Miraculous Online:SAO AU Chapter 7

Yo my superb kitty-cats! I'm back with chapter seven to my SAO AU! Sorry, I've been a little slow in getting these out, but I've been working on a new collaboration and my 900 followers celebration. However, I do intend on finishing this fan-fiction and I also have many ideas on more anime AUs. Comment down below for any recommendations you might have and I'll definitely check them out! Now enough with my ramblings, and enjoy!

***

Cat Noir's feeble knees gave way as he collapsed down against the cold, jagged floor. Using his sword as a stable leeway, he weakly gripped the jet black handle.

Heavy, rapid breaths escaped his parch throat as he cast his eyes downward; too exhausted to lift up his head. Tumbles of tousled, sandy hair flew over his forehead. Brushing them out of his face, Cat Noir made eye with the fair, midnight haired lady to his right.

Ladybug smiled weakly, but she was as tired as he was. She fidgeted with her sakura blossoms pink skirt until realization hit her like a slap.

"We...won...," She murmured between raspy breaths. "We...did...it..." Almost not believing it herself, Ladybug grinned as relief courses through her anxious veins.

"I...guess...we did." Cat Noir muttered; matching her smile with his own pearly white teeth. Somehow, he found the strength to raise his head and found Volpina giving them a thumbs up: her flaming hair trailing behind her. He really wanted to take a catnap. Pun not intended.

"No, this can't be," A new, frightened voice took over; changing the happy atmosphere. "This can't be happening...Max?" Kim's desperateness for his friend's life.

All joyful faces suddenly turned sorrowful; casting their gazes downward. Not meeting Kim's liquid filled eyes.

Ladybug was the first one to make a move. She walked calmly toward Kim, setting her delicate fingers over his shoulder in apology and grief. "His death won't be in vain," A sniff from Kim's snotty nose. The bluenette glanced into each player's eyes. "Starting today, from the front lines. Cat Noir and I swear to protect each and everyone of the front liners to the best of our ability to ensure that no sacrifice will ever happen in vain ever again. Because, I promise that we will beat this game and take back what's rightfully ours. Our freedom!" Thunderous claps of applause came from the energetic, inspired players. Cat Noir whistled in approval.

Whoever she is, I love that girl.

"That's a load of bull." Kim muttered.

Ladybug turned her attention back to the dark-eyed boy. "What?"

Kim slapped her hand off of him and pointed an accusing finger at her face. "It's all yours and that cat boy's fault that Max died!"

"It's Cat NOIR." Cat Noir emphasized. Kim gave him his most threatening death stare. The blond haired boy didn't flinch. He's seen scarier things.

Ladybug took a deep breath. "Kim, Max died because the boss's battle patterns were different than what the beta testers went through, he didn't die because of-"

"Then what about him?!" Kim then turned toward the unsuspecting green eyed boy. "He knew about the boss's attack sequences and yet he said nothing!"

Cat Noir guiltily lowered his ashamed face. "Like LB said, we didn't realized that Stoneheart's combat abilities were different from what the beta testers told us, and by the time I noticed...it was too late."

Whispers of uncertainty clouded the tense feeling that arose through the frosty air. No one knew what to say after that. The loss of their leader affected them all. The question was; what to do now.

"You two...you're beta testers aren't you?" Hatred was easily spotted in Kim's angered windpipes. "That's how you knew when the attack combos were different." Their silence confirmed everything.

"I should have known," Kim snarled. "I bet you both have Miracle Swords stashed somewhere too! Open your inventory!" He grabbed Ladybug by her flower printed white shirt: lifting her like she weighed nothing and pulled her to his cruel, merciless face.

"What the heck?!" Volpina asked shocked. "Put her down! We're not enemies here! Don't you see? This is what Hawkmoth wants: for us to never make it to the top and we can't do that if we're at each other's throats!"

Ladybug choked; slowly gripping her own hand over Kim's: trying to loosen and release his tight hold.

Sending a piercing glare at the surrounding players, everyone cautiously backed up. "Shut up four-eyes." He sneered.

Volpina was taken aback. How dare he! She fumed. Was he that enraged that he wouldn't listen to common sense? Volpina knew that if he didn't do something quick, Kim would continue on his ravage rampage against herself and the others.

Suddenly, a strong, forceful grip entered and clasped around Kim's exposed wrist. Dull, jade green eyes with no emotion except for quiet fury met with Kim's own charcoal, dead black ones. "You heard Volpina, let her go." Cat Noir expressed each syllable of his sentence.

Pure terror racked Kim's instinctual reflexes at the attractive boy's icy stare. He immediately let go of her collar from fear. Sweat dripping down his neck as he trembled. Gripping his own, blunt sword for balance and closure.

That...that boy... If I hadn't let go of the girl, he would have killed me! Right then and there! Just who is this guy?

Plummeting into Cat Noir's arms, Ladybug held a hand to her chest to control her heartbeat. She leaned into her partner's own chest, feeling his warmth radiating safety.

Tenderly, the worried boy turned her head to face him. "You okay?" He whispered.

Noticing how close they were, Ladybug felt her cheeks flush scarlet; hesitating to speak. "Y-Yes. I'm o-okay," She stuttered. They stood like in that position for a few more seconds, before Ladybug gently pushed herself out of his furnace warm arms. Awkwardly, giving each other quick glances and their faces turning crimson.

Volpina smirked at the two lovebirds at their obvious clueless minds. Oblivious of what had just occurred between the two. She knew that they probably didn't know each other for long, but it was all up to time now.

"Liars," Kim rasped. "You're all liars!" He yanked on his iron sword's handle and swung fiercely. Slice after slice, bolting toward Cat Noir. Lifting his sword above his head, he pushed down for a final strike. "Just die!" He screamed; tears pouring down his cheeks.

Clang!

Their swords banged against one another with Kim receding. The dull iron sword Kim had was no match for Cat Noir's sleek, onyx metal Miracle Sword. Cat Noir's patience had crumbled into dust. This was the last straw.

"What?!" Kim asked; shocked that Cat Noir had easily blocked his attack like it was nothing. "When did you..." According to Kim's memory, the blond had his sword carefully tucked away in his sheath. When had he taken it out?

"Don't underestimate me." Cat Noir said; his voice dangerously low.

"How about you try big talk after I slice and dice you to shreds!" Kim retorted; secretly nervous. If he had to be honest, he was beyond terrified of the boy. There was just something about him that screamed 'dangerous'.

"Tch, you're all bark and no bite. No way can you hurt me with that pitiful blade of yours." Cat Noir said lazily.

Antimony took supreme control over Kim's mind. "Are you trying to pick a fight, pipsqueak?!" He shouted.

Cat's eyebrows furrowed at the nickname. He wasn't that short. "Call me pipsqueak again, and I'll make your death much more painful than needed."

Kim snarled at his cockiness. "Wanna bet that it's gonna be you on your deathbed?" Reading his slate grey sword into position.

"Why don't you try?" Cat Noir quipped; doing the same.

"STOP!" A new voice shrieked. The horrified other players had their knees buckling from the tense conversations. Ladybug marched over to her party member's side and slapped him as hard as she could.

The numbness kicked in after the slight impact of pain. Cat's eyes were as wide as saucers. He raised a hand to stroke the bruised cheek. It would heal quickly, but the meaning of pain would linger.

"You...stupid cat," Ladybug made out. "Do you think that fighting will make the problem disappear? Like Volpina said, that's what Hawkmoth wants. And you're gonna give in to it?! I thought you were stronger than that! I'm disappointed in you..." Cat Noir said nothing; afraid that he too would start to cry. And he despised looking weak.

"Well? Do you have nothing to say?" Ladybug inquired. Silence until he spoke next.

"The world is cruel," Cat Noir murmured. "But that's why we fight. We fight for the things that are dear to us and we step on others to get there. There's no such thing as mercy in this world. Since we're in a game, it applies all the more. It's yourself you sacrifice or the world. Selfless or selfish, it doesn't change anything. All that matters is what we choose to walk our own separate paths." With that, he whirled around, sauntering away from the others.

"C-Cat!" Ladybug called, but he kept walking till he reached the farthest corner to brood. She didn't understand one thing about the annoyingly handsome boy. What was he talking about? Has he hit his head too many times already?

"You're all sick people," Kim continued his senseless argument. "Who all deserve to-" Whack! Ladybug punched him with all of her remaining strength. He fell backwards; his head lolling and eyeballs glazing.

"So annoying..." Ladybug muttered, before waltzing back to her fellow party member. Completely unaware of the astounded faces everyone gave her.

***

"Kitty?" Ladybug nervously rubbed her arm up and down. She was worried that she might have been too harsh on her partner.

"Hey..." The boy greeted; not meeting her baby blue irises.

"Look, I'm sorry," She said; getting it out of her system. "I shouldn't have slapped you and I hope you don't hold it against me. I was wrong and I didn't mean to hurt your feelings so...I'm sorry."

"N-No, it's fine. I kind of deserved it..." He chuckled; lifting the awkward mood. He went straight to the point. "So, you're a Miracle Sword Holder?" Ladybug knew that he already would know her answer, but yet she still stalled.

"Y-Yes. Do you hate me for not telling you?" She asked; not wanting to know his answer.

"No! Not at all!" He proclaimed; raising his hands. "I kinda have been doing the same thing." The blond gestured to his own Miracle Sword.

"So...what do we do now? Now that we have these things?" Ladybug asked; genuinely curious.

"Isn't it obvious," Cat Noir smirked. "We save the world."

Ladybug rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I know that, but how?" Is he always this frustrating and dense?

Cat Noir thought about it for a moment. "We'll need help to find the other holders and sign up with a guild. We won't accomplish much with just the two of us."

"We just took down a boss by ourselves," Ladybug said blatantly. "Where are we gonna find-"

"Hey you two, I want in."

***

Whew! Another chapter finished! This one was a bit more dramatic and tense than I planned, but oh well! This still had to be my favorite chapter that I've written so far. No messes with Cat's lady. :joy: Until next time! Thanks for reading and comment down below some suggestions to improve my writing and some new anime AU recommendations!

Bug Out!

-PrettyQueen325

Cover image belongs to A-1 Pictures, edit by me!