[B‑MAC – Final Day]

A little over half an hour before the pool finals are due to start, Lilac, Carol, and Milla are first to arrive in the preparation area, shortly followed by Hanna and Rob. However, they get little chance to talk before the rest of the competitors arrive, with Maria Notte visiting soon after to conduct interviews for the TV coverage build‑up. And once they're over, there's not enough time before the first match nor between matches to discuss anything.

The four pool finals end according to the form book, though Lilac, Carol, and Milla all had to work a little harder for their victories as their opponents are a step above what they've faced so far. In contrast, Hanna once again secured a swift and decisive victory, but there is still cause for concern thanks to her receiving a surprisingly hard blow to her lower back.

In the infirmary after her fight, Hanna is checked over and pronounced match‑fit, but Rob is more concerned about the device carrying the Shade Virus. Mercifully, his concerns are quickly addressed by Hanna showing zero signs of being affected by the Virus.

But even more concerns come the way of all during the lunch break.


As the only four combatants left in the tournament, Lilac, Carol, Milla, and Hanna are summoned to a conference room to have lunch, Rob accompanying them as Hanna's personal trainer. All are curious about the purpose of the summons, and they get their answer when they arrive at the conference room to find Mayor Zao waiting for them.

"About time," Zao greets as the group enters the conference room. "Sit."

"If I may, why have you summoned us?" Lilac asks as she and the other take a seat each, all rather off‑put by Zao's unusually hard tone.

"Because you're making me look bad!" Zao barks. "All your matches so far have been a joke!"

This only confuses the combatants further. "That's not the impression we're getting," Carol replies. "In fact, we're seeing the complete opposite: the crowd loves us."

"Then why am I hearing complaints about you toying with your opponents?" Zao demands.

"We're putting on a show," Lilac explains. "If all our matches finished as quickly as Fiona's, there'd be more complaints, not less."

"I don't want to hear excuses!" Zao declares, ignoring Lilac's explanation. "I want to hear how you intend to stop making me look bad!"

"Like you need help looking bad," Hanna snorts.

"No need for that, Fiona," Rob cautions.

"Mayor, we're already doing our best to entertain the crowds," Lilac insists. "There's nothing more we can do."

"Yes, there is: you can use your special abilities," Zao asserts.

"We agreed to enter on the condition we wouldn't use them," Lilac reminds.

"Yet you won all your matches anyway," Zao replies.

"It wouldn't be fair on Fiona," Lilac continues, quickly running out of reasons.

"Doesn't bother me," Hanna shrugs. "Be nice to have a challenge for a change."

Lilac sighs in frustration. "Can you excuse us for a few minutes, Mayor?"

"Be quick about it," Zao agrees.

"Fiona, with me," Lilac instructs as she exits the room, Hanna following.

In the corridor, after Hanna's closed the door to the conference room behind her, Lilac fixes her with a hard stare. "What is wrong with you‽" she hisses quietly.

"I have waited for years for a chance to finally prove I'm the better fighter," Hanna snarls. "I won't let you take that away from me."

"Are you even listening to yourself‽" Lilac demands. "You have both the Fire Crystal and the Shade Virus inside you! Do you have any idea how lethal a combination that could be‽"

"The Crystal is being limited by the Headband, and the Virus hasn't entered my bloodstream," Hanna reminds. "Also, I've proven I'm in full control after the three fights I've had so far. Just admit you're scared of losing."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard."

Lilac sighs in frustration. "Hanna, I know you think you're the better fighter, but are you really willing to risk the safety of the population of Shang Mu just to prove a point?"

"You think I'm a loose cannon, primed to fire at any time."

"The thought had crossed my mind."

Hanna leans close to Lilac. "I will defeat you in honourable combat; to defeat you by any other means is unthinkable," she growls. "I will prove myself the better fighter the only way that matters, and that scares the shit outta you."

Lilac refuses to be intimidated, meeting Hanna's hard stare head‑on. "You'll be singing a different tune when I'm done with you," she snarls in a manner very unlike her typical friendly demeanour. "And this time, I won't feel sorry when the medics cart away your broken body."

"There she is," Hanna smirks. "I look forward to thrashing you both on national television."

Before Lilac can respond, Hanna returns to the conference room. Great job, Sash: you made her even more determined to thrash me now. Lilac takes a deep breath to compose herself, then enters the conference room.

"Well?" Zao prompts as Lilac retakes her seat.

I hope I don't come to regret this… "I agree to entertain the crowd and use my special abilities in my next match," Lilac replies.

"Excellent!" Zao beams, his hard demeanour vanishing in an instant. "I look forward to it!"

Before anyone can reply, Zao marches out of the room in smug triumph.

Carol and Milla fix Lilac with disapproving stares.

"I tried, OK?" Lilac asserts in frustration. "But no, Little Miss Web Browser there just has to prove a point."

"Don't mind her: she's just scared she'll lose," Hanna smirks confidently.

Rob says nothing, electing to simply leave the room in silent disappointment.

"Both of you are pathetic," Carol states, her tone making it abundantly clear what she thinks. "Come on Milla, let's prepare for our match."

"Shame on both of you," Milla adds as she follows Carol out of the conference room.

"If the crowd is put in danger, I'm holding you personally responsible," Lilac growls.

"I told you, I'm in control," Hanna asserts calmly. "The crowd is perfectly safe."

"You better be right," Lilac replies before leaving the room.

Hanna watches Lilac leave. Gotta admit, she's cute when she's angry.


In the corridor, Lilac finds Rob typing on a handheld communication device. "Sending for backup?"

"Yup," Rob confirms. "Hopefully they get here before the shit hits the fan."

"Hopefully they won't be needed," Lilac replies. "Do you really think she'll lose control?"

"She's willing to put the safety of the paying public at risk just to settle an old grudge only she cares about," Rob answers.

"Guess it's too much to hope she'll ever let that go," Lilac sighs in disappointment. "Can I confide in you?"

"Sure."

Lilac checks to make sure no‑one's eavesdropping. "I'm worried she'll force her to appear," she confesses quietly.

"That had crossed my mind too," Rob admits equally quietly. "At least you're able to keep her from running wild; not sure I can say the same about Hanna and Blaze."

"True, but she might…" Lilac tails off, not willing to finish the thought.

"We'll step in before she tries to," Rob assures.

"Thanks," Lilac smiles.


After the lunch break and a semi‑final ceremony that did more to promote Mayor Zao than it did the semi‑finalists, it's Carol and Milla's match. Both are understandably nervous about hurting each other, but after a quick discussion, they agree that if one of them does inflict a significant injury on the other, then the inflictor will buy the injured a bucketload of sushi to make up for it. And it goes without saying that Milla's piandao will remain with Lilac and claws will remain retracted during the fight.

The moment after the bell sounds, Milla opens with a salvo of miniature Phantom Cubes that prevent Carol launching a direct charge. But the wildcat isn't fazed: she relishes the challenge of getting close to an opponent who excels at range. Ducking, diving, and weaving around the incoming projectiles with feline agility, Carol quickly creates an opportunity and charges, only for the attack to be blocked by a hastily‑raised Phantom Shield. Milla attempts to counter by discharging the Shield into Carol, but the wildcat is fast enough to retreat out of range in time, so Milla reverts to firing a stream of miniature Phantom Cubes.

The match continues along this pattern, with Carol finding increasingly more creative ways of getting close to Milla, forcing the hound to react to each charge more urgently than the previous. After several minutes however, fatigue becomes a significant factor, and it's only a matter of time before it triggers a mistake.

But no‑one expects the mistake that is made.

Sweat dripping from her brow, Carol pushes herself to her limits as she dodges, dives, and weaves around Milla's latest and most scattered torrent of Phantom Cubes, several getting close to striking the wildcat, and a few even clipping the tip of her tail. Slowly she opens another opportunity to get in close, charging in the instant the gap is big enough. And this time she almost succeeds, missing landing a blow by a tiny fraction of an inch as Milla contorts away from the attack.

Carol's miss gives Milla her first real chance at landing a counter‑attack. Despite being off‑balance, she quickly summons a Phantom Shield and discharges it right into Carol's flank, the blow lifting the wildcat off the floor and throwing her across the arena. The wildcat doesn't have enough time to twist into position to land on her feet, but she twists far enough to land in a roll that ends with her on all‑fours, ready to pounce‑

A triple‑ring of the bell signals the end of the fight.

"And victory goes to Milla Basset!" the umpire announces.

"What on Avalice‽" Carol protests loudly. "I'm still good to fight!"

But her protest goes unheard, drowned out by the cheers for Milla's victory. Confused and annoyed, Carol looks down and sees why the fight is over: she's less than an inch outside the arena boundary. I… I rung out… Gotta hand it to Milla: she got me good.

Surprised by the umpire's announcement, Milla's not sure what to think. Ignoring the referee, she looks over to where Carol is, seeing the wildcat on her hands and knees and looking downbeat. "Carol? Are you hurt?"

Carol looks up at the sound of Milla's voice. With a reassuring smile, she pushes herself her feet and bows respectfully.

Milla smiles back before waving to the adoring crowd, relieved by Carol's show of respect and clear lack of injury.


In the competitors' viewing area, Lilac is visibly impressed by Milla's performance. However, Hanna has a different reaction: despite her indifferent appearance, she's secretly concerned. I expected Carol to win… I know I can defeat Milla. The question is, do I want to?


After the obligatory post‑match interviews, Lilac, Carol, and Milla reunite in the preparation area.

"I hope you're not mad at me," Milla greets, blushing a little.

"Not at all!" Carol assures, playfully ruffling Milla's hair. "You earned that win fair and square!"

"And there's no way Zao can complain about it either," Lilac adds. "You two really gave it everything out there!"

"Thanks," Milla smiles, blushing a little more. "Is it bad I really enjoyed it?

"Not at all!" Carol answers. "It's the most fun match I've ever had!"

"Good," Milla sighs in relief. "Hopefully I'll have just as much fun against Lilac in the final."

"Me too," Lilac replies, deciding not to share her doubts about whether she can beat Hanna.


With only the two semi-finals scheduled for the afternoon session, there's more time available for Lilac and Hanna to prepare for their match. Hanna's confidence means she doesn't need the extra time, but for Lilac, the extra time is simply not enough. The result is that when they enter the arena for their match, Lilac is still nervous about her chances of victory, one she must claim if she's going to protect Milla from having to face a Fire‑Crystal‑powered Hanna Skarlett who could at any moment be infected with the Shade Virus.

"As with the first semi‑final, the combatants have agreed to use all the abilities at their disposal," the announcer reminds. "For those in the crowd closest to the action, protective visors are available for a modest fee."

The announcement does little to assure Lilac. Cheap plastic visors aren't going to be any good if Hanna loses control… It's up to me to ensure this fight ends before she becomes a threat to the crowd.

The referee calls the two fighters to the centre. "You both know the rules: no hooking, no gouging, and no killing," he reminds. "And if one of you is injured, the other must stand back immediately to allow for immediate medical attention. Any questions?"

Neither Lilac nor Hanna voice any questions.

"Excellent," the referee acknowledges. "Back to your starting positions."

"See you in the infirmary," Hanna growls venomously.

"I'll bring you a book," Lilac growls back.

Hanna smirks at Lilac's poor comeback. I'm in her head. Perfect.

The fighters return to their starting points and drop into combat stances.

The bell rings to start the match.

Hanna immediately launches a fiery charge, tapping into the Fire Crystal to boost her speed, aiming to get the upper hand as quickly as possible. Not to be outdone, Lilac counter‑charges, tapping her chargers to accelerate as quickly as possible. At the last moment, Lilac curls into a ball and unleashes a full‑powered Dragon Boost, intending to decisively end the fight before Hanna has a chance to lose control.

The clash of Flame Boost and Dragon Boost sends a shockwave over the crowd and throws the two combatants apart to opposite sides of the arena.

Lilac lands hard, rolls a short distance onto all‑fours, and slides to a halt less than an inch inside the arena boundary. Looking across the arena, she can see Hanna already on her feet and beginning another charge. She just tanked a full‑power Dragon Boost… I might lose! Lilac shakes her head. I can't let her face Milla… I have no choice: I need to let her out. Lilac closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. Over to you.

Sash opens her eyes, locks onto Hanna, and instantly Boosts to top speed, slamming her shoulder straight into straight into the fiery vixen and smashing the wind out of her lungs. But Hanna doesn't go down: she rolls with the impact and counters with a vicious roundhouse kick that makes Sash stumble, following with a brutal fire‑boosted punch to the base of the spine that sends Sash sprawling face down on the floor.

Hanna pounces to pin Sash down, but the dragoness isn't done yet: a crack of her hair whips throws the vixen several feet away into a hard landing on her back, Sash following with a rapid pounce to pin her opponent down. But Hanna expects the attack: she kicks Sash in the face with both feet, breaking the dragoness's nose and throwing her back several feet.

Hanna leaps to her feet as Sash rolls onto hers. "Had enough?" she growls.

Sash wipes the blood from under her nose. "I'm just getting started," she growls back before rapidly charging and unleashing another full‑power Dragon Boost. The attack hits, throwing Hanna across the arena, and Sash lands on her feet, ready to secure victory.

But Hanna isn't done yet: tapping as much Fire Crystal energy as she can, she thunders towards Sash enveloped in searing flame.

Sash sees the attack coming, but she has no time to react. "Sh‑"

The vulpine fireball slams into Sash hard enough to crack ribs and catapult the dragoness out of the arena boundary. Unable to control her flight, the dragoness punches straight through the wall below the stands and slams into the steel framework behind, leaving several worryingly large dents as she drops to the floor unconscious.

Silence descends on the arena as Hanna slides to a halt a few feet from the boundary. Smirking with satisfaction, she waits for the applause to begin.

It doesn't come.

Hanna looks around the crowd to see every pair of eyes staring at her in shock. "Oh, I'm sorry, was I not meant to win?" she snaps angrily.

The response is immediate: boos, jeers, and paper cups (not all of them empty) are thrown her way as the crowd refuses to hold back their displeasure. Infuriated, Hanna reaches for her headband‑

Memories of her first loss to Lilac flood into Hanna's mind, her hand stopping an inch from the headband, her anger vanishing in an instant.

Fearing the worst, Hanna turns back to see a team of medics carrying the unconscious Lilac away on a stretcher. …fuck.


At the back of the crowd, an ebony‑scaled ivory‑furred wyvern silently sneaks out of the stands. I should have known she'd lack subtlety… Not that it matters: my plans are moving along well enough.