Episode 4

## Video

This is the fourth episode of the Aincrad Arc, and the fourth episode of Sword Art Online Abridged overall.

## Plot

On February 23, 2024, in the Lost Forest on Floor 35, a player named Silica is arguing with her Party member, Rosalia, who is demanding Silica to give up her pet Dragon, Pina, so she can turn them into a pair of leather pants. Silica adamantly refuses, despite the other Party members' eagerness to see Rosalia wearing them, to which Rosalia offers to make Silica a pair too. Horrified by Rosalia's compromise, Silica decides to leave the Party, stating that she'll form her own, which will just consist of Pina and herself.

Later that same day, Silica and Pina get ambushed by group of Drunk Apes. Silica tries to reassure herself, as she has Pina with her, but when she orders Pina to heal her, she recovers a minuscule amount of health. Silica is then thrown into a tree and her health bar turns orange. Silica asks Pina to heal her again, but Pina alerts her that their healing spell isn't ready yet. Silica tells Pina that they're doing their best, but orders them to hold the Drunk Apes off while she recovers from her injury. Pina proceeds to do so, only to get knocked down in a single hit. Pina then starts to glow. Silica initially thinks is a sign that Pina is evolving, encouraging them to do so, only to become horrified when Pina dies, leaving a single feather behind. The Drunk Apes then surround Silica, who is paralyzed out of shock. Luckily for her, just as the Drunk Apes are about to kill her, she is saved by Kirito, who destroys the monsters. At first, Silica hears Kirito in a sexy voice, asking if she's okay, but when Silica asks him to repeat himself, Kirito is actually telling Silica to stop staring at him, as he finds it creepy.

Coming to her senses, Silica bursts into tears over the death of her pet, holding the feather that was left behind. Kirito stares awkwardly at Silica before stating he better get going. Silica asks Kirito if he's going to console her, but Kirito refuses, stating that he's "not pulling the pin on that grenade". Realizing he's right, Silica apologizes to Kirito, stating that, "This isn't your fault." However, these words trigger Kirito, as they remind him of Sachi's death, compelling him to ask Silica what's wrong. Silica then goes on a long anecdote about her entire life, which lasts approximately seven hours, much to Kirito's dismay.

During her exposition dump, Kirito takes the rambling Silica to a tavern in Mishe, where he bangs his head on the table. When Silica finally reaches the end of her tale, Kirito expresses his disdain for the massive dump of useless knowledge he just experienced, stating that the brain cells that could've been used to beat the game have been used to remember which crayons Silica used to eat when she was four. Annoyed, Kirito offers to tell Silica how to revive her pet if she agrees to leave him alone, only for Silica to correct him when he calls Pina a hamster. Kirito then proceeds to rant about how much he doesn't care, but Silica cuts him off, asking if he's going to help or not.

With his fury extinguished, Kirito tells Silica that there's a Dungeon on Floor 47, called the Hill of Memories, that rewards players with a special item called the Pneuma Flower, which has the ability to revive pets. Silica is overjoyed to learn that Pina can be revived, but Kirito informs her that the item won't work three days after the pet's death. Shocked by how little time they have left, she tells Kirito that they better get going, only to find out that Kirito won't be joining her on the quest.

Kirito then leaves the tavern, with Silica chasing after him. Silica tries to change Kirito's mind, stating that she'll die on her own, but Kirito reminds her that he doesn't care. As Silica continues to follow him, they run into Rosalia, who Silica isn't pleased to see again. Noticing that she doesn't have her pet anymore, Rosalia asks Silica what happened to Pina, to which Silica informs her that they died. Rosalia then asks if Silica was able to make some pants out of Pina's remains, which Silica adamantly denies. Rosalia is disappointed that Silica wasted the opportunity, something Kirito agrees with, as Dragon leather is surprisingly comfortable.

Unamused by Kirito's comment, Silica proclaims that she'll revive Pina no matter what. Rosalia's attention then focusses on Kirito, commenting how nice it is that Silica found someone on her level, a statement that enrages Kirito. Rosalia then comments on Kirito's "tough guy" persona, calling it "cute" and sarcastically commenting on how convincing it is, all with an overly sweet tone. Rosalia then deduces that Kirito and Silica were heading to the Hill of Memories, stating that the two will have no problem clearing it together. Silica tries to explain that Kirito isn't joining her, but Kirito cuts her off, stating that "[they]'ve got a hamster to save". Silica is overjoyed that Kirito changed his mind, proclaiming that "Operation: Save Pina is go", as Rosalia watches them leave with a smile on her face.

The next day, after buying some new equipment for Silica, Kirito and Silica arrive in the Floor 47 town of Floria. Once they arrive, Kirito asks Silica if she heard anything last night, as he was crying over Sachi's death in his hotel room. Silica did hear him, something that embarrasses her, but she denies it, claiming that she was a heavy sleeper. Kirito is relieved that Silica didn't hear him and leads her into the Dungeon. However, Silica's curiosity gets the better of her and she who Sachi was, which infuriates Kirito.

Before Silica can get an answer, however, she is attacked by a Garish Gerbera, which hangs her upside down over its mouth. In this state, Silica worries that Kirito will be able to look up her skirt, making Kirito question her priorities. Silica panics, asking Kirito what to do, to which Kirito tells her to calm down, as she has everything she needs to defeat the monster. Silica initially thinks Kirito means she has the power to believe in herself, but Kirito clarifies that he was referring to her knife and tells her to stab it. Following Kirito's commands, Silica frees herself and kills the monster. Kirito then advises Silica to stick behind him, as her level is so low it's attracting all the monsters in the Dungeon. Silica reassures Kirito that she can take care of herself. However, this is immediately disproven when Silica is attacked by another monster within seconds, much to Kirito's annoyance.

After traversing through the Dungeon, the two eventually come across a flower on a podium. Believing that they have completed their quest, Silica picks up the flower with delight. However, Kirito tells her that it's not the real flower, and they need to collect at least fifty more, which will then be traded for a gem that they need to give to an NPC, who will let them into another Dungeon, where they'll fight a series of Bosses, after which they'll be rewarded with the real flower. Silica is shocked by how complicated the quest is, which makes Kirito realize that Silica doesn't play many RPGs.

After the excruciating process, they finally acquire the item and start heading back. However, just as they exit the Dungeon, Kirito spots someone's username poking out from behind a tree and stops Silica from going any further. He starts monologuing that the tree must be the "fabled Word Tree of Gamagorath", but he soon gets bored and asks the person to come out. The player emerges and is revealed to be Rosalia, who comments that Kirito's Detection Skill must be quite high to have sensed her presence. Greeting her, Kirito tries to mock Rosalia by mimicking her overly cheery persona, but gets annoyed with it rather quickly, asking how Rosalia can keep it up all day. Rosalia is impressed that Kirito managed to see through her act, revealing that she is the leader of the bandit Guild, Titan's Hand. However, Kirito says he's never heard of her Guild, stating that he thought she was a member of Laughing Coffin. Rosalia tries to save face by declaring that they are one of the most feared Guilds the lower Floors, but Kirito states that means they're only intimidating to players that think Slimes are terrifying, which includes Silica.

Rosalia is unaffected by Kirito's sharp tongue, stating that it's just a distraction to hide the fact that he is a sad, lonely boy with no one who loves him. Rosalia proves this by claiming that Kirito knew about her plans, and only helped Silica to use her as bait to lure Rosalia and her Guild out. Silica denies this allegation, stating that Kirito would never do that, only for Kirito to confirm that's exactly what he did, much to Silica's shock. Rosalia then belittles Kirito, pointing out how he's hiding behind the persona of the "invincible warrior" he can never be in reality, stating that getting trapped in Sword Art Online must've been the best thing that's ever happened to him. She finally concludes that it doesn't matter how tough he pretends to be, as it will never hide the one thing he can't escape: He sounds like a girl.

This comment sends Kirito over the edge, bursting into maniacal laughter. With Kirito reduced to such an unstable state, Rosalia confidently states that her Guild will be taking the Pneuma Flower now. Kirito doubts that Rosalia can take the item from them, which prompts Rosalia to summon her thugs out from their hiding places. Silica is surprised by how many enemies there are but states she'll back Kirito up in the fight. However, Kirito simply pats Silica on the head, telling her it's adorable that she thinks the bandits are a threat. He then tells her that the show is about to start, warning her that "the first three rows are a splash zone", before walking towards the Guild alone, laughing as he goes.

Seeing this, one of the thugs points out that Kirito thought he was going up against Laughing Coffin, yet he just brought himself and a small child, asking Rosalia if they should mess with him. Rosalia reassures her thugs, stating Kirito is all talk, and now that she's broken him, he's just a gibbering mess grasping at straws. Kirito is amused by this "theory" and allows the Guild to take the first shot. Slightly concerned, one of Rosalia's thugs tells her that he thinks this is a trap. Rosalia ignores him, stating that they're all Level 45 and outnumber Kirito, and orders them to kill him. The thugs then attack Kirito, who just stands there taking the blows. Silica worries that Rosalia really did break Kirito's will to fight back, but just as she's about to jump in and save him, Kirito's health suddenly regenerates, much to her confusion.

Eventually, the thugs run out of breath and stop attacking him. Rosalia orders them to finish the job, but one of the thugs exclaims that they threw everything they had at him, yet Kirito is still standing. Kirito then explains that, while Rosalia may think she had him all figured out, there's one thing she didn't account for: He's Level 78. This means that his level is so high that his health regenerates faster than they can damaged him, meaning that their attempts to kill him are futile. Kirito then proclaims that the thugs don't have to wonder where their god is anymore, because he's right in front of them, "and he's fresh outta mercy". This causes one thug to burst into tears. Backed into a corner, Rosalia states that this only proves her point, and that Kirito's strength in the game is an illusion to cover his real weaknesses. However, Kirito attacks her midsentence, slitting her throat and fatally wounding her, telling her that he's "gettin' *real* tired of [her] first-year psych student bullshit". Unfortunately for Kirito, Rosalia gets the last laugh, telling him that this is the deepest he'll ever be in a woman, before she finally dies, much to Kirito's dismay. This whole scene leaves Silica fairly terrified.

Later, back in Silica's hotel room, Silica asks Kirito why he isn't feeling anything after killing Rosalia, to which Kirito explains he no longer has feelings due to going "cold turkey". Shocked, Silica asks him what's the point of living if he can't experience things like happiness, wonder or love. This causes Kirito to change his mind, realizing that, if doesn't have emotions anymore, he can't fully enjoy his revenge, which Silica takes as a pyrrhic victory. Kirito then states that Silica is a good friend and that they should go on more adventures together. However, Silica declines the offer, stating that, while she's grateful for Kirito's help, he is the worst person she's ever met. Although hurt by this, Kirito respects Silica's method of "cutting him down a peg", to which Silica states that this way of thinking is "kinda the problem".

Regardless, Silica states that everything they've gone through together will all be worth it to have Pina back. They then prepare to revive Pina, by using the flower on a feather Pina left behind. However, the game announces that the time limit to revive Pina has expired, and the feather explodes. Kirito apologizes to the devastated Silica for her loss, only for Silica to let out a bloodcurdling scream, before going on a rampage, causing mass destruction in her wake, which Kirito considers taking the news well.

## Cast

* **puccagarukiss:** Rosalia
* **Rachel Michelle Thompson:** Silica
* **Sonicring123Dubs:** Party Member
* **KaggyFilms:** "Dream" Kirito, Thug 2, Additional Voices
* **YamatoSFX:** Kirito
* **Dizzasta:** Thug 1, Thug 3
* **Daniel Hodge:** Additional Voices
* **Sakiseshy:** Game Announcer

## Music

* **Thirty Seconds to Mars:** "This Is War"
* **Sword Art Online Original Soundtrack vol.1:** "A Narrow Escape", "A Squabble"
* **Darksiders (Original Soundtrack):** "Battle with Straga", "War's Theme"
* **Bravely Default Flying Fairy Original Soundtrack:** "Silence of the Forest", "The Horizon: Endless Light and Shadow", "Under a Hollow Moon"
* **Batman: Arkham City (Original Video Game Score):** "Wham. Gotcha!"
* **Amnesia: The Dark Descent (Original Game Soundtrack):** "Lux Tenebras", "Theme for Unknown"
* **Valkyria Chronicles 3 Original Soundtrack:** "We Are the Nameless"
* **Dragon Age 2 (Original Videogame Soundtrack):** "Tavern Music"
* **Dust: An Elysian Tail Soundtrack**
* **The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Hyrule Symphony:** "Hyrule Castle"
* **Pokémon Red & Blue Soundtrack:** "Lavender Town Theme"
* **Trine 2 Soundtrack:** "Waltz Of The Temple Forest Elves"
* **Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game (Original Videogame Soundtrack):** "Area Clear"

## Differences from the Original

The following is a list of differences *only* from this episode. To view any differences for the characters, view their pages, or if you want to see more click here.

* In the original, Rosalia acts like a generic mean girl stereotype. In the abridged version, she puts on an overly nice persona, with the not-so-subtle undertones of what she's actually trying to say.
* Silica doesn't get into an argument with Rosalia because she wanted to turn Pina into a pair of leather pants. The argument started because Rosalia wouldn't share her Healing Crystals with Silica, arguing that Pina could heal her and that the other Party members favored Silica over her.
	+ The Party members now seem to favor Rosalia over Silica.
* In the original, Silica leaves claiming that lots of players will want her in their Parties. In the abridged version, she says that "It's just gonna be me and Pina and it's gonna be awesome!"
	+ The part where one Party member begs Silica not to leave is skipped.
* Silica doesn't reassure herself during the Drunk Apes' ambush.
* In the original, Pina seems to heal Silica automatically. In the abridged version, Pina heals Silica when she asks her to.
	+ Silica isn't disappointed with the amount of health Pina restores.
* The part where Silica runs out of Healing Crystals is skipped.
* In the original, Silica is left defenseless because she loses her dagger after the Drunk Ape smacks her into the tree. In the abridged version, Silica is left defenseless because the impact left her temporarily unable to move.
	+ Silica doesn't ask Pina to heal her again, so we don't know if Pina's healing ability has a cooldown.
* Pina doesn't talk in Dovahzul.
* Pina doesn't die because Silica asked her to "hold them off for a sec", she died because she was automatically defending Silica.
	+ Silica doesn't think the beginnings of Pina's death animation means that she's evolving.
* Silica doesn't briefly see Kirito as princely figure surrounded by roses.
	+ Kirito doesn't tell Silica to stop staring at him.
* Silica begging Pina not to leave her is skipped.
* In the original, Kirito asks Silica why she's crying straight away and then blames himself for not getting there sooner. In the abridged version, Kirito initially tries to avoid the subject as he doesn't want to deal with the emotional Silica.
* Silica doesn't have a long sad backstory that causes Kirito to bang his head on a table out of annoyance.
* The term "Beast Tamer" is never mentioned in the abridged version.
* Silica blaming herself for Pina's death, followed by her thanking Kirito for saving her, is skipped.
* Kirito showing Silica that the feather is Pina's heart, and therefore Pina can be revived, is skipped.
* In the original, Kirito tells Silica about the Hill of Memories in the Forest of Wandering. In the abridged version, he tells her about it in the tavern.
	+ The part where Kirito explains that the pet's owner has to be there, or else the flower won't bloom, is skipped.
* Silica doesn't beg Kirito for help, he offers to help her straight away because she reminds him of his sister. Although, this might've been a lie so he could use her as bait to lure out Rosalia.
	+ Silica laughing at Kirito is skipped.
	+ The scene where Kirito gives Silica some items for the trip, and Silica tries to pay him back, is skipped.
* Kirito and Silica introducing each other is skipped.
* The scene where the two players from episode 1 try to get Silica to join their Party is skipped.
* In the original, Silica tells Kirito that her having Pina gained her fame as the "Dragon Tamer", and lots of players wanted her in their Parties as their mascot. All the attention made her arrogant, but Pina's death humbled her. In the abridged version, Silica appears to be a normal girl.
* Kirito telling Silica that he lives on Floor 50 is skipped.
	+ Kirito stating he's going to rent a room for the night is skipped.
	+ Silica offering to treat Kirito to some cheesecake is skipped.
* In the original, Kirito and Silica run into Rosalia before they enter the tavern. In the abridged version, they run into her afterwards.
	+ The tavern and the inn are now portrayed like they are two separate locations.
	+ Kirito noticing that Silica doesn't like Rosalia, and Silica trying to hide it, is skipped.
	+ Silica is now a lot more reluctant to talk to Rosalia compared to her original counterpart.
	+ Rosalia now learns Kirito's name during their first meeting, instead of when she was trying to mug him.
* Kirito's explanation of how SAO's Cursors work is skipped.
	+ Kirito getting agitated talking about player killers, prompting Silica to cheer him up, is skipped.
	+ Silica getting embarrassed after holding Kirito's hands is skipped.
* The scene where Kirito knocks on Silica's door, and she nearly answers it in her underwear, is skipped.
	+ The scene where Kirito explains the layout of Floor 47 to Silica, and someone tries to eavesdrop on their conversation, is skipped.
* Floria's nickname, "the Flower Garden", is never mentioned in the abridged version.
* Kirito never cries with such ferocity over Sachi during his adventure with Silica.
	+ Silica gets embarrassed because she notices that the Floor is full of couples, whereas she's with Kirito.
* The scene where Kirito gives Silica a Teleport Crystal, in case of emergencies, is skipped.
* Silica doesn't think that she needs the power to believe in herself to defeat the Garish Gerbera, nor does Kirito correct her by telling her to use her knife. She attacks it out of her own volition.
	+ Silica asking Kirito if he saw anything is skipped.
* Kirito now states that the reason why the monsters are attacking Silica is because she's so low leveled.
* A montage of Kirito and Silica killing some monsters, including some Giant Venus Flytraps, is skipped.
	+ A conversation about Kirito's sister is skipped.
* Silica getting attacked by the Land Anemone now happens offscreen and happens immediately after getting attacked by the Garish Gerbera.
	+ Kirito now reacts to the Land Anemone attack with annoyance.
	+ Kirito saving Silica from the Land Anemone is skipped.
* In the original, Kirito was the one who pointed out where the flower is. In the abridged version, Silica sees it first.
* The journey to get the Pneuma Flower isn't so complicated, nor does it involve Bosses. The flower we see is the actual flower.
	+ In the original, Kirito asks Silica if SAO is her first RPG in the tavern, which she confirms. In the abridged version, Kirito realizes that Silica doesn't play many RPGs when she complains about the structure of the quest.
	+ Kirito suggesting that they should revive Pina back in town, thus avoiding the dangerous monsters, is skipped.
* Kirito doesn't go on an overly dramatic monologue before asking Rosalia to come out.
* In the original, Kirito knew straight away that Rosalia was in Titan's Hand; he never thought she was in Laughing Coffin. He knew who she was because he was hired by the sole surviving member of a Guild Titan's Hand ambushed. In the abridged version, Kirito hadn't heard of Titan's Hand and went after Rosalia because she insulted him.
* Kirito explaining Rosalia's trick to keep her Cursor green is skipped.
* The part where Rosalia tells Silica that she joined the Party they were in to rob them, and how Silica was her main target, is skipped.
	+ Rosalia licking her lips is skipped.
* In the original, Kirito thinks that Rosalia and her Guild are despicable people. In the abridged version, he thinks they're a pathetic bunch of thieves who are only a threat to players that are easily frightened.
	+ It's never stated that Silica is scared of Slimes, nor is it implied that SAO has them.
* Rosalia is never presented as a psych student, and she doesn't push Kirito over the edge by saying that he sounds like a girl.
	+ Kirito's confrontation of Titan's Hand, and his speech about levels, is a lot more deranged.
* In the original, Kirito tells Rosalia that he was after her. In the abridged version, Rosalia had already realized what Kirito was doing before the ambush.
	+ Silica is now shocked that Kirito used her as bait.
* Rosalia no longer states that she doesn't care if people die in the game because she doesn't believe that they're actually dying in real life.
* In the original, Silica suggests that they should run away from Titan's Hand. In the abridged version, she offers to back him up in the fight.
	+ In the original, Kirito tells Silica to have the Teleport Crystal ready just in case. In the abridged version, she decides to get it out on her own.
* In the original, the Titan's Hand members are scared of Kirito because they recognize him as the "Black Swordsman". In the abridged version, they get concerned when they realize that Kirito's a bit too confident for someone who seems so underprepared for the fight.
	+ In the original, Rosalia tells her thugs to attack Kirito because she doubts someone from the assault team would be on the lower Floors. In the abridged version, she does it because she believes Kirito is all talk.
	+ Kirito doesn't goad Titan's Hand into attacking him.
* Rosalia now states that all of her henchmen are Level 45.
* Silica now thinks to herself that she has to save Kirito, rather than saying it out loud.
	+ In the original, Silica notices Kirito's health regenerating after telling herself to fight and then waits to see if it happens again before commenting on it. In the abridged version, Silica notices it in the middle of her thought and comments on it immediately.
	+ Silica's reaction to Kirito's Battle Healing is now slightly annoyed.
* In the original, Kirito explains his Battle Healing ability when the thugs show hesitation about whether they can kill him. In the abridged version, he explains it after one Titan's Hand member asks how Kirito's still standing.
* The part where Kirito takes out a Corridor Crystal, and declares that he's sending Titan's Hand to prison, is skipped.
* Rosalia telling Kirito he can't hurt her because it'll make his Cursor orange, followed by Kirito stating that doesn't matter to him, is skipped.
* Kirito doesn't kill Rosalia, he sends her and her Guild to prison.
	+ It's now unclear what happened to the other Titan's Hand members.
* Rosalia doesn't claim that Kirito's sword in her neck will be "the deepest you'll ever be in a woman".
* Kirito apologizing to Silica for using her as bait is skipped.
* Kirito saying that he has to go back to the front lines is skipped.
* Kirito's statement to Silica that a player's Level and strength in the game is just an illusion is now something Rosalia says to Kirito.
* In the original, Kirito tells Silica they should hang out IRL. In the abridged version, he says they should go on more adventures.
* Silica doesn't call Kirito "the worst person I've ever met". She calls him a good person, commending him for being on the assault team, and develops feelings for him.
* Silica's inner monologue to Pina about her adventure with Kirito is skipped.
* Silica doesn't fail to bring back Pina, meaning she doesn't go on a bloodthirsty rampage as a result.

## Errors

* When Silica complains about the length of the quest her mouth is backwards.

## Trivia

* This is the last episode with Cheesemanjoe before he left with Misanda due to creative differences.
* When Pina alerts Silica that they're healing spell isn't ready yet, they say, "Ful, losei Dovahkiin". This is a line from the Skyrim character Alduin, and it translates to "So, my false Dragonborn?".