A/N: I'll spare you the words this time, since this is the longest chapter that I've made yet. Enjoy. Also, here's a quiz: Try and figure out who I'm referencing and I'll give you an internet.

It's midday at classroom 2-A. "Today is the Elimination Battle. I hope you're fully prepared." When I turn back to look at the person speaking behind me, I see Morello standing there. Right, the Elimination Battle is today—a day that will be the last for either Shinji or myself. Will someone really die today? I mean... Even though I can say the words, the idea that someone's going to die is just too surreal. It can't be reality. "Come to me when you are ready. You can do something trifling like stop by the commissary if needed." Apparently finished, he opens the door and lets himself out. All right. This is the very first Elimination Battle. Let's go ... fight Shinji on the battlefield.

Tutorial -Information Matrix 02-

On the day of the Elimination Battle, you can review the data you've collected on your opponent in your Private Room. If you complete the Information Matrix on your opponent, you will be given the chance to raise its level to E (EXTRA). If your Matrix is at E, you'll see more of your foe's moveset as well as see how they will use their Ultimate Phantasm.

Evening time has come, and the school is oddly empty. Void of life from anywhere whatsoever. That is, except for those who are not participating in the tournament like the clerk at the school commissary or the ... er Flaming Sisters at the chapel.

Speaking of which, Shurelia is as cynical as ever. "You came for a Mastery Alteration before your fight? My aren't you the cautious one?"

"So, want to do an Alteration?" asks Nikasaur. Sure, I think it's better to be safe than sorry. Being at level six now, I have six mastery points and I should spend the last one by increasing Sorcery's rank to 2/4 from 1/4.

The lasers and earthquake returns, I'm prepared this time since I'm sitting down on one of the benches here. "Good news, Master! I've gotten back another skill! All our fights will be that much easier!"

"What now? Need another Alteration?" the redhead inquires. No, I think this is good enough for today.

OK, I think I'm set for today. All that's left to do is to discuss strategies with Caster in our private room.

"Huh? The Perfect-o-Meter stopped working? Wha—? You maxed out the counter? M-Master, you are a king of fighters! You've actually exceeded the number of perfect battles tracked! I'm truly impressed. Forgive the Weiqi reference, but you're almost good enough for the title of Honinbo! Here is a little memento to mark this special occasion. It's a little something I knitted in my spare time." You knit?

Before I could say anything else she hands me an item called ... Nine Tails. I gratefully take the item Caster had, for some mysterious reason, tucked into her bosom... I've been wondering about this for a while now, but where does Caster keep all of her stuff? Could her sash actually be a gateway to another dimension? It's even red...

"What an interesting observation! But some things are better left unsaid, so let a girl have her secrets, OK...? What I don't get is why you don't apply your intelligence to starting a romantic relationship with—When it comes to affairs of the heart ... and body ... you are my most formidable adversary." I ... am? I'm sorry, I'll try to understand the ... affairs of the heart and body more this time.

In any case, why don't we start organizing our information? The Elimination Battle has finally come. After I go to the Coliseum, I'll face Shinji in battle. One of us will die. I hope the information that I've collected is accurate. I should review it.

Shinji Hackee. A friend of sorts from the prep period who I just can't bring myself to hate. The weapon that his treasured Champion wields is...

She dual-wields pistols.

That's right. When I got a taste of her power in the Arena, She was dual-wielding old-fashioned pistols. She and the socially retarded Shinji made a good pair of troublemakers. She's like his wild big sister. Also, Shinji hid the note that he found from his Champion. What did the note say her Ultimate Phantasm was...?

The pistols.

Though the paper was old and the handwriting scratchy, I could read her weapons' names—the Shock and Awe. From her attacks, I deduced that she captained a ship, and that's when I realized her class was Rider. Although Shinji was pretty relaxed at first, he's gotten more on edge as I've gained more information. He's been downright childish at times, like when he blocked me from entering the Arena. And slowly but surely, I pieced together the true identity of Shinji's Champion. Her true name is probably—

Miss Fortune the Bounty Hunter.

MATRIX LEVEL E: Enemy Champion Info Obtained! Servant Matrix Information

Miss Fortune is a renowned pirate hunter who famously is able to shoot multiple bullets with two flintlock pistols simultaneously. A woman who gained instant fame after commandeering her own ship and crew at the age of sixteen. At any rate, it's a lucky thing I figured out her true name before the Elimination Battle. Shinji may be a fool at times, but there's no arguing that he's a hacker of incomparable talent. I hope these tidbits of information can bridge the difference in our skill levels—

Now that we have all of our information, let's go to the Coliseum.

At the first floor lobby, Father Morello is standing in front of the supply closet stationed there. The doors behind him are covered by a film of purple data and ... data chains. I'm not very sure how else to describe it. "You will now enter the Coliseum and confront the opposing Summoner. Are you ready? Remember, the only way to leave the Coliseum is to win. If you are ready, I will open the gate." I take a look at the item Caster gave me earlier; it's a good luck charm but whatever it's made of, Caster refuses to tell me saying that it's a secret. However, a good luck charm is a good luck charm, I place it back into my pocket after examining it.

...Let's enter the Coliseum.

"The way to the Coliseum is now open, young Summoner. I wish you the best of luck and hope that you will return. Remember: It's kill or be killed."

The film over the doors disappears as it accepts the Triggers I uploaded to the server. There's an electrical sign above the entrance, I don't think it's just me but did the storage room just turn into an elevator? In any case, the doors open and I walk inside.

"Look who didn't chicken out and run away. Oooh right, I forgot following directions is all you're good at." Shinji, Rider, Caster, and I are all standing on a descending platform, a transparent wall separates me from my opponent. I suppose this is to not stop us from attacking each other before we reach the Coliseum... Not only that but sixteen other people are in the same position. Two pairs of Summoners and Champions are on my left, and two pairs of Summoners and Champions are on my right; the same applies to Shinji's side of the field. What's going on?

"Get a clue, huh? Well, you can't say I didn't show you how awesome I was in the prep period. Never in a million years are you going to defeat me. Shoulda ran away when you had the chance!"

I won't know unless I try.

Shinji walks right up to the wall dividing us, annoyed, "...Excuse me? That's some bull! Did you forget you never got the best of me at school, like, ever? How many times do you plebes have to be reminded that you'll never be on the level of a genius like me. But, I guess I better get used to it, since nobody here can defeat me. My Champion the Bounty Hunter and I are completely invincible." He paces back and forth. "Man, you have some seriously shitty luck to have gotten paired with ME in the first round. Don't worry. Since we're such good friends, I'll make sure you go out with a big bang—Oh, hey! Check out my great idea! You've gotta hear this. Ready?"

...No thank you, I'm pretty sure the next words that'll come out of your mouth is a waste of our time anyways.

"You really want to fight me, huh?" Shinji sighs, "...You're a freaking idiot. I feel sorry for you. All this new power at your disposal is giving you an inflated ego." He turns to Caster. "Hey, Champion. Why don't you try talking some sense into the head of your stupid Summoner?"

Rolling her eyes and smirking, Caster glances at me, "You're so kind for extending the gift of your friendship to a moron like this, Master."

Caster has definitely lit Shinji's fuse. "Whaaa...? How dare you speak about me like that! You're just a Champion!"

"Hahaha, they have a point, Summoner," Rider chimes in with her two cents.

Understandably frustrated, Shinji turns to his Champion. "H-hey! Whose side are you on?"

"Your side, of course. You paid me, so I'll fight ably by your side. Letting them throw the match would not satisfy either of us. I dislike giving less than my full effort." Was that Shinji's big idea? "Let your winning instincts take over. Everything's better if you fight for it—food, women, victory." Women? "Besides, we're villains. That means if nothing else we're allowed to be splashy. If you're going to be a villain, might as well be as flamboyant as you please. Don't hold back."

"I'm not a villain! D-don't call me that, you ... evil woman!"

She laughs the insult off, "Hahaha! Temper, temper, little one! You've got big balls for being such a tiny man. I admire that." Rider rubs his head as if he was a child.

"Hey, stop! I said stop! Don't pat my head, you baboon! And you reek of alcohol!" I have a feeling that Caster just thought of buying some sake from the clerk at the cafeteria.

...They're perfect for each other. I know Summoners and Champions are paired by compatibility. Will their chemistry be constructive in battle? The elevator rumbles to a halt. This must be where we're going.

Getting out of his tantrum, we all walk straight up to the divider. "...Hmph. I was going to spare your life if you surrendered. But since EVERYBODY insists, I'll show you the vast difference in our abilities until you cry for mercy. Once the Bounty Hunter's culverin makes Swiss cheese out of you, it'll be too late!"

All of us exit out of the platforms and head to our stationed headquarters. The Coliseum doesn't look very much like a coliseum; it more so resembles a heavily forested park with three different paths paved out. Our base is properly structured though, everything around us is surrounded by somewhat blue structures. Some of them look like statues carrying staffs with crystals on the end. It's almost as if they're guarding the structures behind them. One very large structure is ... holding a giant diamond with a blue light inside; around the diamond are six statues of what appears to be wizards floating over the structure. What are these for...?

WELCOME TO SUMMONER'S RIFT

A rather loud female voice grabs my attention. I don't know where it's coming from but apparently this place is called Summoner's Rift. How about that?

"Yo. What's up? I'm Aranarth," a rather tall man with glasses waves at me to get my attention. Um, hello, I'm Miku. "Yeah, this is Pnk3P13, Peace4lyphe, and Jcblatt." He points at the other Summoners that were on my side of the platforms; a redhead with freckles, another glasses male but shorter, and a thin but tall young teen. "We'll be your teammates for this round." Teammates? "...Well, yeah. This is a team game." ...I'm sorry, I don't know very much...

The redhead curses, "Oh, shit. Not another noob. We already have two, so now me and Aran will have to carry the team to victory... Great..."

After wiping his glasses, Aranarth resumes talking, "OK. So let's start with our Champions. This is my Champion, Lancer." He points to a short and rather amphibian-like creature holding a three-pronged polearm.

"Let me at 'em!" Lancer has a raspy, young voice.

Pnk3P13 spoke, "My Champion is also Lancer. So just call him Pony." He nods to the Champion that looks like a ghost centaur that appears to be only kept together through its armor. This ... phantom looks rather intimidating.

"Behold the might of the Shadow Isles." Yep, definitely frightening with that deep voice.

Peace4lyphe takes his turn, "My Champion is Archer. Archer say hi." This Summoner actually pats his Champion on the back.

After giving her Summoner a threat of a crystal arrow to the face, he steps away from her. "Smart choice!" She's a silver haired woman with blue eyes and dark attire; her most interesting features comes from her cape, hood, thighhighs, and boots.

"And this is my Champion, Caster," Jcblatt points to a scarecrow ... that's holding a scythe.

"Your bidding, master!" This Champion also has a sandy voice, but this one definitely sounds evil.

Oh, that's nice. They're all staring at me now for some... Oh, right! This is Caster, my Champion. "Don't you trust me?" Caster winks at the others when they gave those odd looks. "Though Master looks like a foolish girl that makes a ton of bad decisions, she's definitely a worthy addition to any team."

Thirty seconds until minions spawn!

"All right. Here's what's going to happen." I might be assuming things, but Aranarth is probably the leader of this group. "What's going to happen for the first ten to twenty minutes here is called the laning phase. This means is that all the Champions are going to be in one of three lanes at any given moment. Considering that this is low level play for now, there won't be any junglers or roamers." Er, OK.

Pnk3P13 adds on, "You can view a map of the entire area on your terminal." I open my terminal to see a drawn version of the map of the Coliseum. Caster's stats and skills are on the bottom screen. On the left of the screen, my allied Champions health and mana bars are shown there. On the top right, I see a clock that has already started about a minute ago; there is also a sword, a skull, a hand, a hood, and a pouch with zeroes next to each of them. "You see those shaded spots on the map. That's called the Fog of War. You don't know what's going on there because there's nothing there to perform reconnaissance or gather information with."

"And some of those spots are really dangerous... I've learned that the hard way," Jcblatt sighs, probably recalling some terrible memories.

The ginger clears his throat, "Yes, you have. I hope, anyways. You see the red and yellow exclamation marks on the top left of the map?" Yes, I do. "The red one is to indicate help or targeting of certain locations. The yellow one tells people to retreat or be careful of certain places. Got that?" I nod. "Well, that's all we have time to go over right now. We'll explain more while we get to our lanes. Aran?"

The man with the eyewear nods, "This is what we're going to do. Both Lancers go top," my map makes a pinging sound and I see a marker point at the left lane, "Miku's Caster goes to mid," he marks the center lane, "and the noobs go to bot," the bottom lane gets marked too. "Don't. Die." He says, while glaring at both Peace4lyphe and Jcblatt. After the strategy discussion, everyone leaves for their own path.

OK, let's go Caster.

"Wait." A voice suddenly comes out of my terminal, it sounds a lot like the redhead now that I think about it. "You do know that you should get some items, right?" Items?

Caster nods, "Yes. I can't do as much damage nor survive as well if I don't have any items to use." Oh, OK. What should I do then?

The terminal makes an exacerbated sigh, "Talk with that yordle near the Fountain to sell you something." Thanks.

Next to the corner of Summoner's Rift, a small and outwardly fluffy creature is dancing next to a plethora of items and weapons. So what should I get? The yordle opens up a data monitor and it shows me a set of six items, the top of the screen says Recommended Items. Oh, that's good. Then I will get this, Doran's Ring.

"Oh~, is this a proposal, Master? If it's you, I'll say yes to anything." Um, well, uh... That's not... Caster laughs my embarrassment off, "I know. I just wanted to tease you. Master, let's go."

Peace4lyphe's voice is sounded now, "Oh, a Doran's item. Someone's pretty sure that they'll win lane." His voice sounds sarcastic... Did I do something wrong? "I'm just kidding. That's probably a good thing that you did that."

Minions have spawned!

Three line of small soldier-like beings come out of the structure with the levitating diamond; one for each path. Following after the group for middle lane, I meet up with my opponent there.

"Once this is over we'll never have to see that jerk again—Right, Master? The battle might be over so fast that I won't get to show off... Wait for round two, then!" She sends her orb of light out at the enemy minions, damaging them.

Shinji shrugs, "All bark and no bite. Right? That's what they say, isn't it? Well, that's you!" I'm pretty sure you don't understand what the phrase means. "I'm gonna humiliate you so bad that after this game you'll never crawl out of your mom's basement!"

"Oh, so your goal isn't just victory, but humiliation? What a greedy little boy you are, Shinji. Very well, I'll bring the rope for you to truss them up. Tie them to the mast or whatever your little heart desires."

"Don't ever think about going easy on them, Bounty Hunter. They should have backed down when they could."

"Hmph, mercy isn't in my vocabulary. I have a thirst for the finer things in life, and that is all I care for. I may not always have good fortunes, but with humans or bombs, there's a certain fatal inevitability to life. Now, are you ready to go for broke? It's time to splurge!"

Live or Die by the Sword

What power do you hold in your hands...?

Dancing flames, decaying Earth, withered ocean

"So here's what you want to do," it's Aranarth's voice this time, "Your objective right now is to farm cs. That means, if you see an enemy minion get low on health, make sure to have your Champion kill it so then you could get some gold out of that; cs is the most important thing to gain in the game. If you're getting harassed by the enemy Champion, then retaliate but don't do anything stupid like try to kill the person, because that won't happen." Oh, and may I ask why? "You're too weak right now. Just farm. I mean it."

Despite what he just told me, Shinji won't stop taking every chance he gets to attack us. For the first two levels, Caster wasn't able to have access to most of her abilities. She has also learned to anticipate Miss Fortune's abilities and counters accordingly, though it is still difficult to actually get the kill on a minion when someone keeps harassing us...

FIRST BLOOD!

Ouch, the lady narrator doesn't seem to be too bothered by the occasional death. It looks like our team suffered our first casualty with the scarecrow getting killed by enemy. "I'm going back," the scarecrow's Summoner is apparently heading back to base for some reason.

"The reason is," Pnk3P13 answers my thoughts, "that if a Champion is dead, the Summoner can only get killed by their designated opponent. If that happens, then you die immediately and the rest of the team will be one man down for the rest of the game. If the Summoner doesn't die, then the Champion gets revived after a certain time. I'm not a fan of fours versus fives or threes versus fives, so just don't get yourselves killed." That's actually important information here, thanks. "Also, to all: Report for feeding, please!" He said with what I assume to be a jest.

Once Caster got to level three and learned all of her abilities, I immediately went on the offensive and attacked Rider. Caster sends a heart out to her opponent and lands it, she then immediately sends out her orb and forms three small flames that set out for Rider, killing her rather quickly. Yes! Although Caster lived through that ordeal with Shinji retreating, Rider managed to get Caster at incredibly low health.

"Good job, mid." A yellow ping shows up on the map where we are standing at. "Now you should retreat. Oh! Almost forgot. To all: NOOBLORD! NOOBLORD! NOOBLORD! NOOBLORD! NOOBLORD! NOOBLORD! NOOBLORD! NOOBLORD! NOOBLORD! NOOBLORD! NOOBLORD! NOOBLORD! NOOBLORD! NOOBLORD! NOOBLORD! NOOBLORD! NOOBLORD! NOOBLORD! NOOBLORD! NOOBLORD! NOOBLORD! NOOBLORD! Hackee is a NOOBLORD!"

"To all: Shut up! I'll kill you the next time I find you!" Ah, I guess that means if you say "to all", the other team can hear what you say next.

Sure. Let's head back then. "Master, if we're leaving, we can quickly get back by pressing the Blue Pill button!" Blue Pill button? She takes a look into my terminal and pushes an icon of a figure entering a portal with the letter b below the picture. The both of us get surrounded by shining blue rings that are apparently getting shot into the sky like lasers. The closer the rings get to us, the faster the laser shoots. As the last ring fires we are sent back to the Fountain where my team introduced themselves earlier.

Hmm, next on the Recommended Items List are Sorcerer's Shoes, which I have just enough for. Lucky us. The third item is Rod of Ages, but that seems like it's rather pricey and I don't think I'll have enough gold to get this the next time that I come back...

Ten minutes in the game, everyone has hit level six or over; currently, Caster at level eight along with Rider. I'm finding it difficult to land a good hit on the pirate, but the fox girl is holding her own.

"Hey, Miku. Why do you only have Doran's and boots?" Oh... Uh, sorry. I'm not very sure what you mean. "Your only items as of now are just Doran's Ring and Sorcerer's Shoes. Why don't you have anything else?" The ... Rod of ... Ages costs quite an amount of gold. So... "All right. Why are you following the Recommended Items List?" Wha– "Everyone knows that the Recommended Items aren't the best items for any Champion." Oh... Then, what should I get? "...Why don't you try getting Will of the Ancients first?" That also costs a lot of gold. "Then buy the components! You should go and buy the materials necessary to cheapen the price on the main item. Remember, Rabadon's Deathcap is best for any AP hero! My god, you need help. We're almost done at top, so just don't do anything stupid until then." Speaking of which, our top lane has definitely won their game by now, considering that they've been just killing the opposing Champions the entire time.

DOUBLE KILL!

Aranarth is very good at doing whatever he's doing. "OK, now that I have time to talk, what are the levels on your abilities?" Huh...?

Pnk3P13 has destroyed an enemy turret!

"Just tell me the numbers in order from left to right." I look at the list of abilities that Caster has, I've leveled all of them equally as best as I could, so... Three, two, two, and one. "OK, you're doing it wrong. Max out your most useful ability first to level six, then max out the next." Oh, uh. Then her Q needs that done, right? "Is that the best ability on her?" I-I guess. "Then go for it. We're going to start roaming now and help out on the other paths. So, get ready for a gank on Rider. Who was she, again?" Oh, right! Um... Hackee's Champion is named ... Miss Fortune.

Aranarth's voice replaces Pnk3P13's. "Oh, MF. We've got a GP up here who really sucks. What do you know!"

Speaking of Miss Fortune, Hackee has apparently ordered her to activate a very special ability which I haven't seen before. She readies her pistols and fires out waves of bullets at us, laughing hysterically while doing so. Caster fires a heart at her along with her orb and fox fires, but the heart hits an enemy minion in front of her instead, unfortunately not dealing as much damage to Rider. My Champion hastily grabs my hand, "Master! We should retreat, that's her Ult!" Ult?

"Short for Ultimate Phantasm, it's the best and strongest ability on a Champ." Before Peace4lyphe could explain any further a large red circle with an x-mark at the center appeared around the both of us accompanied by a haunting laughter; large cannonballs fall within the ring, dealing further damage to the fox girl. Rider wasn't finished though, after her flurry of bullets, she fires a bullet at an allied minion and the shot redirected itself at Caster, killing her... "Oh, shit. I got this. Sending!"

Before Shinji's Champion could get a clear shot at me, I see a centaur running with all of his might at Rider, specters of similar build seem to run beside him. Hackee and the pirate hunter runs away in fright for a second or two ... before getting hit by a rather large frozen arrow... What? I didn't manage to get any of my thoughts together when Aranarth's Champion jumped out onto Rider and effectively taking her down. Hackee runs away from the battle once more, most likely to save himself from getting killed.

I see the redhead coming out from the bushes. "That was a good arrow. I'm actually surprised you landed that."

Our terminals quips, "I was taught well..." There's a moment of awkward silence between all of us... Is there something wrong?

"Oh, no. Nothing. Let's get back to owning these nooblords." They return their attention to killing minions and towers.

I manage to pull myself back to together and depart to base since the others took over for my lane. In a few moments, the fox girl reappears at the fountain, very much alive. "Master~!" Caster seems to be in tears, "I'm so sorry for failing to protect you back there." She bows before me, her forehead makes an audible smack to the ground. "I–" All right, I understand, Caster. J-just don't hurt yourself, anymore... I don't like seeing that... "Master! " This is a tight hug. Can't breath ... very well, right now.

My Champion frees me from her clutches and instead grabs my arm again, guiding me to the top track. "We'll take care of the minions top." ...Yes. With this Needlessly Large Rod, we will. So what does Ability Power do anyway? I noticed that's what the deathcap does... "That, my dear Master, just makes my abilities stronger and able to deal more damage." Oh, that doesn't sound so bad. "Not at all. So grant me some more wonderful AP in the future and I'll give you some nice service in return, Master!"

Pnk3P13 has destroyed an enemy turret!

The middle path's turret for the opposing team seems to have been destroyed. That was quick. At the top left corner of the Coliseum, Caster and I meet up with a pirate ... who's different from the one we were facing before. This person is definitely a male, judging by his build and facial hair; he's followed by a tall and skinny man who is probably his Summoner. "That's Gangplank," Aranarth's voice is coming through the smart phone, "He's a tanky AD carry... That means he can take a lot of hits and trade damage with you very well. Be careful around him. But, you have been hit by his ult before so I'm sure you've figured that out, right?" You're talking about that cannon barrage that slowed us? "You've only seen two ults," He flatly stated, "Whatever, just don't die."

Then what am I supposed to do? "A good friend of mine," Archer's Summoner speaks this time, "once told me this: Harass, harass enough to warrant a lawsuit." Oh, heheh. That's quite clever.

Caster manages to get Gangplank at half of his health without suffering a lot of retaliation. However, he is joined by my enemy. "To all: Hey, loser! I hope you're ready to die again!" I glance at the map and see that my allies are about to surprise attack the opposition at the bottom lane. We're on our own, for now.

I make sure to time Caster's attacks accordingly, so then she wouldn't suffer any counterattacks after assaulting the pirate-themed duo. The foes that were stationed at the bottom lane fell during our exchanges. However, the two Champions stayed in the path with me, because of Hackee's persistence to kill us... Though I didn't plan to get these two distracted for very long, the rest of my team fought their way through bottom road up to the third statue.

A minion has destroyed an enemy turret!

Shinji and his user-partner in crime are understandably angry about this. "Master, let's make sure they don't leave this lane without paying a heavy price," Caster smirks at me, she's obviously planning something. All right, then. Let's go ahead with what you're thinking. Finished at playing defensive Caster and I engage the two. Since we were at a slight disadvantage, this being a two versus one Champion fight, keeping them occupied for a bit longer is a more difficult feat than expected.

You are now spawning super minions!

"Building killer FTW!" The redhead's voice is wringing out my ears. "Super minions spawn from destroyed inhibitors and are just better minions that push lanes much faster than usual." What would push mean in this context? "The waves of minions making progress..." Understood.

"Master!" Focusing back on the matter at hand, Caster is decreasing the amount of health that each opposing Champion has but I don't believe that she can kill any of them without dying herself. Wait... I have my scarf that replenishes health! There! Summoner Heal! Caster's body and the surrounding friendly creeps get surrounded by an aura of green. Some of Caster's health returns and she uses the chance to send out her orb and killing the actual pirate character of the two.

Miku has slain Radzed!

Despite being healed, the fox girl's remaining health matches the amount of health that Rider has. We'll see who can exchange damage better here. The answer to that statement would be Caster because despite the pirate hunter just shooting the fox girl, the latter laid more damage upon the former with her abilities; Rider is downed in a matter of two seconds.

DOUBLE KILL!

Since we did our job of holding the top lane together, Caster and I return to base with the blue pill button. I doubt that we would be engaged by anyone else with my current position in the Coliseum. When Caster was done healing at the fountain, we bought the Rabadon's Deathcap by trading in the Needlessly Large Rod and offering a large amount of gold, and returned to the top lane to further aid our goals.

As we pushed the track towards the second statue, the narrator's voice echoed again. This time, her statements are made in quick succession.

Aranarth is legendary!

DOUBLE KILL!

TRIPLE KILL!

Pnk3P13 is has slain Radzed!

"Yo, KS." Aranarth doesn't sound very amused. What is a KS?

Pnk3P13 answers me, "Kill secured." Oh, that ... sounds odd.

"KS means kill steal, which means I sound a lot less like a badass. I could've had a quadra there." Someone stands corrected, or I suppose that means they were joking. "Where's Hackee at? To all: Come here, MF!"

To answer his question, Rider is facing up against me under her tower. Judging by the dark aura around him, Hackee has definitely forgotten the goal of protecting his base and is now solely aiming to kill us. Since I have Rabadon's Deathcap now, I'm pretty sure that I can kill Miss Fortune here. Caster, let's go. For some odd reason, my Champion seems reluctant to attack Rider... I wonder why. "Play time's over," Caster attacks.

"I always shoot first," Rider quips. Immediately as Caster lands her spell, the statue that has been firing laser beams at the allied creeps aims its crystal staff at her. The pirate hunter uses her barrage of bullets on us, yet again, laughing as she does it. A yellow ping is sounded on the map where Caster and I are standing at. Oh, no...

"Don't worry. I got this. Sending." On the map, I see an icon of a blue arrow aiming at Miss Fortune. And ... it misses. "Well, q4o4pt2wgerdifgjapeortoqlejw." It's OK to be confused by that, right? At this point, my friendly Summoners come up from behind, with the centaur charging in alongside his specters. This causes Rider to stop her Ultimate Phantasm and the four pairs attack her, allowing for the fox girl and I to escape with minimal health.

Aranarth is legendary!

ACE!

Again, we return to base and heal up... However, all of the lanes and turrets has already progressed so far that I don't think there is anything more to destroy. We manage to get to the enemy's final line of defense: Two turrets are standing next to each other in all likelihood to defend the gigantic purple crystal surrounded by ... six smaller statues. This actually looks a lot like the structures that is right in front of the fountain, except that these have the dominant color of purple.

A minion has destroyed an enemy turret!

Aranarth has destroyed an enemy turret!

The two guardian statues have been leveled and the surrounding minions and super minions target the crystal. The amount of hit points on this structure is outstanding, but the attacks of my allies widdle the crystal down very quickly, culminating in its explosion. The battle between Rider's and Caster's team was decisive. We won.

VICTORY

"To all: GG." All of my teammates say this as they tap on something on their terminals. The elevators return and my allies step inside of them. What's going on?

"It's game over. We're done here," Jcblatt states. The elevators ascend to the skies. I take a look back at the enemy fountain. Only my designated opponent is left for me to see.

In sheer disbelief, Shinji fell onto his rear, "Wh-what the hell? How did my Champion get defeated? No matter how you look at it, I'm the best! At everything! I can't lose in the first round! It... It's YOUR fault, Bounty Hunter! This happened because you suck!"

Rider is clearly dying here, but she manages to return his quips."...Huh? Floggin a waterlogged sailor, are we? It won't reverse your fortunes, Summoner."

"Argh! If you've got the energy to talk back, then go fight! There's no way I'm losing this!"

"Hmm, I don't think that's happening. Did you forget I've been shot in the heart? I'm going to disappear."

"Say what? You think you can run away and leave me here? I lost because of you!"

"...My fault? Perhaps. Or it could have been carelessness. Or a lack of tenacity, luck, ability, etc... Well, whatever. Fortune is fickle and fate is what we make of it. We lost for a reason—We may be strong, but we didn't have what it takes to win.

"Why are you making it sound like somebody else's problem? I did what I'm supposed to do! I'm the best! it wasn't supposed to go like this. You ruined everything by becoming my Champion! Useless! Damn it! I can't believe I lost! This game sucks! Suuuucks!"

The fox girl, this time, surprisingly poised, speaks to me, "Master, let's leave this filth and go back to your room already. When we get back, will you pat me on the head for a job well done—?" I agree, we don't have to watch this, so let's just leave.

"Hey... W-wait! Hey! I've got an idea. How about you declare that I won the battle? B-b-because, you know, you just won this battle by accident! There's a 100% chance you'll lose in the second round. But I'll win it for sure. Think about it. Isn't it better for one of us to keep winning than for you to lose in the next round?" Caster grabs my arm firmly, she wants to leave immediately; I just notice that her face has gone somewhat pale. "Hey... Wait. I said wait! Can't you see the equation? I'm saying I'll share the Holy Grail with you!"

A rather raspy sigh comes from Miss Fortune, "Cut it out, Shinji. You've lost and you know it. You can't change what happened."

"Shut up! We lost because of YOU! What makes you think you have the right to act so bossy...? Damn it. Argh, you may have won this one game, but don't get a big head over it. In real life, I'm still a champion! Listen, when I go home, I'm gonna figure out who you really are and—" Something's definitely wrong. I wasn't paying attention since Hackee's voice was quite obnoxious, but something is definitely wrong here. "—Wha? Wh-what the hell is going on? M-my body's ... disappearing? I've never logged out like this!"

A red wall of data separates the two pairs. Shinji lets out a desperate cry as his arms, legs, and torso gradually fizzle into blackness. The scenery from his side of the wall turns scarlet in color.

With a weak voice, the pirate girl explains the inherency to her Summoner, "Losers die in the Holy Grail War. As a Summoner, you should have known that, Shinji."

"What? D-die? But just our avatars get erased, right? There's no way you can DIE in a virtual world..."

Rider's darkening, too... "Yes. You lose, you die. This is a 'war', not a 'game'. Most everyone who joins this war ends up dead. The sole survivor is the only one who can go home alive."

He constantly rubs the blackened parts of his body, trying to wipe away the damage, and maybe the truth, too... "Wha... No way! That isn't funny...! But it's a tournament! So it's a game, right? Right? Aaagh... Wh-why isn't this stopping? D-do something! Isn't a Champion supposed to help their Summoner?"

"If it was easy to break the rules, they wouldn't have created them in the first place. But well ... the good and bad both are sent off to another world in the end. It's nothing to complain about."

"Acting like you know so much...! Aren't you ashamed at all? First you lose ... and now this...?"

Almost her entire body is covered in darkness. "Hmm? Am I ashamed? Of course I am. I'm so disgusted with myself that I could throw up. But, remember what I told you when we made our contract, little boy? Be prepared, because a villain's final moments are laughably miserable!" His Champion gives a hearty laugh, even as her body is being erased by the system. "Considering the things you've done, this isn't such a bad death. Just let yourself go, Shinji. And you folks over there, let's hear some laughter, huh? It's sad when a clown doesn't get a laugh." Half of her head has succombed. "May the rest of your journey go well. I'd like it if you ended up stronger than me. In life, I fought against military ships. It's against my nature to enjoy fighting weaker opponents." As she turned a forced smile my way, the female pirate hunter disappeared. She was a noble fighter, and the youngest of her peers to gather a ship and crew. And she went out laughing. Caster grips me even harder to the point that I'm getting sharp pains, I think I understand why she wanted to leave so soon.

Now that she's gone... Shinji must know what his fate is. "H-hey! Who gave you permission to disappear like that? You gotta help me! Don't leave me! Oh... Oh god...! Then, you! You help me! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be in this situation right now! You owe me—Nooo, no... I'm disappearing! Argh, didn't we used to be friends? Help me! Waaah! I'm really disappearing! Why? Why does it feel like I'm going to die in real life, too? What the hell? This is crazy...! Help! Why aren't you helping me? I'm only eight years old! I don't want to die yet—"

—He's gone. The person known as Shinji Hackee has been erased from existence. The only thing that he has left behind ... is me. The victor.

I look to my terminal, the screen is black except for a blue button saying, "CONTINUE". I push the button and meet with the elevating platform.

—And so, round one of the Holy Grail War comes to a close.

The fight is over. I have won and Shinji has lost. And so, Shinji will meet death... Can it be true? I know what I saw, but it doesn't feel real. Has his life been lost forever? Just because I won? Without any explanation or greater meaning?

"It appears that the first round is now over." I wonder how long I stood there, dumbfounded. When I finally came to, Lou Tousaka was staring at me. "Even though Shinji was the one who chose to fight you, he's the one who ended up dead. The reigning game champion of Asia is defeated. The moron didn't have a clue how to fight for his life. Such is the fate of any magus who treats the Holy Grail War like a game. A pathetic way to die, no?" I automatically open my mouth to defend the dead from desecration. "This place is a battlefield. What sense is there in exalting someone who was dealt defeat?" The look in her eyes and her words drove home a message: On the field of battle, losers die. I should have been obvious. But apparently not to Shinji and I. "The winner of the Holy Grail War can be granted any wish. But there is only one winner. Everyone who enters has wishes and dreams, things they desire to have at any cost. Things worth dying for. You don't seem to have regained any of your memory yet... It's better that way. To lack a motive, that is. But you should at least be mentally prepared. If you're not ready to kill or be killed, it'd be better to go hide under a rock."

...I'm prepared. Even if ignorance is bliss, I don't think that's the correct course of action for any problem whatsoever.

"Right. As long as you mean it." Lou is right about everything. Everyone who makes a stand here fights with a strong will. There's not a single one I could defeat without a hard fight first. I still don't have a reason to fight. I can't even think about killing and being killed until I have some reason to fight. That said, what right do I have to trample other people's dreams?

It's nighttime and Caster is quietly resting by my side ... well ... after I gave her a requested petting session. She's kind of foxy, pardon the lame pun, when she's asleep. Seeing her so defenseless makes me wonder about today's events. If I made one fatal mistake, Caster would have ended up like Shinji along with me. I just don't really know what I'm supposed to do from now on... It's kind of scaring me. My terminal startles my thinking process by making its report of the day. After jumbling the smart phone around for a bit, I take a quick glance at my side again... Good, I didn't wake her.

Today's Results

Triggers obtained: First Floor = Obtained; Second Floor = Pending

Arena Completion Rate: First Floor = 100%; Second Floor = 100%

Treasures Obtained: First Floor = 100%; Second Floor = 100%

Matrix Status: Enemy Champion Info 01 = Obtained; Enemy Champion Info 02 = Obtained; Enemy Champion Info 03 = Obtained

Champion Status: Treasure Hunting = Completed

Matrix STATUS

CLASS: RIDER

SUMMONER: Shinji Hackee

TRUE NAME: Miss Fortune

ULTIMATE PHANTASM: Bullet Time

KEYWORD: Invincible Armada, Logbook

HEALTH = 435 (+85); HEALTH REGEN = 5.1 (+0.65); MANA = 212 (+38); MANA REGEN = 6.95 (+0.65); RANGE = 550; ATTACK DAMAGE = 46.5 (+3); ATTACK SPEED = 0.658 (+3.01%); ARMOR = 15 (+3); MAGIC RESIST = 30; MOV. SPEED = 300

Attack Power = 8; Defense Power = 2; Ability Power = 5; Difficulty = 3

Matrix KEYWORD

01: Bullet Time = Bullet Time is a channeled pass-through conic skillshot ability that initiates a channel for 2 seconds. While the channel is active, a wave of bullets is fired every 0.25 seconds that passes through the targeted conic area. Enemy units hit by a wave take physical damage.

Bullet Time does not proc on-hit effects.

Bullet Time procs spell vamp and Rylai's slow similarly with all area of effect spells and abilities with diminished effect.

Bullet Time does not pop spell shield.

Bullet Time will not damage Black Shield.

02: Invincible Armada = The name given to the Bilgewater naval forces during the period of history known as the Age of Discovery.

The Invincible Armada consisted of an estimated 65,000 men serving on more than a hundred large warships, each of which weighed in at over 1,000 tons. Its might was such that it earned Bilgewater the reputation of being "The kingdom on which the ships will never set."

03: Logbook = The sailing logs of a renowned explorer who successfully circumnavigated the globe.

The logs themselves are illegible, with pages cracked and flaking. However, it seems that the author of these logs was a ship's captain who made their name as both an adventurer and fleet commander.

Matrix SKILL

01: Strut [D] = Gains an additional 25 movement speed after not taking any damage for 7 seconds, increasing thereafter by 4 every second up until reaching 70 bonus movement speed.

02: Double up [A+] = Fires a shot at an enemy target, dealing physical damage and 120% of that damage to another enemy target behind the first. Both hits apply on-hit effects.

Range: 625

Bounce hit range: 500

Double Up is a targeted ability that deals physical damage to a target enemy unit. Another enemy unit in a cone behind the original target will have the shot ricochet to them, taking an increased amount of physical damage.

Double Up procs on-hit effects.

Double Up pops spell shield.

Double Up will not damage Black Shield.

Double Up does not proc Rylai's slow or spell vamp, but does proc lifesteal.

Double Up cannot critically strike.

Armor is taken into account separately for each of Double Up's targets.

Sheen, Trinity Force, Lich Bane, and Manamune will only proc on the first of Double Up's two hits, due to the items' cooldowns.

Manamune will trigger both its on-hit and its on-cast effect, granting a total of 5 (1 + 4) bonus mana.

Double up can bounce to units in brush or Fog of War if they are in range of the target the spell is initially cast on.

Double up will apply any on-hit effects she gains after the spell has been cast and is already in motion. This includes the time after the spell has already "bounced" and is traveling to its second target. The first target will not be affected by any effects gained after it has dealt damage to them.

03: Impure Shots [B] = (Passive): Autoattacks deal extra magic damage on-hit. This damage cumulatively stacks up to 4 times on the same target if no more than 5 seconds pass between each hit.

(Active): Attack speed is increased for 6 seconds and causes her attacks to lower healing received and health regeneration by the target by 50% for 3 seconds.

Cost: 50 mana

Cooldown: 16 seconds

Impure Shots passively grants her an on-hit effect, dealing bonus magic damage on her autoattacks and debuffing the attacked target for a short duration. This debuff increases the damage dealt by Impure Shots, stacking up to 4 times. When activated, Impure Shots is a self-target ability that temporarily increases her attack speed and grants her a separate on-hit effect, afflicting attacked targets with Grievous Wounds.

Impure Shots will damage Black Shield but Grievous Wounds will be applied in any case.

Double Up will apply Impure Shots' damage and debuff to both enemies hit. If Impure Shots is activated, Grievous Wounds will also be applied to both enemies.

04: Make It Rain [EX] = Fires a flare into the sky in that signals her ship to send hundreds of bullets into the air which rain down at a location after 0.5 seconds delay. The area lasts for 2 seconds, slowing and dealing magic damage every quarter of a second to each enemy that stands on it. Slow lasts 1 second after leaving the area.

Cooldown: 15 seconds

Range: 800

Radius: 200

Make it Rain is a ground targeted area of effect ability that marks a target area for 2 seconds. Every 0.25 seconds, enemy units within the area take magic damage and are slowed. The slow lingers for 1 second after leaving the area.

Make It Rain does not proc on-hit effects.

Make It Rain procs spell vamp and Rylai's slow similarly with all area of effect spells and abilities with diminished effect.

Make It Rain does not pop spell shield.

Make It Rain will damage Black Shield and the slow is negated.

Vision is granted of the center of the target area upon cast, lasting for the duration of the spell. The area of vision granted is roughly ~50% of the size the spell itself.

Matrix DETAILS

01: Character Background = For those who brave the harsh seas of Runeterra, attaining one's own ship and crew is the pinnacle of success. Sarah Fortune, a well-respected (some would say legendary) bounty hunter from Bilgewater, was able to achieve this feat just after her sixteenth birthday, etching out her name as the go-to gal for resolving special troubles. No bounty was too difficult or too dangerous for her feminine charm and her renowned use of her twin pistols, "Shock and Awe". Her success gave her the means to legitimately purchase her own ship - with a little flirtatious haggling, of course. Things weren't always so fortunate for Miss Fortune, though. When she was young, trade ships began to dot the horizon of her quiet home along the northern shores of Blue Flame Island's largest chunk. Trade routes brought piracy, and the inhabitants soon found themselves caught in a frenzy of pillage.

One day, young Sarah returned home to hear gunshots and screaming. Her front door was smashed open; inside, she saw her mother lying in a pool of blood. A sudden blow to her head made her collapse next to her slain mother. The last thing she could remember were her attacker's red eyes, as his face was blocked by a rogue's bandanna. Miss Fortune has a strong distrust for pirates and she finds herself constantly bickering with the infamous Gangplank (the only captain to resist her charms) over the direction of Bilgewater politics. Her two goals: to unite the people of Bilgewater, making them into a strong and independent society, and to find the pirate who killed her mother. To that end, she has entered the League of Legends as a champion, trading her skills for the wealth and influence that will help her accomplish both.

02: League Judgement = Candidate: Miss Fortune

Date: 31 August, 20 CLE

OBSERVATION

Miss Fortune spills into the Great Hallway with the same tenacity that she spills into her silk blouse, both taxed to contain her. She is cramped inside any structure not bobbing across the salt ocean. Her eyes pan across the recessed ceiling's filigree with disdain, the toil of Valoran's finest artisans a pitiful substitute for the night sky's celestial collage. The disapproving shake of her head would be imperceptible, if not exaggerated by the wag of her ornamented tricorne, the defining accessory of a captain. An avalanche of cherry locks tumbles from the hat, engulfing her shoulders in scarlet waves. Her every feature seduces attention, a weapon as – or perhaps more – potent than the enormous gilded muskets clinging to her hips.

She bounds across the tiles. The impact of every footfall ripples up the curves of her figure; the distraction of her beauty magnified in motion. One can practically see the hearts of those who've beheld her trailing in her wake.

An inscription looms overhead: The truest opponent lies within.

The corner of her lips twitch, almost a smile. With uncanny grace, she plucks a musket from its holster, twirls it once round her finger and brings it to rest with the word "opponent" in its crosshair. Her lips mouth a silent pop, and the firearm is re-holstered. She dawdles no longer.

REFLECTION

Hands on her hips, Miss Fortune tapped her foot impatiently in the dark. This was a juvenile tactic. If the League resorted to gimmicks like black smoke for its trials, perhaps she never should have made landfall. Her foot sank mid-thought. She intended to recoil, but a familiar sensation pressed her on all sides.

She didn't hear herself cry, but she watched bubbles carry the sound away. Water? She flailed, her limbs searching for something solid. Yards above, she saw the surface's dancing prism of light. She paddled furiously, but the light remained distant - something was wrong. More bubbles. The skin of her leg crawled, begging attention. Precious air waning, she risked a glance and found the problem. Rooted seaweed clutched her ankle tightly, apparently aware of its catch. She tore at it, but its slimy grip would not relent. Out of time, Sarah Fortune watched the last bubbles drift merrily upward, growing smaller and smaller, until salt stung her lungs. She felt strangely peaceful when her vision faded.

I'm on my way, Mom.

Sarah's sides wrenched in misery. A torrent poured from her mouth. Expecting entrails, she pried her eyes open. She grasped for focus; the escaping deluge lacked the visceral color she'd expected. Blurry vines framing her field of vision coalesced into defeated strands of hair, dangling limply around her face. Her hands dug into the sand. Her mind filled the gaps: she was kneeling on the beach and the puddle in front of her consisted of frothy seawater, as opposed to innards. Her lungs, battling her stomach, forced an inhale before the next heave.

"A sure ugly sight ye be fer a young wench. Thought yeh might be shark bait fer a turn."

A sputter of briny droplets was the best retort Sarah could articulate. Her eyes locked on the source, a garish boy, and she fell backward. His onyx hair and leering grin were unmistakable, but he was too young.

"How..."

"Ye be a lucky one. I was huntin' fer mermaids. Fancy me letdown when I spied yer kickers."

Her breath found rhythm. "They don't disappoint many."

"They got some shape to be sure, but I seen better."

Sarah stumbled to her feet, wet clothes matted to her body. "There are none better."

The boy chortled. "So what be the reward fer fishin ye from the drink?"

"Thanks?"

"A fine thanks I'll wager, but no reward I assure ye." He pointed at her head. "How bout 'at?"

She touched her hair, and her fingers grasped a smooth object. She extracted a pearlescent comb, fashioned from a conch. Mother's comb? She examined it dubiously; an epiphany clawed at the back of her mind. She opened her mouth, but before she could speak, the boy closed the distance and stole a lingering kiss. Her nagging subconscious burst, realization surging forth. This beach, this boy...the day her mother died.

She'd wandered from her house, drenched in her mother's blood. Wading into the surf, she was vaguely aware of the crimson wisps stretching from her garments. She dipped below the surface and screamed, attempting to shock her mind back to rationality. Beneath the waves, her tears either joined or comprised the ocean around her, she couldn't tell.

That day, the boy was waiting on the banks. Under other circumstances, she'd have wondered how long he had been there; she may have even blushed. But she only stared, too exhausted to ponder his presence. His mouth moved, but her ears denied the sound. Then he joined her amongst the waves and kissed her, a confounding loop added to the dizzying course of her emotions.

He pulled away with her mother's comb in hand, cackling. One day he'd make a ruthless pirate. Prize in tow, he sauntered off, jack boots stamping the sand. He turned once, comb held high, and bellowed, "Come an' get it!" He then laughed, disappearing beneath black sails which dotted the distant shoreline.

Strangely inspired, Sarah welled with new found purpose. Once she'd buried her mother, and burned her house to the ground, she would enjoy getting her comb back.

As the memory receded, Miss Fortune jerked away from the boy's embrace.

"Who are you?"

"Why do you want to join the League, Miss Fortune?" The seadog timbre was gone.

"What?"

"Why do you want to join the League?"

"I...for power and plunder." She doubted her own words.

"Why do you want to join the League?" Frost bit every syllable.

Crashing waves filled the silence.

"I need to find him."

"How does it feel, exposing your mind?"

Miss Fortune let his inquiry hang in the air. Drowned and drained, questions brimming, she felt somehow revitalized.

"Thank you."

Light filled her view, and the hallway beckoned. The marble doors behind her offered retreat. She laughed at the thought. No matter what, Miss Fortune always gets her man.

Matrix STATUS

CLASS: CASTER

SUMMONER: Miku DIVA Hatsune

TRUE NAME:

ULTIMATE PHANTASM:

KEYWORD: Maleficium

HEALTH = 380 (+80); HEALTH REGEN = 5.5 (+0.6); MANA = 230 (+50); MANA REGEN = 6.25 (+0.6); RANGE = 550; ATTACK DAMAGE = 50 (+3); ATTACK SPEED = 0.668 (+2); ARMOR = 11 (+3.5); MAGIC RESIST = 30 (+0); MOV. SPEED = 305

Attack Power = 3; ? = ?; ? = ?; ? = ?

Matrix KEYWORD

01:

02: Maleficium = The Witchcraft that Caster uses is all physical phenomena performed with her own body. While common Magecraft are programs that "recompose what exists around", Witchcraft are programs that "recompose the raw materials in one's own body."

According to Caster's own words: "This time there is only one due to the constraints of the Moon Cell, but originally I could produce a million troops from my multiple tails!"

That is really suspicious though.

03:

Matrix SKILL

01: Essence Theft [C] = A passive ability that activates whenever any of Ahri's champion abilities deal damage, causing her to gain charges of Essence Theft. Each target that was dealt damage will provide 1 charge, up to a maximum of 3 per ability. Upon reaching 9 stacks, her next ability will consume the charges to gain 35% spell vamp when it deals damage.

Essence Theft is not expended if her next ability doesn't hit an enemy unit.

Spirit Rush's 3 separate casts are considered as individual spell casts; it is therefore possible to gain 9 charges by only activating Spirit Rush.

Essence Theft cannot be charged or consumed with her summoner spells or items' active effects.

When Essence Theft has 9 stacks, Caster's orb becomes green.

02:

03:

04:

Matrix DETAILS

01:

02:

I'm finished up for today, this definitely is the time for sleep. Unexpectedly, I feel a hand grab my shoulder and pull me down towards the futon. Caster ... doesn't seem to be awake, so I guess she's sleepwalking right now. Heh. Despite the small sound of snoring, her face tells me she's having a nice dream. Er, I think that's how it works. I'm not too sure. The fact that her guard is down just makes me want to tease her ... that's another cute point about her. Nevertheless, good night and sweet dreams.

A/N: This chapter actually took surprisingly forever to make. It's mostly because I had to deviate from the original source material and actually describe what I did in a certain game that had this type of matchup. Going through that and trying not to be redundant was incredibly difficult. Anyways, leave some comments or something, will ya?