Location: The Isle of Manhattan, NYC, "A Country"

Exact Location: Underground in Transit on the 1 Train en route to Lincoln Square

Current Time: 11:12:30 A.M.

Weather Conditions: A mix of Sun and Clouds with an equal ratio of each (It isn't rainy, but at least my eyes are not in pain.)

After an exhausting last night in which the director had to deal with the PWAB's Robo-Ky and the cost of fixing the ship's windshield, the director Vincent Voltaire has finally established the completed cast list. Mind you, it took him long enough considering he had to place practically everyone in without upsetting anyone. However, he expected some death glares should it happen.

For instance, you have the May constituent, which includes the pirate girls and their appropriate fans. If May is not with Johnny, then the crew is likely to run him over. However, Johnny has been trying to keep the crew in line, and she may listen to him even though she would disapprove, so the director is not likely to worry much about this.

On the other side you have the supporters for Jam and Ky. While Ky is a much better choice for acting, if Jam is not included with him, she may want to go "Gasenkotsu" on his ass. This is downright impossible, as her voice clearly blew all the champagne glasses. She may have to be subdued if things get too chaotic.

As for the rest of the cast, there were no problems. You had your usual disapprovals, but for the most part, no one is really going to complain much about how this is going to go.

And as for Dizzy… to keep the explanations short, he knew where she would belong, but with Cecilia still after him, this play will be harder than he expected.

Arriving at the Times Square station, Voltaire's two allies, Ian and Areia, walk in, dressed up in snazzy bodyguard suits and expecting an attack on the director from another Robo-Ky… or something else for that matter.

"So what happened last night, Vincent? Did you get attacked or something?" Ian replied.

He had trouble getting the words out. "I don't know what to make of it." He sighed as he plopped himself on an empty seat. "I have been requested, no, demanded by the PWAB to add Dizzy to the play. I shut them up, and the next thing I know, they send a Robo-Ky to kick my ass. I'm starting to think maybe this isn't such a great idea, you know?"

"Wait a second. The PWAB sent a Robo-Ky?" Ian said, leaning beside a pole "So, it's not like it was hard dispatching the deadweight."

"Actually…" His body stooped down in embarrassment. The two took notice.

"Wow. Didn't you have your weapons on you?"

"Just the Biorifle, Ian. And that weapon was not useful out there in the open."

"What about your training?" Areia added.

"He caught me by surprise. I was unable to use any of my techniques." He sunk his body even further. "And to top it off, the Bureau knows about Cecilia, so that means she'll be a bigger threat soon." He sighed again, and then faced the two. "I'm glad you guys are along at least."

"Hey, we're your semi-loyal team. It's what we do."

"I know, even though we do fit a stereotype for having the leader, the "grunt", and the token female. I'm the brains, Ian does some of the dirty work, and you, Areia, are PR, although you did help me with the Baiken tape."

"Am I really the grunt?" Ian said. "Remind you, I was able to get this plan through the people in charge of the square." Ian stated. Three seconds of processing time passed. Vincent apologized. "Ok, your right. I give. Besides, that is the least of my concerns."

"So what is your main concern?"

"I know that word is spreading about this performance, but I'm afraid that it's going to come out all crummy. More so is this fear that I'll have to be leaving, a la 'Raiders of the Lost Ark,' once we are done on opening night, but… maybe I shouldn't worry about this much. It is my work you know. I got myself into this and so I shall finish this."

He stood up again, just like all the way back in Chapter 1 when addressing the world, except it's a train car and not the open Square. "And so, I, Vincent Voltaire, shall not give up my quest to make this performance the greatest. I shall complete my work as…"

"Ok, Vincent, we get the point!" The two replied, tranquilizing the whole event, and getting weird looks from the remaining passengers including the obligatory fanfare coming from a random mariachi band. They were promptly paid quickly, and then bolted to the next car.

"So what do we do now?" Areia said.

"Well, our stop is here so we should… what the?"

A loud shriek was heard as a woman flickered through the air, through the opening door, pass the three, right though the train window, and stopping with her hand firmly stuck on the brick wall around the station. She now looks like an arrow that has collided with a tree, complete with vibrations of the tail end.

"Was that Succubus, Testatment's personal 'raven'?"

"I think so, Areia." Ian said. He faces the director, who knew this was going to happen sooner or later. "Well, I see he's gotten word of what's going on."

"The same goes for you as well, Vincent." A dimensional portal opens in front of the two, revealing the Gothic-era dressed Gear, Testament. His expression and body language was not all that pleasing to look at, and I would go on, but the fact that we have several passengers running for the nearest exit as a result of a Gear appearing out of nowhere and that stigma of "Gears equals Evil with evidence due to Justice" thing speaks for itself.

"Testament, could you explain to me why you are here?" The director replied with a lot of unhappiness. "I know you try to guard her with your life but I never did anything wrong with her and…"

"Silence!" He said, booming with his overemphasized voice. "I know for a fact that you are trying to harm her."

"I am not, ok? I won't allow Dizzy to get in any harm."

"Liar!" Again, his voice shook the station. "There is nothing to disprove that you hate her. Succubus has seen everything that you did, and I cannot allow you to continue with this."

"Are you sure that raven of yours is not confused, because I know that is false."

"I don't expect you to try and prove to me that you are not lying." He said again. "I want you to die for trying to kill her!"

"Kill her?" He eyes quickly widen. "I haven't killed the duelists. I even tried to help the new one, A.B.A. How could you say that I am evil?"

"You tried to kill a succubus, three goddesses, a pop singer…"

The director plopped to the ground out of annoyance. "I can't believe this. Are we going with that again?" He stood up from said ground. "I don't know where you are getting this information, but I did not want to kill her, ok? Now, I got to get to the opera house, I'm late and I… what the?!"

He stopped a second after crossing Testament. His eyes were no longer focused on the Gear. This time, it was focused on that sudden pool of blood that is now spewing itself on the three, and this time, there was no way to avoid it.

Brushing the acidic blood off of their bodies, which is now burning their skins with some decreasing intensity; they regroup and start pointing blame to the director.

"Ok, Vincent, what did you do to Dizzy?"

"For the last time, I did nothing. I only chucked her photo into an incinerator. That was all. And right now, I'm not in the mood to have a duel."

"You must fight me." The Gear replied, pointing his scythe to Vincent.

"For the last time, I will not fight you."

"I will not accept that. You are to either fight me, or… brrz…" His face quickly changed from hot-blooded to ice cold, as he stood there, suddenly frozen and incapacitated from out of nowhere. The three look at each other in confusion. "What just happened there?"

"Ian, forget that. Let's just get out of here before he thaws."

"Good point." The three rush out in rapid speed to the safety of outside.

However, once the coast was clear, another person walked in and teleported Testament well away from the city. He disappears shortly thereafter as the police come in with a completely blank crime scene.

Back at Ye old Opera House, which is now populated by the duelists, including A.B.A, the final plans are about to get underway.

"Ok everyone; last night I was looking over your auditions. After thinking about how you guys are going to perform and all that jazz, I have the completed cast list here." He waves a sheet of paper in front of the duelists. "We'll run through the opera once we have our people ready, understand?" The duelists acknowledge. "Now I'll announce the list, but you all must promise me something."

"What do we need to promise?" Sol asked.

"That once this list is complete, you refrain from using any and all weapons on me, physical or otherwise. The reason I say this is because you cannot just simply state that I didn't get in just because the author doesn't like you." Johnny made a small adjustment in his hat. "Also, in case I forgot to say this, this listing can change depending on how you act on set, and how well are you able to perform at the night of the performance."

"Now then, I'll get the obvious stuff out of the way." He starts at the top of the list and moves downward. "Anji Mito is Don Basilio, Slayer and Sharon are the Counts, and Bridget is Cherubino, so stop arguing about the fact that he can't handle it, Anji"

"Why are you looking at me like that? I'm just saying." He said, waving his hands to avoid a likely assault.

"Now for the other parts: the part of Don Curizo, the judge, will be... Venom."

"I see. I'll deal with it I guess." He said, noting the fact that he wants to remain low key.

"The part of Antonio, the drunken gardener will be played by… Axl."

"What?" He said in disgust. "Hold up. I know I'm better than that."

"Trust me. He's not all that bad. You happen to know the play by heart so, don't worry about it"The director said. "Besides, there is always the understudy option."

"I forgot about that. Sorry." He scratches his head and blushes a bit.

"It's cool." He continued as his eyes rolled down the list. "The part of Marcellina will be played by… Leap." The pirates did an obligatory cheer. "I hope you realized that we'll have to age you a bit."

"No problem." She said as the girls were profusely hugging her.

Now the problem came with the remaining members. Of the males, he had Chipp, Ky, and Johnny. The good news is that since Faust is no longer eligible to perform (The director realized this after asking himself what could happen if this was played on the opening night with Faust involved), that free spot made room for all the other members of the cast. Chipp would be excluded since the director assumed that he was not really all that good, but if he made an improvement, then the spot would be open. With all of these decisions though, he will have to upset one of the girls, which he hopes it keeps his wellbeing intact.

This concept of deciding and choosing and assuring his own personal health was tough, but after much thinking, he made a choice.

"Ok, everyone, for the lead. The man who will be performing the part of Figaro will be… "Multitudes of anticipation encompassed Jam, May and the remaining pirates, for if they don't have their man as the lead, the director will get it.

Valiantly, the director said one word that sealed their fate.

"…Johnny."

Once again, the pirate girls cheered. Leap, on the other hand, was a bit concerned about this decision. "Vincent, Johnny's a tenor. The part is designed for a bass. That doesn't seem right."

"I know, but I've made this decision under a lot of factors. Considering that you are well versed in opera, I want to see if you can change this man and make him hit the lower notes."

"I don't know if that is possible, sir." She replied. "It could be that you may need to give the part to Ky over there."

"Ky is somewhat in the higher ranges. He has the part of Doctor Bartolo."

"But does that mean that Ky-chan will not perform with me?" Jam replied, holding with her voice equal weights of anger and begging. The director just shook his head.

Standing up from her seat, and showing the dark red aura that signifies an Instant Kill, Jam rushes to him with quick speed and faces the director head on. "You lousy director, you think I am no good with singing? I'll show you singing. Ahh…"

"Stop it. I don't want you to sing." He did not want a repeat of the "champagne" incident.

"Then make Ky, Figaro and put me as the female lead."

"I can't."

"Well, then… Ahhh…"

The director whipped out his hand and faced his palm towards Jam. "Execute Sound Effect #31 on Kuradoberi Jam!"

On cue, sound effect #31 was played from out of nowhere, and Jam is propelled back from her spot and knocked towards the wall, defeated. The duelists were flabbergasted.

"What did you just do?" Ky said, noticing Jam's KO'ed body.

"I just executed the raw essence of an Instant Kill on her. She'll wake up in about an hour."

"You sure, because that was an IK there?"

"I though an IK was sound effect #34." Bridget asked.

"I though it was #32." A.B.A added

"Uh, could we stop trying to "pretend" that this is all fantasy?" Areia said before launching to the director. "Vincent, look what you started. Please get back to reality here."

"I'm serious here. I did a "damage control" move on her, and I have a sound box right here." He goes to the back of the curtains and takes out a small electronic box, filled with numerous dials that play several sound effects from GGX2. "Seeing as this has nothing to do with what is going on, let's proceed." He chucks the box to the side. "Now that we have that out of the way, I have two more places to give out."

He makes one glance at the list and calls out a name. "Millia Rage, you got the part of Susuanna, Figaro's wife."

"I'm pretty impressed. I didn't know I could do that well."

"I can see that we'll be working together, is that right?" Johnny added, making a glance that got May's "system" running again.

"Well, I didn't know this would…" She did not finish. May ran her over and stormed the director just like Jam did seconds ago. "How could you do that? Am I not any good for you?"

"May," the director said as he exerted his "patent-pending" damage control procedures on her. "You're a nice girl and I like you for your bravery and talent, but sometimes these things happen. Now I know you like Johnny, but you have to control yourself. Would you like to get smacked by Sound Effect #31?"

She though for a second, looked at Jam, and then agreed as she sild down to the ground. "…Ok. You win."

"I'm glad you understand." He turns his attention to the duelists. "And this is a warning to anyone that tries. Please leave all issues with relations well out of my hands, please? Thank you."

He runs his eyes down to the bottom. "The last part is Barbarina, and I'll take the new girl, A.B.A, to play that role."

She nodded politely. "I see, but are you sure you can help me with this?"

"I think Leap can help all of the singers, seeing as I now promote Leap to Onboard Vocal Captain. Can you do that?"

"You mean help the cast tune for their performances and tryouts? Sure." She agreed with confidence.

Vincent then addressed the other members not chosen. "Sol, Chipp, I don't want you completely out of the play. I figured you may do well as part of the ensemble cast, you know?"

"Sure." Sol said feeling relieved. "It probably means I don't have to do much."

"I know you wanted to get out of this, so this is your chance. I may still want you as security."

"Whatever." He said as he headed towards the door. As for Chipp, he was less pleased. "Vincent, could you tell me why I was not chosen? What gives?"

"Chipp, sometimes these things happen. I've experienced it a lot of times. I don't want you out yet." He turns back to the cast. "Now seeing as I am now tired and this whole mess is finally out of the way, you can all take a break. Come back in a few hours, and I'll have copies of the opera with me." The cast quickly walks out

(NOTE: Although the information is public, if you do not want to take a look at what happens during the opera, please skip this section, as it is a partial read-through and it does contain spoilers.)

Time: 3:12.21 P.M.

Several hours later, the cast returns. Fortunately, there is minimal damage done outside the opera house.

"Uh, I hope it's all right that the windows are broken." said Chipp as he recalled opening the front door too fast and having the handle smash the window beside it.

"It's ok. Now let's proceed, shall we?" Vincent said as Areia and Ian quickly pass out several books, each containing the entire score from the opera. Leap had given out her personal copies to her crew, so there were a few left over.

"Now I all want you to memorize this to the best of your ability, ok?" The duelists agree in their own unique manner as Vincent takes out his quick synopsis of the opera. "Ok, for those unfamiliar with the opera, here is the brief storyline." He clears his throat. "The story is set in 18th century Seville, in Italy. At the very beginning of the play, we have Figaro and Susanna, played by Johnny and Millia, about to prepare for their wedding night."

"Hey! I though you said…"

"May, this is an opera, remember? They are not getting married in real life." Leap reprimanded the pirate girl in the effort to retain order. She calmed down peacefully as the director continued.

"The only problem is that Count Almaviva, Figaro's master, is trying to get her back for personal philandering kicks, even though a custom was outlawed days ago which, before there is a wedding in his territory, the count has the right to sleep with the lady at will. Figaro quickly knows this and plans a vengeful scheme against the Count." Johnny smiles at this interesting plot development.

"Once this plan is announced to the world, another problem unfolds. Bartolo, played by Ky over there, is helping his servant Marcellina, played by Leap, with some debt reclamation that Figaro has to fulfill."

"I'll assume that it's probably something simple."

"Actually Johnny, according to the opera, unless you pay Marcellina the full debt, you'll be forced into a "shotgun wedding" scenario." The pirate girls started to laugh at this interesting proposal. Several of the males did laugh, but also felt for the guy and his predicament. Jam was about to rise in protest, but stopped part way. "Jam, please don't start. Remember, this is only an opera, and we are all actors and actresses "

"I don't deserve to be treated like this. I want to have a shot at performing, especially with my Ky-chan."

"I know how upset you are, but let me make a deal." He assumed that she will be in for as long as Ky is around, so he figured he could use her to his advantage. "In exchange for allowing Ky to perform without interruption, I'll have you be the lead chef at opening night. You can even plan out the menu."

Upon hearing these words, she quietly recedes. "…fine. Just as long as nothing happens to Ky." The director waves a sigh of relief as he reads on.

"To continue, Susanna and Marcellina start a verbal 'catfight' over who gets to marry Figaro and I apologize if anyone got offended of that." A few cast members quickly sit down. "Once they are done with that, Cherubino, played by Bridget, comes on." Bridget waves his hand, sitting one row down from the girls. "He is completely infatuated with all of the women around the court."

"Aww." replied all of the girls.

"…but the count hates him for that, since he is a page and he was flirting with the gardener's daughter, Barbarina."

"So, this is becoming a Bridget/A.B.A relation type thing?" Anji replied.

"Eh? I don't understand" said A.B.A, who is oblivious to the "presumed" stories involving Bridget because of her time living inside a glass home.

"Cherubino hides when Count Almaviva, played by Slayer, appears in his attempt to woo Susanna back. After several attempts at this, he hides, thinking that Figaro is going to return. It is not Figaro, but Don Basicilo, played by Anji. Although he gossips on about things, he eventually hints at Cherubino being interested in the Countess."

"So, am I able to get out safely?" Bridget inquired.

"No. actually, the count finds you several minutes later, and he is royally pissed off at your character."

"Oh."

"But on the plus side, Figaro comes in with a full blown chorus, celebrating the Count's decision to remove the droit du seigneur. You are left safe from harm as Figaro defends your honor."

"Ah." He replied.

"However, this is the end of the 1st act, and as a finale, the count decides to draft you on the spot in the Seville army regimen. Congratulations!"

Though there is some laughter, Bridget calmly agrees, because he wanted to surprise his parents for treating him like a girl all these years, and this is exactly how to do it.

"Act 2 starts in the Countess' boudoir, played by Sharon respectively. She is currently lamenting the fact that the count wants Susanna, and so she wants revenge. Fortunately, the couple decides to join up in her plan."

"Yes." Johnny said with an inaudible tone.

"They will use Bridget with this plan, by the way."

"…Ok." He was speechless.

"Anyway, he comes in and, having been smitten by the Countess, agrees with the plan to dress up as Susanna to fool the count hands down. However, before they can pull it off, they have to dress him up of course. So while Susanna is getting the supplies in the back of the room, the Count storms in, still furious at Cherubino for not reporting in to duty. The Countess forces Bridget to hide in the closet as she tries to delay the Count's advances. It does not work well."

"He wishes to open it, so he asks the Countess to get some tools to pry it open." Slayer intervened, having known the storyline well.

"But not before dragging the count along, right?"

"Good point. Continue."

"Since Susanna was elsewhere behind a curtain, she ends up overhearing the conversation, so with quick speed, she gets Bridget out and dumps him over the balcony. She heads back to the closet just in time for the couple to notice."

"So, everything should be back to normal right?" Millia said.

"Yes, it should be, if you don't factor in Antonio, the gardener, played by Axl, complaining about his flowers being crushed. Did I mention he's drunk?"

"You see? This is why I didn't like playing that guy." Axl clamored, explaining his reasons for disliking him.

"Axl, remember, there are alternatives to this. I mentioned the understudy thing right?"

"Sorry. I keep forgetting that."

"Well, thankfully, Johnny runs over to Susanna and tells her that the wedding is ready. He notices the situation and saves your ass, Bridget, once again."

"So I save Bridget while pretending to have a sprained ankle, and at the same time tell Millia the wedding is on…" He read several pages into the libretto out of curiosity. "Ok, I'll go with that!"

"Johnny?!" May quickly raises her anchor up as a result of his smiling expression.

"May, stay down!" The other girls restrain the pirate to prevent another riot. "You have to learn to control yourself, May."

"I know. I'm sorry, April." She plops back down.

"Well, if it means anything to balance out the universe May; Marceilina, Don Bartolo and Don Basilio bust into the room having hired Don Curzio, a.k.a Venom to settle this issue. All of which delays the wedding. This provides much amusement to the Count himself."

"You know, I wouldn't mind being married to Johnny, to be honest." Leap replied.

"Uh…" Johnny became speechless. "I'm… well… oh, dear." He blushes as several sweat drops fall down his side. The girls giggle for Johnny being the guilty party in this trap.

Back on the main floor, the director flips his synopsis paper to the next segment. "We are back at Act 3, when our main focus is the audience room of the manor. Susanna is chatting with the Count over several promises of love and happiness, and a potential night time rendezvous later in the garden. Although now he is starting to get word that Figaro may be involved in a conspiracy over reclaiming Susanna. He starts to plan his own counterattack, as the hearing proceeds for Figaro and Marceilina."

"Ah, yes. That trial."

"Oh, come on Johnny." Leap said. "We were just joking around."

"Still…"

"Ladies, don't worry. In this scene, Johnny is not the one who suffers."

"No?"

"Not this time. Ky is the one who will suffer the most."

"Explain this to me, Vincent." Ky asked, under suspicion that something is wrong.

"Well…during the trial, as Figaro tries to defend his honor by being unable to pay a debt due to insufficient funds, and claming that he has nobility connections by way of a birthmark, Marcellina learns that he is in fact, his long lost son. This does change the whole marriage thing, you know." The girls start to sweat out of embarrassment.

"Wait, if she's the mother, then who's the father?"

"Wouldn't you like to know, Ky Kiske?" Several seconds pass as he tries to process this information. "Wait… are you saying that she and I…?"

"To be very blunt…yes."

In complete unison, Chipp, Axl, Venom, and to some extent, Anji, laughed their heads off out of shock. Sol, on the other hand was on the floor, gasping for air. "That is just brilliant, Vincent. Did you plan that?"

"Sol, once again, shut up." He turns to Vincent. "Can I ask why was this story written this way? That doesn't make any sense."

"It was written to make fun of the aristocracy, and there's nothing wrong with a woman's figure, am I right ladies?" The Pirate Girls, Sharon, Slayer, and Bridget whole heartily agree. Millia, Bakien and Jam were somewhere in the middle. A.B.A, due to her capsule origins, was not able to figure out what they were saying. "Besides, you don't hear Slayer complaining?"

"Actually, I was not fond of doing this play in the first place." Slayer interrupted, while being continuously poked by Sharon for mentioning it. "It was Sharon's idea for us to be the Count and Countess. I would have preferred doing the play, 'Faust'."

"Nani?" On cue to Slayer's timing, the crazed doctor suddenly appears as his parasol descends to the stage floor. The director was not pleased. "Faust, what are you doing here? I though our "team hyper combo" was enough of a message."

"Well, actually it was not. I still want to give it another shot." His manner did show some persistence in wanting to give it another shot.

"Does it involve "'big butts?'" Ian replied.

"No, it involves something else. Would you mind I get another chance to sing?"

"I would say no, but what does the audience think?" A nest of crickets has suddenly appeared in the "nosebleed" area.

"Guess that's a no."

"We actually don't care." Chipp yelled out. "It's just the fact that we are pretty quiet over this. Go right ahead."

"Ok." He then takes out a random disk, inserts it into the conveniently placed audio machine, and starts to play. However, Faust's choice of music was far beyond what the duelists wants, for he was all clamoring about singing…

"I told the Witch Doctor I was in love with you. I told the Witch Doctor I was in love with you. And the Witch Doctor he told me what to do. He told me…"

And this was the DDR version of the song…

"No! The bald guy sings that bad?!" This was coming from the mouth of May.

"If I was doing an opera, he would not even be in the ensemble." This was coming from the mouth of Leap.

"This has got to be some sort of travesty." This was coming from the mouth of Slayer.

"Vincent, I think the jury is out on this one." This was coming from Ian, who was just about to take out his rocket launcher.

"Faust, I'm afraid this is not for you." This was coming from Vincent, who told Faust about his situation. Likewise, he stopped in mid performance. "So I'm not going to be in…"

"I never said that." He added, feeling very supportive of Faust's attempt to join. "You still have a spot here somewhere."

"NO HE DOESN'T!" That was the reply from the entire cast!

"Hey what gives? Why the hell are you harassing me?"

"Well, first off. You didn't put me with Ky." Jam came up, arguing her case about being left out of the problem. "You had him with Leap over there, which if I was him, I could find better ones." May said

"Hey, I find that insulting." Leap added. "I happen to be liked among everyone, even Johnny here."

"Of course, besides, I don't see the reason why you are reacting over something that is pretend."

"Thank you Johnny." Ky replied, having been involved with this issue from the beginning. He gets smacked by her significant other, though. "How could you say that to her? I mean, I'm the only one for you."

"Kuradoberi Jam. Please calm down, will you?"

"I can't Ky. I must protect you from all and opposing forces, especially you Anji and your perverted ways."

"Why am I getting involved here?" Anji replied. "I'm not a pervert."

"No, but you still owe me several bottles of sake." Bakien added as she already had a mat ready to smack him from above. "The same goes with you Chipp."

"Ok, now that is so wrong." The American ninja took to the defensive. "For the last time, I did not take those bottles."

Returning back to Sol and Ky, we see Axl has taken the side of Sol. "Look, you could just admit that Sol is better than you in everything. Once that is out of the way…"

"You just be quiet, o.k. Axl? I don't need people like you making my life worse. "

"Forgive me, Ky. I just happened to find the situation funny. To have a great knight being the maiden patron of…"

"You know what, that's it! Ride The Lighting!" Holding his sword perpendicular to his body, he pushes off and tears right through Sol and Axl, valuing them straight into the air. The director is staring to feel the pressure of these arguments.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, calm down." The director said, trying to exert his damage control procedures, but not having any success. "Everything is fine. We do not need to resort to crazy violence just so we can prove that someone is better than another."

"You know what, that's a great idea. Tyrant Wave!" Sol takes out his sword, pulls his hand back, and slams Ky forward in one big fireball explosion toward the stage, and once after Sol "Tyrant Waved" Ky to the stage, no one was holding back.

"Axl Bomber!"

"Mist Finer!"

"Yamada-Sama!"

"Alpha Blade!"

"Tien, Chi, Nin!"

And somewhere along the line we see several light arrows hitting several people at random.

And so, the tensions finally erupt as the cast members lose their cool and proceed to engage in blood thirsty duels. This comes complete with profuse use of swords, punches, weird modifications to yo-yo's, anchors, billiard equipment, and other things that are related to the series. Millia, Venom, Slayer, Sharon, and A.B.A looked on as they chose not to get involved. That, and Millia no longer has long hair.

"Uh, Faust, you may want to leave." said Vincent upon noticing the impending doom unfold.

"Good idea." Using his magical skills, he covers behind one of the curtains and disappears. Meanwhile, the triumvirate and everyone else watch the battle unfold in front of him.

"I didn't want to do this…" Needing to control this chaotic situation, Vincent goes behind a curtain, opens a conveniently placed box, and takes out a plaid grenade that has the tag which reads "Feud Pacifier." Taking out the pin, he chucks the grenade directly towards the audience, which explodes in a cloud of pink smoke. Once the clouds dissipate, the entire cast feels very lethargic as they are instantly tranquilized.

"How long does that grenade work for?" Areia asked, facing away from the blast.

"Judging the type of grenade I used, about 15 seconds. This should be enough time to finish the synopsis."

"Well, then do it already!"

"Right." For the remaining 10 seconds, the director starts to talk very rapidly. "We fast forward to Act 4, the plan goes as follows, the count is foiled to believe Cherubino is Susanna, he gives up his ambitions and begs for the Countess' forgiveness, she agrees, and the universe is back in order. Thank you." He collapses on the ground, completely out of breath. By this time, everyone is back to normal, and paying attention to the director.

"I hope you realized that you skip several parts of the opera." Slayer replied, since the couple was partially immune to the grenade, and remained still throughout the entire conflict.

"I cannot reveal everything that happens. The information is public anyway." He gets up from the dirty floor and proceeds to leave. "Ok. I expect everyone to get in at 10 tomorrow. You can all leave."

Likewise, the cast leaves limping out of the opera house as they attempt to bicker on about rivalries that could supersede the ones found in professional sports, but eventually having no success on their attempt. The three leave outside from the back, trying to make sure they do not get dragged in more problems.

Date: The Next Day

Time: 9:30.12 A.M.

Location: Lincoln Square

Exact Location: The Metropolitan Opera House

Weather Conditions: Still the Same as Yesterday

As Slayer and Sharon walk into the stage door this morning, the adjacent security guard approaches them. "Are you involved with the new production of 'The Marriage of Figaro'?"

"Yes, we are." The two replied sweetly.

"Well, the director though you should have this list. He said it was for keeping everything in line." The guard hands the two individual lists entitled "Da Rules!"

"Thank you." The two take the lists and pass through easily as the take a look at the list.

Da Rules

I created this list in order to keep order while we have the rehearsals. In order to have a solid performance and not have the audience lynch me ala "Raiders of the Lost Ark," it is necessary to keep some sort of order while we are acting. Please follow them, and I can assure your safety.

1. For the duration of your time, I, Vincent Voltaire, the director has full authority on what says and goes. You can ask him any questions that you have and he can try to answer them as best he can. If he is not around, his allies, Ian Vanderoff and Areia Crestol can assist you.

2. So long as you are currently on the set, all grudges are to be kept far away from the eyes of the director. This means that everyone has to give a minimum amount of respect to each other, because I do not want to deal with problems that do not pertain to the acting project.

3. Any form of dueling is strictly prohibited while on the set. This includes any related violence that happens on set. Note that "slapstick" style antics may be tolerated depending on the intensity and director's mood. Any dueling outside is beyond my jurisdiction, though if it goes well I may take notice.

4. By joining, you are hereby required to attend all necessary rehearsals and practices when you need to. Unless you happen to have read the opera and know your part well, I cannot tell if you will be ready by our opening date, so this is mandatory for all current cast listings. (Optional members are requested to come in case there are any problems that develop during the practices.)

5. This rule is pretty basic. I expect you to have been sufficiently satisfied with your stomachs before hand. Singing with food already inside tends to cause problems both vocally and appearance wise. I personally will not mind, but the audience may.

6. No "prima donna's" allowed! I may grant some leeway if you ask me nicely about some favors, but if you start acting like a pompous, conceited wiseass, expect nothing from me.

7. During the rehearsals, you may here rumors about a certain "Shakespearian Scottish Play" called "Macbeth" that has a notorious superstition in modern theater. According to the actual myth, anyone who utters that name while on stage is basically cursing the entire performance to hell. There is a procedure to exorcize the curse, but that is irrelevant. The point is that I would like to transcend that. Therefore, if you happen to say that name in any form on stage, I will hereby allow it. Anyone who has objections needs to stop feeling this way, because I will not tolerate it.

"That is a pretty strong statement for the director to make." said Slayer once he read rule #7. "I guess he does not like dealing with superstitions."

"Yes, but you should read the next rule. I think he has his own interpretation of it."

"Oh?" He looks down to the next rule.

8. However, the director has had a severe disliking towards several historical animated works from pre-destruction Japan. You'll probably know this as the more popular term called "anime." Therefore, anyone uttering any form of these forbidden works, be it characters, plotline, scenes, comments on said scenes, or otherwise, will be treated just as if somebody uttered the name "Macbeth" in front of the stage. You'll have to be careful on this one, as I will NOT release the names to anyone, nor will I be specific on what will be allowed or not. Anyone asking for the list will be… well, it is best you do not ask.

"I guess some things never change, Sharon." He continues down the list, noting that the director has altered the curse for his own means.

9. This is perhaps the most serious of all, and I must address it in this manner. ANY VIOLATION OF THESE RULES WILL SUBJECT THE OFFENDER TO A PUNISHMENT EQUAL TO THE DEGREE OF THE ACTION! Meaning that if you have a full blown duel inside the opera house without permission of the director beforehand, while rehearsal is going on, you may expect some serious ass kicking from the director. Also, your name may be removed from the final cast list and replaced without prior notification. (This, of course, is related to the overall talent of said offender, the progress of said actor, and Vincent's mood at the time, all of which does not equal a constant in any mathematical form.)

10. These rules are subject to change without notice depending on the circumstances that happen. When these changes happen, you'll be given a single notice. Consider this your only warning.

Hopefully, with these rules in place, you should be able to keep everything in order. I shall be waiting for you inside.


Vincent.

Sharon comments as she finishes the document. "I do not understand why the director would want to create a list like this."

"I think it is because with all these duelists around, he does not want the entire opera house to fall apart. The thing that concerns me is that I do not know if this is going to work out."

"How so?" she asked.

"Well, with all the tensions between Ky, Sol, Baiken, The Pirates, Jam, Millia, Venom, and the director himself, do you think that the rehearsals will be all that peaceful?"

"No, I'm afraid not." She agreed with depressive tones etched across her voice. "Think we should help him?"

"I think so. I will not be surprised if something crazy happens to the opera house."

For those trying to keep track, here is the entire cast list. Note this will probably change depending on how the plot goes and the opinions of the reviews, which if you like, may be posted by using that blue button on the bottom of the screen.

The Countess Almaviva: Sharon

Count Almaviva: Slayer

Cherubino: Bridget

Doctor Bartolo: Ky Kiske

Antonio: Axl Low

Barbarina: A.B.A

Don Curzio: Venom

Don Basilio: Anji Mito

Susanna: Millia

Marcellina: Leap

Figaro: Johnny