"Shoot I forgot something" Jonathan comes running back before me and Albeck heads over to the arena. Jonathan runs back to his seat quickly. "Good luck out there you two"
ZING
"Huh" "What the hell?"
Jonathan runs off.
"Hey! What the hell was that about?" I asked.
Jonathan continues to run out of the Participants Box as he turns back "You'll both thank me later" heading to the concession stands.
I stared at my hand. "He did something, he touched my hand for a split second," I thought as Albeck did the same.
"Let's go," Albeck says calmly, heading towards the arena first.
I follow behind him. "Something something is wrong here" I walked briskly beside Albeck.
"Albeck I believe is at play here"
"Finally you noticed Valerus. The nurses. The sudden appearance of the mages from Falos. Everything has been too off. Plus the sudden appearance of not 1 but three members let alone Captains of the Federation. Something is at play. "
I was shocked how did I not know until this late in the tournament?
"I have a plan. I will go investigate."
"But what about winning-"
"Winning this tournament doesn't mean anything if lives are at stake here. First things first Valerus I need you to do one thing."
"What's that?" I ask.
We arrive at the Arena facing one another.
"Defeat me," Albeck says in a dignified tone as he summons his Iron Pillar.
--------------------------------
Recovery Room below the Colosseum.
"He almost blew our cover"
"He must not allow him to wake"
"Having him being aware of this situation would be-"
KNOCK KNOCK
"Someone comes to visit"
"On our way!"
"Be ready" the lead nurse says.
They open the door.
"Hello," a male is waiting at the door.
"Jonathan Fultear. J-Jonathan Fultear what brings you here?"
"Oh nothing just checking up on my comrades they had a hard-hitting battle last round." Jonathan walks along the side stopping in front of Jericho and resting. "Hmm"
"What is it?"
"Rose Providence isn't here."
"She and her sisters went up a little while ago"
"You dont say"
There is a moment of silence as the tone of the room shifts.
"Okay, I'll be on my way" as he walks away. "Nurses you are doing a great job in recovering these mages. Thank you for all you have done." He walks out of the door.
VRMM
"So that's the threat," a voice says from the shadows.
"Lady
"Rise"
The nurses rise to their standing positions.
"His mana detection is on point. He managed to detect me watching him. Thus he didnt want to make a move" Bloody Queen thinks to herself.
"Let Tay know we're moving up with the plans. They're catching on too quickly."
"Yes"
"What of them" one "nurse" asks.
Rose, Lily, Bella, Azalea, Sunneta, and Jericho lay sleeping on the beds.
"When the plan commences bring them to the planned met-up spot. On the outskirts of Aiz."
"Yes!"
VRMM
The Bloody Queen disappears into the shadows.
"Now preparations" the main "nurse" orders.
Jericho lies silently in their bed "So that's their plan. I can't be rash. I must attack at the right moment. Jonathan, he woke me up. What the hell is he" Jericho thinks as he lies in bed canceling his mana.
YAWN
Ezekiel rubs his eyes as he emerges from his quick rest.
"Did he hear all that?" one nurse asks.
"Wow that was a good rest I felt energized!" Ezekiel shouts as he stretches and stands on his bed with his hands on his sides. "Hmm dang did I startle you guys sorry. That one of the things I have to work on" Welp, I'll be heading back now thanks again" Ezekiel rushes out the door.
"That one is something"
"Were lucky he didnt find out"
----------------------------
Hallway below the Colosseum.
"So that's how it is," Jonathan thinks to himself as he walks back towards the participant box.
"Hmm"
Jonathan takes a turn around the corner.
"Ladies and Gentleman pardon this interruption. We are sorry to inform you that this match-up has been postponed."
"The hell?!"
Suddenly a magic circle appears in front of him as he disappears from the hallway.
STEP STEP
"Hey Jonathan -. Uh, Jonathan?" Ezekiel questions as he turns the corner.
SQUEAK SQUEAK
A white mouse scurries on.
--------------------------------------
Participants box
"Ladies and Gentleman pardon this interruption. We are sorry to inform you that this match-up has been postponed."
"Postponed?" Eriko says aloud. "When did they ever?"
"Did you hear that Eriko?" Bianca asks. "No what did you hear?" "It sounded like Jonathan but-"
STEP STEP
"Hey guys am back," Ezekiel says proudly. Huh, I guess he's not here either."
"What happened?" Bianca asks.
"I was walking and I saw Jonathan turn the corner to come here but he was just gone"
"Strange but we hardly know anything about him so I wouldn't pay any attention."
"We have a special performance from a special guest" Professor Lop announces.
-----------------------------------------
Student Council Box
"What we didnt have this last year." Faith complains.
"This is indeed strange" Axel looks up at the headmaster's box.
"It's uncharacteristic of the Headmaster to not let us know of any of this information. First the visitors from Falos and this."
"Come Luna we'll ask him right now"
"Yes"
"Faith dont leave your seat," Axel says.
"You two please watch over her"
The two leave their seats as they head over to the headmaster's box.
"What are they overreacting about?" Faith asks.
"Am not too sure myself. This was a surprise at least we get to enjoy some entertainment," Issac says.
Ceaser nods.
---------------------------------------
Federation Box
"Postponing a match for a performance. That's a first" Kaneda says.
Percival stays silent.
"Javin tell your doubles to watch all exits and entrances immediately" Percival commands. "Ok"
"Anything unusual or suspicious active you move"
Percival grabs the hilt of his sword.
Kaneda looks over "Well looks like I do get to do something fun"
-------------------------------------
Falos Box
"Ooh is this a usual thing?" Ai asks.
"No, it is something very different I have to speak to the headmaster about this"
"C'mon Sir William lighten up a bit it won't hurt just to watch for a couple of minutes" Rowen speaks.
"Yeah cmon you best enjoy the rest since Edward isn't with this right now" Ai adds.
"You have a point. I guess I'll stay I can speak to him after"
"There we go"
Headmasters Box
"What?"
"What is the meaning of this"
The professors murmur amongst themselves.
"Relax it's just a little surprise" the Headmaster reassures them.
"Taz this isn't-" A
"I know. We must get out of here. Tell Celeste that we are leaving"
The two professors turn around as they head toward the door.
"You two must you leave so soon? The special performance is going to start"
"Oh am going to the bathroom been up here for a while"
"Am getting quite hungry"
"Stay please it would be that long"
Taz and Ariana return to their spots.
As Celeste Carmen stares at the arena floor.
---------------------------------------------
Arena
"Out of all the years I've been a match has been postponed?" Professor Kayneth says as he scratches his head. "I guess you can go back to the participant's box. What the hell are you thinking Alfred?"
"That strange why" As I looked up coming from the hallway a familiar face appeared a young girl walking towards us. Wearing a shimmering blue dress with a slit almost thigh-high as if she were attending a prom or a special event. With elegant and calm composure she smiles as she passes us by.
"She's most likely the special performance," Kayneth says as we reach our seats.
"Now give a warm welcome to Tay La Flore she will perform as beautiful original score for us"
Tay Stands in the middle of the arena with the entire Colosseum watching her.
APPLAUDS
Just a she is about to perform.
"What is it that am thinking-"
ZTTTTTT
A quick sharp pain goes through my head as receive images. "This setting. These images. There. No."
I stand to my feet "EVERYONE COVER YOUR-
She rolls her eyes and stares directly at me with a smile.
♪LA♪
Suddenly everyone drops to the ground.
DROP DROP
Me Albeck and Kayneth who barely awake stand.
"Eriko, Ezekiel, Bianca?"
Everyone in the Arena has been knocked out cold.
"W-what is this"
"Valerus Albeck focus. The reason why you two were unaffected am not too sure but stay focused and take her out." Kayneth struggles to stay awake. T..his barri..er should k..ep them from escaping"
VRMM
DROP
A giant barrier encases the entire Colosseum as it protects the guests and whoever is in the box.
-----------------------------------
Shopping district
VRMM
"What I was teleported here"
VRMM
The barrier activates.
"What is happening?" Jonathan asks as he rushes towards the Colosseum.
---------------------------------
"Valerus Marina am surprised you managed to stay awake. Am impressed but not matter you'll be ours soon. So will your fellow Twelve Stars. "
"Who the hell are you"
"Oh let me properly introduce myself. Am Tay La Flore or The Melody of the Phantom Order"
"P-phantom order?!"I summon my weapon
"Valerus you must remain calm she wants you to go-"
"Be quiet"
BOOM
I watched Albeck get sent back flying into one of the walls of the Colosseum.
"ARGH" I swing my weapon at her but she easily dodges.
She prepares to strike me.
ZTTT
"Again?"
I dodge to my right preparing another blow. As we continue to dodge each other's attacks. I make a fatal misstep.
FWOOSH
"Hey" an unfamiliar face appears but his coat is very familiar.
BOOM
"A captain of the Federation you were awake?"
"Haha well, of course, I am one little note won't put me to sleep that easily."
ZIP
"I can't believe you beat me to the punch" Javin appears beside him.
"We shall end your plans here" Percival steps forward in between the two pointing his sword at Tay.
"Well you're pointing your blade at the wrong person"
"Hmm"
SWISH
Three appear from the crowd.
"Tch"
"You"
"Am not holding my punches."
"Capricorn, Aries, Sagittarius take them out" Tay commands the three Twelve Stars from Falos to engage in battle.
"Valerus find a way out of here and escape" Percival yells at me.
"O-okay. But the others"
"Just go Valerus we'll take care of them"
"You are all acting like this was one person's job," Tay says playfully.
Two people emerge from the shadows.
The first woman in a black dress holding a fancy tiny umbrella.
"Hello," a haunting voice says to me. "It's been a while Mr.Marina" Deadman appears.
"You" Without thinking I charge at him as he stands there awaiting my attack.
"Well since he's tied up I might as well gather up the rest of-"
SWIPE
"You b....itch"
"Oh my little kitten has awoken from his nap"
"A...m going to kill you" Ezekiel struggles to stay awake on his feet as he sways back and forth.
"Let me put you to rest then"
-----------------------------------
Recovery Room below the Colosseum.
"That must be the signal. Let's see let's start with the Dragonclad"
Jericho opens his eyes and summons his blade at his side.
"He's awake" the "nurses" panic.
"Dont worry there's six of us here" nurses reveal themselves. Removing their attire wings burst out as their feet have claws. Each of them has a different color on them. But maintaining the same beautiful face."
"So I was right Harpies"
"We are not going to let you interfere with our plans"
"'I've faced tougher opponents this will be a little teaser"
"The pride of this boy"
"Let's kill him!"
"I can make up for my loss now. " Jericho grips his blade and takes a low stance" AAARGH"