//------------------------------// // Event - [Dance of Red and Purple] // Story: MLP: Actualization Online // by Slendy //------------------------------// ---~[Previously on MLP: Actualization Online]~--- with the threat of death upon the loss of all your HP, the Pain Inhibitors turned low enough to feel real, and with the intelligence of A.I growing smarter with each victory, such dreams of freedom were dim. Even now, no one has found a Raid Lair, and slowly, people began to lose all sight of hope. All, but the one who dared to threaten, Harbinger. White Hat..... Everyone, Meet me by Twilight's Library, I have an important announcement to make, alongside my assistant, Pinkie, if you know anyone from the Raid a month ago that is still in Ponyville, bring them too. Meet us there at 6 pm, don't be late! Sincerely, White Hat "Our name....I think I'll call us...." ---~{The Eternal Flame}~--- [Road To Canternlot] The journey was going to be long, with the trains out completely, my theory was that it could only be accessed if both Raid Lairs were clear in two areas, then the trains would be operational again, sure, that made absolutely no sense, but it was better than, 'oh trains aren't working, too bad', my theory provided us with transport in the future. The road was long, a simple dirt track across the valleys of the kingdom, passing many landmarks like waterfalls, forests, and even other ruins, but with a team of 7 players, yes, including Pinkie, we weren't in any danger, and we took down mobs for EXP when we could. The sun was atop us now, just as we strolled past a Mailmare, who handed us the news from both events, future updates, and even Player news. Two articles caught my attention as we walked, with Seraph levitating the newspaper for me as she looked through her notes in her menu for obvious reasons, she is an info broker by heart. "Sightings of the next Raid Lair in Canternlot have been sighted, with the bearers of the Gemstones of Belonging awaiting to hear the call of the band of Players who had taken down the very first Raid Lair, and ultimately survived an encounter with the being now holding over 800,000 players hostage, with the number drifting down by each day. If the players who defeated the raid see this, please join us in Canternlot to aid in beating this game." I relayed for all of us to hear, as I flipped the page to see what else there was "Seems are reputation has become common knowledge?" Klaw observed evenly, whist he placed a claw on his snout. "You think this key you bare has the answer to why the door has yet to open?" "Honestly, its the best lead we got, or anyone's best guess, since I was the last to strike down the boss, I must have drawn in the power of all your keys into mine, making it the absolute token of the fight, but that's a stretch for my tastes...." Shaking my head at my own crack-pot idea, I felt something tap my shoulder, and I turned to see Pinkie hopping beside me "Its because you, and the other soon-to-be-bearers are like me and the girls, you are your own elements of harmony!" That....actually seems accurate, that would lead to the point that Seven Key Raid Lairs are scattered across Equestria as we speak, with two already discovered. Seeing the logic, I patted Pinkie on the head, making her giggle like a little kid, next was general news of the game "In other related news. Reports that guilds have been officially established in the game, with the majority acting as guardians for low ranking players on quests, allowing them to level up and aid the efforts of searching for any raid lairs not yet uncovered. Some players have referenced that more significant characters from the show have also had increased awareness of this reality, leading to....yeah I'll just skip that one." Not opening 'that' can of worms to Pinkie, given how she's....rather calm about the fact she's an A.I, oh well "Last article here. Lately, much to the collective surprise of most info brokers, players have caught wind of a small band of players managing to take over the Green Zone of Griffonstone, though they are not hostile, the leader has been reported as being....insistent on level grinding, due to his base level being roughly 15 levels higher than other players, whist also wearing a....surprisingly stylish scarf? Oooook? Rumors of this player have also circulated about him being the only confirmed player with an 'Ultimate' ability-Ok, yeah, that's Black alright." I then shut the page for a moment in Seraph's magic, her eyes rolling too "Who's to bet he's killed a player just to see if they re-spawned?" Her smug expression mirrored my own, that would be something he'd do. "Still, why didn't ya both spawn in the same place?" "Don't no, don't care." I waved off, with the others looking at us like we'd just spat in God's face "Who's Black?" Rain asked from the side of me, so I just grimaced at the thought "My brother. Goes by the same 'Hat' at the end of his user, and if we're comparing who's crazier, that would go to him, be thankful you ran or crashed into me." Moving past her surprised expression. "Now then, next article, and...." I paused, narrowing my gaze at the page, as I felt my throat dry slightly. "You're not gonna like this one..." "Why's that?" Rain asked, hovering above me, so I slowly read the black ink "Recent reports suggest that a number of deaths were caused by a guild, much like ones meant to be for an equal balance of good, and evil, this one has gone beyond that premise, and....has been sighted by many for killing players, with a total of....oh god, 50 confirmed reports of players dying by their hooves." I nearly wanted to burn the page now, even I felt heat rising from Klaw as he snarled "W-What's their name?" Seraph asked me, even she found it horrifying to hear, as she threw the paper away in disgust. But the name stuck in my head, it was now fresh in my mind as a warning for future events to come. "Bloody sick bastards." ---~{Phantom}~--- [Event - Dance of Red and Purple] A strange blade rests by a large, green tree, investigate it if you desire to know why the sword rests. [ ] Investigate the Purple Sword Optional: [ ] Say the name, 'Absolute Sword' "Huh? An....event?" I paused my walking, along with the rest as they saw me stare at my menu, before I watched Rain walk to my side, staring down at my screen, but she couldn't see it, obviously. "Its. On. Private!" "What does it say then?" She complained in my ear, before I looked to my left, and....it was just beyond the treeline, but....I could see a large, dome of a tree top, it was nearly covered completely, but I could see it, so, I closed the tab, and ran for the clearing. "Hey, wait up!" "Seems we're going where he's going...." Seraph sighed, following after me. Soon, I turned my head to see the others following suit, just as I passed a few trees to reach the location the event spoke of. When I did, I slowly stared up at the massive tree, its leaves glowing under the rays of the, whist the forest bent around its presence, not a single branch touching its own "Now this is a sight." I heard Noximillion awe at the spectacle, as he brushed a hoof on the grass. "Its all flowers...." He was right, but....even with the bed of white, yellow, and pink flowers, my eyes were soon drawn to what sat before us, stuck upright from the ground, was a longsword, dark purple, with a long handle, and narrow blade, with white zigzagging, before traveling up the edge, the air seemed to still at the moment I crossed the border between our path, and its domain. The others stayed back however, encase it were a trap, and since I was the only once who seemed to be given the event. My luck strikes again... Upon closer inspection of the longsword, I could feel something, not an energy lingering on the weapon, but....someone was here, watching me, did they own this blade? Or was it another hidden boss, if it was, I might not want to grab this rare-looking item. But, I then remembered what the event said, what it wanted me to say. "Absolute....Sword." *Diiiiiiiiing* !!! I turned my head towards the green roof of leaves above me, and in instinct I leapt away from the purple blade, just as a body dropped from the treeline, stepping beside the sword, whist I heard the others raise their weapons at the boss. When my gaze flared to the Boss' appearance. It...wasn't a boss? "Oh woah, you must be really skilled to have felt me dropping like that! You're like Kirito-level of skill!" I heard the chipper voice awe at me, I stared at the grey Therstral that stood before me, grabbing the sword with a hoof, before her crimson gaze fell to me, as she smiled innocently in my direction, her stunning, blackish-purple hair falling past her neck. "What's your name? I know I can see it, but I like getting to hear people say it." [Yuuki - lvl 25] She seemed to be wearing obsidian chest armour, a bluebottle violet tunic and a windswept skirt of the same colour beneath the armour. A thin, black sheath hung on her waist, where she placed the purple blade carefully. Before looking to me again for a response. "Hi....my name's White Hat, but drop the 'Hat', no pun intended." I replied, she laughed at the intentional pun, making me smirk at the player's quirkiness, before she pointed a hoof at herself with a grin "Yuuki, also known as 'Zekken'! And I want to fight you!" I-Wait what? Now I was baffled again, I even heard someone drop their weapon behind me comically. Then Yuuki frowned, giving me big, puppy eyes as she walked up to me, now staring at me face-to-face. "Pleeeeease, I promise it will be fun, just one duel, please-please-please~!?" "I...umm, s-sure, just let me send you the invite." To say I was completely baffled by this event was understandable, since I was about to face 'YUKKI KONNO' the girl who beat Kirito, and Asuna, how the bloody hell can I block a skill like hers!? I mean....now I get the event, but....damn that scene broke me. In a way, I wanted to give her a great match, even if she wasn't real, to me, she was a player of grand talent, and, if we're both here, right now, I'll do this I opened up 'Party', then I pressed on the local screen, bringing up local players, there were a few, but I pressed on 'Yuuki', before I pressed 'challenge player', and soon her own message appeared. "Just hit the ok button, I think you're familiar with the system, once the timer hits zero its game, whoever has the most health wins, or the player comes close to death, got it?" I confirmed for her, gaining a large smile as she hit the button, a banner appearing above us, with a timer, and our names, and health bars. "Good luck, Yuuki." "You too, this is gonna be so much fun~!" Yuuki was hyped, and I was beginning to feel the same feeling of excitement upon gaining the chance to do battle with Yuuki herself, I never dueled in the game before, but I'll treat it like a Boss, and I'll beat her. Drawing our blades, my ears flicking at the voices behind me "You got this, White!" Rain cheered "My money's on you! Mostly!" Seraph, I swore she must have had that sly smirk of hers "Good luck to you both!" Klaw humbly sided with neither [FIGHT] At the moment the buzzer sounded, I rushed Yuuki, thrusting Parting Glass towards her body, yet she effortlessly dodged it, as I continued the violent offensive, whist Yuuki ducked or side-stepped to avoid each consecutive strike I tried to land. One did come close, as she flew back, allowing me to strike at her chest, but the mere centimeter it got between my blade, and her chest, I watched as her purple sword blocked it, shoving my blade away, her casual smile lingering, before I thrusted again, only for the blade to fly past her mane, making me fly past her. She took that point to aim for my side, so I sprung my wings, rolling up, and over Yuuki, as she swung her blade to defend against my rotating assault, each strike sparking purple, and red with each failed strike from each other. When I landed, I spun on my free left foreleg, bringing my blade around in a horizontal arc, only for Yuuki to back-flip, her tail being trimmed by my blade. Upon straightening herself, she flew above me, as I landed on my back hooves, thrusting up with my legs as I gave chase. I ascended, seeing Yuuki turn down to face me, before I swung my blade up, clashing with Yuuki's downward strike, throwing me upside-down, so I spun, striking her blade which now defended her head, so I flew back, which was followed by Yuuki, we continued to fly at into each other, our strikes clanking in the air, shaking the trees around us. Before I gasped, seeing Yuuki skim under my blade, leaving my chest open, so I pulled myself back, the tip of her blade scratching my hidden chest plate, but still damaging my health. Then we backed away, both staring at each other. Yuuki continued to smile kindly, whist I panted, grazing the red line across my chest, cursing myself for not being able to lay a single strike on her, all of it was beyond any measure Ive faced before, at the rate she was performing I'd be lying if I didn't see my old friend, Skye reflected in her eyes, since both would be the fiercest girls ive ever faced, even Skye never felt this difficult to beat though, and she played Warframe for weeks, and yet....I still.... "No....I refuse to lose....." I spat, seeing Yuuki's face drop at my words, then I held my blade to my side, looking at her with a determined glare, grinding my teeth together. "I refuse to lose again." As if sensing my seriousness, Yuuki's face hardened, she too held her blade to her face, staring eye-level with her blade, we stared at each other for a few seconds.....waiting. In a flash, we lashed out, Yuuki bringing her sword down on my head, I inverted my grip, dragging my sword up, turning as I clashed with her blade, skating my blade across her's much to her surprise, before the world run with a rupture of air, hitting my friends beneath me, before I spun around, bringing my blade down, as Yuuki flew back. Then my blade glowed a bright crimson. [Sword Skill - Rage Spike] Thrusting towards her, I watched as she too illuminated her blade in a coat of light blue, bringing her blade to her left hip, using 'Horizontal Arc' to deflect my blow, which was fine. I pushed my blade down, locking her hoof with mine, as I headbutted her, dazing the girl, then I grasped her tail, and threw her towards the ground, giving chase soon after, thrusting down again with a crimson blade. [Sword Skill - Wrath] I first struck from left diagonally down, then inverting my grip and bringing upwards diagonally to the right, then down the opposite direction, before copying the first swing, only towards the top right, blasting Yuuki with a red 'W', the last strike grazing her cheek, however, her own blade struck my side, knocking us both back from the black and red cloud. The smoke dispersed, and we flew at each other again, clashing as we spun, throwing each other back again, basking my wings in a light-blue glow, sharpening their tips like blades. [Sky Seal - Sky Rasher] My newly added speed quickly closed the distance between me, and Yuuki, she acted on reflex, redirecting me with her blade, her other hoof pressed against the flat end of the blade to shove me aside, and if I wasn't so concentrated, I may have cracked a smile. I spun my body round again sharply, before her eyes turned to pinpricks, the force of my left hoof connected with her muzzle, it too covered in a blanket of air. [Sky Seal - Airlock] The eruption of air sent her flying into the sky again, the recoil did throw me to the tree, my back hooves landing on the trunk, bending them I rushed up to finish off Yuuki, pouring the last ounce of my magic in this final strike to end her. [Sword Skill - Seven Deadly Sins] Upon swinging my blade from left to right, Yuuki's left eye reopened from her wincing at the pain, but my own heart snapped like a swig at the sight of her blade flashing bright purple, a glimmer of light in her iris when she struck my attack mid-slash fiercely with five consecutive thrusts, knocking me away from the smoke that formed. "Mother's Rosario!? Oh shit...." I thought back the urge to pull back, time slowed to a crawl, my eyes watching her fly through, her blade now pinned to my chest, and all I could do was cry out in pain when she struck me with another five consecutive stabs in a straight line from the top left to the bottom right of my body, perpendicular to the prior five that blocked me, all I could do was watch my health dropped significantly Yuuki pulled back again, my body lurched back in pain during my descent towards the earth again, but I wasn't done, not when I still had health left in my bar! She tilted her body, pushing her weight behind the final strike to complete the interception on my chest. But just the second before, I swung my blade up from behind my back, knocking her blade back with a sharp 'ting' of metal. Her eyes soon widened, taking it as my uprising, I brought my blade down with a cry, seeing her fall from the sky to avoid me, but I was already too close for her to avoid me now. [WINNER] I froze mere ticks from her muzzle, Yuuki sat on the ground, her sword to her side, I stood above her, my wings keeping me afloat as I panted, sweat trickling down my face, as some did for her, her chest rising rapidly, before I fell back to my hooves, placing Parting Glass back in its sheath. I held a hoof out to Yuuki, which she smiled, and accepted. Just when I glanced to the board, seeing my health in the red, with Yuuki just between the margin of yellow and red. I lost the match. *Thump* And now my face was turning red from Yuuki hugging me tightly, I did laugh nervously, I just got hugged by Yuuki! Ok, try not to freak out Cayde. She did pull back, happily smiling as the others ran up to us, with Seraph grabbing my head in an arm lock, rubbing my mane, whist Rain beamed with inspiration from our fight, Silver patted me on the back, whist Klaw, and Noximillion stood beside all of us with appreciation of the fight, with Klaw bowing in appreciation for the show. "Hehehehehe, you're really strong, I was on my toes....or hooves, I guess, that was amazing, I felt like I was fighting Kirito again!" Yuuki happily flapped her wings, with a glow of bliss in her eyes. "When you did that thing with your wings, I was completely caught off guard, I thought I was done for then, heck, you even blocked my OSS!" "Lets just say....I've had the same experience as you, maybe just a bit more." I answered, and that seemed to flash some resemblance of understanding in her eyes, before she continued to smile. There was one thing I needed to know though, if my throat wasn't dry during the fight, it certainly was now over my next question. "Yuuki, do you know any players called....Philia or Strea?" "Huh? Of course, Philia always wants to go on treasure hunts, and I tag along, and Strea even overwhelms me sometimes!" Yuuki gaped, shuddering at the though, before rubbing her back with a wing. "Her hugs could kill...." Oh thank the gods, she was the Game's Yuuki, sure, she was still suffering from her disease, but she was alive and recovering well. That made me do something the others didn't expect from me, I reached over and pulled Yuuki into a hug, sighing heavily at my own clouded mind. If only....well, maybe one day I'll tell 'em, just....not right now. "Good, don't take this the wrong way....but I understand what you're going through, and....I know someone else who is, how long they've spent alone, so...I-i'm happy to see a famous Swordswoman like you is doing great." Now, I may be acting like a madman, but surprisingly, I felt Yuuki's arms around me too, it was soft, putting my mind at ease. Then I pulled away from our embrace, seeing the tears stinging her eyes slightly "Thanks, I really appreciate that....but, say, you wanna be friends? I'd like to chat some more if that's ok, just....about your friend?" Yuuki softly requested....I wish I could, she's just a program, so it wouldn't - no....to hell with logic anymore "White, I....hmm....a girl's wish is for a man to make after-all." I turned my head slightly to look at Klaw, his face understanding what it meant, making me smirk with a snort, before I opened my menu, much to everyone's bafflement, but I didn't care, I don't know why I was doing what I was doing, or how this would be even possible, but I was going by my brother's logic of not giving a shit "Boss-" I raised a hoof to Seraph, smiling a little "What, like anyone would pass the opportunity to be friends with 'Yuuki'?" I mused, seeing the purple-clad girl smile brightly with anticipation [Friend Request Sent to: Yuuki] [Friend Request Accepted!] "Awesome, another person to challenge!" Yuuki hoof-pumped happily "There, you ever want to chat, i'm all ears, even from across two worlds." With a smile, I saw Yuuki begin to disappear, as she looked to her glowing body with a worry expression, she quickly opened her menu, before scrolling down to something on her screen, then, she grabbed it quickly, pressing a few keys, before throwing it into another menu, then she hit the blue circle [Trade Request Received] [Accept? Y / N] When I clicked it, a new item had appeared on my own screen, leaving me to face Yuuki one last time, as she saluted with a wink. "Till round two! But here's a little advice from someone like me, if you lose, just go home, and get back up tomorrow! Bye~!" Then, Yuuki was gone, her final words ratting in my head for a few seconds, then, I watched a tab appear for all of us to see [Event Complete!] A strange blade rests by a large, green tree, investigate it if you desire to know why the sword rests. [ ] Investigate the Purple Sword Optional: [ ] Say the name, 'Absolute Sword' [ ] Battle Yuuki (AKA Zekken) You fought the greatest Swordswoman alive. Even worlds apart, you will both remember each other's strength. [Level Up!] [24 - 25] [Rewards] New Sword Skill can be unlocked! Original Sword Skill - Mothers Rosario [Achievement Unlocked] You Are Never Alone - Find the purple blade under a massive tree "I think.....today was a nice day for a walk." My whisper was light, yet none of them said a word, I merely moved to walk back towards the treeline where the path awaited us, then I turned back with a smug look. "Well, hurry your asses up! I ain't goin' to no Raid Lair solo!?" "Coming boss~!" Seraph muttered, most likely due to the fact that I just got my hands on an exclusive skill, ha! "Wait for us!" Rain called after me with a kind smile Onwards, towards the golden kingdom. [Sword Art Online: Lost Song] "Hey, Yuuki!" At her name, Yuuki's gaze jumped back from her previous encounter, moving to turn to the Black Swordsman, Kirito, he flew down to greet her, but then he noticed her perplexed face, as if she was lost in another world entirely. "You doing ok?" "Huh, oh, yeah-yeah, I actually just got back from a crazy match with someone, I nearly lost!" Yuuki chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck with a cheeky smile, but Kirito was surprised to hear this, coming from her of all people, then he smiled, looking into her eyes with a sense of integrity to challenge this person. Thankfully, Yuuki caught on quickly, wiggling a finger at him. "Nope. This guy's a loooooong distance away, I don't even think he knew what happened, or did he?" "Right...." Kirito trailed off, both confused and disappointed, but Yuuki smiled, placing a hand on her blade, looking off at the sky above her, past the tree that had a few branches missing from their fight, and even scuff marks on the grass below her feet. Even Kirito was baffled by the state of the tree. "Geez, what happened here?" "I hope I can see him again, even if just for a bit. I never really got to talk to his friends." Yuuki smiled, pointing off towards the sun, knowing she could speak to him whenever she felt like it. White said he knew someone like herself, he knew how it felt to be so isolated from the world, that feeling of uselessness, and emptiness. "White, you better prepare yourself, because I'll be coming back for our rematch!!!" To Be Continued.... Update Party: (You) White Hat - lvl 25 [Offensive class] Purplrain - lvl 23 [Stealth class] Pinkie Pie - lvl 20 [Defensive class] Seraph - lvl 24 [Support class] Klaw - lvl 25 [Pyromancer class] SilverCrow - lvl 23 [Defensive class] Noximillion - lvl 23 [Support class] Current Level: 25 Magic: Sky/Air magic Items: New Unlockable Sword Skill New Skills [Sword Skill - Seven Deadly Sins] - Six slashes and a single thrust, triggering defence down and attack down (1H Sword) [Sword Skill - Wrath] - Carve the first letter of 'Wrath' upon your enemies in four sharp lacerations (1H Sword)