Scene #6093: Nerofest

Owner	Pose
Nero	It's been a while incoming. The last round of the illustrious Nero Festival. The streets of the New Imperial Roman Republic are teeming with life even greater than before as a final sendoff to this glorious occasion. And over at the grand colosseum, the seats are packed. Visitors from all across the Multiverse, and from here in the Moon Cell have come to witness this final battle. The chatter of the crowds is lively, as the second count down to the beginning of the end. As usual, Hakuno can be seen up in the ruler's viewing box, seated upon her throne and clad in her white gown with red and gold trim. Oddly, however... a certain loud and proud blonde doesn't appear to be present. It's just the Master sitting up there. Hm. Curious. After a few more seconds of excited chatter, the brunette lifts a mic that she had held in her lap and stands up to her feet. "Hello, and welcome, one and all." She starts, less bombastically than Nero would have, but speaking clearly with a cheerful undertone to her typically even tone. "Here at this Nero Festival, we've watched brave heroes challenge legendary heroes in harrowing, thrilling battles to awe and inspire. And now, after much time..." She gestures down into the arena itself. "The final round is upon us. ... Are you ready to witness this final challenge? This final battle?" Contrary to Hakuno's measured speech echoed through the mic, the colosseum crowds erupt into cheers enough to quake the arena floor for a moment. The girl can't help but smile sheepishly, a bead of sweat running down the side of her face.
Sanary Rondel	Three rounds. Sanary had fought hard through three rounds in Nero's confusing, yet oddly exhilirating battle gauntlet alongside several other heroes(?) time and time again. There had been a rough start, but with two back-to-back victories under her belt, the healer is looking mighty confident as she strides into the arena with the cheers of the crowd erupting around her (for someone else, but still). "Master of Nero! You're... I forgot your name already, but you're all right!" She calls out to the white-clad Master with a broad grin, glancing around briefly at the rather noticeable absence of the red-clad Servant. "Sad to see this come to an end, but... well. We're ready to take on the last challenge and give these people the big finale they've been waiting for!" Big finales indeed. Yes. This certainly isn't going to be used as an opportunity to show off or anything. No. Not at all. Not even a little.
Seifer Almasy	Seifer Almasy is injured. His entrance is most assuredly not. As usual, Seifer doesn't let something like being injured stop him. Besides, the crowd's gotten used to it. It makes his name all the more powerful. And in the end, isn't that the best way to become a Heroic Spirit? A yellow thing appears atop the colosseum rim, high above even the audience. It's some kind of...giant yellow riding bird, clad in some armor and dangling Seifer's dual red crosses on its tabard. On its back is Seifer himself, holding one of the reins. Caster is tucked against his chest. Seifer gives a loud whistle (away from Caster's ears) and cracks the reins. The bird jumps off the side with a mighty /kweh/, falling towards the colosseum floor. For a moment it looks like they're about to crash when the bird spreads its wings and flaps with all its might, heaving its long neck upwards towards the sky. Somehow, though its wings absolutely should not allow it under any circumstances to fly, the bird manages to halt its descent enough to come to a gentle landing. Seifer swings off, then helps Caster off, then holds up her hand in his, and his other hand. His arms, and part of his face, are bandaged - wounds from Siegfried, which he's chosen to ignore, because it's the finale. The back of his hands, though, are unwrapped. On his left hand, the hand holding Caster's, are Command Spells that wrap around his fingers, delicate red, like a wedding ring or fingerless gloves. On his right hand is another set of Command Spells - sharp and piercing like a strong spear. "Hey there, Miss Praetor," Seifer says, letting go of Caster's hand, "I hope you were expectin' us. Sorry for the delay. We had to pick up our Royal Guard." Hyperion, the long, wicked blade, falls onto his shoulders. He points at Hakuno. "Let's see what your red pain in the ass picked for tonight, huh?!"
Krusty	Krusty has returned to the arena once more. He found his first fight here to be an interesting challenge and certainly fun. And while his responsibilities left him unable to join in on following fights, he made sure to attend once again for the final battle. Krusty watches with a bit of an amused smile as Hakuno addresses the crowd. Once she finishes, Krusty bows to her in his usual fashion, hand against his chest as he calls out, "Praetor! It is an honour to once again be able to fight in your arena." He straightens once more, "I will do my utmost to provide an exciting experience for you and your people." Krusty brings his hand up, finger pressing and swiping at the air for a few moments before a large two-handed sword appears on his back with a brief flash of light. He turns in the direction of the arena gate where he expects their opponent to enter from. Reaching back he draws forth the large sword, spinning it around and planting its end in the ground as he patiently waits.
Lyria Mason	So here they were on the final round of Nerofest, she was armed she was ready and she had a good idea of the elements of the arena they would be fighting in. So the Levitanai was more than ready to go today. She was eager to see how this would go. She stands out on the arena waiting, armed and ready, heck she's striking a pose for the crowd as she does so. She notices Seifer is mauled somewhat and she's got to wonder about the sanity of doing this but whelp he's a fighter and she knows she won't be able to convince someone with that job to /stop/. Well he's more of a knight when she thought about it, she gave a look to Sanary for a moment and Krusty the team had learned to get on pretty well in a fight she confident and it showed.
Tamamo no Mae	Seifer is injured, Tamamo's not. Therefore, logically, Tamamo should be right here! And, upon a giant yellow bird with her Knight she appears... even if her look is a bit unsteady... like how did a BIRD GET THIS BIG?! Regardless, she holds on as the bird descends rapidly, only to get that lovely gentle landing. Stepping off when Seifer offers, she gives a grin, turning towards Hakuno. There's something odd though, someone is missing, a giant, red pain in the ass is missing... "Hakuno? Where's Saber?" there's a slight pause, and she facefaults, "On second thought, don't tell me. I think I know good and well where Red Saber is..." there's a sigh, of course, and a look towards her antsy husband. "If I would hazard a guess, she's done sending people after us and is going to send herself." a sigh, "Get ready with the Command Spells... Mine, not our Guard."
Touta Konoe	Touta Konoe is back! After some R&R the young vampire returns to the grand colosseum once more. He receives a warm welcome from the audience. There's a huge smile on his face. Like...He's looking pretty eager right now as he arrives into the stadium late. Perhaps he's looking forward to the finals of Nerofest starting? Perhaps there's something else... Walking into the stadium he sees alot of familiar faces. Sanary whose become a regular gets an eager fist bump if she's willing. "Looks like the both of us made it till the end, let's give it our all." Next he walks over to Krusty glad to see the return of the glasses wearing warrior. And he's sporting a new sword too. "Glad to see your back too. Hope you're ready to finish on a win!" He also offers the knight a fist bump or handshake or whatever he wants to do! Next was Lyria, who also gets the overly eager Touta treatment. Seriously he's running all over the place right now. You would have never thought that he was a roasted chicken the previous match against Siegfried. She may be quiet but Touta's not so he pats her on shoulder with a big, goofy smile. "Hey, let's make this round count." Then there's the married couple. "Seifer! Hime-chan!" He runs over, he looks much better than before though his attire seems pretty standard in comparison to Seifer's. That said...He looks even more excited than usual. "Seifer, I heard you got a promotion. That's awesome...And is that a new..." The boy stops to look at the young man's new command seal. This guy's always got something going on apparently. "Ehehe, talk about funny timing. Anyway...You guys wouldn't believe who I ran into while running over here." His face looks so excited that he's on a sugar rush or something. Lastly, he looks towards Hakuno to which he gives a big wave to. Hakuno looked sorta lonesome without Nero lingering around her like she usually does. "Heeeeey! Hakuno-san! I hope you don't mind but I brought a friend to watch! You mind if he watches up there with you?!" That's a strange request but instead of waiting for an answer it seems more like he'slooking around, not for the next challenge but for something else as he scanned the audience... "Seriously, where did that guy go...He did say he was coming right?"
Archer EMIYA	Touta announces he found a special someone for Hanuko to talk to, and right on queue a red-coated individual walks up from behind her. If anything though he doesn't seem too interested in introductions. He just sorta ignores the girl and stares intently at the scene below him. "What a mess. So do you normally let your servant do whatever or are you just indulging her this once?" Archer asks a question, but the tone of his voice makes it sound as if he doesn't expect an answer. In fact he so doesn't expect an answer he immediately follows up with something else afterwords. "Anyway, hope you don't mind me barging in. I needed some entertainment for the night and this seemed like the perfect opportunity."
Nero	Hakuno... Hakuno just smiles ever so sheepishly at Sanary when she's told that her name wasn't even remembered. T-Thanks. Of course, she is a plain as plain comes, but... ow. "It's Hakuno. And thanks, Sanary." She remembers YOUR name! "We'll be sure to make this- hm?" Before she can finish that statement however, she looks up and... is that Seifer riding on a big yellow bird? It is. Seifer AND Caster at that. At first, she's a bit worried that they're going to have a very unfortunate landing when the bird comes sailing down into the arena, but... it flaps its wings and somehow manages to not become a feather pancake. A-Amazing. She can't help but clap just a little bit. Without force as to not run sound through the mic. And then, when addressed, the girl smiles and responds. "Hello, Seifer. Caster." She greets, and then goes on. "I... figured you'd come. Even though I hoped that you'd sit it out and rest, but..." A sheepish smile forms. "... I might not know you very well yet, but somehow, I doubt that you'd want to miss this." She respectfully decides not to comment on his personal state or appearance. No, he decided to come here despite it. Then there's nothing for her to say. The sight of Krusty, however makes Hakuno blink. "Oh, you are..." She thinks back. "You were in the first round. I remember. Your name was... Krusty, right?" A smile forms. "Welcome back to the arena then. You made it just in time for the finale too." Lyria meanwhile gets a look and a nod of recognition from the Master and then she looks to Tamamo as that question is asked. "... Please don't ask me that, Caster." She says with a big sigh that can be heard through the mice and all across the arena. Which is followed by a wave of laughter from the crowds in the stands. Of course, it's probably obvious at this point. There's no way that Nero would miss her own party... so clearly she's Up To Something. What that Something is, however.... well, they'll find out soon enough. But then there's Touta running around being a total social butterfly. ... It makes Hakuno smile in amusement. "A...friend?" She blinks and tilts her head a bit. "..." She looks left and right at the empty space and then nods. "Well, sure?" But then a red coated man walks up beside the throne and she blinks. "... .... A-Archer?" She asks, surprise in her tone and on her face. But... now isn't the time to ask 20 questions. She just smiles sheepishly, and turns back to the sight below. "R-Right then. Let the final round of the Nero Festival..." She chops her arm downwards in signal. "...Commence!"
Nero	And then, with the call for the final round to begin at last, there's silence... followed by a glint of light from high in the sky. And there, in the middle of the arena floor, a single sword embeds itself into the ground. It's shape is familiar to anyone who's seen a certain roman emperor take the field in battle, except, silver and white run along its form, rather than red. Then, white rose petals appear. First it's one fluttering by. Then two, four, eight, sixteen, thirty two, sixty four, one hundred twenty eight. They multiple, swirling into a hurricane of mana and petals as a form takes shape. A white sleeved hand reaches out and grasps the handle of that blade, then with a burst, the petals disperse, revealing... It's Nero. Nero dressed in all white. It's certainly... a different look for her. With that veil on her head, and the lack of any dress, instead going for a full body suit with zippers all about. "Mhmhmhmhm...!" She laughs, pulling Aestus Estus out of the ground, and pointing it towards the challengers. "I must congratulate you all for reaching this final battle. And lo! Who should appear to stand as your final challenge, but I! Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus!" The Saber Class Servant swings her blade outwards in preparation before holding it at her side. "Now! The time has come! Let us re-enact the legends and give the people a battle worth singing of for millennia to come!" Her sword bursts into flame at those words and she grins. "Have at you!" Then, the blonde swings forward, sending a wave of fire blazing across the arena towards her opponents.
Seifer Almasy	Hakuno gets the usual two-fingered lazy salute from Seifer that she's gotten most of these times. "Hey. Yeah, no way I'm gonna miss this. I'm fine! I'll be fine." He's not fine, but he's not /lying/, either - he's just that kind of guy. Touta comes running over, and for the first time, he /doesn't/ get the cold shoulder. Seifer actually holds out his hand and shakes Touta's. "Hey. Yeah, I did. An' yeah, it is." He holds up his right arm with a wide grin. "It was happenstance, but since Caster was goin' on about how much she wanted to show up her red pain-in-the-ass-ness, I thought I'd take matters into my own hands and find us somebody who'd really shine to become our Royal Guard. An' as luck would have it, there was an opening." Archer appears. Seifer has no idea who that is. Krusty appears. Seifer vaguely recalls disliking him. He doesn't say anything, but a look passes over his face. Sanary appears. Seifer gives her a two-fingered salute and a grin. "Hey. You're right we're gonna give 'em a big show." Lyria also gets a salute. And then Nero happens. And, really, happens is the best way to describe it. She's dressed like a...bride crossed with a gimp? Seifer just sort of stares for a moment. And not in the way that Nero probably expects in her mind - in the flabbergasted sort of /the hell/ way. And then fire. Seifer can't /block/ fire. There's really nothing Seifer can do about fire. His only option is to move, ducking aside - and only slightly too slow to avoid getting a burn right across his face. He sucks in a curse, but his lips split in a grin. "Yeah, I been waitin' for this quite a while." And then he's going in. Hyperion is fast, fast, fast, and that vibration effect is rough, rough, rough. He's pulling no punches and giving no quarter - the look in his eyes is one that sees only glory in this moment, and the skill in his hands, even his injured arms, is still beyond even the limits of superhuman. A man whose swordsmanship transcends into the divine still transgresses even injured. Is that dedication? Determination? Or self-destruction? Who knows?
Sanary Rondel	And then there's a giant bird to compete with. Or... That crazy Seifer guy coming off the giant bird with his giant-tailed wife Caster to compete with. Alright. Maybe they took the first round of attention grabbing shenanigans. No matter! Sanary can recover from this. "You still up for fighting after that last round? If you need a pick me up after this, I /am/ a healer." She smirks towards the knight-mage pair before turning towards Krusty, recalling the smarty axe guy's appearance from the last fight and giving him a more respectful salute. Lyria's always a familiar face, of course, and she gets a more casual wave before Touta arrives. He gets a fist bump, of course. Sanary isn't quite sure what the gesture signifies, but it feels right, so... Why not? "That's right. We're taking it right to the top!" What's it? Who knows. Still, it is rather odd that the warrior in red is not in her usual spot. Instead, there's someone else in red. It's... Wait. That can't be /him/, can it? What if it is, though? Well, shit. Now Sanary has to make sure she puts on a good show. She makes a point NOT to look at Archer, though, although it's pretty obvious she's avoiding looking in his direction at all compared to anywhere else. It's just hard to do that when she's returning Hakuno smile with a semi-awkward one of her own. Luckily, if she angles herself just right? She can spot Hakuno out of the corner of her single eye. "Hakuno! Right. I won't forget it this time!" Good enough. She does look somewhat confused as the final round begins with a whole lot of nothing, but it all becomes apparent when THAT SWORD arrives. Nero's entrance is quite different from what Sanary's used to, though, as is her outfit. The axe healer in the white coat stares at the sword fighter in the white body suit, both dumbfounded and intrigued. "... Huh. I don't get it, but I don't hate it." Note to self: Ask Nero for wardrobe tips after the match. Brandishing her axe for the final time in this tournament, Sanary twirls it overhead with an uncharacteristic finesse before pointing it at Nero. "I, Sanary Rondel of the House of... I am ready to meet Nero's challenge!" Walk it off. Readying her magical energy, she keeps close to Seifer this time around as she directs some of her magic his way. He's injured, so she might as well give him a little boost (and leech off any attention sent his way in the meantime). Powering through Nero's flame and suffering some rather bad burns for her trouble, she sucks in a sharp breath before lunging towards her with her axe held high. Instead of just swinging it down at Nero, however, she instead swings early and slams her blade into the ground, flips herself over the weapon, then swings it all the way around herself for an actual attempt at slashing the swordswoman!
Krusty	Krusty accepts a handshake from Touta, giving a chuckle in response, "I'm definitely planning for it. Though I imagine the fight itself is going to be enjoyable enough that a loss is not a problem." Enough with the banter though, it looks like the battle is about to begin. Though Krusty does take a moment to give Sanary a respectful nod back, even if he's not the axe guy today. Krusty is completely and utterly not surprised as the final challenge turns out to be Nero herself. Surely anyone who noticed the blonde missing from Hakuno's side would have realized this turn of events. The outfit on the other hand is a little eyebrow-raising. And he thought he would never see outfits more... Interesting... Than some worn by his fellow Adventurers. Of course, the battle soon kicks off with Nero starting. Krusty raises his sword in front of him, point up, as he nods to Nero in respect. He then charges forward, heading straight into that wave of fire. He does raise his arm to protect his face as the flames wash over him and his heavy armour. But apart from a minor dip in a HP bar none but he can see, there's little impact from the flames. Displaying impressive speed considering his bulk, Krusty quickly closes the gap to Nero and starts to use his sword to great effect, slashing, blocking, parrying with impressive skill. No doubt he'll have to manuever his blows and counter-blows amidst Seifer's own assault. It's unlikely that Krusty is matching the other knight's 'divine' skill, but he's certainly no slouch.
Touta Konoe	Touta gives a smile as he spots his new buddy up on the balcony. Talking about a small Mulit-verse right? Well he's glad to see the guy made it with no issues. He also thinks that Hakuno got a good suprise out of it too so that makes him happy. Hopefully Tamamo would get just as much of a shock. Well either way he plans to make the best of this finale. Truth be told though, probably more surprising than anything is that Seifer's just shaken his hand. Was he okay? Did he have a more serious injury than he thought? Well he won't complain one way or another! After all he knew he'd get Seifer to come around, Touta always gets the to come around. As the battle begins, Nero starts off by giving everyone the heat! Touta braces himself for the attack and suffers burns but just like before, it's really tough to keep any sort of damage on this guy before it just vanishes away. Then, the lady of the hour appears. It's probably the least surprising thing that Nero would be their last challenger. Though to say the least her attire was definitely surprising. Well it's not his job to ask people about their fashion choices. Besides her white aesthetic will match well with his black aesthetic when they're fighting, so he's down with it. Looking ready to attack he notices that there's already a full on assault heading Nero's way with Seifer, Sanary, and Krusty having them all simulatenously attack. They all show a great display of power and honor. Touta will not be doing any of that, at least not with his first attack anyway. He was taught that anything goes in a fight so he'll be doing what he was raised to do. As the others begin their dance of blades, Touta's looking for an opening to slip into. As Nero crosses swords with the other's Touta will go in low and try sweeping the little lady off of her feet with his foot in an attempt to distort her balance, before coming in with his sword to strike while her defenses are thwarted!
Lyria Mason	The party is ready to go over all everyone is in good spirits, well for the moment. the fight is now going to get going she looks to Nero for a moment, as other people show up. Archer? These Servents really embrace the class thing harder than her world does, which is something she never really expected out of Extraversal people? That was something she hadn't expected she grins for a moment though as the fight's about to get going. She's quick on her feet, very quick on her feet and this allows her to vault over the worst of the fire wave and land mostly unharmed from the attack. Okay that's a lie she's smouldering a bit, Lyria is not doing too bad in comparison to a direct hit. She will keep with what Nero would think is the standat tactic she'll start manipulating the floor of the arena trying to make pillars of rock to hem in Nero a bit and give her allies cover some might just try to form close enough to Nero to smack her too.
Tamamo no Mae	Tamamo frowns. Tamamo frowns a LOT. And when NAMELESS shows up... she hangs her head, "Lovely, hello Archer. I had a feeling you'd show up sometime..." she shakes her head a bit, just lovely, another one of her past showing its face here. "Let's... be on guard, who knows if he'll show up down here." Once the call of the Final Round goes, Tamamo gets in a ready stance, mirror floating around her, triple tails swishing... ears perked. "Nothing will surprise me now." she comments. And then Nero shows up. "I stand corrected. What in the Moon Cell are you wearing, Saber?! YOu look /rediculous/!" there's a scoff and an obvious look of dismay upon the fox-caster's face. "NO matter, I'll show you that I'm the better!" Oh hey, flames. Tamamo moves to try and jump them and... there's a reason why she's got low stats. The flames wash over her and knock her back quite a ways, only for the fox to jump back up into a ready stance... "Okay, you got me there, you won't get me again like that!" she yells out, pulling out some talismans. She launches them like daggers towards Nero, some bursting in flames, some bursting in icicles. All ready to try and mar that white strange suit!
Archer EMIYA	"Why are you acting surprised? I'm a resident here, it's only natural I'd show up." Archer gives Hanuko a wry smirk, before his attentions ultimately return back to the ongoing fight. He's doing his best not to act like a crabby old nanny, but the prospect of potentially having to clean up this mess afterwords really makes that hard. "So, if you don't mind me asking...Why?" There's no elaboration to what he exactly means by 'why', but it's probably easy to deduce that he's talking about Nerofest. He also gives Tamamo a wave as she calls out to him. It's not a very friendly or even heartfelt one though, but at least he acknowledges she exists.
Nero	Hakuno sits back down once she calls for the match to begin and Nero appears in her.... Nero sort of way. There's not much more for her to add to this. Seifer is resolute to do this even if he's injured. He really should have rested but she's no one's mother. She does glance at Archer, however and tilts her head a tad. "Um... You wouldn't happen to be..." She trails off, a hand to her chin as she looks the red coated man up and down. "... No, nevermind..." She decides not to broach the subject, and instead looks back to the fight as Seifer goes right in and gets down to exchanging blows with her Servant. "Mhmhm! Have you now? Well I am certain that you have! And yet...!" Aestus Estus swings in, clashing against Hyperion. Blow for blow, sparks flying and feet moving, almost as if in a mortal dance of blades. She leans her head aside as the gunblade swings barely past her cheek, leaving a line of blood to form on it. And yet, Nero smirks all the same. "... I have also been looking forward to the day upon which we would clash!" She steps in after parrying another swing and turning the momentum back from defense to offense, pushing as she unleashes a combo of sword strokes. It matters not that the man is injured. He came here seeking glory, ready to face this trial. Nero would meet this challnege without hestitation! And then comes Sanary with an obvious overhead strike that the blonde is ready to sidestep without any trouble... at least until the healer turns that into a feint and suddenly she's spinning around to drive that axe into Nero's side. "Hm!?" Aestus Estus is raised to guard that side at the last moment, weapons clashing and the Saber class servant skidding aside by a foot. "Oho... It seems that you have learned some new tricks, Sanary Rondel!" She grins and her blade glows with a harsh white of gathering prana. "Very well! Then allow me to respond with in kind!" Nero twirls her sword and rears back. Then kicks off the ground and dashes forward at high speed. "Rosa Icthys!" And then she unleashes a powerful diagonal strike charged with prana to an explosive level, which causes a burst of energy once it's arc completes. But there's no time to judge the results of her strike because soon Krusty is upon her, displaying skills that she hadn't anticipated! She had expected him to be more of a defender like the first match, and so she's caught rather surprised as his skill with the blade is no worse than any other here. "I see!" She exclaims, upon guarding a heavy blow that leaves a cut running up her torso, and sailing upwards into the air. "Your skill with a blade is not to be underestimated!" She rights herself with a twist and a flip, and hits the ground feet first before immediately bursting forward to close the gap once more at high speed, Aestus Estus pointed forward in a diving thrust wreathed in flames!
Nero	Then comes Touta trying to sneak in and sweep her off of her feet! She sees him, of course, and when that leg comes for her, she... lets it happen!? But only so she can immediately shoot out with a hand to the ground to capture the momentum of that fall, and turn it into an upside down kick aimed right for Touta's chest before he can let that sword strike loose. Nero that vaults herself upwards from that hand just as Lyria starts to manipulate the arena, avoiding being caught in that trap, though catching the tail end of those rocks nipping at her. She grins in mid-air, staring down at Lyria as she sails through the air above her... and then gravity takes hold, and the Saber Class Servant hurtles down to the ground into an overhead slash let loose right onto the girl. "Hah!" She leaps away regardless of the result, staying on the move as a single opponent against six, and looks Tamamo's way. "Mhmhm! What is the matter, Caster? No, no. No need to say! I already know that you are left utterly awed by my heavenly garb! Ah ha ha ha ha ha!" FWOOSH. Nero is engulfed in flames. CRACKLE. And then she's engulfed in ice. Once the blasts clear, she's standing there, steaming in places, with soot in others, holding that ojou laugh pose. "........" Nero glares at Caster, brow twitching, and prana gathers around her. "Caster. You seem to be getting a bit too proud of yourself! Allow me to bring you back to reality!" She bursts forward into a dash and then unleashes a dual slash starting overhead, then upwards in a V, before the blonde slices through that V for an explosive finish. "Pari Tenu Blauserum!"
Nero	Hakuno, admist the fighting down below, just shakes her head at Archer's question of 'Why'. ".... .... Saber wanted to throw a 'Glorious Festival of Honorable Warfare'. ... ... So she ran around the Moon Cell inviting anyone who was bored enough to bother entertaining her." She sighs. "... Thinking back to how we went to ask Heracles still gives me shivers..."
Sanary Rondel	"Yes. Yes, I have!" Sanary boasts as she slams her axe into the ground with the follow through, giving it another practiced twirl before bracing it in front of herself in preparation for Nero's follow-up. "Bring it on! I'm tougher than I sued to be, t-" And then Nero's explosive blow throws the healer back several feet, including a few where she's lifted off the ground completely. Somehow, Sanary doesn't catch her heels on the ground and tumble comically. Instead, she actually lands properly and skids back against the dirt, even dragging her axe head against it momentarily to slow her movement. Sanary seems pleased. "So.. You've been training a lot, too! Perfect... I still owe you one after our last match!" Laughing now, the healer can feel the pain pulsing through her limbs just from blocking that strike even with her magic working to keep the worst of the pain from putting her down on her ass. "Enough fancy shit, then... Let's just go nuts!" Another laugh erupts from Sanary, albeit a somewhat more desperate one as she rushes the swordswoman once again. Trying to take advantage of the fact that so many people are going after Nero at once, Sanary tilts her head up to launch an explosive laser from her magitech eye at the Saber! Or not. It actually goes a little wide, but she's going for something flashy once more: Instead of firing it at Nero directly, she's aiming it BEHIND Nero, detonating it after passing before swinging her axe wide for another horizontal slash!
Seifer Almasy	Nero is at least not bad. It's hard to reverse the swordplay of somebody who is himself a master of reversing swordplay. It's hard for her to get even an inch of play. Even when she does finally manage to cut him, drawing a wound across his shoulder and getting a trail of blood on her blade, it's almost unbearably difficult. Fighting Seifer Almasy head-on in a contest of swordsmanship is probably not the best idea. Even wounded. Even wounded he's stupid competent. Of course, he's wounded, so his stupid competence has a limit. He's slower than he'd normally be, which is saying a /lot/ - his injuries are slowing him substantially and it's still an uphill battle. On the other hand, it's an uphill battle that's substantially easier to /win/ - even just the first hit and he's already slowing down some more to compensate for the wound in his arm. He shouldn't be fighting at all. And he knows that. And he doesn't give a good goddamn. Caster gets hit, hard. Much harder than he did. Seifer has to control his temper - last time, it put him in a bad, bad way, and this time, he's just...got to deal with it. She'll be okay, she'll be okay. He can trust in his wife to survive. She's a Servant. She's probably tougher than he is. He can't let up. Besides, the Moon Cell probably won't let them die in this colosseum. If it didn't let /Touta/ die, it wouldn't let /her/ die. Seifer presses his attack harder. Now his blade is flashing and shaking as he pulls the trigger each swing, the sound of gunfire rocking off the walls, the gunblade vibrating furiously. He's pressing his attack, hard, elegant and artful. Each step he takes is purposeful, pushing, to take more territory, to drive her back, to duck Krusty's swing or Sanary's or Touta's or Caster's attacks. Seifer remains in the middle because he was born to fight, he was born to challenge, he was born to push the limits, and he's as natural here as it's possible to even get. Again, and again, he comes around, Hyperion glinting in the light, Seifer dodging swings and avoiding explosives. He's uncharacteristically quiet. Probably because if he gets distracted he might hurt himself a lot more than normal.
Tamamo no Mae	Tamamo grins at the hit, she expected it to do something and it did great, at least, she thought it did. With Nero still up and about, and doing that stupid oujo-laugh pose, she can't even recognize the attack, and that's just annoying the hell out of the fox. "Too proud? It is you that's too proud, you horrendously dressed Saber! Your old dress was much better... not by much." Tamamo frowns a bit, pulling the Mirror of Uka up to try and protect herself from the Pari Tenu Blauserum... But... that was probably not a good idea. The resulting explosion rips through her guard, launches her into the air and causes her to crash right down on the ground, past Seifer, past Touta, bouncing a couple times before skidding to a stop near Krusty. One would think it might be over for the Caster-class Servant as she doesn't move for a good half a minute. Seifer would feel the tug of prana from Tamamo, something heavy building up. Something he's felt once before when it was against Siegfried. And now, Nero was going to get a taste of what her former ally could do. And she was going to pour just about all her energy into it. The arena's light dims slowly, Tamamo's moving back on her feet as glowing talismans start to appear in orbit around her, the Mirror of Uka already orbiting again. Loud chanting can be heard echoing throughout the arena. "God who resides in Izumo. Aesthetically certain, Breath of the soul. Residing in the mountains and watery heavens, Amaterasu. Let this freely become the proof of purification. Thy name is Weighted Stone of Tamamo. Become the sacred treasure, Mirror of Uka!" The talismans explode outward, showing a lot of Torii gates... Tamamo leaps up, robes in tatters, and she bounces off one, two, three of them, more talismans now floating around her in a vertical orbit. "Release! Eightfold Blessings of Amaterasu!" The orbs shoot out, four firey and four icy orbs, making a wobbly aimed shot towards Nero, the target of her disdain and anger, upon landing, the orbs explode if they hit Nero or even the ground around her, Tamamo floats to the ground, the arena returning back to normal after her massive Noble Phantasm was released. She drops to a knee, panting hard, huffing here as she tries to say something. "Too proud... that must... make you the most egotistical woman ever then... Saber."
Krusty	Krusty just smiles pleasantly in response to the compliment, providing one in return, "You yourself are quite skilled as well. Though I wasn't expecting anything less." Anticipating a counterattack, Krusty digs his feet into the ground in preparation to endure it. However, Nero's aim proves impressive as she manages to find a weak point in his armor, her firery blade piercing through and digging into him beneath. Krusty grunts as he watches his HP bar drain a good third of the way down. The heavily armoured knight jumps away to get clear of Nero's reach and avoid any follow up attacks. Taking a moment to recover from the blow, Krusty watches as the battle plays out. Seeing one of his allies take a serious hit, Krusty moves over to check on her, asking Tamamo, "Are you alright?" However, seeing Tamamo rise once more and begin chanting, Krusty has some inclination as to what's coming. Hoping to distract Nero and buy some time for Tamamo, Krusty raises his large sword, the blade beginning to glow. He then swings it in Nero's direction, the light jumping off the blade and slicing through the air... And possibly Nero too.
Lyria Mason	The fight is now in full swing Nero doesn't seem to be holding back much as her attacks come in though she seems to be focused on Caster. she can make use of that, oh she can very much make use of that. Well the explosion will delay it and knock Lyria off her feet she goes skidding across teh arena dna looks right to the former Emperor of Rome. "Not bad, not bad at all." She then launche herself off the wall of the arena right at Nero, opening fire with her pistol as she flies by, before coming in for a rolling landing a bit away, she's got another plan but this is just the set up for it.
Touta Konoe	Touta thinks that at first that his sneak attack might have been successful as he sweeps the 'bride' right off her feet. Though, when she catches herself one handed and then attempts to bring her heeled foot to his chest. THAT LOOKS PAINFUL! With wide eyes, Touta tries shifting his torso at the last minute to avoid getting his chest kicked in. Though instead of getting a heel stomped into his chest it ends up sliding across his torso leaving a strange scratch upon his chest almost as if he had been cut before she properls herself into the air. That's pretty cool he won't lie. The wound from his chest though... Well, he's glad he'll never have to explain that scar to anyone. That said, he's really glad to be able to have this fight and to reiterate that fact he speaks up to the emperor with praise. "That was awesome! I guess I can't try aiming low on someone's who's so short!" Well...It was a compliment at first anyway. Though seeing Nero now he realizes something that he had forgotten. Perhaps he was so eager to see everyone meet up with Archer again but this would be the last time they'd partake in the Nerofest. This would be the final chance to enjoy this and what's more who knew the next time he'd get to face off against Nero like this. It seemed to already be the case that she was going all in for this event. Perhaps this was why she was wearing this new attire. So if that's the case... "Oi, emperor I hope you're ready for the main performance!" The boy makes his declaration as he pulls out the hula-hoop from before. While it had garnred a bit of humor the last time the audience and more importantly Nero should understand the significance of Touta putting this on. This was the grand finale, and with that being the case Touta intended to make it a finale that she wouldn't forget. "Hope you're ready! GRASP THE EARTH!!!" Touta's clearing getting into it as his body vanishes into the blur. His Shundo bringing him right into the forefront along with Krusty, Lyria, Seifer and Sanary as Nero had descended back to the ground. And when he does get back to the others, he comes in full force. "TWO-THOUSAND FOLD!" The boy's blade has its weight intensify tremendously and in doing so he strikes down at Nero with a powerful blow! But he doesn't stop with just one...There's two, three, four,five! With such a heavy weapon Touta's launching attacks on pace with Seifer! For one reason or another, it appears Touta intends to impress today.
Nero	Nero doesn't even bother to gloat, she turns right away from Caster after sending her flying and immediately meets Sanary as the healer comes right for her. "Mhmhm! 'Go nuts', you say? How amusing, Sanary Rondel!" The blonde tilts her head, letting that laser blast past her and explode from behind. But that's okay. She's completely ignoring it even as the explosion heats her back painfully, and is already clashing sword against axe, sparks flying in the impact. Then, she parries that strike aside as she spins and follows through with a flaming slash to the side that Sanary isn't swinging from, aiming bat her away just as Seifer comes back in for her. And then there's Seifer. Nero is.... .... a pretty good swordswoman. She was not a true Saber in her lifetime. Honestly, her being in the class at all was entirely her telling the Throne to go fuck itself and give her Saber class because Sabers Are The Best, and Thus She Should Only Be Summoned As The Best. Well. That can only go so far, right? Not that Nero will agree. She meets him head on ever so stubbornly, not backing down as her blade clashes with his. And then again, the swords meet, and then- "Hm!?" Her next strike is knocked upwards before Hyperion comes slashing into her chest and drawing a fresh stream of blood. Okay, maybe there is merit is not facing Seifer head on. She kicks backwards and creates distance, skidding across the ground, juust in time for Tamamo to activate her Noble Phantasm REALLY EARLY. She looks up and blinks at that falling formation of massive fire and ice orbs. "... well now." She has a mind to try and dodge it, but... no she wouldn't make it. Instead, Nero holds her ground and firmly raises Aestus Estus in a defensive stance. And the explosions start up. Fire and ice burst outwards with great force, scorching and freezing the white clad swordswoman in their might, but Saber holds her ground still through it all, and in the end... when it all clears, she's standing there, panting, but alive. Her once immaculate outfit is marred with burns and cuts and blood, but she's still here. "Mhmhm... well, Caster... you have a great and wonderful mirror. Why not look in it before you talk about me, hmm?" She lashes out with her weapon and cuts through Krusty's light wave. Though it's cut apart, the twin remnants nick her sides before vanishing. Lyria dives back into the fray, firing her pistols and she weaves through the arena, swinging to cut away shots, while others strike her in non-vital areas. But while she does this, Touta calls for her and the blonde emperor looks his way. "Hmph! Very well, boy! Come at me with your full strength!" And come he does, speeding across the arena in a near instant before unleashing those heavy strikes. Nero has seen that sword in action, so she's not surprised. But boy, it sure is different actually fighting against it rather than watching! She holds out against those strikes, though the impacts reverberate through her bones and echo out a pain through her entire body. Nonetheless, she doesn't back down at all. "I had seen you in action during the previous rounds, boy, but I must say...!" She ducks under a swing, then leaps backwards, skidding a ways before raising Aestus Estus horizontally and charging prana into it to make it burst into flames intensely. "Experiencing your technique up close is quite different! Now! Allow me to return your attacks in kind!" Those flames burst, intentifying even further before the Saber grips her sword in both hands and rears back. "Haaaaaah!" She swings, and then spins into the swing to lash out again, forming a whirling wave of flame that lashes around and across the arena in a scorching, slicing blaze that aims to catch all in its midst!
Archer EMIYA	"Try acting with more of a backbone and stop tripping over your own words, it's honestly kinda depressing." Archer chides Hakuno like he's some sort of maid. On the moon. A moon maid. "I see, I guess for someone as egotistical as Nero that makes se- Wait, Herakles? You got Herakles in on this? I... But... No, why am I even surprised? I shouldn't be surprised..." Archer's eyes close as rubs his temple, a long and annoyed sigh escaping his lungs.
Sanary Rondel	Sanary's never been a fan of swords. Too expensive. Too effective. Too simple. There's many good reasons as to why they're used so much more often than axes or spears, and perhaps one of her doppelgangers in another world would probably even be quite good with one. Here, though? Even she has to concede the fact that some of these sword moves on display during this final round are getting pretty impressive. There's no chance of her ever matching the skill of Seifer or Nero with a weapon like hers, and Krusty's giant blade is... Actually pretty damn cool-looking, loathe as she is to admit it. There's not many opportunities for her to observe her allies' techniques as she focuses on her clash with the red-but-now-in-white Saber, however, as giant axe meets flaming sword repeatedly. "Hah... That's right, Nero! Not just with my axe... But I'll show you everything else I've learned!" The speed difference is proving to be quite the hindrance as Sanary's forced to brace herself against yet another blow, howling in pain as that flaming sword cleaves right into her side. She's forced to back off for a moment, focusing entirely on pouring healing magic into her wounds to stem the flow of... Actually, maybe there is one small relief to fighting against someone with a flaming weapon: Self-cauterizing wounds! Surely that won't be a bitch and a half to tend to later, but for now? Sanary will just have to grin and bear it as the magic dulls some of the pain in addition to working at keeping her insides inside of her. After she's finished keeping herself from buckling over in pain, Sanary steps back in to start pumping her healing magic around further. She needs to play to her strengths at least a little bit. The bulk of the second wave goes to Seifer to try and keep him in the fight, but some goes to Tamamo as well. "Get to the side. Let your knight and the rest of us do what we're good at: Getting hit and giving 'em back!" That didn't really sound all that cool to her, either. Refocusing her axe and gripping it in both hands, Sanary breaks into a run as her eye glows with energy once again. Taking a cue from Touta's book, she times her next series of attacks with her allies instead of just doing her own thing. She fires multiple explosive lasers at Nero in succession, aiming them ahead of her allies' strikes to try and hide their maneuvers behind the heated air and smoke. By the time she's close enough to strike, she dips low to the ground with her axe, rushes at Nero, then bellows out with a roaring shout before launching herself into the air with a massive upwards slash!
Lyria Mason	Lyria Mason has been holding back for the moment let Nero think this is all she's got, that's the best way to do this, let her allies also draw more att3ntion it gives her time to get ready. She's not however been totally overlooked by Nero as an attack comes her way. She's on her feet and moving again. She draws her own cutlass and moves to parry some of the worst of the hit but the flams burn over it scorching her flesh leaving her burned but still moment she downs a potion for what good it will do and now it's time to go all out. "REMORA!" Sometime before the match her drone Remora had buried itself in the arena floor and now the serpent-like thing explodes out. "M-TEK ARMOR MODE!" the machine pounces at Lyra flexing warping, shifting and changing into a suit of powered armour that covers Lyra in short order and it's got one very big looking heavy gun of some sort, she levels it at Nero and pumps as much MP into it as she's able to the barrel of it glows as it fires a massive fire elemental laser beam as she channels her very Genomacy abilities through the weapon right for Nero.
Tamamo no Mae	Tamamo huffs, looking at Nero with disdain. "Maybe you should go own a mirror before you talk down to someone." yea, Tamamo wasn't that good with comebacks. She gives a bit of a nod to Krusty, "As... well as I can be." she mutters, the caster looking visibly winded. And then, Nero happens again. And it's not something she wanted to deal with. Tamamo braces herself, looking at the attack coming and she doesn't even get the chance to dodge it properly, the attack washes over her and it leaves Tamamo there, looking too worse for wear, her outfit in tatters, her body looking burned. She wobbles just a bit, then starts to fall forward, her eyes closed. She makes once bounce on the ground before coming to rest. Seifer would feel that Tamamo couldn't take another like that... lest her spirit origin be damage irrepairbly... Tamamo, herself, just doesn't move from this spot, looking quite limp now.
Krusty	Krusty isn't so much fighting as he is observing, watching with interest as Nero proves quite capable of standing against the group. Of course, just because he's finding some interesting in watching, doesn't mean he still isn't in the fight. This is on display as he sees Nero preparing another blast of fire. Once more he steadies himself to take the brunt of the blow. And once more Nero's strike proves powerful, the flames washing over the knight. Once the flames have passed, Krusty straightens again. There's some minor burns on his face. His armour is scorched in several places and the cloaking billowing behind him is still a little red along the edges from where it's burning. Seeing Tamamo go down, Krusty quickly moves over to check that she's alright. Noticing her unconscious, Krusty stabs his sword into the ground and reaches a hand beneath his tabbard, pulling out a scroll of some sort. He places it on the ground next to Tamamo, unscrolling it and then putting his hand on it. The scroll glows for a moment, before vanishing with a flash. The light flows into Tamamo, helping to restore some of the wounds she's received. It's not strong enough to bring her back into the fight, but it should help none the less. Standing, Krusty once again reaches into his tabbard, this time pulling forth a vial with a red liquid within. He uncorks it and drinks it down, seeing to his own falling HP. Soon enough the burns he sustained fade away. At this point Krusty determines it is time to return the fight. One more taking up his sword, he starts charging towards Nero. The blade begins to glow once again, but it's a stronger light than his previous attack. Choosing not to engage in a rapid series of attacks this time, Krusty calls upon one of the strongest attack skills he has, raising his large sword up over his head and jumping into the air moments before reaching his target. Krusty unleashes a battle cry as he falls, bringing the glowing weapon down towards Nero in a punishing overhead blow that unleashes a blast of light and a shockwave upon contact.
Seifer Almasy	Caster goes down, hard. Seifer can't defend her right now. He can't /block/ fire. He can't parry fire. So the situation goes from Seifer getting the upper hand against Nero in a swordfight to Nero leaping backwards and setting the whole place on fire, and Seifer does his best to avoid it, but, well, there's really just nothing for it. So eventually he just stops trying to dodge and starts trying to go. He emerges, on fire, blazing hot. Fire is trailing off every part of him. He doesn't care. He emerges from the inferno as a literal blaze, a burning banshee out of some dark Hell, like a ghost of burning Rome. His coat crackles. His face crackles. Fire follows him like liquid, under his arms, under his legs. Hyperion flashes. It is a single trick, but one of the finest tricks of his world. A technique he learned through practicing in his apartment, with nothing better to do but swing his blade and try it out. A technique that belongs to one creature and one creature alone. Seifer emerges on the other side of Nero and brings Hyperion up to his side. He taps it twice against his back and looks over his shoulder, the flames finally dying down from the sheer force of his motion. It is at that moment, as his eyes meet Nero's, that the attack catches up with him. ZANTETSUKEN. It is an imperfect Zantetsuken, an attempt to grasp what cannot be grasped by human beings, an attempt to grasp what belongs to a god. It is not a sure-kill technique, not a perfect blow. But it is as close as Seifer Almasy can get with his current level of skill. And that's pretty damn close.
Touta Konoe	Touta gives Nero a look with a snarky grin as she receives his blows. "Oi, oi,oi don't go forgetting my name already Emperor, my name's Touta Konoe! If this is gonna be our last match I'm gonna make sure you remember it!" Though as soon as he finishes that remark his snarky grin returns to something much softer as he looks towards Nero. Truth be told he was happy in this moment. While he'd never seriously ask for praise or demand respect from someone, when someone acknowledges his work there's a certain sort of satisfaction that arises within him. Perhaps its a bit childish but its something he just can't help. He is someone who constantly feels he needs improvement. Someone who is lacking but someone who is always trying to climb higher, even when people tell him he has already hit a pinnacle. He is someone who is restlessly tries to improve himself, and that was one of the reasons he had joined this festival. To see new things and challenge different people and overall he had gotten everything he could have asked for. So he is happy, he is happy to be here in this place when the final challenge is the one who has been watching him this entire time and seeing his highs and lows. So even now as she charges the mana into her sword, Touta prepares as well. His right foot leans back. His left palm extended outward towards Nero. As the sword finishes and unleashes the wave of fire, the ground below Touta also appears to change. While it's not territory creation or anything like a reality marble, the ground below Touta forms the signs of Yin and Yang. A balance of light and dark, good and evil, black and white. As the attack shoots towards him he braces for it. The power of the flame is immense and is slowly but surely singeing Touta's left hand, but at the same time the flame is appearing to be swallowed by that same hand. As the flames die down Touta's hand looks well cooked but there's a smile on his face. "You know, I'm not a Servant or anything but if I had to imagine what would be my Noble Phantasm is...This would be it. Get ready, Emperor!" "Complexio!!!" The boy's open palm closes and with it something occurs. Last time he had used this technique he had redirected an attack back at the user for the festival. That wasn't the case this time. Instead of releasing the magic he had taken in, instead he had consumed it into his very being. The magic that Nero shot at him was now consuming his very being and even altering his appearence. For most of this event Touta had always been seen as a young teen with mostly black attire. Now...Well his attire seemed mostly unchanged but his hair had suddenly grown all the way down to his waist. There was also a strange black aura around his body. Though it wasn't like the Miasma he had unleashed prior. This was...Hot. Fiery. Nero should understand it more than anyone though after all... It's the same type of aura that had been emanating from Nero's blade. Thery were identical because they came from the same source. "Magia Erebea: Passionate Black Rose of Venus...If a Noble Phantasm is suppose to show the true form of a heroic spirit than this one probably says it all..." While there alot of things that could be used to describe Touta Konoe, at the end of the day if you asked him what described him the best...He was a copier. Someone who had started from nothing and only accumulated strength by seeing and learning from others. In that way this attack which he jokingly called a Noble Phantasm best represented him.
Touta Konoe	"Here I come emperor!" The boy raise his black sword and just as Nero's blade had begun to illuminate with mana his does the same. "Inferno of Black Venus!!! As the attack's name is called he charges forth towards the emperor in white, his own flames surge like wild fire in the shape of a rose atop his blade! Taking from her attack and trying to imbue it with all the things the Nerofest was based upon... Love. Passion. Beauty. THIS WILL BE THE GRANDEST OF FINALES!!!
Nero	"Ah...ahahaha....ha..." Hakuno hangs her head at Archer's harsh words. "Sorry." She mumbles, before raising her gaze back to the furious melee taking place down below. Ooh... there goes Caster. "I know she'll be okay, but it still hurts me to see that happen..." She sighs and then gives Archer a sheepish look. "Yeah. Saber just walked right up to him and told him that she was going to host an 'illustrious tournament of heroes' and that she wanted him to appear." A wry look appears on her face at that. "He just grunted. But I was worried we were going to get turned into a fine mist at any second." The brunette gestures into the arena. "And then on the first day, he actually showed up." That's it. Leave it to Nero. Speaking of Nero, it looks like the fighters down below are going all out now. Sanary fires out explosive lasers between the gaps of her allies attacks, leaving Nero with little choice but to defend against them and hold her ground, rather than advance. And just when she thinks there's an opening to create distance, the healer is swooping in with a bellow and an upwards strike that clashes with Nero's defending blade and sends her sailing upwards into the air. Which gives Lyria just the opening she needs to summon her armor and fire off that massive laser beam right at the sailing Servant. It impacts her and sends her tumbling back down to the ground, where the blonde rights herself and lands hard on her feet. "Mhmhm... how determined..." She looks up then, as Krusty comes descending upon her with his huge sword to bear. She grins and raises the flat of her weapon up horizontally, the other hand holding the flat as impact is made as a blast of light explodes outwards after contact. "Hmhm! You continue to surprise and impress me, Sir Krusty!" The Saber says, but that comment is all she gets to say before she glances aside and meets Seifer's gaze. Just in time for Zantetsuken to be unleashed. Suddenly, Nero isn't holding back Krusty's overhead swing. She's sailing across the arena and rolling across the ground as visions of possible instant death flash in her mind. Had that technique been more perfected, she'd have been done already. But as it stands now... she's alive. She's still in this, and she stands up to her feet with a grin. "Mhmhmhm... I see now, why Caster fawns all over you." That's about as much of a compliment as Seifer is going to get from her, really. And then there's Touta. Touta who uses some manner of skill to copy her flames. He copies them, and then suddenly, he's changed. Largely the same, but with longer hair, and.... those flames. "You..." Nero... is not insulted. No, she just grins broadly. "You! Touta Konoe! Well! Of course you would recognize beauty when you saw it!" She laughs, but it a good natured laugh, despite all the damage and the pain, and she spreads her arms. "Come then! Come and show me your burning passion!"
Nero	He strikes. And the flames explode outwards in a brilliant blossoming blaze of glory. And yet.... Nero stands. She stands, undefeated, yet burned all over. Her veil is but a few scraps now, and her bodysuit is hardly white anymore. It's more like gray and brown now. Yet still, Nero pants and stands herself up. "Touta Konoe... You have impressed me." She stabs her sword into the ground and spreads her arms. "Therefore...!" Suddenly, it all goes dark. "...I shall show you what true beauty is!" White rose petals flow, countlessly, until it is a storm that gives way to the radiant Golden Theater. Aestus Domus Aurea. "Stand tall, Brave Heroes! And bear witness to my ultimate strike!" She grabs Aestus Estus from the ground and turns it in a slow circle, the sword igniting in intense flames. "Accept this blow as my token of gratitude for all you have gone through to get to this point! TO stand here before me and the crowds here at Nero Festival! This! This is the true Grand Finale!" She rears back, blade pointed forward. And then she's gone. In an instant, she blazes across the Golden Theater in a thrust and nothing else happens. "FAX CAELESTIS!" And then, the entire theater grounds erupt in a massive explosion of flames and rose petals that leaves no recourse. No escape. How... How will they get through this? It is time, Brave Heroes. Time to create a new legend.
Seifer Almasy	Yeah, Seifer can't...dodge that. Maybe he could if he wasn't injured, maybe. Maybe if he wasn't already wounded he could pull off some insane, crazy feat. Maybe. But he is already wounded, so there's no point to that. At best, he can minimize the damage as he's flung back, hitting the ground next to Tamamo. He pushes himself up to his knee, and there's endless, immense frustration in his eyes, because he knows he can't get back up - not without seriously, severely, injuring himself, in a way that he might not recover from. He punches the ground and puts his hand on Tamamo's shoulder to make sure she's alright. That much, at least, he can do.
Touta Konoe	Touta gives his strike everything he can with this fiery power! It strikes into a large enveloping flame consuming the emperor in a grand blaze. Though she still stounds amongst the battle field. Even after being hit by not just his attack but eveyone else's she's still able to manage...He's not sure if this girl was immortal but he thinks he finally understands the term 'Long Live the Emperor'. She just wouldn't go down. What happens next though is...Well truly more impactful than perhaps even Nero realizes. Unleashing her Noble Phantasm. A glorious theater that captivates all of those who stand within it. Even Touta succumbs to its glory and slowly feels his body succumb to the weight of its grandeur...No wait that wasn't right. His body felt heavy? Why?! "What the?!" Before he realizes it his body is succumbing to the presence of this True Noble Phantasm. Though its even more dangerous as having his body weighed down forces him to stop hooping and in doing so... The boy reverts. He is exposed for all to see as if someone just dropped his pants. Except with a Hula-Hoop instead. The boy's hair recedes to normal length and the aura around him that he wielded so gallantly dissipates without mention. Touta is left to bare the brunt of her attack with no defenses and the results show. The halls of this golden theater are stained red, and this boy of black is as well as he's sent flying to the opposite side of this building. His body looks completely rended just as it had against Siegfried, perhaps even worse. But slowly, he begins to pick himself up supporting his weight with his blade. He gives a smile to the emperor, "I guess...That's how a real Saber should be. But...If I'm still up, I don't want to lose in an uncool way..." The boy raises his sword once more, his body clearing having a hard time keeping up with all the damage. Even still though, if this is the last fight he doesn't want to end in a way that would leave a bad taste in his mouth. "I'm not damn yet...So get ready." The boy runs at Nero in a charge. His blade at his side as he attempts to strike at Nero even as his feet below him begin to falter.
Krusty	Krusty barely has enough time to smile at Nero for the compliment, before he finds her gone. He goes off balance for just a moment with no opposing sword to struggle against. But he recovers in time to thankfully get clear of Seifer's deadly followup attack. Glancing around he quickly catches sight of the once-white leader. He watches with interest as she announces her ultimate attack. Krusty isn't entirely sure he'll be able to survive it, given the damage she's done so far and the current state of his HP bar. He's getting flashbacks to the first Nerofest challenge he participated in. It made sense to submit then... ... But this is different. Nero is not a mindless brute relying solely on power. She's an intelligent and challenging fighter. And Krusty is too much of a gamer to submit just yet. The arena suddenly explodes all around Krusty and the rest of the combatants. There's not enough time for Krusty to prepare an active defense against it and so he is thrown into the air, quickly crashing down again amidst a puff of dust. The knight lies there for a moment, looking to be out of it. But he quickly opens his eyes once more, groaning quietly. He glances at his HP bar... Still a little bit left! Krusty climbs to his feet once more, moving to retrieve his sword before standing tall as he faces Nero, "Very impressive. I'm pleasantly surprised you've been able to consistently inflict such levels of damage against me." Krusty summons the willpower to raise his blade once more in Nero's direction, "But it's not quite yet enough!" Krusty charges forward to join Touta, following in his footsteps in an attempt to take advantage of a combined strike. Krusty's large sword slices in towards Nero moments after Touta's.
Nero	Nero lowers her sword to see that many yet still stand from the force of her Noble Phantasm. The Golden Theater fades away, returning the arena back to sight as the crowds watch in rapt anticipation to see the end of this struggle. It was so close. Who was going to come out of this the victor? Touta and Krusty press the attack despite the odds, and Nero can only grin and move to meet them. "So you wish to continue? Very well!" And she breaks forward into a run, meeting the two swordsmen head on. First, she guards the boy's strike, stopping from the force of the blow before she turns it aside and clashes with Krusty just in time. The large sword slashes past her and leaves a cut in her side, but she is undeterred. Taking on the two at the the Saber's swordplay remains ever strong, as her arms move with clear confidence, a parry upwards, and then a slash downwards, followed by a turn and a sweep as she moves to slash Touta across the chest as well. "Hah!"
Lyria Mason	Well they go wild and it's not enough, it sure as heck isn't enough here to bring the former Neror down, still a lot of damage has been done and it's a good thing she's wearing the power armour right now. Due to, Nero making like Char and getting her counterattack on. It's sure as heck going to hurt a hell of a lot. then comes the flames, Lyria built her creation well it takes this powerful attack she endures it. To her horror she's the last one standing now everyone else seems to down save herself. Her machine still standing lowers it's Canon as emergency alarms sound inside her armoured shell. She'll move to have the helmet fold back into the body. "I Yeild, it's been one whale of a fight Nero."
Touta Konoe	Touta had been running on fumes. As her blade comes down across his chest a final strike is received an a final paint of red decorates Nero's colosseum. That said the boy still stands or tries to. His body barely able to raise his blade still, Touta still slowly slumps towards Nero as if he's about to try to do something. Just as he's a few steps away though he gives the emperor a brief smile. "Hope we'll get to do this again soon." "With that, the light fades from the boy's eyes and falls face first towards Nero for a dirt nap.
Nero	Hakuno watches this silently, as Touta and Krusty go down fighting like champs, and then Lyria, the last warrior left on the field in something resembling fighting condition, throws in the towel. "........" She nods and stands up with the mic in hand. "Then..." She gestures with an arm towards Nero's battered, but enduring form. "The final round of the Nero Festival goes to.... Nero!" She announces, making a valiant attempt to inject some excitement into her tone. Rather than the plain, even volume she usually maintains. And she gestures to the challengers. "You all fought hard, and everyone loved watching you put your skills to work. So keep your heads up high, and remember, that this is merely one step on a long journey." She smiles kindly and bows. "Thank you all for coming." The crowd erupts into raucous cheers. And then the medical crew streams in. All while Nero just stands here in the arena, looking off into the distance rather than actually bombastically showboating. What is she thinking about? ... Who knows. But this is the end of the Nero Festival. See you around. Some where, some day.
Krusty	Krusty's momentum keeps him moving forward as his blade is parried. And shortly after Nero's own weapon slices across him. Although there's no visible injury, Krusty clearly stumbles after that point. He manages several more steps before stopping and falling to one knee. He's looking a little tired, his breathing fast. He glances at his HP bar once more... It's rather low. Lower than he'd like. He can't go on like this without risking death. And he's definitely not fond of the penalties that comes with that. So... Krusty bows his head in respectful defeat.