have to get used to the shuffling walk of the slippers, rather than the “stomping around” she was used to.
Her bedroom was very nice. It obviously it had been their son’s room, but it was cleaned up nicely for her and most of his stuff had been removed. Everything was modernized. The closet opened with a sensor, hands free. The desk was very nice as well. The room even had a private bathroom.
Sunset was left to settle in, and put her clothes away. She met the family in the living room. It was a more traditional feel than the bedroom. They were all having tea and had a cup ready for Sunset.
They laid out the goal for the rest of the day and the following day. The jet lag would be a tough battle. They would stay inside, enjoying a nice dinner and some family games, before Sunset would retire early. The next day was Saturday, and they would hit the town. They would show her the local’s spots, not the tourist locations. On Sunday, they would do the touristy stuff, like visiting the imperial palace grounds. They wanted Sunset to see the “real” Tokyo first.
Mrs. Nakamura was an amazing cook. She attended a culinary school in Tokyo soon after she married. She had always enjoyed making food, and with someone else to cook for, she wanted to follow a private passion. With his well paying job in the government, they could easily afford her the time and finances to follow that dream. It was a very good return on their investment, bringing the family joy almost daily.
Mrs. Nakamura had made ramen. It wasn’t a cheap dish you microwaved. She had made the noodles from scratch the day before and everything else was fresh. Traditional ramen was not an easy dish to make right. Not that Sunset would be able to tell the difference.
Before bed, Sunset took a shower and then journaled her thoughts. It was recommended they keep some form of journal or scrapbook to save the memories for future reference. She chose to journal, but had a camera with her to take photos with. Sunset expected most of her photos to come from Pinkie Pie though. She had gotten a new camera for the trip. It was a professional grade camera with a variety of lenses and full sized tripod that collapsed down to an impressive size.
Day one in Japan was a very good day.
Reiki Kawahara (center) the creator of SAO.
Well I can definitely say that I'm hyped up
same
I am amazingly hyped for this!!
I've always been frustrated with fanfiction that refuses to change canon events. And even though you have been making an amazing story, I can't wait to see what you can do once you are no longer chained to a predetermined storyline.
On a side note, did you know just how much japanese culture loves wordplay? If you want to make someone in Japan chuckle, say "don't touch my mustash!" ( it sounds like Dou itashimashit, meaning you're welcome), or "eggos and kites" (eigo de kitei, or write in english)
You once again, have my attention!
Looks great!
5452693
I'm looking forward to it as well. Some of it has been eluded to or foreshadowed in Aincrad, because at the time I wasn't going to stop. But I was getting frustrated with not being able to break certain canon events.
Nice preview, are you planning to start realising it right after the current one ends or you'll take a break?
5452743
I wanted to release it right away, but while I have the pilot episodes written, I only have about 10 Episodes written. I want more of a buffer so I can do weekly releases without interruption for my reader's sake. It is no fun when a story isnt consistently updated. Especially big ones like EQG:SAO.
I've already done a lot more on Floor One, with a lot more fun, than I did with Aincrad.
I'm definitely hyped for this. Any idea as for a timeline regarding the new story's release? If you're able to share, that is.
I wonder if this could be used as a shoutout or reference to her anime/manga inspired characters from the Scare Master episode?
static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/5/57/Wood_cutouts_of_anime_characters_S5E21.png/revision/latest?cb=20151030012126
static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/9/9e/Carousel_Boutique_exterior_on_Nightmare_Night_S5E21.png/revision/latest?cb=20151029215419
I cane not what for it to come out.
are you going to make it so this story can tidying with all the other SAO?
like GGO and the others?
5452764
Sadly, I do not. I may release some more teasers to keep you guys in the loop. As soon as I know, you will know.
5452768
I honestly hadn't thought about it, but I certainly will.
5452773
GGO is a no. The story will end when everyone is free and wakes up. ALO's plot is basically all Kirito. I've had a very hard time coming up with a plot for ALO because it really doesn't exist. Sure, the Sleeping Knights, Asuna's arc, but once everyone is free, it's kind of dead story wise.
If I am able to continue on, I would make them separate stories. I would not tact them on at the end of Ruby Palace
Oh gods I stopped at episode 56 and kinda forgot to come back. I blame the Wandering Inn, that beast of a story took me over a month to start and get current (I think it's all 10 million words currently, maybe 13).
Not knowing what happened since then, I hope for romance, both in the current and in Ruby Palace. Also it'll be interesting to see less emphasis on making cannon happen and more the girls living the prison world, not to mention it's exploration and actually getting to the top floor. Just what will they find in so much more space? How will their interactions get deeper?
Will we get the M hidden chapters?
Yes yes, I know that's completely out there, but I still say living on the edge of life and death had ALWAYS made that part of human nature to the fore, in the entire history of our existence. Denying it is just leaving a big gaping hole in the character's psyche.
That also doesn't mean pancakes are expected, but acknowledgeing it's a thing that becomes part of their life would be interesting, specially how it would change things, for they'll be coming into adult life as warriors in a deadly war.
Do disregard all this if you breached it in the, well, last half of the story. Still like it a lot and will follow either way, just find that this scenario has so much more potential for exploration when it didn't try to be PG. They're people, adults really, living a medieval war. That's something really rare to see explored.
Well, better get to reading it then, gotta know how this one ends to appreciate how much it'll change!
5452780
Hey, if you like those references, then I think you might like this fanart:
https://www.deviantart.com/uotapo/art/CHS-CON-Sunset-Helper-10-574731295
images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/069d74ff-1a33-4199-9a8b-3fd8c6802b83/d9i6hi7-94977330-a39b-4dbe-935c-d11552e20985.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOiIsImlzcyI6InVybjphcHA6Iiwib2JqIjpbW3sicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvMDY5ZDc0ZmYtMWEzMy00MTk5LTlhOGItM2ZkOGM2ODAyYjgzXC9kOWk2aGk3LTk0OTc3MzMwLWEzOWItNGRiZS05MzVjLWQxMTU1MmUyMDk4NS5qcGcifV1dLCJhdWQiOlsidXJuOnNlcnZpY2U6ZmlsZS5kb3dubG9hZCJdfQ.gofSYwFW18fDtteOqm0uCP7CW9E49hdh5sKTrXhKrEw
5452780
While that's true, GGO and ALO are still a big playgrounds where you can set up an awesome adventure and it doesn't need to be tied to the canon events. I can definitely see AJ trying GGO just to be a badass cowgirl.
Wonderful, I’ll admit at times it felt the walls of not breaking “canon” were restraining some of your paths. Bending the source material in ways that better suit your vision will be quite interesting.
Will you write a story similar to what you’ve already shown... or spin off in a complex and vivid new direction? I look forward to how this unfolds. Until next time!
Accel world was what he originally wanted the game? Thing to be but sao took off stupidly well
Accel world, ggo spin off and alicization are by far the best that they've worked on
5452784
The story will mostly remain T. It will get the Drama tag. I have written some M rated stories, on here and in my other works, but I keep getting pulled back. Most of them were M because of language. I think I can tell an amazing story, with just as much power in their situation, without dropping F bombs and swearing all the time.
But it will explore the true consequence of their situation more, partially because I will have more time to do it.
5452797
Let's just get through the Ruby Palace. Heck, let's just get through Aincrad! Lol.
5452816
That depends on certain things. The characters I built, were off their personalities. I built a guild based off of who they were. Place them in the same death scenario, they will do similar or the same things. That being said, even for the stuff that is the same, there will be plenty of new stuff that gives those a fresh look.
5452845
I haven't read Accel World. I need to. I know that is what he really wanted to move to and focus on, but the readers loved what he did with SAO. So he continued with it. GGO and Alicization have been great too, once he fixed some of his early writer syndrome mistakes.
5452866
Oh, absolutely, if you ever did the M I'd imagine it'd be in a separated story. Talking more about just what you said, it being a thing and people recognizing it. M is for when either you're delving deep into the heavy stuff or pancakes.
I do find what you did very good and can barely wait for the next one
5452870
Read the beginning of the manga, back when it was coming out. Very slight connection, considerably into the future, but also interesting and magic would wreck all kinds of havoc in it, I'd say.
5452870
I didn't read accel world I watched it
I look forward to a new and improved world.
It will be interesting to see the differences. I have to admit, I've really been enjoying Klein and Sunset(Bladescape) back and forth. I hope to see that again, maybe even progressed since SAO has always had a love story underneath the action, drama, and life and death danger. Personal preference, of course.
5453703
I've been writing today, when I should have been doing school, and I have to say, the start is just phenomenal. Similar in some areas, yet different. Aincrad Story had the first 5 chapters devoted to the first Floor. I'm on 13, with plenty of time before the canon December 3rd meeting for the boss raid. That time stamp may or may not get shifted by a few days. Not sure.
I'm liking the progression of the players better, and there have been some shifts in chosen skills. I'm getting way more our of Astro's replacement than I ever could out of Astro. Still uses a Spear, but a much better designed character, with a lot more, well character.
Also, I freaking love Klein and Blade's relationship. Its going to only get better with the back and forth. But Aincrad has some great moments coming up.
5453703
Agreed. Just as long as she doesn’t go on a proper date with Klein, he’s great as written, but picturing him as an actual love interest makes me feel like I’ve betrayed someone
Can't wait to see what you do with the world!
5463511
I'm having a lot of fun. There are a lot of small, some subtle some not, changes to the girls early on. And I haven't even gotten them off the First Floor! 15 Episodes and they are still on Floor 1. You guys are going to love it.
Now this is exciting, this story was well done and I am glad to have followed it ever since the halfway point, but I could tell that there was some flaws relating to certain aspects of the story that did not feel planned out right. I do hope that you are able to account for them this time and really hit it out of the park.
There are a few things I would like to ask about the upcoming story, but I think I will ask them via a PM.
Regards,
SonicDJM
5472244
Yes. Those issues will be taken care of with me and my editor's best efforts!
Looking forward to this story!
5547834
Wonderful! It has been fun writing it.