Despite leaving the old Red Scarves HQ second, Milla returns to the Battlesphere before Rob and in plenty of time to see Carol's first match. She manages to sneak back in without anyone noticing, but the instant she enters the preparation area, Lilac and Carol spot her immediately.
"There you are!" Lilac exclaims as she and Carol jog over to Milla. "Where did you go?"
Milla quickly checks no‑one is eavesdropping. "Hanna left earlier, so I followed her."
"Why didn't you tell us?" Carol asks.
"I didn't want Lilac to miss her fight, and I figured it'd look less suspicious if only one of us was missing," Milla explains.
"You should have told Carol at least," Lilac insists.
"Where did Hanna go?" Carol inquires.
"To train with Leader Julian in the old RSHQ under the city," Milla answers. And now for the lie. "I watched for a few minutes, but it quickly became clear it really was just a training session."
"An odd choice of location," Lilac observes.
"True, but it's also closer than the current HQ," Carol adds. "It's where I'd pick."
"Fair enough," Lilac accepts. "Are you sure that's everything?"
"That's everything," Milla asserts.
Lilac and Carol take a few moments to think.
"Looks like we have no choice but to continue doing what Neera asked us to do," Lilac concludes, Carol nodding in agreement.
"I guess," Milla sighs. "How did your match go? Sorry I missed it."
"Don't worry about it," Lilac assures. "It was a lot of fun, and hopefully we gave the crowd a good show, even if the result was a bit of a foregone conclusion."
"Didn't stop you basking in their adoration though," Carol teases.
"Well, I uh, y'know, have to keep up appearances and all that," Lilac explains badly.
"If you say so," Carol replies cheekily.
Meanwhile, Hanna emerges from the sewers to find Rob waiting in the alleyway for her. "You followed me then," she guesses as she refits the manhole cover.
"I had to know what was going on," Rob explains. "You weren't wearing a headband this morning."
"I don't own any," Hanna confirms.
"I know, and that's why I'm worried," Rob replies, concerned. "It's the headband Sally made, isn't it?"
"Yes, and there's a very good reason I'm wearing it," Hanna confirms.
Rob sighs in frustration. "Hand it over."
"Can't."
"Why not?"
Hanna takes Rob's hand and places it on her stomach.
Rob is about to ask why when he feels a surprisingly hard lump. "Is that…?"
Hanna nods. "It's not the only thing in there."
"I'm going to regret asking this, but what else is in there?"
Hanna takes a moment to compose herself. "It's a Brevontech device attached to a major vein that will inject the Shade Virus into my bloodstream if it's triggered by Julian or tampered with in any way."
"Then use the Crystal to disable the device."
"Don't you think I thought of that‽" Hanna snaps. "Sorry," she apologises immediately after, calm again. "It's just… I don't know what to do."
Rob pulls Hanna into a warm embrace. "We'll figure something out."
"I know," Hanna replies, weeping silently, her tail wrapped tightly around her husband. "Do you think I should pull out of the tournament?"
"Can you keep the Crystal under control?"
"With the Headband I can."
"Then you compete."
Hanna pulls away a little so she can look Rob in the eye. "Are you sure that's wise?"
"If you pull out, Team Lilac will get suspicious, and they could also pull out to deal with you and Julian," Rob explains. "And if that happens, then when the crowd hears about it, it might trigger panic."
"If Team Lilac suddenly fucked off somewhere, even I'd be worried," Hanna admits. "Just promise me one thing."
"Anything."
"If I lose control… do what's necessary."
"Hanna, I‑"
"You've seen what Blaze Kitsune is capable of," Hanna reminds. "I know she helped with the Black Comet, but the thought of her running rampant in Shang Mu… If the only way to stop her is to… I want you to do it."
Rob pulls Hanna back into a warm embrace. "I will do everything I can to ensure I don't have to go that far," he promises.
"But if you have to?"
Rob cannot bring himself to agree.
"Then I'll do everything I can to ensure I don't put you in that position," Hanna vows.
"I know," Rob replies. "Let me know when you're ready to head back."
Hanna affectionately nuzzles Rob's neck. "Thanks for being you."
"You're my wife," Rob explains simply.
The rest of the first day of the B‑MAC proceeds without incident, with both Carol and Milla easily winning their matches and progressing to the second round. Hanna and Rob did eventually return to the Battlesphere just in time to miss Carol's match, though fortunately no‑one questioned their absence, not even Team Lilac.
With the first day's action over, Hanna and Rob return home to Rage Ravine and Team Lilac return to Dragon Valley, all turning in early to ensure they're fully refreshed for the second day.
All except Carol.
[B‑MAC – Day 2]
Just after midnight, a lone cherry red V‑twin motorcycle cruises through the quiet streets of Shang Mu, its twin‑tone viridian rider mostly hidden under her maroon cloak. It doesn't take long for her to arrive at her destination: a nondescript alleyway a mile from the city centre. Parking her bike deep in the shadows, the wildcat drapes a black cover over it, then lifts the nearby manhole cover and drops into the sewers.
Now out of sight and out of the rain, Carol throws her hood back and gets her bearings. This way.
Fifteen minutes later, Carol enters the former Red Scarves HQ via one of the secret access tunnels. I hope I can pick up some scents to speed this search up. Unfortunately, it's been too long since the scents were laid down, and there's so little to pick up that even Milla would struggle. But that's all rendered academic just ten minutes later when Carol stumbles across the laboratory where Julian held Hanna captive.
"What on Avalice‽" Carol exclaims, jogging to the fully‑reclined chair in the centre of the lab and examining it. Straps to keep someone securely restrained, the ones for the arms burned and the rest sliced… a knotted cloth cut… and another cloth discarded on the floor. So, Julian had Hanna restrained and gagged, but why? I did notice she was wearing a headband when she returned to the Battlesphere, which is odd as she never wears one. Though there was one occasion where she did, but that was because‑
The sudden realisation fills Carol with dread. I need to get to Shang Tu.
Three hours later in Shang Tu Palace, two guards are arguing about who'll wake up Neera Li. Unfortunately for them, they've decided to do so rather loudly right outside her quarters.
Inevitably, the door slams open to reveal a furious panda in purple pyjamas. "What is the meaning of this‽" Neera snarls at the guards.
Stunned, it takes a moment for the first guard to respond. "Ah, uh, sorry ma'am, but uh, there's uh‑"
"Spit it out already!" Neera demands.
"Carol Tea wants to see you urgently, ma'am," the second guard replies.
"Was that so hard?" Neera replies, feigning calmness. "Now, get out of my sight!"
The guards scurry away as quickly as they can.
Growling to herself, Neera shuts the door, returns to her bedroom, and fetches a fresh bodyglove from her wardrobe, all while silently chanting calming mantras. Whatever Carol wants to see me about, it must be important, otherwise she wouldn't be here.
Ten minutes later, Neera (in just her bodyglove and boots) meets Carol in the Palace dining hall. "You want to see me?" she greets as she takes the seat opposite the wildcat.
"You asked us to report anything suspicious to you," Carol replies. "Before I do though, I need to know one thing: was anything else stolen besides the Fire Crystal?"
"Its accompanying Inhibitor Headband," Neera answers.
A few more pieces of the jigsaw fall into place in Carol's mind. "Shit."
"Tell me everything," Neera instructs.
"…and that's all I know so far," Carol finishes.
"This situation is a lot more serious than I imagined," Neera replies. "I never even contemplated a Scarves Leader being involved."
"What puzzles me is why Hanna would agree," Carol admits. "She's a loose cannon, but she still has morals as well as a husband who curbs her more excessive tendencies and keeps her on the right track."
"Julian must have leverage of some form," Neera concludes.
"But what?"
"Not a clue, and that's not just because I'm tired and cranky."
Carol thinks a moment. What else is stored here that's worth stealing… There's the Crystals and the Headbands, a bunch of Brevontech, probably some advanced weaponry and armour prototypes, and then there's‑ Carol's expression suddenly darkens considerably. Oh Ancients… Anything but that…
"What's the matter?" Neera asks, concerned.
"Neera, what I'm about to ask is extremely important," Carol replies. "Do you monitor how much Shade Virus is stored and used in research?"
"Of course," Neera confirms. "We keep track of every single vial."
"Have you checked the numbers?"
"There's no discrepancies for the last three months."
"What about further back?"
"We didn't go further back."
"You must."
"How far?"
"All the way."
"That's almost two years of records…"
"I wouldn't suggest it if it wasn't vitally important."
"I know… I just don't want you to be right."
"Nor do I."
Shortly after sunrise in Dragon Valley, Lilac wakes naturally to the sound of birdsong outside and a softly yipping puppy. However, the usual sound of a loudly purring wildcat is suspiciously absent. Peering over the edge of her bunk reveals Carol's bunk to be empty. Huh? Where is she?
Her answer comes a few moments later as Carol sneaks into the bedroom, her shoes in hand, freezing in place when she realises Lilac's staring right at her. "Um… Morning?" she whispers.
Lilac raises a quizzical eyebrow.
Carol sighs in defeat. "Workshop," she whispers, padding out of the bedroom.
Ten minutes later, now in a fitted white tank top, kingfisher blue miniskirt, and her usual blue boots, Lilac enters Carol's workshop and sits on the stool next to the wildcat. "So, how much trouble are you in?"
"Can the jokes," Carol replies. "What I'm about to tell you needs to be kept from Milla, at least for now."
"Why?" Lilac asks.
"Because if my suspicions are correct, then Hanna's carrying both the Fire Crystal and the Shade Virus," Carol informs.
"I can understand the Fire Crystal, but there's no way she'd infect herself with her Shade Virus," Lilac replies.
"Just shut up and listen," Carol orders. "I did some snooping around the old HQ overnight, and based on what I found, I suspect Hanna's being used by Leader Julian for some sick experiment. What exactly I don't know, but with both the Fire Crystal and the Shade Virus involved, if he succeeds, we could have the biggest crisis since Brevon on our hands."
"Then we need to stop Julian before he succeeds," Lilac decides, subconsciously taking hold of a hair whip.
"Obviously, but first, we need to speak to Rob," Carol replies.
"Because Hanna will have told him everything Julian did to her."
"Exactly."
"And once we know everything, we can‑" Lilac stops when she realises something. "…he's playing us, isn't he?"
"If we throw a fight, he'll know we're onto him," Carol agrees.
"And he murdered the defending champion to ensure it's us three and Hanna in the semis," Lilac adds. "He's keeping us all out the way as much as possible."
"Or putting us right where he wants us."
Lilac feels a chill run up her spine. "Please don't say what I fear you're about to say."
"Remember how hard it was to stop Shade Milla on the Dreadnought?"
"Please stop."
"We barely survived."
"Carol, please."
"Now combine that with what we've been told about Blaze Kitsune."
"I don't want to."
"We have to."
"Carol, I‑"
"Am scared, I know," Carol interrupts. "If it makes you feel any better, I'm shitting myself."
"It doesn't help," Lilac sighs. "Thanks for trying though. Guess we can't just wing our way through this one."
"Nope."
Lilac takes a deep breath to compose herself. "Let's just hope our worst fears don't come to pass."
"Come on, let's get back to the treehouse before Milla wakes up," Carol suggests.
However, before they can leave the workshop, Milla pads in wearing only her chest wraps and gym shorts. "I wondered where you two were," she yawns. "Why are you down here anyway?"
"Oh, I uh… I wanted to show Lilac… um… this!" Carol replies in a desperate attempt at a cover story, grabbing the nearest thing within reach.
"A spanner?" Milla asks, confused.
"Uh, yeah!" Carol replies, committing to the lie.
But it's clear Milla's not buying it.
"OK, I admit it: I went snooping last night," Carol confesses. "I found where Leader Julian was holding Hanna captive, though exactly what he did to her I don't know for sure."
"Ah… Um… Please don't be angry, but um… I already know what he's done to her," Milla admits.
"Does it involve the Shade Virus?" Lilac asks.
"Yes," Milla confirms.
"By the Ancients, it really is as bad as we feared," Lilac sighs, burying her head in her hands.
Carol's ears twitch as the sound of the phone ringing reaches them. "And that'll be Neera phoning to tell us she's found who smuggled the Virus out to Julian."
Silence descends on the trio, the only sounds being birdsong and the insistent ringing of the phone.
"Someone should get that," Lilac eventually decides.
"I will," Carol volunteers.
After Carol exits the workshop, Milla takes the seat next to Lilac. "You're scared of the combination of Blaze Kitsune and the Shade Virus," she guesses. "I am too, but I'm sure we can stop Julian from succeeding without having to face… whatever that combination would be."
"How?" Lilac asks.
"I took down Huxian Dolma with a remote camera, a laptop, and a noble friend," Milla reminds. "I'm sure we can find a similar way of stopping Julian."
Lilac drops her hands into her lap. "I hope you're right," she sighs.
The first match on the schedule for the second day of the B‑MAC is Hanna's first‑round bout, and given recent events, she's understandably nervous. But with Rob's support, she keeps her emotions in check, and walks out into the arena with an air of confidence she hopes is convincing.
To minimise the chances of people getting suspicious, the three members of Team Lilac watch from the competitors' viewing area instead of by the side of the arena, though all three are ready to act immediately if required. Thankfully, the match proceeds smoothly, and Hanna secures a fast victory without any hint of pyrokinesis, nor any sign of being affected by the Shade Virus.
After the mandatory post‑match interview, Hanna rejoins Rob in the preparation area. "Enjoy the fight?" she asks.
"What little there was of it," Rob answers. "How are you feeling?"
"Reassured, for now at least," Hanna replies. "My second‑round match and the pool final should be simple enough, but then I'll be up against Lilac."
"We'll worry about that when we get there," Rob assured. "Until then, take each fight one at a time."
"Should we tell them about it?" Hanna asks.
"All you need to do is focus on staying in control," Rob reminds. "I'll handle the rest."
Hanna gives Rob a quick kiss on the lips. "Thanks. If you need me, I'll be in the zen garden."
"Not your usual sort of place," Rob comments.
"Never needed one before," Hanna explains.
"Any issues, you come find me, OK?"
"Promise."
Carol waits until Hanna's out of view before approaching Rob. "How is she?"
"Coping," Rob replies. "I take it by your concern you know what Julian did to her."
"As do Lilac, Milla, and Neera Li," Carol confirms. "She asked us to keep watch here."
"A wise decision. Got a plan?"
"Working on one."
"Same. I'll keep you updated."
"Likewise."
The remaining first‑round matches are completed as scheduled before the lunch break, during which the remaining combatants have the 'honour' of listening to a 'motivational' speech from Mayor Zao that consists more of praise for himself than it does words of congratulations and encouragement for the combatants. Fortunately, Zao's desire to promote himself as much as possible means his speech is mercifully short to allow himself more time in front of the TV cameras.
With the number of second‑round matches half the number of first‑round matches, the afternoon schedule includes the first two pools, with the remaining two pools scheduled for the evening session. Since the pools are scheduled in the same order, Lilac's match is the first of the afternoon, with Carol's bout two matches later and both Milla and Hanna having their matches in the evening session. And as with the first round, all four win their matches, with Lilac, Carol, and Milla putting on a show before securing victory while Hanna repeats her morning performance and seals her win as quickly as possible.
After the completion of the second round, Team Lilac once again return to Dragon Valley, and Hanna and Rob return home to Rage Ravine, all turning in early to ensure they're fully refreshed for the third, final, and most demanding day of the B‑MAC.
