No one's POV
After Sora had heard Shino's screamed, he immediately rushed into her apartment and kneed the boy who was pinning her down and started punching him and held him down and looked back at Shino.
Sora: Run, SHINO!!!
Shino: Zora...?
The boy then grabbed Sora and tried to fight back.
???: What the hell?! Get off me!!
The boy then grabbed Sora's arm and tripped him off and the boy pull out a knife and stabbed Sora's hand into the floor, pinning him down and the boy started repeatedly hit him in the face.
???: Bastard! It's all your fault! She's mine! She's mine damn it!
???: Stay away from her!!
Sora: She doesn't belong to you! She doesn't belong to anyone!!
The boy pulled out something from his pocket and it was a syringe and Shino saw this and her eyes widened.
Shino: Zora!!
As the boy was about to stabbed Sora with the syringe, Sora who was still pinned down by the knife, pull through and slapped the syringe away and grabbed the boy by the jacket and head-butt him and kicked him away.
Sora: You picked the wrong house!!
Sora walked over and stood over him and the boy looked at him furious.
???: YOU BASTARD!!!
The boy then lunged at Sora, but Sora just got into stance and punched him in the face and his face hit the a closet and knocked him out.
Sinon: Zora!
Sora didn't say anything and fell down and pulled out the knife in his hand and blood started dripping down.
Sora: Man that hurts.
Shino: Are you alright!
Sora: I'm fine...
Shino: I have some first aid kit. I'll grabbed it and heal you up.
Sora: Thanks...
Shino then grabbed the kit and bandage Sora's arm.
Sora: Thank you. You know, you scared the hell out of me.
Shino grabbed Sora by the shirt and shake him.
Shino: I scared you! How do you think I feel?! I thought you were gonna die just now, you dumb ass!
Sora: Hey...easy...
Shino then stopped shaking him and sighed and Sora went to put his hand on her face, but she just shook it and looked at the unconscious boy.
Sora: I didn't punch him to the afterlife, did I?
Shino checked his pulse and saw that he was still alive.
Shino: No he still got a pulse. Your crazy...but thank you for coming over.
Sora: I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner. And I'm glad that your safe...
Shino saw Sora smiled at saw his avatar from GGO.
Sora: Are you okay?
Shino looked down and nodded her head and Sora saw that she was crying and Sora scooted over her and hugged her and she hugged him back.
???: Sora!!
Sora and Shino saw it was Kazuto and he saw the boy who was passed out.
Sora: Your late dude...
Kazuto: Sorry...is he the one...
Sora: Yeah...
Kazuto saw Shino who was still crying on Sora's arm and he just smile.
(Timeskip)
After Sora had safe Shino from Death Gun's partner, Shino was currently walking out of her courtyard of her school and as she was walking, she noticed someone with black hair standing next to a blue motorcycle with a crowd of girls and she saw the jacket and knew who it was.
Shino: Are you kidding me...?
Girl 1: Hey Asada! Who is that handsome guy?!
Girl 2: Is he your boyfriend?
Shino didn't say anything and walked past them embarrassed and she walked out and saw Sora leaning against his motorcycle looking up at the sky.
Shino: Really! When I said I meet you, I didn't think you'd park yourself in front of my school?!
Sora then looked back and saw her and smiled at her.
Sora: Hey...what's up Sinon!
Shino didn't say anything and looked at him annoyed.
(Timeskip)
After picking up Shino, Sora went to the same restaurant when he met Kikuoka, and after he arrived, he saw Kikuoka and Kazuto. Kikuoka informed them that the boy, Kyoji Shinkawa, and his older brother Shouichi were arrested. During the interrogation, it came out that another person was involved. There was a third Death Gun, Atsushi Kanamoto, is currently on the run, but according to Kikuoka, it's only a matter of time before he was apprehended. Death Gun was created when Shouichi acquired the invisibility cloak through a real money transaction. Armed with that cloak and binoculars, Shouichi threw himself into steeling other player's real world info. Meanwhile, his younger brother Kyoji is said to have hit a brick wall with his character development. The AGI-oriented Speigel bore a deep-seated grudge against Zexceed for spreading the "AGI is king" mantra, while switching to an STR-VIT build himself. When Shouichi got wind of this, he gave Kyoji, Zexceed's real name and info, and they discussed how they would purge him. Still, they says that at first they were just joking around. But as the day continued to discuss it daily, the plan began to seem more viable...until they devised a way to steal from their father's hospital not only the master code that would disable the electronic locks in time of emergency, but a poisonous drug as well. They cased their targets meticulously, narrowing them down to people who lived alone in low-security buildings. Shouichi broke into the home of their first victims, Mr, shigemura, aka Zexceed, by using a master code...and murdered him at the exact time they'd agreed on in advance. Kyoji logged in as his brother's character, Sterben, and announcing himself as Death Gun, shot Zexceed. Their second victims, Usushio Tarako, was killed in much the same manner. But far from being terrified by Death Gun, the other GGO players treated him as a hoax. Frustrated, Shouichi and the others conceived a plot to shoot three players dead during the BoB final. Their targets met the same criteria as Zexceed and Tarako: Pale Rider, Garrett...and Sinon. After Kikuoka explained to Shino, she looked completely shocked.
Kazuto: Killing three people was makes things hard for just the two of them.
Sora: I know, the killer in the real world had to head to the home of the targets in sync with Death Gun movements.
Kazuto: So they recruited that Kanamoto guy you told us about to be the third Death Gun. Where they find him though?
Kikuoka: Simple, Kanamoto was an old friend of Shouichi's...they were both part of Laughing Coffin in SAO. We found out that his avatar name is Johnny Black, that sound familiar.
Sora: Very...he worked with Zaza, his weapon is a poison knife.
Kikuoka: They put Kanamoto on Pale Rider and Garrett, cause they lived nearby. Sinon on the other hand, was Kyoji's. Shouichi was the one who usually did the killing, but for this one job Kyoji insisted to be the one on doing it.
Shino: Um...is that what he wanted? For real? Did Shin...I mean Kyoji said that?
Kikuoka: No, his brother is the one who gave all the detail of their plan. Kyoji's still refusing to talk.
Shino: I see...
Kikuoka then went toward his bag and grabbed a tablet.
Kikuoka: Speaking of, we found out a little more about Shouichi, health wise, he has been sickly since childhood. His father pretty much gave up on him, so he decided early on to hand the hospital over to Kyoji. Even so... the brothers seems to be close growing up. But then Shouichi got obsessed with MMORPG's and in 2022, he got trapped in Sword Art Online.
Sora and Kazuto narrow his eyes when they heard that.
Kikuoka: After he got out, Shouichi only spoke to Kyoji about it, he bragged about in that world, he was a real masses murderer and how he was feared. In Kyoji's eyes, his brother was a Hero. As for Shouichi, he's sticking with the story, that everything about the Death Gun concept, including the murders was just part of the game, that his actions here like gathering intel on victims, prepping for murders and committing them, were no different in SAO...
Kazuto: The dark side of VR MMO's. That's what it is.
Sora: He is someone who is living in the past. His reality, got a lot less real.
Kikuoka: Yeah, good point. And how are you both handling yours?
Kazuto looked down and Sora just looked towards the window.
Kazuto: I feel I left a part of me back in SAO. So right now, there's a less of me here, than it was before. That's how I see it.
Sora: As for me, this is my reality. Zora is my past, Sora is where my reality is. Someone important to me taught that.
Kazuto just smiled at him knowing who that person is.
Kikuoka: Do you want to go back?
Sora: Are you kidding? How could you ask me that?
Shino: You said that there are no such things as a virtual world, remember? That wherever you were, that's your reality. So you pretty much contradicting what you say in the game. "As for me, where I am right now...here...this world. Is my reality. And even if you told me this is a virtual world, it would still be reality to me"...see what I mean?
Sora: I do... I got to handed to you, Shino, what you said just now might the only good thing come out of this nightmare.
Shino looked at Sora annoyed and jabbed him in the shoulder.
Shino: Put a sock in it!
Kikuoka: Well, I pretty much told you what we found out so far, do you have any questions before I go?
Shino: I do...has there been any word on what's gonna happened to Kyoji yet?
Kikuoka: Based on what his brother confession and their behavior, they'll most likely be sent to a medical detention center. I doubt either one knows what reality is anymore...
Shino: No...I don't think that's true. I don't know anything about Kyoji's brother, I never met him. But I've known Kyoji for a long time and I think his reality is Gun Gale Online. He'd pretty much given up on this world...there was nothing left for him other than GGO, so he made that his reality. He'd spent hours in it, grinding away, boosting his EXP and trying to be the best. I guess the stressed got to be to much for him.
Kikuoka: From playing a game? I know you can lose track of time, but reality?
Shino: Sure, at some point, Kyoji just swap out one from the other. His real life, for his virtual one.
Kikuoka: Okay...but why?
Shino: I don't know, but I wish I did.
Shino then looked at Sora.
Shino: Zora, why do you think he did it?
Sora: To get stronger. He wants to be the best, and I know exactly how he feels.
Shino: Your right, I guess I was the same way.
Kazuto: When it comes down to it, maybe all of us VR MMO players are the same. All we want is to get stronger.
Shino: Mr Kikuoka, I like to go see him, if that's alright? There is so much I want to tell him, like we were just talking about. And other stuff I've been thinking, if it's okay?
Kikuoka nodded his head.
Kikuoka: Well, you're a strong person. And I for one think is a great Idea. He can't have visitors yet, but when he can, I'll let you know. Well, I have to get back to the office now.
Kazuto: Okay, thanks for giving the time.
Sora: Sorry to put you to any trouble.
Shino: Yes, thank you for talking to us.
Kikuoka: Don't even mentioned it, you guys risk your life in God knows how many you saved. It's a least I could do.
Kikuoka then stood up and remembered something and pull out an envelop.
Kikuoka: Oh, by the way, Zora. Death Gun...or Shouichi Shinkawa, or Red-Eye Zaza, ask me to give you a message. If you don't want to hear it, say the word and I'll rip it apart.
Sora then thought for a moment and Kazuto and Shino looked at him and Sora spoke up.
Sora: Give it a read.
Kikuoka: You got it.
Kikuoka then pull out the paper from the envelop and read it for them to hear.
Kikuoka: "If you think this is over, it's not. You don't have what it takes to end this. Sooner or later, you'll realize that. It's ShowTime!" That's it.
After Kikuoka read it, Sora just took the paper and ripped it apart and Kazuto looked at him worried.
Kazuto:...
After Kikuoka payed for their meals, he leave the three of them behind and Sora looked at Shino.
Sora: Shino?
Shino: What's up?
Sora: Are you free right now?
Shino gave him a suspicious look.
Shino: What do you mean free? Free for what?
(Timeskip)
Sora and Kazuto then took Shino to Andrew's bar "Dicey Cafe".
Shino: So...this is where your taking me?
Kazuto: Yup, there's someone inside we want you to meet.
Sora, Kazuto, and Shino walked in and saw Kotone, Asuna, and Rika were all sitting at the bar, with Andrew behind the counter.
Rika: Well it's about time! You made us wait for so darn long, I wouldn't have two slices of Apple Pie! If I get fat, is both of your fault!
Sora and Kazuto looked at her annoyed.
Kazuto: How is that our fault?
Sora: What happen to your logic?!
Sora, Kazuto, and Shino walked in and Kazuto sat next to Asuna.
Asuna: Come on Zora, are you gonna introduce us or what?
Sora: Right...this is Shino Asada, aka Sinon, Gun Gale Online third super champ, and she's one hell of a marksman.
Shino: Oh don't say that!
Asuna, Kotone, and Rika looked at annoyed and Sora just cough up and started introduce Shino to Sora's friend.
Sora: This...are my friend from my time in SAO. Rika Shinozaki, aka Lisbeth the BlackSmith in Swindlin, also goes by the rip off blacksmith.
Rika looked at Sora annoyed.
Rika: Huh?! What the hell you called me?!
Rika then got up and hit Sora, but he just moved to the side and Rika tripped and fell over.
Sora: And that's Asuna, aka Asuna Yuki, the Berserker Healer.
Asuna: Berserk? That's harsh!
Sora: Even so, I saw as my big sister...
Asuna smiled at him and Sora looked behind the counter.
Sora: The one behind the counter is Agil, aka Andrew Mills, also known as the rip-off shopkeeper.
Andrew: Hey now...
Sora: And the one with the emerald eyes, is Philia, aka Kotone Takemiya, she is also known as the Treasure Hunter. If you want to find a rare equipment, she's the one to talk to...
Kotone looked at Sora annoyed and started pouting.
Kotone: Zip it! You make it sound like I'm a dog or something. Expect me to find things for you...
Sora: Love you too...
Kotone then blushed and looked away and Sora just giggled.
Sora: And you already know Kirito the Black Swordsman, aka Kazuto Kirigaya. And as you know, I saw this Edge Lord as my brother, and wasn't a trap when I met him.
Kazuto looked at Sora annoyed and rolled his eyes.
Kazuto: Hey! I'm not an Edge Lord!
Sora: Yes you are!
Kazuto: Can't prove it!
Sora: Oh really, let's see...black cloths...and a very few friends...or doesn't have any...yeah.
Kazuto was about to say something but just looked down defeated while Asuna pat his back and comfort him and Sora looked at Shino.
Sora: Well, anyway, have a seat.
Everyone then sat down at the table and Andrew gave them all a drinks and started talking with one another.
Shino: That's what Sterben means? A hospital terms for death...what was he thinking giving his avatar name like that?
Kotone: If I were you, I wouldn't try some deeper meaning in the name he gave his avatar.
Asuna: A lot of times, it boils whatever a player thinks sounds cool.
Rika: Oh...that explain its, this whole time, I thought you gave your avatar your name cause you lack imagination.
Asuna then elbowed Rika and looked at her annoyed.
Asuna: Zip it! I do so have imagination, lots of it!
Rika: Okay, geez...
Shino just looked at them quarreling and smiled and everyone saw this and smiled at her.
Rika: So anyway, I'm super stoked you're here, it's always cool to meet another girl in other VR MMO player.
Asuna: You said it! I hope we can be great friends, Asada.
Shino then looked down and Sora looked at the others and they nodded.
Kotone: Listen, Asada...Shino. There's another reason we ask you to come here today.
Shino: What is it?
Kazuto: Shino. Both me and Sora sorry to put you on the spot like this. We're sorry...
Sora: We...no I told them about what happened to you when you were younger.
Shino looked at Sora completely shocked that Sora told everyone else and look back at everyone.
Sora: I'm sorry...but I needed their help.
Kotone: I'll explain, we wanted to help you, so we payed a visit to the town where you used to live.
Shino looked at Sora hurt, that he told them,
Shino: How could you...why would you do that?
Shino went to stand up, but Sora grabbed her hand and she looked at him.
Sora: Wait Shino, they found someone who wants to meet you. I can't let you leave until you hear what they have to say...It might hurt...and I'm sorry. But I can't standby if there's a chance what they say helps. That's why....please...
Shino: Who is this person? What do they want to tell me?
Sora then looked at Rika and she walked over to the back door and a woman and a little girl walked out and sat on the table.
Shino: Sorry...do I know you?
???: Sachie Oosawa. Your Shino Asada, aren't you? I'd like to introduce you to my daughter, her name is Mizue, she's 4 years old. I don't know if you remember, but I used to work at the post office.
Shino then looked at Sachie completely shocked and Sachie tears started streaming down her eyes.
Sachie: I'm sorry...this is really hard. I...I should have done this ages ago...I'm so sorry it took this long...I never apologize...or thank you for what you did... I was pregnant with her, the day that man came in and tried to rob us. What you did, it wasn't just my life you saved, you saved the life of my little girl too. Thank you so much... if it weren't for you...she wouldn't be here.
Sachie and Mizue bowed down their head and Shino continued to looked at them shocked.
Shino: I saved your daughter...?
Sora: Shino...it's time to let it go...all this time...you've been blaming yourself...beating yourself up over what happen. I'm not saying you're wrong to do that, but...whatever guilt you feel or about what you did...you got the right to consider the life you saved too...you got the right...to...to think about those people and forgive yourself...That's what I...I wanted you... to know...
Sora clinched his first tightly and Kotone went to his side and grabbed his hand, and Shino saw Mizue walked up to her and took something form her bag and it was a drawing of her family and Shino took it.
Mizue: I made it for you... Thank you for saving Mom and for saving me! We loved you!
Shino started crying looking at the picture that Mizue drew and held her hand and Shino smiled at her and held her hand as well.
Sora who was watching the whole scene just smiled at her and looked down saddened and Kazuto looked at him before they all hear a phone call on Kazuto's phone and he took it, and after a few talk, Kazuto looked surprised.
Kazuto: Really it's done? Great...
Kazuto then looked at Sora and smiled at him.
Kazuto: Sora...can you stay a little bit longer?
Sora looked confused, and after awhile, the door opened and Sugu walked in with her parents.
Sora: Sugu...? Mr Minetaka and Ms Midori Kirigaya...?
Sugu: Hey Big Brother Sora...
Sora: Is something going on...?
Midori: There's something that we want to show you...
Kazuto: Yeah before that, Sora... I need to apologize to you.
Sora: Huh?
Kazuto: Just like you told Asuna and the rest about Shino's past, I told them about your past.
Sora looked surprised.
Sora: Uh...it's fine...but why though...?
Kazuto: This is something that I've been thinking for awhile, almost a year I think, after we rescued Asuna, and I talk to Sugu about it and she agreed.
Minetaka: And if I'm right, your still 17 am I correct...?
Sora: Yes, I am...
Midori: And after we heard what happened to you, we agreed to it as well, that's why...
Midori then put a slip of paper and Sora looked at it and saw it was an adoption paper and Sora looked at them completely shocked.
Sora: Kazuto...Sugu...Mr Minetaka...Ms Midori...? Your adopting me...?
Kazuto: I've been thinking, even though you consider me as a real brother...and I consider you as mine as well...it's never been official. So let's make it official...
Sora was beyond shocked that he didn't have a word to say, and the rest of the Kirigaya family walked in front of Sora and Kazuto held out his hand to him.
Kazuto: What do you say, bro?
Tears started streaming down Sora's face and looked at Kazuto and grabbed his hand and smiled at him.
Sora: Thank you...brother... and yes please...
Kazuto then pulled Sora into a brother hugged and Sugu, Minetaka, and Midori walked to them and hugged Sora tightly.
Sugu: Welcome to the family, Big Brother Sora....
Midori: And welcome home...
Sora: I'm home...Mom...Dad...
Everyone looked at them smiling and Sora had finally gotten the closure he was looking for, a family that consider him as one of theirs, as Zora's avatar who was still walking down the lonely road, dropped his Prosperity, Light Repulser, and Black Moon sword and stepped into the light of his new beginning as he left his weapon behind.
A/N: Alright, here is the last of GGO Arc. We have three more Arc, the Caliber, Mother Rosario, and Ordinal Scale before we start the Alicization and War of Underworld. Like always, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and thank you for reading and have a great day.