Prologue: Santa and Sam〇

Ho ho ho. It's me, Santa.

I was all set to deliver presents to good boys and girls with my trusty sheep, Zerco, again...

...but apparently no Santa can keep the job two years in a row, no matter how good they may be at it.

But, even if there will be no more Altera Santa, there will always be a Santa. This year, I think it should be you who takes up the mantle.

Ho ho ho. If you asked me to give you a reason for that, I would say it's because you and I are somewhat...similar?

I just have a sense that we share similar roots. Call it an Altera hunch.

Vaya! Bien! I have heard of this being who brings joy to all, yes!

As the goddess of prosperity, it would be my pleasure to accept this honorable job, yes!

Hang on. You say you're a goddess? As in...deity?

(...Would this be a sign of me approving of Western values if I appoint her the next Santa...?)

............(Well, I suppose gifts of raw liver would still count as presents...)

Yep, this should be fine. I think. I mean life is all about trying new things and taking opportunities as they arise... And Christmas should be no different.

Besides, one of the great things about Chaldea is that everyone gets a chance at being Santa, no matter who they might be.

Okay, now that I have completed my completely perfect explanation, go ahead and take the Christmas Grail.

Oh? What's this now?

It's a one-of-a-kind superitem that can bring to life all manner of fluffy, wonderful Christmasy things.

Don't ask me how I acquired it. I just looked down one day and there it was, in my hand.

Well, I don't know what all that's about, but it sounds lovely, yes! All right then, don't mind if I

Oh my... This is...

Whoa, whoa! You there, the two A-rankers! What's with the weird signal we just detected from here!?

I'll admit that this didn't go quite as I thought, but never mind that. The important thing is that a new Santa has been born.

Take a look. This is this year's all-new Sa

Olé! Now I am the perfect one to spread happiness and joy everywhere! I should start dancing now, no?

Let's try this! And some of this! Hmm, yes, yes! This should bring joy to all!

And since this involves so much exercise, it should help me train my core for lucha as

...Quetzalcoatl.

Sí?

That's a samba.

Tope con Girooo!?

Whoops! I guess I must have misheard you.

That's all right. These things happen.

Hmm, now what do I do? My Spirit Origin has stabilized, so I can't change it again, no.

But then again, maybe I don't have to! Who says I can't dance and deliver presents at the same time!?

In fact, I bet that would make everyone even happier! Esto no es un problema!

True, Santa is more of a state of mind than a specific form. Changing up a letter or two shouldn't really make any difference.

In fact, for all we know, Santa and samba might even have the same etymology. What do you think, Da Vinci?

No. No, they do not.

Still, I can't imagine a Divine Spirit of Quetzalcoatl's caliber buying into a different religion's customs, so I can't say I'm shocked that her interpretation of this is so...um, unique.

That's not really why I'm here though. About that signal I mentioned...

I have to say, it seemed way stronger than anything that going into...uh, Samba Mode should generate. Any idea what may have caused it?

...

...

Oh yeah, you two definitely have more than an idea. What happened? Come on, out with it.

Baaa. (Allow me.)

Baaa. (I saw the whole tragedy unfold from the beginning. Who am I, you ask?)

Baaa. (I'm Zerco.) Baaa. (Lady Altera's faithful sheep.)

Baaa. (Basically, Quetzalcoatl and the Christmas Grail were an exceptionally bad fit for each other.)

Baaa. (Their myths were...mismatched.) Babaaa. (A mythmatch, if you will.)

No lo entiendo, pero what an observant little sheep, yes!

I did not think there was a problem with the Grail, no! Not after I transformed like this!

But...I will admit I was a little surprised by all the backlash.

Backlash?

Sí. To put it simply...

...it feels like my power has been split in two, and as for where the other half could have gone... No sé!

...!

I did see a light flying off into the sunset earlier. I think that must have been Santa.

Also, I don't know if it's with your other half or not, but I think the Christmas Grail disappeared somewhere, too.

Oh no! Lo siento! I can't believe I lost it right after you gave it to me!

But, if you think about it, Santa is all about giving presents, not getting them, yes?

So it feels wrong for me to receive such a grand gift...

...especially since I have already obtained more than enough power to become Santa!

So I'm not going to worry about the rest of the Holy Grail power going off on its own, no!

Good point. The power is yours to do with as you wish. As long as Christmas is peaceful, I'm a happy Santa.

Sí. I might be half the goddess I once was, but I still shouldn't have any problem performing my duties as Santa.

In fact, I think the part of me that flew off was the part that likes things a bit of rough-and-tumble, yes!

So I think the peace-loving part of me should be able to handle being Santa just fine!

(Hmm. Now that I look more closely, I can see she's a Ruler.)

(Is that because the side of her that got her people to stop making human sacrifices is stronger now...?)

I'm sure the half that flew off will come back on its own once Christmas is over and I'm back to normal.

So don't you worry about a thing! I'm going to be the best samba Santa there ever was, yes!

Ho ho ho. That's just what I like to hear.

Very well then, I look forward to seeing you in action. Merry Sambamas!

Whaaat?

A mass of...sorta Holy Grail energy AND a being as strong as Quetzalcoatl are off to who knows where?

Oh yeah, nothing could possibly go wrong here...

It's Christmas season again, Senpai!

Fou fooou!

？！

Olé! Has the samba rhythm got you yet? Are you all nice and warmed up?

Then let's get this present party started, yes!

So flashy it's refreshing! So potent it's dangerous! From high atop the ring post, here comes the Avalanche...of presents!

Aaaugh!

She definitely has a...unique way of handing out presents, but at least nothing strange is going on.

I think we might just have a normal Christmas in Chaldea this year...relatively speaking.

Hey, guys? We've gotta talk. Can you swing by the Command Room real quick? And, uh, bring the luchadora with you too.

...

？！

...So that's what's been going on in the time leading up to Christmas this year. With me so far?

？！

Hehe, oh no! I'm so embarrassed! I guess even goddesses can make mistakes just like mortals!

Now we get to the real problem.

We found out where the other half of your power and the Christmas Grail went.

Oh, bravo! I wasn't exactly worried about it, no, but knowing is always better!

So, where did they go then?

To your home. Mexico.

Last week, in fact. They went while Christmas preparations were still underway.

Oh? I'm not sure what you mean.

You'll understand when you get there. Trust me, it's not your everyday Christmas prep.

Something is clearly messed up there, and we definitely have to sort it out.

We may even have a minute Singularity on our hands.

So, basically...you want Senpai to go there and investigate, as usual?

Yup. Pretty much. But don't worry; you'll also have a capable ally helping you out again.

Isn't that right, Quetzalcoatl? You don't mind helping to clean up this mess you made, do you?

Of course not!

Once I've collected the things I dropped while I was changing, I'll be back to hand out more presents in no time!

Well, there's no time like the present! Let's get this samba Rayshift party started, yes!

？！

F-fochoo... Fochooo!

What...?

I was aware that in some areas of Mexico, the temperature could get under freezing...

...but there shouldn't be anywhere staying that cold long enough to accumulate so much snowfall!

And this doesn't look like fresh snow, either...

I suggest you use the winter clothes I packed for you, Master. You should find them at the bottom of your bag.

I heard Blackbeard grumbling about how there's nothing sadder than catching a cold on Christmas, so I wanted to make sure you were prepared for anything.

Of course, I made sure to pack a fluffy scarf for you too, Fou.

Fou fooou! Fouffy...

There's our first major abnormality then. I can't imagine that just happened on its own.

Now, what about the people living there?

Brr, I'm freezing. It's never been this cold before.

Sooo cold... But I haven't been this excited in ages, now that it's finally about to open... So, who's your money on?

The Mexican team, of course!

I know that's the obvious choice...but there really is something about them that makes me feel stronger! They're like the sun god come to life!

True, true. But the Russian team seemed pretty tough too, don't you think?

I mean, as long as we're thinking in that direction, there's something frighteningly unpredictable about the Chinese team, too...

Very strange, yes. Even though this bizarre cold is bothering them, they seem more preoccupied with something else.

Whatever is going on, the whole town seems abuzz with excitement, yes!

Just goes to show that humans can adjust to almost anything. This weather should be unheard of there, but everyone's just dismissing it as merely "odd."

Hm? Oho, we just got a reading that looks like it might be related to the Holy Grail! I'll send you the coordinates right now, so stay on your guard and head on over there to see what you can find.

You got it, yes!

Even the jungle is covered in snow. It's kind of refreshing, in a strange sort of way...

You should be coming up on the target area pretty soon now...

？！

A pyramid...!?

It could be a temple, or a sacrificial altar. I wonder which it is...

...Huh? Who's there!?

There you are, my other half. I've been waiting for you.

There you are, my other half. I've been waiting for you.

Oh wow! Quién es esa luchadora with the amazingly awesome mask!? I might have to get her autograph, yes!

Hahahaha. As if you don't already know it's the other half of you we're searching for!

Fou fou!

I suppose this isn't the best time to be joking. Let me set my fighting spirit aside and do this properly...

Ahem. Hola, my other half. I'm here to take you home.

I can see you must have split off from me after my Spirit Origin became more Santay...

Pero you need to come back to me, um, me. What are you doing here, anyway?

You saw the town for yourself. Isn't it obvious? I'm getting things ready.

Huh? Ready for what?

To create the true Santa Claus. What else?

This ritual relies on the Christmas Grail's power. Whoever wins will become the true Santa.

Behold!

I plan to hold a competition that will decide the true Santa: the international Santa Tag Team Tournament!

？！

Gah! What's wrong with me!? Nothing about this makes sense, but I can't help wanting to go along with it!

Um... Quetzalcoatl?

Oh, sí. I only mean that if nothing else, I can tell she has a great deal of love for lucha.

This...really isn't the time to be admiring that.

These readings make it pretty clear that she's got the Holy Grail under control. We can't let her keep it!

Master, Quetzalcoatl! Please, you have to stop her!

If you want to stop me, you're very welcome to try.

But I'll warn you now, Master of Chaldea and my other half, you'd be wasting your time.

I am Black Quetzal Mask!

I am the strongest ruda to ever live. I am the monarch who will reign over the greatest show in all the world: Christmas!

Those of you who have never so much as stepped into the ring will be down and out before the ref can count to three!

Hrrng!

？！

I am you. I am the side of you that embraces fighting in all its forms. And like I said in my smack talk bit, you can't touch me.

Ah, entiendo... So that's why you chose a tournament as the format for this ritual.

Hehehe... It would be sooo easy to just kill you both now, but you're in luck.

I thought you might show up, so I kept a special seed slot open for you, so you could skip the prelims.

You can take it, and try to make your way through the tournament. I will fight for Mexico. Claro?

If you're lucky, we can settle this in the finals.

...Rituals often have the effect of bringing two vastly different forces together, like humans and nature. Or gods and humans, in this case.

Fighting while bound by the same rules should help get around the difference in strength, but...

Um... Can I ask you a question? Why would you suggest something that works to our advantage...?

Heh. I may be a ruda, but I am not a cheater, no. The ring is holy, and its rules absolute.

Perhaps my respect for such things is even why this Spirit Origin was designated a Ruler.

Furthermore...this battle is meant to celebrate Christmas.

The more exciting it is, the better for everyone.

Hmm. Opponent or not, I can't argue with that! There's no point in putting on a show without working up the crowd, no!

Show stuff aside, I don't see you guys being able to win right now anyway.

At this point, I think making a strategic retreat, entering this tournament, climbing the rankings...

...and eventually facing off against Dark Quetzal Mask in the ring might be our only realistic option.

You should listen to the chica inteligente.

Why thank you. But you'll have to forgive me if I'm not entirely buying what you're selling here.

It's a bit hard to believe you're using the Holy Grail's power out of the goodness of your heart.

And since we can't let you get away with whatever you're planning, entering the tournament is just the most expedient way to stop you.

Oh, don't doubt me. I meant everything I said.

This battle will decide Santa's rightful successor. The winner WILL become Santa.

A Santa so powerful they'll be able to make every day Christmas, whether it's December 25th or not....

...and leave every other Santa as nothing more than a distant memory.

？！

As a Santa aspirant, I'm sure you want this power for yourself.

Now go on. The tournament begins tomorrow.

Show me you meet the minimum qualifications to enter and I'll permit you to do so as Chaldea's team.

Go ahead and do your worst. Hahahaha!

This is a very unexpected twist, yes! But getting to fight by the rules of lucha is the best news I've had all day!

As long as I'm in my precious lucha ring, I can piledrive that masked goddess into the mat any day of the week, yes!

Pero I still have no idea what she was talking about. She's very bad at explaining things.

She said something about qualifications, yes?

Why would she tell us to qualify after she personally invited us to enter the tournament? It makes no sense...

？！

Nnn, fou...?

Um... I'm sorry to interrupt, but I think I might know what she meant.

She gave us a hint earlier. What did she mean by "minimum qualifications"?

...Are you saying you figured it out?

Yes. Black Quetzal Mask actually said it quite clearly.

This tournament...is a tag team competition!

Which means you need to find a partner who will step into the ring with you!

Plancha Suicidaaa!?