Xander [Quest], Thread Four: You are the (Under Tens Division) Champion of the World (2024)

[x] "What?"

"Oh, nothing," Ayane replies, still smiling.

"...somehow I don't quite believe that, but okay," you sigh. "On a completely different subject, there are two things I should probably clear up, before they slip my mind. Firstly, Ayane, do I have to swear vengeance on anybody on your behalf?"

"It's nice of you to offer, Alex," the violet-haired girl says, lightly touching her injured arm with her good hand, "but most of those directly responsible for this, and the attack in general, have already been dealt with. The ringleader, his squad, and some of the team leaders got away, but we'll find them."

"Okay. And the second thing - are we still doing the technique exchange, or would you like to call it off on account of surprise attack?"

Ayane blinks. "Um. You know, in all the excitement, I'd almost forgotten about that." Her expression turns momentarily distant, as if she's considering something, and then she glances at Kasumi, who briefly dons the same mask. After a moment, the brunette shakes her head, and Ayame winces. "Yeah. Maybe we'd better leave it for tomorrow - if that's okay with you?"

Is it?

[ ] Yes, it's fine. You'll learn, and teach, better with more mana.
[ ] You'd prefer to get the lesson done today. Lord knows what else might happen by tomorrow.

Right on the heels of your reply, there is a knock on the door, followed by a quiet, unfamiliar voice advising Kasumi that she and her guests have been asked to join Master Shiden in the front room. With the brunette in the lead and Ayane bringing up the rear, your little group files out. You see Shiden and Ayame sitting together at the table, both looking much better than when you last saw them, with Lu-sensei - similarly cleaned up and revitalized - standing nearby with his arms folded in his sleeves, looking very distinguished and old master-y. Also present is Ambrose, his jarring tourist garb complemented by what looks like a tie-dyed rainbow poncho - Cordelia doesn't open her mouth, but you can hear her fashion sense screaming protest at the sight. There's no one else around, not even the unknown ninja messenger who knocked on the door a moment ago.

"Hello, kids," Ambrose says cheerfully. "Nice to see nobody else got blown up too severely. I understand the little fairy girl had her hands full as it was. Is she about?"

"She's resting," you reply.

"Taking a siesta to recuperate after a busy morning, hmmm? Well, I certainly can't argue with that." He sets his cane and gives you another deep, penetrating LOOK. "...huh." Then, further echoing his behavior from the previous day, the wizard shrugs and ignores you, turning to Shiden. "Right, then. I believe it's your show from here."

"Thank you," Shiden says dryly, before facing you and the girls. "I'm sure you all have a number of questions about this morning's incident. As it happens, we've managed to put together a few answers in the hours since then."

"There appear to have been four parts to the attack. One squad, led by a man named Raidou, a renegade member of our own Mugen Tenshin clan, appeared at the arena to attempt what we believe was the planned abduction of my son, Hayate. Raidou failed, though he and most of his team managed to elude us in the chaos. A second group, consisting of two full squads, bombed our private box in an obvious assassination attempt. They also failed in their objective, thanks in no small part to Alexander and his small companion." He gives you a respectful nod, which you return. "Most of that group have been accounted for, with the exception of the three who fled the fight. We're still tracking them. The third part of the attack consisted of perhaps a dozen additional squads scattering throughout the arena complex, laying traps, staging ambushes, and conducting various acts of sabotage. Their primary goal was to spread confusion and disable or delay the tournament security and our own reinforcements as much as possible; in this, they were at least partially successful, and most of their number have disappeared. The fourth part of the attack involved the summoning of a variety of supernatural beings into the arena complex. Several 'lizard men' that were rather difficult to drive off, and something bigger and nastier that appears to have been dropped directly into the tournament masters' offices when Lady Bloodriver was present. We haven't been able to confirm if it was sent after her specifically or if it was meant for the masters, but it failed; a couple of the masters will be in the hospital, but I'm told that's due to an entirely unrelated matter."

You are careful not to smile. Lu-sensei makes no such pretense.

"While the attack as a whole appears to have missed its primary targets and has resulted in remarkably few casualties," Shiden continues, "it has brought the tournament to the direct attention of the local authorities. For various reasons, this will result in the departure of a number of the contestants, and of course the arena will have to be closed until the police investigation of the attack is concluded. The masters will reschedule the remaining matches for private bouts, but on the whole, the tournament can essentially be considered over."

He pauses, giving the lot of you a chance to digest his words.

Is there anything you want to say or ask at this point?

[ ] Write-in.
[ ] No, you're good.