[ The time has come. Kirito and Co. has finally reached the 70th floor; Where Deku is with Deku Black... and now... Deku Black is trembling with excitement - ]

Deku Black:
"...I can't believe this is happening." Deku Black smirked. "With you two; Asuna. Eugeo. You two were just fighting against PoH and managed to trap him in ice just 5 minutes ago... then you two disappeared out of nowhere and now - They're 5 of you; Kirito. Asuna. Yuuki. Eugeo. And Alice! This is perfect timing!"

Alice:
~"So.. this is Deku Black? Same exact appearance as Dekarusu."
Eugeo:
~"Not only that - He's way more sinister too... with Dekarusu's face."

Kirito:
"So where's Dekarusu? We know you're not the only one here."

Deku Black:
"Take a look around, Blackie. He's right here." Kirito sees the coffin and the smoke.

Kirito:
"He's inside that coffin. And... there's smoke coming out of it."

Asuna:
"What did they do to him?"

Yuuki:
"We should hurry and attack Black. And take Deku back!"

Alice:
"That sounds like a good plan to me-!"

Deku Black:
"I wouldn't even think about attacking me, if I were one of you guys." The others were silently surprised. "Because now -"
SMOKE FISSING!
"It's time!"

BOOM!!!

[ The coffin exploded. Kirito and the others were surprised at the size of the explosion. Then Deku Black smirk as Deku finally revived. ]

Deku Black:
"...Finally. You're now back, Deku."

Deku:

"......"

Asuna:
"D-Deku~Kun...?!"

Eugeo:
"He's finally out of the coffin... but... something's not right." Then the smoke clears up... then they see something different about him. "Woah! Guys look!"

Deku:

Kirito:
"His hair and his skin! Looks totally different!"

Alice:
"What...what is this?! What are we seeing?!"

Asuna:
"Is that the same... Deku~Kun?" Yuuki then spoke to Deku

Yuuki:
"Deku~Kun! Heyyy!" Yuuki raised her voice to let Deku hear her voice... but he didn't respond to her.

Deku:
"......"
MARKS RECEDING!!

Kirito:
"The marks are receding." Kirito and the others seen the marks receding, then seeing his skin and his hair going back to normal. "Hey! Dekarusu! I know you heard Yuuki talking to you. Say something man!"

Deku:

"Hehe... hahahaha!" Deku smirked then he laugh evilly. "This feeling... is unbelievable. I never thought... I feel something like this!" Deku clenched his fist

Kirito:
"Heyyy! Dekarusu! Stop ignoring us!" Deku turn his head a little bit as he sees him, Yuuki and Asuna.

Deku:
"Kirito... Asuna... Yuuki... Alice and Eugeo." The others were surprised as they heard him calling out their names.

Kirito:
"Finally, you talk to us. Dekarusu, c'mon let's get out of this place."

Asuna:
"Please, Deku~Kun, we just wanna -"

Deku:
"Go back home!"

Kirito:
"Huh? Go back home-?!" As Kirito questioned of what Deku said, he dashed away from them. "H-Hey! Where you going!"

[ Deku suddenly starts running away from everyone. Kirito, Asuna, Yuuki and Alice were shocked... but as they wanted to follow them they have to deal with Deku Black first - ]

Kirito:
"Dekarusu!" Kirito dashed after him but Black interfered. "!!!-"
UNSHEATHED! CLASHED!!
"Get out of my way, Black!" Kirito said

Black:
"Kuku... I don't think you guys can reach out for him anymore."

Kirito:
"Shut up! I know Deku's still there. And I'm not going to let you get in our way-!"
CLASHED CLASHED CLASH CLASHED - COUNTERED! THUD!!!

Black:
"You took the words right out of my mouth! If you want to "talk" to Deku... you guys going to have to catch up to him before he reaches the Administrator. But don't worry, I won't interfere... I'll let and your friends a chance to see if you can reach out to him if you idiots can-!"
SPIRALING! BOOM!!!

[ Deku Black creates a smokescreen in order for him to escape. The others ran to Kirito's side! ]

Asuna:
"Kirito! You good?"

Kirito:
"Yeah! We gotta go and catch up with him before he gets to Quinella!"

[ As time passes by... Kirito and Co. tries their best to catch up with their friend... while they were chasing after him, they tried to reach out to him but he wasn't listening to their words. Then now.. they finally caught up to him... up from the 70th floor to the 77th floor... The "Final Valley of Peace" then now - ]

(A/N: 😂 I know from Naruto... but just use your imagination... since they're inside the Axiom Church... The Statues are limited, from their Heads to their Hips.. and the river is half way...)

Kirito:
*Pant, Pant*"
"Dekarusu!!!" Kirito shouted as Deku kept walking. "Are you just going to ignore us forever?!" Then Deku suddenly stopped walking, stopping his tracks.

Deku:
"......" Deku slowly turned around and the others were incredibly shocked to see his face

"I thought I was being perfectly clear when I said for you all to go back home." Deku's left side of his face was covered with marks and his left eye changed with his black sclera.

Asuna:
"Oh my gosh... his eye!" Asuna covered her mouth

Eugeo:
"The Mark... has made him... look like this... it's truly unbelievable!"

Alice:
"Maybe... that's why he was hidden inside the coffin... so the mark could take over his whole body earlier."

Yuuki:
"......" Yuuki was silent as she walked forward a bit. "Deku~Kun. You remember me? Yuuki Konno. We met at school, and then become friends at first."

Deku:
"Of course... I still remember you all. How couldn't I forget some faces. So let me guess... you all are here to "rescue" me? Huh?"

Yuuki:
"Yes! Of course! We're all here to bring you back! Back home with us."

Deku:
"Why even bother of doing something like that?! Wasting your time coming all the way here?"

Asuna:
"Because we cared about you. You're our friend. We don't want to lose you."

Alice:
"That's right. We always be there for you whenever you need help - Even now! We just wanted you to come back with us."

Eugeo:
"You have no idea what we've been through in order for us to make it this far!"

Kirito:
"Exactly! Not just your friends, the teachers are here risking their lives for you. Don't you care about any of that?"

Deku:
"......"

Kirito:
"......"

Deku:
"Well wasn't that nice of them - I don't really care." The others were shocked. "I never even ask you or anyone else to go and sacrifice your lives for me."

Kirito:
"...You don't care?! ...So you're telling us; You don't care about me! Asuna! Yuuki! Alice! Akuma! Or everyone else?! All the times we all have together with you?! In SAO, In ALO, everything! Doesn't all of it means nothing to you now?! Why are you even doing this to us?!" Kirito shouted as Deku was silent

Deku:
"...Hmph. Why should you guys care of what I do? Whatever happens to me what does that have to do with you guys? No matter who it is, nobody has the right to tell me what to do. Just like I left you guys behind." Their eyes widened. "But... if you all wanted to know the truth, I'll be more than happy to say it again... like I said to Alice -"

Kirito & Co.:
"......"

Deku:
"I'm done playing around with you guys - My days of wasting every single second of my time with you people... are done!" The others felt a pain... as Asuna, Yuuki and Alice felt a sharp pain in their hearts. Then Kirito clenched his teeth. "What's up with that face? I told you the truth." Deku giggles evilly

Kirito:
"...!!!" Kirito's hands clenched. "Dekarusu..."

Deku:
"To make things easier for you all to understand is this - Just leave me alone! I don't want you all in my life anymore... like I told Yuuki for her and everyone else to forget about me." Dekarusu turns around, as he plans on leaving the others behind once again.

Asuna:
"De...Deku~Kun... how could you say that..." Asuna was completely saddened by her friend; who she thinks of a little brother said cruel words

[ Flashback ]
Asuna:
("Oh! Hey, Deku?") Asuna smile softly at Deku

Deku:
("?")Deku looks at Asuna, as he gives her his attention

Asuna:
(🙂)
("Do you want to join us and taste the rabbit with us? It'll be my treat.") Asuna ask Deku if he wanted to come along with them. Deku was surprised

Deku:
(😶)
("Huh?! Uh... I mean, if it's ok with you, maybe...") Deku was scratching his left cheek

Asuna:
("I don't mind if you tag along with us.")

[ End Flasheback ]

Alice:
"Deku..." Alice almost shed her tears

[ Flashback ]

("Well... I'm taking a nap... I might even fall asleep the whole day.....") Dekarusu said

("H-Hey... um... D-Deku....?") Alice said

("Yeah?")

("I-I... wanna tell you something... i-if you don't mind....?") Alice was nervous

("Sure~)

("Well... I-I know you're together with Yuuki.... but I...... I really like you....") Alice said her feelings to Deku... and he opened up his eyes...

("You... really like me...?! Like more than as a friend.") Dekarusu said

("......Yes.... but the thing is that... I really enjoyed our bond... it means everything to me... but I just couldn't hold back the feelings I have for you.") Alice said

("Alice... don't get me wrong.... I like you too.... and you're really strong, amazing, really pretty, smart and a promising friend that I could ask for... and I really love our time together.... and from earlier... when you reached out to me when the Curse Mark took over.... you reminded me of Yuuki... she did the exact same thing before you did..... and I don't wanna see you or anyone cry... because of my actions but if it wasn't for you... I would've I killed Raios as well and who know what was would happen...") Dekarusu said

("Yes... I just couldn't stand to see you killing someone.... but it's not your fault because of the Mark...") Alice said

("Yeah.... and Alice... I wanted to say thank you for being there for me... and I'm sorry that I can't return your feelings~)

("Oh.....")

("But.... Alice... you're special to me.... when I bumped into you.... I actually thought we had a special connection somehow... and then we were officially classmates.... and it was really amazing of how I get to know you better... know your strength and everything else... because of all that... it made me think of you more.") Dekarusu said as he smiled at her

("You... were thinking about me.... all of this time?") Alice said

("Yes, but not only you, for everyone too.") Dekarusu said

("And I really don't want to hurt your feelings but I really like you too but... I don't wanna cheat on my girlfriend you know.") Dekarusu said

("I get it.... you're an honorable person... especially when it come to ladies.") Alice said

("Yep. So Alice.... I wanna say thank you for being my special friend and you saved me from the Mark.... and I wanna give you something.") Dekarusu said

("What is it?") Alice questioned

("You have to cover your eyes.") Dekarusu said

("Ok...") Alice closed her eyes and she suddenly felt something wrapped around her waist. ("Deku~)
CHU!

[ End Flashback ]

Yuuki:
"Wow... Deku~Kun... I can't believe that you actually meant it - it can't be true... it just can't...!" Yuuki couldn't hold back her tears

[ Flashback ]

("Hey! What's your name?") Yuuki ask Dekarusu his name while closing her eyes smiling

("O-Oh Sorry! I'm Dekarusu Sumisu nice to meet you Yuuki and Aiko.") Dekarusu bows to Yuuki and Aiko

("Yeah!") Yuuki bows as well.

("Hey..... it looks like we're going to be next to each other for the rest of the year huh.") Yuuki smiles at Dekarusu

("Y-Yeah...... I can't wait for it y'know.") Dekarusu smiles back

[ End Flashback ]

[ As Asuna, Alice and Yuuki just have flashbacks of Deku... of him being nice and caring... it only makes them shed tears when they realize they no longer have the same "Dekarusu/Deku" anymore. Then with Kirito now... ]

Kirito:

"!!!" Kirito angrily dashed forward as he plans to go after Dekarusu
DASHED!! JUMPED!!

Eugeo:
"Kirito!!"

Deku:
"...?!" Deku stops his tracks as he sees a shadow, then he turns his head and sees Kirito

~Kirito:
"Not so fast! You really think is that easily to cut us off like that?! I don't think so!!" Kirito was livid at Dekarusu as he was just standing there glaring
~Deku:

SOARING - THUD!!

[ Kirito charges at Deku, from the midair and tackles him the ground... Kirito was ready to knock some sense into Dekarusu - ]

Kirito:
"...!" Kirito clenched his fist as Deku was lying down watching him, making Kirito more angry! "Grr-!"
POW!!!

[ Kirito punched Deku in the face really hard... as Deku receives a hard right-hook in the face as his blood slowly leaks out of his mouth...!]

Deku:
"......"

Kirito:
~GRAB!! YANKED!
"All right! Did that knock some sense into you? How could you say that to us! To your friends! Huh!"

Deku:
"My friends," huh? If I stayed with so called "friends" like you... I would never have gotten this strong."

Kirito:
"!!!"

Deku:
"Now I'm going to see Quinella..."

Kirito:
"What the hell is wrong with you! Quinella's the one who turned your world into a living hell, creating Deku Black to slaughter your own family! She's the one who have that mark in the first place! And she's the one who's about to take over this world! Whatever it is you expect from her, you really think she'll give it to you for free?! She would do anything in her power to get what she wants, even sacrificing people - Even you! That'll be nothing of you left! You think we'll just do nothing and let you throw away your entire life?!" Kirito yells at him.

Deku:
"Just like Alice... she said almost the same thing to me... I don't even care what happens to me anymore. As long I have power into my own hands and my sword... I'll do whatever it takes to achieve my one goal. But if you and the others intend to get in my way... then I guess it can't be help -
GRABBED! YANKED!!

Kirito:
"I really don't wanted to fight you but I'll do it by force if I have to!" Then Deku was laughing. "What's so funny?!"

~Deku:
"By force, huh? That's really funny cause - I love to see you and the others try that -
GRIPPING!! SLOWLY LIFTING!!
~Kirito:
"!!!" Kirito was slowly getting overpowered Deku's strength as he was now in the air with Deku's grip. "Not again!!"

~Deku:
"..."
RELEASE - THUD!! CRUSHING!
~Kirito:
"Gaaah-!" Kirito received a heavy blow to his gut, then spits up blood was sent flying to the waterfall
BLOWAWAY! SPLASHED!!!

Eugeo:
"Kirito!" Eugeo hurried away to help Kirito

Deku:
"?" Deku was silently amazed by his own power. "What.. is this sudden burst of power? Flowing within my body...? This is the power Quinella and Black was talking about. If that's what I'm capable of now - I wonder what happens if I unleash the mark to its fullest!" Dekarusu smirked

[ Then Kirito finally got out of the water... then Eugeo came for his aid - ]

Eugeo:
"Kirito! Are you okay?!"

~Kirito:
"Urgh! Yeah... damn! He wasn't this strong the last time I fought him!" Kirito dashed off again.
DASHED!
~Eugeo:
"Wait! Don't charge off again!"

Kirito:
"Dekarusu!!!" Kirito's half way of reaching Deku. "Wake up before it's too late!"

Deku:
"Hmph!"
DASHED!! JUMPED!!

~Kirito:
UNSHEATHED!
~Deku:
TWIRLED - THUD - POW!!!

[ Kirito unsheathed his sword in midair... Deku decides to attack Kirito, as he made Kirito block his attack with sword, making him wide open as Deku kicks his chin... as Kirito coughs up blood and falls down to the waterfall again but luckily... Eugeo was there as he caught him in time, and heal his wound. ]

Deku:
"I have woken up long ago. Can't you or anyone else see? From my other self who dreamed of a happy future full of peace and friendship..."

Kirito & Eugeo:
"......"

Asuna, Yuuki & Alice:
"......"

Deku:
"HE was the one who was asleep. THAT'S why I abandoned you guys - THAT's why I've gone and searched for more power - It's not the future I've dreamed of with you guys anymore. Only the past - THAT'S where my true dream lies..." Deku said an image of his family was behind him..."

[ To be Continued ]