Equis Art Online

As the group filed into the conference room, Kirito smiled at the design. Plain stone, with a few decorations. He shrugged and sat down nex tto Asuna, who smiled and began to lean her head on his shoulder. Aries sat down next to Leafa, with Klein, Silica, Lisbeth, and Sinon filling the remaining slots. As the ponies sat themselves down, Luna cleared her throat.

"So, where are you fairies from?"

"There are actually two answers to that, Princess. One answer is the virtual world of ALfheim, often referred to as ALO. It's completely fake, and the "fairies" before you are just in-game avatars. Somehow, through a random selection to beta-test, which means basically check something unreleased for things that could go wrong, the new expansion and hub area for ALO, Eqigard. After beating a game-built boss, or ultimate enemy for a stage, we entered a portal. Somehow, we ended up in this world. The second Answer is the real-life, completely real, nation of Japan, on the planet Earth. We have lives, friends, homes, everything is separate from ALO. We use a device called the AmuSphere to connect to ALO. Basically, we use our minds to guide our avatars. I really don't know how it works, but it does its job, and that's what matters." Kirito said, noticing Twilight had a notepad and pencil now, and was writing down everything he had said.

"Impressive. Your kind seems to be very advanced."

"In real life, or IRL, we've existed for millions of years. It's 2026 back on earth. Humans are, for one thing, creative. We're always inventing something new. A few interesting things we've created. Instant mass communication, even around the world. VRMMOs like ALO. The Internet, which is basically a world-wide data network you can access anytime using a device we call a computer. The computer is actually what runs the VRMMO, the NervGear just moves our minds into the computer. There's a lot more we've invented, but a full description of human history would take, a few years just to cover the basics."

The ponies in the room gasped.

"Exactly like that!" Klein quipped.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and it opened, revealing a pony in a smart suit, who did not look pleased. Kirito thought he heard Celestia swear under her breath.

"Auntie, I go away for three days on vacation, and you invite these...CREATURES...into the palace? What were you thinking."

"Blueblood, depart from us. They are our honored guests, and they have done more for us in two days then you have done in your whole LIFE!" Luna said.

"Guests? These creatures are your guests? You must be insan...URK!"

Kirito had pressed his his black longsword to his throat. And Asuna stood up and summoned hers.

"I don't know who you are, and I don't care an iota about it. First of all, we are fairies of ALfheim, not "creatures." Two. We slew a rogue dragon attacking Ponyville AND another monster that was attacking this city, and we did it with no pony being hurt. THREE. If you don't shut up and leave, well, I don't think you want to find out what i'm capable of, what THE BLACK SWORDSMAN is capable of. (Asuna smiled at the mention of the fabled name) Understand, you ignorant bonehead?"

"Why should I be scared of you?"

Kirito smiled.

"You really think you're so high and mighty? Like you're some sort of god?"

Blueblood scoffed.

"I take it that's a yes. And i'll tell you what happened to a person that tried to become a god. First, I slashed his face."

Blueblood frowned.

"Then, I cut one of his hands clean off."

Blueblood started to sweat.

"Then, I slashed him into two pieces, and I picked up his still-living top half by the head."

Blueblood squeaked in fright.

"Then, I thew what remained of his body into the air, and impaled his head on the tip of my sword, blinding and scarring him for life. That's pretty darn close to what i'm going to do to you if you don't apologize, leave, and NEVER BOTHER US AGAIN for AS LONG AS WE ARE HERE. Understand?"

Blueblood's face was absolutely mortified. He squeaked an "I'm sorry." and he bowed, then he walked out the door, shivering in fright. Kirito smiled and shut the door, and pretty soon, Klein began to clap. After a few seconds, everyone else in the room was clapping. Celestia in particular.

"A bit showy, but effective." Asuna quipped as she sat back down.

"Heh, it worked." Kirito said.

"That was certainly impressive. I know my nephew, for that was who he was, to be a royal pain in my flank, but to insult you after what you did for Canterlot was the last straw. I'm going to have a talk with him at the gala."

"Gala?' Sinon said, curious.

"The Grand Galloping Gala is one of the biggest events in Equestria. The creme de la creme of the elite attend. It's a rather big thing to get a ticket. Twilight and her friends have attended a few times. It actually takes place tomorrow night."

"Mind if we attend? I think I have a plan to get the ponies to like us."

"Do tell." Celestia said with a mischievous smile.

Kirito walked up and whispered in Celestia's ear, getting a large smile from the ruler.

"I think that sounds like a plan. Formal attire for you body shape will be a problem."

"I think I can help with that. I will have to adjust my methods, but I think I can whip up a few tuxes and a few dresses in no time!" Rarity said.

"Thanks." Kirito said.

Suddenly, a notification message appeared in front of Celestia.

SYSTEM LOGIN-ID HEATHCLIFF

SYSTEM LOGIN ACCEPTED

SYSTEM EXECUTING PROTOCOL SLPK-01

PROTOCOL EXECUTED

SPAWNING PLAYER

Then, a white body appeared, followed by the sigil for the Imp race. As features took shape, Asuna gasped loudly. Then, clothing appeared, along with a sword. As the fairy collapsed to the table, Asuna ran over. As the fairy stirred, she looked Asuna straight in the eye and she began to cry. Asuna smiled and began to hug the fairy.

"It's okay. It's okay." Asuna said.

"How am I here?" the fairy said. "I'm dead. How am I alive?"

"That doesn't matter now."

"Asuna? Is that who I think it is?" Kirito said, shocked.

"Yes." the fairy said, standing up.

"Asuna." she said tearfully, before hugging her again. "I missed you!"

"So did I." Asuna said, now shedding a tear. "Yuuki."