Weapons shown above: 85 MS (85 Majora's Sniper)

River Spirit Sword

"You know... a sword I'd really love to craft, is the Great Diety Sword.." Mikoto said as she chiseled away at the mask on the table in front of her.

She and Kirito were sitting inside the cafeteria of the academy. As Kirito ate his food, Mikoto used a whetstone to carve away at the strange looking mask before her.. an item called Majora's Mask.

"Yeah, but that's a sword that's originally from the Legend of Zelda Series." said Kirito. "Not like the Master Sword which transferred it's data here. I don't think you'd be able to find the other different swords.. speaking of which.. is.. that a gun barrel I'm looking at?"

Mikoto stopped chiseling with her whetstone for a minute to look at the colorful looking sniper rifle that was partially obscured in from the stone mask. With strange eyes peeking out from all over the gun, glowing.

"An 85 MS.. it keeps on changing it's name every time I get a little further along.. creepy right?" Mikoto said. "I'm forging it out of Majora's Mask.. you know.. the main evil mask from that game?"

"Yeah." said Kirito. "I played it.. I liked how you could get more different swords then what was usual in Zelda games.. like the Gilded Sword, the Great Fairy Sword.. but the whole 3 day time limit always put too much pressure on everything, didn't have time to truly run around and explore.. So I'm guessing you took it from that boss Majora's Wrath.. what does the name stand for?"

"Well, I asked Sinon more on it.. and a gun is usually named for the caliber bullets it's capable of firing along with some sort of other name from the manufacturer, but it's not always the case.. The S1 Railgun Assassin for example, was called S1 because it was a Series 1.. meaning they were going to manufacture better versions originally. MS stands for Majora's Sniper, since the gun needs only a few more minutes before it's finished, I think it'll be the final name."

"Then you should probably keep that thing in your room and finish it there." said Kirito. "Remember why we hid the Silent Assassin and Type 54 Black Star? There's a reason we don't let anyone from the Underworld see anything gun related! Only Eugeo knows, but at least he knows how to keep a secret!"

"Heyo!! What is this!? Well if it isn't Misaka-san.. working on another failed project!" a sarcastic voice rang out.

"Oh bother.. not them.." Mikoto muttered.

Raios and Humbert.. of course it had to be those two.

Raios was a blonde haired skinny fellow whose uniform was the color red, while Humbert was a gray haired guy whose hair was always slicked back, and his uniform was yellow, which Mikoto found annoying because some people confused her gold with Humbert's yellow when it came to looking at the top 12 elite swordsmen.. and Mikoto's uniform was dual color, being mostly black with gold highlights..

"Well well well.." said Raios, leaning down to look at Mikoto's handiwork. "What have we got here? A sword that doesn't even look like a sword! And what's with all the eyes on that thing? Is it supposed to be a creeper weapon?"

"Well we couldn't expect less from silly commoners." said Humbert with a laugh. "After all it's not like any weapons made by peasants would be of any use."

Raios grabbed the half nearly crafted gun away from the table and began swinging it around, imitating a monkey. "Hahahaha! Look at me! I'm using such an awesome.. whatever it is! Ha!"

"GIVE IT BACK!!" Mikoto roared standing up, and snatching the gun out of Raios's hand.

"Back off." said Kirito, also standing up. "You're not allowed to steal other's belongings.."

"Well.. maybe, but all weapons currently in the process of crafting don't count as belonging to anybody." said Raios. "So I could take that ugly thing whenever I wanted to.. and.."

Raios made to touch the 84 MS, but suddenly the eyes glowed with bright light and Raios was thrown back..

Raios scrambled to his feet in a fury, staring at the gun. "I-it.. what the hell!? What kind of abomination is that!?"

"It doesn't like you." Mikoto said simply.

"Know your place you stinking peasant!" said Raios. "As higher class nobles, we're free to exert all authority over you!"

"And here in the Academy, as Elite Swordsmen who are in the 4th and 5th seats." said Kirito. "We're pretty much equal to you."

Humbert gritted his teeth angrily and drew his sword. "How about we dual this out then? The two of us against the two of you. We'll prove whose really the lower class one here."

"Actually.." Mikoto growled. "We've been meaning to talk to you Humbert. Word is, you've been hard on Frenica lately."

"Have I?" said Humbert. "Hmm.. Raios? Have I been hard on Frenica?"

"I have absolutely no idea what they're talking about!" Raios said with a laugh.

Kirito could feel Mikoto's rage building at Humbert and Raios playing dumb. But as long as they played dumb, there wasn't anything they could really do.

"Hey!" Eugeo ran over with Tieze, looking worried. "What's going on here!?"

"Oh nothing." said Raios. "Just teaching your pet girl here a little manners, you should keep her on a leash!"

Eugeo was usually a very calm and kind person, able to ignore many of Raios's taunts. But when he heard Raios call his crush a pet, his eyes blazed with anger. "Mikoto-chan.. if you like, I'll teach this bum how to waltz with a blade."

"It's fine Eugeo.." said Kirito. "Mikoto knows it's not worth it.. right Mikoto?"

Kirito gave Mikoto a look. She sighed and nodded. "Yeah.. I need to be somewhere anyways.. "

Tieze frowned as she accompanied Mikoto, Kirito, and Eugeo away from the cafeteria. "Kirito.. you didn't finish your lunch.."

"I lost my appetite." said Kirito. "Anyways, Mikoto, I've been meaning to ask.. how are you going to load that thing?"

Kirito could tell that Mikoto knew that he was only asking her this to take her mind off of Raios and Humbert. But he also knew that she would be grateful for a change in subject anyways.

"Yeah.. turns out there's a Sacred Art that allows you to forge a pack that generates certain creatable items.." said Mikoto. "System Call.. Refill.. something or other.. it's how Sterben made the ammo for his Silent Assassin... a never ending ammo pack.. I'm going to have to get Sinon's help to make the ammo for this gun, I'm no good with Sacred Arts."

"It's an odd weapon.. the one you found on this Sterben person." said Tieze. "Why won't you present it to the authorities?"

"Tieze, Kirito has his reasons.. and so does Mikoto-chan.." said Eugeo. "These weapons are a bit beyond our understanding, it wouldn't be right for Integrity Knights to use them until they knew more.. then again.. if you gave it to them for study.."

"No.." said Kirito. "Sorry, but I don't think these things should ever be used unless in an emergency.. besides.. I'm a terrible shot.."

Mikoto chuckled. "No kidding."

"Anyways." said Kirito. "You said you had business.. break time between 5th and 6th period is pretty long.. you wouldn't happen to be heading to visit 'him' would you?"

Mikoto didn't respond.

"Mikoto-chan.. " said Eugeo. "You need to stop torturing yourself over that person.. I get you two.. er.. knew each other, but..."

"It's okay Eugeo." said Mikoto. "It's not like I let him get to me... there's just more things I need to understand.."

"M-Misaka-san!" Tieze spoke up. "I know.. It's not my business, but may I come with you Misaka?"

Eugeo looked astonished at his Valet's decision. "Tieze?"

"I want to see what he's like.." said Tieze. "I'm a bit curious.."

"Sure.. you can come.." said Mikoto.

"M-Mikoto-chan!?" Eugeo stammered.

"It's fine.. really." said Mikoto. "It's only me he'll talk to anyways, he won't pay much attention to her. And curiosity isn't a sin.. come on Tieze, the prison isn't far.."

As Mikoto and Tieze went off together, Eugeo gave Kirito a worried look. "I'm not sure about this."

"Well, I imagine she's curious about Mikoto's history with this guy." said Kirito. "She's not the only one. I imagine Ronye, Tieze, and Stella have all been wondering, I caught the three of them talking about it last night. Practically everybody heard about Mikoto and Laughing Coffin.. and that one person.."

"You have a history with him too right?" said Eugeo. "You know.. I've never heard of this Aincrad place.. but I can tell you and Mikoto-chan went through a lot there.."

"You have no idea.."

_____________________________________

"Visitor!"

The grated doors opened as a heavily armored Integrity Knight led Mikoto and Tieze through the prison hall and led them to a cell at the end of the hall.. where a hooded figure sat on the floor, red eyes glowing beneath a metal skull mask with a steam punk design to it.. steam gushing out from the cracks on the mask at random intervals..

"Right on schedule.. eh? Railgun.." Sterben muttered.

"Hello Shouichi." said Mikoto indifferently. "Plan on going out some time soon?"

"Haha.." Sterben muttered sarcastically. "Keep coming to see me, and I might think you have some sort of twisted crush on me.. whose the chick?"

"Nobody you need concern yourself about." said Mikoto. "It's just you and me.. anyways, the last time we talked, you told me a little something.. I'm sure you remember.."

"Why I haven't logged out of this world.." said Sterben. "Is that correct? Well, maybe I like it here.."

"That's what I thought at first." said Mikoto. "I know all about you Shouichi Shinkawa, somebody fromt the VR division told me everything. You were sickly as a child.. and as a result.. your parents gave up on you and turned to your younger brother Kyouji to inherit the family clinic. And after SAO, you completely gave up on the Real World.. VR is who you are now.. and in the end, it was true what you always told me.. what we VR gamers fight for.."

"To get stronger." said Sterben. "I couldn't become strong out there.. but in here, we are like gods. I find it odd that you can understand this Railgun. Out there, you already were a god.. a Level 5 esper."

"There are different kinds of strength." said Mikoto.

"You used to talk down to me, and taunt me.." said Sterben.

"So did you." said Mikoto. "What's your point?"

"You haven't done any of that during our visits."

"Maybe because I can see why you became what you are." said Mikoto. "Back IRL, Sinon still visits your brother you know, because she still doesn't believe Kyouji is truly a bad person. I don't know about you, but I can't judge somebody I haven't known beyond just a grudge match."

"Hmph, I'm still going to carve your face to pieces if I ever get out.."

Tieze shivered and stepped behind Mikoto. "Disgusting.."

"You think I'm disgusting girl?" said Sterben, turning his attention to Tieze. "Just take a look at the people you serve under.."

"That's just the point Shinkawa." said Mikoto. "You're not still in here because you want to be.. however much you might want it.. if it were up to you, you could just log on out, then log back in outside of prison. There's a reason why you're still in here.."

"You're right Railgun." said Sterben, holding up his wrist and showing the strange binding symbol on his bandaged hands.. the Sacred Art holding his powers back. "Haven't you wondered.. why all the citizens of this world follow the Taboo Index to thoroughly?"

"Why would we need to wonder!?" said Tieze. "It is forbidden to go against the Taboo Index! We learn it from birth! It is what keeps order!"

Mikoto was impressed that Tieze had the courage to speak right now. All this talk of things she knew nothing about, and was probably too confused to process, such as 'Logging Out' or 'IRL', and yet she still was trying to understand who exactly Sterben was..

"And yet.. even those who consider trying to break it.. don't even do so.. makes it sort of pointless to have Integrity Knights.. doesn't it..?" said Sterben. "The Axiom Church has you all twisted around it's finger.. Mikoto Misaka, Rath sent you into the system before to test out why Fluctlights refused to break the laws.. it wasn't because they didn't want to.. it's because they couldn't... one with Administrator Access to this system is perfectly capable of sending data packs into the Fluctlights to prevent their units from breaking laws and parameters.."

"You're saying the Taboo Index isn't just a list of rules?" said Mikoto. "It's a program imbedded into the citizens of the Underworld?"

"It acts like a programmed restraint." said Sterben. "When one is about to break the law.. a program activates in the Fluctlight's eye.. reading Error.. of course it's in the 'Sacred Language' or English as it's called IRL.. so nobody understands it.. the Axiom church somehow gained administrator access.. and now controls everything.. it's all a lie Railgun.. all of it.."

"You're lying!!" Tieze screamed. Mikoto couldn't blame her, even though Tieze didn't understand most of what Sterben was saying, to question a faith she grew up with from the time she was born...

"The Axiom Church has taught us how to become a great society, to learn from our Goddess Stacia and keep her teachings!" Tieze exclaimed. "You're lying!!"

"What were you thinking Railgun?" said Sterben with a sadistic chuckle. "Bringing one of 'them' in here.. they know nothing of the Real World.. and I doubt she understood most of our conversation.. but you know what I said just now makes perfect sense.."

"Well.. if it is true.. then how did all your new Laughing Coffin recruits of the Underworld kill people?" said Mikoto. "If what I hear is true.. killing is on the high taboo list for the Taboo Index.

Sterben laughed. "Easy.. we had somebody with us perfectly capable of.. twisting.. the laws slightly.. that's all I'm going to say... Guard! We're done here.."

As Mikoto and Tieze left the prison, Tieze shook her head angrily. "I admit.. I barely understood a word that man said.. but he's a liar.. nothing but a huge liar.. you shouldn't listen to a single word he says Misaka-san.."

"Sometimes, even if it is a huge blatant lie, it's good to hear what the enemy is saying." said Mikoto. "Understanding the way they think, or even lie, helps you better understand on how to overcome them."

As Mikoto said this, Tieze realized that Mikoto's hands were shaking slightly. "M-Misaka-san? Your hands.."

"I'm fine." said Mikoto. "This happens all the time. I guess I still feel anger when I see him.. and fear."

"I know how you feel." said Tieze. "In all honesty.. I was only entered in the Sword Academy because my family wants to raise it's status.. the first tournament for us Valets is coming up.. and if I don't win.. I won't become a high class noble among the Elite Swordsmen like you, Eugeo, and Kirito.. and then.. well.."

"I get it." said Mikoto. "Graduation to your second year in the Academy is seriously tough. "

"Yes.. and the only other way for me to raise my family's status then.. would be to marry a noble." said Tieze. "M-my family's threatened me to disown me if I don't find some way to win.. so.. I asked Eugeo if he would marry me if I failed the tournament."

"Whoah!" Mikoto said, not expecting this at all. "What did he say!?"

"He may not feel romantic towards me." said Tieze. "But he is kind.. he said yes."

Mikoto sighed. "Yeah.. he'd do that.. he's so nice, I think Santa would bring him all the toys in the world.."

"Santa?" said Tieze. "What's a Santa?"

"Nothing.."

______________________

Out on the front fields of Zattaria, The Archery Corps were currently performing target practice.

Sinon aimed her bow at the targets that were ranged at over 200 meters.. and fired.. there was 'thwip' as the arrows sailed through the air and thwacked against the center of the targets.

Many of the other archers, all men, clapped and cheered, much to Sinon's amusement. A year ago, these guys laughed at her for being a girl..

"Well well Sinonon! You're doing fantastic aren't you?"

A familiar Imp girl stood a little ways away from Sinon, waving.

"Yuuki!"

Another 5 minutes later, Sinon sat on the grass next to Yuuki behind the barracks, the two of them chowing down on some pastries.

"So, you haven't found out anything?" Sinon asked as Yuuki chewed on her bread.

"I looked into the names you gave me." said Yuuki. "Thevos.. and.. I have to say, your dreams are starting to scare me too. According to interrogations with members of Laughing Coffin done by Integrity Knights.. Thevos was some sort of demon.. they kept mentioning his one red eye.."

Sinon gripped her bread tightly the moment the eye was mentioned. "N-no.."

Yuuki put a hand on Sinon's shoulder comfortingly. "I'm sure it's a coincidence Sinonon.. Mikoto-sempai isn't going to die.."

But as Yuuki continued to comfort and reassure Sinon, one particular small red headed girl, who was hiding around a corner of the building, felt differently.

"Thevos.. eh?" said Yuniko.

The slug on her shoulder, Tempo, sighed. "This isn't good.. they sent the big guns.. if he's here, then things are about to get messy. Should we alert Misaka?"

"No.. I don't want anybody getting panicked or distracted." said Yuniko. "Her Symbiont Assault form is still too unstable to enter direct combat with a powerful Viros.. this is for us to deal with.."

"You're thinking of heading out to find Thevos before he finds us?" said Tempo. "Well.. I can't say I'll enjoy hearing his terrible jokes again.."

"This ain't about the jokes.." Yuniko growled. "It's about the pounding we give the jokers.."