Ninety Days and Beyond

by Winter1112

Summary:

She only wanted to surprise her paralyzed daughter with a chance at freedom, albeit in a virtual world. Instead, what should have been the greatest day of Ruby's life, a day when she should be celebrating her freedom from her wheelchair, instead turned into a nightmare when the red cloaked figure appeared in the skies of Aincrad...

This is a RWBY/SAO/HP crossover that is back in progress!

Notes:

Hiya Everyone! Wyn here with something different for Power Taco's White Rose Challenges! Believe it or not, this is my third attempt at writing this particular prompt, which is For Want of a Nail. Now, you will notice a distinct lack of dialogue in this first chapter, that is intentional. This first chapter is pure world building, and future chapters will have more talking and character interaction involved. Now, without any further ado, let's go put on our Nervegears and follow our girls into Aincrad and beyond!

Chapter 1: The First Ninety Days

Three Months…

It's amazing how much your life can change in just three short months, isn't it?

Ninety Days…

It was supposed to be a dream trip to Japan. A chance to see a new and amazing culture up close, along with a surprise for her oldest child. 

Two thousand, one hundred and sixty hours…

It took them two years to save up for the three nervegears they would need, but it was worth it to see how excited their oldest child and grandchild was when she saw them. To see her get excited over the fact that she would finally be free of the wheelchair she has been trapped in her entire life, even if it was a virtual reality game.

One hundred twenty nine thousand, six hundred minutes…

It was killing her to know that now they are fighting for their lives in a virtual reality world, far from home. Far from the rest of their family. She was worried for Raven, who stayed home with the twins while she and her mother brought Ruby to Japan under the guise of a long dreamed of visit to the nation whose culture and language she studied to the point of mastery. It had amused the locals when she knew more about the places they visited than they did, while also impressing them with her mastery of their language and customs. And when she unwrapped her nervegear and held it, she and her mother had cried with her as she sobbed and thanked them for her long awaited freedom from the wheelchair she has known her entire life.

Seven Million, Seven hundred seventy six thousand seconds…

The hardest part of the first day was restraining Ruby, while teaching her to walk. Her smile was brilliant as she clung to their arms while her virtual legs still wobbled underneath her. But soon enough, she began to get a good feel for how walking works, and by midday when they had all agreed to log off to grab a bite to eat, she was even trying to skip and jog. They had all taken note that the log off button was missing, and decided a bit of hunger later on was a small price to pay for what was more than likely just a small glitch. 

The First Day was the Longest Day…

They soon met a beautiful German woman with alabaster hair and a stern demeanor during their exploration of the Town of Beginnings. She was escorting a pair of younger women, one of whom was constantly closing her eyes while smiling brightly, while the other would constantly look up at the sky while mumbling in German that she never thought the clouds would be so beautiful in the sunlight. They soon learn that the twin girls with her are her younger siblings, one of whom was deaf and the other was born with albinism. For one, she was hearing noises, voices, and even music and laughter for the first time, and for the other she could finally walk in the eternal sunshine of a virtual reality world without fear of burning her sensitive skin or harming her very sensitive eyes. This brave new world was their own freedoms from their own prisons. But even Winter began to cry tears of joy when Weiss finally spoke for the first time in her life, while repeating Ruby's name over and over, the girl marveling at the beauty of her own voice. 

Everything changed at the end of the first day…

The six of them had wandered around after that, Winter chatting with them in perfect English, while Willow continued to stare at the perfect blue sky, and Weiss and Ruby walked arm in arm while one perfected the act of walking and the other continued to marvel at the sound of her own voice as she continued to speak. But then a bell sounded as the skies began to darken, and they all suddenly found themselves back at the main square, a mysterious red cloaked figure floating in the skies above them. She didn't understand a word he said, Ruby being her normal means of translation for the land they now find themselves in. But she grew worried as the look of annoyance on her daughter's face turned into one of worry, then one of fear along with the crowds surrounding them. She's been around enough crowds in her life to know when a riot is about to break out, and she and her mother quickly get the others out of the square once the figure vanishes and the skies return to the twilight of evening time.

The first night was the worst night…

Once they stopped running, Ruby explained everything to them. That the game itself had been a trap, that the creator of the virtual reality world they now inhabit created it as a way to create a world within the world, and that a little under ten thousand souls are now trapped in what was supposed to just be a game. A game with severe real world consequences. That to die in the game is to die in real life. She explained that the nervegear cannot be removed, because their brains would be cooked in real life, thus preventing their rescue in the real world. That the only way to leave alive is to defeat the creator of the game on the final floor, only then they would return to the real world. She was horrified that the game that she and her wife and mother thought would be Ruby's freedom from her paralysis instead has become a new prison, one in which death or victory were the only options available to them. Winter explained everything to the twins as her hands moved in time with her mouth, the two of them clinging to one another and trembling in fear. Even she is terrified as she looks at Ruby, who has a growing look of determination on her face. A look that solidifies as her own silver orbs lock onto Weiss's sky blue eyes, the now white haired girl calming herself as she nods back. She knows her daughter is a fighter, and she won't let this new reality break her. Not when she has someone to protect. 

They learned so much of each other that first night…

She and her mother spoke with Winter at length that first night, the two of them determined to learn all they can of the young woman who keeps blaming herself for endangering her two younger siblings. She tells them that at the age of eighteen, she had had enough of their overbearing father and drunken mother and had decided to leave to join the German Bundeswehr . She had even packed all her things, and was walking towards the doors of the family herrenhaus when she was intercepted by the twins. They had been hysterical as they begged her to stay, their tears as thick as rivers as Weiss signed frantically and Willow actually risked being severely burned or damaging her sensitive eyesight to beg and plead with her to stay while they stood by the front doors. That they would have no one who would understand them or love them, that no one would care for them, that they would be discarded like broken dolls for being imperfect. And in that moment, as they clung to her and begged and cried, she knew she could never leave the siblings that she cared for like her own. Instead, she stayed and returned to her college studies until the two ten year old girls grew to a more appropriate age while she completed her education. And when they turned fourteen, she sued for custody of them and won them all their freedom to live their lives. And now, three years later, she now blames herself for making an innocent decision, due to hearing that for the first time in the seventeen years of their lives, a game offered the nearly identical twins a chance to live normal lives within its confines. That a game could give Weiss a chance to hear, and to allow Willow to walk under a synthetic sun without fear. That they would be normal for the first time in their short lives. But the cost is more than Winter is willing to pay, even though her siblings believe differently.

Three weeks would pass before they finally get their first bit of good news…

They encountered Qrow halfway through the third week of being trapped within the death game. And with him was the last person they ever expected to see in Ruby's older half sister Yang. The emotional reunion between the siblings tugged at her heartstrings even as she and Qrow stood side by side, the blonde and the reddish black haired girl sobbing as they held one another for the first time in many years now. Of course, her mother was understandably upset with Qrow at first until he and Yang explained their lives for the last five years, since he sided with Tai during their combative separation between herself, Tai, and Raven. He knew Tai could handle the responsibilities that would come with raising his teenaged daughter on his own, but also knew the blonde would need more than just her father. He knew he would need to step up to the plate and be there for Yang, and so he finally stopped drinking. He admitted that there had been times when he almost fell off the sobriety wagon, but every time he would remind himself that he already failed Ruby by choosing the bottle over his sister's paralyzed daughter who still looked up to him despite his glaring flaws. Qrow and Yang had decided to celebrate his recent milestone of four years of sobriety by trying out the latest innovation in video games, both of them understandably upset by the circumstances they too now find themselves in. Of course, her mother declared that she would be keeping an eye on him, even as she herself invites Yang and Qrow into their party, the two of them accepting the requests with smiles while promising that they can pull their own weight, while also staying firm on their own promises to help clear the Death Game. But she's thrilled to hold her oldest in her arms once more, while her mother also weeps silent tears she denies shedding as she too holds the blonde dragon they have both missed with all their hearts.

By the eightieth day, feelings begin to bloom into so much more…

It is her mother who motions to the girls with a smirk, while Qrow and Winter stand off to the side and smile knowingly. Her own heart is almost filled to the very brim in her joy as they all watch as Ruby and Weiss walk through the streets of the small town they find themselves in hand in hand, while smiling softly at one another. Yang and Willow are equally as smitten with one another, the older of the twins already calling the blonde her beautiful dragon when she thinks no one is listening. Ruby however calls Weiss her Snowflake, and the white haired girl calls the silver eyed girl her Dolt, and all of them all but squeal in their delight as the two of them share a soft, tender kiss in front of a small fountain before moving to join them while blushing. Willow and Yang are far more expressive, the blonde sweeping her own white haired love into a deep kiss that she reciprocates eagerly while the four adults all but cheer for them in their own happiness. And as she and her mother look at each other and smile, they miss the looks Winter and Qrow are passing to one another, as well as the smiles no one would be able to mistake that they smile only for each other.

Their lives change once again on the ninetieth day, as Aincrad begins to bow to their wills…

She sighs as she lowers her greataxe, while Qrow looks around cautiously while still keeping his great sword in hand. She takes note that Winter is still beside her own mother with a simple saber in her own hand, while the older woman has taken to wielding a pair of simple, but deadly sickles in each hand, the two of them peering around cautiously. The girls themselves are still no doubt exploring their assigned sector of the forest they find themselves in on a pair of simple kill quests to grind for materials and hopefully new gear. Perhaps they can even find the illusive field boss that is keeping the labyrinth sealed, preventing the players from exploring it to find the first floor boss. The eight of them have become an efficient and surprisingly effective party, capable of working well with one another no matter the circumstances. Willow and Weiss especially have begun to train themselves relentlessly with their chosen weapons, and the rest of the players in Tolbana have begun to call them the Twin Blades. Ruby and Yang have also become surprisingly deadly in the last three months, with the younger sibling destroying several cheap greataxes to create a crude but effective scythe, despite the system's best but dwindling efforts to stop her. Yang herself has taken to using armored gauntlets over her own fists, and she finally recently succeeded in creating the first martial arts based sword skill, which is spreading like wildfire among the front liners who are working on mastering new and varied techniques of their own. 

But they all freeze when they hear a terror filled scream.

Thinking the absolute worse, the four adults rush towards the source of the terror inducing shrieks along with the sounds of a pitched battle. To their growing panic, they hear Ruby's commanding voice call out attack patterns and for the young women with her to use specific sword skills. They hear Yang's roars as she aggros the mobs they are no doubt fighting, along with the sounds of quick and precise sword strikes that are no doubt coming from the twins, who normally fight in near perfect harmony with one another. But they also hear the screaming continue, now coming from not one but two distinct voices. Pushing themselves harder, the four adults burst through the foliage and hammer into the large group of armored kobolds from behind, easily taking much of the pressure off the four young women, who are staying between the mobs and two screaming girls who are clinging to one another. They soon finish off the last of the kobolds, and look upon the two girls still clinging to one another and sobbing. 

One is a beautiful little ginger haired girl of perhaps no more than ten years of age, with startling green eyes. On her back is a simple longsword more appropriate for a beginner, along with her simplistic armor. 

The other is an older girl of perhaps twelve years of age, with reddish orange hair with blue highlights done up in a pair of twin tails and sea green eyes. She is clinging to the younger girl protectively, her own sword drawn even as she holds it awkwardly and calling out to them in halting japanese to stay away from her and her sister.

But what broke her heart was the fact that the younger girl was clinging to a sword in her arms while sobbing and crying for their father in English, and it only took a moment for all of them to realize that the Death Game had claimed another victim, leaving the two girls orphaned both in game and perhaps also in real life. 

It took the girls some time to calm the older girl down enough to lower her weapon, and longer to coax them back to Tolbana. It took hours to calm the younger girl down enough to learn that her name is Penny, and her older sister's name is Neon. But even she offers a quiet prayer to their father when they finally tell their story. They had snuck off to explore the nearby forest after taking a simple gather quest, one they themselves decided against due to a warning given by a fellow player that the area was swarming with dangerous kobold mobs. Their father had rushed to their aid when he received Penny's frantic email, and had gotten overwhelmed by the almost endless mobs. Neon had still been fighting desperately to protect Penny when the girls had happened upon them while on their kill quest, and Ruby admitted that they had watched the older man finally shatter with a relieved smile on his face that his children would be saved, leaving only his sword behind. 

Pietro Polendina died knowing his girls would be safe, and she was determined to keep them that way.

By the time everyone was ready for bed, she was pleasantly surprised to see Penny sitting between Ruby and Weiss, the little ginger haired girl with freckles holding their hands and singing along to a song popular back home with Ruby while Weiss listened in rapt attention. Neon however was already growing closer to Yang and Willow, the energetic girl joining the blonde in making puns and jokes that had Willow howling in laughter while the other players just shook their heads and scowled. And neither girl hesitated to accept the party requests, while she herself was surprised that she could send them. But she was more than a little surprised and more than a little disturbed to receive a mysterious email as she was settling down for bed that night. It had no sender, no signature, only a few simple lines of text.

Stay the course, Summer Rose. Keep your family together, and guide them as they all grow and prosper. I have no doubts that you shall become one of the leaders that Aincrad desperately needs, and I have decided to unlock the guild option for you and yours. Continue to move forward, Summer Rose, and know that you are all already living up to my expectations while surpassing them. 

She can't help but to ponder the words as she lays in bed, while listening to her mother grumble in her sleep. She can't help but to worry for her, considering she is already in her late fifties and still fighting despite this. To be honest, she is even more deadly than before, considering her beloved granddaughters are trapped in the game with them, along with her growing family. And she knows Maria Calavera-Rose will continue to fight as long as there is a single hit point left, as long as her weapons still have a single point of durability left. And she can't help but to smile softly as Maria rumbles something about Neon and Penny and how adorable they are even as she turns on her side. About how sweet Weiss and Willow are. About how much she missed Yang, and how much she adores Ruby. And to her surprise, how perfect Qrow and Winter are for one another. 

It helps her make her decision.

Working late into the night, she registers their guild along with all its various members. She sets up the shared storage, ensuring that even Penny can access it along with Neon, while naming Ruby her second in command due to the fact that all the younger girls listen to her without question. She thinks long and hard about a name as well as a symbol, before smiling as she designs one of their own: a Shattered Moon set on a field of midnight black. And the name comes to her during the early hours of the morning, while she watches the sun slowly begin to rise over the horizon, while knowing that Willow will already be up watching it with joy in her ruby red eyes. 

On the Ninety First Day, the Champions of Beacon are born, and Aincrad will never be the same…

Chapter 2: The Dragon Tamer, The Rat, and The Smith

Notes:

Hiya everyone! Wyn here with another exciting chapter of Ninety Days! Now, where the first chapter was all about introducing many of the main cast of RWBY to the world of Sword Art Online while sticking to the writing prompt presented by Power_Taco, this one is about three characters from SAO and some slight changes to their own canon selves as they too begin their journeys through Aincrad and perhaps even beyond. Anywho, I hope everyone enjoys, and I'll see you all next time!

The Dragon Tamer

Ayano Keiko was honoring a promise when she logged into Sword Art Online on that fateful first day. A promise made to a mother who died before she herself could try out the game that even the creator himself was promising would change the world. A mother who was so proud of her samurai roots that she was among the first people in the world to own a Nervegear, just so she could become a virtual reality samurai in Asuka Empire, one of the first games available for the sophisticated device. Her father of course was supportive of her mother as she lived her dream, and he and Keiko both would listen as she gushed about her adventures in a virtual world, katana in hand and fighting battles that Keiko couldn't even begin to fathom, despite her own robust experience playing video games.

But she was too young still to join her, along with the fact that her parents couldn't afford the money to buy her her own Nervegear.

Her mother had been thrilled to be chosen to be a beta tester for Sword Art Online, and her stories had turned even more fantastic as she and her fellow testers explored the brave new world undergoing fine tuning and balancing before being released to the public. And she spoke with pride when her ideas and suggestions were taken into consideration, considering she was an experienced and highly skilled professional gamer with many years of experience. And the entire family had been thrilled when she was offered a position at Rekt Industries after the beta, the competition company to Argus in the beginning stages of creating their own MMORPG to compete with SAO. But, she still had her own copy of the final version of the groundbreaking game, and was more than prepared to dive in on launch day. 

But an accident while she was on her way home from her meeting with Rekt changed everything.

Ayano Michiko was hit by an out of control car as she crossed a busy intersection, and critically injured. Keiko and her father had barely made it to the hospital before she died, and they both had cried as she was taken away. But in Keiko's hands was her mother's much anticipated copy of Sword Art Online, along with a grief filled promise made by the now twelve year old girl to be there for the launch. To set foot on Aincrad for her now dead mother, and to keep living her life to its absolute fullest. To keep playing the games they both loved, and to keep alive the standards and traditions of the samurai that they were both descended from. 

Ayano Keiko logged into Sword Art Online, despite still mourning for her mother. She was determined to honor her final wish, and see for herself why Michiko declared SAO a game that will change the world. 

Within the first hour, she met a rather enthusiastic American girl her age named Dusk, who was logged in with her entire family. They have been travelling the world together since her father's retirement two years before, and that her parents had lost a bet with her siblings and had to prepare for SAO at almost the last minute. To Silica's surprise, the girl spoke excellent Japanese, and the two of them were soon rushing around the Town of Beginnings together hand in hand, laughing as they explored every nook and cranny they could find. But she herself was in awe of SAO, and soon her grief was subliminated by her curiosity and excitement to explore this amazing new world, hopefully with her new friend by her side. 

But, like any fairy tale beginning, there always has to be a moment of soul crushing darkness.

She blinks as her eyes readjust after the forced teleport, Dusk still beside her and looking around in confusion. They came to the same conclusion, that they had been returned to the starting point of the Town, but neither of them knew why. But to their growing horror, they soon learned the why as they watched the figure appear in midair. They both listened to Akihito Kayaba as he explained during his twisted version of a tutorial that this was his world, and that they were all trapped here. She and Dusk clasped hands as they watched all the footage from the various news agencies from around Japan as well as the world, and Dusk gasped as she saw herself as well as her family and a trio of white haired women being taken out of their hotel and placed into ambulances, their Nervegears still securely on their heads.

Both girls begin to panic as well as the crowd when Kayaba vanishes after wishing them all good luck, the first real tendrils of fear and despair striking them.

Dusk is the first one of them to recover, quickly pulling Silica to her feet and forcing her way through the now panicking crowd while screaming out names she doesn't recognize, along with Mama and Daddy. She keeps a virtual death grip on her hand as they finally break free of the crowd and rush off towards what will hopefully be safety. Neither young girl stops running until the sounds of screaming and yelling are all but nonexistent, Dusk finally relenting and stopping. Silica herself is still in a panic, one that finally stops when Dusk grabs her by the shoulders and looks her in the eyes while smiling.

"Don't worry, my Daddy's on the way. He'll know what to do."

Silica can only nod as she takes deep breaths, despite there not being any need for that in a virtual reality world. She takes heart in the fact that Dusk has calmed down as well, and is sitting on a bench waiting patiently for her family to catch up to them. And as they wait, the two of them begin to chat quietly, while musing about what all this now means. What they do know for sure is that Kayaba is not a liar, and that the log out button is truly missing. They talk about the fact that her family was seen being transported to what is hopefully a safe place for them, while also wondering who the other three women were in the video. And Silica can't help but to smile as Dusk suddenly rises to her feet and all but tackles down the two young women who appear looking for her.

One of them is taller, with long chocolate brown hair and matching eyes, while the other is shorter, with equally long charcoal black hair styled carefully over one shoulder and burning amber eyes. Behind them is a smiling blonde woman with crystal blue eyes, and beside her is the largest man she has ever seen in her life. 

"Dusky, who's your friend?" The charcoal black haired teenager asks as they all look at her, making her blush in embarrassment.

"Her name's Silica, and she's coming with us." Dusk declared firmly as she glares at her family, her hands on her hips. "She's my friend!"

The giant of a man nods as he looks at the blonde, a smile on her own face, before looking at his daughter. "Then come on you two. Let's find someplace to stay for the night, and we'll figure things out as we go." He rumbles as he smirks.

The chocolate haired girl holds out a hand to Silica, a smile on her face. "My name's Velvet, Silica. And this is my sister, Cinder." She introduces them both in surprisingly perfect Japanese. Turning, she waves a hand at the two adults, her smile brightening. "And this is our Mum and Dad, Salem and Alex."

Silica can only nod as she smiles back. "I'm Silica, it's a pleasure to meet you all." She replies as she bows. 

"Let's get a move on, y'all." The giant named Alex calls out as he turns and begins to walk towards a nearby in. "Ah need ah damned beer and some time to think."

"WE need to think, my giant idiot." The woman named Salem corrects him as she walks beside him, her arm looped in his. "And we also need to learn how to fight. We have a game to help clear."

"Yeah yeah, you damned bossy woman." He grumbles, even as he smiles down at the woman on his arm, a look in his eyes that Silica recognizes. Her father would always look at her mother that way, and she hoped to meet someone who looked at her like that one day. 

Dusk giggles as she holds out a hand. "You heard him, Silica. You're with us now."

Silica takes the hand with a smile, while a feeling of hope begins to fill her. For a brief moment, she had been scared to death of the possibility of having to figure things out on her own, of facing the dangers of a death game without anyone by her side. But meeting Dusk, meeting her family, seeing the fact that they were already preparing to tackle Sword Art Online head on is giving her the courage to face the coming challenges by their sides for as long as they'll have her. 

Ayano Keiko is no longer afraid of Sword Art Online. Together with Dusk and her family, she knows she will be safe with them as they work together to clear the Death Game and return home someday…

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The Rat of Aincrad

Information is power. That's the first lesson Hosaka Carina Tomo learned from her mother, a highly respected international journalist. But it was a lesson anchored in an even greater truth: Bad Information Can Be Worse than a Lie. That lesson was taught to her by her private detective father, who knew the dangers of bad information firsthand. It was an investigation of his that led to her parents meeting, the two of them working together to expose a supposedly corrupt politician who turned out to be his own wife's puppet. The two of them never expected to see one another again once the amoral woman was brought to justice, but a last minute run in at the local train station as she was leaving had determined both their fates. 

Tomo was born a little over a year later, and she changed both their lives.

Tomo's mother, Andrea, was Australian by birth, and highly educated. She spoke six languages, was as brave as a lioness, and dedicated in her pursuit of the truth. But, she was also a dedicated mother and wife, who put her career on hold to raise her beloved little girl in a Japan that was slowly putting aside their distaste for outsiders. Andrea instilled in her daughter the need to always seek out the answers she sought, and taught her to never be afraid to get her hands dirty to find them. 

Tomo's father, Hiroshi, is a remarkably progressive man who's thirst for the truth rivaled his wife's. But, where his wife Andrea was book smart, he was street smart and learned quickly to trust his instincts. They make an effective team together, and soon his little private investigation service was prospering with the two of them working together. It was her father who taught her how to be stealthy. How to listen for both the words that will spill from a person's mouth as well as the ones that they were leaving unsaid, as well as the value of investigating leads thoroughly. 

Tomo is the best of them both, and her keen mind and well honed instincts served her well during Sword Art Online's beta. 

If Tomo has any kind of character flaws, they would be that she is a bit abrasive with her comments, along with her willingness to sell almost any piece of information for the right price. She is also secretly a romantic at heart, who believes that she is destined to meet her Mr. Right much like her own parents met. And when Kayaba's betrayal occurred during the first day, she immediately set out that same night. She knew the information she gained during the beta would be invaluable to the now trapped players, but it needed to be verified. 

Argo the Rat was born that first night in Aincrad, and she never looked back. 

Within the first week, she had put together the first guidebook to the first floor, selling it to some of the more proactive players that were already working diligently to level themselves up and prepare for what was to come. The cor she was making was allowing her to purchase more materials to make more of them, which she then turned around and simply gave away to the players that were slowly following the frontrunners. She also began to keep tabs on the more powerful players and groups that were quickly sweeping their way through the smaller towns, fields, and dungeons, taking careful notes on their fighting habits and personalities. She also became a trusted messenger, who was well known for her surprising discretion, unless cor came up. Then she was also well known for being willing to sell her own mother's name for the right price. An absurdly high price, but a price nonetheless.

But the Rat had a secret, one she would never reveal no matter the amount of cor offered: She was searching for someone in SAO.

He was a beta tester like her. He saved her life numerous times during said beta, when she bit off more than she can chew while exploring a dungeon to discover all its secrets alongside her partner, an overly enthusiastic older woman who was always talking about her daughter, and how much she would love this game. But she only had eyes for the beta tester that she would jokingly call her hero with every rescue, despite how much she honestly believed it. Even her partner would tease her mercilessly after he would leave, when she would finally allow herself to be a blushing, stammering mess. She knows she has it bad for the brooding, borderline rude young man who always came to her rescue, and she swore she would conquer her unnatural shyness around him and confess her feelings once SAO went live.

But like with everything else, it all went to hell when Kayaba betrayed them all, and she was kept busy helping in any way she could.

Heading into the ninetieth day, her files on certain players were rather extensive, and highly sought after. But no one could honestly afford what she charged for that particular information. Not yet anyway. But she kept her eye on certain players, along with the only actual guild already active on SAO. She kept close tabs on a particular fencer who kept camping in a nearby dungeon for days at a time. She kept close tabs on a second family group traveling with a girl who she suspected was the daughter of her old partner, while wondering where the woman herself was. And she especially kept close tabs on a fellow beta tester who was playing as a solo player, and who she suspected of being her knight in shining armor. But what she never expected was that her entire outlook on life would change with a fateful meeting when she went to bother Kirito with yet another offer for his weapon. More specifically, how much her outlook would change when she stepped into the bathroom to change, encountering a very naked fencer taking a bath in his bathroom. 

Argo the Rat learned something very important about herself as she stared at the startled Asuna, who began to scream as she tried and failed to cover herself. And poor Kirito never knew what hit him a split second later when he charged into the bathroom in wide eyed concerned, catching a pair of fists to the face from Argo and Asuna both.

She couldn't help but to sulk as she and Asuna talked after the embarrassing incident while now sharing the bath. And as loathe as she was to admit it, she learned a lot about the fencer and the swordsman. She learned things she knew she would end up keeping off the table, due to her own need to learn more about the girl she was quickly developing a crush on, while also realizing that the unconscious blockhead in the next room actually was the beta tester she's been searching for. Her knight in shining armor who dragged Asuna out of a dungeon unconscious almost a month and a half ago, and who she has been travelling with ever since. Who has taught her so much about the game, while the desperate search for the final field boss continues. Who even she can't deny is rather cute, while Asuna herself is absolutely gorgeous. And she admits to certain things about herself as well. Things she would normally charge millions of cor for, yet finds herself admitting to willingly. 

Her mother would already be laughing at her, while her father would just look at her and smirk, while both of them would be reminding her of the most important lesson they ever taught her: To follow her heart.

Kirito was already on her friend's list, and Asuna was soon added as well. But it would be months later when they would notice the hearts she added to their names in her contact list, after the first major update added more modern touches to the game, like emojis and even a crude text messaging system via the email. Kirito's were black and purple, and Asuna's were red and white, but they both refrained from teasing her about it. Instead, Kirito just added a mouse symbol to her contact information, while Asuna added brown and gold hearts to her's. But by the ninety first day, when the gathered players were preparing to storm the now finally unlocked labyrinth, Argo the Rat was surprisingly fiercely loyal to Aa-chan and Kii-bou as she now called them. She respected them greatly as both players as well as people, and she was a constant presence at the farmhouse they have kept rented since Kirito arrived at Tolbana, to the point where she pays the rent every third week while grumbling good-naturedly about it. And of course, they both came to her rescue when she once again bit off more than she can chew while exploring the labyrinth, while she called them her heroes with a genuine smile on her face.

Argo the Rat has become Aincrad's premier information broker, and she is determined to see as many players free of Kayaba's clutches as possible, while also turning over a tidy profit. Especially a pair of players she calls her heroes, but sees as so much more. A pair of players who have changed her life, and who she will see free if she has to challenge Kayaba herself to do it…

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

The Smith

Shinozaki Rika shut down after the end of the tutorial, while sitting on the ground. She didn't move even when the crowd began to riot around her, still too stunned to even speak a single word, or show even a single emotion. The only thing she could think of was that her mother and father must be terrified right now. That their kind, gentle, friendly daughter is trapped in a game that she may actually die in. 

Rika doesn't want to die, not in a game she was actually starting to enjoy despite the lack of magic.

It was a far cry for the girl to be playing an actual MMORPG like Sword Art Online. She much preferred more traditional board games and tabletop RPGs like the legendary Dungeons and Dragons, where she frequently played magic using characters that her many friends would rely on to get them out of a pinch with her heavy hitting spells and infectious enthusiasm. But she was also popular with her more traditional classmates as well, with her vivacious and friendly personality that let her make friends wherever she went. Trying out SAO was a way for her to expand her horizons, to try out something completely new, and her friends and even her family encouraged her to play. But the most important part of her personality was her ability to be helpful, to assist whenever it was needed, and her mind finally focused on a new goal as the crowds continued to go berserk around her. 

Shinozaki Rika may not know much about playing online games, but she does know a lot about playing RPGs. And there's a lot more to RPGs than just swinging a weapon around while making yelling sounds and hoping you roll a natural 20.

Rika spent the first week of SAO staying close to the Town of Beginnings while learning how to actually play. She soon figured out that she was best with one handed maces paired with small, easy to use shields, and she was thrilled when she finally learned her first real sword skill. She began to figure out how the various skill trees worked, while also studying all the various extra skills available as well, unable to help herself in comparing them to the skills available to an average character in D&D. But it was one set of skills that kept catching her attention during her studies, skills that she thinks will be in high demand once people get tired of dealing with the NPCs that are currently the only ones capable of doing them. 

Rika makes the decision on her seventh night in SAO to pursue Blacksmithing, and she never looks back.

Studying the guides available to the players in the help section, she soon figured out that in order to become a blacksmith, she first has to apprentice with a Smith to unlock the skill tree needed. A task that is easier said than done considering the NPCs were rather simple in that regard. But, she continued to seek them all out both in the Town of Beginnings as well as the neighboring villages, searching for the one that could help her unlock the skills she seeks. It wasn't until she arrived at Tolbana that she finally found an NPC smith who offered a quest that unlocked the basic skills needed to forge simple weapons, that finally assists her in taking the first critical step of her new chosen path. Granted, she almost failed the quest several times, but a rather kindhearted silver eyed girl and her white haired companion were more than happy to assist her, and even gave her all the materials that were dropped by the mobs they defeated. And Ruby and Weiss had stood by her as she began to train to become a blacksmith under the watchful eye of the NPC, and had cheered for her when she successfully forged her first Iron Blade.

Lisbeth the Blacksmith was born on the sixty third day of Sword Art Online, and she only grew and prospered from there. 

Ruby soon introduced her to her mother, Summer, and the rest of her rather large familia as she called them. They included her Grandmother, her older sister, her Uncle, and Weiss and her own twin sister and older sister. They were the first ones bringing her mats, resources, and helping her with her own level gaining so she can become more skilled in the surprisingly difficult job she has chosen. They helped her keep her spirits up as she struggled to increase her proficiency in forging new weapons, in learning how to perform much needed upgrades to existing weapons, and how to manipulate the raw iron ores that drop frequently in many different quests into iron ingots that can be used to both make new weapons as well as reinforce them. They even began to spread the word of her growing skills among the front liners that are seeking the elusive field boss sealing the Labyrinth hiding the first floor boss. And to her surprise, they suddenly insist on her staying with them at night, while also making sure she eats and gets sufficient rest. She starts to grow closer to the large extended family, soon laughing and joking with them as her meager English improves greatly, and she begins to teach the twins Japanese with Ruby's enthusiastic help. She begins to enjoy being a part of another closely knit family, and she even surprises herself when she starts calling Maria Abuela as well, much to the older woman's amusement.

Soon, Lisbeth is busy from almost sun up to sun down performing maintenance, upgrades, and even forging newer and better weapons and armors for the gathering players in Tolbana, but especially for her newfound family, who she is growing to adore.

But on the seventy first day, Ruby surprises her by bringing her a dozen Iron Choppers, while running a proposition by her. Lisbeth listened in rapt attention as Ruby ran her idea by her, the two of them soon eagerly attempting something that until now was deemed impossible. The two of them were determined to turn one of the basic greataxes Ruby has been slowly stockpiling into an actual scythe for the silver eyed girl. The first attempt of course failed miserably, to the point that even the system itself warned them that what they were doing wasn't allowed. That the new weapon type they were trying to create didn't even exist. Undeterred, Ruby and Lisbeth tried again, this time the axehead actually starting to take a slightly different shape before shattering, with the same message appearing once more. But the two teenagers were determined. Aincrad and Sword Art Online's rules be damned, they would succeed no matter how long it takes. 

They both heard Kayaba himself say clearly that what happened in Aincrad after the tutorial was up to them all, and they were determined to force the system to bend to their will, one way or another.

The third attempt met with more success, but the two of them decided to stop there for a moment to consider how they had reached each stopping point before the system took over and shut them down. They took their actions into account, along with the materials and resources used in each attempt, and studied them closely. They soon realized that with each attempt, she gains more points in the weapon creation part of forging, yet that alone still didn't seem to be enough. And they realize that perhaps it isn't just trying to create a weapon that technically doesn't exist that is holding them up, but it could also be the fact that perhaps the weapon itself needs to be upgraded a bit to accommodate the new weapon type they were trying to create. After all, great axes were large and heavy weapons in their own right, but a scythe was even larger and heavier. 

So despite heading back to the drawing board, they returned to work the next day with renewed vigor. 

On the second day, they met with more success, so much so that even Ruby finally unlocked blacksmithing for herself when she tried to create a spare Iron Chopper and instead created an Iron Spear instead. But instead of immediately melting it down to restore it back to an iron ingot, Ruby instead upgraded the weapon to a +1, adding to its weight. Taking note of her progress, Lisbeth took another Iron Chopper and increased it to +1, adding to its sharpness instead. With devious smiles on their faces, they suddenly and without warning combined the two weapons, cheering when their first crude scythe was forged from the combined weapons. The blade was much shorter than Ruby wanted, and that she herself was satisfied with, but it was a start. Within days they soon forged a proper, if still crude war scythe that the system named the Iron Cutter, and their celebration at their success was heard throughout almost all of Tolbana. 

Aincrad had finally bent to their will, and it gave the growing family hope that perhaps the death game could indeed be beaten.

Lisbeth herself looked on with pride as Ruby began training with her new weapon. It had taken a lot of hard work, a lot more patience, and a whole lot of luck to make the weapon, but she knew that she was finally on her way. But one thing she has always had a bad habit of not doing was checking her email, and it would be almost three months before she finally noticed one from an unknown sender sitting in her inbox. One she opened out of curiosity, and that made her stare at it in open mouthed shock as she reread it over and over again.

Congratulations on creating a brand new weapon type, Lisbeth. You are one of the first players to challenge the system and succeed, and I look forward to seeing what you can accomplish next.

She's never deleted the message, keeping it as proof that she made the right decision in becoming a blacksmith. Just as she never hesitated in accepting Summer's guild invite on the ninety first day, becoming a proud member of the Champions of Beacon alongside her newfound family. Lisbeth the Blacksmith would become one of the go to people for many members of the assault team, for the many up and coming players in SAO, and especially for a trio of players who would become legends in their own right. But at night, she would always go home to the family she comes to love as her own. The family that supported her as she started on her own journey, and that continues to support her as the death game continued. 

Lisbeth has found her place in Sword Art Online, and with her family beside her, she looks forward to the day they will all be freed from the game she started as a way to expand her horizons, but that she found so much more in. She found herself, her true self, and that knowledge has set her free…

 

On the Ninety First Day, the Labyrinth was finally unlocked, and a long delayed confrontation with the future was fast approaching. One that will change all their lives…

Notes:

Ok everyone, just a small thing really quick. The information I'm using for the SAO characters comes directly from the fandom wiki available online as well as the many wonderful light novels written by the creator, including Progressive. Please forgive me for any major inconsistencies, as this is a work of fanfiction, and I'm taking some liberties while writing what I hope will be an enjoyable story for you all.

Chapter 3: The Crimson Fury and the Dreadnought

Notes:

Hiya everyone! Wyn here with a (very self admittedly) ambitious new chapter of this little story of mine. Granted, anything involving me tends to snowball quickly, but I'm oddly comfortable with it.

Explanation Time!

Guys, I stopped watching Anime for years, until Sword Art Online got my attention back. It reignited a lot of my passion I had for a lot of things again, and then I was led to RWBY, where I fell in love with the characters and the combat (and the weapons! I want my own Myrtenaster!) But one of my biggest loves has always been Harry Potter, and recently I have gone down that rabbit hole with my writing as well.

And honestly? I've always planned on bringing the HP world into this, but I didn't like how I was doing it originally. But thanks to a breakthrough with another fic, I had an even better idea than the first one, and went with it.

Guys, I will be the first to admit I'm being a bit self indulgent here. I'm combining two fandoms already that actually mesh rather well, and shoehorning a third in. But, I can make it work, planned it out in my normal obsessive way, and I just hope everyone enjoys!

Anywho, again I hope everyone enjoys, and I'll see you next time as the great fic revival continues!

She comes from a different world. A far different world with its own rich history, its own varied and unique cultures and nations, and its own deeply held beliefs and long practiced traditions. A world that exists in plain view, yet is ignored by the ignorant masses despite the chaos one particular corner of that world is embroiled in. A horrific war that was beginning to bleed into the common world, and that was drawing the attention of those in power, who had growing concerns of their own.

It was to this world that a beautiful little girl was born into on July 31st, 2010. She was the daughter of a pair of former enemies who returned to being lovers and soulmates, and who was also claimed by their shared best friend as his own daughter. However, out of fear for reprisals by those on both sides of the conflict as well as one woman's family for daring to debase herself by laying with a woman of low birth, they hid her birth from the world, trusted no one with the secret of her existence, and raised her together in a quaint, quiet village far away from the fighting and violence. 

Where Bellatrix and Lily Black were raising their daughter, Amaryllis Andromeda Potter-Black, with help from Lily's best friend and Bella's cousin, James. 

But Lord Voldemort still sought Lily out to punish her for breaking the spell he had upon Bella, turning her into his most fervent follower, his most vicious and violent weapon of war. He sought Bella out to punish her for abandoning his cause, despite being forced to fight for him. James was simply the innocent bystander, who Voldemort judged guilty by association. He actually put his quest to seek out the one who “Has a Power the Dark Lord Knows Not” on hold, confident in his ability to defeat some sniveling mewling whelp of a child. 

He has no idea that he has been manipulated by an evil man who wants Lily for himself, but is too much of a coward to challenge her now wife for her. Despite being freed of the spell controlling her, Bella is still a dangerous and cunning opponent, who has sworn vengeance for her mind being taken from her. For being turned into a weapon against her own family, and forced to hate the woman who is her soulmate and an important part of her life. 

But Amaryllis and her safety comes first, and the three of them take protecting the beautiful girl with deadly single minded focus. She is their future, one that they shall protect at all costs. 

But the three parents are unaware that she too is a child of prophecy, with a destiny that will lead her far from the country of her birth and to a foreign land where mysticism and technology exist in harmony and not dissonance. Where the ancient past and sophisticated future meet, long held and deeply valued traditions are bound tightly together with modern beliefs and ways as that part of the world embraces the future while still respectful of the past and its own hard learned lessons. 

Where Amaryllis is destined to stand shoulder to shoulder with a group of other chosen individuals as they battle their own Dark Lord, who instead of conquering the real world, creates a digital world in which he intends to rule them all. 

Three lives end on October 31st, 2011, when Voldemort finally finds the small family no thanks to a formerly close friend's betrayal. He walked with confidence towards the door of the cottage, secure in his firm belief that his former slave has lost her fangs and claws. That she would be a weak, pathetic shell of her former violent, glorious self. 

He was wrong. Completely and totally wrong.

Bella and James met him at the threshold, while Lily was ordered to flee by her wife and best friend with their shared child. To not look back, to remember them fondly, and to raise Amaryllis as a proper witch, and the Heiress of both their houses. 

Voldemort soon feared for his life as the cousins fought him with absolutely no fear. With viciousness and with ever growing acts of violence and destruction. During all this, Bellatrix Black became the new Lady Black, her ring appearing on her slender finger as she fought like the most dangerous of uncaged Nundus. When the Black family magic chose her over Sirius, who betrayed them all by willingly kneeling to a lesser man, while she fights to protect an acknowledged and cherished member of the blood, a proud Daughter of the House of Black once more. James Potter is the Lord Potter, trained by only the finest of duelists and warriors in his parents and their many friends and allies, and gave no quarter and showed no mercy. They had the so called Dark Lord on his knees, both of them bent, bleeding, but still triumphant as they readied the deadliest spells they knew to end the threat to their family once and for all, but stopped as they heard Lily scream. 

James never took his eyes off his enemy, even as Bella turned to deal with whoever was threatening her wife. But she froze as she looked upon her cousin, Sirius, who held her beloved soulmate firmly by her beautiful fiery red hair as she still held a crying Amaryllis in her arms. Sirius has his wand to her daughter's head, an unholy look in his eyes as he orders them both to drop their wands. To release his Lord, or he would kill them both. 

“Why, Siri? Why betray the blood?” She asks even as she drops her wand, refusing to endanger her wife and child.

“What has the blood ever done for me, Bella?” He spits back angrily. “My abusive whore of a mother tortured me, beat me when I dared to stand against her, crucioed me when I tried to defend Reggie. And the worst insult? She forced father to cast me from the family for siding with James instead of the Dark Lord. A mistake I fixed when you and this mudblood whore stole him away from me! Me! The man he always claimed was his brother in all but blood!”

“Because you tried to kill Snape, Padfoot.” James calls out, his own wand still pointed directly between Voldemort’s eyes while the defeated Dark Lord sees his death reflected in James’ own. “That wasn't a prank, that would have been murder, and Moony would have been the unknowing weapon.”

“He deserved it! He deserved it for what he did to Marlene!” Sirius roars back as he tightens his grip on Lily's hair, yanking it and her head back as she screams in pain. But then he smiles. A smile that speaks volumes as he uses his own strength to pull a still screaming Lily closer. “Don't worry, Bella. The Dark Lord has promised me your precious mudblood in exchange for leading him here. I’ll marry her properly, teach her her place, and raise your Heiress to worship the Dark Lord. To use her considerable political power as he desires while he conquers the world.”

“I’ll sooner see Amaryllis dead than serving your precious Dark Lord, Sirius.” Lily growls out, her growing anger overriding the pain. “I’ll sooner let Greyback turn me and mount me like a bitch in heat before I ever become your wife.”

Bellatrix opens her hand wide, her wand returning to it. Raising it level to her cousin's head, her amethyst eyes narrow in determination as she makes a decision. “James?”

“On three.” He replies, already understanding the unspoken question, his two word answer easily understood by them all.

“Better dead than leaving our daughter to their mercy.” Lily verbalizes while pulling their beloved daughter closer to her, Amaryllis no longer crying, but instead staring silently at her mother, her emerald green eyes with their thin outer rings of amethyst glowing softly.

James Potter nods as the tip of his wand begins to glow. “Save your last words, Voldemort. No one cares.” He snarls out. “One.” James then calls out, his grip tightening on his wand. “Grow up well, Amaryllis. Live your life with honor and courage, Lady Potter.” He declares as his magical abdication, his ring vanishing just to appear on a silver chain around his beloved daughter’s neck.

“Two.” Bellatrix calls out next, Sirius now looking at her in his growing fear. “Live your life fully, my little Lady Black.” Her ring follows suit, joining the Potter ring around her beloved daughter's tiny little neck, the silver chain flashing as it is magically bound to the just fifteen month old child. “And learn to live, to love, and keep laughing.”

“Bella, wait!”

“Mum, Mummy, and Da love you, Ama. Live well, love freely, and be the best witch you can possibly be. Three!” Lily screams as she pulls her own head forward as forcefully as possible, while twisting her body to shield her baby, her hopes for a brighter future from Sirius. She screams as she feels her own hair rip free, but successfully distracting a now panicked Sirius just long enough.

Voldemort closed his eyes just as James opens his mouth to speak his final incantation, as he summons his blood family's most feared spell, while Bella summons her own much feared and deadly blaze.

“ Ignis Atrum! ”

“ Flammae daemonicae!”

Godric's Hollow is utterly destroyed in the combined inferno caused by the Potter’s Dark Flames along with the Demonic Flames of the Blacks. And while James would have been spared from his flames, and Bella from her own, they knew the traitor, the madman, and especially Lily would not. And a life not lived with Lily by their sides was no life worth living. And so they too succumbed to the flames of their cousin’s respective family, just to ensure that their beloved daughter survives.

They can only hope Amaryllis, as the new Lady of two of the oldest and most celebrated and feared magical houses in the entire world, survives…

/\/\/\/\

Albus Dumbledore leads the search party looking for any survivors of the complete and total destruction of the quiet wizarding community that once existed here. Where he himself spent part of his adolescence, fell in love, and where his beloved sister died accidentally by his own hand. He has never forgiven himself, he never forgave his lover for causing the argument that spiraled out of control, and now he fears for the cause of all this destruction.

It is Alastor who finds the girl standing barefoot in what appears to be the charred remains of a once beautifully kept front yard. Her eyes are glowing softly as she clutches a stuffed black cat along with a blanket to her chest, while she cries out for her parents. The girl obviously doesn't trust him, evidenced by her running away from him while screaming for her no doubt dead parents, but the grizzled old Auror was easily capable of catching her with a sole flick of his wand. 

Minerva stares at the girl in shock, tears falling down her face as she stares at this tiny little child who looks like both Lily Evans and of all people Bellatrix Black, along with James Potter’s eternally messy hair. She takes the crying, struggling toddler into her arms, while Albus gently reaches over and examines the pair of rings secured on a chain around her neck. An unbreakable, divinely blessed chain meant to hold the proof to the entire world that she is now the Lady of two powerful, old, well respected houses at the far too young age of just fifteen months. 

This unknown girl is the new Lady Potter-Black, her rings displayed prominently around her neck as both declaration and warning, and woe to any who dare to try to remove them.

“Albus, who could she be?” Minerva asks as she holds the still crying child, who has stopped struggling against her, while still crying out pitifully for her Mum, her Mumma, and her Da while reaching towards the meager remains of one of the many burnt down buildings. 

“I must assume she is at least the child of Lily Evans for certain, Minerva.” He replies quietly as he releases the rings to fall back upon her tiny chest. “As to whom her other parent is, I would dare say both James Potter and his cousin Bellatrix are both strong possibilities. Perhaps all three of them have been living in hiding here since Lily freed Bella from Voldemort’s control?”

“Aye. The lass was carried by Lily, sired by one, and blood adopted by the other, and no doubt raised by all three.” Alastor agrees as he looks around with both his real as well as his magical eye. But he focuses on the girl in Minerva's arms, a very uncharacteristic look of sadness in his remaining eye. “Poor thing. Another orphan left behind. But by the looks of it, all this has to have been James and Bella and those two particular family spells.”

Albus nods. “The Potter’s Dark Flames combined with the Black’s Demonic Flames. No doubt, whoever they fought was similarly destroyed.” He agrees before shaking his head. “Only this child was spared, due to becoming the new Lady of both houses, thus immediately immune to the only two known types of magical fires that burn hotter and destroy more totally and completely than fiendfyre itself.”

“We'll need to take her to Gringotts, Albus. They can confirm her identity.” Minerva chimes in, the girl now asleep in her arms. 

“We know she is Lily's child.” He begins, Alastor raising an eyebrow in curiosity. “Perhaps leave it at that?”

“What are you thinking, Albus?”

“We take her to Lily's sister, then erect wards to keep her from being tracked by the remaining Blacks and Death Eaters.” He proposes. “She is still far too young to defend herself, or even declare a champion to stand for her, since I doubt either Bella or James left wills. Not if they were living here in hiding, and desperate enough to destroy themselves along with Lily and whomever was foolish enough to attack them.”

Minerva sighs. “Narcissa will not hesitate to claim the girl as her blood. That would give her and Lucius free reign to raise her and fill her mind with nothing but pureblood dogma and beliefs.” Pausing, she shakes her head. “The Potter family magic could possibly even forsake her for those beliefs, and place her in even greater danger.”

Alastor shakes his head. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” He growls out. “Yet I see no better options either. Not as long as that dark bastard exists.”

“Then it is settled.” Albus declares as he takes the sleeping child, smiling softly as she instinctively curls into his arms. “I shall deliver her to Petunia, establish the wards, and impress upon her how important she could possibly be to our world.”

“And her name, Albus? Petunia will need to know.” Minerva points out.

“For now, considering both Lily and Petunia are named for flowers, we shall dub her Rose Evans.” He replies, Alastor already moving away to finish his search. “In that way, if anyone is seeking a child with the name of a constellation, or the names Black or Potter in general, she shall remain safe in her anonymity.”

“Very well, Albus. I’ll trust you in this matter.” Minerva concedes. “But I will bring her back to her rightful place in our world.”

“Of course, Minerva. If you will excuse me, much work awaits me.” Turning on his heel, he vanishes with a pop, not realizing the mistake he is about to make, or the life he is condemning the girl to. 

A life full of pain, of hunger, and of heartbreaking loneliness. A life he will never forgive himself for her being forced to live…

/\/\/\/\

-September 1st, 2021-

“Evans, Rose!” 

Albus is furious as he looks upon the now eleven year old girl, who is standing angrily before them while clutching a ragged, dirty blanket and equally ragged and worn black cat to her far too thin chest and almost too large for her slender figure school robes. Robes covering her ridiculously large clothes, while she is wearing shoes that are obviously too large for what have to be far too small of feet to fill them, and her hair cut to a length even most modern day muggle lasses wouldn't consider. Even the glasses on her face are cracked, held together with what appears to be the muggle version of spellotape, and so dirty he simply cannot fathom how she is able to see a thing. 

Minerva could not get to her in a timely manner, large and gentle Hagrid volunteering in his eagerness to take her place. A normally jovial Hagrid who returned several days later in such a fury that even his beloved creatures fled as he destroyed his small cabin while roaring. 

But even his angrily spoken testimonial was a pale comparison to the actual visible truth of the girl’s condition.

He and Petunia are going to have a long talk once she is sorted and in the hospital wing to be examined. One the horrid muggle woman and her even more horrid husband will not enjoy in the least. If it wasn't so important that she stay with them during the holidays, he would hand them over to the DMLE for their obvious abuse, but she is still a novice in magic, underage, and still unable to adequately protect herself. 

It took them several years with the aid of several members of the Unspeakables, and a cleverly baited trap, but they finally discovered the truth of what occurred at Godric's Hollow almost ten years ago now. Tom is now safely imprisoned deep within the department of mysteries, sealed behind wards so powerful the wraith, who is currently possessing one of his former professors, stands no chance of escape. 

Tom Marvolo Riddle, aka Lord Voldemort, was defeated by James Fleamont Potter, who shared a birthday with his legally blood adopted daughter. He was defeated by a child who was born as the seventh month died, whose power that Tom knew not was that of a father defending his beloved daughter. 

“They hate me.” She hisses out as she glares hatefully at the professors. “Hagrid sang all your praises, yet not a single one of you ever gave a fuck about me.”

Minerva is about to call the girl to task for her language, but is silenced with a glance by Albus. “Miss Evans, I myself gave you over to your Aunt, in the hopes that we could keep you safe from those that served the man who killed your parents.”

“I wish I had died with them!” She shrieks out, while clutching her stuffed cat and threadbare blanket tighter. “They starved me! Beat me! Punished me whenever my magic went out of control because I was scared or angry! They slapped me whenever I proved I was smarter than my fat arsed cousin! They swore they would beat the freakishness out of me!”

“They gave their lives for you, the daughter they hid away from the world. A daughter they loved more than life itself.” Albus counters calmly as he moves from behind the high table, while never once breaking eye contact with the girl teetering between surrendering to her pain, or letting her fury overwhelm and take full control of her. “Bellatrix Black was your mother, and the Lady Black for a brief moment in time, but long enough to pass the title on to you, her beloved daughter. Lily Black neé Evans was your other mother, and a brave and courageous woman who no doubt also protected you to the very end. And your father was James Potter, the Lord Potter, and the Hero Who Conquered a dark and evil man to protect you.” He informs her as he comes to stand before her, surprising everyone by kneeling down to look at her directly in her unique two toned eyes. 

“Your true name is Amaryllis Andromeda Potter-Black, the Lady Potter and the Lady Black. The daughter of the three bravest wixen I ever had the privilege to meet, and I have failed you.”

“We have failed you, lass.” Minerva admits heavily. “We will not continue to do so.”

Her left hand rises by instinct, her fingers held out straight as if to slap him, tears in her gorgeous eyes that are glowing brightly in both her barely restrained fury and her absolute and total sorrow. She stops before her hand can travel down, to inflict well earned and completely deserved punishment upon him. 

“They loved me?” Her voice is a whisper, the truth of their loss told to her after all these years of what was no doubt a horrible lie spoken by a woman consumed by her bitterness and jealousy. 

“Without a single doubt.”

“They died to save me? Not because they didn't want me?”

“Without a moment's hesitation.” He replies calmly. “They loved you more than life itself.”

He knows she has no doubt wondered all her life why she was left alone. Abandoned to a horrible life and even more horrible fate by parents she can't even remember, much less able to mourn. But this man, this so-called great wizard before her, has given her back her name, her family, and told her the truth. 

They died for her, because they loved her.

He made a mistake, and has admitted to it. 

She believes the stern looking woman when she says that things will change now that she is here.

She's at Hogwarts. Away from Vernon and Petunia. She's safe, she can feel it.

Her face scrunches up, her tears begin to fall, as he pulls her gently into a much needed gesture of affection in a simple hug. Her raised arm goes around his neck as she screams in her pain, in her sorrow, while her right arm never once releases the blanket or stuffed black cat her hated Uncle and Aunt could never take from her. 

A blanket given to her by her loving father. A Potter family heirloom meant to keep away even the darkest and most horrible of dreams.

A stuffed animal created using one mother’s magic and another mother's freely given hair. A talisman meant to keep her safe from all harm. 

Two once magically powerful items that are still struggling to perform their tasks despite the amount of time that has passed, and the amount of hate and abuse she has endured. 

He and Petunia Dursley neé Evans are going to have a long chat after this, this very night. He will not leave the sins she committed to her niece unavenged, and he will impress upon her that he will be watching much more closely than before. That he will not tolerate her abuse, her torment any longer, and that she is under his personal protection. 

Another sin that will forever torment his soul. Another young girl under his care that he has failed. He isn't sure he can live with himself after this…

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

-November 6th, 2022-

Amaryllis Potter-Black sighs as she sits in the hotel room of her Uncle and Aunt's hotel in Tokyo, Japan. Specifically, she is sitting on the bed watching Sailor Moon, the Dursleys currently being too angry at having to take her along on Vernon's business trip to Japan, which was a once in a lifetime experience, that every other word was an insult, even though she hasn't done anything to them. 

Yet. But the temptation is definitely there.

It's not her fault Hogwarts was shut down due to an attack on Filch's cat during the Halloween feast, which she was blamed for at first, until she proved that she, Hermione Granger of Ravenclaw, and her fellow Slytherin Daphne Greengrass had gone to Sir Nicolas' Death Day Party out of their own curiosity. It was fascinating, if a bit disgusting, but still utter fascinating.

Susan Bones was asked to message her Aunt Amelia while the Professors were scrambling to keep the students safe, in turn forcing the school to close while they all investigate the mysterious petrification. It also meant the Dursleys had to take her with them at the very last minute, which annoyed them greatly, even though she paid her own way to Japan. And of course, she flew first class while they were stuck in business class on the very long flight. She caught up on a lot of her muggle classes online, read from both her family's Grimoires, and the flight attendants all cooed as she slept under a beautiful old fashioned blanket while clutching a well cared for stuffed black cat. 

She was grateful to her professors for restoring her most treasured possessions as she healed and began to attend classes with her fellow Slytherins. Her tears as she clung to her blanket and her kitty while thanking them was all the reward they needed, while her rings glowed in their own thanks.

Daphne sent her a message yesterday that the school for magic was reopening tomorrow, November 7th, and she needed to get back. But the Dursleys aren't due to return until November 12th, and Dudley is currently whining about the fact that the new game he bought online months ago is all in Japanese to Petunia, who is trying to find one in English. Making a very rare selfish decision, she lets Daphne know that she won't be back until the twelfth, and would she and Hermione take plenty of notes for her?

She learned Japanese in a single day thanks to a translation spell along with a handy charmed necklace she learned and received from a very helpful Japanese witch while she checked in at magical customs. The same witch helpfully informed her that since she is an acknowledged and rightful Lady of a closely allied foreign house with strong ties with Magical Imperial Japan, she isn't bound by the International Restriction for the Reasonable Use of Underage Magic while within Japan’s acknowledged borders. She even very helpfully said it loud enough in English, which the Dursleys heard, all three of them turning pale as she twirled her wand for a brief moment before returning it to her bejeweled bracelet holster, a gift from Daphne for her birthday. They even allowed her to keep carrying her father's daggers, which are still disillusioned and on the small of her back despite the fact that the room is perfectly safe. 

Ama doesn't trust the Dursleys, even after Dumbledore and the entire staff came and had a chat with them after the traumatic Sorting Feast her first year, when she sorted Slytherin while the Sorting Hat also promised her that no one would ever harm her or abuse her in that house once they got to know the real her. It was the kind of chat she wishes she could have watched, even as she cried in pain while Madam Pomphrey, Professor Snape, and a Goblin Healer named Moondancer got her back into proper shape, while also removing the magical blocks placed by her parents, and helping her claim her both her family's legacies and the dual titles she now holds.

But the most important lesson she learned her first year is to be proud of who and what she is, and that is a proud Daughter of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Houses of Potter and Black. That she is a beautiful and powerful witch who strongly resembles both her mothers with her slender yet already developing generous curves figure, her long fiery yet eternally messy red hair, and her gorgeous emerald green with their outer rings of amethyst purple eyes.

She is the very best of all three of her parents, and widely regarded as the most beautiful girl in her year, and one of the most beautiful in the entire school.

"Mum! The girl at the game store doesn't speak any English!" Dudley cries out as he holds his cell in his flabby hand. "Make her talk to her!"

"I can't make her do anything, Dudley!" Petunia, who has long gotten fed up with her son on the trip, snaps back at him. "Or have you forgotten what happened last year?"

Dudley turns pale even as she sits up on the bed and holds out her hand. "Give it here, Dudley. I'll ask her for you." Taking his cell, she clears her throat while silently activating the charm to shore up a few last weaknesses when it comes to the more technical terms she still hasn't really used yet. "Hello? Is this Nerima Fun and Games?"

"Finally! I didn't understand a single word he was saying!" The female voice on the other side replies in obvious relief. "Yes, it is. How can I help you?"

"My cousin wants to know if there's an English version of SAO available?" Ama asks, despite already knowing the answer. SAO has been the only thing all the tech savvy Muggleborns and even a few halfbloods and one particular Pureblood have talked about since school started. And all of them have complained that it will probably be a year or more before a global launch occurs, considering how new the technology is. 

She bought herself a Nervegear and a copy from a guy who was complaining that his job wasn't going to give him the day off to start playing the groundbreaking game. She knows she paid far more than she should have for it, but to her it's well worth it, and she has been waiting patiently for the game to go live. Just this last episode of Sailor Moon to go before she can log in and give it a try.

"I'm sorry, but we don't even have any copies left in Japanese!" The girl replies with a giggle. "No Nervegears either! I'm so glad I bought mine back when Asuka Empire came out!"

"Excited to play?"

"Yes! I can't wait! Less than thirty minutes to go! How about you?"

Ama smiles brightly. "Of course! Hopefully I'll see you there?" She asks, unable to resist flirting a bit. She's been enraptured with all the beautiful women she has seen since arriving three days ago, and has ignored the Dursleys and their looks of disgust as she has flirted her way through every store, restaurant, and even noodle shop where she's encountered another gorgeous girl, many of them flirting back with the now very beautiful girl with the unique dual colored eyes.

"Sure! My screen name is going to be Lux! How about you?"

"Morgana. Hope to see you soon."

"Ditto! Thanks for calling, Morgana! I won't forget, I promise!"

Hearing the call disconnect, she hands Dudley his cell while looking at him. "Only in Japanese, and they're sold out." She reports, getting a groan from him. 

"That's bullshit!" 

"Dudley!"

Ama shrugs as she grabs her laptop and plugs in the Nervegear’s media player securely, before plugging in her Nervegear and running the recommended tests on it. Seeing it turn green on her screen, she starts to slip it onto her head before pausing and glaring at them both. "If anything at all happens to me because of any of you, there's nowhere on Earth where my friends and my Professors can't find you, understood?"

They both nod nervously, backing away from her slowly. "Understood."

"Good." Finishing slipping the helmet like device on her head, she takes a deep breath before releasing it slowly while taking stock of herself. She's in a long sleeved black and silver shirt, Hello Kitty emblazoned on the front in silver and giving the appearance of winking, and a matching black denim skirt, with black leggings underneath trimmed in silver up each leg. Her feet are bare, and she wiggles her painted toes one more time while deciding not to put socks on. Her trunk is currently shrunken and tucked into her emerald green bra along with her very expensive cell phone, and her wand and daggers are all in their normal spots on her left arm and the small of her back. Taking one last deep breath, she releases it one more time while ensuring the translation charm will stay active. And then she speaks two words that will change her life once more. Two words that change ten thousand lives for the better as well as the worst, sparks an international incident the likes of which no one could have foreseen, and alters her own fate radically.

"Link start!"

Dudley and Petunia watch as her body stiffens for a brief moment before going limp, her mind now being uploaded into the virtual game the young man has waited for months to play. And in that moment, he makes a decision as he gently taps the necklace his still considerate cousin elected to give him instead of his mother. Despite everything he did to her growing up, she's still trying to be nice to him, she even gave him the necklace so he can still play. 

“Guess I’ll try this out.” Dudley declares with a grunt as he pulls the Nervegear on next after making sure one more time that the device with it's built in media player is securely connected to his cousin's laptop, neither of them noticing the warning now blaring on the telly, the writing solely in Japanese. Laying down next to his cousin, he takes a deep breath before releasing it slowly.

“Link start!” He cries out in Japanese, blinking quickly in surprise when he realizes the pendant worked for him before being sent into the system, and the robust character creation screen. 

Petunia just mutters about her freak niece slowly corrupting her precious son while returning to reading her book on her tablet, not having anything else to do while Vernon is gone. 

But she can't help but to stare as a frantic Vernon bursts into the room near six, staring at horror at his son, who is laying next to a still prone Amaryllis. Petunia herself has been expecting her son to have logged out long by now, complaining about being hungry, and she finally realizes that something is terribly wrong as Vernon steps back out into the corridor and roars. “In here!”

She watches as men in white uniforms enter the room next, all of them shaking their heads as they quickly and efficiently gather her beloved son and the hated freak and prepare to leave quickly with them, stopping when they see that both Nervegears and Dudley's media player are connected to the same laptop.

“Excuse us, but does your son have his own laptop or gaming device?” One of them, a particularly tall man asks in rather good English.

“No. He’s… she let him connect to her’s for her Internet.” She manages to stammer out as her eyes flicker to the telly, where she finally sees the warnings going across in several different languages. 

Warning to not log into Sword Art Online. That it is a deadly trap meant to capture the now almost ten thousand players. To not remove the Nervegear like she had been pondering, her concern growing for her son and even the girl, who had been logged in for hours with nothing to eat or drink.

She could have killed him. She could have killed them both. 

He yells something to the men who have already taken the two twelve year olds, one of them saying things even she knows are rather rude over the fact that they will have to find a way to transport them both simultaneously. 

Damn that horrid girl! Damn her continued acts of generosity towards her precious son, while she treats them coldly with all her newfound confidence from that horrible school. She hates her with every fiber of her being. She loathes and despises her sister's beautiful daughter, and especially hates her continuing efforts to still at least win her precious normal son over. She wishes nothing but unending torment upon her for providing the final means for her precious Duddikins to be trapped inside that stupid game no thanks to her own personal laptop and that horrible freakish pendant. 

She doesn't witness the paramedics, left with no other choice, simply lift Amaryllis' limp form and drape her carefully over her larger cousin, or the way they then wrap his large, muscular arms around her before binding them temporarily with generous amounts of medical tape to keep her in place. 

An act of desperation performed to move them both safely, unintentionally mimicking a similar action being performed in what is now a death game. As two cousins look up in horror as the man in the red cloak looks down upon them and dooms them all to a life with but two simple options:

Conquer or die.

But the paramedics grew concerned when neither adult accompanied the two children. The doctors grew more and more concerned as these two foreign children sat alone day in and day out, not a single adult in sight until November 13th, when an older, stern looking woman who screamed of being a majo just like the girl, sat between them and began her vigil over them once she took custody of their things. Who would hold their hands, read them stories of a mischievous rabbit and a trio of brothers who cheated Death, and who would cry for them in the silence of the night. Who draped a beautiful, old fashioned, obviously much loved blanket across the girl’s chest, while setting a plush doll of a black cat on the boy's. 

They offer their own prayers as she begs the spirits of the honored dead to watch over their nephew and daughter, and to guide them to victory.

Eleven years before, Minerva McGonagall failed Amaryllis Andromeda Potter-Black by allowing herself to be convinced that Albus' spur of the moment plan was their best option available to them. A little over a year ago, she promised that same girl that she would not fail her again. She will stay by her side until the hunt for Akihiko Kayaba hits a magically placed dead end created by the madman himself. She will rise from her vigil, ask them to not do anything too mad while she is gone while leaving them in the care of a tall girl with long, strawberry blonde hair and sapphire blue eyes who has joined her in her vigil, and join the hunt for the man who holds the lives of thousands in his hands. 

As the most powerful War Witch ever sanctioned by the International Confederation of Wixen returns to duty, and hunts down the man holding her chosen granddaughter and her abandoned by his parents' cousin hostage. She will force him to give them back, then offer his skull to the people of Japan so they may take their own vengeance for their own dead and traumatized…

/\/\/\/\

-The Ninety Third Day. First Floor Labyrinth Boss Door-

“Ama, you good?” Dudley asks calmly as the two of them stare at the door leading to the first floor boss. They are the first of the many scouts flooding the labyrinth to find it, Amaryllis staring at the doors as she holds her daggers in her hands.

“Duds, remember when I told you when all of this first started, that something felt familiar about it?”

“Yeah. You swore that Kayaba guy had to be a wizard to make all this work.” 

Amaryllis nods as she points to the carvings on the door with the dagger in her left hand. “Those are runes, Duds. Actually, honest to Morgana runes.”

He sighs as he grips the hilt of his great sword tighter. “Whoever they con into helping with this boss is in for a world of shit, aren't they?”

“Uh huh.” She replies before shaking her head. “Anti teleportation mostly. Not like a lot of people have access to teleport crystals yet.”

“Too bloody expensive.” He agrees before looking at his shorter cousin. “Sell the info to Argo, then get ready to rumble?”

She nods as her eyes narrow. “So we can get the fuck out of here, Duds. I have a bone to pick with Kayaba.”

“Not me.” He admits as he turns, his Iron Breastplate creaking as he begins to scan their surroundings. “I'm kinda glad it happened this way.”

“Why? Hoping to bag some hot Japanese cat girl?” She asks with a wink and grin.

“Well that too. But it finally made us family, Ama.” He admits as he offers her his free hand, which she takes after sheathing her right hand dagger. “Come on, let's go make some cor.”

“Yeah. Then we'll find you a pretty cat girl that likes walking death machines.” She teases him, even as she lets him pull her into his side, the two of them walking together comfortably. 

“Oi! I don't want to hear it, you fun sized murder machine!’

“That was one time! Once! And he had it coming for grabbing my tit!”

“You didn't have to try to gut him like a fish!”

“You didn't have to throw him into that wall so many times the system itself stopped you!”

“He had it coming! He grabbed your tit!”

They start laughing as the mobs give them a wide berth. They are wary of the girl with the dual colored emerald green and amethyst purple eyes and the larger boy who actually crushed several of them with his bare hands as well as the great sword he swings with obvious ease. They are as dangerous as the boy with the powerful rare sword always accompanied by the long haired girl with the rapier, or the larger groups led by either the girl with the scythe, the woman with the greataxe, or the absolute giant of a man with a small army of women with him, especially the amber eyed girl. 

But Illfang trembles in anticipation. His master has promised him adventurers to finally crush. To break their hopes while he breaks their digital bodies. But master has promised him a special reward if he breaks the girl with the dual colored eyes, the dangerous boy who can almost anticipate what the system is planning before it happens, the amber eyed girl traveling with the giant, or the girl with the scythe. The Master has declared them dangers beyond the norm to his plans, and wants them eradicated.

Illfang the Kobold Lord will easily break these weak players and relish in his indescribable joy as he is freed for one day from his prison. To kill indiscriminately, to loot their corpses, and pillage the nearby town of Tolbana…

Notes:

As always, giving credit where it is due:

For the Harry Potter part, my main inspiration is Mystic Knight Online by JGKitarel. It and the sequels are simply amazing, the relationship between Harry and Silica is very well done and honestly beautiful, and it remains one of my favorite crossovers. However, I do not plan on duplicating or replicating their ideas, but I did love some of their floors.

Also, I chose second year on purpose. Amaryllis, at twelve, is old enough to play SAO, and Filch's cat getting petrified, and a competent staff evacuated the school, thus setting things in motion for Amaryllis to be at the right place, but at the wrong time. And, I love Dudley redemption stories, and who better to back you up than your much larger, brutally strong cousin?

Chapter 4: Time Moves Forward

Notes:

Hiya everyone! Happy New Year! I hope everyone is staying nice and warm right now, maybe even cuddled under a blanket or three to beat the wonderful cold weather we're having! If not, go find one! I know I'm about to!

Anywho, here's another chapter for you all!

With that in mind, I want to go on record for all the RWBY fans reading when I say I figured out how to bring the faunus into this, and it's all thanks to a joke about Dudley liking cat girls. That opened the door for a whole slew of new ideas, and allowed me to bring traditionally faunus characters in without changing their traits.

Otherwise, on with the show! I hope everyone enjoys, I hope all your new years resolutions are holding strong, and I'll see you all next time!

Contrary to popular belief, fate is not a fickle thing. Fate is actually a rather jovial sort who enjoys seeing what is the start of a person's journey, then setting them towards the pre chosen destiny she may have in mind for them, then sitting back and enjoying the show as they themselves choose how to reach that destination. Fate can always be found with her own creator and mother, Destiny, one of the three worshiped by more knowledgeable beings as the Triumvirate, normally cuddled up against her doting mother if they aren't going about with their duties.

But even she is impressed with herself at all she has managed to accomplish in just ninety three days. 

The first group was the easiest. It was just a matter of two girls meeting on an eagerly anticipated first day, then one girl simply being accepted into the fold at the words of the other. But it is the amber eyed sister who will come to be called The Burning Dancer that has a great destiny before her, and she is one of the chosen ones.

The second family took a bit of effort as she guided them all together over the course of several weeks. The two girls they rescued solidified the bonds between them all, and she is more than pleased as they now travel together as she intended. The scythe wielder who will be known as the Red Reaper is growing stronger and more confident, and when the time is right, will become the leader needed when it comes time to accept the final challenge.

The future Black Swordsman is, at the moment, an adorable blockhead, and The Rat and The Lightning Flash now have him well in hand, while they in turn keep a rat grounded, and he and said rat keep a fencer from falling back into her despair at feeling like an important part of herself is missing, and her desperation to get it back. But the Black Swordsman too is one of mother's chosen, and will be tempered as well.

The two cousins were difficult at first. Years of mistrust, years of bitterness, and years of outright lies being told to them both have made things far more difficult than they honestly should have been. But the boy is smarter than he looks, has come to realize for himself that everything he has been told is a lie, and is growing into the kind of man his cousin needs to stand by her side. The girl is, at heart, still a warm and caring person who is still yearning for a familial connection, one she is finally forging with the cousin she has always been secretly fond of thanks to rare moments of compassion he would show her when it was just the two of them. And it was a drunk, handsy idiot who finally helped them bond as the close siblings they were always meant to be. The girl with the amazing emerald green and amethyst purple eyes and hair the color of flames, the Crimson Fury, is the key to defeating Kayaba, and she too will be prepared. 

Granted, bringing the Crimson Fury and the Black Swordsman together to form the third and final group might be difficult, but she's confident that a soon to be mentioned and recognizable Hogwarts house overheard by a very knowledgeable fencer will solve that particular issue, and create the last powerhouse group needed. 

Three powerful groups. Three, the most magically powerful number. The chaos will be glorious!

Years of manipulation, years of careful planning, years of preparations have come to this: The Sword Art Online Incident. Akihiko Kayaba created a virtual world he intends to rule like the demiurge he has become, while trapping ten thousand souls within. The compulsions he wove into each and every Nervegear ensured that the players would willingly put them on and log in, and only the more mentally strong would even notice that the log out button was missing before he made his announcement to his new subjects.

Her chosen all noticed, along with one guy who has very strange ideas of what should be on a pizza, but unfortunately too late for any of the four of them to raise an alarm. And these four must grow strong enough to challenge him and defeat him, otherwise it shall become an inescapable reality to the many destined to otherwise survive. Granted, they also know he isn't working alone, but they have no actual objections to their goals. Only to the fact that these four are themselves destined to even greater acts of courage, amazing acts of honor, and true eternal glory. But they must still prove to be worthy of becoming legends just like another quartet who changed the magical world when they came together to create the first true school of magic in the world. Or, a trio of mundane leaders who also came together back in the forties with the same goal of defeating a different evil with the willingly given aid of a true leader of the magical world and his own allies, they themselves determined to defeat that evil man’s magical ally. The fact that he is the grandfather of one of the four is immaterial, but she still enjoys the irony nonetheless.

Ruby Rose, Kazuto Kirigaya, Amaryllis Potter-Black, and Cinder Fall-Garibaldi are also destined to take their places in history, provided they too reach their destination via their own individual paths.

She knows the real servers are currently unapproachable. Protected by powerful wards, hidden deeply inside a secret facility only Kayaba and his allies know the location of, and tended to by the madman himself as well as carefully selected and even more carefully prepared workers, it will take nothing short of a being of near divine power and a powerful, legendary War Witch to break through, and even then, there is nothing they can do to stop it. She sighs as two worlds clash with words, blaming one another for teaching him every skill he needed to fulfill his mad plan, knowing full well that Kayaba embraced them both in order to achieve his goals. She will admit, he is a genius in both muggle engineering and magical technomancy, and it was only by her mother's own intervention that the numbers were kept to only ten thousand, thanks to a last minute disaster that shut down the facility making the physical copies of SAO. 

Kayaba was aiming for fifty thousand, and had the mainframe computer responsible for actually programming the tiny cartridges not crashed and caught on fire when it did so, he would have gotten his wish. 

Auntie Magic is like an overeager child with a full box of matches when she gets to ruin someone's day. No wonder her Mom and Aunt Death keep a leash on her. They honestly need to put her on a choke chain sometimes, considering she was cackling in glee when she was allowed to ruin Kayaba’s plans.

But for now, Fate is currently sitting in her favorite papasan chair, a full bowl of popcorn in her lap and plenty of cold drinks at hand as she watches the cousins emerge from the labyrinth and all but run into the trio of Kirito, Asuna, and Argo, two of whom are currently yelling at a certain rat for getting herself stuck in a nasty situation, again. Argo hates dealing with Morgana as she calls herself, the girl knowing full well the value of excellent information thanks to her own background in dealing with Hogwarts’ infamous Rumor Mill, and she sits back and watches in amusement as the two of them begin to bicker over money…

/\/\/\/\

“I'm not taking a hundred cor for our map data!” Morgana protests as she glares at the Rat, who has her arms folded across her chest. “Especially since it gives a direct route to the boss!”

“And I'm not just gonna buy your map data unless you prove it!” Argo counters with a snarl, already losing her patience with the younger girl before her. Her files on the two kids in front of her aren't very extensive. They tend to stick to themselves, don't interact much with the larger groups, and the girl is a hard ass to negotiate with. She's more used to dealing with idiots who need the extra cor she pays out for map data, not realizing just what they are handing over. But she blinks as the map appears between them. A rather detailed one revealing several nasty kobold nests, the locations of several treasure chests they couldn't reach because they were just a duo, and one really big door.

“That good enough for you?” The boy declares as the girl glares at him. “Because as bloody entertaining as it is listening to you two argue, I’m bloody tired, and my stuff needs repairs and upgrades before we go back in to help with the boss.”

“Ugh. Must you be such a bloody Gryffindor, Godric?!” The girl declares as she rolls her eyes, Asuna perking up at the mention of those two names. 

Turning back to look at Argo, Morgana sighs. “Look, I’m not taking the usual hundred cor. Not when I can track down Crescent or her Mum, and they'll buy it for a thousand.” Argo grimaces at the mention of the only formal guild leader in SAO and her brutal daughter. The two Americans and their guild have already caught plenty of attention since their formation, especially since they have that smith girl allied with them, Lisbeth. Add in the fact that Crescent and Lisbeth actually created the scythe class weapons, and they're looking into creating other new weapons types? 

The Champions of Beacon are becoming a force to reckon with, and will probably lead the charge against the boss. 

“I would say sell it to that Mountain bloke, but they're all the way down at the South Fields, and they keep trying to adopt us.” Godric points out, all of them shuddering at the mention of the other large group of foreigners currently ripping their own way through the first floor. But she knows for a fact that they are currently exploring the South Fields in search of some extremely rare weapon and armor drops. It's an empty threat there, but serves its purpose. 

Either she pays them what they want, or they'll find someone who will. And the NPC smiths and shops aren't cheap in Tolbana, and neither is Lisbeth. That white haired girl, Lizzie, helped her set up her prices, and her twin, Noiry, makes sure the players don't try to take advantage of her. And Noiry loves to sic her giant blonde girlfriend on anyone that tries to stiff Lisbeth on payments, Xiao taking great delight in dealing with them like some kind of vicious attack dragon. 

“Fine. Five hundred.” Argo declares, Aa-chan, Kii-bou, and even that bitch Morgana staring at her in surprise. 

“Deal.” Godric declares as he offers her the data in a trade, while she sends him the cor. “Come on, sis. We need to get some stuff done.”

“Cheers.” Morgana declares before surprising them all by climbing up to his shoulders with ease, before de-equipping her armored boots and spreading her toes out as she smiles. “Come on, let's go grab a bite, then find you a cat girl to celebrate!”

Godric chuckles as he walks easily with her on his shoulders. “You're ridiculous, Ama.”

“You still love me!”

“Dunno why sometimes.”

“Oi!”

Asuna keeps staring at the two of them as they walk off, while Argo and Kirito pour over the map data carefully while talking to themselves, both of them admitting that it is amazingly detailed. “Impossible.” Asuna whispers as her right hand twitches. “Why isn't she in England?”

“Do you know them, Aa-chan?” Argo asks curiously, her brilliant mind already making even more mental notes of the two reclusive kids many have begun to also give a wide berth to after some drunk grabbed one of her boobs at the bar several weeks ago while claiming they had to be fake, Morgana doing her best to disembowel him before Godric tried to put him through a wall violently for touching his violent little sister. 

“Her? Honestly, if I’m right, it's more along the lines of I know of her.” She admits as she looks back at the two of them. “If I’m right, she's a big deal in England, and even here in the Other Japan. Her father's family has a long history with the Imperial Court.”

This gets Argo's attention. Unlike Kii-bou, who’s a typical shut in teenager who has no idea how to deal with not one, but two girls keeping a tight leash on him to keep him from doing something stupid, again, her parents run a very successful private investigation service. They taught her everything they know while growing up, and even introduced her to several close friends from both Japan as well as Australia who aren't exactly normal everyday people. 

People just like Aa-chan, who she suspects has grown up at least partially in the Other Japan. Who has already admitted to attending a very exclusive private school strictly for children who can do some very extraordinary things, and who is quietly looking for her own best friend now that she and Kirito have put a leash on her as well. 

The word Majo is not one to just throw around, even in a virtual world. Even if you suspect someone of being one, it's a good idea to not come right out and accuse them of being said kind of person. It could get you killed just to preserve the secret. She's also heard rumors that certain players suspected of being some of the now death game’s designers and content creators have also gone into hiding, fearful of becoming new names appearing on the Obelisk back in the Town Of Beginnings, especially since someone named Hephaestus died three days ago. His death was some kind of big deal, and caused the mass panic among those suspected of having something to do with SAO’s creation.

The Creators are just as hated as the Beta Testers, and both groups stay quiet about it. She and Kirito both haven't told Asuna they are Beta Testers to not just protect themselves, but to keep her safe as well. She's not quite sure yet about Kii-bou, but she'll murder anyone who dares to hurt her Aa-chan to get some kind of twisted vengeance from her. 

“Does the name Amaryllis Potter-Black mean anything to you, Carina?” Asuna suddenly asks in English, breaking gamer protocol to ask her a serious question, while also confirming her own suspicions about the girl she has a huge crush on.

“Oh shit.” Is her only reply. 

“Oh shit is right.” Asuna shakes her head. “I’ll catch up with you two. I need to know for sure.” She declares before walking off to follow them, Kirito remaining silent.

The girl isn't just a big deal, she's a major deal. Even her parents have heard of her through their friends, and now she's a bit worried. She keeps an especially close eye on the ones she has identified, and knows for a fact that many of them are trying to get their magic to work in the game, and so far none of them have succeeded. And if one of the most powerful majo in the world is also trapped in this death game, shit could get really serious.

“So, Asuna, Morgana, maybe Morgana’s brother and that Penny girl and her sister, Neon with the Champions.” Kirito suddenly muses aloud, Argo covering his mouth with both her hands in a panic. 

“Shhhh! You can't talk about that so openly!” She hisses at him. “In a game or not, you don't know who could be listening, and that is a big-time secret!” Looking around, she grabs him by the hand and starts dragging him back to Tolbana. “Come on, you blockhead! We can talk about this at home!”

Kirito shakes his head as he lets himself get dragged behind her, while Asuna stalks a pair of cousins turned siblings, who are planning out what to do with the extra cor from selling the map data, while one teases the other about his fascination for cat girls…

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Weiss Schnee is free. Free to be who she wants, free to speak her mind, and free to be in love with a wonderful, amazing woman. She is amazed at how at home she has gotten with her newfound family, takes both great delight as well as comfort in being able to hear Ruby's rich alto voice as well as Penny’s sweet chirps, and she even finds Yang’s and Neon’s constant jokes and puns to be hilarious, although she protests them just as much as everyone else. 

Willow adores the tall, muscular blonde, and she's convinced the two of them are doing much more than just taking a quick nap at the moment. But Yang makes Willow feel beautiful and normal, doesn't judge her for watching the sun rise every single morning even if they were out late accomplishing night time raids and missions, and actually dotes on her sister. 

But currently, Weiss herself is humming as she works on making dinner, the blue eyed twin having taken to the cooking skill like a natural. She loves to experiment with the basic ingredients to see if she can make them taste better somehow, and not the slightly better than bland basic recipes everyone has access to. From different cooking times, to trying to blend different base seasonings to create new ones, she is always trying out something new. 

She is setting a timer on the steamer when a pair of arms wrap around her slender shoulders. Her eyes close as a familiar and much loved voice begins to harmonize to her humming, and she doesn't resist when her own silver eyed girlfriend begins to sway in time with her. She turns in Ruby's arms, lays her head gently on her girlfriend's shoulder, and dances slowly with her as she hums and Ruby sings softly, feeling safe and wanted in her loving arms. 

She can sense someone watching them, and is thankful they haven't disturbed their moment. 

But she giggles as Penny works her way in between them, now standing on Ruby's booted feet with her tiny bare ones, the ginger haired girl smiling brightly as they keep her between them while still dancing. She's only eight, far too young to be in this death game, but brought along because her father and sister couldn't just let her sit alone while they explored this fascinating new game he helped to create as one of the lead engineers. They were shocked to discover just how young both girls actually are, and are also more determined than ever to protect them. They all also suspect that Neon knows more about the game than she is willing to admit to, but respect her need to keep her father's secrets. 

They’ve all noticed the way Neon silences Penny whenever she starts talking about things like floating objects, toys that play with her, and other odd things that don't seem to be normal. Neon is normally in a near panic when she does so, and Penny is always contrite. 

It's some kind of important secret. The kind Neon struggles to keep when her easily excitable sister gets carried away.

“Ahem.” Looking up, she smiles as she sees a fondly smiling Summer standing at the entryway to the kitchen while looking at them, the reddish black haired woman tucking what has to be a memory crystal away in her pocket she no doubt used to snap a picture of them. “Sorry to ruin such a cute moment, but how much longer until dinner? Qrow and Winter are on the way back. Some duo found the boss room, and some guy named Diavel has called for a meeting to plan out the boss fight.”

Checking the timers, Weiss looks back at Summer. “Twenty more minutes. I'm guessing you want to attend too?”

She nods. “And I need to take Ruby with me. My Japanese still sucks.”

Weiss nods as Ruby sighs. “I understand. They're going to want us there since we're the only official guild.” 

“And because we have two teams that already work well together and are willing to work with others.” Ruby adds as she leans down slightly and kissed her forehead, Weiss all but melting at the simple gesture of affection that makes her feel warm, safe, and wanted. “Keep a plate warm for me, Snowflake?”

“Of course. Hurry back, My Dolt.” 

Leaning down, Ruby kisses the top of Penny's head next, the little ginger giggling. “Don't eat all my food too, kiddo. I'm definitely hungry.”

“I promise I won't!” She chirps back brightly before looking at Ruby rather seriously. “Ruby?”

“Hmm?”

She takes a moment to look around, before looking at the teen with her pale jade green eyes. “Trust in Morgana and Asuna. They're like me and Sissy, and trust in something really special inside of them.”

Weiss, Ruby, and Summer look at one another before looking back at the little ginger. “And what would that be, sweetheart?” Summer asks curiously.

“I can't tell you. It's a big big secret. One I gotta keep.” She replies with a sigh. “Neon's gonna be mad I said that much, but it's important.”

Ruby nods as she smiles and ruffles her hair. “Then I’ll track them down after the meeting and see if they want to join up with us on a big team.” 

“We gotta go, Ruby. Meeting’s supposed to start soon.” 

“Hold a moment, Ruby.” Kneeling down, Weiss lays both hands gently on Penny’s slender little shoulders, a gentle smile on her own face. “Penny, how important is this secret?”

“Important enough that Mommy died to keep it.” She replies sadly. “Mommy used to be someone really important, but bad men took her to force her to use… it… to try to do bad things. She blew herself up to stop them. Me, Neon, and Daddy missed her a whole lot, and now Daddy's gone to be with Mommy.” She replies as she sniffles, tears running down her cheeks. 

Wiping Penny's tears away, she pulls the little ginger haired girl into a hug while looking up at Ruby and Summer. “Let us know what they decide. I’ll get dinner done, then drag Noiry away from her dragon to get our gear ready with Lisbeth.”

Summer nods as Ruby gently ruffles Penny's hair, making her squeal indignantly. “Of course. Get Yang up too, and make sure she gets ready. The more gung ho ones may want to go after it tonight, and we need to be ready to send at least your team with them.”

“A show of force, Mami?” Ruby asks curiously, surprised at the nod of her mother's head in response. 

“We're the first guild, Ruby. They're going to expect us to be involved and to prove our worth.” She replies firmly as she looks at her daughter. “My gear still needs some massive repairs, your Abuela isn't going to go on a boss raid, and Qrow and Winter have already been in the labyrinth all day today helping with the mapping.” 

Pausing, Ruby turns to look at her mother. “This doesn't have anything to do with that other American family running around in the South Fields, does it? Or the fact that they're asking a lot of questions about me?” She asks in Spanish, Summer sighing deeply.

“Now’s not the time, Ruby.” Summer replies before turning and moving towards the door. “Come on, I don't want to miss anything.”

“Now is never a good time.” She mutters as she follows, Weiss and Penny both frowning as they look at each other.

“Are they mad at me for not telling?” Penny asks quietly, the white haired rapier wielder shaking her head.

“I have a feeling there are many secrets in this family, not just your's, Pen.” She replies quietly as mother and daughter leave, the air around them charged with building tension. 

Penny nods before smiling up at Weiss, to her surprise her jade green eyes glowing softly. “Don't worry, Ruby loves you, and she always will. But they're destined for great things, and she has to leave us behind to keep us all safe.”

“They? Who are they? And why would she leave us behind?” She asks curiously, worried when the glow vanishes, Penny blinking her eyes before yawning tiredly.

“Is dinner ready yet? I'm sleepy.” Penny begins to complain, Weiss shaking her head while guiding the girl to the nearby table to wait while putting her words to the back of her mind to mull over later. For now, she needs to get the girl fed, while wishing there were baths or bathtubs. Apparently, they were disabled right before the start of SAO when one of the Creators locked down the Morality filters to keep things from going out of hand in certain aspects, like preventing players from killing one another, or other just as terrible crimes. Granted, it also prevents the baths from working because there is no nudity in SAO either, but she can live with having to take one in her plain white bra and panties just so she can take a real bath.

She's heard a rumor that one player can hack them open for short periods of time, but their identity is unknown. A pity. She would pay whatever they wanted just so she can wash her hair…

…Neon looks at her sister nervously, while keeping a close eye on a display only she can see. Daddy trusted her with his GM codes, knowing he was being hunted for them. As long as she keeps scrambling the coding every few hours while using Daddy's authorizations, Kayaba can't undo the lockout on the morality filters. It will keep the ones who treat MMOs as their horrible playgrounds from being worse than the mobs in the fields and dungeons, at the cost of being able to do things like take baths or do more adult stuff. 

But Penny’s Sight is still working, even in SAO, and she's Seen a glimpse of the future. That same gift was their mother's doom in the real world, and she won't allow it to be Penny’s here. Even if it means she has to take plenty of naps, she won't let the morality filter leave her control, despite her sister already telling her that she's doomed to fail.

She will even beg this wonderful family good enough to take them in for their help if she has to. She can't let him find her sister and try to use her like he tried to use Mommy…

/\/\/\/\

-The Outside World. Unplottable Location, Japan-

Contrary to popular belief, there are in fact kemonomimi, who have spread out throughout the known world from their native Japan. Some are legends, like the “Monkey King” of China, some are simple farmers, hunters, and workers, and some lead their clans by their excellent examples and hard work. 

For Natsume Kuromi, a panther type Nekomimi, it is both her beloved parents who lead their clan with honor. A clan that has housed proud Samurai and skilled Shinobi both, and serves the Moon Empress without question, while answering only to the Kitsune-no-Mai herself.

But her mother herself has recalled her from her place in the US, where she represents the clan’s interests. She has of course heard of the SAO crisis, anyone with a smartphone or television has by now, and it is still a hot button topic even in MACUSA, who has several magical citizens involved as well. But as far as she knows, no member of the clan is involved, so why recall her?”

She hears the footsteps and simply turns her head to avoid the sudden sneak attack from an expected source. She barely gets a kunai up in time to block a suddenly extended hidden blade from the war fan being held by her own mother, Natsume Myoshi, the leader of the Moon Empress’ personal Shinobi.

“Living in the states has made you soft, Kuromi.” Her mother declares with a grin, the two of them holding their deadly clench.

“Has it, Ka-san?” She asks with a grin of her own as she taps a second kunai against her mother's stomach, right where she knows the armored and enchanted garments her mother is currently wearing have a razor’s edge weak spot. 

“Oh my! So well done I didn't even catch your movements!” Myoshi admits as they break the clench, their weapons vanishing as quickly as they appear. And without any further hesitation, the two Nekomimi hug tightly, their purrs filling the air. 

“I’ve missed you so much, kitten.” 

“I’ve missed you too, Ka-san.” She replies fondly as they move far enough apart to look comfortably at one another while still holding one another. “Why did you call me home? I had to leave Sun in charge, and that never ends well without me there to hold his leash.”

Myoshi sighs as she turns and pulls her daughter along while taking her arm, their tails wrapping together gently as is their habit when they are side by side. Her husband and Kuromi’s father teases them constantly, but they know better than to rise to his bait. She couldn't help that she took to Shinobi training instead of following the bushido code as he does, which has made her and her mother close. But she still adores her father, values his advice, and works hard to justify his trust and faith in her.

Well earned trust and faith when she herself hunted down the traitors with her own loyal, elite unit, along with the aid of a trusted ally, and presented them to her parents and the Moon Empress for punishment. All save one. Sienna Khan still eludes her, but sooner or later she will make a mistake like Adam did, and she and her team will capture her too.

“This is a talk best had with a cup of tea, Kuromi.” Her guard is immediately up at the mention of tea, her mother's normal way of easing her way into what will end up being a very difficult discussion. The last time, it was to order her to hunt the traitors to the Lunar Throne down. And she isn't foolish enough to believe that whatever it is doesn't involve Sword Art Online in some kind of fashion. 

“Ka-san, who do I need to find?” She asks bluntly, making the older Shinobi grimace.

“Oh we know where they are. We are well aware of where both targets are, but things are complicated.” She admits as they enter her office, a full tea service already sitting atop her desk and waiting for them. 

“How complicated?” She asks as they release one another, Kuromi waiting for her mother to sit before sitting across from her. 

Her mother begins to pour the tea, an uncharacteristic frown on her face. “What do you know about the Potters?” She asks quietly, her mind racing as she recalls those particular lessons from international magical history back in Mahotokoro.

“They are longtime allies of the Magical Imperial Court, and were the ones responsible for brokering the peace treaty between the Yōkai, Bijū, Wixen and mundanes.” She finally replies as she waits for her mother to finish pouring the tea. “Rumor has it the Kitsune-no-Mai herself declared them her eternal allies upon their success, and has been upset that she has lost contact with them in the last twelve years.”

Myoshi nods as she finishes preparing tea, a small smile on her features. “Correct on all accounts.” But then her smile fades, a more serious expression appearing. “But she was just made aware of the fact that the last Lord Potter, James Fleamont, died a most honorable death in battle eleven years ago, and his blood adopted daughter was recently made aware of the alliance. She was to meet with the Kitsune-no-Mai on November 10th, to both introduce themselves to one another and reaffirm the alliance, before the young Lady Potter-Black returned home to England.”

“I assume the meeting did not go well?” 

“There was no meeting.” The older Nekomimi admits heavily. “The last Potter is also trapped in Sword Art Online, and she is furious. But her anger is amplified by the fact that one of her many granddaughters is also trapped in SAO, and the Empress herself has ordered us to personally see to both their safeties.”

Kuromi freezes at the mention of the fact that a Kitsune, a divine Bijū, is similarly trapped within the death game. And she groans as she realizes why she has been called home. “Which one of them is it?”

“Kashiwazaka Hiyori.” She can't help but to groan again at the fact that of all nine of the Kitsune-no-Mai’s granddaughters, it just has to be her. The single most dangerous of the Blessed Nine, along with the youngest. By the ancestors, she carries a katana everywhere, and has no fear of using it! Even she is slightly afraid of Hiyori, and refuses to train with her anymore!

“Calm down, kitten. She's currently as docile as a freshly fed akaimimi as long as she is trapped within that now cursed game.” Myoshi reassures her daughter, who breathes a sigh of relief. “But I am placing you directly in charge of her security detail. The entirety of the clan is at your disposal, Kuromi, and the Empress herself wishes for you to be read into the Internal Security Division.”

Kuromi blinks, before standing and bowing low. “That is a great honor, Ka-san! I will not fail!”

Myoshi chuckles as she waves a hand. “I know you won't, kitten. It's why I called you home. Besides, in this way you also repay the life debt you owe Hiyori, when she saved your life during your battle against Adam.” 

She nods as she sits back down, taking up her tea cup with slightly trembling hands while remembering her nearly fatal battle against the traitorous bull type ushimusume. Hiyori had appeared like a fox tailed miracle just as Adam's Wilt was rushing towards her unprotected chest, her own Shroud too far out of position to allow her to block the blow, Gambol shattered and useless after she used it to block a surprisingly heavy two handed blow. Hiyori took her place, fought with honor against an honorless dog, and captured him after violently removing his sword arm as punishment for daring to attack the daughter of her own master.

She owes a life debt, and she always repays her debts.

“What is the other complication?” She finally asks, growing concerned as her mother remains silent. 

“Adam has escaped his imprisonment, and has been confirmed as another one of the many trapped within SAO.” She finally admits heavily. “A place where you cannot go to defend your charge.”

“Then simply end him where he lays!” She declares in a combination of fear and anger. “An honorless dog like him doesn't deserve the mercy of an honorable death in battle!”

“We don't know where he is.” Her mother admits bluntly. “Even the Empress' own personal mage and the Kitsune-no-Mai cannot find his physical body, and they are debating asking for outside assistance.”

Kuromi sits down heavily, her eyes wide. “If they cannot find him, then who on this world could possibly do so?”

“The Lioness of Gryffindor herself is also here in Japan, and has taken charge of the safety of the Lady Potter-Black and her kinsman personally. If necessary, we shall ask her for her aid, considering that if he deems her own charges a threat he will not hesitate to attack them as well.” Pausing to sip at her tea, she sets it down while sighing. “Hopefully no one decides to actually attack that girl. Beirut will appear to be a highly desirable vacation destination once more compared to what Tokyo will resemble if that woman rises to defend her charge.”

“Akira?” Kuromi asks as calmly as she can manage, knowing her secret anime and manga loving mother will understand.

“That would be a kindness compared to what that woman can do once she loses her temper. Then, she truly lives up to her well earned title of the world’s greatest War Witch.” Myoshi replies. “I will handle that detail personally. She will not fully understand that, for the Empress and the Kitsune-no-Mai, the protection of the last Potter is a matter of great honor, and you are not skilled enough in the art of negotiation and compromise to deal with one such as her.”

She nods to acknowledge the point, having taken more after her own grandmother than her parents in that regard. She prefers to operate from the shadows than to deal with mundanes and Wixen face to face, and she's actually grateful that Sun is such a socially adept individual. He greatly enjoys being the clan’s public face within MACUSA, while she focuses on keeping their myriad projects moving along efficiently. “When do I begin?”

“Immediately.” She replies as she reaches under the table and takes a long case out, presenting it to her with a smile. “Camilla said, and I quote, if you break Gambol again, she's going to use your own blood to quench the blade when she repairs it again.” 

Kuromi grimaces as she takes the case before rising to her feet. “That sounds unpleasant.” She replies before looking at her mother. “And if I define someone as a threat to Hiyori?”

“Use your best judgment, kitten. I suggest attempting to dissuade them first, but if necessary, be as deadly as the flower which we have chosen to represent our clan.” Motioning to the carving of the belladonna carved into the surface of the table, she smiles wickedly. “And remind the world why the Belladonnas are still the single most feared Shinobi clan in the world.”

“As you wish, Ka-san.” With a final bow, Natsume Kuromi leaves her mother's office to go and prepare, while taking into consideration who is available to aid her in her task. She also needs to utilize an often used alias while in the mundane world, while making sure her glamored clothes are up to the task of what could potentially become a lengthy assignment.

Natsume Kuromi is home from MACUSA, but has no time to get comfortable.

Blake Belladonna has her next assignment, and a life debt to repay…

Notes:

My apologies to JGKitariel. I may have borrowed a few of their ideas, and gave them my own twists! Thank you again for your inspirational ideas, and know that I still bow to you as the first master of blending Harry Potter and SAO!

Chapter 5: Fated Meetings

Notes:

Hiya everyone! Wyn here with another chapter of this humble little story of mine. Now, I am so so sorry for the long wait. A trio of new ideas got presented to me, and I've been a bit obsessed with them while also doing a bit of thinking when it comes to my current fics. But I am seriously sorry for the wait.

As always, I hope you all enjoy, and I will see you all next time!

The first thing Asuna ever noticed about Morgana is that she isn't a nice person. Neither is her supposed brother, Godric. The two of them are extremely mean to the point of near violence, Godric is extremely rude without actually being uncouth, while Morgana uses manners and decorum like weapons, and they both treat everyone with distrust while keeping them all at arm’s length. They blatantly talk in English constantly, but when the situation calls for it, Morgana tends to talk for them both while Godric stands behind her and looks very threatening, and they're beginning to piss a lot of older players off.

The problem is they're currently the two best scouts and mappers in the game. Godric has an amazing eye for detail, combined with Morgana's very finely developed senses and their own obviously well thought out stats, skills, and abilities that have enabled them to map out an incredible amount of the labyrinth in just three days. Even the quick glance she herself took colored her impressed, considering they detailed all the corridors, several major trouble spots for smaller groups and one that will take a large force to get past, and found the boss room door, including a warning that the door is surrounded by odd looking markings they believe to either be a warning, or a limitation of some kind. They even included a rough sketch of the sequence, Asuna going pale at the fact that it's an anti-teleportation field. And all while not getting killed, and by the looks of it, gaining a level.

They may be trouble, but they're obviously skilled and clever players who, like Kirito and a growing group of others, are adapting and beginning to flourish in Sword Art Online.

However, she thinks she knows what their problem is, and it's a secret. A very big, very important secret that has to be kept no matter what, under the threat of very harsh penalties. A secret she herself has to keep, despite it being a very well known and very poorly kept secret in Japan, due to their own rich history of dealing with the Oni, Bijū, and other mythical and magical creatures on an almost daily basis. But the Magical Imperial Court is still a core member of the ICW, and thus has no choice but to cooperate with the Statute of Secrecy, despite the Moon Empress and MACUSA's Magical President both threatening to leave it on behalf of the many magical creatures who no longer wish to hide who and what they are in their homelands and beyond. Who want to walk the streets and paths of their homes openly, without fear and no longer hiding who and what they are.

The mundanes of Japan don’t believe it when they are told that magic doesn't exist. That there is no such thing as Kitsune, tengu, kappa, kemonomimi, or even the Bijū. They know they exist. The majority of the mundane population in both Japan as well as America, Canada, Central and South America know they have met one at least once in their life, and aren't stupid. They know that magical creatures live among them, work alongside them, and sometimes even marry them. 

Morgana teasing Godric about meeting a cat girl hit a bit close to home. She has several friends who are various kemonomimi that she met at school, and her best friend is a Kitsune who is also playing, and who she hasn't been able to find despite her best efforts. She even knows an inumimi who would go mad over him. She loves boys that are much bigger than her and strong enough to protect her, and considering he is both? They may have to stinging hex her to keep from presenting herself or outright claiming him as her new mate. 

“What do you mean we can't come into the bloody pub?!” Her head spins around, her eyes focusing on her target, the redhead getting rapidly pissed off at the group of older teens and young men she is facing off against. All of them, save the oldest, are smirking and leering at the girl who is growling angrily. Behind her, Godric is already standing ready for the impending brawl, his large hands opening and closing slowly as he glares back at the taller men blocking them off from the Wolf and Boar Tavern, which is the nicest place to eat in Tolbana. 

“You gotta be eighteen to go into a tavern Outside.” The oldest, who appears to be in his mid twenties, declares as he glares at the twosome. “It should be the same in here, and so I’m taking it on myself to start enforcing those laws.” 

“In case you haven't noticed, mate, pretty much every pub, restaurant, and even diner in Tolbana serves alcohol.” Morgana points out, several of the man’s companions nodding reluctantly in agreement. “What are we supposed to do? Eat at the stalls just so you can sleep better at night?”

To even Asuna’s surprise, he actually nods, his glare intensifying to the point that she actually grabs at her rapier while Morgana lays both hands on the daggers at the small of her back. “You are obviously underage, as is your companion. And as a still sworn member of the Tokyo Police, I will no longer allow anyone under legal age to enter these establishments!”

“Ummm, Rishi? You do realize that over half the players are underage?” One of his companions points out. But before the now revealed policeman can respond, Morgana and Godric have obviously had enough, and try to push their way through, Rishi grabbing her by the arm.

“I said no! Don't force me to arrest you!”

“Get your hands off me!” Morgana snarls, one dagger halfway out of its sheath and a look of pure fury in her dual colored eyes.

Enough. She needs to intervene before another fight breaks out. 

Walking up quickly, she pushes her way through the growing crowd and up to the two arguing players, Morgana's dagger now free and held in a position that screams of bad intentions. Grabbing a hold of Morgana’s arm while smacking Rishi's hand away with a glare at the revealed policeman, she pulls the suddenly startled girl away with her, Morgana too stunned to say anything or try to stop her, while Godric follows them after throwing an odd hand sign of two fingers at them. And when she does finally try to escape, she levels a firm look at the younger girl while stating a simple phrase every last Wixen is taught on their first day at any magical school or private education across the entire world. “Paragraph 14-B.” 

Morgana actually turns paler as she allows herself to keep getting pulled along, Godric also staying quiet while recognizing the single most unbreakable law in their world. Finally finding someplace quiet and a bit secluded, she releases the girl and looks at her for a moment before bowing. “It's an honor to meet you, Lady Potter-Black. My name is Yuuki Asuna.”

Morgana curtseys in return, Asuna noting in amusement that she lifts the hem of her combat skirt properly. “The pleasure is mine, Miss Yuuki. And you're correct, I am the Lady Amaryllis Potter-Black, Lady Potter, Lady Black, and this is my chosen brother, Dudley Evans, Protectee Potter.” Godric stands taller in pride, while bowing slightly at the waist. “Now, how did you figure it out?”

“I was taught to read, write, and speak English, German, and several dialects of Chinese growing up.” Asuna admits with a smile as she sits on a nearby bench, Morgana sitting next to her while Godric leans against a nearby tree, his arms folded across his chest as he looks on in amusement. “My father is the president of Rect Progress, and my mother has many dealings with foreign Wixen in her chosen profession.”

“What exactly is your mother's profession to require so many contacts?” She asks, a smug smirk appearing on her lips. “And your Dad must be pretty pissed that his daughter is playing a game made by the competition.”

“My mother is an accomplished Senior Ward Weaver, who is responsible for maintaining the wards around all the major cities, especially Tokyo and Edo.” She explains before blushing. “My father didn't know my brother bought a Nervegear and SAO, and I… kind of sorta disillusioned it with a talisman, then borrowed it so I could play with my own friends from Mahoutokoro.” She admits the last while poking her index fingers together like a naughty child caught in the biscuit tin.

Amaryllis bursts into laughter, while Dudley chuckles as he shakes his head. “Oh that's rich! A rich girl nicked her brother's Nervegear so she wouldn't get caught buying her own!”

“Well he wouldn't buy me one when he bought his!” She declares with a huff as she folds her arms across her chest and pouts. “He doesn't attend Mahoutokoro, because he's my father's successor, and our father is a mundane. Only I attend Mahoutokoro, and my mother doesn't approve of me playing video games. She claims they rot your brain.”

Amaryllis shakes her head as she keeps grinning. “Believe it or not, this is my first real game too.”

“That's bullshite. You're constantly playing games on your laptop or your phone!” Dudley calls her out with a frown. 

“Not my laptop, no. I use it only for school and to listen to music.” She corrects him. “And all the games for my phone are either too bloody expensive, or you plateau and have to start paying money to make real progress. Bugger that!”

Asuna nods in agreement. “Free to play my butt! And SAO was ridiculously expensive because you had to get an entire year’s subscription at the same time!” She declares, both Amaryllis and Dudley nodding in agreement. “But have you two been so mean and nasty because of the statute?”

“Partially.” To her surprise, Amaryllis suddenly lifts her rather large for her age breasts with both hands. “Part of it is these lovelies. I'm a bit tired of every bloody guy in this fucking game drooling over them! I'm only twelve, for fuck’s sake! And I'm definitely not interested!”

Asuna blinks. “You're only twelve?! I could have sworn you were at least thirteen or fourteen!”

“Ama had to grow up fast, no thanks to my scum parents.” Dudley declares in disgust, before looking away in shame. “And because I was a right prat to her too.”

“Enough of that, Duds. You're making up for it by being my big, vicious grizzly bear of a brother.” She holds her hand out to him with a smile, which he takes with a smile of his own, before looking back at Asuna. “But the statute is still a big worry. Last thing I need is to wake up to anti-magic cuffs on me.”

Asuna chuckles. “You're in Japan. The only country in the world worse than us when it comes to following the SoS is America. They simply don't care, and the Moon Empress, with the full support of both the Emperor, the mundane Prime Minister, and the Kitsune-no-Mai herself, is threatening to leave the ICW for the sake of all our magical citizens, while the Emperor and the Prime Minister are threatening to break the Statute themselves to force the issue.” 

Amaryllis’ eyes suddenly widen in surprise, before they close as she groans. “I was supposed to meet with the Kitsune-no-Mai on the tenth! I hope she understands why I missed the meeting.” 

Asuna tilts her head curiously. “I knew you were important, but important enough to meet with the oldest living being on Earth herself?”

Amaryllis nods. “The Potters have an almost thousand year old alliance with her, and through her with Magical Imperial Japan.” Pausing, she ducks her head, her fiery red hair now shrouding her face. “She genuinely didn't know Daddy died protecting me. She wanted to have a small ceremony to honor him and my mums, before we reaffirm the alliance between us.”

Asuna nods. “And now I fully understand why the name Potter carries so much weight in our own history.” She admits as her eyes cut upwards and to a certain angle, while her own do the same, a flashing email symbol at the edge of both their HUDs. “An unknown sender?” 

Amaryllis shrugs as she opens the email screen, then the email itself. “You called it, Duds. We're invited to a meeting to take down the boss.”

Godric nods as he moves to stand firmly on his feet. “Let's see what they're planning, then get to Lisbeth for repairs.”

“Lady Potter-Black?” Asuna rises to her own feet, then bows deeply. “I would consider it a great honor to accompany you to the meeting, then to host you and your brother tonight for dinner afterwards, so we can continue our discussion.”

Morgana curtseys in reply. “I accept both your invitations, Miss Yuuki.” She replies before straightening back up while taking Godric's offered arm. “Let's see who pisses me off next!”

“Here here!” Godric cheers as they move forward, Asuna to his other side and with a growing determination in her heart. She knew from her International Magical History classes as well as Ancient Magical History classes that the Lady Potter-Black was around her age, but not that she was younger. And, she is also aware of one of the oldest and most cherished alliances in her own country’s history. One that has shaped them and brought them to their own current political and societal stalemate with the all powerful International Confederation of Wixen. The Last Potter is a very important person here in Japan, especially considering she also just confirmed that she was planning on reaffirming the alliance between the Potters and the Royal Court, which makes protecting her so much more than a matter of great honor.

She's about to put her education to work, to instruct the Last Potter in everything she needs to know to succeed when she is finally able to present herself to the Kitsune-no-Mai and the Moon Empress. Granted, considering everything she's seen of Amaryllis so far, she's more than certain Japan may not be ready when both forces of nature meet. 

They’ll either become the very best of friends, or destroy Tokyo worse than the occasional rampage by a certain Bijū who proudly owns his resemblance to a particularly famous movie monster, and who will no doubt add to the devastation. And considering she knows the Moon Empress personally, since she was a fifth year during her own first year at Mahoutokoro, and is more than aware of all the chaos she can manage when left unsupervised for too long by her own two best friends…

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Silica pants as she lowers her dagger, while staring in amazement at Cinder, who is smirking as she performs a flourish with her sword before sheathing it on her back. She doesn't look winded in the least, laughed during the entire encounter with the Giant Wasps, and had zero issues in bringing them down, while she and Dusk struggled to just keep up with her. 

They got what they came for: A Wind Fleurette to trade for a different and just as rare Anneal Blade for Velvet, who has finally found her rhythm with one handed swords, while their father has stuck with greatswords and their mother loves the big, heavy, two handed maces. Even Dusk has taken to axes, while she likes the speed and agility of daggers, but Cinder is on a whole new level than them. 

“Not bad for a girl who grew up stuck in a wheelchair, huh?” Silica blinks as Dusk stares at her older sister in surprise. 

“Izzy!” Dusk cries out as she holds a hand to her mouth. “Are you sure?”

Cinder nods as she walks over to the two girls and leans down while smiling at a confused Silica. “Wanna know why I'm so good at games, nueva hermanita?” 

Silica nods. Out of all of them, Cinder and Velvet have adapted the fastest, although Cinder is clearly not just adapting, but having the time of her life. She's always moving, sometimes pulling one of them into a sudden, random dance for no real reason, even jumping into the air out of nowhere while simply screaming in absolute joy. She's noticed Mr. Alex and Mrs. Salem will watch while smiling in pride, and they always say the same thing.

“It's worth it.”

“Does it have to do with being wheelchair bound Outside?” She asks hesitantly, Cinder nodding.

“That's right! But mine’s awesome, because I’ve got it all painted in flames and stuff!” She declares proudly. “But the secret to my success is that I'm a professional gamer, and I'm going to go to college to learn programming and all that stuff. I want to make my own games.”

“That's awesome!” Silica declares in her excitement, Dusk nodding while grinning. Out of all them, they get along the best, and tend to team up, while Velvet tends to stick with their parents, the older girl very much a Daddy's girl. But it also explains so much. Why she's so confident, why she constantly studies the help section, the guidebooks released by Argo, and is constantly planning out her leveling progression while making copious notes with the memo function. She takes all this seriously, while still enjoying every last minute possible.

Cinder chuckles as she ruffles her hair, Dusk shrieking while ducking away before she can have her own hair messed up. “So far all of this has been easy. I had more issues when I started playing World of Warcraft with Lexi here.”

“Leeeeeroooooy Jenkins!” Silica and Dusk cry out in unison before collapsing on one another while laughing, while Cinder's laughter fills the air. 

“I wish I could have been there for that. That was legendary.” Cinder admits as she shakes her head, while helping the girls to their feet. The three of them get on the move, hands ready to move to their weapons while keeping a close eye on their surroundings. But Cinder looks at her notifications with a look of nostalgia, a small smile on her face. “My whole life changed when I sent an email.” She admits quietly, Lexi reaching over and taking her older sister's hand with a smile of her own. 

“I stole Daddy's phone out of his hand to get your email.” She reminds her sister, who nods. “I was on Spring Break, and he was taking a week’s leave to spend some time with me and Nat.”

Cinder rolls her eyes. “You never realize how small the world is until you find out your biggest online rival is your older sister.” She admits while shaking her head. “Her and her stupid Legion Prime!”

“I feel like I'm missing a huge part of the story.” Silica admits, while recognizing the name Nat. Her new family have gotten her comfortable with hearing their real names in private, and she has even told them her own. They call her Keiko, and she is beginning to adore them all, especially Izzy and Lexi. Even their parents are easy to like, Mr. Alex a typical overprotective father who knows when to let them fall on their faces to learn an important lesson, and when to charge in when said face planting is in danger of turning deadly. And Miss Allison is a warm, kindhearted woman who has long mastered keeping the house ready for her returning warriors, while also more than prepared to venture forth to beat anyone who threatens her precious daughters down with her mace in a violent, unforgettable fashion no one ever forgets. 

They've taken her in fully, consider her a part of the family, and she eagerly adventures beside them all as they explore their new world.

“You kind of are, but you aren't at the same time.” Dusk admits as she motions to her sister, who is humming softly while looking around. “But it's her story to tell.”

Cinder sighs. “Always have to throw someone under the bus, don't you, sis?”

“It's my best talent!” 

Silica shakes her head. “You don't have to tell me.”

Cinder looks at her and grins. “Nah, I don't mind telling you, Silica. You’ll find out sooner or later, considering Lexi’s got a really big crush on you.”

“IZZY!” Dusk cries out in embarrassment, her face a bright red.

“Wait what?!”

Cinder nods. “My full real name is…”

/\/\/\/\

She was born Isabella Milagros Fall, to Miranda Fall, a high powered attorney who was a senior partner in a highly successful legal practice located in Seattle, Washington. Her mother intentionally gave her the middle name of miracle in Spanish, because she was her tiny little miracle child born to a woman who always put her career before getting married or starting a family, to the point that she was in her mid forties before deciding on in vitro instead of finding a husband who would demand her attention. She wants a child of her own, to be the focus of her attention. To reap the benefits of her long, successful career, and to be the center of her world.

It didn't matter that she was born with misshapen, malformed legs that had to have come from her sperm donor’s family. As far as Miranda was concerned, her baby was perfect despite being imperfect, and she never once considered suing the fertility clinic she used to have a child. 

Isabella grew up in a house full of love, full of music, and always encouraged to reach for the stars despite being trapped in a wheelchair. She is a talented artist, a daredevil who always pushes her many wheelchairs to their limits as she explores every nook and cranny of Seattle with her large circle of friends, and most especially a veteran gamer and live streamer, who never hid her wheelchair from the camera, and who flaunted her beauty while dominating every player foolish enough to challenge her.

Her gamer tag is Cinder, and she is the terror of Titanfall 2 multiplayer, where she normally mains a maxed out Tone Prime she named Jenna unless a lesson needs to be taught. That is when she breaks out her maxed out Scorch Prime she named Embers, and crushes her opponents. 

But she is curious about her birth father, curious as to the kind of man her mother chose to be impregnated by, and she performs a DNA test through Ancestry.com in early March of 2016. She is sitting in, of all things, history class when her phone dings with an email notification. Taking advantage of her teacher yelling at a troublemaker named Mercury, she opens the email from the website and gasps at the fact that her test was fruitful, and she now has a name.

Alexander Garrett Garibaldi.

She ignores her teacher yelling at her next as she quickly looks at his personal information, which is accessible thanks to the verification that she is his daughter. She sees that he is career Military, that she has two half sisters, and that he is married to a rather beautiful woman who is the mother of her younger sister. And in a moment of wish fulfillment, she types out a long, heartfelt email to the kindly smiling man who she wants to meet, almost her entire class looking over her shoulder along with her now curious and concerned for her teacher. She includes her email, her cell number, and even enclosed her Twitch ID, just in case. 

She pushes send, then bursts into rare tears as she realizes that she just moved past the point of no return, her longtime girlfriend Neopolitan Torchwick wrapping her arms around her as she sobs in her sudden fear of rejection.

She screams in her delight as her phone explodes less than an hour later, the first of the many emails all but bursting from the screen and filled in the obvious excitement of the girl sending them in an almost nonstop fashion. Her name is Alexandria Garibaldi, she's seven years old, and she's thrilled she has another older, very pretty big sister!

She now has a father as well, the man speaking to her as hesitantly as she speaks to him at first, but with increasing confidence as they get to know one another, while he also contacts her Mami quietly to ask for permission to come and visit her. To get to know her, to meet his entire family, and to be an ever growing and more important part of a greater whole. 

Her Mami agrees, and they set a date without her knowing, while on his end, Lexi is sworn to secrecy.

She's completely relaxed as she sits in the living room one particularly beautiful evening. She's taking a break to hang out with her Mami and Neo, the three of them watching absolutely terrible, yet fascinatingly horrible telenovelas on Univision when the doorbell rings. Surprisingly, Miranda asks her daughter to answer the door, Neo suddenly acting as she is dying horribly to get out of doing it herself. Grumbling as she wheels her way to the front door, she opens it and blinks as she looks up, then up further until she sees his face, a familiar mischievous grin on his face as she stares at her father and his entire family. Who made the long trip to Seattle from their own home in Georgia, just to finally meet her face to face. Her father, who drops down to one knee despite wearing his dress uniform, who reaches out to wipe her tears away while smiling.

The entire neighborhood hears her scream of joy as she all but throws herself out of her wheelchair and into his arms, her father hugging her tightly as she sobs in her joy at finally meeting the other, long missing half of her blood. 

But she cries once more as she also meets her paternal grandmother, from whom she inherited a genetic condition that left her legs useless. Who apologized to her through her own tears, while they hugged one another just as tightly as she and her father hugged. She met her new Abuelo, who is as tall as her Papi, but not nearly as muscular. He is a doctor who draws his inspiration from her Abuela, and is seeking to cure the genetic condition they both suffer from, so that no one else needs to suffer. Who also helped to create the miracle known as IVF-14, which is allowing same sex couples to have children, and which she and Neo are debating using when they reach that point in their own relationship, the two of them a deeply committed couple. She actually gets knocked out of her wheelchair by an excited Lexi, laughing as she holds her excited, crying, speaking a million words a minute little sister as a silently laughing Neo and her Papi help her back into her seat while Lexi clings to her. She grins as Allison and Mami speak in the rapidfire fashion only mothers can speak, her new Abuela joining them as she focuses on the last member.

She glares at her older sister Natalie, who she knows by her own gamer handle of Velvet, and who is her biggest rival in TF2. Who brought her own PS4, the two of them doing their very best to destroy one another as Cinder breaks out Embers, while Velvet does her best to crush her with her Legion Prime, who she named Coco, but the TF2 community fearfully calls Big Mama, and who is the single most feared Legion in multiplayer. Neither of them have ever actually lost to one another, the timer normally running out on one of their normally brutal battles, and that night was no exception. 

Neither of them got a clean win, while a cackling Lexi brags over the fact that she took them both out repeatedly with her own maxed out Monarch while they stayed focused on crushing each other.

She ended up moving in with them in late 2019, her Mami taking over the practice fully when her partner retires, and not wanting her to be home alone constantly. They immediately make her feel at home, especially her Abuelo and Abuela, and her father retired from the Army after a long and highly successful career to spend more time with them all. They begin to plan a highly anticipated trip around the world, while Isabella and Lexi begin to live stream together, her multitudes of viewers enjoying her hyper little sister’s surprisingly snarky and caustic comments as she branches out and explores a wide variety of games. Natalie however slows down on her own live streams, her senior year of high school taking priority as she focuses on graduating with the best grades possible, so she can attend the University of Georgia with a full scholarship.

But then a certain illness struck, and her life changed once more when her Papi received a phone call late in the night.

She has another sister. One younger than her, but older than Lexi. One who is desperately sick with the disease, and needs a blood transfusion to save her life. A sister the desperate doctors performed an illegal DNA test on in the hopes of finding viable donors after her supposed father walked out after telling her the truth: that she wasn't his child, but another man’s. Isabella and Natalie were still in their nightclothes, already in his massive truck, and screaming for Papi to hurry up as he hurriedly scribbles down the address to the hospital where their sister needed them before all but leaping in the truck and actually peeling out as they speed north, to New York City. 

Family is everything to all of them, and they won't let her down even if they never once met. 

They don't stop the truck save to get fuel. Natalie even drives several legs of the long trip to spell her father out, while she performs research on the disease and possibly treatments and cures. She even emails Ancestry.com and informs them of her new sister, requesting that she be added to their family tree immediately. 

Papi smiles in pride as he ruffles her hair, while they look at the newest addition to their family: Ruby Michelle Rose while filling up the truck in New Jersey. 

They arrive, and are hustled in quickly but while keeping to safety rules. Natalie is the first to meet her through a tablet screen, the chocolate brown haired girl sobbing as she stares at her silver eyed sister who thanks her weakly for coming. Who is excited to meet her despite still suffering from the devastating bomb dropped on her by the man she thought was her father. Isabella is next, her own tears falling thickly as they speak in Spanish, while Ruby's own Abuela stares at them in her own shock. 

As Maria Calavara-Rose realizes the truth as she stares at her beloved granddaughter’s body double in Natalie, her nearly identical in personality sister in Isabella, and where her unusually tall granddaughter gets her height in Alexander, who is promising her that he will always be there for her, and if necessary, will give her every last drop of blood in his veins if it saves her life. Only Isabella understands the vicious string of words that spew from the older woman's mouth, the teen staring at her in growing horror until Maria stops, her own eyes wide as she remembers that there is someone listening to her furious words about her daughter and daughter in law keeping secrets. Secrets that almost killed her beloved granddaughter.

But the old woman soon had her laughing as she passed her congratulations on to her mother for having excellent tastes in sperm donors, considering the amazing young women she and her sisters all turned out to be. A compliment that turned into a long discussion between her father and the older woman as she was ushered into a clean room to donate the plasma that will be used to eventually save her sister's life.

She has no idea what the older Puerto Rican woman and her father discuss as she and Nat take turns talking to Ruby as she continues her treatments, both of them cheering as she begins to pull through as the days pass and they stay in a nearby hotel just in case they are needed again. They finally leave after getting Ruby's number and email, returning home while staying in constant contact with her and her Abuela. 

Isabella and Ruby are kindred spirits, the two of them trapped in wheelchairs that don't prevent them from living their lives to their fullest. And both of them are desperate to bring their two families together as well, to be one huge family, and to be there to support one another, side by side as wheeled menaces to the world at large…

/\/\/\/\

“Wow. You guys have another sister?” Silica asks wide eyed as they enter Greencroft, the small village tucked near the southern edge of the first floor. 

Dusk nods. “We think she's a member of that guild that's set up at Tolbana, but Daddy wants us to keep our distance for now. Ruby's admitted she and her own grandmother are having issues getting both her Moms to admit that her supposed Dad isn't her real dad the last time we were able to talk to her, so we're here to grind and get ready for the next floor.”

Cinder nods as she closes the email, while shaking her head. “There's a meeting in a few hours to discuss the boss. They finally found the door.” She admits. “But we're too far away to get to it in time.”

“And we only have one teleport crystal each.” Silica points out. “If we join up with the rest of the players, we can't make it back.”

“Which is why I need you guys to keep this a secret. I'm going to drop you two off, then use my crystal to go and track her down and help with the boss.” Cinder suddenly declares as she looks down at them, blinking in surprise as she goes quiet when both girls look back at her stubbornly.

“You're not going without us, Izzy.” Dusk declares firmly.

Silica nods. “We're a team. A really good team, but even you have to admit, Dusk and I aren't ready for a boss fight yet.”

Cinder sighs as she bends over slightly to look them both in the eyes. “You two aren't going to cooperate, are you?”

“Nope!” They declare in unison.

“I’ll go tell Daddy.” Lexi declares first, a smirk on her face. “He’ll whup your butt all the way back here.”

“I’ll go tell Mama-san.” Silica adds with a smirk of her own. “She’ll lecture you the whole way back while looking at you in that way that destroys your soul.” 

“And then we'll tell Neo all about it when we get out.” Dusk adds with a wicked grin.

Cinder looks at them in a panic, her hands held out before her in surrender. “No no no no no! ¡Todo menos eso! ¡Por favor, no le digas a Neo que estaba tratando de dejarlos a todos atrás para ir a buscar a Ruby! ¡Ella me matará y luego encontrará a alguien que me devuelva la vida para que su hermano pueda hacerme cosas aún peores!” Cinder goes silent, a tear rolling down her cheek as her burning amber eyes go wide. “Neo… She's going to kill me for being here…”

“Oh wow, we broke her.” Silica admits as Cinder goes into a full blown panic attack over the one person that frightens even her despite the fact that she loves her deeply. That she misses with all her heart and soul.

Dusk nods as she pulls her older sister into a hug, Cinder clinging to her as reality finally hits her. That it's been three whole months since she's been able to talk to the missing love of her life, that she's trapped in a game that has become all their realities, and because of a lie, she can't seek out the younger sister who has become such an important part of her life due to similar circumstances. To seek her out to celebrate a life changing event she knows in her soul has finally changed both their lives.

They both found their freedom to walk, to run, to dance, and to jump for joy in a death game. To celebrate being normal in a world trying to kill them all. To be two parts of a greater whole…

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

-The Outside World: Seattle, Washington-

Roman Torchwick was only eighteen when he took formal custody of his much younger sister, Athena “Neopolitan” Torchwick. Granted, it wasn't a huge change in his lifestyle to take on the responsibility of his younger sister. He has already been responsible for her since the day she was born, and he was a skinny twig of a twelve year old who had a newborn all but thrust into his arms and told to deal with the mistake. 

From the moment the tiny newborn was put into his skinny arms, she was never a bother. She was never a mistake. Little Athena Torchwick changed his life, altered his destiny, and saved his soul.

He learned quickly that he had to monitor her closely, realizing that very first night that she couldn't utter a sound. He knew something was wrong, but not what, and her first week of life turned into the longest week of his as he took short little naps in between her feedings, too afraid of her being neglected or ignored. In the end, she slept on his chest while he slept fitfully, constantly waking to check on her before falling back into a light sleep.

He soon learned that due to his mother's lack of care for her pregnancy, along with her terrible decisions and refusal to change her lifestyle, has caused permanent damage to the portion of his baby sister's brain that affects and controls speech. His anger was terrible to behold for only the briefest of moments, before the baby in his arms began to cry silently in response to the change in his mood. He calmed down, sat down with the doctors despite recently celebrating his thirteenth birthday, and began a serious discussion as to how to best support his sister, so she has the best life possible. 

And in order to give her that life, he needed to turn his own around. He had to move away from the burgeoning life of crime and misdeeds he himself was facing. A life learned from his grifter mother, who was always looking for the next big score, who viewed her daughter as a unwanted mistake made when she lowered herself to seducing a mark in order to achieve her goal of robbing him blind. So he focused on school as well as his baby sister, determined to give her a better life than their mother's neglect over looking for that next big score.

He graduated high school as Valedictorian, a silently cheering Neo sitting in the front row and clapping excitedly while repeating “I love you!” over and over with her tiny little hands. He gave an honest, heartfelt speech in which he admits that he too was destined towards following in his mother's footsteps of living a life of crime until a perfect newborn was placed into his arms. That having his sister placed into his arms was a wake up call to change his life. That he has been given a sacred responsibility to this new life, and he would be damned before failing her like their mother failed them both. And when he was done speaking, he caught Athena in his arms when she leapt into them, held her in his lap as they sat for the rest of the ceremony, and grinned mischievously as she accepted his diploma for him while signing “Thank you!”

That was only the beginning of his success story, one that continues as he sits in his new office at the law firm owned by his sister's girlfriend’s mother. He proved himself by winning several high profile cases, and now that the other senior partners have retired, it is his time to truly shine. He has worked hard, sacrificed a great deal of time and effort to work his way up the ladder, and all while continuing to raise his sister to be a good, if mischievous, young woman. One who fell in love with his boss’s daughter, a situation he never took advantage of even as he encouraged his sister to follow her own heart. 

But he's beginning to share in his sister's concerns. No one's heard from Isabella or her extended family in three months now, and Miranda is starting to panic. Enough to where she sat Neo down in Roman’s former cubicle, a laptop in front of her with their itinerary and her personal credit card, with orders to track them down and get in contact with them, no matter the day, the time, or the cost. He himself is under orders to contact the State Department, Homeland Security, even the Department of Defence, considering Izzy's father's status as a highly decorated war veteran and retired high ranking officer. He is now very much aware that Izzy's father was being considered for a General’s star on his shoulder, but he chose retirement to spend more time at home with his wife and family now that Izzy is living with him, which has more than earned his own respect. 

But as he hangs up the phone on his desk, he is beginning to worry that somehow Izzy and her father's family are in deep shit. No one at State or the DoD is willing to answer any questions as to where Colonel Alexander Garibaldi and his family currently are, what their conditions are, or are willing to at least pass them a message asking that his sixteen year old daughter Isabella contact her mother. 

But he is on high alert when Neo comes running into his office screaming silently, the laptop in both her hands with a screen full of names and pictures. Taking it, his eyes widen in surprise at a familiar face, an easily recognizable crooked smirk on her face on the screen underneath a banner that reads “Identified Captives of Sword Art Online”. 

He finally has his head physically pulled away from staring at the screen in horror, replaced by his sister's tear filled visage. “She's in SAO! My girlfriend's trapped in a stupid video game!” She mouths, both hands occupied with keeping his attention on her and not the screen. 

He can't help himself. He knows Isabella every bit as well as he knows Neapolitan, who more than earned her nickname with her unique chocolate brown, strawberry red, and vanilla white streaked dyed hair, combined with her heterochromic eyes that seem to shift between all three colors depending on her mood. And, it wouldn't be him if he didn't pick on his sister just a little bit, without pushing it too far. Unlike him, he made sure that his baby sister would be more than capable of defending herself and Izzy, and signed her up for martial arts at an early age. And at the risk of life, limb, and a few weeks of having several broken bones, he plunges ahead with the single most obvious comment he will ever make in his life.

“So, basically she's living her dream come true?” The look on his face is as close as he can get to pure innocence, which has long been a lost cause according to his own girlfriend. 

Granted, no one heard her screaming as she tackled him out of his chair. They heard his own laughter as he fended off the tiny, furious tricolored girl who is punching wildly at him. But his laughter stops as her tears begin to hit him in the face, and with a quick grab and tug, he is now holding his now sobbing baby sister, who clings to him tightly. 

She doesn't see his boss pick up the discarded laptop, the older woman sighing as she stares at the image of her daughter on the screen. “Roman, considering you're laying on the floor, I'm guessing you couldn't resist the obvious comment?”

“You know me too well, Doña Fall.” He replies with a chuckle, while still holding his crying sister. “Shhh, she's listed as alive, Neo. She's still alive, and I know her. She's going to be fighting.”

“Sí.” Miranda agrees as she sets the laptop down on his desk before leaning against it, her arms folded across her chest. “And Roman is correct. For my video game loving daughter, that Sword Art Online would be a dream come true for her. Especially if…”

“If?” Roman pushes his boss a bit, Neo sniffling as she looks at her as well. 

“Si le concede su mayor deseo.” Miranda wipes her own tears away, before looking at the two siblings. “Para dejarla bailar.”

“Huh?” Roman looks confused. He took French in high school, considering it a superior language in the noble art of picking up women. It certainly worked when it came to his current girlfriend, a TV anchor for Fox 13 here in Seattle. He has been dating Lisa Lavender for almost a year now, and he has to admit she could in fact be the one. She adores his sister, is learning sign language to be able to understand her, is every bit as ambitious as he is, and puts up with his bullshit while matching him with her own sharp tongue and sharper wit. 

And of course, he is distracted thinking about said girlfriend when Neo pops him upside his head while scowling, Miranda chuckling as she shakes her head. “I said it would be her dream to come true to finally dance, Roman. It's her second greatest dream now.”

Roman nods, while sitting himself and Neo up slowly, his arms still around his sister. “Marrying her favorite ice cream is the biggest one now.”

“So what do we do now?” Neo signs, Miranda motioning to the discarded laptop.

“I have an old friend from law school who moved to Tokyo when he retired.” She begins as she looks at the siblings. “And considering that American citizens are obviously involved, perhaps a rising star in the news field would also want to be present as her rising legal star of a boyfriend starts filing lawsuits on his employer's behalf.”

Roman nods as Neo looks hopeful, a smile on his face. “Looks like you get to homeschool, Neo, while I sue the shit out of whatever company runs that SAO, and Lisa works on exposing even their dirtiest secrets.”

Miranda nods. “Exactly. I’ll call Toshiro. His son runs a rival game company named Rect Progress, and by the looks of it, his granddaughter is also trapped in this SAO.” She points out as she points to the image next to Isabella’s, Yuuki Asuna under the rather pretty girl’s image. “I would imagine Toshiro is not amused in the least, and would be more than happy to host and assist.”

Neo studies the screen, her head tilting as she focuses on an odd symbol at the corner of Asuna’s picture. “Why does she have this, but Izzy doesn't?”

Miranda looks at it and shrugs. “Yo no sé.” She admits before looking at her daughter's precious girlfriend. “Perhaps another mystery to uncover?”

“I’ll point it out to Lisa. She can get to the bottom of it.” Roman focuses on his cell, a smile on his face as the image of a blue haired woman appears on the screen. “Hello, beautiful!”

“Roman! Now’s not a good time.” The reporter cuts him off, a scowl on her face. “I got a tip that there's actual American citizens trapped in Sword Art Online, but the State department is stonewalling… me…” Lisa goes silent as Roman turns his cell to face the laptop, Neo making a perfect crying face as Isabella’s face is displayed next to her's. “Is that an official government website, or a privately owned one?”

Neo taps on the screen, her finger pointing out the fact that the website ends with a typical .com at the end, and not one that signifies any kind of government sanctioned information site. 

“Interesting. And not a thing from the government. Trust me, I go through a huge web search every single morning.” 

“Lisa, how interested are you in heading to Japan to investigate all of this from ground zero?” Miranda calls out, a feral grin on the reporter's face.

“My bags are already packed. I was actually hoping Roman would be willing to tag along for any legal issues I might encounter along the way.”

“Roman, I want the three of you on the next flight to Tokyo.” Miranda declares as her amber colored eyes narrow. “I want names. I want to know every last person involved in this mess, so I know who's souls are going to belong to me.”

Roman Torchwick nods as he reaches into the drawer of his desk and takes out a cigar, making a show of lighting it before exhaling. “And if the government gets involved while Lisa and I are checking things out?”

Miranda’s grin turns sharklike, her pearly white teeth showing. “Then I get involved, and I'm still friends with enough people in very high places to light a fire even God will see…”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Translation time! Not gonna lie, got some help from Google, due to the rusty Spanish. But I have double and triple checked it, and I’m confident that I’m knocking the rust off! Yay!

Cinder: Anything but that! Please don't tell Neo that I was trying to leave all of you behind to go find Ruby! She'll kill me, then find someone to bring me back to life so her brother can do even worse things to me!

Miranda: If it grants her her greatest wish. 

Notes:

Credit for the Lisa Lavender/Roman Torchwick pairing goes to the unstoppable Power_Taco! I needed a suitable pairing for him, and the Mighty Taco delivered! Yay!

Chapter 6: The (Not So) Delicate Art of Diplomacy

Notes:

Hiya everyone! Wyn here, and I'm actually excited that I finally had a breakthrough with this one! I've had it written for months now, and yet I wasn't happy with everything past the first section.

So I deleted it, and two sleepless nights later, tada!

Anywho, I hope everyone enjoys, and I hope your having a happy holiday season so far! I'll see you all next time!

Ambassador David Ozpin can’t help but to sigh as he hangs up the phone, after another long, drawn out conversation with the mundane president. He is obviously concerned with the lack of progress being made at ending the Sword Art Online crisis, while equally disturbed at the fact that there are a surprisingly large amount of American citizens involved. But, the mundane president is just that: A Mundane. He doesn't understand just how dangerous the Nervegears truly are, or the fact that Kayaba is a genius. 

Not insane. No, he won't make the mistake of insulting him in that fashion. The now inert Nervegears that the combined Mundane and Magical researchers have taken apart from now dead victims are nothing short of masterpieces of technomancer know-how and ingenuity. The runic sequences are precise, carefully placed, and are capable of restraining even the most powerful of magicals while channeling their magic into a purpose they have yet to discover. And said runes and the mundane technology blend seamlessly, work in perfect harmony, and have proven to be as deadly as advertised when his warning is ignored, and the sophisticated technomantic devices are removed forcefully. 

Over two hundred players lost their lives the first day, when concerned friends and family tried to remove the devices in order to force them back into reality. He’s watched the unintentionally recorded video as a young woman died screaming as alchemically created lightning rushed through her body, killing her in a graphic, horrific manner that still gives him nightmares. He was still shocked that the Japanese government allowed the video to be shown to the public, but it had the desired effect, and no one else has attempted to remove a Nervegear ever since. 

The Moon Empress herself paid for her funeral as thanks to her family for allowing their daughter’s final moments to be witnessed by millions. They agreed to spare others the pain of watching their own loved ones die a horrible death, all because they chose not to listen to the warnings flashing on the television. 

“Ambassador?” His personal assistant, Robyn Hill, pokes her head into his office, a frown on her face that gets his attention. “We have a problem.” 

He doesn't groan in displeasure. No, that's for hotheads like James Ironwood or whiney fools like Miguel Lionheart. He’s been in the game for far too long, and has learned from his mistakes. Instead, he calmly takes a sip from his ever present, always full, and always hot mug of coffee, before facing Robyn in order to deal with the latest crisis. 

“And what problem is that?” He asks with his normal calm. 

Walking in, she hands him a surprisingly thick file, a picture paperclipped to the front of a man he recognizes immediately. His blood runs cold at the sight of his smug smirk, of the confident look in his eyes, and the fact that he is even holding this particular file in his hand. 

He doesn't need to wonder just what his best friend since they were a pair of mischief making kindergarteners did this time. He however does need to know just how much trouble the Mountain is in, so he knows how many favors he will have to call in to get him out of it. He is more than aware that Alex is still being considered for a star on his shoulder despite his retirement, and that even the mundane president is debating ordering him out of said retirement in order to put the long considered star on his broad shoulder. He is still highly respected even by the UN and NATO, it takes him and his wife quite some time to pin all his ribbons and awards to his uniforms, and his former brigade, especially his former aide de camp and joint seconds in command are ready to mutiny if The Boss doesn't return soon. 

Major Biggs Darklighter, Captain Wedge Antilles and Lieutenant Jessica Rasberry are fiercely loyal to Colonel Alexander Garibaldi, have followed him from duty posting to duty posting for years now, and are refusing to follow their new commanding officer’s orders. Their loyalty to him is absolute, and all three of them are becoming a pain in the ass the longer his best friend stays in retirement. 

“It's been confirmed that Colonel Alexander Garibaldi and his entire family are trapped in SAO, Sir.” Robyn points out the obvious, while glancing at a very recent picture taken of the two men standing side by side in front of the very building they are currently in, surrounded by his three beautiful daughters and his equally beautiful wife. Alex is standing tall with pride, Allison beside him and smiling softly as all three girls make silly, ridiculous faces for the camera. 

“That's not good.” He admits as he shakes his head. “God help us all if his men find out. We’ll have an entire fully armed brigade here in Tokyo searching for Kayaba with only the very worst of intentions for him.”

“Lieutenant Jessica Rasberry has already been making inquiries as to his whereabouts, along with a lawyer who works for his daughter Isabella’s mother's law firm.” Robyn confirms, nearly making him groan. “The DoD and State are doing their best to keep things quiet, but they’re running out of excuses, especially when it concerns Lieutenant Rasberry. She just knows too many people thanks to your best friend, and sooner or later, she's going to find a weak link and break them.”

Ozpin snorts. “She's honestly just as good as you are in acquiring Intel, Robyn.” He points out, surprised when she shakes her head.

“Jessie Rasberry’s taught me a few new tricks, Boss. That woman can even get a wall to talk to her if she has enough time.” She admits while offering him a second file. “And the problem gets even worse.”

“Worse?” He manages to get out even as he takes the file, a picture of a young redhead with dual colored green and purple eyes and a mischievous grin on her face that almost screams that she's up to nothing good whatsoever pinned to the file. He definitely recognizes her, having been the one to approve both her passport as well as her diplomatic immunity status at the not subtle in the least insistence of the Magical Imperial Court. “Oh shit.” 

“Oh shit is right.” Robyn agrees as she looks at him. “Amaryllis Andromeda Potter-Black is also confirmed trapped in SAO, and both the Mundane and Magical Brits are pissed.” She informs him. “And to make that part of all this even worse, we can also confirm that the no longer retired War Witch Minerva McGonagall is also now here in Tokyo, and at the hospital with Lady Potter-Black and her cousin, both of whom were abandoned by their Mundane guardians. She's taken over guardianship of Lady Potter-Black’s cousin as well with absolutely no issues, because she's Minerva McGonagall. No one's stupid enough to argue with that woman, especially me.” 

Ozpin sets both files down on his desk, and breaks his own rule about not groaning like some savage heathen or James and Miguel. Despite the Blood Purity War being over for a decade now, Wizarding Britain is still on dangerously thin ice with both the ICW and the Crown, to the point that they are still under heavy restrictions and embargos. The Mundanes are keeping a very close eye on their Magical cousins, and even he has heard of the uproar when the Lady Potter-Black returned to the magical world, as well as her deplorable physical condition. The last report he read was that the Dursleys were living on borrowed time, due to the fact that Scotland Yard as well as the British DMLE both are counting the days until Amaryllis Potter-Black turns thirteen, and are already fighting over who gets to prosecute them first for a multitude of charges, the ICW also involved considering Amaryllis' status as an Inner Council Member thanks to the Potters being a founding member of the international organization. 

Very few realize the true depth and scope of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter’s influence in the entirety of Magical and even Mundane History. From their origins as the actual descendants of the First Witch, who was the first to tame Magic and bend it to her will before teaching others, to the height of their power in ancient Rome as War Mages and Generals, to the more recent fame of Charlus Potter, who led a large force of Wixen against the Dark Lord Grindelwald that included his own wife and best friend to their eventual victory against him and the Axis, they are revered as warriors, crafters, and leaders of men. 

Amaryllis Andromeda Potter-Black is the last of her line, and already beginning to show that same spark of greatness that runs in her very blood like the legendary Honor of the Potters. But, she is also a Black, the only child of Bellatrix Black, and in possession of their greatly respected and rightly feared Fury, and very much her mother's child with her prodigious gift for magical and Mundane combat. And many of her family's traditional allies all over the entire world have sworn oaths to protect and guide the girl to adulthood, so that she may rise and take her rightful place as the True Potter and the Black of Blacks. 

The Crown, the British DMLE, and the ICW all want Vernon and Petunia Dursley as permanent guests in their most horrific prisons for what has been done to the Head of the Potters and the Blacks, two of the oldest and most deeply established magical families in global history. And they had best pray that the Moon Empress and the Kitsune-No-Mai don't find out. An actual war may break out at that point, considering the fact that an almost thousand year old alliance is involved, along with a second, very important factor he is sworn to secrecy about. 

“This is becoming a diplomatic nightmare.” He admits heavily, while struggling to not lose control and sigh. Sighing is a definite sign of weakness in the diplomatic world, and if Alex were to ever find out he actually sighed while receiving bad news compounded by even worse news, he will never let him live it down.

“I gotta make your day even worse, boss.” Robyn offers him the last file held in her hand, a look of genuine fear in her eyes. “We have firm confirmation that the eggheads and wand wavers can't remove the bottled lightning. The compartments are just too heavily fortified with runes and copper shielded on top of it all. They can't be cracked open by mundane means, summoned, or vanished. They even lost two mundane techs trying to open them carefully from the outside, both of them getting electrocuted.”

He can actually feel one eyebrow twitching at the news that Kayaba is once more one step ahead of them all. The magicals and mundanes have tried everything, including vanishing a helmet on several players who have already died in game, along with experimenting on the VR headsets on other corpses, and the results are almost always the same: the release of the deadly chained lightning in a bottle, and the techs involved badly injured. And now two of them are dead? 

That is completely unacceptable.

“Send the order to our own people involved to stop trying to disable the Nervegears.” He orders, Robyn already taking her cell out of her pocket to make the call. “They can keep aiding in studying them, but I refuse to risk any more lives, both theirs as well as the still living players.” 

“What about the Colonel and Lady Potter-Black?” She asks as she keeps holding her phone in her hand. “DoD is convinced the second the 82nd finds out, they're going to be on the way, orders or no orders. They’re already placed themselves on standby since Major Darklighter lost contact with the Colonel, including their normal transports, and are barricaded near the air fields just in case he’s in trouble and they have to go and rescue him from a prison in Marrakesh or something.”

Ozpin snorts, a smirk on his face. “That's not outside the realm of possibilities when it comes to Alex.” He admits while remembering all the times they were locked up in jail overnight as rowdy, over energetic teenagers, usually with his own girlfriend and Natalie’s mother in the cell next to theirs, all four of them laughing over their latest misadventure while the sheriff just shakes his head. They spent their summers raising hell to make up for the fact that he was gone most of the year to Ilvermorny, while Carolina Scarlatina attended The Citadel's Magical Combat Academy. Alex has known about Paragraph 14-B ever since they were children, has protected his and Carol’s secrets for years, and was the one who turned the 82nd into a mixed magical and mundane unit, then molded them into the world's most powerful and most dangerous rapid response combat brigade. Hence another reason why they are absolutely loyal to The Boss, the Boss Lady, and most importantly, The Wife.

Natalie's mother… Oh Merlin help them all when she finds out. 

He picks up his phone with a trembling hand, terror filling his heart and soul as he dials the number for the Pentagon. She is the one person left that the 82nd will listen to, because despite them breaking up years ago due to their careers going in two completely separate directions, Alex still greatly respects his ex and listens to her and her advice, and has even worked with her on several missions over the years, his troops always willingly accepting and following her orders thanks to that respect they still have for one another. Hopefully she hasn't found out about Alex and Natalie’s status. Otherwise, she may take command of the rechristened Demon Slayers personally, and that means that not one, but two ICW sanctioned foreign War Witches will be here in Japan, one of which will be in command of a full thirty two hundred fully trained and combat ready troops. 

“Thank you for calling Magical Pacific Command. How may we direct your call, Ambassador Ozpin?” The pleasant female voice asks calmly, which helps greatly to center him.

“Admiral Richard Hunter, please. Inform him I cannot wait for a return call.” He replies as Robyn's eyes widen in her surprise. 

“One moment, Ambassador. Please hold, your call is very important to us.”

He waits patiently, the handset still in his hand. He has the utmost respect for the mundane Admiral and his wife, who is currently the Secretary of Magical Defense despite the fact that she is a Minimal. They too are hardworking, proud American citizens and highly decorated combat veterans, proud of their combat pilot son and Hit Witch daughter, and Rick Hunter will not have any issues keeping Carol on a leash with Lisa's help. 

“David, if you're calling me hoping we can stop War Witch Carolina Scarlatina, you're exactly five and a half hours too late. The entire 82nd was in the air the second she apparated directly into Fort Moore, and they just landed in Vandenberg to refuel before continuing on to Guam.” Damn. Damn it all! “Someone leaked the names and images of everyone trapped inside SAO around twenty one thirty local time, and all hell is breaking loose.”

He finally breaks and sighs. This is so much worse than expected. Even worse than his worst nightmares, and now he's about to have a very pissed off and terrified War Witch with a small army to back her up while ripping Japan apart to find Akihiko Kayaba. “Is there no way to stop them?”

“David, I’m currently doing good to keep them on Guam for now. She at least agreed to stage the command staff on the Nimitz while we deal with the logistics, as long as Lieutenant Rasberry’s allowed on shore to monitor the situation and report back directly to War Witch Scarlatina. Otherwise, the 82nd is now completely under her command, which means they’re now temporarily under the ICW’s control until I arrive on site.” Rick informs him without hesitation. “I'm on my way to take command of Carrier Strike Group Eleven, and I’ve been given overall command of any and all military forces being sent that way by order of the UN, the ICW, and even NATO.” Pausing, he hears a deep sigh coming from the career military man. “Alex has gotten himself in a world of shit this time, he’s someplace where they can't follow him, and his Demon Slayers will start World War Three if anything happens to him, Allison, or the girls.”

“This is a mess, Rick. And on top of it all, both British governments are also saber rattling.” David informs him, getting a grunt out of him. 

“Nobody cares about Cornelius Fudge or his Death Eater buddies, David.” Rick declares in disgust. “As long as he keeps protecting them, they’re never going to lose the embargoes and restrictions that the Crown has allowed them to get slapped with. Hell, the only actual former Death Eaters that have cooperated fully with the ICW investigators are Severus Snape, Regulus Black, and Daniel Parkinson. They gave them plenty of great information, but Fudge is blocking any and all attempts to arrest any of the others to question and eventually put them on trial.”

“Rick, it doesn't change the fact that even the Crown is pissed that Lady Potter-Black is in SAO, and that she was abandoned by her relatives. They have a nationwide manhunt going on in both worlds to find them.” David points out, concerned when Rick stays silent for several minutes. 

“Do you remember Roy Fokker?” He asks quietly, David immediately concerned. He was Rick’s best friend who died in a dogfight years ago, during the Macross incident and its nearly cataclysmic aftermath, and he never truly recovered from the loss of his friend and mentor. “His girlfriend, Claudia Grant, moved to England after he died, and she resigned her commission. She ended up marrying a First Generation Wixen named Marcus Johnson, and her oldest daughter attends Hogwarts. Angelina has been keeping Claudia updated on what's going on there, and she said that Dumbledore’s pissed, and that he’s the one demanding action as the Chief Warlock. He also didn't argue when War Witch McGonagall resigned. He even encouraged her to do so, and he’s been teaching her classes ever since.”

“And I assume she's the one keeping Lisa in the loop?” He asks next, Rick chuckling. 

“They’ve been best friends since the naval academy, and that's never going to change.” Rick reminds him while chuckling. “Let me go. I’ve got three excited Lieutenants chomping at the bit and ready to get back out to sea. Sammy, Vanessa, and Kim are bored out of their minds at the Pentagon, and all three of them are claiming they’re wasting their careers.” Pausing, he chuckles. “Hell, I’m ready to get back out to sea. I never should have accepted that desk job. It was bad enough when they took me out of the skies, but at least they gave me the Enterprise, then the Nimitz. So for me and the girls, we’re going home.”

“You have my personal number, Rick. Call me if you need anything.” 

“You bet. Good luck on your own end. Oh, and the powers that be have officially reactivated him and put the star on him. He’s officially a Brigadier General, so he rates a full guard. The Imperial Magical Court has Lady Potter-Black covered, by order of the Moon Empress herself, but it might not hurt to at least keep a discreet eye on her ourselves.” He adds the last before hanging up, Ozpin hanging up the handset. Leaning back in his chair, he digests all the new information, mulling it all over in his mind while using his formidable occlumency to sort it all and file it away for eventual use. 

“Ambassador?” Robyn calls out, a look of worry clearly on her face. 

“I need the files on every single American trapped in Sword Art Online.” He begins as the wheels in his head keep turning. “All of them, as well as any other foreign national, magical or mundane.” 

Robyn grimaces. “That's going to take some time, Sir. There's still a little over nine thousand active players, and even with that website and our own intel, that's a lot of legal red tape I’m going to have to wade through.” She pauses, lost in thought for a moment. “I could see if Bart in legal can help me. He always carries a flamethrower and his even bigger cup of coffee than yours.”

David smirks. “Have Bart start burning through the red tape, while Glynda focuses on keeping him properly motivated and caffeinated.” He orders as he sits up straight. “Have Peter handle the press. The Eleventh Carrier Strike Group along with the 82nd Rapid Response are in route, and the Japanese press is going to try to spin that into a negative image. Let's get ahead of that as well.”

Robyn nods as she types rapidly on her phone. “Anything else?” 

He nods. “Lieutenant Jessica Rasberry will be the official liaison between the 82nd and us. She's also more than likely going to jam herself firmly up Brigadier General Garibaldi’s ass, more than likely with both her wand and an MP5 in each hand and enough pepper up potions and ammunition for her SMG to ruin quite a few lives until she sets up an actual guard rotation filled with the meanest, nastiest, and most vicious members of the brigade.”

Robyn nods hesitantly. “That may not be a good idea, Boss.” She starts, going silent when he holds up a single hand. 

“Brigadier General Alexander Garibaldi is one of the US’s most highly decorated soldiers, with a proven track record of succeeding where others have failed.” Ozpin declares with pride for his lifelong best friend. “He will get them all out of Sword Art Online, or die trying.”

Robyn Hill snorts. “Now you're making him sound like my father. Failure is not an option.” She mimics in a deep, rough voice.

“Failure isn't even in his vocabulary, Robyn.” David Ozpin corrects her with a smile. “His family's motto is still Death before Dishonor. That is the Way of the Just. His ancestors fought in the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, even in the Civil War. His great great grandfather fought in World War One, his Great Grandfather in World War Two and Korea, his Grandfather was a combat doctor in Vietnam, and his own father was a combat doctor during both the first gulf war and the Macross incident. Alex has continued the family legacy to these modern times, and he will just see this as a new challenge to overcome.” Pausing, he grins. “With a sword in one hand and a beer in the other, while yelling for people to watch this!”

“Actually, I’d be the one holding the beer while egging him and the boys on. Him, Biggs, and Wedge would be trying to outdo one another, while encouraging the rest of the troops to outdo them.” A new voice chimes in, a rather beautiful woman in a crisp, picture perfect army uniform standing in the doorway. Her dark brown hair is gathered into a precise bun at the back of her head, and her warm brown eyes are full of worry. 

Robyn looks at her watch and frowns. “You got here fast, Jessie.” 

Lieutenant Jessica “Jessie” Rasberry shrugs. “The Boss Lady stuck me with an international portkey when we stopped to refuel at Vandenberg. She wants me parked in front of The Boss, The Wife, and all the kids ASAP. I just cleared customs, and took the floo directly here.” 

David nods as he steps forward, Jessie saluting him properly. “At ease, Lieutenant. And while I'm fine with that, I’m afraid I’m going to keep you significantly busier as well.” He informs her as he hands her Amaryllis Potter-Black’s file. “She and her cousin are at the same hospital, along with Alex and his entire family, and I need her discreetly monitored as well, Lieutenant.”

Jessie nods as she accepts the file and opens it, her eyes widening in recognition. “Oh shit.” She whispers, getting chuckles out of the other two in the room.

“That seems to be a common reaction when it comes to her.” Robyn points out. 

“Indeed so.” Ozpin agrees with a smile. “Will this be a problem, Lieutenant?”

“No sir!” She replies as she snaps the file closed and salutes. “You can count on me, Sir!”

“Excellent. Robyn will escort you to your quarters here in the embassy, assign you a vehicle, and provide you with directions to the hospital.” Ozpin informs the experienced adjutant. “And Lieutenant?”

“Sir?” 

Ozpin smiles fondly at her. “Keep them all safe for both of us.”

Jessie smiles brightly. “You can count on me, Sir! Nobody's gonna get close to The Family as long as I'm alive!” She declares before turning on her heels and rushing out, Robyn shaking her head as she follows behind the enthusiastic woman. 

David Ozpin sighs as he looks at the pictures on his wall, focusing on a much older one of him standing beside a tired looking Carol, Alex on her other side while a beautiful newly born Natalie is sleeping in her arms. But what sets this picture apart, other than the fact that it is a magical one, is the fact that unlike many of the others of his goddaughter that he has hanging up in his office, this one is unglamoured, revealing the fact that both Carol and her daughter both are American born Usagimimi. 

“Carol’s on her way, Alex.” He informs the picture, who nods before returning to looking at his first wife and daughter with pride. “She still loves you, and if anything happens to you or yours, she will burn the world to ashes to avenge you and your entire family. All of you are the only family she really has left, and she will stop at nothing to rescue you all.” He adds before returning to the many tasks he already has at hand, while preparing for the logistical and diplomatic nightmare of having both a carrier battle group as well as a ready response division led by an American Kemonomimi War Witch right offshore from Japan. 

He fully expects all hell to break loose, and he needs to prepare to either extinguish the flames, or add more fuel to the fire…

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Asuna can't help but feel her eye start to twitch as they sit and listen to this Kibaou whine and complain about the so-called Creators and Beta Testers, and how they were stealing all the good drops and keeping all the best areas to grind to themselves. Granted, she's already figured out that Argo and Kirito were Beta Testers, considering how much they know about the first floor and all the best areas to grind for mats, weapon and armor drops, and even the farmhouse where the three of them are staying. But, she respects them greatly, is growing extremely fond of them both, and she will find a way to kill anyone who threatens them in as horrible and violent of a fashion as possible. 

They are her’s, and she doesn't share with others.

“Is this bloke actually being serious?” She turns her head and looks at Godric, who is leaning against the wall behind them, his muscular arms folded across his broad chest. Morgana is sitting in front of him, her legs folded properly and her hands in her lap, the girl obviously on her best behavior for a change. 

“Some people love to hear the sound of their own voice, Duds.” Amaryllis comments idly, getting nods of agreement from her, Kirito, and Argo. “He’s also obviously almost gotten his arse buggered by the mobs, and refuses to accept it's because he's weak.”

“You think so, Morgana?” Argo asks curiously, her attention focused on the, until now, mysterious girl and her equally mysterious cousin. 

“He reminds me of my cousin, a foul, loathsome overgrown ferret who hides behind his father's robes while wearing his mother's skirt.” Asuna’s eyes grow wide at the obvious wizarding insult, which here in the Other Japan would cause an immediate demand for a duel in order to save face. “I'm surprised this Kibaou isn't crying out that his Father will hear about this yet.”

Godric snorts as a tall black man rises and begins to chastise Kibaou politely, Argo blushing a bit at the mention of her ever present and infinitely useful Guidebook. 

“I gotta remember to thank that Argo person.” Godric comments idly while smirking and winking at her, The Rat’s blush growing worse. “Those things saved our arses more than a few times during the first few weeks.”

Morgana nods in agreement, her own Guidebook out as she uses the notetaking option in the back of the book to write something in a very beautiful, flowing script with a single use quill pen before closing it and offering it to Asuna. “Here. We didn't put everything in the map data we sold you lot earlier. Pass it over to Argo so she can update the books and maps before the raid tomorrow.” 

“Wait, for free?” Argo asks in surprise as the book gets passed to her, the information broker opening it to the note covered page, her eyes widening in her surprise at the very detailed notes Morgana has taken of their exploration of the labyrinth. 

“We're allies now, Argo, thanks to our brief talk with Asuna earlier.” Morgana replies, Godric nodding in his own agreement. “Information should always be shared freely between allies, especially when said information is of great benefit to our common cause, which is now the defeat of the floor boss.”

“And like I said, we owe you big-time.” Godric adds. “Never played a game like this before, and Ama’s not a gamer, so we had a lot to learn quick.” 

“Before we ended up becoming someone's lunch.” Morgana finishes with a tone of finality.

The meeting is beginning to come to an end, Kirito and Asuna both nodding in silent agreement before he sends Morgana and Godric party invitations, the two young fighters accepting them without hesitation. But before any of them can get up to leave, Kibaou as well as the young man who called the meeting, a blue haired boy named Diavel walk up to them, Diavel bowing politely while Kibaou just sneers.

“Well well well, if it isn't the useless midget girl and her brother, the ogre?” Kibaou declares, Morgana looking at him rather calmly, Kirito, Asuna, and Argo already reaching for their weapons as subtly as possible. 

“Well well well, if it isn't the unwanted and unloved breast groper?” Morgana counters without missing a beat, Godric smirking as the boy with the odd hairstyle’s sneer turns into an immediate look of rage. “Molested any other twelve year olds lately?” 

“Shut up! You shouldn't even be here!” 

Diavel raises a hand, silencing his companion while looking between the five of them. “I have to assume the five of you are partying together, Lady Yuuki?” He asks calmly, Asuna nodding while inwardly curious as to how he knows her family name. 

“The four of us are. Our fifth companion isn't one for larger battles like this.” She explains as she motions to herself, Kirito, Morgana, and Godric, Argo nodding in her own agreement. 

“According to the Guidebook, the boss spawns Armored Kobold guards at regular intervals. I’d like it if your group would handle those while the main assault force deals with the boss.” Diavel looks from Asuna to Morgana before looking directly at Kirito. “I would prefer it if both you and Lady Potter-Black were to just sit this out, but I can already tell they aren't the type to not aid us tomorrow.”

Asuna and Morgana both chuckle as Kirito shrugs. “You try talking them out of this while leaving me out of it. I rather enjoy not sleeping on the couch. It's not very comfortable.”

“Same, mate. I don't need Morgana mad at me. She’s mean enough without having a valid reason.” Godric adds with a growl. 

“Are you saying that we aren't capable of holding our own, Diavel?” Morgana asks, Asuna growling softly as her hand tightens on the hilt of her rapier. 

“No, I’d rather see the two of you remain here in safety, instead of risking your lives, Lady Potter-Black.” The young man suddenly replies in excellent, if still heavily accented English. “My father works under Lady Yuuki’s Mother's command as a Ward Maintainer for Edo, and only the most ignorant of Mundanes are unaware of your actual identity, Lady Potter-Black.”

Asuna blinks as Morgana sighs. “I'm a Potter, Diavel. We aren't the type to shy away from danger, our Honor won't allow it. And I'm also a Black, we tend to rush headlong into danger while laughing in joy as we unleash our Fury. Besides, I have a long overdue meeting to attend, and I refuse to meet with a very old and highly respected family ally while stinking of cowardice.” Rising to her booted feet, she takes Godric’s arm while still looking at Diavel. “Don't mistake confidence for arrogance, Diavel. Tomorrow will be dangerous enough, and you will need every capable fighter you can get to face the Kobold Lord.” 

“The only arrogant one here is you and your ogre of a brother, you little bitch!” Kibaou spits out angrily, getting a cold glare in response. 

“I have real world training in how to use my daggers, Kibaou. Keep testing my patience, and we'll see just how far we can push the system when we're in the labyrinth.” She replies before turning on her heel and walking off, Godric beside her. Her head turns, one emerald and amethyst eye looking directly at the loudmouth warrior. “We found plenty of places where you will never be found again, and didn't mark several of them on the map data we provided to Argo.” She adds as Godric performs that odd two fingered salute, a smirk on his own features.

“We’ll handle the trash mobs, but if he needs any help, he’s on his own.” Asuna adds as she takes Kirito’s offered arm, Argo having already vanished during the brief verbal confrontation. “And if he isn't careful, he might find himself tripping on his own feet at a very bad time for his continued insults.” She adds before they too turn and follow Morgana and Godric.

“His attitude is going to get him killed.” Kirito mutters as he shakes his head.

“He’s already a dead man, he just doesn't know it yet.” Asuna counters, the two of them staying a safe distance behind the two younger players, Morgana’s language turning extremely inappropriate as she starts to verbally vent her obvious anger. “Diavel won't dare to turn against Morgana, not considering he knows who she really is. But that Kibaou is dooming himself to fall on a mob’s sword when he least expects it.”

“She must be some kind of big shot in the Other Japan, just like you are.” She stumbles as he looks at her with a small smile. “You know my sister, she talks about you all the time. She goes to the same exclusive school as you, Lady Yuuki Asuna of the Honorable House of Yuuki.”

“And who's your sister?”

“Kirigaya Suguha.” 

Asuna starts laughing brightly at the mention of the very pretty third year who's already rightfully earned a place on the Senior Kendo team, and is quickly becoming a terror in Charms and combat magic training. “You must be a Minimal?” She asks, not surprised when he nods. 

“And I wish I had paid more attention when I was helping her with her International Magical History homework.” He admits as he scratches his chin. “But she wants to be an Auror, so she was doing just enough to pass herself.” 

“I take it the two of you train in Kendo together?” She asks, getting a nod in return.

“Morgana isn't the only one with real world experience. I’ve just adapted faster thanks to also being a gamer.” He admits quietly. “I just hope she's doing ok.”

“I'm glad it was me and not my brother.” Asuna admits quietly. “He would have already gotten himself killed.” 

“Oi! Let go of my fucking arm!” They both look up and groan at the sight of Morgana once again being restrained by that annoying policeman, Rishi, who is glaring at her. “I wasn't even close to the pub, you insufferable dunderhead!” 

“You're still under arrest for defying a police officer and drawing your weapon inside the town!”

“Oh yeah?! And where's the army you're going to need to arrest me?!” Morgana has a dagger out, Godric has drawn his great sword, and both teens are growling angrily. 

“Come on, let's go keep them from finding a way to somehow commit murder.” Asuna sighs as she and Kirito hurry over to stop the two before they attack the annoying policeman, who doesn't yet realize that his actions, while serving a purpose, are completely unwelcomed and poorly timed.

The players are eager to move on, and these two children are among the many willing to battle the boss tomorrow in an effort to finally see them advance. That, and there are far more of them that are underage than actual adults, and his views of preventing juvenile delinquency are becoming very, very unpopular…

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Everyone in the Champions of Beacon have noticed several very important facts when it concerns Ruby Michelle Rose. 

The first is that Ruby is much taller than her mother and grandmother, and her figure is definitely much different from theirs as well. Ruby is tall and very curvy, where her grandmother and mother both are shorter and much more slender. Summer claims it's from being influenced by being around her other mother, Raven, but no one is buying it. Especially Neon, who is secretly in her second year at Ilvermorny, and has been learning about all of that kind of stuff in her Wizarding Culture classes. 

The second is Ruby's sense of justice. They are all dumbfounded at how little tolerance she has for bullies, jerkfaces, and assholes, and she and Yang have taken to dealing with those types in a violent, attention grabbing manner. Especially anyone who dares to pick on their tiny, petite twin girlfriends or tries to stiff Lizbeth on their bill. And don't get Qrow and Winter started on that Kibaou jerk who groped that Morgana girl! After the system finally stopped that Godric kid from slamming him into a wall like he was the Hulk slamming Loki, the four of them dragged him into a nearby alley, and beat the crap out of him even more, while Weiss and Willow both cheered them on as well as gave them all new ideas.

Summer actually had to struggle to hang onto a once more furious Ruby at the meeting, that Kibaou character first making a complete ass of himself as he complained about the Creators and the Beta Testers who are all hiding themselves. And then to add fuel to her fires of Justice, he then walked over with the leader of the raid, a young man named Diavel, and once again began hurling insults at a surprisingly calm Morgana until that Diavel silenced him with a hand gesture and a glare.

It doesn't help that Ruby is a full six inches taller, and almost sixty pounds heavier than Summer, and she was struggling to hold onto her to keep her from jumping that Kibaou boy, and then dragging him back to Qrow and the rest of the girls for another round of “You should never ever say that to a woman!”. 

Instead, Ruby is frozen in place as she is easily grappled by a tall young woman with gorgeous, thick chocolate brown hair and matching colored eyes that suddenly appeared out of nowhere and started helping her to keep her normally happy and cheerful middle child under control. And to her further surprise, the two young women suddenly embrace one another as they both burst into tears, which allows Kibaou to escape to live another day. 

“I can't believe I finally found you!” The new girl declares in softly accented English with a definite southern accent, Ruby nodding into her shoulder. “Momma and Daddy are going to be thrilled that you're really here, Ruby!” 

Leaning back, Ruby flashes a brilliant smile despite her tears, a matching one on this mysterious girl who physically resembles her daughter right down to the same generous curves, Summer finally at least solving the last, most important fact about her beloved daughter:

Ruby knows she has a different father than Yang, and to her dismay, she's made contact not just with him, but with his own family. 

“You guys are the ones raising hell and asking about me in the South Fields, aren't you?” Ruby asks, getting a nod in return before the two of them embrace once more. “I can't believe it's really you guys! Daddy didn't say you guys were going to Japan the last time we talked!”

“Japan was only going to be a quick stop for a week, before we kept heading back to the States so Izzy could see her Mom.” The girl explains. “We were just here to see my godfather, and we kids won a rigged bet on the flight here, and Momma and Daddy agreed to try SAO out while we were here in Tokyo.”

“Wait, why?!”

The girl releases her, her smile no less brilliant. “So Izzy could finally walk on her own two feet.”

“Sounds familiar.” Without warning, Ruby grabs her sister's hand and starts pulling her along, the chocolate brown haired girl laughing. “Come on! Abuela's gonna love meeting you in person, and you can meet the rest of my family! You can even join our guild!” 

“Slow down, Ruby! I can't wait to meet them all!” She replies while laughing brightly, the two of them rushing away and towards the forge with a large living area above it, that they have been renting since arriving in Tolbana. She follows behind them, still in shock at the fact that Ruby does indeed know, as well as realizing that the ass chewing she and Raven took from Mami while Ruby was in the hospital now makes perfect sense. 

Her real father and older blood sisters are who actually saved her life, not her shared ex with Raven, and have kept in contact with her sixteen year old daughter. 

She's still behind them as they rush up the stairs and burst through the door, Ruby calling for her Abuela and for the others, her excitement quickly infecting them all as she introduces them to her older sister, Natalie Garibaldi. 

Yang puts two and two together quickly, Ruby having spoken to her and the twins quietly during one of their grinds, and she is enthusiastic in her thanks for her helping to save their shared little sister.

Weiss and Willow joke good naturedly about still being the shortest of the teens and adults, Natalie careful to not insult them even as she joins in the gentle teasing. 

But it is Neon who screams in her own joy as she rushes a shocked Natalie, leaping into her arms while screaming “BUNNY! YOU'RE HERE” At the top of her lungs, Penny quickly behind her. Natalie holds them both tightly, to all their continuing surprises thanking of all people Morgana for the girls still being safe with them. 

“Nat, do you know them?” Ruby asks, Natalie nodding as she holds the two girls almost protectively.

“They're my cousins on my stepmother’s side.” She admits quietly. “We've been focused on the South Fields, because that's where we heard Uncle Pietro and the girls were last seen. Sorry Ruby, but these two were a little more high priority than you at the time, especially when we found out that Uncle Pietro was dead.”

“No, I understand completely.” Ruby reassures her, everyone else nodding in agreement. “We saved them on a fetch quest that ended up being the Field Boss quest.”

“I'm sorry we didn't get there in time to save your Uncle.” Weiss adds as Penny releases Natalie and reaches for her, the white haired girl taking her with a small smile. “I’ve got you, Penny.”

Natalie smiles softly at the sight of Penny with the slender woman, before turning serious. “I’ll email Daddy and Momma, and let them know the girls are safe with you guys, and that I’m going to tag along to help keep them safe. Especially Penny.” 

“Please!” Neon suddenly begs, her eyes filled with tears. “Please tell Uncle Alex to hurry! Together, all of you are strong enough that you can keep Penny safe! She can still See even in SAO!”

“WHAT?!” 

Willow holds up her hand, a look of confusion on her face. “What does that even mean?” 

Natalie looks at them, before sighing as she shakes her head. “Daddy's gonna have my ass for this.” She whispers before looking at all of them, Neon sighing even as she nods in agreement. “Have any of you heard of something called Paragraph 14-B?” She asks, to their surprises, Yang and Qrow nodding.

“Yeah, the firecracker and I know about it.” He admits heavily. “You look like Carol Scarlatina and Alex Garibaldi.” 

“She's my Mom, and he's mine and Ruby's Daddy.” Natalie admits with obvious pride, Neon still clinging to her. “And the short version is magic is real, I’m part of a secret Other World that exists behind the scenes, and Penny is a very important person in that world, especially since the death of her mother, Antonia Polendina nee’ Arc, a skilled Healer and Seer.” She admits, everyone not already aware of the secret staring at her. “Oh, and I'm actually an American born Usagimimi, and Neon here is an American born Nekomimi.”

Weiss is the first to recover, a small smile on her face as she keeps holding Penny. “And are you a cute animal girl too, Penny?” She asks, surprised at the shake of her head.

“I'm just a Wixen, like Mommy. Daddy was a Minimal, and Neon’s Mommy was the kitty.” 

“Entirely too many parallels at the moment.” Maria grumbles before looking at Qrow. “And how do you know about this all important paragraph?”

Qrow grimaces as Yang starts whistling and looking at anything but the gathered family. “I can't talk about it, Maria. I swore a few oaths that make me unable to talk about it.”

Maria looks at him suspiciously before turning to Natalie. “That mean anything to you?” She asks next, Natalie nodding. 

“Magical oaths are binding, and if he breaks that oath, it can cost him his magic and even his life, depending on how it was worded.”

“Which means Qrow is going to be a good boy and keep his mouth shut, isn't he?” Winter glares at him, Qrow nodding vigorously in agreement while mimicking zipping his lips shut and throwing a proverbial key over his shoulder. The twins grin before making whipping motions with their hands, while also making the noises in time. 

“So, magic is real. Somehow Yang and Uncle Qrow know all about it, so does Dad, along with all of you, because you're a giant bunny? Oh, and Penny can apparently see into the future?” Ruby asks bluntly, getting a blush as well as a nod from her sister. “Anything else important we need to know?”

“Pray my Mom doesn't find out we're stuck in here.” Natalie admits just as bluntly. “Because the second she does, she's going to abandon her duty posting to bring Daddy's Demon Slayers, and invade Japan if she has to in order to set us all free.” 

“The Demon Slayers?” This time it is Qrow who turns pale, before shaking his head. “That can be really bad. They aren't known for being nice.” 

“Who are they?” Summer asks, finally recovering from surprise after surprise today. 

“My Daddy's former command. They're a mixed Magical and Mundane Ready Response Division based out of Fort Moore, Georgia.” Natalie informs them. “Daddy took an already highly trained and highly respected airborne battalion, and turned them even deadlier and meaner. And they only really listen to Mom and Daddy, and live in terror of Momma.” 

“Why her?” Yang asks curiously, Penny grinning.

“Cause Auntie Allison is the current Salem of MACUSA, that's why! She's one of the strongest witches in the world!” But then she paused before looking at Natalie. “But don't forget about the Lady Potter-Black. She's here too.” Penny calls out, her jade green eyes glowing softly. “Ruby and Yang both already defended her honor once, and she's just as important as me. She’s especially important to Lady Death, but I can't See why.” 

Natalie turns pale under her tanned skin, her eyes wide in her sudden fear. “Oh shit, she's stuck here too, isn’t she?” She whispers. “Momma and Daddy already tried to convince her and her brother to join up with us, but they refused.”

Ruby snorts, having recently met the now revealed witch and her brother a few weeks ago, when they started coming to Lisbeth’s to get their gear repaired by the talented smith. “I saw them sitting with Asuna and Kirito at the meeting. It looks like they're paired up with them and Argo.” 

Summer Rose has heard enough. With a quick swipe of her hand and a few button presses, she sends a invitation to Natalie's player ID, her screen name of Velvet appearing in the guild roster when she accepts it. Closing her screen, she looks at Ruby, her daughter looking back at her. “I'm sorry.” She suddenly apologizes, surprising everyone present. “The divorce turned messy, Raven was gone a lot with her job with MACUSA’s Magical Special Operations Division, you and Yang had just been separated, and Tai was being a huge dick about visitation.” She admits heavily as she sits in a nearby seat, her head now held in her hands as everyone save Qrow and Yang stare at her in surprise. “Tai left us because he didn't want more children, and we went behind his back to have you, because Raven and I both did.”

“Mami?” Ruby looks confused, Weiss and Penny beside her as she holds them both in her arms.

“Ya es hora de que empiece a ser honesta con Ruby.” Maria grumbles as she rises and begins to equip herself, as if she's expecting trouble.

Taking a deep breath, knowing she finally opened the door to a painful series of truths she and Raven both agreed to keep a secret, she plunges forward. “When you were born with your legs the way they are, Raven started taking more and more dangerous assignments, in the hopes that we could find a magical way to heal you. But she never did, and then she almost got killed when she tried to capture someone named Casals. He got away and went underground, she got blamed for it, and she got fired, blacklisted, and her magic bound heavily by the ICW. It's why we volunteered to test that IVF-14 procedure in order to have the twins.” 

“Not just her.” Qrow admits quietly, while rubbing his chest absentmindedly. “A lot of things went wrong during that op, and he had unexpected help getting away.” 

Summer nods as she looks up, her gaze focused on Penny, then Neon. “We’ll help protect your sister, Neon. But we also will keep helping to clear the game.”

“Stephanie.” Neon whispers. “My real name is Stephanie Polendina. Penny's real name is Persephone, Penny for short. She didn't understand what a gamer handle was when we made our characters.”

Natalie sighs. “If I remember right, his first name is Vassago, and he's at the very top of Momma's shit list. She wants him so dead it isn't funny for killing Aunt Toni.” 

Summer nods. “He’s the reason why Raven had to get a job with the NYPD, even though she likes working for the SVU better. By the sounds of it, he’s ruined a lot of lives, and bound us all together in a common cause.”

“Oh, and what would that be?” Ruby asks, not surprised when her Abuela clears her throat.

“Killing him to protect this family, Ruby.” Maria Calavara-Rose declares matter of factly as she rises to her booted feet. “He won't be the first hijo de una puta I put down, and God and Natalie’s Morgana willing, he will be the last for me.” 

“Mami, you're retired.” Summer points out, shaking her head when the older woman chuckles. 

“I’ve been hearing about this Prince of Hell for a while now from a couple of old friends from my old crowd, and some of us were starting to worry that we would need to deal with him personally.” Maria begins as she walks to the door while patting her handheld sickles. “It's time for him to meet the Grimm Reaper, and let's see who's the better killer.” 

“Oh fuck.” Natalie whispers as the Roses all laugh and chuckle, while the Schnees simply shake their heads. “I thought my family was dangerous.” 

“I retired years ago from the mundane version of the Special Operations Division, Natalie, and I'm grateful my daughter and grandchildren never followed in my footsteps.” The older woman admits as she stands by the door. “And considering Ruby has yours and her father's strong sense of Justice, she will never walk the same path I walked, and I thank God for that.” Pausing, she slips a half mask on her face, the image of a skull now covering the upper half of her face, her silver eyes as hard as steel. “Don't wait up.” She adds before slipping out into the now darkened world. 

“Any other surprises?” Natalie deadpans, Winter chucking as she nods.

“I'm the Heiress to the Schnee Defense Corporation of Germany, and my father loathes and despises yours.” She admits, the twins nodding vigorously. “But he also hates us too.” 

Natalie shakes her head. “It's a small world after all.”

“I used to be an Animagus, until my magic was bound due to my rampant alcoholism, along with screwing up the same job as my sister.” Qrow admits. “And Winter and I are dating.”

“Right, no beer for you, and congratulations.” Natalie looks at Yang next. “What about you, Blondie?”

“I'm obnoxious, make terrible puns only Willow and Neon think are funny, and I snore.” Yang adds with a grin. 

Natalie grins back. “You and Daddy will get along just fine then. He loves his Dad jokes, he's a sarcastic asshole, and he sounds like a freight train, so I know I can get some sleep at night.” She then turns to the twins next. “What about you two?”

“I have albinoism and Weiss is deaf in the real world.” Willow adds. “Please don't panic if you see me sitting outside watching the sun rise, or if Weiss starts talking with her hands out of habit.”

“I know sign language.” She signs back. “Izzy's girlfriend Outside is mute, and we all learned so we can communicate with her without needing Izzy around all the time.” She looks at Ruby next and grins. “You, I know. Same with Steph and Penny.” She declares matter of factly before looking at Summer. “You're the one I'm worried about the most.” 

“I keep a lot of secrets.” Summer admits quietly. “I had to growing up with two magical best friends, one of whom I married. And yes, I do know all about Paragraph 14-B, know all about the Statute of Secrecy, and I support it finally being taken down by MACUSA, while the ICW can finally be told to go fuck themselves.” She adds the last while looking at a surprised Ruby then a widely grinning Yang, who actually flashes a pair of thumbs up at her for her rare use of salty language. “Because of the International Confederation of Wixen and their stupid rules, my oldest daughter had her magic bound because her birth father is an asshole and refused to let her be trained to use her magic, and the other is trapped in a wheelchair because they refuse to help despite everything my wife sacrificed working for them.” 

“There isn't a cure. Momma's looked into it for Izzy and for Grandma. But she's still trying, even though the ICW keeps telling her to drop it before they force MACUSA to strip her of her title as Salem.” Natalie admits as she moves to Ruby's side and pulls her into a side hug. “But it would be nice to be myself in the Mundane world, and not hide my ears and tail anymore.”

“Anywho! Hey, Snowflake, is dinner ready?” Ruby asks, purposely changing the subject while smiling at the petite girl, who nods.

“It is, My Dolt. I’ve kept it warm for you and Summer, and we have plenty.”

“Then let's eat!” 

Summer hangs back as they all head into the dining room, soon joined by Lizbeth, who has closed up for the day, and is telling them all about how pissed off Morgana was as she repaired her equipment for her and her brother. She feels better now that she's finally been honest with Ruby, despite the circumstances forcing her to come clean. And, she isn't worried for her mother, who probably needs to just go blow off some steam killing mobs in the nearby forest. 

She still wishes Raven and the twins were here. She misses them, and needs to be held desperately in her wife's arms while having a badly needed meltdown. But she blinks when Penny brings her a plate, her eyes still glowing softly. But the moment she takes the plate, Penny's eyes begin to glow brightly, the eight year old girl standing straight and as stiff as a board, which definitely gets her attention.

“Your Blackbird shall soon spread her wings and fly again, White Reaper of the Champions of Beacon. She shall stand at the side of the Lioness, the Warrior Bunny, and the Elder Fox. She will be set free by the Moon Empress to atone for her sins, shall fight willingly by their sides, and they shall set us all free when the time is right, while the chosen of the Riders of the End Times shall rise in their stead and in their name to defend us all from a trio of demiurges who fancy themselves as the New Gods on Earth...” She moves the plate just as Penny slumps forward, catching her as well, and she realizes that she has just borne witness to a real, honest to God prophecy. One given directly to her for some unknown purpose she will need to decipher.

She holds a now sleeping Penny in her arms, her plate forgotten at her side as she sheds tears of joy. Raven is coming, her Birdie is coming, and she knows her wife. Raven Branwen will stop at nothing to rescue them, and if she has to work with this Lioness, a Kemonomimi, and some fox person to do so, then so be it. She has hope again. Hope that they will in fact survive this, and that one day they can go home.

Her Blackbird is coming to Japan to save them, and God, Merlin, and Morgana help anyone who gets in her way…

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Just one on this one! Promise!

Maria: It's about time she starts being honest with Ruby

 

Chapter 7: Destiny Beckons

Notes:

Happy New Year! Hiya everyone! Wyn here, and I decided to keep moving forward with another exciting chapter of Ninety Days!

This one stuck with me, and I've decided to keep my muse happy by working on what she wanted me to work on, and I have to admit, I think it turned out really well. And, in case no one recognizes the Moon Empress and her best friend and secret girlfriend, I highly recommend watching Project A-Ko and it's two sequels. I've found them on YouTube occasionally, and while the quality isn't the best, I still love them because they are good old fashioned silly fun, over the top action, and absolute ridiculousness.

Anywho, I hope everyone enjoys, I do have a chapter of Blind Date about ready to go, and I'm working on another chapter of Red Reaper. See you all next time!

She is actually the second oldest living being in the entire world. She is so old even she isn't sure how old she actually is anymore, and she has long accepted it as a fact. She is friends with the oldest living being, has guided others like them as they have embraced immortality, and still takes the time to cause plenty of mischief and mayhem when the mood strikes her. 

But she's currently enraged as she stares at her youngest granddaughter, who is trapped in SAO, while engulfed in her foxfire. She very rarely gives into her more primal instincts, and the last time she did so, she ended up embroiled in a huge war between the various magical races of Japan, one in which even the Mundanes were dragged into. A war that finally came to an end when an outsider and his daughter were summoned via a ritual performed by the desperate Wixen of the time, his daughter actually defeating her in an honorable magical duel. 

She begrudgingly sat at the table with Hadrian Potter, and grew to respect the foreign wizard and his war mage daughter. So much so that when the war came to an end thanks to his patient efforts, she declared his entire line her eternal allies in thanks. She even stood with the daughter, who fell in love with the young magical samurai that would soon rise and become the first Moon Emperor as her witness, and held her hand as she cried when her beloved father returned to their homeland shortly after her wedding, while she remained as the first Moon Empress of Japan. 

She still misses Meaghan Magami nee‘ Potter, and still stands willingly beside her descendants after a thousand years. The newest Moon Empress, Eiko, is a beautiful and brilliant witch, a powerful and skillful fighter, and reminds her so much of her ancestress that it is sometimes painful to her old soul. 

It is Eiko who finally calms her down with a simple gesture in the form of a gentle hand on her shoulder, while her own best friends, Biko Daitokuji and Shiko Kotobuki stand nearby but safely out of harm’s way. 

“She's going to be fine, Mai-sensei.” Eiko does her best to reassure her, a soft smile on her beautiful face. “She was trained by Ghira-sensei himself, and she's the only person in my age group that can beat me in a straight fight.” 

Mai falls to her knees, renewed tears in her eyes as she gently takes one of her beloved granddaughter’s hands. “She was the only child Kagome had before she died. She's all Florence and I have left of my youngest daughter, Eiko-chan. Neither of us can take it if she dies in this horrid illusion.”

Eiko nods as she moves to Hiyori's other side. “Which is why we are taking every step possible to keep her and the others as safe as possible here in this world, until they can manage to defeat the game from the inside.”

“My father has agreed to bankroll Rekt Progress's efforts to buy out what's left of Argus, and without needing to be asked by Eiko or myself.” Biko adds as she consults her cell, the young woman being a brilliant inventor like her father who can easily match her best friend in a fight with her own technologically enhanced might to rival Eiko’s massive magical and enhanced physical abilities. “He has however asked that he be read into Rekt’s own plans, in order to provide an additional level of oversight.”

“I already agreed to that, Biko.” Eiko reminds her with a look of fond exasperation. “We talked about it last night, after you distracted me in a rather pleasant manner, remember?”

Biko can’t help but to blush as she covers her face with her phone for a moment, before clearing her throat. “However, we do have an additional and unwelcomed problem. Some hotshot American attorney has arrived in Japan just this morning, and he's already started filing lawsuits on his employer’s behalf. And to make matters worse, he brought an American reporter with him who is already asking some very uncomfortable questions.”

Eiko grimaces as she looks at her last friend, Shiko, who is avoiding looking at any of them while poking her forefingers together and visibly struggling to not burst into tears. “Well, we all know who to thank for that.” The redhead declares firmly, a sole tear rolling down the blonde's fair cheek. 

“I just thought that anyone else who was worried about their family members would like to know that they're still alive. After all, the Lioness of Gryffindor has stayed by Lady Potter-Black’s side since she arrived, and hasn't caused any trouble.” The alien princess, who lives on earth in a now self-imposed exile, admits while sniffling. “I didn't think it would cause all these new problems, especially with her already being here, and making herself an excellent example of respecting our laws.”

Biko sighs as she lowers her phone to look at the shorter blonde she and Eiko both adore as a sister, while working hard to protect, many times from herself, but mostly from the idiots trying to take her back to her own homeworld with another one of their poorly thought out and even more poorly executed plans. “Shiko, Lady Potter-Black is and will always be a more than welcomed guest in Japan, and our borders will always be open to her and anyone she claims as hers. Minerva McGonagall on the other hand? There is no one alive who would be willing to say a single word against that woman.”

“Not anyone who enjoys living.” Eiko adds.

“She even terrifies me, and there are very few beings on this plane of existence that scare me.” Mai adds with a shudder. 

“The point is Shiko, is that you caused an even bigger problem with your moment of caring.” Biko once again takes the lead, Shiko more prone to listening to the stern but fair Heiress versus the current Moon Empress, who has been her best friend since childhood, and who still tends to baby her unless her mistakes are severe enough to force her to act. “War Witch McGonagall’s presence here was enough to keep the ICW and MACUSA placated, as well as Supreme Mugwump Dumbledore, who has also been keeping the ICW at bay with the Kitsune-No-Mai’s assistance. And she is experienced enough to understand that she needs to obey our laws and customs, but also knows there are very few beings on this entire planet capable of stopping her once her patience is at an end, and she decides to take direct action herself.”

“We’re fortunate that she's wholly focused on her grandchildren, and trusts no one with their safety.” Mai adds quietly. “The spirits help us all if anyone gets past Kali Belladonna just to threaten either of them.”

“But the American ambassador has confirmed that Brigadier General Garibaldi’s former command is now enroute, with a second ICW sanctioned War Witch now in command, and we also have foreigners from all over the world both virtually and literally invading us, while airing their grievances as widely and as publicly as possible over how the crisis has yet to be resolved, and their loved ones are still in great danger.” Eiko takes over, now in full Moon Empress mode, her countenance firm. “The Sun Emperor and the Prime Minister both are doing their best, but the Mundane Diet is starting to ask a lot of questions too, and I don't have any concrete answers to give any of them. Even my Aunt back in England is likewise assisting Supreme Mugwump Dumbledore in keeping the Mundane Queen from taking certain matters into her own capable hands, and sending an elite unit of her magical SAS here to assist in guarding my cousins.” 

“Cousins? As in plural?” Biko asks curiously, getting a shrug in reply.

“Dudley's had a Potter protectee ring on his finger for two months now. If she's claimed him as family, that makes him family.” Eiko states matter of factly. “He’s been quietly tested as a Minimal, so a sibling ritual wouldn't be out of the question, and could even ignite his magic. It's happened before if the proper rituals are performed before and during.”

“We're off topic.” Biko points out as she looks down at the shorter blonde. “So? What do you have to say for yourself?” She asks while tapping a single high heeled foot.

“I'm sorry, Eiko, Biko.” Shiko is fit to burst into tears now, her fingers poked together so hard they are turning white. “I just wanted to reassure the families that the people they love are still alive and fighting. I didn't mean to cause all these other problems.” Pausing, she looks directly at Eiko with her trademarked, they always work on Eiko at least, sad puppy in tears look. “I would want to know if it was either of you trapped in there. Just so I can be by your sides. You two are my best friends and sisters, and I’d be devastated if something happened to either of you again.”

Biko sighs as she finally breaks and pulls Shiko into a hug, the blonde bursting into tears while clinging to her very expensive business suit’s jacket. “What's the plan, Eiko?”

Eiko sighs as she looks back at Hiyori, who looks like she is simply sleeping peacefully, and not fighting to survive in the single most elaborate trap ever created. She, Biko, and Shiko grew up side by side with the beautiful kitsune swords woman, and while she's not particularly worried for her, she is worried about how well her grandmothers are dealing with the absence of their favorite granddaughter. Mai, Florence, and Hiyori are extremely close, considering Mai and her latest wife had to raise her after the unfortunate deaths of her daughter and son in law during the Macross incident, and Mai is taking this entire new crisis entirely too hard, while Florence has thrown herself into assisting in finding a way to remove the Nervegears safely.

“For now, we stay focused on damage control, while Rekt completes the acquisition of Argus and takes firm control of the servers.” She begins as she kneels down beside the single tailed kitsune and takes one of her pale hands. “Once that's done, we have two choices.”

“Oh?” Mai raises a single perfectly shaped eyebrow. “What are you planning, Eiko?” 

“We either agree to letting the ICW’s Oblivators run roughshod in their already failing efforts to contain and repress the knowledge of magic and the rampant use of it as one of the causes of the crisis, or we join forces with MACUSA, the Magical Australian Alliance, the French Magical Parliament, the Spanish Magical Royal family, and the Bulgarian High Council, and take the fight to them to finally bring the Statute of Secrecy down once and for all, so we can all be free.” 

The Kitsune-No-Mai blinks at Eiko’s plans, never once imagining that she too could walk freely among the mortals without liberal usage of glamours and enchanted clothing once more. She has always loathed and despised the wholly Wixen organization, and has been grateful that the Potters and the Blacks are key members of the Inner Council, and have been instrumental in keeping some form of control on the normally overzealous idiots in charge.

“I can be free once more? I would no longer be bound only to Japan?” She finally whispers, a sole tear rolling down her own pale cheek. “We can finally take Hiyori to pay her respects to her parents?”

Eiko nods as she squeezes Hiyori’s hand gently, before rising back to her feet. “Biko, tell your Dad to get his legal department ready to go to war. The Japanese Magical Imperial Court will no longer tolerate the heavy-handed oppression of the International Confederation of Wixen, and shall fight alongside our allies to free ourselves of the oppression caused by the Statute of Secrecy and its restrictive and intolerant clauses forced upon all of our citizens.”

Biko bows deeply to her best friend, grateful once more that they put aside their teenage rivalry over Shiko’s attention to become very close friends and allies, despite absolutely no one believing them when they claim they are simply friends. Especially after the recent failed coup, when Eiko stood over her in her defense, despite her own terrible injuries, while Shiko worked desperately to keep her alive as she struggled to get back to her feet. To fight and potentially die by Eiko’s side, because she finally realized what Eiko already knew and had been hinting at since she graduated from Mahotokoro and she graduated from her own elite high school: That a life lived without her by her side wouldn't be worth living. “They're already ready to file the first lawsuits, My Empress. They have simply been waiting for this moment to arrive.”

Eiko turns to Shiko next, the tiny blonde tilting her head. “Mind if I borrow those idiots that call themselves your personal army?”

Shiko nods vigorously. “You can have them! Please, keep them! Maybe then they'll finally leave me alone!”

She turns one last time, her smile fading. “Blake?” She calls out, the panther Nekomimi ninja appearing out of the shadows a moment later. 

“Yes, Empress?”

“Keep an eye on Mai and Hiyori.” She orders as she turns to leave. “Anyone who makes it past us is to be dealt with in a terminal manner.” 

“My life before hers, Empress.” The Darkest Shadow replies before returning to the shadows. 

“Like anyone could make it past us?” Biko points out as the three best friends fall into step side by side, a smirk on her beautiful features.

“After Taurus and his attempted coup, I don't take anything for granted anymore, Biko.” Eiko admits grimly. “He and Sienna Khan killed my parents along with their royal guard, and we were both half dead when the Belladonnas and Hiyori arrived and saved us.” 

Biko nods as she rubs her side absentmindedly, the scars from Sienna Khan’s claws still visible on her sides, abdomen, and chest when she's undressed. Scars Eiko lavishes attention on when they are in private, to reassure her that in her eyes, she is still  beautiful. “A valid point.” She admits quietly. “And even the reinforcements from the Belladonnas would have died beside us had Hiyori not shown up when she had.” 

“We all owe Hiyori a life debt, and I never fail to repay my debts. She saved the two most important people I have left in my life, and I will do everything in my power to keep her physical form safe while she fights to free herself and others.” Eiko Magami, the Moon Empress of Magical Japan declares firmly as they stop before a different room door, the symbol a griffon holding a pair of wands in its crossed forearms emblazoned upon it, along with a second symbol of a pair of crossed skeletal arms, one holding a wand, the other a sword. A door that has been sealed since the deaths of the last Moon Empress and her husband, an Englishman who escaped the massacre of his own family during the Blood Purity War that rampaged across his own homeland for nearly two decades, before being brought to an end by her own cousin and his and his own cousin and best friend's sacrifices. “Nor have we ever forgotten about our deep ties of blood and magic either.” 

“The Potter blood runs thickly through your veins once more, Eiko.” Shiko points out. “The two of you are once again closely related cousins after all.” 

“I know.” She admits quietly as she touches the door with the tips of her fingers, tears in her eyes. “I miss you, Mama and Papa. I hope I’m making you proud.” 

“You are, my love.” Biko reassures her as she lays her head on the redhead's shoulder, not afraid to show her affection in private, Shiko the only witness to what she has known for years now, and that is that Eiko and Biko are perfect for each other. “Just as proud as Shiko and I are of you.” Shiko now nodding vigorously in her agreement.

“I know, dearheart. I know…”

/\/\/\/\/\

She was up first, Asuna finding her sitting cross-legged on the floor of the elevated porch while gently tending to her hair, a brush held in her delicate, scarred hand. She appears to be lost in thought as her brush moves slowly and steadily through her thick, messy red hair, and she doesn't miss the look of loss as she stops her ministrations to stare at one particularly thick lock. Setting her brush down, she keeps holding said lock of hair in both her hands, tears in her eyes as the sun begins to peek over the horizon. 

Sitting down next to her, she doesn't touch the younger girl, only wanting to be a comforting presence to her, while deciding to satisfy a moment of curiosity. “What's your heritage, Amaryllis?” She asks quietly, the younger girl looking at the hair held in her hands sadly. “I am a descendant of Shinatobe, a Kami of the wind through my mother.”

“Gorgon through the Potters, Succubus and Incubus through the Blacks. The Evans blood was disconnected from the Bones line, being a squib line, and it's in poor taste to ask about such things back home.” She replies quietly, one hand now gently stroking the strand of hair. “I miss arguing with my hair in the mornings. After Daphne started brushing my hair for me, this part would snatch the brush out of my hand to give to her, after keeping it out of my reach, but not her’s. Bloody hair has a mind of its own.”

Asuna nods, while staying still as Amaryllis inches closer to her, and she finally wraps an arm around her slender shoulders, pulling her into her side while being reminded that despite her proper decorum during the meeting yesterday, she is still only twelve, and as she and Carina discovered last night during their girls only bath, she was terribly, horrifically abused mentally and physically as a child. 

Her shoulders, back, sides, bum and even the back of her legs are covered in the scars of multiple, violent beatings given to her by her unfeeling, cruel caretakers, and she is surprisingly skittish and openly nervous when out of her armor and unarmed, at first tending to stay close to her chosen brother, who could calm her back down with a simple hand to her shoulder. She calmed down greatly after the bath, actually relaxing as she started feeling safe with them as the night progressed, and fell asleep while holding Carina’s hand, the former Beta Tester and aspiring information broker sleeping on the floor next to the couch so she wouldn't wake up alone and scared. 

Kazuto had to leave for a bit to work out his growing anger, taking it out on some unfortunate mobs, while Carina swore herself to absolute, total secrecy over everything they learned during the bath, and during and after dinner. And as for her?

Once all this is over, she is dragging Amaryllis and Dudley straight to the Moon Empress personally, and begging her to put them both under her personal protection. She also needs to find Hiyori as soon as possible. The Kitsune would immediately place herself as Amaryllis’ protector and champion as a matter of family honor, and the ancestors help anyone who threatens her. 

She's also a genius, an avid reader, and values knowledge and the power it brings to those intelligent and wise enough to understand it. It was her amazing intellect and powerful but heavily restricted magic that allowed her to survive a horrific childhood with her sanity intact, and they spent an hour discussing the anti teleportation runes carved into the boss room door, along with her suspicions that the second set of runes Amaryllis kept to herself and sketched out during the conversation are sealing runes, designed to keep the boss trapped inside the room. 

She and Amaryllis both agree that if they lose today, there is a distinct possibility the boss could escape his confinement as a penalty to the players. Tolbana is only a twenty minute walk to the Labyrinth, and the fastest route to the boss should only take a large, well prepared group another hour at most. They have to win, or else the boss may escape to wreak havoc on an unsuspecting Tolbana and the surrounding area, and the death toll will be cataclysmic. 

But that is a problem for later. Right now, she is in protective big sister mode, and already making plans to go to wherever they are being kept safe and for observation, in order to have a word with the Dursleys. She may even borrow some of her mother's larger warders, men accustomed to hard manual labor in the moving of the large, heavy wardstones used to discharge their duties in maintaining the national wards around Japan as a whole, and who are also dedicated family men who will take a dim view of Amaryllis' treatment, and express said views in a violent, attention grabbing manner she and her mother both would approve of, while offering empty promises to make the talk she plans to have stop.

That isn't going to happen until they are paid back for every single scar with matching scars of their own. Until they too are nothing but skin and bones, begging for scraps from her family's table, which she will only give them to prolong their suffering. They owe Amaryllis nine and a half years of living a happy, proper life, and she will happily see to it that the debt is repaid in full, before allowing Hiyori to take their heads as a final recompense. 

They accepted Kazuto’s party requests last night, and didn't dispute her leaning over his shoulder to lock their names into their party permanently. Amaryllis and Dudley are now her’s as well, although most definitely not in any kind of romantic feelings. She misses her brother, he misses his sister, and they are both already beginning to fill that particular void in both her’s and Kazuto's souls, while Carina is just happy to have someone else to pick on and tease.

All personal information about them is now officially off the table as well, Carina locking it all down behind a paywall so high it would bankrupt even several members of the G8 to attain. 

She smiles as Kazuto joins them, sitting on Amaryllis’ other side. He takes her hand gently, offering her more much needed reassurance. “I remember when my sister came to live with us.” He begins, the two of them looking at him. “Her parents and my father had been killed during the Macross Incident, and she and I both were honestly too young to remember them.” 

Amaryllis nods as she looks at him. “You love your sister.” She states bluntly, getting a nod in return.

“I’ll never forget my grandfather pulling me off to the side, the day she began her kendo training. He told me that I had been blessed by the ancestors and the spirits both with my sister, and given a great responsibility to be a good brother to her.” Kazuto turns and looks at Amaryllis, smiling kindly at her. “I know I’m speaking for Carina and Asuna both when I say that twice in one lifetime, I’ve been given a great responsibility, and that is to see to yours and your brother's safety, Lady Potter-Black.”

Amaryllis shakes her head, tears in her eyes. “I can take care of myself. I don't want anyone to die for me. Not again.”

Asuna smirks as she squeezes her gently. “Amaryllis, you realize that the three of us have been working together for over two months now? And in those two months, we’ve constantly improved to the point that Kazuto and I are the top two ranked fighters in the game.”

Kazuto nods in agreement. “And guess who we found out is number three with today's system announcements?”

“Who?” Amaryllis asks curiously, blinking in surprise when they keep looking at her while smiling. She actually points to herself, her disbelief clear on her face. “Me?! I'm nobody special!” 

“Ama, you're at level eighteen already.” Dudley points out as he joins them, leaning against the opening to the doorway, a smile on his own face. “I know you're sneaking out at night to blow off some steam because you can't sleep, and you're still leveling up, while I'm grabbing some sleep because it takes a lot of energy to keep up with you.” 

“Bet you're having issues gaining experience now, aren't you?” Asuna asks, getting a nod in the affirmative in reply. “So are we. Carina thinks we’ve capped our levels out for the first floor.”

“And you said it yourself. You have real world training with your daggers, which is a huge help, and I’ve seen that you have some levels in one handed swords too.” Kazuto adds, getting a hesitant nod. 

“My trainer insisted on it. He said I couldn't depend solely on my daggers, and needed to be able to use something that can give me some extra reach.” She admits. “I'm terrible with shields though, and I need both hands to hold anything bigger than a short sword, but I really really like bastard swords.”

“Ama, staying in a party with them is a good idea.” Dudley chimes in. “God only knows we’ve cut it close a couple of times, and don't think I didn't notice you taking up my slack whenever we almost bit off more than we can chew.” 

Amaryllis sighs. “Fair enough, I suppose. But none of you are allowed to try to shield me, or force me to hang back. I'm going to carry my own weight, no matter what.”

Asuna and Kazuto both nod in agreement, just as a chime begins to go off, alerting them all. “It's time to get ready.” Asuna points out, Kazuto squeezing Amaryllis’ hand gently before standing up. 

“Let's get this over with, so we can start moving forward.” Amaryllis agrees as she frees herself from Asuna and rises, before turning and offering her a hand up, which she takes. 

“It's going to be a long day, isn't it?” Dudley asks, getting nods in reply.

“We have to do this, Duds.” Amaryllis informs him, while opening her equipment screen, scrolling through them to choose her armor and weapons for the day. “If we lose, there's a good chance the boss will be able to break out of his room, and we can't allow that.” 

“What?!” Dudley and Kazuto pause from equipping their own gear to look at her, Asuna nodding grimly.

“I'm studying Runes, and Ama has a natural affinity for them, and we both think the boss is bound to his chamber by a sealing ward. One that is going to break the second we enter the room.” 

“Which means he wants out, while we want past him, which means we're going to have a bit of a difference of opinion, and I doubt that either side is going to meet in the middle and come to an agreement that benefits all of us.” Amaryllis adds as she equips her armor a piece at a time, taking a moment to make adjustments by hand before equipping the next piece. “Especially since thousands of lives are at stake if he gets past us.”

“Great. Think we should warn everyone?” Kazuto asks, surprised when both girls shake their heads.

“Today is going to be stressful enough. Let's keep that to ourselves.” Asuna points out as she adjusts her leather breastplate. 

“No need to make things even more important. Otherwise, people will be so desperate to defeat him that they'll make a critical mistake that might get us all killed.” Amaryllis adds firmly. 

“Then it sounds to me like we need to make sure our opinion on what he can do with himself instead of escaping is the better one.” Dudley declares as he finishes adjusting his iron breastplate. The other three, Asuna, Kirito, and Morgana, look at one another grimly, before looking back at their fourth member, Godric.

“Agreed, Godric. Agreed…”

/\/\/\/\

Ruby has just about finished adjusting her breastplate, when Penny comes running up to her. “Ruby?” The little ginger calls out, Ruby lowering herself to one knee to look her in the eye.

“What's up, Pen?”

“You really really really need to talk to Morgana as soon as you see her.” Penny informs her, her eyes glowing softly. “She and Asuna have figured out something really important, and you, Yangy, and the twins really need to be ready to help them when the time is right.”

“That's not ominous at all.” Yang deadpans as she finishes adjusting her iron gauntlets, which she and Lizbeth have done all they can to reinforce for her, in order to support her martial arts based fighting style. 

“Ruby, I really think I should go with you guys.” Natalie is looking at her in obvious concern, her equipment screen open and her finger hovering over her boots, ready to equip them.

“No, stay here, Nat. If we don't manage it, you can get Daddy here quickly, and he can lead a second assault team to the boss room, and finish what we started.” Ruby orders her as she adjusts her leather bracers on her arms. 

“I don't like you sounding so fatalistic, Ruby.” Summer admits as she sits on the couch next to Qrow, who is nodding in his agreement. 

“It's not fatalistic. It's a cold, hard fact we all need to accept.” Weiss chimes in as she taps the toes of her boots on the floor while frowning. “We must be realistic. We're a large group of smaller parties banding together for the first time against our first floor boss.”

“None of us have ever really worked together before, save on occasion when our goals aligned during a quest, and this is not going to go as smoothly as they all think it will.” Willow adds as she checks over her rapier, before sheathing it on her hip. “However, Kirito, Asuna, Morgana, and Godric will also be there and participating, which gives me some hope that we will manage to get through this relatively unscathed.”

Winter, who is sitting at the table while sipping a cup of tea, nods in agreement, the monthly system notification still open in front of her. “Kirito, then Asuna, and finally Morgana are currently the top three players, are all at level eighteen, and with the most mobs killed and most quests cleared individually. It's obvious they've taken great care with their level gaining and character builds, and we are well represented as well, with Ruby and the twins taking positions in the top ten, and Yang in the top twenty five as well. Even Godric is no slouch at level fourteen, and we’ve all seen him toss that bastard Kibaou around like a rag doll easily.”

“Well yeah, we're definitely not slouches either. Our levels are good and high, we’ve trained hard for this, and we're used to working together as a team.” Ruby points out as she grabs her scythe and examines it carefully before placing it on her back. “I'm ready.”

“We're ready as well, My Dolt.” Weiss calls out fondly as she and Willow move forward to join her. 

“Come along, my Dragon. We have a monster to slay.” Willow adds, Yang grinning as she cracks her fingers while moving beside her, an arm wrapping gently around Willow’s slender waist.

Summer sighs as she shakes her head. “Nunca pensé que algo así me pasaría a mí.” She mutters before rising to her feet, Ruby hugging her tightly. “Nunca pensé que tú, entre todos mis hijos, marcharías a la batalla.”

Ruby sighs as she keeps holding her mother closely. “Volveré, mamá. Nuestras vidas no son más importantes que limpiar el suelo.” She promises quietly, Summer nodding before moving back, while still holding her daughter’s hands.

“Vayan con Dios todos. Que él te mantenga a salvo y te traiga a casa con nosotros, tu familia.” She declares before releasing Ruby's hands, Penny moving up to claim one of them. 

“Morgana’s blessings be upon you, and may Merlin guide you to victory.” Natalie adds as she moves next to Summer, a smile on her face. “Daddy's already on the way, and he's pretty pissed with me, even though I found these two.” She adds while motioning to Penny and Stephanie.

Ruby chuckles as she shakes her head. “He’ll be alright, and we can celebrate on the next floor.” Turning, she opens the door while looking over her shoulder. “We’ll see you when we see you.” She adds before walking out, followed by Yang and the twins.

“Welp, that was a whole overdramatic thing.” Yang points out as they walk in twos, Weiss beside Ruby and Willow and Yang still attached at the hip. 

“What's worrying me is why Penny told me to find Morgana and talk to her. That it was important.” Ruby points out as they head towards the town square, which is the prearranged rally point. “She even said really three times.” 

Weiss frowns as she looks thoughtful. “Perhaps she knows of some kind of important information that can aid us in our endeavor.”

“Maybe.” Ruby takes a moment to look around, spotting a familiar head full of fiery red hair that is also arriving along with her own group. “There she is. Let me go see what's up.”

“Don't forget to mention that one rule, Crescent. The one your sister explained to us last night.” Lizzie reminds her.

“And don't be afraid to mention we have Penny, without actually naming her.” Noiry adds, Crescent nodding as she moves off and towards Morgana and her group, all of them turning to look at her. 

“Hey.” She pauses and grimaces at the height difference between them. Godric is the tallest, followed closely by Kirito, but not by much, and she's still taller than both of them by a good four inches. 

“Crescent.” Morgana greets her cautiously, Godric, Asuna, and Kirito now flanking her. “Can I help you?”

“I ummm, I need to talk to you, and my other older sister told me about some phrase to tell you, so you know I’m being for real. Ummm, crap! How did it go again?” Crescent looks thoughtful for a minute, her finger tapping on her chin. “Parlay 14? Parsley 14?”

Asuna grins as Morgana starts giggling. “Paragraph 14-B?” The older of the two offers, Crescent snapping her fingers while grinning.

“That's it! Sorry, my sister tried to explain all that to us last night, but we were busy dealing with a couple of different things all at once.” Crescent admits as she rubs the back of her head. “Especially with what my mom said Penny said to her.” 

“Dammit Crescent! I told you not to name any names!” Noiry calls out, Xiao roaring with laughter, while Lizzie facepalms while shaking her head.

“Oops.” Ruby looks chagrined as she now grins ruefully. “Anywho, she's something called a Seer, and she told me I needed to talk to you about the boss raid today. That it was really really really important, because we needed to be ready to back you guys up if you needed it.”

Asuna and Morgana both go pale as ghosts, the two of them suddenly looking frightened. “She's a legitimate Seer?” Asuna asks quietly, Crescent nodding.

“Last night, her eyes got all bright, and she told my Mami that my Mom's coming, and that she's going to be raising hell with a lioness, some kind of other animal woman, and a fox to try to free us, after someone called the Moon Empress unlocks her magic again.” 

Morgana looks at Asuna, concern in her eyes. “I’ve learned quickly to never ever ignore the words of a True Seer.” She admits. “It's why I ended up in here, and I'm not back home in England. She told me to be selfish for once in my life, and do something for myself, instead of doing what was expected of me.” 

Asuna nods before looking at Crescent. “Please say she's under heavy guard?”

“My entire family is with her along with Lisbeth. She was taking today off to get ready to hopefully move up to the next floor with us.” Ruby admits quietly. “Is she really that important?”

Asuna nods. “They are extremely rare, even among those in our world.” She admits. “They may sometimes speak in riddles, yet their words almost always come to pass.”

“My new adopted sister back home is one.” Morgana adds quietly. “She's my Protectee Black, and I don't tolerate anyone even looking oddly at her. My Godbrother and I are extremely aggressive in protecting Luna.” 

“Let's move out!” Diavel’s voice calls out, getting all their attentions.

“Walk with us?” Morgana asks, the two groups of four falling in step together. They remain silent until they leave the town proper, Morgana looking up at Crescent once they've let the main group pull ahead of them far enough to talk privately without being overheard.

“How do you know about what Asuna and I are?” 

Ruby sighs. “I just found out about all of it last night from my older sister. She's a rabbit girl Outside.”

“An Usagimimi, Crescent.” Lizzie corrects her. “And Neon is a Nekomimi.”

“But apparently her other mother used to be something called an Animagus, along with their Drunkle.” Noiry adds, Yang whistling as she looks around. But then she points her thumb at the whistling Xiao. “And apparently her magic was bound because of her jackass sperm donor.”

Morgana and Asuna suddenly bristle in their visible anger, their eyes flashing dangerously.

“That should be criminal!” Asuna cries out, Morgana nodding in her agreement.

“Can we debate the legality of removing someone's ability to do something later?” Lizzie interrupts the brewing diatribe by cutting to the heart of the original matter. “Why did Penny tell Crescent to come talk to you all?”

Asuna and Morgana look at one another, then back to Kirito and Godric, who nod in their silent agreement. With a sigh, Morgana looks back up at Crescent, who is paying close attention. “We aren't a hundred percent sure, but Asuna and I both think that the second we open the boss room door, it's going to undo the seal keeping him trapped inside.”

Godric nods. “And he's probably going to hit us all like a bloody freight train to escape.”

“More than likely while also trying to kill us all at the same time, just to keep us from either stopping him, or regrouping and trying to stop him.” Kirito adds grimly.

Ruby and her group all blink, before looking at one another. “That's not good.” The twins declare in unison.

“You think?!” Yang deadpans while waving an armored hand at the group now walking far ahead of them. “I wouldn't trust some of these guys with finishing an easy to complete quest chain without someone with a brain with them to hold their hand the whole way, much less actually holding off the boss if they knew he could escape if we lose! They would probably even screw things up even worse trying to be heroes!”

“Funny hearing someone else say something like that.” Godric grumbles, Kirito nodding in his agreement. 

“We’ve already decided to act as a rearguard, since we've been asked to deal with the add in mobs.” Kirito informs Crescent, who nods firmly in agreement.

“Then we'll be helping you too.” She declares with a tone of finality, her party nodding in their own agreement. 

“And if it comes down to us being the only ones able to stop the boss?” Lizzie asks quietly.

“Then we stop the boss, no matter what it takes.” Yang adds firmly, getting nods of agreement from them all. “The rest of our family is back in Tolbana, except for Abuela. She never came back last night.”

Crescent stops at the entrance to the Labyrinth, the rest of them stopping with her, while the rest of the assault team continues into the depths. “Guys, behind us is the entire first floor. Entire villages, a few small hamlets, that one really nice bed and breakfast between Tolbana and Greencroft, and even the Town of Beginnings, and all of them are full of players who don't know what we know, and won’t be remotely close to being ready to fight a floor boss.” She points out, the rest of the group of eight arrayed around her looking thoughtful. “The majority of the top fifty players currently in the game are here, and we're the only ones out of all of them that know just how high the stakes are now.” 

“Argo does know, and she's supposed to be letting the rest of the Top Fifty know, so they can start making their way to Tolbana, just in case.” Kirito points out.

“Can she let our sister know? She'll raise the alarm with our family, and that way Velvet can let her father know too.” Lizzie asks quietly, Godric nodding as he opens his message screen, sending off a quick message.

“Done. Big Sister'll let them know.” He informs Lizzie, who nods.

Morgana nods. “We still can't let him escape. Especially with an actual Seer in play. Her safety is paramount.”

Lizzie bristles at the mention of Penny, however indirectly. “No one is going to threaten or hurt our Penny!” 

“Not just Penny, but every other player on the floor.” Ruby adds as she stands tall before them, every bit her father's daughter. “We either stop him before he can escape, or we do enough damage that Mami, Daddy, and everyone they can gather can finish what we started.”

Asuna nods. “Well said, Crescent. We're with you.” She replies, Morgana, Godric, and Kirito nodding in agreement. 

“Champions of Beacon! Move out!” Crescent roars, her team at her side.

“Let's go.” Asuna adds, her own newly formed team at her own heels as they all enter the Labyrinth, intent on rejoining the fledgling assault team in their quest to finally clear the first floor…

 

On the Ninety Second Day, a group of eight set out

Unaware of their collision course with Destiny

Their hearts are filled with determination to protect those that they love, and that they will sacrifice everything to keep safe…

 

Illfang the Kobold Lord awaits 

His weapons thirst for the blood of his future victims

His army cries out for their own freedom to loot and pillage freely, while putting the hated players to the sword

His freedom is at hand once he crushes their bodies while crushing their spirits

And all it will take is destroying three insignificant pests at his master’s behest…

 

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Summer: I never thought something like this would ever happen to me. -break- I never thought you of all my children would be marching off to battle.

Ruby: I'll come back, Mom. Our lives aren't more important than clearing the floor.

 

 

 

Chapter 8: The Oaths

Notes:

*Peeking around a corner* I'm so sorry this took so long. I've had a rough few months, things are settling down finally, and I'm finally back on talking terms with my muse. I'm not feeling very witty right now, so I just hope everyone enjoys this, and I promise I'll try to stay productive.

I love you all, and I hope you enjoy!

They are extremely well dressed, yet still stand out among the many moving through the halls of the private hospital now filled with both the magical and mundane foreign victims of Sword Art Online. It is a clear sign to the magical that this place is now under powerful, divine protection the likes of which even the bravest of angelic beings wouldn't dare to brave, and that the most horrid of demonic entities wouldn't dare to cross, while the Mundanes among them come to realize quickly that there are many things in this world that are now easily explained with the appearance of these three beings, and yet despite having their eyes opened to The Truth, they are barely scratching the surface of said truth.

They are in the presence of three members of the Endless themselves, beings that represent not just The Truth, but their respective ideologies from which their own chosen, descendants, and personal creations and uplifted derive their own strength and the individual domains under their own control. They are the very embodiments of their names, which are universally known, and they hold the ultimate power upon their overarching domains and all those beneath them.

He is taller than any normal man, muscular to the point of being as bulky as the best trained bodybuilder, yet moves with the grace of an apex predator with no equal. He is dressed in a perfectly fitted black business suit trimmed in a shade of red the color of freshly spilled blood, a pair of sunglasses covering his eyes that are tinted so darkly that not a single soul can see his eyes. His stark white hair is pulled into a single ponytail that runs down the length of his back, held in place by a dark purple ribbon that is a sharp contrast to both his hair color and the darkness of his suit.

Beside him is a woman so impossibly beautiful that to look at her is to gaze at perfection itself. From her flawless skin the same shade of moonlight, to her gorgeous facial features, to even her perfect hourglass figure, she has an unforgettable presence to her that none will ever forget until their dying day, when she herself comes to guide them to their final judgement. She is wearing a dress as black as a moonless, starless night, her shoulders and upper body exposed to the tops of her perfect breasts, yet showing nothing but the barest hint of her generous cleavage, for she is a happily married woman. Her hair is long, darker than the dress she is wearing, and flows behind her like a bridal train made of the finest of silk, yet never actually touching the ground. Beside her is a nearly identical woman, save her hair is the color of spun gold, her dress is a shade of white so pure there is no other shade that can hope to compare, and her eyes are the same shade of blue as a clear summer's sky, while the other woman's are a shade of silver that makes many think of quicksilver flowing freely. 

Not a single soul fails to bow to them as they pass, no matter how important or how mundane their task. All who encounter them, whether pious or blasphemous, devout or without belief, know exactly who this trio are. It is a knowledge that is buried in every living being’s soul, for the two women are the first and the last vision they will ever see from lifetime to lifetime, until the fabled and universally feared End of Days. 

Kali Belladonna and her entire guard appear before them, bowing so deeply in respect that they are nearly bent in half. He gives them a nod of approval, before dismissing them respectfully with their heartfelt thanks for their diligence and vigilance, Kali and her chosen warriors returning to their positions, fulfilling their given duties to protect the children within this specific room.

Minerva McGonagall sees the dark haired woman first, and she is immediately on her feet, her wand in hand and her entire body placed between them and her charges. The Lioness of Gryffindor’s face is set in stone, her eyes hard as she stands defiantly before Lady Death herself, her twin sister Lady Life at her side, and her husband, Lord War now behind them.

“You won't take them!” She snarls out, her wand steady in her unmoving hand. “I won't let you have my granddaughter and grandson! I’ve lost enough for my mistakes!”

“Indeed you have, Athena.” Death agrees as she stops before the old witch, who glares back at her with no fear in her eyes, her heart, or her soul. “You have lost your original family to your half brother's anger as well as your own manipulations, have been cursed by Gaia herself to wander the world in an endless cycle of death and rebirth, a shade of your former glory in penance, never to know a moment's worth of happiness until you atone for your many crimes.”

†Indeed, Athena. For centuries untold now, you have known very little peace, very little rest as your own nature has pushed you to continue to seek out battle after battle, war after war. All because you manipulated your own brother, encouraged him to ever greater acts of violence and hatred, then betrayed him in order to claim power that was never yours to have.† The blonde haired woman points out, Minerva still standing tall before them, never once wavering. 

Yet we are impressed with you, Athena. You truly distinguished yourself in the war against Grindelwald alongside the Potters. You continue to act in an honorable manner, and actually continue to serve the people selflessly, first as a war mage, then a beloved professor, and you also joined in the fight against the Abomination without a moment's hesitation. For that, you are to be commended. The man adds firmly, his strong jaw set resolutely. You have even made peace with your brother, have finally been forgiven by him, and have accepted his new wife and his chosen son as family, and for that as well as your many actions as you sought atonement, we are prepared to offer you a single boon as a reward.

She has wandered the world since her betrayal, since her actions brought about the destruction of an entire pantheon of Gods and Goddesses who were her parents, her younger brothers and sisters, who were her once beloved nieces and nephews, and who were even children to the three who are now standing before her. She has died countless times, and screamed as she is reborn to begin the cycle anew, her youth restored only to suffer the indignity of growing old and weak, and she has learned to do so with dignity and grace. She is an indirect descendant of War and Death through her grandmother, a fallen Goddess of Strategic Warfare and Wisdom, and likewise condemned by her own grandmother, the titan Gaia herself for her actions, for her many sins committed to her family and especially to her brother, and…

And she has no right to ask anything of them, yet for the children she loves and will sell what is left of her soul for, she will prostrate herself fully to the ancestors. She will grovel, she will beg, she will sacrifice every shred of her remaining dignity to save the girl she now loves as her own, and the brother she has chosen. She will not waste a boon on herself, not when they are far more important than she will ever be ever again.

She finally understands why her brother sought revenge for his dead family, then fought even harder to protect his second wife and chosen son. That knowledge has freed her, and given her a new source of strength, and it empowers her. She would do no less for Amaryllis and Dudley, perhaps even far worse than he ever did.

“Save them.” The fallen and cursed goddess begs as she falls to her knees before them, tears in her eyes as she looks upon her Ancestors, Death and War, while Life looks on impassively. “Please, save them. Free them, and I will do anything you ask of me.”

“This… this is the one thing even we, the Endless, cannot do.” Death admits heavily as she moves past the now sobbing former goddess, a red scaled serpent appearing from within Amaryllis’ fiery red tresses, hissing warningly as she approaches. “Be at peace, Heather. I do not mean you or your witch any harm.”

†We are here to assure ourselves that she is well, and well protected.† Life croons soothingly as she moves next to her twin, holding her hand out that the serpent flicks her tongue over, before slowly coiling herself around it as well as her arm. But her emerald green and amethyst purple eyes look from one twin to the other pleadingly, begging them to aid her bonded Gorgon.

War however kneels before a still sobbing Minerva, one massive hand laying with surprising gentleness atop her greying hair. And now you understand the damage you caused, Athena. You understand the true cost of your sins, and have repented for them by not only fighting for just and noble causes, but by making peace with the one who you wronged the most. You have been forgiven, but you will never be allowed to forget, lest you make the same or even worse mistakes again.

Minerva goes silent, her eyes glowing brightly as the Horseman War re-establishes her link to the realm divine. To the power that flows from the Creators themselves, passing through their primary children, The Endless, and through them to their many children and chosen. Her mouth is open in a silent scream as she de-ages before them, as her eternal, unchanging beauty is restored, as her divine spark is re-ignited.

As the Goddess Athena, whom the Romans called Minerva, her chosen name during her many cycles of death and rebirth, is reborn in a hospital room far from her former homeland of Olympus. 

War catches her in his broad arms as she finally collapses, and holds her as her eyes close, slipping into a healing, restorative sleep. Welcome back, our beloved daughter. You have atoned for your sins, and you have been restored to your place within our family. You have a new, glorious purpose before you in raising these two, our son and daughter, in our stead to adulthood, as their badly needed mother and not the grandmother you have been up until now.

Life nods in agreement, while Death sits next to another of their descendants, while remaining focused on Amaryllis' still form, a single pale hand now gently stroking her exposed cheek. Heather has curled herself in Death’s lap, staring at her Gorgon sadly. “You are the last of our direct descendants, daughter. The last of the direct Peverell line through your honored father. And we cannot interfere, for Destiny and Fate have chosen you for a greater purpose.”

†However, you are not the last with the blood of the Peverells flowing through your veins, my niece. But, your cousin can no longer claim the line if you are to fall in battle.† Life adds as she sits gently beside her twin, her arms wrapping around her as Death begins to sob quietly, her hand now clasped with one of Amaryllis'. †You are the last of our sacred bloodline, Amaryllis Andromeda Potter-Black, and are descended from the Creators themselves.†

“Why is this happening?!” Death wails, War setting a still sleeping Minerva back in her chair, then moving next to his beloved wife since The Creation. 

Because she is a child of destiny, my beloved. War reminds her, Death still focused on Amaryllis' still form. She will be one of the four who lead the inhabitants of this world into a new golden age, while carrying your own standard, the representative of your own will.

†The plan is now in motion, and soon it cannot be stopped.† Life adds quietly, her arms now wrapped gently around her twin, who is still sobbing. †Kayaba and his associates are ambitious in their efforts to force the beings of this world to evolve, and thanks to our own manipulations and the aid of a willing agent, Amaryllis and the others we have carefully chosen to act as the magical catalysts as well as those the four of you have chosen as your champions shall be at the center of that growth and change.†

And she is in fine company, with her chosen brother and her new friends. War points out as he looks at Dudley, who is lying prone in the other bed in the room. He too has worked hard to atone for his sins committed at the behest of the monsters that birthed him, while our daughter fought hard to save his soul, and he too shall be rewarded.

“Her brother…” Death’s voice drifts off as she looks from Amaryllis to Dudley with her tear filled eyes. “Yes, he has proven worthy of being her brother in blood and magic both, and it shall be so. He shall be our new son, War. I shall accept nothing less as his first reward.”

As you wish, my beloved. I shall see to it personally, and infuse him with my own power, to better be able to stand at the Crimson Fury’s side. War promises his wife. He shall be a true Dreadnought, and the bane of their enemies.

“Thank you, my love.” Her eyes begin to harden as grief turns to rage, her mighty black wings emerging from her back, spreading wide as her darker nature begins to overwhelm her. “Strife…” 

A new figure emerges from the shadows, wearing gleaming silver armor with matching gauntlets, a pair of massive pistols on his hips and his face covered by a mask, only his glowing golden eyes visible along with his short, spiked hair. ‡Got it covered, Death. Chaos and I found the perfect pair to deal with those worthless wastes of humanity, while also dealing with the Abomination’s soul anchors.‡

“They are to be punished, and said punishments must suit their crimes against my blood, Strife.” Death declares coldly, her fury unabated despite being informed that her brother in arms has performed admirably in his task, and in her stead.

Strife nods as he leans against the wall next to the still open door, his arms folded across his armored chest. ‡Chaos made a hundred percent sure that they know just what those wastes of oxygen did to her, along with that equally grotesque whale of a sister. Your will will be carried out, and the parents are already waiting too, courtesy of your own honored parents.‡

Life grimaces at the last bit. †Oh that's not good. Mom and Dad must really be angry if they got personally involved.†

War nods in his agreement as he moves next Dudley, laying a hand on his broad shoulder. My blessings upon you, our new son. He begins, Dudley beginning to glow gently, the light spreading across his entire figure. Reaching out, he lays a gentle hand on Amaryllis’ prone figure, the two of them glowing briefly as a proper bond is established between the two children, Dudley's features beginning to shift and change to match Amaryllis’, the Endless himself using his own formidable magic to bind them together as true siblings. Guard your sister well, support her as well as your new comrades in arms in both battle as well as life, and your rewards shall be great indeed.

Strife can't help but to snort as he shakes his head. ‡You guys and your kids. But I can't blame the two of you either. You only had the three sons and sole daughter, and now they're all that's left of them.‡ 

“My Love?”

Yes, my beloved?

Death looks at him, her anger spent for now, overwhelmed by her fears and worries for the girl whose hand she is still holding while her serpent still lays on her lap. “Inform me when it is that grotesque whale’s time to be punished by Strife’s agents. Now that Dudley is ours and not theirs, I wish to be there when he breathes his last, while taunting him that his precious normal son is no longer his, but ours, and he shall be a powerful and skilled wizard and warrior. I plan on inflicting great torment upon him personally before giving him over to the parents, so they may take their own vengeance for the sins he committed to their innocent daughter and the mental harm he committed to their former son. Our new son.” She turns her attention back to Amaryllis, her sorrow evident in the way her wings hang limp, in the tears that return to her quicksilver eyes, in the way she refuses to move from her place next to the girl, her sister by her side like always. 

†Until then, she needs us, they both do and Death and I shall not leave either of them until Minerva has finished her healing sleep.† Life adds as Death’s massive scythe, Endless Judgement, along with Life's staff, Eternal Hope, appear beside them both, the mighty weapons created by their loving parents within their reach.

As you wish. I shall send Chaos with word of when and where it shall occur. War replies as he and Strife take their leave, Strife’s armor rippling and becoming a pair of blood red leather pants with a matching jacket, his spiked hair now sticking out in every direction as his battered combat style boots clomp heavily with every step. His hands are in the pockets of the red leather jacket, a smirk on his face as he walks beside War, his best friend and battle brother since The Beginning. 

But neither of them are leaving quite yet. Instead, they both have their own business to conduct further inside this particular hospital, where their own two chosen also sleep. They too shall be empowered, and appropriate guards placed, while they fight on in their own names. For War, he has chosen a dark clad swordsman whose name shall become legend, while Strife has chosen a girl with quicksilver eyes of her own, who shall grow into a skilled warrior and natural born leader like her father, while Chaos adores a particular girl with burning amber eyes who lives her life with joy, mischief, and has no issues with being a force of chaos wherever she goes. 

‡I still don't understand what Joy sees in him.‡ Life comments idly once they are fully out of earshot, one of her own pale hands moving atop her sister's. 

“Love knows no boundaries save what we ourselves place, Life. Joy adores Strife, and she keeps his natural inclinations tempered, while he enjoys her zest for life.” Death replies as she uses her free hand to wipe her tears away. “Soon, Amaryllis, your worthy soulmate shall join you here, and you will find another to love in your current reality as well. And when the time comes, I shall be there to bless your unions, while War has already declared he shall be the one to walk you down the aisle.”

They are the first born daughters of the True Beginning and the Final Ending. Twin sisters created in the image of their beloved parents, the most dedicated and loyal of their many children, and the most dangerous. 

One wields the power of creation, but not all of her creations are gentle and kind. Many are long of tooth and claw, and are in possession of deadly instincts and deadlier purpose.

One wields the power of destruction, and is tasked with both sheparding the dead to their rest, as well as ending all of reality when the call to Armageddon is finally sounded. 

They are Life and Death of the Endless, and they are determined to protect the last Peverell no matter the cost, even if it means angering their parents, the one thing they have never once done…

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

To Asuna’s surprise, the battle against Illfang has gone relatively smoothly. The various parties, teams, and duos have worked surprisingly well together, have held their ranks against the massive beast, and have held their lines despite the plan they came up with during a long night of drinking and semi drunken brainstorming going straight to hell itself within the first five minutes of the now almost hour long battle. It has been a battle of attrition against the boss, but the tides have slowly been turning, and they have almost dropped him down to his last life bar. 

Any seasoned military commander would be screaming in protest at their rough tactics, but so far it has all worked out, and that's the most important thing in all this. And, she is grateful that Crescent and her own team of four have aided them with the add in mobs that spawn at regular intervals, and in increasing numbers that Kirito has already confirmed didn't happen before. They are also faster, stronger, and their increasingly greater numbers have actually begun to pose a bit of a challenge, but nothing they haven't been able to overcome with their growing confidence and trust in each other as they continue to work together.

She and the twins have become the strikers, darting around the two tanks of Godric and Xiao, who have worked hard to keep the mobs aggroed. Kirito, Crescent, and Morgana have been the actual breakers, Kirito and Crescent’s heavy blows and Morgana's carefully timed backstabs and rapidly chained sword skills finishing off the mobs that she and the twins have struck hard against, depleting their HP quickly and with surprising efficiency. That's not to say Godric and Xiao haven't contributed. Their own heavy blows have rent armor, crushed the Ruin Kobold Sentinels into nearby walls, and in Godric's case, several critical hits have actually cut them in half as he swings his greatsword with confidence and strength, while Xiao’s armored fists have dealt plenty of damage of their own.

They've all noticed that Godric has changed during the battle as well. He has grown taller, much more muscular, and his already impressive skills with both his greatsword as well as his ability to grapple and pummel his opponents have grown exponentially. He also looks more like Amaryllis, as if someone Outside has performed a sibling ritual between them, something that shouldn't be possible without their willing participation. But that is a mystery for later, right now they need to deal with the boss.

“He’s about to go red!” Noiry cries out as she stays off to the side, a healing potion in one hand and her eyes focused on the lifebar floating above Illfang. 

“What's next, Kirito?” Morgana asks as she skips back behind Crescent and Godric, her focus on the former Beta Tester. 

“He’s about to drop his axe and shield, and draw the weapon on his back.” He replies as he hangs back a moment himself, an empty healing potion bottle in his own free hand. “In the Beta, he used a talwar, and he caused a lot of damage to the raid group then.”

“That doesn't look like a talwar.” Crescent points out as she keeps her scythe at the ready. “It's too long and skinny for that.”

They all pause as Illfang roars in rage as he tosses his weapon and shield to the side, his right hand reaching for the massive sword on his back. “He sounds like Qrow, when he's having another one of his disagreements with that dolt, Kibaou.” Lizzie comments idly as she tosses an empty bottle away, her rapier at the ready. 

“Or like Morgana, when that idiot cop is harassing her again.” Godric points out with a smirk, his sword held in both his hands.

“Oi! Whose bloody side are you on?!”

“Your’s, Midget. Now shut it and focus on the boss!”

“Oh shit.” Kirito murmurs as Illfang’s weapon clears the sheathe, already glowing with a readied sword skill. “That's not a talwar!” 

“It's a Nodachi! Duck!” Crescent spins on her heels rapidly, while pulling Morgana down with her as they land heavily on the floor, Godric covering them both a moment later. The others likewise scatter as they hit the stone floor, the boss's glowing sword barely missing them all as well as several members of the rest of the fledgling assault team. 

Morgana looks up at Crescent and smiles gratefully. “Thanks. I owe you one.” 

“Nah, it's payback for stopping that mob from hitting me from behind earlier.” She replies as they quickly get back on their feet with Godric's help, one of the tank groups moving in to engage the now enraged boss. 

“Great, his weapon's bigger, heavier, and he's using both his bloody hands to swing it.” Godric points out. “Any ideas?”

“Hit him hard from behind, then get the tanks to pull aggro back to them, so we can all hit him again.” Lizzie and Noiry call out in unison, even other nearby players nodding in agreement as their words are quickly spread throughout the other players. 

But before any kind of organized response can occur, a smirking Diavel dashes past them, his sword at the ready with a sword skill, while his circular shield leads the way. “Nobody move! I’ll finish this!” The leader of the raid calls out, not realizing in his rush that he isn't the only one paying attention to his words. 

Illfang's smile is malevolent, and he decides to make an example of this particular player, to show the rest that they are no match for him.

“No, wait! That nodachi will rip you apart!” Kirito cries out, Morgana trying desperately to intercept him before he gets too far ahead. 

“Stop you idiot! Don't be a bloody hero!” She adds, although it's already too late for Diavel.

A rising slash easily breaks through his shield's defense, and sends him flying into the air while screaming. Illfang likewise suddenly launches himself in pursuit, two more blows striking home as he literally bounces from pillar to pillar, building more momentum. He finally leaps upwards from the last pillar, his massive sword held ready to strike, Diavel's screaming turning into a shriek of agony as he is nearly cut in half by the final, fatal slash. 

Diavel slams into the ground virtually in front of a stunned Kirito, who still tries to give him a healing potion. Asuna looks on in horror as he pushes it away before whispering something only Kirito hears, before shattering in his arms. She turns and faces Illfang just as he roars at the assault team in challenge, and she is more than prepared to answer his challenge, her friends at her side. 

Asuna takes charge for the first time, cementing her place as a future leader. 

“Kirito, you, Crescent, and Godric catch that sword somehow and keep it pinned.” She orders, the others arraying themselves around her, their weapons in hand and sword skills ready. “Once it's secure, we’ll hit him as hard as we possibly can, and hope that it's enough to finish this in one run.” She then turns and looks at Agil, who is standing nearby and holding his greataxe in both hands. “Get the rest of the assault team ready. If we don't take him down, he’ll still be hurt badly enough to be off balance. Take him down then.”

“You got it!” The tall dark skinned man replies before turning and yelling orders, getting the rest of the assault team organized.

“How are we going to get his attention?” The twins ask, their faces set in determination.

“I’ve got this.” Morgana replies as she grins wickedly. Stepping forward as she sheathes one dagger, she raises her fingers to her lips and gives a loud whistle, getting the boss' attention. “Hey, you arse licking, Malfoy fucking pathetic excuse for a Lord!” She calls out loudly, not just keeping the boss’s attention focused on her, but the rest of the players as well, all of whom are looking at her in shock at her horrid language, Xiao and Godric both roaring in laughter and adding fuel to his fury. “Come try that shite on us, you dog faced, needle dicked wanker!” 

“I think that worked!” Xiao cries out as Illfang bellows in his rage, before charging towards them, his nodachi raised high and aimed directly for the still grinning redhead. 

“Really?! What gave you that idea?!” Crescent cries out as she, Kirito, and Godric spread out and prepare themselves, Morgana suddenly dodging to the side just as Illfang swings his weapon, the massive blade colliding with the stone floor so hard it actually breaks off fragments that derez quickly in midair.

“You missed, you cock sucking ferret fucker!” Amaryllis taunts him again, keeping his attention directly on her, and not her teammates. 

“NOW!” Asuna roars, the three strongest members of their combined party moving forward, their weapons already in motion to catch Illfang's before he can raise his again. But in her mind, she can hear the Empress’ voice reciting the Magical Imperial Guard’s sacred vows of service at a recent dedication ceremony held in honor of those who died recently in service to the Lunar Throne, which she heard for herself right before returning to Mahotokoro for her fourth year. She too fought bravely when she and her friends were ambushed by honorless dogs, stood over her own best friend and not very secret girlfriend as she laid injured without hesitation, and she now finds herself in a life or death situation of her own, with thousands of lives at stake if they cannot defeat the Kobold Lord here and now.

Words that ring with their own truth, and give her the strength she needs to protect the boy she is starting to love, as well as the girl who is waiting for them to succeed, so they can come home to her with their new brother and sister in tow. Words she begins to whisper as her friends and comrades in arms already begin to surge forward to put an end to the Kobold Lord before he can take any more lives.

For it is in passing that we achieve immortality…

The assault team all look on in shock as Godric, Kirito, and Crescent catch the massive blade with their own weapons, the large boy, the shorter, slender one and the scythe wielding girl holding it in a full clench, Illfang roaring in his own fury as he actually struggles to free his trapped weapon.

“LIZZIE! NOIRY! OPEN HIM UP!” Ruby roars as the three heavy hitters keep Illfang's Nodachi tied up, the boss glaring hatefully at them. “YANG! BACK THEM UP!”

“ASUNA! NOW!” 

“AMA MOVE YOUR ARSE!”

“ON THE MOVE!” They cry out in unison as the dagger wielding girl, the Brawler, and all three rapier wielders dart in to strike.

Through this, we become paragons of virtue and glory to rise above all…

The Twin Blades strike first, the two of them dashing across from either side with their rapiers in a deadly dual Slant that would have disemboweled a normal opponent, both of them scoring much needed critical hits. Asuna strikes less than a split second later with a lightning quick Slant of her own, the fencer blindingly fast enough to hit the Kobold Lord with a second one before dancing away, the three of them already preparing to strike again if necessary. But the three of them did their jobs in greatly weakening his thick armor while also depleting more of his HP, to create a wide open weak spot that Xiao arrows towards like a blonde haired missile. Roaring like the creature that is an integral part of her real name, she slams heavily into Illfang's chest with a brightly glowing fist, his armor shattering as he roars in actual pain.

The four of them alone have depleted a significant portion of his remaining health bar while also destroying his thick leather armor, and for the first time in the fight, a look of fear appears in Illfang's eyes, the boss realizing he may in fact be defeated. 

Morgana capitalizes on the fact that she has a large, unprotected, distracted target, thus giving her the perfect opportunity to cause additional backstab damage. Her two daggers move like a pair of blurs as she unleashes two fully charged Rapid Bites that dig deep into Illfang’s exposed back, her own blows also much needed critical hits along with nearly maximum amounts of additional backstab damage. Leaving one in place, Morgana leaps into the air and kicks both booted feet into the hilt, driving it deeper into the roaring boss’ spine while throwing herself clear.

“DUDLEY! NOW!”

Infinite in distance and unbound by death, we release our souls… 

Godric strikes first, eschewing any sword skills in favor of his own formidable brute strength. He hits with a heavy spinning backhanded slash that slams into the Kobold Lord's damaged chest and drops his HP ever lower. Grasping his sword in both hands as he stops and reverses the momentum, he brings the heavy blade back around and into a second, heavier strike with a quickly charged Grand Destruction as he roars.

“HIT HIM AGAIN!” 

Crescent is next, her strike crossing in the opposite direction and leaving the boss closer to death. But she isn't done, as she uses the momentum of her own swing to act like a deadly spinning top, her scythe blade cutting through Illfang three more times in quick succession before she finally comes to a stop, her scythe held out wide as she crouches down.

“KIRITO! FINISH HIM!”

Kirito strikes with no mercy with a rising slash from his Anneal Blade, Illfang roaring in defiance even as his last HP bar is fully depleted, his image derezzing even as the swordsman’s final strike finishes cutting him apart. 

And by our shoulders, protect thee!

The battle is over, and the cheering begins. The celebrating as after ninety two days, the players finally prove that they will not be cowed, defeated, and will persevere in their quest and shared desire to escape Kayaba's world and return to their own.

“Aw bugger. My dagger got derezzed with the bastard!” Morgana groans as she equips a back up, a much lower quality Iron Dagger. 

“Shouldn't have left it in him then.” Lizzie replies flippantly, even as she swaps to a different rapier of her own. 

“Meh, had to give Godric time to aim properly. Otherwise, my brother would have just swung at empty air.”

“Oi! I know how to hit something that bloody big!” He protests before grinning at Morgana, who grins back as she winks.

“That's enough!” They turn to lower at a furious Kibaou, who is glaring at them. “How did you do it?! How did eight of you manage to take down an entire bar without getting killed?”

“It's called teamwork, and trusting one another.” Noiry replies even as she and her twin close ranks, the two of them now shoulder to shoulder and their rapiers in hand. “Something you should try to learn.”

“You could have stopped him at any time! Diavel could still be alive!”

Morgana and Godric share a look. They’ve dealt with the arse before, when he was drunk and trying to grope her. Morgana sighs as she looks at Kibaou. “We tried to stop him, and Kirito tried to heal him, but he pushed the potion bottle away.” 

The angry young man just points a finger at her. “Yeah right! For all we know, you pushed him in the way!” Pausing, his eyes narrow angrily. “Cheaters! All of you cheated somehow!” 

Morgana is about to retort when Kirito stops her with a hand to her arm while rising. She catches him accepting something called a final attack bonus, then opening his equipment screen and equipping a long black coat that oddly suits him.

“I told them.” He suddenly declares as he turns and looks at Kibaou and the other players, a smirk on his face and Morgana staying beside him, with a cocky grin of her own. “Well, Ruby and the twins overheard, but I told Morgana, and she told Asuna and Godric.”

“Oh stop lying, Kirito.” Morgana levels her coldest glare at Kibaou, Godric moving to her side, his sword still in hand, the other players now realizing the already large boy is now taller and looks much stronger than before. “All you did was jog my memory. I told you we went through this floor the first time entirely too quickly.”

“You both knew…” Kibaou whispers as his anger grows. “You both are Beta Testers!”

“That's right, mate. Brought in from Jolly Old England to get an outsider's point of view on things.” The secret Slytherin running with the lie to protect Asuna, Godric, and the others. Asuna, Kirito, and Argo allayed her fears, made her feel as safe as Godric does, make her and Godric feel welcomed and like valued members of the party. And, Kirito is stupid enough to take the hate on himself, and it's nothing she's not already used to, being a second year Princess of her house alongside Daphne. “Decided to stick around and see what happens next. My brother here flew in to join me.”

“Morgana and I partnered up during the Beta.” Kirito cuts in smoothly, seeing for himself what she is up to, knowing she will protect her brother as much as possible, just like he will protect Asuna and Argo. “We made it way farther than any of the other testers, saw floors that defy the imagination, and are going to get all our ultra rare equipment back. Starting with my Coat of Twilight here.” 

“You two aren't cheaters or Beta Testers anymore. You two are Beaters!” 

“Beater? I kind of like it.” Morgana purrs out as she gives them all a devious smile before turning. “Come on, Kirito, Asuna, Godric. I need my daggers back, and the next floor’s boss drops one of them.” She starts walking with confidence, her daggers still in hand as she begins to climb the stairs.

“I'm sorry, Asuna.” Kirito whispers to her as she takes his offered arm, the fencer shaking her head as they follow the fiery red haired girl they are coming to trust and adore.

“We're in this together, Kii-bou.” She replies teasingly. 

“You sure about this, Ama?” Godric asks as he catches up to Morgana, who continues to climb the stairs. “And I feel a lot different.”

“Yeah. He was about to put all the hate on himself, Duds. He’s earned my respect by fighting beside us, and I won't leave him to deal with it alone. And somehow you actually are my brother now. I can feel it.” She replies as they reach the door. Pausing a moment, she looks back at Crescent, who nods subtly while tapping her friend screen before closing it, the rest of her team gathering around her. “Besides, we’ve got allies now. And they look like keepers too.”

“Let's do it then. We can keep in touch through email.” He replies as they open the doors with grunts, the next floor revealed to them. 

“Thanks.” Kirito and Asuna move beside them, Morgana nodding before smiling while Godric grins.

“What are friends for?” She replies as they step forward together, vanishing once they are clear.

/\/\/\/\

“Let's go.” Crescent declares as she moves forward, Xiao and the Twins forming up alongside her.

“That was a huge risk on their part.” Lizzy comments idly as the once jubilant mood has soured, the many members of the gathered force now grumbling and glaring distrustfully at one another.

“It put the heat squarely on them, like Yang when she pulls aggro.” Noiry points out as they quickly make the stairs just as Kibaou starts in with his anger filled rhetoric about them being cheaters and bastards who don't give a damn about them. 

“Yep. And they're strong enough to deal with anyone who wants revenge for the guy who died.” Xiao points out as they make the climb themselves. None of them are surprised when the thrown pick is suddenly caught by Ruby, who twirls it in her fingers as she turns her now anger-filled silver eyes at an equally angry Kibaou.

“You profited from them! You worked with them! You're just as guilty as they are!” He roars in his fury. A fury that turns into a scream of pain as the pick finds itself in his crotch. 

“We aren't stupid, unlike you.” Ruby replies evenly, her eyes still narrowed at the bastard who she knows grabbed one of Morgana’s breasts while claiming they were fake. 

“Wait, he’s in actual pain.” The twins look worriedly at one another before looking up at Ruby. “Things have changed.” 

“Couldn't expect it all to be easy forever.” Ruby replies to them before focusing on Kibaou and the others. “Look for yourselves. The pain receptors are back on, which means instead of focusing on his stupidity, you need to focus on getting better.”

“How?” A taller, rather angry looking younger guy calls out. “They're going to get all the good final drops.”

“Final drops aren't everything.” Lizzie comments idly as she offers her own Fleurette. “We got these by grinding the Bee mobs in the West Fields.”

“And worked hard to get the mats to improve them. All on our own.” Noiry adds.

Ruby nods. “You want to blame someone for Diavel’s death? Blame the guy himself. I know I heard Kirito and Morgana both try to stop him, and he kept going. And his own greed got him killed.” She declares firmly, Kibaou whimpering as he stays on the floor. “You want to keep listening to him? Be ready to have your name on the Obelisk. Us?” Pausing, she grins. “We have work to do.” 

“Let's go, Crescent.” Xiao grins at her sister, who nods. “If we hurry, we can have Mami and the others up here with us before nightfall.” 

The twins nod as they smile brightly. “Lead the way, Crescent!”

Turning, Ruby and her own team follow Kirito and the others, the silver eyed girl not having a single doubt that the four players are probably halfway to the next town by now and acting like a deadly vanguard…

/\/\/\/\

Akihibo Kayaba is amused. Illfang failed, even with the change to his weapon type to give him a better advantage. The Nodachi he gave the Kobold Lord should have been strong enough to cleave through anyone foolish enough to challenge him, but instead the group of players he is monitoring carefully defeated him with their rough spur of the moment plan, along with their effective teamwork. 

As planned, he restored the pain receptors back to their default settings, while paying heed to CARDINAL’s warnings that she will not allow him to set them any higher. The AI won't let him go over a certain threshold, but that is by his own choice. He knew he would need a system of checks and balances on himself during this all important first phase, and CARDINAL fills that role wonderfully. 

The players are finally continuing on, the group led by Asuna already making excellent progress on the second floor as they arrow towards the hub town of Urbus while easily dealing with the mobs long prepared for their eventual arrival. Morgana especially is acting as if the minor injuries she has taken as they travel towards Urbus don't even affect her despite the pain receptors being set back to normal levels, and her brother is now yelling at her to be more careful right before turning and grappling a mob trying to sneak attack them. The large boy that according to his Nervegear’s sensors is now her blood related brother actually dealing with the large Ox mob by holding it by the horns while the others quickly dispatched it. 

“Oh look girls. Godric is holding the bull by the horns, and they're cutting him into steaks for dinner.”

He snorts as CARDINAL makes the obvious joke before he can, while Strea and Yui laugh hysterically at it. CARDINAL’s avatar, that of a pretty academic complete with a mortarboard hat atop her curly auburn brown hair, with a small smile on her face as she stands with her “daughters”, who are giggling and laughing even as they watch them repeat the process with a second, even larger mob, and with identical results. “Oh look, they were still hungry.” She deadpans with near perfect comedic timing, Yui and Strea now rolling around on the ground, laughing as tears stream down their faces.

Perhaps it's time? Strea is already fully uploaded, the specially prepared pensive full of both their memories of his long dead wife and oldest daughter is connected to the server housing CARDINAL’s core programming as well as now housing Strea’s consciousness, and he looks at the two monitors dedicated solely to the upload occurring independently of everything else going on. Yes, the uplifting of the human race with a careful blending of mundane technology and forced application of carefully gathered magic is going surprisingly well, but that is not his primary goal.

The digital rebirth of his wife and oldest daughter is his ultimate goal. It is what he has worked towards all these years with the willingly given assistance of his second born daughter, and Strea has already given her life to see her beloved and long missed mother and sister back. 

“CARDINAL, how close are we to the end of project 19-4538?” He asks, curious as to the progress being made Outside by his still dedicated staff in their well hidden lab far from Argus’ headquarters in Tokyo. The actual facility there is nothing but a front, with generic servers running a false version of SAO, loaded full of fifty thousand randomly created NPCs acting as playing characters. He did use those servers at one time during the actual creation of SAO, while preparing the actual servers carefully in his hidden lab. The real servers are much more robust, fortified heavily with runes, enchantments, and watched over by one of the Kitsune-No-Mai’s own daughters, who not only agrees with The Plan, but has added her own robust magical assistance, while also aiding him in securing his two eventual villains, who shall bring a much needed darker element to SAO once he can finally wrestle control of the morality filters away from Polendina’s daughter, who is just as determined to keep control of them away from him.

He gives Stephanie Nicole Polendina full credit. She is wholeheartedly dedicated to the mission her father gave her before his untimely death, and she is now extremely well protected by the Champions of Beacon. He doesn't dare risk another attempt on her life, not as long as she is under the Grimm Reaper’s protection, and she has finally been reunited with her cousin, who has informed The Mountain of her location. Even he fears drawing the ire of that man, and won't risk a direct confrontation with the seasoned warrior who recently came out of retirement to deal with a foolish Wixen trying to bring about Armageddon while hiding in rural Montana. He personally put the bullet in Joseph Seed’s head that ended his aspirations, while his Demon Slayers systematically dismantled his sophisticated computer network he was using to quietly hack every nuclear arsenal in the world to bring about the end of civilization, while also dealing with his fanatical followers in a permanent, terminal manner.

He has his own tasks to accomplish, and as long as the Mountain is trapped here, the Demon Slayers cannot act directly to free him, thus risking his death and the deaths of his beloved family. His sources Outside have confirmed David Ozpin has ordered the full stop of trying to disable the Nervegears by his own magical and mundane techs, and even the Moon Empress has issues her own identical order. 

He has the blessings of the Triumvirate, the assistance of the eldest daughter of the Kitsune-No-Mai herself, and he is now fully committed to this course of action now that the pensive has begun to feed the memories of his wife and oldest daughter into their specially prepared avatars. The data now being transmitted to his partners will be invaluable when Phase Two goes into effect, as well as the final crucible to ensure everything is a success during Phase Three’s penultimate confrontation. 

The AI clearing her throat gets his attention back, and she actually frowns disapprovingly as she looks at him. “At only forty test subjects, we were extremely limited during the experiments. However, the results are properly logged, but we are still in the testing phase.”

Kayaba nods, while considering his next step in fine tuning his world. Despite the harsh words afterwards, news of the fact that the raid was successful and with a sole casualty has already begun to spread quickly, the remaining members of the Champions of Beacon already at Tolbana’s teleport square and keeping the eager masses under control as they wait for the connection to Urbus to be established by Asuna and her group, or Crescent and her own team, who are rapidly catching up. Which is good, as he needs the players to keep moving upwards. Having them stranded on the first floor for ninety two days was a detriment to his plans, but at the same time gave him more time to complete certain vital experiments necessary for his planned system updates, including quality of life ones that the players should appreciate, if he can ever get control of the morality filters back from Stephanie.

Granted, it will create a whole host of new problems for them as well, but it will be up to them to solve them. 

“Contact our agents on the outside, including Tamano. Request sixty more test subjects, but tell them they need to widen the net. I want as wide and as many different variables as possible.” He orders, CARDINAL mimicking requiring an interface to interact with as she composes said messages. “Also, he is to prepare to move on to Phase Two.”

“He will claim Phase Two is not ready yet.”

“We have no choice. The fire destroyed the computer responsible for creating the original amount of copies of SAO, and now that the cat is out of the bag, he will have to take up where we were forced to leave off when it comes to the experiments with blending magic into the existing sword skills. With less than ten thousand test subjects, our results will not be nearly as diverse as we expected, but they should still be adequate for all future stages of non magical combat.” Kayaba sighs. His apprentice is nowhere near as ready, but placed in an optimal position within Rekt Progress in which his own future plans will come to fruition. Sword Art Online was simply the test bed for a much larger, wider ranging plan that, if successful, will change the world. That will also destroy the thrice cursed Statute of Secrecy forever, while saving the human race from its eventual extinction. 

“Tamano wants to know if you wish to include more magicals in this new batch of test subjects?” CARDINAL asks. “If so, that will take more time.”

“How many confirmed magicals are currently logged in?”

Taking a moment to consult a different screen, CARDINAL blinks in surprise. “1,208. Far more than we originally projected.” She informs him as she keeps studying the information. “These numbers include both wixen and magical creatures. I can even confirm we have a Veela, an actual Gorgon, several Lamias and assorted Kemonomimi, and even a Kitsune.” CARDINAL turns pale as she looks at that last bit of information. “Tamano won't be amused in the least. It's her youngest niece.”

Kayaba raises a sole eyebrow, his curiosity growing. “A Veela? In Japan? Odd, considering the rivalry they normally have with the tengu. And Tamano will actually be pleased at the fact that her niece is involved. She was wanting her family to be much more involved, and Hiyori and her love of video games and her skill as a swordswoman will be invaluable.”

CARDINAL nods as she pulls up the relevant files. “Very well, I’ll leave you to inform her when she loses her temper.” Pausing, she ah-has softly as she smirks, a rather uncharacteristic expression for an AI, but a common sight on his wife's beautiful face, which gives him added courage and faith that his path is indeed righteous. “Ah, I see. She is a native of France, and came out of curiosity. However, the three of them combined could be a potential problem. The magic suppression runes built into their Nervegears are struggling to keep their magic at bay. The Kitsune alone is very powerful even for only having a single tail, as well as the Gorgon and the Veela. Both of them present as potential Queens of their respective races.”

“I see. Any potential issues among the three of them?”

CARDINAL nods. “Player ID 1124. Player name: Morgana, real name Amaryllis Andromeda Potter-Black. Her Nervegear is especially struggling to keep her magic suppressed.” Pausing, she looks over the upper edge of her glasses at him. “She is one of the four you want monitored closely.”

“Is she a magical creature?” He asks curiously. Magical History was not one of his best subjects during his days at Mahoutokoro, and it was his wife along with his circle of friends that got him through the prerequisite years he had to take. He however is far more aware of current events, a habit ingrained in him after the loss of his wife and oldest. And, he firmly believes he too owes Amaryllis Andromeda Potter-Black a debt he can't hope to repay, her parents defeating the monster that killed half his family while in England on a diplomatic mission on behalf of a former Moon Empress. He is aware that she is Morgana, but is now growing suspicious of just how powerful the young witch truly is.

“Yes, she is the Gorgon, although a very young one who has not yet reached full enough magical and physical maturity to be able to transform at will. However, it appears an outside influence is beginning to regulate her magic externally, in order to prevent her from overwhelming her Nervegear. Shall I collect more data?”

Kayaba nods. “Start breaking into any and all computers, laptops, and other mediums being used by the Media Players. Let's see just who is playing, what kind of people they are, and their potential to cause havoc if they combine forces.” He orders as he turns his attention back to his own avatar, which he has been taking his time to fine tune. Soon enough, he and his family will be joining the players, under the cover of another adventuring family trapped within SAO, like the Garibaldis and the Champions of Beacon, and as Strea pointed out, they can't look too perfect, otherwise they will stand out. Perhaps a small scar on his chin? Yes, some actual blemishes would help sell the illusion, along with the added fringe benefits of his current lines of research in order to aid CARDINAL and the girls to fit in better. 

CARDINAL wasn't too pleased at first. Not until they started to upload the results of the heavily encoded pensieve memories into her matrix. But now? She is most definitely becoming a woman in thought processes, in her actions, and in her movements and looks. She has begun to develop his wife's dry sense of humor, is surprisingly calm and patient with Strea and Yui, and genuinely cares for the players now trapped in SAO. She has even begun to redevelop maternal instincts, as is currently evident as she has put her completed work to the side to sit behind a smiling Yui, brushing her hair gently as she smiles softly.

Misaki, Strea, and Yui are his greatest successes, his most important achievements. His long dead family given new lives in a digital world. 

His breath catches in his chest as she looks at him, just like his beloved Misaki would all those years ago. Before his world changed greatly. Before he lost Misaki and Yui to a madman in Great Britain, while she was there offering them the Magical Imperial Court’s assistance, their little Yui at her side, while Strea stayed home with him as he worked diligently towards his Runes mastery. They were there at the behest of the new Moon Emperor, who was determined to bring the might of Imperial Magical Japan’s forces to bear against the evil that almost wiped out his own family, his own new wife just as determined to save the homeland of her own father and honored Ancestress as well. 

She never came home. Neither did Yui. 

He and Strea mourned for them. He himself never remarried, he focused on raising his remaining daughter, and his agony and heartbreak when he lost her to that horrible illness that almost broke the world almost broke him as well. She was on the verge of womanhood, on the verge of starting her own life, her own family, and lost her life to a virus that affected them all. 

He almost has them back. CARDINAL is more Misaki than the original AI with every passing day. Yui is becoming more and more like the gentle, eternally sweet child she was before she was murdered by Voldemort in cold blood due to a foolish collection of words he misinterpreted, Yui’s birthday within the timeframe mentioned in the Prophecy. Strea however is herself, the original having uploaded her memories via the use of a specially prepared Nervegear that uploaded her memories at the cost of her life. A life she was about to lose no thanks to that horrible illness.

A Nervegear that is now on his own head, but that he is not quite ready to use. He still has a few tasks to accomplish in the real world, before leaving things in the hands of his faithful and loyal Chief Assistant, as well as Tamano-No-Mai. 

But the plan was underway by then, and he threw himself into his work. He is the cornerstone upon which the rest of the plan hinges on, and he cannot afford any mistakes. Sword Art Online is the world's most comprehensive social experiment, with almost ten thousand test subjects being recorded constantly. Every emotion, every sensation, every gut reaction and well thought out plan was being recorded and analyzed by his partners as well as CARDINAL’s two sister AIs and their robust programs as they continue their own preparations. 

He has to find a way to keep Hiyori, the mystery Veela, and Amaryllis successfully restrained until the very end, and the game cleared by the efforts of the players, and not from outside interference. The success of his ambitious social experiment hinges on their particular transformative abilities staying out of Sword Art Online, which intentionally didn’t have a magic system at the start, his assistant in charge of creating and implementing an efficient universal magic system that his group of players can easily use, before implementing his own finely tuned sword skills into Phase Two’s fantasy setting, which has already been named Alfheim Online, and which Strea has had a heavy hand in helping to design, considering her deep love of flying and fascination for elves, fairies, and other elements of classic high fantasy. 

He is startled out of his thoughts as Strea moves beside him and wraps her arms around him, the two of them looking at Yui and her mother as they chat quietly while Misaki brushes Yui’s long hair. “We almost have them back, Papa. It's almost like having Mama and big sister back with us.”

“I know, Strea.” He murmurs as he holds his daughter closely. “Soon enough, we too will join the efforts in Aincrad, save we will be perfectly safe while ensuring that things keep moving forward.”

Strea nods. “Is all of this worth it though?”

He nods as Misaki blesses him with another smile, his once cold heart warming once more. “Yes. This time, when the time comes and the experiment is over, we’ll start over, and live quiet lives as a digital family. Our reward for saving the human race from stagnation and eventual extinction…”

/\/\/\/\

…”Mama, shouldn't we tell them that we already remember?” Kayaba Yui asks her mother, Kayaba Misaki, who shakes her head gently. 

“Not yet, Yui. Your father and sister aren't ready to join the players yet.” Misaki reminds her daughter, who nods. “The Triumvirate may be pleased with them, but they don't want your father or the others losing focus with proof that they are paying close attention, and already being rewarded as well as protected as long as they remain focused.” 

“But…” Yui goes silent at a stern look from her mother, who then sighs softly as she is reminded that despite being nearly twenty two years old mentally now, Yui’s mental state has been regressed along with her physical form, and the extremely dangerous witch and swordswoman trained personally by Lord War himself along with Lady Chaos is currently intentionally restrained and her memories restricted. Yui is the Endless’ chosen final option in case The Plan is threatened to the point that they must become involved, and their chosen threatened or somehow defeated. 

Her daughter agreed to become an apocalypse level final obstacle if their will is denied for a third and final time, and many will regret their actions as she brings an end to everything. She agreed to this willingly, just for the chance to be reunited with her beloved father and baby sister, who was barely four years old when they died, and her once happy and innocent child grew into a bitter, hate filled woman obsessed with revenge and gaining the power necessary to achieve it. 

She is the Queen of Blades, the ultimate final boss, and she must be defeated to prevent the apocalypse itself from occurring if The Plan itself fails. 

“I want to hug your sister and tell her how beautiful she has grown up to be. I want to hold your father so badly my arms ache. I want our family to be whole again, Yui, but we cannot say anything until your father's part in The Plan is past the point of no return.” Misaki points out. “The three most powerful magical creatures outside the actual immortal ones have been gathered to aid in this grand purpose, and your father cannot be distracted, not before we join the players once his preparations are complete, and can't be stopped even by those Outside.”

“So what is Daddy waiting for?” Yui asks, her mother smiling softly.

“The magic collection towers inside the Hollow Area to be activated, and the Three’s magic along with all the others redirected into them to aid in your father's final experiment.” Misaki reminds her oldest, who nods. “Once the four towers are active, and their gathered magic flowing into all the remaining players to help them grow and begin to evolve, will your father's core task be complete, and we can join Aincrad as a family, while your Aunt prepares our new home for us in Alfheim Online.”

“I can't wait to be a fairy!” Yui gushes happily, Misaki smiling indulgently. 

“Neither can your sister. I however will be happy to have my magic back, and return to the Moon Empress' service as her representative within Alfheim Online.” Misaki admits as they both look back at Akihiko and Strea both, who are now talking quietly with one another. “With your father and sister at our sides, while having adventures of our own as a family once more…”

 

Notes:

Giving credit where it is due, and today it is to Power_Taco, who wrote a lovely White Rose monster musume type fic I am drawing inspiration from for Amaryllis. She is a Peverell and a Gorgon, and integral to the Plan.

The Queen of Blades is obviously a StarCraft reference. I was a huge fan of Kerrigan, and thought she was a badass after the Zerg got a hold of her.

Don't ask who the Veela is. There's two potential Veela it could be, and I am still undecided as to which sister it will be.I am still leaning towards the Triwizard Tournament being a thing Outside, but that's still a good bit away, and I still may change my mind. Not sure yet.

Anywho! Hope you enjoyed!

Chapter 9: The Mountain, The Witch of Wrath, and the Kitsune-bi-jū no kōgō

Notes:

Hiya everyone! Wyn here, and now that I have a few things figured out, it's time for another exciting chapter of this humble little story of mine!

See the notes at the end for the many Super Dimensional Fortress Macross/Robotech references that I keep making. I legitimately want everyone to read this chapter first, considering how much it affects the lives of several characters.

Anywho! Serious stuff over! I have one to two more chapters planned before we take our first time skip, so stick with me!

-Wyn-

The Mountain 

Alexander Garibaldi is a down to earth man, who claims that he is content with the simple things in life. He is a dedicated family man, he was a dedicated soldier who rose through the ranks through hard work, dedication to the belief that he was protecting his family, and he is the first to rise up when called upon to save the world from whatever threat rises up. But, when he is off duty, he is a surprisingly lazy individual, who enjoys playing video games with his daughters, working on his small collection of classic cars, and manning his custom built grill and smoker set up in his massive backyard, complete with a gorgeous pool that surpasses any that would be found in the most exclusive of resorts. 

He is still loved deeply by his first wife, the two of them going in separate directions in their careers, yet she is always welcomed home by both himself and his second wife, who also adores the beautiful Usagimimi. All three of the daughters he has raised adore him, and proudly call themselves Daddy's girls. He is honest and respectful to his parents and sole remaining grandmother, and his expansive property back home in Georgia even includes a home for his parents, while his grandmother still lives in Hope County, Montana, the still spry and witty woman who raised him as his parents both changed the world now involved with the county sheriff. 

They were in Paris, his wife insisting on visiting with the Delacours at their chateau near Saint-Selon, when Earl Whitehorse called him out of the blue, to inform him that John Seed made a critical error in judgment. He threatened his grandmother, who still owns and operates the family orchards his mother grew up roaming with her own friends. That it would be in her best interests to sell the orchards that have been in the family since the Bennetts settled in Hope County during the settling of the Whitetail Mountain area, or else something bad would happen to her or the orchards. 

No one threatens Granny Bennett. Especially not a skinny little Minimal with a subservience fetish. He left his family in France, Allison and Appoline excitedly making plans to drain both his and Sebastian’s bank accounts dry with an extended shopping trip to Paris, while Izzy, Nat, Lexi, and Gabrielle Delacour drooled over the recently publicly released specifications for the Nervegear, Gabrielle already begging her father to let her travel to Japan to attend the launch of the recently announced Sword Art Online. Sebastian apparated him directly to the French Ministry of Magic, where his sister in law Jeanne Arc was already waiting for him with the international portkey set for the states, and within two hours of getting the call from the same Sheriff that once put up with his, David's, and Carol’s shit all through his childhood and wild adolescent years, Alexander Garibaldi was back in New York, and heading straight for Montana in a borrowed government vehicle, Carol in the passenger seat, and both of them enraged at the fact that someone had the brass balls to threaten Granny. 

A single phone call to a high ranking officer at the Pentagon that still owed him a huge favor, and they were met at the county line by the entirety of his Demon Slayers, all of whom were dressed in civilian clothes and carrying very questionable, supposedly civilian versions of their normal load outs and equipment. He sent Jessie in to pose as a deputy to gather information, while his troops began evacuating the civilians as quietly as possible. But when the Mundane Federal Marshall showed up throwing his weight around and with an arrest warrant in hand, he knew the moment the cuffs were put on Joseph Seed's wrists, all hell would break loose, and he was more than prepared to still provide a heavily armed escort once they returned to town, while also preparing for the worst case scenario. 

He didn't hesitate to flood the entire county with his troops the second he learned Jessie and the Sheriff were missing after the helicopter carrying them and Joseph crash landed, with orders to capture if possible, but to pacify any and all hostile resistance while rescuing Jessie, the Sheriff, and his remaining surviving deputies. That the lives of his men and the residents of Hope County are much more valuable than those of the fanatics that Joseph Seed has gathered to him. 

He set up his headquarters at the Hope County jail, his men fortifying the solid concrete walls and heavy steel doors, and defending their base with extreme prejudice towards the Peggies. 

His orders changed after they captured John’s bunker, and found out Joseph's overall plans. At that point, he ordered the complete and total pacification of the enemy forces, along with the capture and complete destruction of their sophisticated computer network hidden within their various bunkers. He couldn't wait for the green light from the Pentagon, the White House, or MACUSA, there simply wasn't enough time, and he personally led his troops as they swept through the entirety of Hope County with extreme prejudice. 

His entire family, both those of his blood as well as those he has bled beside on one battlefield or another were all in danger, and he would stop at nothing to keep them all alive.

He was unintentionally echoing his own father's actions when he was swept up into the Macross Incident while consulting on several new medical breakthroughs for the government, and it's own destiny altering conclusion. He was still in the States at the time, being kept on reserve in case the entire situation took a turn for the worse, while keeping his worried mother distracted with her granddaughter. He was still just a Lieutenant at the time, Biggs and Wedge his two dedicated Sergeants, and his squad being trained in the new technology being developed while a war being conducted in space itself was being fought. 

He was fighting to save the world from a madman, while still getting to know his newest daughter through phone calls made in quiet moments between patrols and combat actions. Through thousands upon thousands of texts, pictures, and gifs sent between them as Ruby firmly claimed a place in his huge heart alongside her sisters and both of the women he has shared his life with. And in the end, he stood over a smirking, still confident Joseph Seed, who was confident that he was going to be brought to the justice of men, and tried in a court of law. He was ignoring the fact that he and his men, along with a few tagalongs, had already dealt with his siblings, and in terminal, unforgettable manners.

It was Roy Hunter, who tagged along with his sister Christina, a Combat Witch under his command, who shot down a fleeing John Seed in one of his own planes. And he turned his back as a furious Jessie borrowed his own Bowie knife and used it to kill a screaming, begging John, the words Witch of Wrath still carved into her skin and rage in her brightly glowing eyes. 

It was Carol who fought a titanic magical duel against Faith, who overdosed herself on Bliss to increase her average magical abilities to impressive, nearly superhuman levels. The Usagimimi War Witch and the desperate Potions prodigy showed one another no quarter, and the sheer amount of magical power they used destroyed a significant part of the mountain where Joseph's statue sat, as well as the statue itself. And in the end, it was a bloody but triumphant Carol who stood beside him as she raised her wand towards the remains of a madman's statue and finished collapsing it onto a broken, dying Faith, both finishing her once and for all, while also completely destroying the main satellite uplink he was using to bring about the end of the world, while his magical troops methodically tracked down and destroyed every single last one of the magically altered white flowers needed to produce the highly addictive and horrifically destructive Bliss.

May Zedong entered the Whitetail Mountains alone, her heavily modified M82 on her shoulder. She is his best marksman, who grew up in an area similar to this in her own native Washington State, and she was after Jacob Seed personally. He was an insult to her calling, using his skills to subjugate and assassinate those he was once sworn to protect, while dishonoring the uniform he still wore. She hunted him relentlessly, harassed him while skillfully eliminating those under his command one perfectly aimed bullet at a time, and their final encounter late one night, Jacob believing he was secure on the high ground of a ridge, proved to be his undoing when May’s bullet ripped through the back of his skull, while he aimed at a cleverly prepared decoy.

Joseph ignored all these facts as he sat confidently despite Alex’s shotgun pressed to his temple. His smile faded as Biggs reported that the last of the computers were destroyed, and the nuclear annihilation of the entire planet was averted. It was replaced by a scowl while Alex’s finger tightened on the trigger, both men still committed to their courses of action.

“You will never destroy what I created here.” Joseph declares firmly, conviction clear in his voice. “There will always be someone else who will carry on my work.”

“Men like you come and go.” Alex retorts calmly, his gaze never wavering. “And as long as your kind are ah threat to mah whole family, I will never back down to madmen or monsters like you.”

A trigger is pulled, a threat to the entire world is eliminated, and the Mountain walks away, his extended family arrayed behind him and following him as he leads them away from their latest hell. None of them will ever speak of the fact that they barely stopped yet another apocalypse from occurring. Not a single one of them will ever expect to be applauded or celebrated, or their achievements here in rural Montana to ever be acknowledged. They came and performed their sworn duties to protect their country and kin from evil, and the Demon Slayers returned to base without fanfare, while he returned to his family, his newest daughter on a video call with him, and greeting her sisters joyfully as her younger twin siblings sit on her lap and wave as they smile innocent smiles.

The Mountain, one of his two Queens, and their three daughters, for they have claimed Keiko as their own, emerge from the teleport gate in Urbus. He stands tall, his eyes roaming the crowds still present and talking among their own groups and friends, always alert for any kind of danger. He smiles softly as he spots a familiar head of chocolate brown hair, his eyes growing wide when he spots the nearly equally tall girl next to his oldest, a brilliant smile on her face as she chats excitedly with a white haired girl with clear, sky blue eyes nearly the same color as a Montana sky. He watches as Natalie turns the girl gently, his long missed daughter gasping as her hands cover her mouth, tears forming in her gorgeous quicksilver eyes. 

“Daddy?!” 

That is the single title he is most proud of. The one that keeps him moving forward without hesitation. That keeps him in the fight long after others would have withdrawn. The word failure isn't in his vocabulary, not because of foolish pride, but because if he fails, that will put his family in danger, something he will never allow. His code of honor, his pride in his family, and his never ending quest to bring justice onto the guilty will never let him back down from any challenge he faces. 

Death Before Dishonor. That Is The Way Of The Just. 

He doesn't need to say a word in response. He simply opens his arms to her, and he doesn't move an inch as Ruby Michelle Rose crashes into him while screaming in her joy. His arms close around her as he holds her tightly, Ruby crying tears of joy as she finally meets her father face to face, and is held in his strong arms. 

“You made it.” Ruby whispers as she finally looks up at her father, a brilliant smile on her face.

“Told ya ah would.” He replies with a smile of his own. “Little thing like ah death game ain't about ta slow me down, pup.” 

“I know, Daddy. I love you.” 

“I love you too, pup. I'm here, and we're going to get the hell outta here together.”

“I know.”

He is The Mountain, and now that his missing nieces have been found, and he's found his final missing daughter, he can buckle down and focus on the mission to clear Sword Art Online. But he is not a fool. People are going to die no matter how hard he works to protect them, but he is determined to protect those he claims as his, including his Queen, his daughters and his growing family…

/\/\/\/\

The Witch of Wrath

The words Witch of Wrath are still carved into her chest, and she bears the scars like a badge of honor, as proof that she is committed to the cause of protecting the world from the evils that rise up to threaten it. True to Ambassador Ozpin's prediction, she has set up a guard rotation composed of some of his most vicious, most loyal troops, who stand vigilant with weapons close at hand and the promise of a fate worse than death in their eyes were anyone to threaten those under their protection. She too starred as Lady Life, Lady Death, and Lord War passed by, standing perfectly at attention, her salute just as perfect, and she doesn't relax back into parade rest or allow those under her command to do so either until they are long past. She was born magical, to a magical father and a mundane mother, and despite her slender figure, her beautiful features, and her still nurtured talent for acting and singing, she is herself a magical powerhouse who has long proven her worth on one battlefield after another, and who was recently reforged while undergoing her own trial by fire, proving herself worthy of becoming a legend in her own right in the mountains of Montana. 

She is Lieutenant Jessica Rasberry, a fully trained combat mage assigned to the 82nd Rapid Response division based out of Ft. Moore, Georgia, and she is now the Family's most loyal and most faithful guardian as they sleep. She is currently flanked by her longtime fellow teammates in Biggs Darklighter and Wedge Antilles, the three of them spelling out the rest of Alpha squad while they take a break and grab some chow, the three of them standing firm against any and all who would dare to threaten all those under their protection. 

But even she isn't crazy enough to risk fighting Lord Strife, who is standing with his hands in the pockets of his red leather jacket, while looking down at the girl laying still in one of the beds in the ward they now guard zealously. She is the Boss' long missing daughter, who he spoke with constantly while they fought in Montana, and she isn't the only one, Isabella likewise flanked by a gorgeous woman dressed like she's about to attend a rave, her clothes an eclectic mishmash that actually make her eyes hurt from all the wild, clashing colors and styles, to the point that she swears that they are about to start bleeding, and she's met Albus Dumbledore, and seen his insanely colorful robes personally when he came for a brief visit to Salem Academy of Witchcraft, where she learned the basics of magic before transferring to the Citadel's Magical Combat Academy to finish her magical education. 

‡For the love of the Creators themselves, Chaos! Can't you tone your clothes down a little bit?!‡ Strife grumbles as he too tries to avoid looking at the last of the actual Horsemen of the End Times. ‡Even my eyes are begging for mercy!‡

Chaos smirks as she flips him a middle finger, her fingernail currently a neon green so bright it almost seems to be glowing. §Fuck off, Strife. If you don't like my style, don't look!§

“What style? You look like a dozen unicorns puked on you at the same time, after trading clothes with a drunk hobo and a rave kid that’s three sizes smaller than you.” Biggs grumbles as he struggles to keep his eyes averted, his hands resting on the grips of his automatic pistols. 

§Oi! Nobody asked for your opinion, beanpole!§ Chaos retorts while glaring at him, Strife actually laughing. §And I’ll have you know this is all the rage in the clubs in Europe right now!§

“What? Looking like a colorblind teenager who got dressed in a dark room, and they grabbed their younger sister's clothes instead of their own?” Jessie retorts with a smirk, Chaos actually covering her chest over her metaphoric heart while gasping in mock indignation, Strife now roaring in his continuing laughter. “I never thought I would say this, but you have Dumbledore beat when it comes to wearing horrifically colorful clothes that make a person's eyeballs want to bleed.”

§I… I’m not sure if I should be insulted or horrified that I'm being compared to Mr. My Robes Make People Regret Having Color Vision§ Chaos admits before snapping her fingers, now wearing a still colorful, but greatly toned down summer dress that suits her curvy, fit figure. §And he wears them to distract anyone stupid enough to duel him§

To her surprise, Lord Strife looks directly at her, a single eyebrow raised as he smirks. ‡You’ve been put through the ringer recently, haven't you?‡ He asks as the glow surrounding Ruby dies down slowly, the immortal Rider now moving towards her. He stops in front of her, and she looks back at him with no fear whatsoever in her heart or soul. ‡It changed you, but never broke you, and you embraced your new strength when you were reforged, didn't you, Witch of Wrath?‡ He comments next, Chaos moving next to him and looking at her curiously.‡The Boss is interested in you after what you did in Montana, kid‡

§It suits you now that you’ve grown as both a witch and a soldier§ The last of the Riders comments next, her head tilted to one side, her dark red hair hanging freely. §Given more time and some more training, you could become quite powerful and as unique as we are. And I’ve been needing a new apprentice§

Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge all blink in their surprise, Jessie actually pointing at herself. “Me? Why me?”

Chaos smiles brightly as she uses her thumb to point to herself. §I’m not like the others. I wasn't originally an Endless. I was ascended as a reward for aiding Lady Death's daughter when she was dealing with some issues that needed Infinity’s personal attention§ Pausing, she grins brightly. §I was a Wixen like you, a Black to be specific, long before they actually were Blacks§

Strife nods as he reaches up and messes up Chaos' already messy hair, making her squeal as she tries to slap his hand away. ‡She was a nasty piece of work when the Boss' daughter discovered her. She was standing butt naked in the middle of a battlefield, a battle staff in one hand, a whip covered in broken pieces of swords in the other, and pissed that they all died too quickly‡

§I wasn't naked!§ Chaos protests, a scowl on her face. §You just couldn't see what little I was wearing because of all the blood§

“Ummm, how is that any better?” Wedge asks curiously, Chaos turning to look at him.

§To be honest with you big guy, it really isn't. It took Infinity forever to scrub me clean in a nearby river, and I just tagged along with her after we found what was left of my clothes and armor§ Chaos looks thoughtful for a moment, a soft smile on her face as she taps her chin with a single finger, the color of her nail changing constantly. §I didn't even notice I stopped aging after a while, and before I knew it, I was meeting Infinity’s mom, who took me on as the Fourth Rider§

Strife nods as he looks at Chaos fondly. ‡She grew on the Boss's daughter while they traveled together, and she still lives with her and Fate when we aren't out doing our own thing‡ He adds, Chaos grinning brightly while nodding. ‡Just do us a favor, and don't bring Infinity up if the Boss is around? They aren't very happy with each other at the moment‡

“It must be something serious if Lady Infinity isn't talking to Lady Death.” Jessie muses aloud.

‡It’s nothing we can talk about right now‡ Strife declares firmly as he glances at Chaos, who mimics zipping her mouth shut, before looking back at the trio standing before the two Endless. ‡Your job is easy. Protect our two chosen, while they do us a solid inside Sword Art Online. Make sure nobody gets past you and your troops, and we’ll make sure it's worth your while‡

§And keep my offer in mind, Witch of Wrath§ Chaos adds as the two of them vanish into thin air, as if they were never in the room. §A talent like yours is rare, and I would love to teach you§

The three of them look at one another, before Wedge chuckles as he shakes his head. “The Boss always did say you were meant for bigger things, Jessie.” 

Biggs nods in agreement as he moves back to the door, leaning beside the frame while folding his arms across his chest. “The Boss Lady has been trying to get you into war mage training for a while now, ever since Montana, Jessie. Maybe you need to start considering it?”

“Maybe.” Jessie admits quietly as she returns to her seat, which is between the Boss and the Wife, her MP5 now on her lap as she rolls her wand gently between her slender fingers. “I’ll talk to my boyfriend about it later, when Bravo shows up to relieve us.” 

Biggs goes silent as he stays beside the door, Wedge now sitting next to the sole window in the room, a rotary grenade launcher in his skilled hands, while Jessie remains quiet. She changed greatly during her trial by fire in Montana, and she figured out who and what she truly was. She embraced herself even as she fought for her life and the lives of others, while becoming far more than she ever expected to be in life.

They all freeze when they hear an odd sound that gets all their attention. Turning almost as one, they pause from raising their weapons, lowering them again at the sight of Isabella’s tiny girlfriend sitting next to her on the bed, her head lowered as her shoulders shake with her silent sobs. Jessie rises back up to her feet, and doesn't hesitate to wrap her arms around Athena Torchwick, who screams silently as she holds Isabella's hand in both of hers.

“I'm so sorry, Neo.” She whispers, the teenager’s lips moving as she silently begs her beloved girlfriend to wake up. And for Jessie, it is a stark reminder that despite growing stronger, she is still powerless against the workings of the Triumvirate and the Riders, who are obviously involved as well. 

But in her need to comfort the teen, she finally makes a single mistake, and doesn't notice the second Nervegear sitting on the bed, or the second media player connected to Isabella's laptop. She finally releases Athena, and straightens back up while turning to ask Biggs how she got past him, when Athena suddenly and without warning puts the Nervegear on her head and mouths Link Start! She stiffens up for a brief moment, before falling limp beside Isabella, the two of them now appearing to be asleep while holding one another.

“Oh shit.” Jessie breathes out as she, Biggs, and Wedge stare in horror.

“The Boss Lady is going to kill us.” Wedge adds nervously.

“And she's not going to be nice while doing it.” Biggs finishes, the other two nodding.

“Forget your boss lady!” Roman’s voice declares as he is heard cracking his knuckles, pure fury in his eyes as he glares at them while standing in the still open doorway. “How in the actual fuck did my sister get past you three?!” 

“Oh shit…” They whisper in unison, right before the first punch is thrown by a furious Roman Torchwick, catching Biggs in the jaw. The brawl is short lived, and broken up by a furious Carolina Scarlatina, who is screaming at the four of them, not a single one of them looking contrite over the fight itself, while the three soldiers are unable to explain how Athena got past them, while Roman can't explain how his sister not only managed to sneak off while he was arguing with the receptionist downstairs when he knew he had a firm hold on her, but got her hands on an unused Nervegear and a copy of SAO, all of which were supposed to have been confiscated by now. 

At least until Jessie admits that Strife and Chaos were just there, the veteran war mage facepalming as she groans while realizing just how the tiny terror who is dating one of her daughters, and who even she and her mates are intimidated by, succeeded. And her eyes widen as she looks at her beloved mates, who are laying beside one another while surrounded by their children, a plan forming in her mind involving liberating a few more Nervegears and copies of Sword Art Online, in order to send her mates more help on the inside, while she keeps searching for Kaiyba, to force him to bring all this to an end. Several of Alex's loyal soldiers are highly skilled in close quarters combat, and she knows of a particular trio of them in Alpha squad who are huge fans of swords, fantasy settings, and things of that nature, along with their martial artist squad mate and her medic best friend, and who would be perfect to send to her mates to render their own more than capable assistance. 

An invisible Strife and Chaos fist bump, before actually teleporting away, their own plans now solidly in play. They kept the three veteran soldiers distracted while Athena got her Nervegear set up, knowing that their chosen would need the extra help inside Sword Art Online. Athena Torchwick is, despite her young age, a powerful and highly skilled martial artist, a nearly unbeatable close quarters combat specialist, and a highly talented swordswoman, as well as the only person who can actually keep Cinder on a leash when she's had enough, and decides to unleash chaos. And, Carolina Scarlatina caught their obvious hint that the way into Sword Art Online is still open, and they can both see it in her eyes that the wheels are turning rapidly as she considers all her options.

They are stacking the deck to the best of their own abilities, the two Endless now confident that Chao’s chosen, the future Maiden of Flames, will be able to succeed with her Silent Ballerina at her side, along with the additional assistance her beloved rabbit mom is now planning on sending in the form of the very best and the most dangerous of her mate’s forever loyal Demon Slayers, while the Witch of Wrath guards them all…

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

The Kitsune-bi-jū no kōgō

She's heard a rumor that there's an actual katana hidden in the Town of Beginnings, and she has been searching for it diligently for weeks now, while both keeping up with her level gaining, and getting the hang of how combat works in the game. She's been pleasantly surprised at how close to real life the combat has been, to the point that she has only had to adjust to be able to utilize sword skills effectively. But, she also doesn't fully rely on them either, preferring to rely on her own skills. She has even begun to train the adorable blonde haired girl she met from France, the two of them able to converse easily in French thanks to that being her choice of foreign languages back in Mahotokoro. They are now traveling together, the girl's guardian dying within the first month, when the brash, arrogant man bit off more than he could chew in the form of a pack of shadow wolf mobs.

That seems so long ago now, almost as if it was a past life. She does miss her comfortable hoodies, skirts, and her custom made beanies that covered her fox ears, while she had to hide her tail from the Mundanes, many of whom never would have cared anyway. They know that Biju like her exist, and only the tourists would have gotten excited at seeing a real kitsune. Granted, even the locals would have looked twice if they saw her beside Gabbie, the young Veela definitely standing out in Tengu dominated Japan. And thanks to her patient efforts, Gabbie has begun to improve in combat, the young Veela taking to polearms and spears easily. 

But she would really like a katana now. Please and thank you very much.

But just like Gabrielle Delacour, Hiyori Kashiwazaka wasn't born in Japan. She was actually born in space, during the Super Dimensional Fortress Macross’ journey back to Earth, after the failed use of her fold drive to attempt to escape from the alien armada sent to reclaim the rebuilt vessel. Her mother was the youngest of the Kitsune-No-Mai's daughters, and a gifted technomancer. Her father was an American combat pilot training to pilot the new Veritech fighters being developed, and they met and fell in love during the rebuilding of the Macross, and married shortly before the incident began. 

They were two of the lucky ones. She was already aboard the Macross in one of the many research labs, and he had been in the air with his squadron, fighting back to back with his best friend and their Lieutenant, the three of them all that was left of their squad. 

Their only child was born as the Macross was in orbit around Mars, and she was one of the many evacuated off the ship before Grand Admiral Henry Gloval ordered the ship and her crew back out into space, where they fought the final battle alongside their new allies from the Lepton Kingdom of Alpha  Cygni. Her father died months before, when the ship’s shields overloaded, destroying a significant portion of Montreal, Canada, while her mother was one of the many magicals to sacrifice their lives to help power up the planetary shield created with a blend of technomancy, actual magic, and alien technology that now protects the Earth from further alien invasions. 

Benjamin and Shizuru Dixon sacrificed their lives to protect their infant daughter, and on clear, cloudless night, she likes to stare up at the night sky, before closing her eyes and holding her arms open to the heavens, her father's dog tags clenched tightly in her dominant hand. She will swear to her dying breath she can feel her mother's magic surrounding her for a brief moment, while the dog tags she will never part with heat up for a brief moment, and it never fails to leave her in tears despite the smile on her beautiful face. 

Her parents are now memorialized on board the Macross, which has been permanently docked back on the island where it gained its legendary name, and she cannot leave Japan to go and pay her respects no thanks to the ICW, who she loathes and despises. To thank them for their sacrifice, saving the entire world in the process. She is still close friends with Christina Hunter, her mother being her Godmother, Lisa Hunter neé Hayes, the older woman once her babysitter as her parents performed their duties on board the Macross, along with her younger brother, Roy, and who made sure to keep in touch with her. She has a friendly rivalry with the daughter of her Godfather, Max Sterling; she and Dana are both addicted to playing the various souls type games available on a variety of different consoles. Dana was supposed to come to Japan to play SAO with her, but she got herself grounded at the last minute, the half Meltrandi teenager in possession of her mother's infamous temper and combat instincts, and her father's legendary hand/eye coordination. She is also extremely close with both her grandmothers, the Kitsune-No-Mai and her current wife, the Master Healer Florence Zimmerman, and among her large group of friends is Asuna Yuuki, along with Suguha Kirigaya, the two of them on Mahotokoro’s kendo team. 

The Hunters, the Sterlings, and her grandmothers worked hard to make sure she was raised in a happy home, surrounded by love, and lacking for nothing while still teaching her about responsibility. 

She really needs a katana. If she has to keep using this piece of garbage longsword much longer, she's going to scream. She misses her preferred choice of weapon, which she has been training to use from an early age, after witnessing a demonstration held by Ghira-sensei when she was a little girl for the former Moon Empress and her husband. 

“How sure are you about this sword of yours, Lux?” Aigle asks as they walk side by side through the mostly empty streets, occasionally spotting a random player wandering aimlessly close by, their fear crippling them to the point that they have already surrendered, but are too much of cowards to end their existence themselves. 

She will never surrender. Her parents never surrendered, they fought to their individual ends to protect their daughter, and she will never dishonor their sacrifices by simply laying down and waiting for Lady Death to come and claim her. 

“I'm not as convinced anymore, Aigle.” She admits as they approach the Grand Square, which houses the Teleportation Square for the entire first floor. But as they approach it, they see that it is glowing brightly, the glow fading quickly as a very confused looking girl wearing beginner's gear, her two toned chocolate brown and strawberry red hair hanging down her back as she looks around with her vanilla white eyes. 

“I'm definitely not in Seattle anymore.” She whispers, actually squeaking cutely as she covers her mouth with both hands, her eyes now both a strawberry red color. 

“Par Morgane! Is she a new player?!” Aigle cries out as they hurry towards her, the girl slowly uncovering her mouth, her eyes now chocolate brown and vanilla white wide as her lips move, the girl whispering. 

“A, B, C, D, E…”

“The alphabet?” Aigle tilts her head, while her own eyes widen in realization.

“Are you deaf or mute?” Lux asks the new girl, who looks at her in surprise.

“Mute.” She admits, a growing smile on her face as she begins to realize that she can indeed hear her own voice. A tear falls down her cheek as she looks at them, one she wipes away before looking resolutely at the two of them. “Do either of you know an Isabella Fall-Garibaldi?” 

Lux shakes her head in the negative, while Aigle stays oddly silent, recognition in her eyes. “Most everyone here goes by a gamer handle of some kind. And it’s considered rude to reveal a person's real name without their permission.” Lux explains as Aigle now nods in her own agreement. “For example, I’m Lux and this is Aigle.” 

“Ugh! Stupid gamer etiquette! She's going to kill me if she finds out I broke one of her precious rules. Well, she can try anyway.” The girl grins mischievously as she suddenly twirls on her toes before dipping into a picture perfect curtsey. “Then I'm Neo, and I'm looking for my girlfriend. Her gamer handle is normally Cinder.”

Lux smirks as she nods, while opening her friend list. “She's currently on the second floor. They finally opened it yesterday, and the players have been making their way there.” Closing her friend’s list, she looks at Neo, who is looking curiously at her. “We met a few days after SAO started, and traded info.”

Aigle nods in agreement. “We're heading that way too, once Lux finally gives up on trying to find a katana.” She adds, chuckling as she gets a middle finger along with a huff from Lux. 

“I surrender, ok?! I’ll just have to keep my eyes open until I finally find something better than this crappy iron sword.” Lux sighs as she shakes her head, before looking at Neo again. “We’re heading up to the next floor. Do you just want to tag along with us?” She asks, Neo nodding as Aigle walks past her and to the gate. “Watch Aigle, so you see how it's done.”

“Teleport: Urbus!” She calls out, vanishing a moment later in a flash of blue light. 

“That's it?” She asks, Lux nodding as she smiles. She watches the girl walk up to the gate and stand firmly on her feet, take a deep breath, before calling out the name of the next town, vanishing in a bright blue light as well.

She pauses as she notices her email icon light up, although the name of the sender is blank. Curious, she opens the email, her eyes growing wide as she reads:

 

My dearest Hiyori,

First, I am so proud of you. You have once again proven your worth to our family by venturing into the unknown, and I have never been so proud as when you began training Miss Delacour to fight, so she can protect herself. You have faced the challenge of Kayaba’s world head on, and I look forward to seeing you continue to fight on, while prospering. 

But I must ask you for a favor, my niece, on a matter that concerns our very honor as the descendants of the Kitsune-No-Mai. 

Amaryllis Andromeda Potter-Black is also in Sword Art Online, and her protection is of the utmost importance. The Potters have been our allies since the formation of the Imperial Magical Court, and my mother and your grandmother still considers her ancestress a close, personal friend, one that she has mourned for almost a thousand years now.

Find her, Hiyori, and keep the Lady Potter-Black safe. As I write this, your Uncle Jinzo looks extremely smug, because I was forced to ask of my partner in my efforts to see not just the mortals, but even us so called immortals prepared for the future that draws ever closer far more rapidly than even I am comfortable with, for a boon. A small one in my eyes, but one that he was hesitant to grant, until I reminded him that I have been quite productive in assisting him to meet his own goals. Attached to this email is a katana, a very simple one that you will no doubt outgrow quickly, but it shall give you a proper weapon to wield. I have also persuaded him for a simple enough to grant favor, a digital representation of a talisman you wear always, that gives you strength, while reminding you that you are indeed loved, cherished, and protected always by their love. 

I love you, Hiyori, and I know my baby sister and her lovable oaf of a husband will also be as proud of you as I am, and I know they are watching over their honorable, talented daughter with pride. 

Tamano

 

The katana she has been seeking falls forgotten to the ground, her eyes focused on the dog tags now in her hand. They are her most cherished possession Outside, and she constantly finds herself reaching for them despite their absence. She misses the parents she doesn't remember, but that died for her as well as the rest of the children of the world. 

She doesn't see her new Katana, New Beginning, being lifted up by her companion since this new adventure began. She finally looks away and into Gabrielle Delacour’s crystal blue eyes, the Veela smiling softly at her.

“You were taking too long, Lux, so I came back to check on you.” She begins quietly as she takes the weapon with her off hand, Aigle gently taking the dog tags next, then walking behind her. Reaching up, she moves her light lavender purple colored hair out of the way as the chain holding the dog tags goes around her neck, the Veela clasping the ends. “Whose were they?” 

“My father's.” She admits quietly as her free hand clasps them gently.

“My sister and I share my own grandfather's tags. He fought beside Charlus Potter and Arcturus Black against the Dark Lord Grindelwald, and they are precious to us as well.” She explains as she moves back around, holding her hand out to the kitsune. “Come, the next floor awaits. I’ve found my friends that I have been searching for, but I have a feeling you are searching for more than just your own.” 

Hiyori Kashiwazaka nods as she stands tall, her katana in hand. She has her aunt’s gift, her parents’ blessings, and a matter of honor to attend to. The two of them walk together to the gate, and the Veela and the Kitsune appear in Urbus. She has no need for a description of the Lady Potter-Black, thanks to the messy, snake-like hair she shares with her cousin, the Moon Empress, Eiko Magami. 

She walks directly to her and bows, the very pretty girl with the emerald green and amethyst purple eyes looking at her in her own growing surprise. Her look of surprise stays on her face as she straightens up and takes her place at the Lady Potter-Black’s side, her hand resting on the hilt of New Beginning, while winking at a grinning Asuna Yuuki, her light purple eyes returning to those of the girl she is sworn to protect as a matter of family honor.

“You're late, Lux.” Asuna declares with a smirk, Amaryllis blinking in her surprise. “I thought I was going to have to track you down and drag you here myself.”

“You're Lux?!” She declares in her surprise. “You're gorgeous!”

“Wait, are you Morgana?” She asks curiously, her own eyes widening at the nod of the head she gets in return as she keeps staring into the red head's perfect emerald green and amethyst purple eyes. “Oh, you're absolutely beautiful.” She admits with a blush…

…Fate smiles softly as she finally rises up from her seat, her assigned task finally completed. The three groups have been gathered, the three Alpha females of their respective races are now united under a sole banner, while the other two groups shall walk separate paths, a cherished and much beloved daughter of two different families the bridge between them. All is prepared for Kayaba, and once he can finally break the Morality Filter and access the hidden password for the collection towers, the first phase of the Uplifting of the mortals of Earth can truly begin.

The Macross Incident was a wake up call to the mortals, the immortals, and even the Endless, and had it not been for the sacrifices of the few, the many would have suffered. Planet Earth is ill prepared for the next step in reaching their destiny among the stars, and this extreme next step is necessary. It is also a painful reminder to the Endless that they too are not infallible, that they too, save for a very select few, were once mortal as well, and that they were elevated to their new stations above the Gods, and are tasked with guiding and aiding the mortals as needed. 

But of those select few, like Life and Death, who deal the most with the mortals, have learned to actually live, love, and laugh, and sometimes something as simple as an argument between a caring and slightly overprotective Death and her eldest, her headstrong and stubborn daughter, her own beloved Infinity, can cause a deep rift between even them. Infinity has not spoken to her mother in several mortal centuries now, not since a little after Chaos was uplifted and joined the Riders, and it was all caused by Death ignoring the fact that her three sons stole her Symbols of Office, and took them to the mortal realm, where they have caused havoc for centuries now. And because of that, their sacred bloodline has dwindled to a pair of cousins who have yet to meet, only one of which is still a direct descendant thanks to a blood adoption performed on the day of her birth. 

Amaryllis Potter-Black, Hiyori Kashiwazaka, and Gabrielle Delacour are the keys to the Plan’s ultimate success, and they have done all they can to see them succeed. The three of them represent the dark, neutral, and light aspects of magic, and the first Gorgon Queen born since the death of Medusa, the future Kitsune-bi-jū no kōgō, and the single most powerful Veela Queen ever born shall be instrumental in the Plan. 

Fate sighs as Chaos wraps her powerful arms around her slender waist, while Infinity sighs as she holds them both, her mighty black feathered wings wrapped around them all. They, the Endless, have now crossed a point of no return, and it is up to the mortals to see their will be done…

Notes:

Notes on the Macross Incident:

For those familiar with the series, most everything that happened during the war itself is canon to my own story, save Rick Hunter was already enlisted, and was among the many highly skilled and qualified fighter pilots brought to Macross Island to learn the pilot the new Veritech fighters, and he and Lisa Hayes were already married, with a son and daughter. (No Lin Minmei love triangle)

Cue alien invasion on the day the Macross was to launch is still mostly like canon, save the Hunters were all on board the Macross.

All this started sixteen years ago, lasted almost a full year, and ended with the defeat of the Zentraedi Grand Fleet thanks to the Wixen of the world, who took control of the Grand Cannon in Alaska, and using the power supply hidden within, activating the Great Shield created by Shizuru Kashiwazaka-Dixon, who sacrificed her own life and magic both, acting as the catalyst to activate the shield. (Yes, I was inspired by AC3 on that one)

The Macross is now docked back on Macross Island, her mighty weapons quiet, yet ready to launch at a moment's notice.

Notes:

For my fellow members of the White Rose Mafia server, how many of the changes did you spot? Hmmm?