//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Return to SAO // Story: Sword Art Online: Virus // by FandomPlays1234 //------------------------------// Nico lurched forward as the police vehicle came to a sudden stop in front of the house. "This is the one," said Randell. "Hmm doesn't look too shabby," snickered Rainbow Dash. Twilight elbowed her while glaring at her at the same time. "Geez I was joking!" "Let's go," said Randell getting out of the car. The others followed him out along with everyone else in the second vehicle. As They approached the house, Starlight could see a young girl swinging a katana stick in the yard. "Ahem excuse me young lady, but is Kirigaya Kazuto home?" Randell called out. The girl turned her head to face the group and walked over to the gate,"You mean my brother?" she asked. "I'm afraid not, he's currently out meeting someone," she answered. "I see, do you when he'll be back?" asked Randell. "He should be back soon, actually speak of the devil there he is," said the girl pointing behind them. The group turned around a s a young male teen wearing a black jacket and jeans walked up. "Oh what's going on here?" he asked. "You must be Kirigaya Kazuto," said Randell. "I'm sorry and you are?" asked Kazuto. Randell pulled out his badge and held it up in front of him. "Name's Randell Merlin, I'm a police officer and investigator, but of course just call me whatever is easy for you," answered Randell. "Ah, I see, what can I do for you officer?" asked Kazuto. "I would like to discuss some things with you," answered Randell. "Well in that case let's talk inside," suggested Kazuto. "We appreciate the offer," said Randell. As the 12 made their way into the house, Kazuto was stopped by his sister. "What did you do?" she asked. "Nothing," he answered nervously. Somewhere within the city of Japan, the hooded figure entered the building with the flash drive in his hand. The quickly made his way to the nearest empty elevator and shut the door as soon as he got in. he slowly pulled out the key card and scanned it on the pad. "Scanning," stated the computer. "Scan complete, welcome back Gonzago," "Alter Ego, Floor B20," said the hooded figure. "Roger," Alter Ego stated. Just then the ground beneath him opened up to reveal a glass floor and soon the elevator was descending. After 3 minutes of waiting, the elevator stopped and opened the doors to let the figure out. The figure quickly made his way through the metallic corridors that eventually led him to two doors. He pulled the key card out of his pocket and held it up to the scanner. "Scan complete," stated Alter Ego. The doors slid open allowing the figure to walk into a dark room lit up with the lights from the large sets of computer screens. "Welcome back Gonzago," a voice spoke up. "Boss, I have the data you wanted," said Gonzago pulling out the flash drive. "Good," chuckled the voice. He snapped his fingers as something swooped past Gonzago taking the drive. The creature later appeared next to the figure sitting in the chair. It resembled a pony but had scales instead of a coat. Small holes at the hoof allowed Gonzago to see right through them. It had small fangs and glowing blue eyes that stared him. The creature held up the drive in it's mouth as a robed hand reached out and plucked the drive. I must say these changelings are quite helpful, if only they existed here," snickered the figure. "Glad you like them," cooed a female voice. "Um sir who's that?" asked Gonzago. "Hey Chrissy why don't you come out and introduce yourself?" suggested the figure. Just then a larger version of the creature emerged from the shadows. However this one clear green eyes and a mane an tail that was also covered in holes. "This is my newest accomplice, Queen Chrysalis," said the figure. "Um hey there," stuttered Gonzago. "Hey dear, aren't you the helpful little servant to your boss here," cooed Chrysalis walking around him. "Chrissy behave," ordered the figure. "Aww, but the fun was just starting, but I guess it can't be helped," sighed Chrysalis. "Um boss just wanted to ask, how are we doing?" asked Gonzago. "Oh just great, now you that you brought me data of those fools," answered the figure inserting the drive into his computer. The screen flashed as screenshots of two people and one pony popped up. One female and one male, and one mare. "Let's see, Agil, Philia, and what does that say?" asked the figure. Chrysalis walked over and glanced over to screen scowling. "Starlight Glimmer," she hissed. "Your grudge belongs to her?" questioned the figure. "That's right!" Chrysalis hissed. "Interesting," snickered the figure.He reached out and was about to hit the copy button on his screen before a voice spoke up. "Are you sure about this?" asked the voice. The figure looked over as the ghost of Kayaba Akihiko appeared. "You're positive you want to do this?" asked Kayaba. "Of course, all for the one I held dear to me," answered the figure. He clicked on copy. "You do realize that the boy isn't going to just give up and forget about this right Hax?" asked Kayaba. The figure said nothing. As the blank hole in his robe stared at the computer screen. "The silent treatment eh?" asked Kayaba. "Well it's your decision, but don't say I warned you," said Kayaba. "I don't need any warnings," hissed Hax. "You sure?" asked Kayaba. "First me, next Sugou, then Shigemura Tetsuhiro," said Kayaba. Hax said nothing as Kayaba vanishes. Hax silently stared at the bright computer screen as Gonzago exited the room. "It's all for the best, don't worry father," "You won't have died in vain," "I promise," "What are you crazy, return to SAO!!!??" gasped Kazuto. "It's the only other way we can find more clues that can help us catch the culprit responsible for these attacks," answered Randell. "But that game....." stuttered Klein. "Hey come on it's just a game, why are you afraid of going back?" asked Rainbow Dash. The room fell to dead silence as the humans looked at the ponies. "You don't know?" asked Klein. The ponies shook their head. "You didn't hear about the crisis?" asked Lisbeth. "What crisis?" asked Pinkie cheerfully. Randell gave Kazuto a serious gaze and nodded. Kazuto sighed as he explained the life-and-death situation the SAO players were put in when playing through the game. By the end of it nopony in the room had the courage to speak. "No that's impossible!" stuttered Rainbow Dash. "It's just a game!" Rarity hesitated. Fluttershy whimpered as she covered her ears. "I knew that thing couldn't be trusted," growled Twilight. "I understand that none of you wants to return to SAO, but please this is the only shot we have," pleaded Randell. "But I don't want to have to be stuck in that crummy game again!" exclaimed Lisbeth. "That you won't have to worry about," said Randell. "When the government asked me to take on this case, they knew I had to enter the game to find clues, so they had their scientists modify the game so you could actually log out for real," "Wait they modified the game?" asked Koharu. "Yes, if that makes you feel any better, than that's great other than that I have no other offers," said Randell. The five players looked at each other trying to figure out what to do, but their thoughts were interrupted when the sound of a girl's scream rang out throughout the house. "What the hell?" asked Nico. Kazuto eyes widened as he ran out of the room. "Suguha!" Kazuto called out to her. Worried, the others followed him out of the room towards the sound of her scream. Kazuto found her sister on the ground trembling in fear. "Suguha is everything alright?" he asked kneeling next to his sister. The others ran into the yard to find Kazuto comforting his sister. "Kazuto what happened asked Randell. "Uh guys," Klein stuttered. Everyone looked at him as he pointed up towards a nearby tree. The groups looked over as a strange figure suddenly disappeared and reappeared. The figure was glowing in a deep purple tint and resembled that of a young girl. She seemed to be wearing a small cape around her neck and had several pieces of armor covering certain parts of her body. Her short hair flowed within the winter breeze as she stared menacingly at the group with her deep yellow eyes. Small black, white, and blue boxes flashed all over her body as if she was glitching. "Who the hell?" asked Klein. "Philia what are you doing here?" asked Kazuto. The figure said nothing but smirked wickedly. Kazuto took a step back as the figure let out a low menacing laugh. "Purge the errors!" she hissed. She quickly drew her sword and lunged at Kazuto who managed to drag his sister out of the way. "Holy Crap that was dangerous!" yelped Lisbeth. The figure turned he attention at the small group and lunged at them. But before she could reach them, Twilight jumped in front and created a barrier with her magic. The sword clashed into the magical barrier with a loud clang. "Damn that is one powerful sword!" exclaimed Klein. "Stop making jokes Klein and help!" Nico hissed. Panicked, Klein began searching around the yard trying to find something that he could use as a weapon. But before Klein could make a move, the glitched figure jumped back as a single sword struck the ground in front of it. "Wha?" Koharu gasped. "Thank god I made it in time," a voice spoke up. The group turned around to see a young teenage girl wearing a white jacket and a brown winter pants. Her long brown hair flowing in the wind. "Asuna!" Kazuto exclaimed. The girl looked over and smiled at him then turned her focus on the glitched girl. "I don't exactly know who you are or why you're here, but if you're planning on hurting my family then I won't hesitate to kill you," growled Asuna. The glitched figure glared at her as she clutched her sword. Looking hesitant she jumped over the fence and ran off. Asuna sighed as she returned her sword and turned to face the group. "Is everyone alright?" "Yeah we made it out somehow," said Starlight. "Asuna, what are you doing here?" Kazuto asked. "I heard Leafa's scream so I came to see what was going on," answered Asuna. "You were lucky I was just casually walking nearby here," "I see, well thanks for that," said Kazuto sighing. "Wait who is this?" asked Rarity. "Guys, I want you to meet my wife back in SAO, Yuuki Asuna,"