A/N: Here's an interesting idea for a new hero. I'll just leave this here. Xerox the Copycat. Walks like Thriller. I guess, this person would be played as support.
Passive: Backup Wing = The more Champions that are near Xerox, the more cooldown reduction that Xerox gets.
Q: Query = Forces the Q ability of the enemy champion to go on cooldown; they are also stunned. If the opposing ability is already on cooldown, Xerox just increases the time of the cooldown. If used on an ally, the Q ability for them is refressed; both have increased attack damage.
W: Window = Forces the W ability of the enemy champion to go on cooldown; they have grevious wound applied to them. If the opposing ability is already on cooldown, Xerox just increases the time of the cooldown. If used on an ally, the W ability for them is refressed; both have increased armor/magic resistance.
E: Emulate = Forces the E ability of the enemy champion to go on cooldown; they have decreased health regen for a short period of time. If the opposing ability is already on cooldown, Xerox just increases the time of the cooldown. If used on an ally, the E ability for them is refressed; both are healed.
R: Spellstealer = Copies the last ult used on Xerox, but with more power of some sort.
It's midday and the second day of the preparation period has started.
–All of a sudden, I hear voices down the hallway. One of them is familiar.
"Greetings, Sir Shushei Ratuszniak. It's an honor to meet a knight of such renown." That's definitely Reginald giving the refined greeting. Reginald's Champion is at his usual post behind Reginald, looming there like a silver shadow.
"…" Garen preserves his silence. So the next voice is not his, but that of a man near Reginald.
"The honor is mine. To meet the lord successor to the Dinhs in a place such as this…"
"Certainly you're not surprised. I am just here to retrieve what is rightfully ours. I am a novice to the battlefield, but my family decided that I was to be the one to go. It's an embarrassing confession to make to such a seasoned knight."
"The almighty Grail… The Holy Grail is to be yours?"
"Of course. We Dinhs must have it under our control, especially if its guardianship is vacant. Something so divine does not belong in the hands of a normal man, but in the embrace of a king. This Holy Grail War is annoying, but what can you do?"
"You speak of the divine right of kings. Yes, I can see that's where you're coming from." Reginald's talking to my opponent in the second round, Shushei. They know of each other, but it seems like they've never met. Like they're both celebrities…
"So, the Holy Grail is legitimate. To tell the truth, I was rather dubious on the whole… Oh no, I feel unsuitably roused. To think that at this age I would see the honor in questing for the Holy Grail!"
"Of course the Holy Grail is real. To your country most of all."
"Ohhh? And how have you arrived at that conclusion?"
"Because of you, Sir Shushei. You are not only a veteran, but a knight decorated by the Queen. The fact that a man of your rank has been dispatched is proof that the Grail is real."
"What are you saying, young king? I am just an old soldier. The Queen could not spare a young life for this battle royale, hence I was called upon."
"You're close to the Queen, so you must have heard her displeasure at a certain allied organization."
"Well, the Queen's intentions do not reach a simple soldier's ears."
"Ah, I see. I beg your pardon. I shall take my leave. Let us be off, Garen."
The Champion places his hand onto his chest and bowing slightly, saying, "As you wish." After bidding farewell to Shushei, Reginald notices me and stops.
"It's been a while, Miku. I had heard you passed the first round. Congratulations. Are you ready for the second round? I'd wish you luck, but… The black knight's lance has splintered. No, perhaps he has exchanged it for a sword. If his conviction is no longer what it used to be, then perhaps … you have a genuine shot at victory." Reginald doesn't elaborate any further before leaving. Shushei also left while I wasn't paying any attention.
What in the heck were they talking about in the first place…? The harder I try to understand, the less of it makes sense. All I really grasped was that they both really want the Holy Grail. I don't believe there's some magic dream-granting cup out there. But if they're both convinced…
The sun is setting. That means it's time to move. "Master! If we're going to beat that old man, I think we should try to improve our teamwork some. Why don't we go to the Arena? Once we perfect our attacks, we'll show him what's what!" Caster's right. If I don't get my abilities up to par, I won't have a chance at winning.
Those two really did lose last week. The fact has finally set in for me, even though the pompous man and the girl that told me to talk to certain people were annoying, I still don't think it was right of the R.I.O.T to put them to death. However, there's just no way to change these rules, is there?
My friend near the classroom's window asks me a very interesting question. "What would you do if the two of us got paired, Miku?" I guess I'd fight all out. "Hahaha, right back at you… I'll still wish you the best." The same to you.
"Win or lose… Live or die… In other words, I have to kill my opponent to stay alive. Instead of feeling proud that I won, I only feel disgust." I understand the feeling. Killing someone, intentionally or no, it always feels wrong… However, if you don't kill, then you will die instead. With that, I left the classroom.
The girl standing outside of 2-A pulls me aside, "You're not going to believe this. My enemy Summoner dropped something, and I picked it up. Lucky me! I have to find out more about it right away…" Oh, is that it? Are you perhaps foreshadowing that I'm going to find a lost item of my enemy's and then use that item against them as a form of situational irony? Or is it a different kind of irony?
Interestingly, I see a very distinct person standing on the second floor lobby. She seems to be waiting for someone. Setting her sights on me, the girl bows slightly and returns to her upright position. "Good day." The same mechanical expression and speech. Who, or what, could this girl possibly be? "I believe that this is our first time to actually converse like normal people, is it not? My name is Kyuubicake. Like you, I am here for the purpose of obtaining the Holy Grail."
I've seen this beautiful, exotic girl many times before. This is the first time we've spoken. To hear real emotion in her voice is a relief. It's nice to speak with a fellow human being. "I've been scanning the stars for clues about you. Unlike the other Summoners, you are an enigma. So I wish to ask you directly, and please answer honestly, this question: What are you?"
Huh? Miku Hatsune, second-year student of Monica Academy. That's all I am–No, that can't be right. The school is just a setting for the preliminaries–So what … am I?
"So you will hide your identity? Even after exposing yourself to Ratuszniak's Champion yesterday?" –Someone saw me? There shouldn't have been anyone else there besides me and my opponent. "No need to be so suspicious. I assure you, I'm not your enemy. I did not watch your battle. I am simply relaying what it is the stars say about you. I'm looking for the newborn chick my professor spoke of. The stars have aided me in that task. I am not sure if you are who I seek, but…" Maybe she's an astrologer, but I don't really understand her.
She seems … mostly harmless, though. "I must study the heavens further. But I must ask you to tell me more of Ratuszniak's star. It may seem like I'm asking for a lot, but the knowledge revealed will benefit you, I think. And as per Atlas, I wish to show you the true value of knowledge and will share my findings. I'll use you, and you'll use me… What do you think? Will you accept my request?" I have so many questions for her now…
You discovered me on your own? In addition to investigating Shushei, it seems she already knows all about me … a terrifying thought.
Caster's voice resounds in my head, "Information is everything in this war. Of course our enemies are trying to learn about us! I don't know what they've learned so far, but while I'm here they could attack at any time!"
"I apologize. But to understand my professor's words, I must first understand humanity. This is what he said: As a doll, you must find someone who is truly alive and observe them. I believe that he wants me to find out, by watching humans, what it means to be alive. I don't know if you are the one, buy perhaps … your star will shine apart from the others. I must … observe other people. You, and Ratuszniak as well. That is why I need your help. Please bring me a relic of his. I will be waiting at the far end of the third floor hallway. When you come to see me, we will gaze into the heavens together. I'm sure you see the value in learning what Ratuszniak's star will have to say, right? The best time to read his star will come in three days. Please find a relic of his by then." With a final "Until we meet again," she gives me a last smile before turning her attention back to the sky outside the window.
The girl of many mysteries. And oddly enough … I couldn't detect any animosity from her. If it'll help me learn about Shushei, I'll be sure to find something and bring it to the third floor.
It is true that this opponent is going to be more difficult than the last. Perhaps confronting them now isn't the best idea… What should I do…? Another classmate at the lobby approaches my troubled expression. "You'd have better luck ambushing him in the school. What's the harm in trying? Oops, except the black shirts said we'd get penalized. Otherwise, who cares about a fair fight?" Yes, I am glad that's true. I am sure that if otherwise, I would be dead by now. Tell me more suggestions later if you can think up any.
"Do you know how to check the items in your inventory from the terminal menu?" The librarian asks me as I set foot into her domain. "Just select the Item option. Use to switch between the item's description and status effects." Oh, thanks. I'll keep that in mind, not that I didn't already know.
And the other library monitor is here, too. "Have you noticed that there are three types of treasure containers in the Arena? The blue ones have regular items, red ones have rare items, and green ones contain cipher keys. While not really earth-shattering information, it is something to keep in mind." I see. That does make sense since I've grabbed very good items with red folders, and such. Yes, it does.
But something's odd nowadays. People fighting in teams and those who decide to pair up during the tournament too… How well would any of this work out? "Summoners pairing up? Well, it makes as much sense as any other strategy. Are you going to pair up?" …Well, it depends on who I'm with, I suppose.
I look through the library shelves to search for anything involving that pit of darkness. Ah, here it is.
-About the pit of corruption-
The pit of corruption, also known as the well of darkness. Though most of the temple that kept the pit's surroundings was not dangerous, the tendrils of that pit contain the poison taxine and is fatal if touched.
So, I was being poisoned? But I didn't touch the pit, though. Perhaps the temple itself served as a type of barrier to keep whatever was there in it. Well, there's not much else to think over, so I'll leave.
The rude boy is standing outside of the library again. "As long as we keep winning, we'll become enemies eventually, maybe even next week. So, stop talking to me. Consorting with an enemy will dull my blade." I'll stay out of your way once you find a secluded spot to mope in. That person is very much rude.
In any case, I have to be prudent about what I do next this week. On the third floor, Phreak is standing about on the third floor lobby. Maybe he can help me out. Today I learned that Summoners are not allowed to fight in the school… "That's right; personal conflicts on school grounds are prohibited. Please obey the rules." And what about part– "Any Summoner who breaks the rules will be penalized by having their abilities temporarily limited." Oh, that is good to know. I won't be doing any fighting inside the building then.
I wave my farewells to him and I see Kyuubicake at the far end of this floor, just like she said she would. "We may read Ratuszniak's star with suitable relics from him. Can you bring them on the fifth day–a day when many stars will show themselves?" What a superstitious person. But she's offering help, and I'll need all the help I can get… Don't worry though; I'll come back with something.
At the first floor, Ms. Merrill assaults me with a barrage of requests. "Miku, I need your help! It's an emergency! Do you think you could help me out?" Of course. "Well, a persimmon that a friend gave me as a gift somehow got sent to the Arena by mistake… But I don't know whose Arena it was sent to. So I'm throwing up the Ashe Signal to all students… So, do you think you could help me out by searching your Arena? It'll be two days before it gets reported as a system error, so please get it before then!" All right, I'll find it… Wait, Ashe Signal…? I notice that you have embraced your nickname.
A familiar student walks up to me apparently wanting to give me a warning, "This may sound cold, but I can't have you as a friend. Here, today's friend is tomorrow's enemy. Um, yeah… Having said that. Don't talk to me anymore." But, I was the one being approached all the time here… Well, fine. You can be as unsociable as you like.
I should head to the chapel. I pass by the Summoner infatuated with Cristina, "I'd better head to the Arena now. I sure as hell don't want to get myself disqualified!" He seems fired up.
At the garden, the flower girl gazes off to the sky and says, "I don't know about you, but just watching the fountain here gets me to thinking about things. Like, what will you actually receive should you claim final victory in Holy Grail War?" That is a good question. Maybe I'll be able to find the answer to that by then … I hope.
Inside of the church, Miyuki's voice chastises me for not being in the Arena. I'm sorry. I just need to get a Mastery Alteration. She's ignoring me now; I guess this part's left to the responsibility of Nika. "Want to do a Mastery Alteration?" Yes. I've gained three levels yesterday because of those alligator heads. So now that I'm at level twelve, I think I would like Mental Force, Sorcery, Arcane Knowledge, and Havoc traits filled out.
The red pillar of light surrounds Caster as the ground rumbles under her power. She has gained back some strength. The fox girl giggles, "Oh dear Master, you've given me the best gift of all… A level-up in your love!"
Nika turns back to me when the monitor disappears, "What now? Need another Alteration?" No, this is good enough for today. Let's go, Caster.
Since I don't really want to backtrack, let's fast-travel to the school commissary. "Have you bought Durable Gym Clothes?" A student council member receives me. "It will restore your mental acuity. If you use Summoner Spells frequently, be sure to buy some." Oh, I'm pretty sure I already have gym clothes… Caster, please don't imagine me like that.
"What doooo you have as your Summoner Spells, anyways?" Hmm? I look off to the side and see the group of four dining at a table. Peace4lyphe is looking at me, agog. Well, right now I am wearing a Phoenix Scarf and my uniform. "So, just Heal then." His eyebrows are arching. Is it something I said?
"Yea, it is. You should have two Summoner Spells on you. What other Formal Wears do you have?" Um, I have the … Durable Gym Clothes, Exorcist Blade, and Saint's Monocle. "Wear the monocle since the Durable Gym Clothes don't do anything and the Exorcist Blade's Stifle is kind of banned." Oh… But it's a monocle. "Well. Yeah, it is. You can think over that later. Right now, let's teach you something else." All right. What do you have in mind, Aranarth? "Uhhhhh… All right. You probably don't know what the right build is for your Champion, right? Well, of course. I'm a little worried that you might buy Doran's Ring in the Coliseum again. Because of the fact that you're still new to this, don't do that. What you should usually buy first is boots and three red sodas." Speaking of which, nearly everybody here has cups of green soda around them. Is this all they drink? "Ugh. What you should get is Boots of Speed and three Potions. Understand? Those are the official names in the shop, so you can just look for those." Oh, OK. "You can leave now. That's it for today." Oh… That was fast.
Peace4lyphe nods at the statement. "We do have to take things in moderation, or else you'll just get overwhelmed and do terribly." I see. Thank you.
I stand up from my seat and leave the cafeteria. But not before hearing a few comments from a certain big eater… "Everyone seems a little subdued. After the first round, I guess reality is starting to set in. Seeing as I probably can't do anything for help, I'll just eat now, for tomorrow we may die." Hmm… What an intriguing way of thinking. I recall that there is a culture out there that feeds someone till their full before they are executed; a sort of last meal for them or something. I don't know anything else, though. I should head back to the second floor.
The student standing outside of my room greets me, "Oh, it's you, Miku. It seems that people have started forming alliances. Me? I do my own thing. Always have, always will."
Finally, I get some time to relax at the private room. "So, where are we off to now? Realize that I will come to wherever you summon me. I would gladly follow you into the very depths of the Shadow Isles, Master!" Let's rest for a few minutes and then go to the Arena, all right, Caster? She enthusiastically agrees and joins my seat on the wall; she lies onto my shoulder quietly. This is … quite cute. Which I guess is what she wanted me to do as she reached through my pockets trying to look for something.
Despite my protests, Caster found the item and placed it on my right eye. The Saint's Monocle… "Oh, Master! That looks so soo sooo great on you! I have to remember this moment for the rest of my life." Stop it … Caster. This looks silly. "All the more cuter, Master. Especially when you blush. And you're going to have to wear it, since you need two Summoner Spells to always aide us in conflict, OK?" Caster… I feel like you're trying to intentionally make me feel embarrassed–Caster, could you stop whimpering…? Oh, fine. Fine. I'll wear it. The fox girl hugs me, "I knew you'd be so understanding, my dear Master." I'm going to regret this, aren't I?
Heading to the Arena… "Hmm…" The girl standing outside classroom 1-A studies me. "I heard that Summoners can only perform a single action during each turn. I don't know about you, but I can never decide whether I should use an item or a Summoner Spell…" I'm pretty sure that only applies in the Mystic Maze, since I haven't heard anything about that from the Coliseum. Or at least I haven't noticed it…
Further down the hallway, my attention is drawn to a very quiet boyfriend with the girlfriend nowhere to be seen. "…" I should … avoid him for today.
This is the Arena entrance. Should I head inside…? Yes, and let's go to the First Floor since that's the only one that's open today.
Second Chimeric Lunar Sea - Mystic Maze First Floor
THE GLORY OF THE NIGHT-SHROUDED WORLD AND THE DEFILED FACELESS HERO. WHAT IS JUSTICE, AND AT THE COST OF WHOSE PRIDE?
Now that I can see and feel clearly, the surrounding area here looks somewhat different from last week's Mystic Maze. Everything that surrounds us is green data blocks now instead of blue. Not very exciting. "I don't like that she's the one who suggest it, but searching for clues IS a good idea, Master." She giggles, "Foxes have good nose for this sort of thing. I'll be sure to sniff out a clue!" The first place I should search is where that troublesome pit was.
"This belongs to the purple guy."
–This is the place. Here's where Shushei's Champion created the barrier, where the corrupted arrow struck. When I give the place a careful look, I notice something gives off a dull flash. I obtain an Antique Arrowhead. The source of the barrier, the remains of the arrow. The arrowhead in my hands looks antique. That sounded redundant.
"Yay! We did it, my dear Master! If we look into this, we may find out something." There may be something more. I should keep searching.
We walk into the room with the alligator heads, and behind one of them lies … something that catches my eye. "That's the second one, Master!"
We'll have to fight through these enemies if we want to get that item though. Are you ready, Caster? She nods her endorsement. After a rather harrowing battle between the Fishbites and Caster, we destroy the four heads and claim our prize. "Awesome, we leveled up!" That happened, too.
Where was it again? I feel like I stepped on something, and when I look at my feet, I see a rod lying there. It's an arrow–A broken one, though. It may be some sort of evidence, so I decide to keep it. I have obtained a Broken Arrow. There may be something more. I should keep searching.
Also, in the room a red Item Folder stands next to the switch in the middle of the room. I wonder what's inside here. Opening the folder, the box spits out … a Box of Persimmons at me. "Rare item, GET! " C-C-Caster, no! Not in public. I tap her on the head. I mean, it's not something that we should do–Caster's giving off an unhappy look right now–here. Maybe when we get home, later? She's perking up again. Did I just unwittingly spell out my doom?
Focusing back on the search, I have a feeling that the next item I'm supposed to find is somewhere in one of the dead ends, and not the paths that lead to treasure or the way back home. And, it turns out I am right. "It's a corruption arrow for sure, Master!" When I look, I see a magnificent feather. It must be related to the barrier that the Champion left. I pick it up carefully and decide to take it home. I've obtained Feather Fletchings. I've found everything. Ready to go home…? Why are you looking at me like that, Caster?
I sense a deep burning within her eyes. "Master, I don't like people who forget their promises." Hmm… I can't think of a way out of this… All right, Caster. I'll do whatever you want tonight. But it has to be something within the limits of parental guidance. She's pouting again, but I'm not faltering here. The fox girl shrugs, "Master, I'll let you go this time, but that means I'll save up even more pent up frustration for next time…" That smug smirk of hers tells me I'm not out of the forest yet… Though I can't think of anything else… You win, Caster. "Yay! Is that going to be it for today, Master?"
The fox girl is off in her own dreamland as the soft sounds of her breath ripple the silence in the room.
Today's Results
Triggers obtained: First Floor = Obtained; Second Floor = Pending
Arena Completion Rate: First Floor = 100%; Second Floor = 0%
Treasures Obtained: First Floor = 100%; Second Floor = 0%
Matrix Status: Enemy Champion Info 01 = Pending; Enemy Champion Info 02 = Pending; Enemy Champion Info 03 = Pending
Champion Status: Kyuubicake the Astrologist
Matrix STATUS
CLASS: ?
SUMMONER: Shushei Ratuszniak
TRUE NAME:
ULTIMATE PHANTASM:
KEYWORD:
HEALTH = ?; HEALTH REGEN = ?; MANA = ?; MANA REGEN = ?; RANGE = ?; ATTACK DAMAGE = ?; ATTACK SPEED = ?; ARMOR = ?; MAGIC RESIST = ?; MOV. SPEED = ?
? = ?; ? = ?; ? = ?; ? = ?
Matrix KEYWORD
01:
02:
03:
Matrix SKILL
01:
02:
03:
04:
Matrix DETAILS
01:
02:
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:
Well, I'm lucky. Caster was just a bit too tired to do anything more than … some light physical bonding. I should join her, since I'm probably going to have an eventful day tomorrow with the fortune-telling girl… Oh, wait. That's in a few days. I look to my terminal again. Oh boy, I need to gain six more levels or else I'm going to disappoint some people… Off to bed now; I must rest up so then we can train a lot tomorrow. Good night.
A/N: I'm rather unhappy that there are so few reviews for this story. Oh, well. I guess. There was something else I wanted to talk about but I forgot what it was.
A/N: I just remembered what it was. So, the thing is, I'm getting rather bored referring to the characters here as chalkboard girl or the lady that stands next to the window. Which is why I'll be asking you readers here to give me your Summmoner Name or something so then I can fill in the void. Also, why don't you review this while you're at it?