Equis Art Online II

As Rarity worked on Kirito's Coat, she huffed in annoyance. It was torn in several places, and a sleeve was nearly torn off completely. She smiled as she put the final stitches in the repairs, and picked it up. Placing it in a bag, she smiled.

"Kirito's going to love this!" She said happily, as she set out for Sugarcube corner.

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As Kirito and The group walked out of Sugarcube Corner, Twilight sighed.

"What's wrong?" Liz asked.

"I've gone through all the records we have on Sombra. There's nothing indicating any sort of weakness. I don't know how we'll beat him..."

"We'll be fine." Silica said. "We always are."

Twilight thanked the Cait-Sith player, and as they headed back to the castle, They found Rarity waiting for them.

"Kirito, I did some modifications and repairs to your coat while you were out." she said, handing Kirito the bag. "I hope you enjoy."

Kirito opened hte bag, and smiled. The coat looked as good as new, and a small winglike pattern was sewn into the back of the coat. Equipping it, he tested it out, moving his arms.

"Feels great. Thanks a lot." Kirito replied.

"Don't mention it, dear." Rarity said. "Do keep it in stable condition this time."

Kirito nodded and sat down next to Asuna, who sighed and placed her head on his shoulder. It wasnt long before Celestia arrived with news.

"Many new monsters unlike anything we've seen before are coming up everywhere, leading monster bands that are attacking villages. Kirito, we believe they originate frrom your world's VR games.'

"It would make sense." Kirito replied. "The only way he could access them is by getting into the Cardinal System or the World Seed. Those originate from our world, though."

"Any chance he could access them, or even control it?" Celestia asked.

"No. The Cardinal System can't be controlled. I saw what happened to a person who tried to control it firsthand." Kirito said, thinking of his battle alongside Alice and Eugeo in Underworld's Throne Room, where Eugeo sacrificed himself to save Kirito. Celestia saw Kirito's pained expression and decided not to press further.

"So..." Celestia said, changing the subject. "How should we prepare if we need to fight them?"

"You'll need strong fighters and a lot of strategy." Asuna said. "Back in Aincrad, Kirito and I planned a few battle strategies against the Floor Bosses. Our best record was two casualties out of fifty-odd players." Asuna said.

"I'll send you our current strategies, then." Celestia replied. "See what you can do."

"Consider it a favor." Asuna replied, and Kirito nodded.

"Well, I dunno about you guys, but I'm bored. What's to do around town?" Klein asked, looking out hte window.

"Figures." Sinon said. "You've always been one for action, Klein."

"Eh." he replied.

"Well, feel free to explore." Twilight said. "I'll alert you if we need you."

"Sounds good." Kirito said, he and Asuna standing up. "Let's take a breather guys. Meet back here when you're finished exploring. Partner up, everyone."

"Right." came the reply from everyone.

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Lizbeth and Sinon decided to explore the western part of town. As they browsed the market stalls, Liz noticed a clamor coming from a small field. They walked over and discovered a group of ponies watching an archer demonstrate his skills.

"Archery, huh?" Liz said. "Might be a challenge, Sinon."

"Let's see what he's got." Sinon said, walking over. "Hey."

"Yo." The archer replied. "Came to watch?"

"Nah. I came to challenge." Sinon said, drawing her bow. "You up for a shoot-off?"

The archer grinned.

"No one's beaten Sharp Eye before. I'll bet you fifty bits you can't beat me."

"I'll take it." Sinon said. "Pick your target."

Sharp Eye grinned and drew his bow, nocking an arrow. Aiming at an apple tree over near the orchard. Loosing an arrow, he shot an apple through. As the crowd cheered, Sinon scoffed.

"Lucky shot. I'll show you what I can do."

Nocking an arrow, she aimed at the same apple. Then, she chanted.

"Ektor. Skorri. Fellis. Marin."

Then, she fired. As the arrow flew, it pierced Sharp Shot's arrow, before flying in an arc into the sky, and landing vertically in the apple, knocking it to the ground. As Sharp Shot's jaw dropped, everypong spectating gasped.

"Now where's that fifty bits you owe me?" Sinon said, resting her bow. Sharp Eye soundlessly offered her a small bag of bits, and Sinon placed it in her belt.

"Thanks. Nice shooting, by the way. You're not a bad archer. But I'm more than that. I'm a sniper."

As Sinon and Liz walked off, Sharp Eye passed out.

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