7 years ago.. in the Underworld...

"YAAARRGH!! STOP!! I DON'T WANT TO!!!"

Alice stopped cleaning the floor for a minute as she heard her friend Mikoto scream and then heard the sound of electricity blasting a door off it's hinges.

"Oh dear.." Alice said, getting up and throwing her cloth in the wooden bucket next to her.

She ran out into the hall of the small church to see a few of her fellow nuns hiding outside the shambled smoking door, shivering fearfully.

"Sh-she's usually such a happy child!" said one of the nuns.. "Alice.. you're her age.. and yet she's more well behaved then you usually.. what is this?"

"She's a happy girl who appreciates freedom more then memorizing lines." said Alice as she ran through the doorway.

The 9 year old Mikoto was in her undergarments.. looking furious as electricity exploded from her bangs. "I AM NOT WEARING IT!!"

The older sisters who were huddled in a corner of the room, holding a nun's outfit, shakily held out the clothing. "B-but.. you're the priestess.. I-it's.. required."

"I DON'T WANT TO BE THE PRIESTESS!!" Mikoto screamed. "I want to be a tree cutter!! Like Gramps!! (Referring to the first Gigas Tree Cutter before Eugeo, the one who gave Mikoto the branch for River Spirit)

"Mikoto.." said Alice calmly. "You have to wear it.."

Mikoto whirled around and gave Alice a glare that in the Real World, would have sent Touma Kamijou running and screaming in terror. But Alice.. who had seen Mikoto give people this glare for 9 years.. remained calm.

"Mikoto.. I know you don't like it." said Alice. "But once a Sacred Task is appointed to you, you've got to do it.."

"B-but why don't Eugeo and Nii-san have to do Sacred Tasks yet!? Why do they get to pick!?"

"They DON'T get to pick." said Alice. "It's appointed to us when we're 10 remember? We just got ours earlier cause of special circumstances.. I'm the Chief's daughter.. and you've.. got.. well.. your gift."

"It's not a gift!!" Mikoto sobbed, rubbing her eyes. "I can't heal anybody.. all it does is shoot sparky stuff and make things go boom!"

So that was the reason why she was so cranky regarding the job. Alice thought. She not only appreciated freedom, she wanted to do whatever job she had to do right.. and she didn't think she could do it..

"I can't do Sacred arts like you!" Mikoto yelled. "And I can't cook or clean worth a damn!!"

"Mikoto!" said Alice. "Language!! Put a coin in the D word jar!!"

Alice took out jar full of coins from her habit and opened it. Grumbling, Mikoto took a coin from her little coin purse on the floor and put it in. "Da- I mean stupid jar.."

Mikoto wiped a tear away and turned away.. folding her arms.

"You know.. I hear Eugeo really has the hots for priestesses." said Alice slyly, arching her eyebrows.

Mikoto turned pink. "R-really?"

"Yeah.." said Alice. "I don't know why.. but I think it might be because of the habits or something.."

Mikoto took a deep breath.. and took the nun's clothing from her scared caretakers.. and reluctantly put them on..

"It.. feels.. so itchy.." Mikoto grumbled, pulling at her collar uncomfortably. "I probably look stupid

"You look fine to me." said Alice, patting Mikoto's shoulder. "Now come on.. it's time for church service, and you're supposed to read from the texts.. "

"I hate reading from the texts.." Mikoto grumbled.

15 minutes later, Mikoto at the head of the main Sanctuary.. standing on a podium reading from a massive thick book as everyone in town sat before her in pews.

"And again it says in the Taboo index in accordance with the law: One must not kiss one on the lips when not married." Mikoto said. "Wait.. what!? What kind of stupid rule is that!?"

Everyone held their breaths as if they expected Integrity Knights to start jumping through the windows, swinging on ropes.

Kirito, who was sitting next to Eugeo and his family, slapped a hand to his face and groaned.

"But I guess it wouldn't be law if there weren't a reason." Mikoto muttered, and she continued to read on without any pauses.

Everybody sighed with relief, and Eugeo chuckled sheepishly while Kirito knocked his head against the back of the pew in front.

When the service was over, Kirito, Eugeo, Alice, and Mikoto met in front of one of the pews.

"You did good Misaka-chan!" said Eugeo.

"Did you HAVE to complain about the Taboo Index?" Kirito groaned. "You and I live alone Mikoto. We can't afford to have any one of us arrested."

"There's no law against complaining about the law." said Mikoto. "I should know! I had to memorize it!"

"You guys going to come over to our place for dinner again?" said Alice with a cheerful grin.

"Yeah." said Kirito.

"O-oh.. Eugeo?" said Mikoto tentatively.

"Eh? what is it Misaka-chan?" said Eugeo.

"H-how do I look?"

"Fine.. I guess.." said Eugeo.

"G-good."

That evening.. Mikoto sat between Kirito and Eugeo at the large dinner table in the Schuberg home. Selka, Alice's sister, helped Alice cut a large ham to give everyone a serving.

"So. " said the chief merrily. "How is your new sacred task going Mikoto?"

"I hate it.." said Mikoto simply.

Kirito hastily covered Mikoto's mouth, a sweatdrop going down his forehead. "Sh-she was just joking sir!!"

"Ahhh.. it's fine." said Chief. "I hated my first Sacred Task.. but I did it dutifully. You won't have this job forever if you play your cards right Misaka. After you serve your appointed time.. you will be allowed to select your own task.. now.. is there any task you would all like to do?"

Kirito, Mikoto, Alice, and Eugeo all looked at each other and grinned. Together they said what they wished. "A Guard!!"

"Ahh.. have an interest in protecting our little town now do you?" said Alice's mother. "That's an honorable wish."

"Mama.." said Selka. "Don't guards get to be Integrity Knights?"

"Yep!" said Alice. "But first they have to become a Noble, then beat the 4 Empires Tournament! Then the winner gets invited into the Cathedral and becomes an Integrity Knight! I'm going to be the best Integrity Knight of all!"

"I'll do it first!" Said Mikoto.

"We've all got a little rivalry competition going." said Eugeo, smiling. "We're in competition to see who becomes an Integrity Knight first."

"I'm not just going to become an Integrity Knight though." said Mikoto. "I'm going to win the 4 Empires Tournament with the Legendary Weapon that's hidden in the cave down south!!"

Kirito frowned. "Sis.. you can't really be serious right? Nobody can even wield that sword.. That's why it's called the Master.. it's the master of all blades!"

"But I'll wield it!" Mikoto said, clenching her fists. "One day.. I'm going to go to the cave.. and I'll drag that sword back if I have to.. I don't care how low my Object Control Authority is.. I'll push and pull with all my might.."

"Ahh.." said the chief. "The Master Sword would be a mighty weapon indeed to bring home to the village."

"Where did the Master Sword come from Nee-sama..?" said Selka, tugging on Alice's sleeve.

"Well, the story goes, that there was a castle floating in the sky." said Alice. "And a great hero pulled the sword from the remains of her broken blade and defeated the king of that castle. The castle was then destroyed, and the sword fell into the roots of a giant tree, where it was picked up by a fairy.. and.."

"You told us this story like a thousand times." said Eugeo.

"But I didn't hear it." said Selka.

"Well.. it's a long story.." said Alice. "But to make a long story short.. it somehow ended up in the small cave south from here."

"It's Object Control Authority is the same as any other Divine Instrument." said the Chief. "And none of the villagers truly have the necessary OC authority to even pry the weapon from it's pedestal."

That night, as Kirito tucked his sister into her futon and he got into his own futon bed, Mikoto seemed to be extremely distant, staring up at the ceiling.

"What's on your mind?" Kirito asked, as he made to turn out the lamp. "You've been quiet for an hour now.."

"Kirito.. who were our parents?" Mikoto asked.

"Hmm.." Kirito said. "I don't know. They died when we were born.. but you ask me this question every night.. what's really eating at you?"

"Do you think I'll be able to get the Master Sword?"

Kirito paused. "Well.. if we become nobles.. then we'll be able to wield Divine Instruments. But.. well, our current guard has his eyes on the sword.. and I'm going to have to be realistic here sis.. he'll probably get the sword before you do.."

"Humphrey can't get the sword!" Mikoto stammered. "I'm going to get it!"

"I'm sorry sis.." said Kirito, ruffling Mikoto's hair as he used his other hand to turn out the lamp. "But.. I don't want you getting disappointed.. he's got his eye on the sword, and from what I hear, he's going to get the required OC in a few days.. I wanted to tell you sooner.. but.."

Mikoto sniffled, and a few tears trickled down her cheek as she buried herself under the blankets..

Kirito sighed and hugged his sister. "Come on.. don't cry.. when you grow up you'll have a sword of your own.. and it'll be great.. you'll see.."

"Mmmimmblewimmble.." Was all Mikoto said as she buried her face in Kirito's chest and fell straight to sleep.

The next morning.. Kirito awoke.. for a moment, he opened and closed his eyes.. a slight feeling of panic.. then relief when he realized it was the weekend.. and there was no working or church service that day.

"Ehhh.." Kirito yawned. "Mikoto... I'll.. be up in a few minutes to make breakfast.. so.. just.. ssss.." Kirito fell back to sleep for around 3 minutes.. before Alice kicked open the door, looking panicked. "KIRITO!! WAKE UP!!!"

"UWAAAHHH!!" Kirito jumped out of the futon. "WHO WHAT WHERE!? Did Eugeo find out I was the one who pulled the live chicken in his pillow prank!?"

"No!" said Alice.

"Oh.. then I'm going back to sleep."

"MIKOTO IS MISSING!"

"Wh-what!?" Kirito looked around frantically. "But she's right... right.. er.. maybe she's trying to cook breakfast.. oh crap she'll burn the house down.."

"She's not in the kitchen! And she left this note at my doorstep!" said Alice, pressing a note into Kirito's chest.

"Dear Alice.." Kirito read. "Please don't tell Nii-san, because I know he'll be worried. But I've gone to retrieve the Master Sword. When I heard Humphrey was going to go for the sword, I thought it over and.. bla bla.. OH MY GOSH SHE WENT TO GET THE SWORD!? Th-that.. place is dangerous!! It's near the Dark Territory!! Oh freaking no!!"

"Eugeo's already waiting next to the road, get dressed hurry!!" Alice said. "We can't tell any of the adults.. otherwise she'll get into huge trouble!"

"I know!" said Kirito. "Hold on, give me five minutes.. no.. give me just one minute!!"

"We've borrowed some ponies from the stable." said Alice, throwing Kirito a pack full of supplies.. "We should be able to make it in a couple of hours at that rate!"

______________________________

Mikoto climbed up the stone steps of the giant cave's chamber, breathing heavily as she tried her best to clamber to the pedestal in the center of the room.

She could already see the white holy blade sticking out of the pedestal with it's bluish purple hilt shaped like bird wings.

"I'm.. going to get it.. and drag it back if I have to.." Mikoto gasped as she finally managed to get to the top of the steps. "There you are.."

Mikoto clambered up the pedestal, her small body making it tough for her hands to even reach the hilt of the sword. She grabbed the hilt and pulled. "Come on.. come on.."

The sword tipped over, and Mikoto let out a squeak of fright. The she fell down with the sword on top of her.. the hilt in her face.

"Nnnnnggghh." Mikoto struggled to push the heavy blade off of herself. "Come.. on.."

Mikoto stopped pushing, panting, the weight too much for her. "Oh no.."

"Well well well.." said a voice. "What 'ave we 'ere mates!?"

A few goblins which had been hiding among the rocks, watching Mikoto try to take the sword came out.. they grinned staring down at her.

"Gunter-san!!" said a goblin. "What do we do with her!?"

"Well..." said the lead goblin. "We could eat her legs and then force her to carry us all the way out of the cave! Then we put her to work!!"

"But.. Gunter-san!" said another goblin. "If we cut off her legs, then she won't be able to carry us.. or be put to work!"

"Oh.. okay! Then we cut off her arms instead!!" said the goblin. "Then we make her carry us.. and force her to work!"

"Yeah!!" said all the goblins. "That's genius!!"

"But.." said one goblin. "She still won't be able to carry us without arms!!"

"Here's what we do!" said Gunter. "We cut off her arms.. and leave her hands!! That way, even though she doesn't have her arms.. she still has her hands!!"

"But her hands are attached to her arms Gunter-san!!"

"And that matters.. why?"

All the goblins muttered among themselves, then shrugged. "It doesn't matter!! YAY!! GREAT GUNTER-SAN IS A GENIUS!!!"

"But what do we do with that sword great Gunter-san!?" asked another goblin.

"We'll sell it to the highest bidder, it doesn't matter!" said Gunter. "Come on.. better leave her under there so she doesn't struggle!! Go on, cut off her arms!"

One of the goblins drew his machete, and Mikoto struggled. "No!! Go away.. GO AWAY!!!"

A powerful electric blast exploded from her body, and the goblins were thrown back like rag dolls.

Gunter got up, looking angry and scared. "What.. is this freak!? Oy!! You blokes thinkin' what I'm thinkin'? Dangerous girl like her would fetch a nice price as an 'ere slave at the market!"

"Yeah!! That's if you get through us first!!!" A voice yelled.

Kirito, Alice and Eugeo had entered the cave chamber, Kirito was holding the Dragon Bone Axe that was usually used to cut the Gigas Cedar in his hands.

"You get away from her!" Kirito growled. "Or I'll cut your heads off!!"

The goblins all stared at Kirito.. then they began laughing.

"Ey!! They're munchkins!" said one goblin.

The goblins all drew their swords, still laughing.

"Alright boys!" said Gunter. "We'll cut off their heads.. then we'll put em to work!! Without their heads, they'll be blind! And they'll be stumblin' around all blind like! It'll be hilarious!!"

"YEAH!! THAT'S GENIUS GUNTER-SAN!!" said the other goblins.

The goblins closed in on the 3 friends, laughing.

"No.." Mikoto said, struggling beneath the sword. "Please... somebody help.. somebody help!!!!"

The Master Sword glowed with incredible power.. and it shimmered as a youthful girl suddenly emerged from the sword in a sparkle of beautiful light. She wasn't human.. her head was light blue as well as her pupiless eyes and hair. Her arms.. if there were any, were obscured in a fauld-like shoulder-shroud.. and she was dressed in a purple short purple dress and high knees black socks.. she looked like some sort of strange being with the same color scheme as the Master Sword.

"Designation.. Fi." said the girl. "Protect the master.."

Fi took the Master Sword with her shrouded arm.. and sprung into a graceful leap.. as if she were doing ballet.. like a graceful ice skater, she skated across the air.. stopping to do graceful twirls as she went.. slashing holy blade quickly and without fail.. striking down each and every goblin before any had the chance to react.

Fi stopped dancing.. now that the goblins were taken care of... she bowed to the stunned Mikoto. "From Aincrad.. to the Underworld.. Master.. I will continue to serve.."

Fi then shimmered away in a sparkle of light.. and the Master Sword clattered to the ground.

"Mikoto!" Kirito ran over, dropping the Dragon Bone axe, running over and hugging his sister. "Are you alright!?"

"D-did you see?" Mikoto stammered. "Th-that.. girl."

"It was amazing!" said Alice. "That sword just levitated up on it's own and cut up the goblins!!"

Mikoto went silent. "It.. did that by itself? Y-you didn't see that girl?"

"What girl?" said Eugeo.

"N-nothing.. I was probably seeing things." said Mikoto. She looked down at the sword sadly. "I-I couldn't carry it.. it was too heavy."

"Sorry Mikoto." Alice said, giving her friend a comforting hug. "But some things aren't meant to be.."

"Or.. are they?" said Mikoto, suddenly getting an idea. She held out her hands.. and concentrated. Electromagnetic energy directed itself into the Master Sword.. and it began to levitate off the ground.

Eugeo and Kirito's jaws dropped as Alice laughed.

"Well.." said Alice. "I think that'll fit into the saddlebags. Come on Mikoto.. just direct it nice and slowly.. and try not to accidentally cut anybody.."

"R-right!" said Mikoto, as a tear of joy began to emerge.

When the 4 friends returned, with the Master Sword in their possession, the entire village was both extremely relieved, and amazed.

"You shouldn't have gone off on your own!" said the Chief. "But... on the other hand.. you actually retrieved the sword! And. well.. I can't punish you for that Mikoto.. very well.. the sword is yours.."

Humphrey however, was indignant. "But Chief! I'm the guard!! That sword is rightfully mine!! I was going to go get it tomorrow!! and yet.. you're letting this rule breaking child keep the master of blades!? NO!! I won't stand for this!! It's mine!"

Humphrey wrenched the sword from Mikoto, who was holding it's massive weight with help from Kirito.

"Hey!" Kirito yelled. "That's my sis's fair and square!!"

Humphrey ignored Kirito and made to walk off with the sword.. admiring it's blade.. when suddenly, the sword wrenched itself out of his own grip this time. The Master Sword whacked it's hilt repeatidly into Humphrey's head.. causing him to yell out with pain and run as the floating sword came after him furiously, continuously whacking him with it's hilt.

Everyone stared at this strange scene for a bit.. then Eugeo started laughing.. then Alice.. then everyone present, which included much of the village began laughing as they watched the Master Sword chase Humphrey down.

Humphrey wasn't well liked due to his smug attitude of being chosen as a guard.. and had wronged many people with his terrible selfish pride.. so this was a great relief.. that at least a sword itself had the sense to knock some sense into the idiot who dare thought himself it's master.

That night.. Mikoto was distant once more.. but this time.. it was because she was humming happily, hugging her beloved sword in her arms like a doll, now in it's scabbard of course, while Kirito tucked her in.

"Are you going to sleep with that thing?" Kirito asked incredulously.

"Her!" said Mikoto. "and yes.. I am.."

Kirito chuckled, shrugged.. and made to turn out the lamp.

As he did so though.. for a minute, he thought he saw a strange youthful girl, embracing Mikoto under her blankets.. when he blinked though.. he saw nothing.

"Heh.." said Kirito. "Weird.. "

Kirito turned out the lamp.. and went to sleep..