Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

As the final boss' health bar was reduced to nothing, Maple and Sally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Congratulations! You have successfully completed the main storyline of NWO!

You are the: 1st group to complete the final boss fight.

Would you like a group of characters to be made with your avatars and skills?

Your ranking means that the characters created will be: Optional Superboss"

Y                N

"Well Maple, do you think we should do it?"

"Sure! Sounds like it could be fun to see people fight."

"Okay."

The two hit yes almost at the same time.

"Excellent! In the meantime, please enjoy any content you may have missed on your journey."

The two were transported back to floor 1, in their guild hall.

When they arrived, the rest of the guild was waiting for them.

"Congratulations!"

"Thanks guys! We're glad we could pull it off. It couldn't have happened without your help over all these months."

"Well, now that you two have beaten the game, what will you do now?"

Maple hadn't thought of that before. It seemed like such a long way away that it wasn't on her mind.

Before she could reply, Sally did so first.

"I know there's one thing I've wanted to do for a while."

"What's that?"

"See who's stronger between us. Let's have a duel!"

"Okay! I won't lose to you!"

The guild had stepped outside, and went to a large open field. Given the nature of Maple's abilities, they felt the two would need it.

Chrome counted them down.

"3...2...1...Begin!"

Almost as soon as he said it, Sally took off running.

"Godspeed!"

However, Maple was not far behind on her abilities.

"Hydra!"

Maple had the hydra heads circle around her, in an attempt to create an impenetrable wall Sally could not cross.

However, she forgot that her friend had acquired the same poison immunity she had, in order to protect herself from wide-sweeping status effect attacks.

"That won't work on me. Piercing Strike!"

In preparation for the duel, Sally had made sure to get several pierce damage skills. Though they wouldn't do much damage, it was more than none.

The two made sure to use their pets wisely as well.

"Oboro, Shadow Clone!"

"Haah? How do I know which one to hit! Syrup, Megamorph! Sprit Cannon!"

Rather than target each clone, Maple decides just to hit them all at once.

"Godspeed!"

"Machine God!"

"I won't lose to you!"

The two went at it for seemingly hours.

On Maple's end, Sally had managed to cut through Atrocity, Pandemonium, and several bouts of Machine God. Her friend had started to chip away slowly but surely at Maple's actual health bar.

On the other hand, having to do all this dodging was physically exhausting Sally, no matter how much damage she did, there always seemed to be more of it to go through. Her tiredness led to a few close calls when it came to dodging Maple's more widespread attacks.

Eventually, Sally saw the last hit point she needed to cut away to be victorious.

"Yes, yes, ye-AAH!"

However, as she went for it, a tentacle from Maple's Invitation to the Ocean Floor was able to get a jab at her. Thankfully, Empty Vessel was activated, and she dodged the attack easily.

"Piercing Strike!"

Maple's health bar reached 0. But, as it seemed she was about to dissappear in a flurry of cubes, her body stayed in place, having triggered Stout Defender.

The physical wear of taking and giving so many hits fell upon both of them at the same time. Back to back, the two dropped their weapons, falling to the floor, as their eyes closed softly.

Chapter Text

Soon, they both woke up back at the guild hall, in two beds.

"Thank goodness, you're both okay!"

"That was quite the spectacle."

Maple was still dreary and exhausted.

"But who won?"

"Both of you fell unconscious with only a few hits to spare, so neither."

"Dang."

Sally stood up from her bed, walking over to Maple.

"Well then, I guess we'll never know, will we?"

"If that happens again, likely not."

The two sat back down on the bed Maple woke up from, and the rest of the guild, knowing the two were okay, cleared out.

"Oh well, it was still loads of fun."

"Agree."

Maple noticed how close the two were, and began to turn red.

In the years Kaede and Risa had spent together, their bond had grown quite close. However, the former had begun to understand and notice something that really wasn't on her mind till then.

Risa was really pretty.

She carried herself like she was in charge, but still cared for Kaede more than anything else. As she looked at Risa, her mind continued to go through everything it liked. Her hair, her eyes, her smile, everything.

Maple tried to hide this, looking away from Risa, but was unable to do so.

"Maple? Are you feeling okay?"

"Yeahijustneedtostepoutsideforamomentcya-"

The girl quickly left the room, blushing hard, and exited the guild hall.

Chapter Text

"Well, this is the address I was given."

Kaede was following instructions she had been told, in order to reach somebody's house.

She knocked on the door, and heard footsteps walking down a set of stairs, before the door was fully opened.

"Hey Fredrica!"

"Apologies, I guess I havent told you my real name yet have I? Its Fuma."

"Oh right, I'm Kaede, but you know me as Maple."

"Yep, come on in, please leave your shoes at the door."

The two sat down at a table in a lounge area, having some tea.

"So, what did you come all this way to talk about"?"

"I wanted to ask you some things."

"Well, what kind?"

"It's about Risa, or Sally as you know her. You spend quite a lot of time with her, dueling and all that."

"~Ohohoh, now why would the great walking fortress be asking about her closest friend?~"

"I...think I may have a bit of a crush on her..."

"Took ya long enough."

Maple was stunned at the reaction.

"I mean, you two for sure spend more time together than she does with me, and most of the time we're duking it out. Meanwhile you and her have meals together, both ingame and out, travel together just the two of you, and fight together instead of against each other."

"You mean..."

"I'm honestly surprised one of you didnt come knocking sooner."

"So will you..."

"Sure, I'll help get you two together. Sounds fun, and its not like im doing much else. Payne and Co, as well as me finished the game already. Though I noticed we only ranked second... They asked Mii and her guild if they beat it, but they told us they had yet to unlock the final floor still. You wouldn't happen to know what was up with that...right?

"Busted! Me and Sally managed to get there first it seems."

"Oh, nice. Though it said we would recieve NPC's based on our avatars, they would only be optional encounters. What kind did you get?"

"Superbosses.:

"Just another day in Maple Tree, making things a pain for the devs."

"Hey!"

The two talked at length about their experiences in NWO, interspersed with ideas on getting Risa and Kaede together.

Chapter Text

Maple was walking along a narrow mountain pass, which at the end of was said to be a well-built dungeon.

"Man, Sally would love clearing that, wouldn't she?"

As fate would have it, the girl she was thinking about was below her, on a flat plain, carving a path through a horde of monsters.

Maple looked down, and spotted her.

In her surprise, she lost her footing on the path.

Sally had just finished clearing everything around her, when she heard a familiar cry.

"Huh? w-WAAAHHH!"

As she turned to the noise's source, she spotted her friend and guild leader taking a tumble off a cliffside.

With her speed, she raced over to help her.

Maple braced herself, expecting the heavy damage of falling from such a height.

Instead, her body decelerated, and her health remained at full.

Her mind took a few seconds to process what happened, and she ended up looking at the one who saved her.

Sally.

The girl noticed her looking up, and gave a hearty smile in response.

"She's so cool!"

Maple began blushing again, and yet again Sally took notice.

"Hey, Maple, are you feeling alright? You seem to be doing that a lot."

"Huh? Yeah I'm fine!"

"Okay...just let me know if you need anything. I'll be there."

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-"

Hearing those words got Maple flustered enough that she ended up fainting.

"Hey! Maple? Maple!"

Chapter Text

"Wake up sleepyhead!"

Maple once again stirred, laying down on the same bed from mere days before.

At it's foot sat Sally.

"What happened?"

"You fainted, I brought you over here to rest."

Maple felt her cheeks heat up yet again.

"T...thank you..."

"Rest for a bit longer, you don't look well."

"I...I'm fine!"

Once again, Maple went to leave the situation.

And all her friend did was watch.

Sally was starting to feel a bit down. Her best friend was acting strangely, and she felt the need to keep the reason why a secret from her.

"Was it something I did? I said? Did something happen that I don't know about?"

All she could do was wonder, and hope it could be something she could solve.

Fredrica was wandering within the town, looking for players to duel. It always felt fun to see how they would act.

However, the players in the area had grown wise to her strength, and declined duel invitations.

She almost decided to call it a day, but out of the corner of her eye she saw someone all to familiar.

Sally, her long-time rival.

She rushed over as fast as she could, wanting to have a wonderful combat experience the others could not offer.

Instead, she looked at the girl she knew to be energetic and raring to go, and saw only sadness and doubt.

"Maybe another time."

For now, she sat down next to the swashbucker.

"Hey, Sally. Is everything going alright?"

"Why do you care? Whenever we interact it almost always ends with me pummeling you into the dirt in a duel."

"You might be a rival to me, but it just isn't as fun when one person isn't putting their all into it. So if you want to, please, tell me if somethings wrong."

"It's about Maple."

"What about her?"

"I don't know why exactly, but it feels like she's trying to keep her distance for some reason. Whenever I try and go do something with her, she always finds a reason to leave."

"Oh."

"I just don't know why. Did I say or do something to upset her?"

"I think I can tell you some of what you want to know."

"How so?"

"She's come to me before about her own problems."

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah. I don't think she would want me to share all the details, but I can assure you that how she's acting does not come from any negativity towards you."

"Okay...thanks."

"Feel any better?"

"Yeah, a bit."

Chapter Text

"Hey! Kaede!"

The girl being called to turned around, spotting her friend approaching her.

She felt her cheeks heating up yet again.

"O...Oh hey Risa! I've just gotta go and get something done so I'll see you late-"

"Stop."

"Huh?"

"Could we please just talk?"

"S..sure..."

"Lets sit down."

The two were seated on a bench in a nearby park, Kaede's face still cherry red.

"I feel like we've been growing distant lately."

"What...what makes you say that?"

"Every time I want to do something with you, you always try to find a way to leave."

"Oh, I'm sor-"

"Thank you, but I'm not done."

"Oh, what else then?"

"Can you please tell me what's going on?"

"Like i'm saying, everything's fin-"

"Kaede, I have never seen you so distant before, I want to understand why, so I can help you through anything you might be experiencing. Please."

As she spoke, tears began to fall from Risa's eyes.

"I jist want to know why! Was it something I said? Did? I want to know so I can help you. Plesse let me help make things right!"

Kaede saw her friend's distressed face, and she felt awful.

"I just wanted to try and get away for a while to think things over.

But how far is too far away?"

Kaede went to comfort Risa with a hug.

"I'm sorry I didnt try to tell you anything sooner. Something has been going on for a few days, but I hope I can assure you that you haven't done anything wrong. This is something I need to figure out on my own. If you would please, let me do that."

"Okay, but if you need any help, please talk to me."

Chapter Text

Maple was out in a field on NWO's first floor, experimenting with her abilities.

"Hydra!"

Two of the three beasts that normally showed up were materialized, and Maple put them through making more complex shapes.

As she tried this out, Fredrica showed up out of a nearby forest.

"Heeey Maple~ What'cha doi-AAH!"

Her sudden entrance broke Maple's concentration, and the Hydras decided to let loose on the nearest person, being the mage in view.

Luckily, the shielder called them off with only minor poison damage.

"I'm so sorry! Should I go get some potions?"

"No need, I have healing spells."

As she said it, she cast one on herself to prevent her death.

"So, anyways... what exactly were you doing?

"Oh! I was trying to form my hydras into different shapes,! I figured that if it can be done with tentacle arms, it should work with them."

"And has it?"

"Yup! Exactly as planned!"

"Great. Anything else?"

"Not much, most abilities function as you expect."

"Surprising coming from you, would have thought you would have found something new."

"Same here."

"Well then, I'll be on my way. Payne needs some materials delivred to the seventh flooor."

"Take care!" 

Chapter Text

Fredrica and Maple were discussing plans to get the latter's best friend to notice her advances.

"I've tried chocolates, flowers, everything! She might get slightly flustered at the money I'm spending, if even that!"

"Maybe a different approach is better for her, what does she like?"

"Hmm...though it seems kinda vain, she really does like showing off her skill. Maybe a trip to an arcade? O-oh! What about another duel!"

"That could work!"

"Thanks!"

"Send me some photos once you two are together!"

Armed with her plan, Maple set back off to her guild hall.

Surprisingly, she found Sally there already.

"Hey Maple!"

"Oh...oh hi!"

"What have you been up to today?"

"Not much."

"Same here."

The two sat in silence for a while.

Eventually, one broke the tension.

"I was wondering something..."

"What is it Maple?"

"We never did finish our duel from about a week ago."

"True, we both fainted of exhaustion a few hits from victory."

"Should we have a redo? See who's better?"

"Sounds like a plan!"

Chapter Text

"Once again, three...two...one...Begin!"

Chrome counted them down, and much like last time, Sally charged at Maple as fast as possible.

Yet again, the two tried their best to keep up with one another. Sally whittled down Maple's health, and Maple did her best to land a hit on Sally.

The same scenario played out blow blow compared to the first attempt. However, just as the two reached their lasf few hits, something changed in Maple's demeanor.

"That's strange, and...wait...did she put away her shield?"

Sure enouth, Maple's shield hit the ground with a thud, and dissapeared in a flurry of cubes.

"Hydra! Invitation to the Ocean Floor!"

"Okay... I have to dodge, the tentacles and hydra are going to go into the shapes of...hearts?"

The two summoned Hydras formed into a heart shape, and the tentacles on Maple's arm mirrored it.

"Maple, what are you doing?"

"Do you like it?"

"I mean...it's pretty cool, but isn't this meant to be a fight?"

"Honestly...I really don't feel like having a duel at this point. I just wanted to show and ask you some things."

"Oh...okay. Could you recall the hydras then, still feels like it would be a battle."

"Fair enough. No abilities, no weird transformations. Just Kaede Honjou, and Risa Shiramine."

The two laid down on the slope of a grassy hill, side by side.

"So, what did you want to ask me about?"

Maple's cheeks turned red, and she handed Sally a digital envelope with a heart seal.

Sally opened it, and read it.

To Risa,

This is something I have been wondering about for the past few days.

Ever since our duel, you felt that we started to drift further apart, you asked me if you had done something wrong, with me assuring you that was not the case.

It isn't, and I'm sorry I was avoiding you so much. Like I said, I just needed to figure some things out. Now I have.

I like you. Not just as a friend, but something more.

Your smile, the best part of the darkest day.

Your eyes, I could get lost in for hours.

Your warmth, cheers me up when everything feels hopeless.

Everything about you, I love.

I want to be able to protect it, no matter the cost to me.

I love you, Risa Shiramine.

I only ask that  you love me back.

- Kaede Honjou

Once Risa finished reading, she realized she was blushing as much as the girl who just confessed to her. 

"I-I'm Sorry! I sprung this on you out of nowhere didn't I? That's okay, I can go the-"

Kaede felt something grab her hand as she went to stand up.

All of a sudden, she was being held tightly in a hug, her face mere inches away from Risa's.

"I didn't know I meant so much to you. Truth be told, this letter could have been from me to you."

The red in Maple's face reached a crescendo. 

"S-so does that mean-"

"I do love you Kaede, as much as you love me."

"Then...would you be okay with us dating?"

"I would love to."

The two looked into each other's caring eyes, slowly closing the last few inches of distance between them.

Till after what felt like an eternity, their lips met.

Chapter Text

An adventurer from Order of the Holy Sword explored around the final layer. Now that it was unlocked for the guild, they had been given free reign to do as they pleased.

As they explored, they came across a grand hallway.

"Hall of Champions, huh?"

They ventured further in, and were amazed at what they saw.

Statues, of grand heroes within the game's lore. Each stood on their own, all grand adventurers who were said to perform incredible feats.

However, something was off. The statues for swashbucklers and greatshielders were missing.

As they looked down the hall, they saw a door, with a massive lock.

"Hey Payne, might wanna come check this out."

The adventurer, now with his guild's leader and mage, sought a way to open the door.

Eventually, they were able to find the parts of the key that opened it, and proceeded to do just that.

The door swung apart to reveal a singular stone pathway.  At it's end sat a circular platform, with a single statue, and a plaque to read.

The trio approached the statue, and as it loades in, they saw that it was of two young girls. One riding on the other's back. One had a massive shield, and the other had daggers sheathed at each side. 

"So this must be where the shielder and swashbuckler statues went, but who does it depict?"

Despite his confusion, he saw his companions walk timidly in fear.

"What are you guys worried about?"

"That's a statue of Maple and Sally. Out of all the enemies I've faced, Maple remains the only one who has had the honor of defeating me, and her friend's speed matches that of even Dred."

"Surely something had to fell her, right?"

"No. The two of them are the only two players in NWO, who have completed the game without dying."

"How?"

"Sally I can attribute to skill, but Maple's playstyle is...unorthodox to say the least."

"Would love to see it someday."

The trio read the plaque.

The unbroken shield, filled with godfeared might.

Divine protection, or demon of night.

While starting off slow, yet soon known by all.

Those in her way will still easily fall.

The untouchable blade, hidden in dark.

Yet always prepared to hunt down her mark.

It's said if one sees a moon crimson red.

To hide away, lest she come for your head.

Two graceful warriors, intertwined by fate.

One would expect a connection of hate.

But the two would soon prove greatest of friends.

Sharing glory, rather than be at ends.

The stage now set, and performers now cast.

The only question, how long will you last?

As they read the final line, the three were transported away.

When they arrived, they saw an infinitely expansive white void. In front of them, was a throne.

On the throne, a girl sat in it's seat, and another leaned against it's side.

The girl on the throne spoke first.

"Welcome! This domain doesn't get visitors often, I suppose you came for a fight?"

"Not really, but it doesn't look like there are many other ways out."

"Correct! I can come and go as I please, but the door is one way for you guys!"

"Then I guess we will fight, what are your names by the way?"

"I'm Maple, and this is Sally, but that was probably already known. Lets do this."

As she finished speaking, two healthbars appeared on the screen.

Maple, The Unbreakable Shield 1000/1000

Sally, The Untouchable Blade 1000/1000

"Only 1000 HP? This should be easy."

The adventurer fired a shot from his bow, hitting Maple square in the head, yet doing no damage.

"Wait, what?"

"Payne, what happened?"

"The bosses are based on the two real players. Check their stats."

The adventurer quickly looked at the Boss' stat spread.

"Theres nothing but a line pointing to VIT."

"Precisely, Maple put all her points into vitality, and as such no normal attack even has a chance to do damage to her.

"What about poison?"

"No can do, she thought of that early."

"Piercing?:

"It does so little damage it would take hours."

"I can wait."

"Be careful. Just because she has 0 attack stats, doesnt mean she wont do heavy damage."

"What do you mean?"

"Deploy Armaments!"

All of a sudden, a beam cut between Payne and the adventurer, inadvertedly vaporizing Fredrica.

"That's what I mean."

"I see, well what about Sally?"

"Good luck hitting her. Not even Dred can. If you do, she'll likely go down much quicker though."

"Loving Sacrifice!"

"Except when Maple does that, then all damage to Sally gets redirected to her."

"What do you suggest then?"

"Wait for the next beam and come up with a real plan."

And so they did.

All the while, Risa and Kaede watched the three on a tv screen in the latter's living room.

Having finished recording the needed lines, they decided to watch some people fight their new boss.

The two cuddled together, watching the carnage unfold.

All of a sudden, Kaede got a call from Fuma.

"Hey Kaede!"

"Hey Fredrica, how was the boss?"

"Design wise, great, enjoyability personally... I got vaporized in an instant."

"A-aah! I'm sorry!"

"No need to apologize, so how's Risa?"

Kaede's cheeks turned a shade of light pink.

"G-Good."

"Great to hear. Cya!"

"Bye!"

Kaede headed back over to Risa, and her waiting arms.

"Should we just turn off the TV? Footage gets kinda samey after a while."

"Yeah. Besides, I'm kinda tired."

"Me too."

And so the two decided to sleep.