Day 7: The Black Mask and Santa Claus

...

Yes. These last seven days have somehow felt both as if they went on forever, and flew by in an instant.

But either way, one thing I know for sure...is that they've been tremendously fulfilling for me.

Even with my pride and power stripped away, I've been on a new journey ever since you gave me that bread without seeking anything in return.

Thank you, Fujimaru. I can't tell you how grateful I am.

That goes for all of you too. Mash, Lord Fou, Coach Martha... Thank you all so much.

I promise you all, I'm going to win...

...and I'm going to pay you all back tenfold!

Olé! My samba is in top form today! I can also make promises of victory, yes!

...But before that, there's something I'd like to say. No...something I need to say.

I'm sure none of you have forgotten, but it's my fault this whole mess happened in the first place.

I'm so sorry you've had to go this far to help me clean it up, Master. And...thank you.

I promise I'm going to settle things today, and make sure we all get a proper Christmas.

And put a stop to this ridiculous spectacle the other me came up with.

(I can't help but wonder...how proper can Christmas really be when it's being led by a samba Santa?)

I've taught you everything I can. Now you just have to go out there and fight with all you've got.

I only wish there was more I could do besides stay here and pray...

Oh, I almost forgot, meow. I'm supposed to turn this thing on after I come to pick you up.

Oh? What's this?

Dark Kuku said we don't have to worry about info leaking now that it's time for the finals, meow.

So we set up an official livestream to make sure there's plenty of hype for the final bout.

All the fighters that lost, the townspeople placing bets, Sakura, forest animals, and so on are gonna be watching you, so you better make sure you put on a good show!

Oh, that's wonderful. Then I'll get to see you fight for myself while I cheer.

And if you just throw in the towel without putting up a real fight, I'll never let you hear the end of it!

I know. See you later, Coach!

Adiós por ahora!

Woohoo, it's finally the last round! I'm so glad I bet on the Mexican team!

I've bet every last bit I can afford! I know this is going to be a great match! I can't wait!

C'mon, help a fellow Caribbean rep out here! Since we lost in the first round, it's all I got going for me!

I even pawned all my waifu figures just so I could bet more!

Oh? You're a betting man too, huh? Dreamin' about striking it rich is all well and good, but...

(The thing about placing bets is, win or lose, it's the bookie that always comes out ahead.)

Go, go, Bradamante! You can do it, Bradamante! If you don't, I'm telling His Imperial Majesty and Rinaldo!

Are you completely incapable of being quiet? You there, vendor. Three plates of nachos.

Reindeer Master... Everyone... Good luck...

Ho ho ho. I wonder how this match will turn out.

Villains have feelings too!!!

We do not waste our time with weaklings.

What the hell!? Are those peace signs!?

No! She's saying they'll finish them off in two strikes!

...So, you made it.

You bet we did. We're here to defeat you once and for all.

Yes! We're going to win!

You have real fire in your eyes. Good. There is no place for cowardice in this holy combat ritual.

Now get into the ring. Pay close attention to how it feels to step over the ropes.

Because when we are done here, only one team will have a chance to step back over them.

That will be the team worthy of obtaining Santa Claus's true power.

One thing is clear after coming this far.

You have been pouring the magical energy released during this tournament into the Christmas Grail, strengthening it.

That's why this tournament will result in a more Santay Santa than ever before. It has nothing to do with the Christmas Grail's power.

That can only mean you planned this whole ordeal from the start. Why? Why did you want to do this?

Want to? I didn't WANT to do this! Given who I am, this was something I absolutely HAD to do!

I have no idea what this is all about, but I do know these fighters are both ready and raring to go!

And at this point, this jaguar actually couldn't care less which of them wins!

The only thing on my mind right now is the stack of delicious meat I was promised for services rendered once this is all over!

Look, Quetzal Mask. She really did bring a teammate.

They're standing perfectly still, which just makes them creepier. We should keep an eye on them, too.

I'm not picking up much from them actually... In fact, I'm not even sure they're a Servant at all. Hmm?

Maybe it's just a golem she brought in to fill the other slot on her team...?

？！

Fou fou!

Of course. A good knight never lets down her guard. I'll put everything I have into this fight, and make sure we come away with the win! Montjoie!

I'll dance my heart out to make sure we win too, yes!

Only a week has passed since they last faced off...but things couldn't be more different now.

I know you two can win this!

In the red corner, representing Mexico, we have the Black Quetzals! And in the blue corner, representing Chaldea, we have the Quetzal Sisters!

Win or lose, laugh or cry, it all comes down to this final match! Let's get ready to jingllle!!!

...? That should have done a lot more...

I know Black Quetzal Mask is an experienced fighter, but something doesn't seem right.

My attacks seem to be landing okay, but it's almost as though yours are being repelled...

Hehe. Hehehe. Took you long enough to figure it out.

This is no trick. The simple fact is that you cannot possibly beat me in a real fight.

...! If this is what I think it is, then...that's just ridiculously unfair!

Do you know what's going on, Da Vinci!?

Well, we all know that the original Quetzalcoatl is a god of good.

But now that there are two of them, well...

...I think the simplest explanation is that they are manifestations of the good and evil sides of Quetzalcoatl, who is inherently good.

So if the original Quetzalcoatl's innate goodness is shared by both of these Santa versions...

...then it isn't possible for the good Quetzalcoatl to hurt the evil one.

Quetzalcoatl has never been able to be harmed by anything good, remember?

As a Servant, I would never demonstrate my superiority over all good unless there was a big reason to.

It's still technically a part of me, but it's not usually something I use, no.

And naturally, now that I'm split in half and don't have my proper Spirit Origin, I couldn't use my superior goodness even if I wanted to.

But it looks like there's just one exception to the rule: myself.

I can't deny the goodness inherent in me...even if it belongs to my wicked other half.

？！

So what? No, really! So what!?

This is a tag team match, and I'm your partner. Just because you can't defeat her doesn't mean I can't!

Come on, Quetzal Mask, there's no reason to hold back now! Let's finish this with our new move!

...You're right! Your attacks should work fine. Okay, I'm counting on you now more than ever, yes!

The one thing our move lacked...was rhythm. Sí, my passionate rhythm is an essential part of this me!

I can't forget about that if I'm to entrust you with all my power!

So this time, I'm going to launch you in time with my samba rhythm...like this!

...That's it! We've finally perfected our move... Neo Bouclier Present Drop!!!

Huh!?

It's even stronger than when it defeated the Russian team! That's got to be more than enough to win!

？！

Huh!?

...I see. That is quite the technique. I actually felt threatened for a moment.

Bradamante, of the Twelve Paladins of Charlemagne, you have earned my respect.

My other half alone may be no match for me, but the two of you together are indeed a worthy foe.

You have earned the right to face me at my full strength. How unfortunate for you that you were unable to finish me in a single strike.

It's over. You can blame yourselves for devising a technique that forced me to stop holding back.

Come on, Quetzal Mask! If we do it again, we can!

You will never get another chance! Come forth, my partner!

She's finally unveiling her mysterious partner! Just what sort of fighter are they...?

Fo...!?

Is that just...formless power...?

It is Santa Claus.

Huh!?

My partner here is the very concept of Santa Claus, extracted directly from the Christmas Grail.

Of course, my partner and I have a combination move of our own...even if it only amounts to me wearing it like a cloak.

This Santa is nothing like your silly samba, which wouldn't even exist had it not been for your airheaded mix-up.

I finally have the power of the true Santa Claus. The true...Dark Santa.

And so, fair knight, Bradamante...I am now impervious to your attacks as well!

She didn't even feel it...!?

I will tell you once more: your attacks will no longer work on me. Why, you ask?

Santa Claus is a giver of gifts, not a target to be attacked. The very concept protects me now.

A Santa Claus this pure can only be defeated by a Santa Claus of equal purity!

Hmm. Yes, that tracks. (Completely clueless)

B-but, all the Santas we've seen before have been

They were the results of Servants forcefully altering their Spirit Origins. Not one of them had the purity I am speaking of!

That, of course, goes for you as well, you absurd samba goddess.

Now that I am armored by this pure concept of Santa Claus extracted directly from the Christmas Grail...

...only a Santa Claus concept of the same purity can ever hope to touch me!

Okay, it is important to me that you know everything she just said sounds completely ridiculous. Even so, none of your attacks are touching her!

Of course they aren't. Everything I have said is absolutely true.

Infusing this tournament's magical energy into the concept I wear has created the true Santa Claus.

Th-there's no way something so absurd could be

It's the truth.

Waaaaaah!?

Aaah!

Now do you understand? You've lost any chance you may have had at winning.

Quetzalcoatl can never defeat me as I am now. The only one who would stand a chance is another pure Santa.

Bradamante and Quetzal Mask, you have already lost. All because you chose to team up with one another!

Fou, fou fou, fooou!?

Th-this is awful. She's just...whaling on them...

This is...very bad, yes. The samba rhythm is...fading...away...

(Huff, huff)

You can take a lot of punishment, but you must be reaching your limits. This is Lucha Libre. Giving up is always an option.

What did...you say...?

Never, no! We're still

Standing in the ring? Not for much longer.

Quetzal Mask!

Giving up now means that you recognize me as the true Santa Claus.

It is tantamount to making a wish upon me; an act that will be to your benefit as much as it will mine.

Needless to say, I will be happy to grant your wish. I am the true Santa Claus, after all.

Go on. Think back to that daythe day when you lost your power. Say now what you tried to wish for back then.

(My wish...?)

(Well, I wished for world peace, of course...)

(And...if possible...)

(...to find Ruggiero...)

Why do you hesitate? You were the first to appear before me, so why shouldn't I grant your wish?

Huh? What do you mean...?

I first turned samba to grant wishes. It was only afterwards that I split off as the evil side in charge of fighting.

This means that my essence lies in granting wishes...through battle.

That is why I created this tournament. What's more, I did so not only for my sake, but for yours as well.

As a holy knight, I believe you were drawn here by the Christmas Grail.

I... Maybe I was. But what does that have to do with

It has everything to do with this. No wishes can be granted until somebody makes one.

Without you, I would not be able to grant any wish at all, even as the true Santa Claus.

...!

The fact is, you came here to have your wish granted. There is no need to hesitate. Everything you want can be yours.

Accept me as Santa, and admit defeat. Bow your head in prayer, and tell Santa what you want for Christmas!

I... I...

？！

I want...

...to find who I'm looking for myself, by doing what I know is right.

...What?

If that was too hard to understand, then I'll put it another way.

I am a knight, so I want to find who I'm looking for by walking a path I can be proud of.

That path may be long, and arduous, and muddy...but I think that's exactly why he would be happy to see me.

Sure, I could take the easy way out and just let people find him for me in no time flat.

I could abandon chivalry, and my partner, admit defeat, beg for help, and catch up to him in disgrace...

But that would never prove my love for him!

I...I heard you, though. Didn't you wish to be reunited with him, back when you first saw the Grail!?

All I was asking was, "Please watch over me while I do my best myself!"

Getting advice is one thing, but I don't want or need to be spoiled by someone giving me gifts! Santa of all people should know that!

And in case you forgot, my main wish was for world peace! If you want to grant that one, go right ahead!

Wha... How foolish. Absurd. Now your wish will never be granted, and you will both lose for nothing!

We haven't lost yet, and we're not going to! As long as we never give up, things will work out somehow!

Ahh... That was preciosa.

You refuse to abandon your knightly honesty...

...and you are not so foolish as to resign yourself to defeat in the name of hollow pride.

You simply keep your head high and never stop working towards victory, no matter what.

I couldn't have chosen a better partner, no!

After all, if you'd given up now, the idea I just came up with to turn this around would be wasted.

An idea to turn this around!? That's just what I wanted to hear! What do I have to do?

You? Nothing. It's what WE have to do!

If I can't defeat her myself, and Santa is the only one who can, then the answer is simple.

We make a new, non-Quetzalcoatl Santa right here, right now!

Wh-what is this!?

It's my Santa Power, yes! Go on and take it! It's all yours, yes!

You can just hand it over that easily!?

It's shameful of me, really. We've been together this whole week, and I still hadn't given you a present.

So now I'm making up for it by giving you the best Christmas present I can, yes!

Khh... No, you're wasting your time. You're just a pale samba-obsessed imitation of Santa. Whatever power you have won't be nearly pure enough!

You can give her every drop of your Santa Power, and it still won't be enough to damage this pure San

You might be right...if it were only me doing so.

...!

She may as well have called all of us imitation Santas. If it is a fight she wants, then a fight she will have.

And just as I had gotten my hands on a twelfth plate of nachos.

Whoa! A-are you sure about this?

I am only lending it to her. Once she is done, I will make sure to reclaim it.

But, how're you gonna get it to her from here?

I will throw it to her through this television, of course. There is nothing Santa cannot do. Take it, Bradamante.

...I should do my part, too! Here! A present from Santa Claus. I promise it'll be reeeally useful, 'kay?

Ho ho ho. Very well then, this will be our little secret.

？！

So this is...the power of Santa...?

I don't know about that, but I do know my body feels superlight! And I've even got my armor back!

Impossible! Those are only fragments of Santa!

This sort of thing has happened to me before. Maybe I'm just blessed.

So many kind people have helped me out... They're the reason I'm able to keep moving forward, no matter what.

I never forget how much I still have to learn, but I will continue on anyway. That's who I am.

(Hehe. Maybe it is because she is always moving forward that makes people so willing to help her.)

So thank you, Santa Clauses! I promise I will use this power for justice!

And by that, I mean that just this once...I'm going to be Santa Bradamante!

!!!

Get ready, Black Quetzal Mask. I'm about to give you the Christmas present you really deserve... Defeat!

Ghh...

Why are you doing this? Even if you win, you would never become the true Santa Claus.

That's true. But as long as this whole ordeal ends and I get my power back, that's good enough.

Really, when you stop and think about it, it's awful that all this snow has fallen in Mexico. Christmas or not, there must be so many people who've had their lives disrupted by all this.

I will be happy if I can just go back to being a regular Santa Claus, yes.

I have no interest in becoming the "true Santa" and keeping Christmas going forever, no.

Then you will end up with nothing.

The true Santa Claus's eternal Christmas would be paradise on Earth. You might even encounter the one you seek there.

That's possible. A paradise might just be enough to draw him in...

Then why would you refuse!?

That's easy. It wouldn't be real.

Besides...I meant what I said about how I didn't want to be spoiled with gifts.

I know I have my weaknesses, and if someone started spoiling me, I'd end up wholly dependent on them.

I'm drawn to the idea of paradise, too! But I can't go around chasing illusions just because they seem like they'd be nice.

...!?

...If I flit around too much, I might end up losing what I'm looking for before I can even find it.

That sort of thing has happened way too many times before...so I decided not to let it happen again.

(...What an amazingly earnest knight you are...)

(You are completely aware of your weaknesses, and only let them motivate you to work harder.)

(That's somehow...comforting. Seeing her is like seeing the dazzling beauty of human imperfection.)

...It's over. Oh! But, seeing as I'm Santa Claus now, and it certainly is the season, maybe I should say...

Merry Christmas!

It's over! This long and grueling battle is finally over!

The winners of the Santa Tag Team Tournament are...the Quetzal Sisters!!!