With just 5 suspects left and 4 detectives, we are coming to the nitty gritty and still no-one seems to have picked a definite suspect (this also applies to the quiz as well at home!) at who is the killer. Will this penultimate killer’s game bring forth what we all need?

This chapter also shows the last Inside HQ of the season before we get to the final episode – where we find out who is our murderer. And I get to reveal all the secrets provided by these bloody confusing killer clues…

So without further adieu, let’s get it on!

*

Triela: O.K…in a few hours, let’s make sure we get in the final four together, and end this game with us three showing that we took out everyone else.

Negi: (smiles) Triela-san…thank you.

Triela: (smiles back) No problem Negi.

(The three leave as they head back to their rooms…and as Hinata is about to step inside the door…)

Hinata: (whispering) Gomen…Aya-san…

(Triela smiles…)

Hinata: Let’s see…

(Hinata gently picks up the vase and turns it upside down…)

(…and out pops…)

*

Triela: It was here all the time.

(Hinata is busy calling Aya as Ruri and Haley protest their innocence…you will never hear Ruri as outspoken as she is here…)

Ruri: I never took it.

(She’s still stoic though…which doesn’t help her cause…)

Triela: We found it here, therefore…

Ruri: Doesn’t mean either Haley or myself put it there.

Triela: Care to explain it then?

Aya: It seems Elaine recovered apparently through…

(Suddenly Aya gasps…)

Ban: What?

Aya: If…Anna needed more motive…

*

Ban: A metal plate?!!!

(Shot of Team 2 looking over some medical records that they’ve requested…)

Aya: (nods) Elaine had a metal plate inserted into her skull to avoid frequent secretion of blood and matter which could have led to permanent brain damage. But…

Ban: …is she effected by…

(Aya nods)

Aya: You read my mind. The Evan virus. If Anna is using this as a cover up to get the jewel to save her sister…then…

(Is this theory true? Looks like they’ve got to delve further…)

DAY 17

Negi: Four beings of power beyond normal humans…this is quite scary in a way…

(Shot of Triela having a coffee and some toast, as Ban reads a newspaper and is slowly fitting the ‘oyaji’ stereotype (Nakamura has some competition…) as Negi and Hinata sit together, as Hinata fusses over Negi who still seems to be a little hurt after the little injury he picked up yesterday…)

Negi: I’m fine Hinata-san…

Hinata: You’re not just saying that so you won’t get into another shower right?

Negi: Of-of course not!!!

(Suddenly, a dark sensation envelopes them. Hinata’s reflexes sense it before it grabs a hold of them…)

Triela: Oh, stomp being husband and wife already! It was cute the first time, but I might just be sick…

Negi: Very funny Triela-san…

(Triela does her trademark arm glomp to Negi (avoiding the injury to the shoulder) as Negi looks a little forlorn…)

Negi: Ban-san looks ready to destroy us…

(Ban indeed looks very determined – being a lone wolf really suits him now (not like he was one really from the start) as Negi seems nervous. Of course, Triela is enjoying every second…)

Triela: Let him. We have every advantage at the moment so no matter what happens, we’ll stick together and make it to the end.

(Indeed…only they are forgetting about one thing…one that Hinata takes into consideration…)

Hinata: But…what if Ban-san…

Triela: Aya hated him. Sure, she wasn’t fond of me either…but she got along with you two. So one of you will be the leader and thus barring bad luck, we’ll be together at the end…

(Obviously they are unaware of their final conversation…did Ban’s words convince Aya?)

(A shot of Ban suggests he does seem confident, though his eyes are showing a slight tinge of worry…)

(…let’s see what happens…)

*

(After breakfast shows up, it’s getting closer to 10am, but no sign yet of the Lead Investigator. Hinata is on Byagukan alert (and alternating with Negi on his wand) but no sign of anyone or anything…)

Triela: I wonder if we have to do this part alone?

Negi: Surely they would have told us then if that was the case…or Yotsuba-san would have told us…

Triela: She’s British, she may have forgotten…

Negi: I’M British…

Triela: You’re the exception.

(As I curse Triela under every known sun on the planet, someone genuinelly casts a shadow over the Earth’s sun…something Hinata notices…)

Hinata: Um…guys…

(Inside, Ban puts his glasses further up as the dark thing is very…unique…)

Ban: Geez…did one of monkey-boy’s guys take steroids or something?

(The ‘thing’ blocking the sun appears to be a giant bird…reminiscent of the Fly Card from CCS. However, we already have had our CCS rep as a lead investigator so it isn't Sakura, so who is it…)

(…the answer is quickly shown…as from the giant creature, parts of it seem to fall off…Negi catches a piece…)

Negi: Paper?

Triela: I have a bad feeling from this…

(Indeed, as the creatures go for a crash landing…IN FRONT OF THE DETECTIVES!)

Triela: Hit the deck!!

(Triela goes to grab Negi and Hinata but the ninja quickly thinks and steps on her tiptoes as the yin/yang symbol glows below her feet…)

Hinata: Shuggohakke Rokyojou Yonsho!

(She spins in place as chakra ‘lasers’ comes from her hands, forming a rather laser like shield around her. The creature of paper crashes into said shield…and it is repelled into a mess of lots of power…)

?????: Dammit, you messed up the landing again Ma-nee!

??????: S-Sorry…

???????: Now now, let’s not get into worries! After all, we are being paid well to do our job!

?????: You mean we are going to actually be detectives?

????????: Indeed, and that means…

?????: Keep the book expenses to a minimum if possible…

??????: But….

(Finally, the dust clears and we see three females. The tallest one has messy dark brunette hair, dressed in a blue Chinese outfit (out of paper as are the other two). This is Maggie Yui.)

(The next tallest and oldest of the three girls is a blond girl with a very bubbly nature as opposed to her taller ‘sister’ who is very quiet and subdued. She seems to light any room she enters though she gives certain people a few headaches…this is Michelle Chang.)

(The third, the smallest and the youngest, is spunky, a little brat, funny, vicious, milk drinking and once book hating, don’t get on the wrong side of this one despite her pink hair and chibiko looks. This is Anita King.)

Triela: O….K….I’ve seen worse landings…

Hinata: Dizzy…

Negi: Are you all O.K?

(Ban comes over and smiles…)

Ban: This might be quite entertaining…

*

Michelle: …and that’s who we are! We are here to guide you all to victory and indeed to finding this killer…

Anita: …and to feed their need for books – trust me on this guys, the only reason Michelle-nee wanted this job was for the money.

Michelle: Oh Anita-chan, you’re mean!!!

(Michelle glomps Anita as the chibiko tries to squirm away. The team are needless to say rather intrigued by these three sisters – very different, and yet, very powerful (unknown to them). Let’s see what they can bring to the game…)

*

Michelle: So anyway…

(The three girls are sitting in the front row looking ahead at Triela, Negi and Hinata. Ban stands at the back, quite bemused at all this…)

Michelle: Maggie-chan, Anita-chan and myself are going to play a real hands on approach for today’s inquiries. We’ll get to that in a moment, but two orders of business.

(Michelle reveals the killer clue brought back by Ban last night – quite poetic – a piece of paper…but on it is…)

Michelle: This actually came from Duplica’s post…

(Straight away, either a direct clue or a red herring…)

Michelle: …basically a script with past insurance claims showing what Kalos owed – these include things involving research into the Evan virus, but more interestingly, the court case with both the Hoshinos, and with Anna and Tenchi. The interesting thing though is that the fact that the bills for the court cases involving Anna and Ruri are different.

(Michelle shows the figures on screen…)

Michelle: Ruri’s case seems very accurate if they look at past evidence, but Anna’s seems out of place. In fact, it shows that Anna owes more because of her involvement with the future…adding suspicion to all parties, but more to some than others?

(So were the girls owing money from this?)

Michelle: We’ve established previously that money is a motive, but we all assumed it was just Duplica. Others of course, Touji was in severe debt but the girls and Tenchi? Never thought of it…so now we’ve got additional warfare on our hands.

(Michelle pauses for breath…)

Michelle: Secondly, we have a new Team Leader to find out. This person is guaranteed a final three place so let’s see who our lucky warrior is.

(Michelle’s introductions over, we now go over to the big question…did Ban convince Aya?)

(The answer…as Aya’s beautiful face appears for the last time…)

(Cuts off…cue shocked look in Triela’s face, and a ‘why am I not surprised’ one in Hinata’s. Negi remains stoic (albeit a little upset) whilst Ban has a huge grin.)

Michelle: I suppose congratulations are in order Mr. Mido, you are officially the first detective in the final three!

Ban: And loving it.

(Triela has to try her best to hold in her curse…but fortunately the chatterbox known as Michelle quickly responds…)

Michelle: And now we introduce the final swerve of the game…us three, are going to be the partners of you three!

Negi/Triela: What?

(Michelle nods…)

Michelle: Indeed. Each of you will be with a sister…and we shall pick who we want to be with. We shall we helping off course in your inquiries, but at the same time we shall be rating you as well, and of course, whoever gets the highest score of the three of you from us will avoid the initial vote.

(Michelle eyes her prey carefully…in the background Maggie is covering Anita’s mouth who is mumbling protests (and probably cursing Michelle) as Michelle decides to pick who she feels she is most compatible…)

(Translation: Michelle glomps Hinata.)

Michelle: YOU’RE SO CUTE!!! I HAD A TIME PICKING BETWEEN YOU AND THE BOY, BUT YOU’RE IT!!!

Hinata: (scared beyond belief) Er…th-thanks…

Michelle: O.K, Maggie-dear, you’re up!!!

(Maggie nods and silently goes over to Triela. Triela actually smiles…mainly because she got the least excitable one…)

Triela: Pleasure to be teammates.

Maggie: (blushes) Likewise.

(Which of course leaves…)

Anita: I HAVE TO BE WITH A BOY?!!!

Michelle: My, you didn’t seem to be complaining too much around Junior – he’s cute as well you know?

Anita: ARE YOU REALLY TRYING TO SABOTAGE ME?!!!

Negi: Um…Anita-san?

(Anita glowers at Negi with those puffed up cheeks that only Anita can…Negi (rightfully) sweatdrops…until Anita slowly puts a hand out…)

Anita: Nice to meet you…

(Negi still seems nervous but smiles and shakes the youngest Paper Master’s hands.)

(Ban at front is trying his best not to laugh and also not to look relieved…if he’s not careful I see a gun shot in the leg, a kunai in the back and wind from his rear…but not the wind you may think…)

*

(Our three teams for the penultimate episode are…ahem…Triela/Maggie, Hinata/Michelle and Negi/Anita. Who will you pity more? However, Michelle speaks again as she quickly explains each teams inquiry…)

Michelle: O.K, I’ll speak on behalf for both Maggie and Anita on what everyone is doing…first of all, myself and Hinata-chan will be Team 1.

Anita: Why am I not surprised?

Michelle: (ignoring) Hinata-chan, we are heading off to a huge press conference at Kaleido Stage where Duplica is going to make a big announcement, apparently regarding the takeover of Kaleido Stage, and the murder of the previous owner!!!

(This is a big surprise…Duplica has been in and out of the suspects list for all of the detectives but does she know more than she has been letting on?)

Michelle: Next up, we have Maggie and Triela-chan…

Triela: It unnerved me when Yotsuba did it…now it…

Michelle: Ah, watch that tongue Triela-chan!!!

(Triela has a mind to rip it out of Michelle’s mouth, but Maggie has a firm grip on Triela’s shoulder, one nearly equal to the cy-girl’s own strength. Triela decides to drop the matter and Michelle continues to speak…)

Michelle: You guys are going to head here…

(The place is not really recognised when Michelle shows it on screen…but it is a key place if they remember…)

Michelle: It’s the waterfall area behind the church and nearby woods – i.e. the one Anna-chan said she was during the murder? Well…

(Michelle clicks another picture and a shot of the church…)

Michelle: …I suggest you go there and set something up. Anna and Tenchi have been very upset with the way we’ve done things there and are refusing to take anything more in the church…but here…

(Michelle points back at the opening…)

Michelle: …is a more likely spot for a secret-rendezvous to say the least. I want you guys to bug that place, and spy without them noticing – sounds and sights only, and make sure you don’t get caught!!!

(Lastly, Michelle smiles at Negi and Anita…)

Michelle: Sorry Negi-kun, I went with Hinata-chan over you on the glomping stakes…you’ll just have to make do with Anita hugging you…

Anita: I’M NOT GOING TO BE HUGGING HIM!!!

(Which makes her the only female in this series probably without any cute inclination to Negi…and you do wonder about her relationship with Hisami-chan…(NO LOLI-TASTIC JOKES STAR)…)

Michelle: You two will be having some fun at the hospital…where we have requested permission to view Touji Suzuhara’s hospital records. He’s returned there again after another relapse in the night, and we need to example this, especially considering there are concerns if he is physically capable to have committed the three murders that have happened here.

(Indeed…Touji actually committing the murders considering his condition have been a key point…in particular in relation to the jewel of the Third Eye. However, in Inside HQ last episode, Triela and Hinata both pointed out that he may have got it but not used it as it would have immediately put him as the person who killed Kalos (if it was in fact stolen from the safe after Kalos was murdered)

Anita: Oh goody…

(Negi probably thinks he’s got the short straw…I think fans of ROD TV may considering him getting the long straw…^_^)

*

Michelle: Three inquiry, and three ladies accompanying you for help. Remember, we will help but we are also marking you for your own skills, so make sure you don’t let us down. One more person will go in two days, just make sure it isn’t you…

(Maggie nods as Triela looks at Ban evilly, Hinata wonders if the change of pace to this world has made her a glomp magnet, and Negi wonders if he’ll survive the day…oh and Anita heads to the kitchen and grabs a bottle of milk. Hey, spoils of war…)

*

Maggie: So…you’re from Europe?

Triela: Yeah…Italy is my home now, though it was rumoured to be Switzerland to start with.

Maggie: What books do you read then?

Triela: (smiles) Not much…Shakespeare is my major if you will, but Claes is the bookworm of the team…

Maggie: C-Could I get her e-mail address?

(Triela scrunches her brow…)

Triela: I would be weirded out, but the sad thing is you two would get along…

*

Michelle: Are we ready Hinata-chan?

Hinata: Y-yes…just…

Michelle: Hmmm?

Hinata: We are going to work right?

Michelle: Of course we are, what made you think otherwise?

(Hinata sweatdrops…)

Hinata: N-No reason….

*

Anita: Don’t listen to my sister! She keeps trying to pair me up with anybody!

Negi: Weird…that sounds like my life in a small way…

Anita: She just like’s cute things…

(Anita then realises she just called Negi ‘cute’)

Anita: …HER WORDS, NOT MINE!!!

(Anita storms off in a huff…but Negi smiles.)

Negi: Let’s do our best Anita-san!!!

(Anita pouts, but smiles slightly…)

Anita: Sure, anything to shock my sisters…

*

(Shot of Hinata heading out as Michelle follows swiftly. The two are at first hounded by Jerry, but he soon recognises Hinata and one pass later, he’s talking to them…)

Hinata: So what’s going on then Jerry-san?

Policeman: I’m not sure myself. All that was said was that Miss Imite needed some further protection for this conference, because she was going to say things that were ‘taboo’ in the last few weeks.

Michelle: This could be very interesting then…

(Hinata doesn’t need her Byagukan ability here as the conference is well visible. On the front we see Yuri Killian next to Duplica with former star Layla Hamilton on the side with Sora Naegino by her.)

Michelle: Nervous?

Hinata: (shakes her head) No…I’ve had to overcome that – nerves were what made me weak…here, I can’t let anything get me down…

Michelle: (snaps her fingers) And I was going to hug you to calm you down…

(Hinata holds in a sweatdrop, but fortunately the conference is about to begin to avoid further problems…)

Duplica: Ladies and gentlemen, members of the press…thank you for turning up here for this rather intriguing conference. As you all know, in the last few weeks there have been many ‘events’ here which have caused much shock and distress to the public. One of these incidents of course led to my purchase from the owner, one Kalos Eido.

(Duplica clears her throat…)

Duplica: …so now, I’m going to discuss the truth of what has been going on, to make sure everyone is at ease and we can finally get some peace in this city.

(As Duplica’s speech is about to begin…)

*

Triela: These bugs have to be attached to somewhere obviously where they are not seen…

(Shot of the two silent but deadly ladies passing by the church, as they parked themselves nearby the roads, out of sight. Now, Maggie’s size always warrants attention, but she is doing her best to sneak by and hide…)

Triela: Feels like I’m back on the job…

(Triela follows the map (a first as she is the only person not to have played a killer’s game) through the back alleys and through the graveyard, to where Anna originally said she was on the day of the murder…)

Triela: So it’s through this foliage…

(Triela keeps checking to make sure no-one sees them as they have to get through a crack in a wall. Not easy for Maggie size so they improvise…)

Maggie: Up?

(Maggie puts her hands out and Triela jumps on them, backflips and lands on the top of the wall. With her inhuman strength, she grabs Maggie’s hand and lifts her up and over the wall. They land…)

Maggie: Thank you.

Triela: Don’t mention it…please…Claes already makes fun of me by calling me a he-male…

(However, Triela turns and sees a really surprising sight…)

Triela: Wow…

(If at least one thing Anna was telling the truth at…it was the beauty of the place. A lush mini jungle, with two fountains, a small pond and a waterfall.)

(And little hiding room.)

Triela: I guess we can stand here and enjoy the view…let’s do this quickly and then wait for god knows how long…

(Maggie nods as little and large make their way to wondering how the heck are they going to hide here…)

*

(Meanwhile, our chibiko team (I’m sure Ban has probably called them that (under his breath of course)) are heading over to the hospital, not exactly something Anita is enjoying, but she’s getting paid as well so she can live with it…)

Anita: O.K, so we’ve just gotta find this guy’s medical records right?

Negi: It would seem easy enough…but I just get the feeling…

Anita: What?

Negi: …we shouldn’t find Suzuhara-san doing this. I don’t think he wants us to know about his records…

Anita: Well, we have to find someone who knows then…

Negi: True…but then…

(Suddenly Negi gets a light bulb in his head…)

*

Negi: …have you still got her details?

(Shot of the receptionist, Miss Akira Takano from (you guessed it) School Rumble…)

Akira: I have everyone’s details here, past and present. The question is…do I want to give them to you?

(Anita puffs out her cheeks, but is saved by Negi and his ID…)

Negi: Please Takano-san, it’s very important as she could be the key to this case…

(Akira looks at it, shrugs and picks up a phone.)

Akira: I guess it’s fine – she was coming in later anyway to see if she wanted to return to work on the DNA case with Chiriko…

Negi: WHAT?!!!

(Akira phone someone…)

Akira: Mizuhara-san…

*

Hinata: BYAGUKAN!!!

(Hinata is having a look INSIDE the area where Kalos was killed as Duplica is talking – she seems to be trying to establish the possible entries and exits the murderer could have gone through, and who would have the best access…)

Hinata: Duplica would have known the building best…but…

(She switches it off as soon as Duplica clears her throat…)

(Duplica pauses and an evil smile appears on her pretty face…think Chikaru from Strawberry Panic if she had been fused with Kaname from the same show…)

(A few members of the press murmur, knowing of what she is talking about. Putty in her hands, the actress continues to play her role…)

(A few ‘awws’ come from the crowd as Duplica seems intent to ruin the good job done a few episode ago by Hinata and Shiine avoiding dropping names into the hat. With only 5 names left though, Duplica seems to know all and for all intents and purposes, destroy all…)

(A surprisingly loud voice comes from the west…it’s surprising, because the voice belongs to…)

Hinata: That’s Ruri’s voice!

(Indeed, Mrs Hoshino along with Haley are there, as the press turn to them. Their photos are snaps a million times considering Duplica’s speech, but Ruri (as usual) seems unfazed. With the jewel in the detectives possession and found at Ruri’s, she maybe considered a prime suspect, even more so considering she may have been the cause of the Evan virus.)

(However…)

Duplica: Why, Mr and Mrs Hoshino, what a pleasant surprise. Interrupting the proceedings isn’t a nice thing to do you know…or are you just stating your defense?

(A few murmurs again as Duplica is out right excusing Ruri of the murder(s) now…but Ruri again remains stoic faced (though her husband is pissed off beyond belief…))

Ruri: No…I believe I came here just to confirm my congratulations to you…on taking over a worldwide name, on winning a hard fought negotation…oh…

(Ruri sips some wine as her frown becomes more stern…)

Ruri: …and getting rid of your main problem Kalos…

(The cameras turn back to Duplica as flashes hit the Imite girl quicker than she had before on the stage…to Duplica’s credit though she doesn’t rise to the bait and calmly speaks.)

Duplica: Wonderful Ruri-Ruri. Brilliant, couldn’t have expected anything less. For a genius, you can be pretty stupid. Excusing me is simply another way of denying the inevitable…you know…directing her attention away because of your own ‘faux pas?’

(The ball is back in Ruri’s court – it’s 30-15 Duplica and it’s the pig tailed blunette’s turn at serving…)

Ruri: I don’t say anything unless it’s the truth Imite. Something you haven’t done since Kalos was murdered…for example…why don’t you admit you KNEW that the cure was inside that safe?

(That’s a surprise…Duplica denyed knowledge that she knew it was in there – and the look on Duplica’s face changes, as her cocky smile is wiped off and replaced with a stern frown, forgive the pun, imitating Ruri.)

Duplica: What are you talking about? If that was true, how would you know that?

(Ruri remains silent for a moment…)

Ruri: …just because.

(Duplica scoffs…)

Duplica: Oh like that’s gonna stand up in court!

Ruri: It won’t need to once everyone figures out you’re the murderer…baka.

Duplica: Why you little…

(Suddenly an arrow flying out and hits the table of the conference. Duplica’s eyes widen as Michelle’s bow springs into action. Before anyone else can react, Hinata jumps over everyone and lands on the table, her eyes glowing with intensity…)

Michelle: I think that’s enough, I suggest we end this before things go nasty!!!

(Ruri curses slightly under her breath but quickly scampers away with Haley. Michelle sees that and heads over there, leaving Hinata to deal with the mess…)

Hinata: Thanks…

Duplica: I guess this is over now…

Yuri: Sure…we’d better…

(Hinata turns…)

Hinata: Hold it!

(Duplica freezes…)

Hinata: I don’t think I’d appreciate the fact that you were name-dropping people Imite-san…it makes our job a lot more awkward…

Duplica: Well, maybe you should actually do your job…

(Wrong person to try and anger – doesn’t work on Hinata and she continues to speak…)

Hinata: I will do so…by asking for your co-operation as you declared on the stage, and have a look with you at the scene of the crime whilst asking you a few questions…specifically about yourself and Ruri….)

(Duplica scowls, caught by her own words. Yuri shakes his head and escapes his new boss as Duplica sighs…)

Duplica: Fine…let’s go.

(Hinata and Duplica head off as we have to see what is happens during the Garden inquiry…)

*

*

(We’ll get back to them when something happens, but for now, let’s enjoy a lolicon and shotacon icon (but both would kick your ass) as they get some help in searching out Touji’s records…)

Yomi: Gah…I came here to see if they wanted help and I got this…if it wasn’t for the fact you’re the most adorable thing since a certain girl with pigtails came to my school…

Negi/Anita: Which one?

(Yomi facefaults, but recovers as she heads towards the same area where a while ago Duplica found out about what Yomi was thinking about the case for her injury…)

Yomi: Right…trust me, when Touji is angry, even sedated he can be a hellrider. The power in those limbs may be deteriorating but he’s still strong as an ox…

Anita: I’d beat him up…

(Yomi looks a bit skeptical, but considering that child prodigy’s are kind of a thing for her, she doesn’t question Anita as she begins to look in a way to help them out…)

Yomi: Touji’s physical records…they are kind of a secret, but fortunately this time as I’m a visitor and helper here, I can’t be fired…

Negi: Nice immunity…which I had it…

Yomi: Don’t worry sweetie, when you get to my age you won’t even know it’s there…

(Negi sweatdrops as Yomi (along with Anita being a monkey) looks for the files on Touji – Negi actually plays it smart by staying outside and avoiding anybody coming in…)

(…fortunately, Yomi is pretty damn quick and she escapes with Anita (who found the file and smirked righteously) and the three scuttle off to somewhere where they can look through it privately…)

*

Yomi: So…the cybernetics have been internally damaged by exposure of the Evan virus and it coming to a critical rate where it’s beyond repair?

Anita: Translation?

Negi: It’s not good.

Anita: Ah.

(Yomi explains it all…)

Yomi: However, his arm is capable of several functions – the obvious one beings it’s physical strength and dexerity – and has several other functions for household…and Eva purposes.

Negi: Eva purposes?

(Fortunately it’s not based on the vampire of the same name in his class, but on the infamous giant robots in Touji’s show….and Yomi brings in a new surprise…)

Yomi: As a pilot…or former pilot, this arm was used as a way to protect himself – and the slant in mechanics allows it to use and transformation into various things, namely the ability to open locks, and to become a weapon like a blade…

(Negi’s eyes light up – we know of Touji’s training with a sword, but he technically had one? Not to mention the fact that whilst Duplica’s suspicion with a weapon was never in consideration, Touji’s was hard to fathom until now…)

Negi: (to Anita) Whether a murder weapon was got by Tenchi or Seta…it doesn’t matter…Touji has his own weapon…

Anita: So you think that the sword may have been a red herring?

Negi: It’s hard to say…with Seta cleared, the sword could still be used by either Tenchi or Anna…but Touji and Duplica are different stories…Ruri is the only one I couldn’t see having it unless she got it from Tenchi or Seta…she did spy on Seta if I remember…

Anita: Come to think about it…how was that DNA code removed anyway?

Negi: It was…

(A flashback shows that the safe when Duplica found it was actually FORCED open…)

Negi: …and I don’t recall any fingerprints there…(snaps fingers)…would his hand even HAVE fingerprints?

Yomi: What you two lovebirds scheming?

(Both ‘eep.’ Of course, Anita denies everything…she’d make a good suspect in this really…)

Anita: It’s not what you think, we were just whispering about things…

Yomi: *sly* Oh yes, sweet nothings I guess…

(If Negi didn’t need anybody else adding to his harem (now kiddies, how many of this fanfic can you add to the 31 in his show?), Yomi’s evil words are embarrassing Anita as bad as her sister Michelle does…)

(…fortunately before Anita cries ‘I HAVE HISA-CHAN! :p* Negi manages to save her.)

Negi: I think we’d better put these back and have a world with Suzuhara-san, and see if any more light can be shed upon the suspect…

Anita: (quickly) Agreed – let’s go…

(Anita is very thankful for the interruption as Yomi smiles. She quickly scampers off so that she can try and ironically help Touji…)

*

(Back at Kaleido Stage, the altrication between Ruri and Duplica meant a sticky situation to be difused by the two fighters. From that, the two are now able to speak to Duplica back in her office.)

Duplica: I know you’re doing your job…but what Ruri is saying is a lie, and we all know it!

Michelle: I’m afraid we can’t take that for granted yet Miss Imite, and rather we are concerned about if what Ruri said is the truth…

Hinata: Imite-san…did you know what was in the safe?

(Duplica seems shocked…)

Duplica: Even you Hinata-chan?

(Duplica does look genuinely upset, but don’t forget her profession…if anybody could fake being upset at being accused of murder and who actually WAS the murderer, it would be her…)

Duplica: I couldn’t even get close to this safe before I entered the running for Kaleido Stage…

Michelle: …it does make your motives a bit more concrete though – blaming Kalos on an injury to try and take out insurance was low of course – but Miss Imite, none of the alibis you gave have been concrete yet…

Duplica: Is it MY fault my agent is a screw up?

Hinata: MISS IMITE!!!

(Hinata’s raised voice surprises BOTH Michelle and Duplica (and probably Hinata herself) but the kunoichi recovers and speaks…)

Hinata: Is there anything that can prove in evidence that Ruri would have been able to commit the crime, and any concrete evidence to prove you didn’t?

(Duplica has to recover for a moment, but does speak.)

Duplica: Well…to be honest, I can’t say anything, and to you guys, I must look guilty. But…I am innocent. As far as Ruri goes…the only thing I can think of that sees her as the culprit…is the fact she seems to know everything!

Michelle: That…doesn’t really help…

Duplica: Well, she’s from the future – may she had this planned? To change the future considering what she did with the Evan virus?

Hinata: Actually…that might help…

(Hinata quickly pushes Michelle outside the door and explains…)

Hinata: Early on in the game, we discovered Ruri had found some ways to ‘spy’ on various people, including Tamahome, the deceased Kensuke, and of course Kalos….all of which had links with Kaleido Stage.

Michelle: And?

Hinata: And…if Duplica was the murderer, it’s true that the photos of Kensuke would have something interesting…the picture of the office. But if she is right and she had no access to that office earlier…then the only person who would have known about it would be…

(Michelle puts two and two together…)

Michelle: Ruri.

(Hinata nods)

Hinata: Ruri knew of the location of the office, so therefore, she would be the only one Kensuke would have a photo of.

Michelle: Interesting…

Hinata: However…the one flaw in this is Ruri’s weapon. She is the only person remaining in the game who doesn’t have a complete access to a murder weapon, via killer clue on their person.

Michelle: That’s a killer catch if you forgive the bad pun…

Hinata: Need to find out if she could have got the weapon from Seta or Tenchi…I still think that clue wasn’t a red herring…

(Hinata taking a slightly different thoughtful approach to Negi…however it looks like everyone is using different thoughts in their way to play the game, and indeed in deciding their choice of murderer…)

(…the two have examined the room again and as Duplica insists she didn’t unlock the code previously or not even know of it – it puts suspicion back on Ruri and also Touji (for removing the safe) – keeping in mind it was removed by force though may suggest other people…)

*

(…and said other people are still not showing up…however, both Triela and Maggie’s patience is strong …yes, we will get back to them when something happens…just be patient…)

*

(We return to our favourite Wizard of Oz rejects as they decide to visit Touji after ‘spying’ on his records with the help of my favourite AzuDai character not named Osaka…)

Negi: (knocks on door) Mrs Suzuhara?

(Shot of Hikari there as expected, who is actually happy to see Negi. Anita stands to the side as Touji (in a hospital bed of course) turns over, muttering like he was crushed by an Eva…^_^)

Touji: Hikari…is that…

Negi: (bows) We’re off duty – we’re just here to see how you are.

(Touji doesn’t seem to mind Negi as much, and Hikari is very accepting…almost motherly…)

Hikari: I think any company is welcome…and despite everything, you’re a nice young man Negi…but whose your friend?

Negi: This is Anita Wong-san – she came from China to see me and we took a walk around here, and we heard about your problems so we wanted to visit…

(Anita seems to accept the story…until Hikari’s next statement…)

Hikari: Oh…ah! Is she your girlfriend?

(Anita nearly coughs and in a moment the Hah-Hah brothers would be proud of from Eyeshield 21…)

Anita: I AM NOT HIS GIRLFRIEND!

Touji: No…it’s O.K…(sits up)…it’s just that it’s tough for me to do anything in this condition at the moment, so I just don’t feel like getting angry…

(Touji looks at Negi and a flustered Anita…)

Touji: Guys…if the worst comes…I will just say this.

(Touji breathes as Hikari clutches his NON-metallic hand…)

Touji: I didn’t do it…as bad as things come, I wouldn’t take things this far. Whether you believe me or not is up to you, but I didn’t do it…

(Negi obviously is sympathetic, but not enough to believe him…Anita moves forward…)

Anita: Hikari…how long until it becomes impossible to have him recovered?

Hikari: I’d say…at best…about 3 weeks. Realistically, if we don’t get him helped within a week, I have a slim…

(Hikari breaks down as Touji wraps his arm around his wife. The two cuddle for a while as Negi and Anita realise this isn’t the best time to actually do any business…so they do leave, quickly and quietly.)

*

(…next stop is HQ, and specifically what Teams 1 and 3 found…and the fact that Team 2 is still nowhere around…)

Negi: I still think he could have done it…

(Note: For this episode the three sisters will remain in the house until tonight where they will return to their domain, so they get to help the detectives here as well as on the field. Negi explains a new motive that may still see Touji as the killer…)

Ban: Desperation?

(Anita nods…)

Anita: He doesn’t have much time to live, so he may have killed in desperation…

Hinata: If he did kill Kalos, what would explain the safe?

Negi: Maybe…he killed Kalos, but someone else got to the safe first?

Ban: Or after…

(Ban’s sombre tone indicates he is taking things more seriously but you can tell he’s still in a good mood after his guaranteed passage into the final three.)

Hinata: The fact that Ruri is going after Duplica suggests she is taking her route in blaming others…

Negi: …but the main fact is that the jewel was found in Ruri’s place – it’s trying to see if there is a way it could have been planted on her…and by who…

(Michelle thinks…)

Michelle: Well…if we look at what we know about Ruri and her taping, and of Duplica’s abilities when it comes to her disguise techniques…

Ban: It doesn’t really help much – this case is as difficult as it was at the beginning…

(Ban doesn’t lose a step with his next sentence…)

Ban: …and speaking of difficult, where’s that damn Triela?

(Negi and Hinata both vein slightly as a chill enters the room…but you’ll need to read about Inside HQ for that…because it takes a couple more hours to confirm that it is in fact Team 2 who get the most prosperous day in investigating…)

*

(A LOT of patience has been used here, and I guess Michelle knew what she was doing and neither she or Anita probably would have worked for this inquiry, so Maggie and Triela have been quiet for nearly 4 hours now…)

(…and now something happens…)

(A quick glance at the hidden bugs and camera in the area as the two girls hide in some marble – determined not to make a sound. And soon, they get paydirt…)

(…shot of Tenchi coming in – barechested. This alone would make most fangirls squeal and give them away – fortunately neither Triela nor Maggie have that kind of reaction. Wearing kimono pants, Tenchi looks a bit nervous and indeed, embarrassed…)

Tenchi: Anna?

(The BAV girl comes out, and I nosebleed. ^_^ Anna is in a silver nightdress, her hair has grown out slightly as it flows down her neck, and she rubs her face, red cheeks and tired eyes which would make most men faint in utter beauty.)

Anna: Tenchi…

Tenchi: This is rather embarrassing…I know this is good for our relationship and all but…

Anna: Trust me…ever since the whole Kalos mess and the detectives have been around, we haven’t had a moments peace…

Tenchi: (blushing) So…you made that posting for the detectives to stay away because…

(Anna blushes…)

Anna: Well…I think we both need some ‘relaxation’ so to speak…

(Anna gets some primrose oil (near one of the bugs – fortunately Anna doesn’t notice it or damage it) and goes over to Tenchi who lies on some paddied leaves…which oin actually fact is a kind of bed, something Triela realises and bends her head, the outspoken members of the GSG actually getting embarrassed, and Maggie isn’t exactly on the outlook either…)

(…fortunately they can still listen, and so can we.)

(We cut to a scene where Tenchi is leaning back on Anna’s lap, as the BAV girl (actually a known massages master – seriously, it was part of Akari’s training) begins to massage Tenchi’s shoulders…it isn’t too long before Tenchi shudders and gives a groan in satisfaction…)

Anna: Very tense are we?

Tenchi: (nods) With everything going on, I think we deserve to be.

Anna: Back home…I got another e-mail from them…

Tenchi: (sighing with both pleasure and annoyance) Ayeka and Ryoko…we’ve kept it as close as we can as a secret, but they will find us out…and I don’t want them to harm you…

Anna: I could surprise you…I can handle myself…

Tenchi: Not these two when they are jealous…sorry Anna…

Anna: At least I can shut you up.

(Tenchi doesn’t reply as Anna’s kiss stops that. Tenchi closes his eyes and holds it, grabs her hands and softly caressing her arms. Anna is almost dragged on top of him as she sits down, her gown now slightly undone…)

Anna: Like that?

(Tenchi nods…)

Anna: I will make you forget those two…that Sasami I like a lot – we exchange recipes every now and then, and with Kris around, it at least keep Kiyone a little piece of mind that she isn’t alone, but those two…

Tenchi: I guess they have a right to be jealous though this time…

(Tenchi puts his arm around Anna’s shoulders…)

Tenchi: …though I certainly like it this way.

(Anna blushes…)

Anna: I just wish this stigma would go away soon…it’s bad enough we’re both under suspicion…

Tenchi: I know. I just wish we could clear both of our names…

Anna: If I spoke to Hinata or Negi, then maybe I would be O.K, but everyone else gives me a sense of nervousness…

(Triela has to hold her mouth from scoffing…)

Tenchi: They may be nice Anna but they are dangerous…

(Anna kisses Tenchi on the cheek and lays her head down on Tenchi’s chest. Tenchi pulls Anna close in a tender embrace.)

Tenchi: I just don’t know why we would be seen as capable of murder…Ruri was the one that brought this on the cards and dragged us into it…

Anna: Tenchi…we both know that we have our own issues adding to that…

Tenchi: Are you trying to make us seem guil…mmmm…

(Anna silences him before speaking again…)

Anna: Of course not, but we know what happened with my sister and grandfather is going to prey on their minds…

Tenchi: It’s just well…

Anna: Hmm?

Tenchi: I’m worried about you.

Anna: Worried?

Tenchi: I don’t want to be seen as innocent unless you’re with me…I know you didn’t do it…but the problem is…

Anna: …when I went missing, I was here. I know…but no-one can confirm it for me as an alibi before I trekked off.

Tenchi: I was at that damn airport, trying to get them to reverse the procedure…and I didn’t want those guys to know until…

Anna: You should tell them.

Tenchi: But…I…

(Anna kisses him again as Triela picks up a vital clue. Was Tenchi at the airport during the murder? His silence due to wanting to make sure Anna was innocent as well?)

Anna: Please…I’d rather that at least you had a clean name…I can’t really say that…

Tenchi: But…

(Anna kisses him again and holds it. Tenchi carresses her face and holds her tight.)

*

(After it’s over, the two begin to shower in the waterfall…we avoid another make out scene because that is the cue for two very embarrassed girls to go…but they have to be quick, they don’t to be caught in the act.)

(They sneak off, recording everything…though may want to destroy the video at certain parts…if Ban got a hold of it…^_^)

*

(…and thus, the fact that Triela is very quiet about what she saw and her embarrassment and shyness makes Hinata look like Ino and Sakura’s lovechild (scary thought) immediately raises the ire of the detectives…and for poor Maggie, needless grilling from two evil sisters…)

Negi: What did you see Triela-san?

Triela: I-I saw very little…I was just listening…I didn’t w-want either of them to catch me…

Hinata: But you must know something right?

Ban: Well, just get the stuff she recorded, then…

Triela: NO!

(Everyone is surprised…)

Michelle: Maggie-dear, what happened?

Maggie: Um…let’s just say…it’s not really for children’s eyes…

Anita: Look’s like you weren’t up for whatever it was either Ma-ne…

(Maggie blushes…Triela quickly changes the subject though…)

Triela: Look, we came back here just to drop everything off! Maggie and I need to see if what we HEARD was true and head off to the airport…so Maggie…

(Maggie nods as the two prepare to leave again…before Triela turns…)

Triela: And Hinata, Negi, Anita…don’t you dare watch that video…

Ban: And me?

(Triela gives her a glare which would probably make our killer proud whoever he or she is…of course, that’s just raised his interest…)

*

(If you really want to know if Ban did have a wander looking for porno, check out Inside HQ, but read on for a bit hint in the killer…)

(The airport is where a lot of problems and initially motives were shown (the first killer clue in fact alluded to several locations (THIS IS A HINT: RE-READ THE KILLER CLUES) – however, unknownst to him, it’s about to save Tenchi…but put his girlfriend in real trouble…)

Manager: Yes, we remember that – we had to have it down as a formal complaint from that as well – he wasn’t happy…

Triela: Do you have conformation of it?

Manager: Yes…hold on a moment.

(The manager of the airport delves into his paperwork, and under a large file for complaints (reminds me of my work office…^_^) he reached out and reads…)

(A MINUTE BEFORE THE MURDER…)

Triela: That’ll do nicely…

*

Triela: Not again…

(Shot of Ban at the computer as it looks like our killer is deciding to be a bit more destructive…)

Ban: The kids are cleaning it up as we speak…

(Triela doesn’t ask why Ban isn’t helping them, but a shot of Negi, Hinata and Anita outside wiping the blood from the walls almost like the first episode says it all…)

(The last killer game prior to the final has been announced…)

Negi: Tenchi is cleared?

Triela: Indeed. Which means it’s down to his girlfriend, his ex-friend, his metallic rival and that damn copycat.

Hinata: So…who is it?

Triela: (smiles) Nice try Hina-chan.

(Hinata’s plan foils as after a bit more cleaning (Anita takes off intending to complain to her sisters about leaving her there) but inside, the plotting continues…)

*

Ban: So…what do I do now?

(Ban looks around as the three kids talk together…which suited Ban of course.)

Ban: Let’s see who survives first…and then decide to go with the thorn in my side…

(He looks at Triela…)

Ban: …the genius who hides behind his innocence…

(He looks at Negi)

Ban: …or the young beauty whose charm destroyed all hearts…

(He looks at Hinata…)

Ban: (twirls a pen) Decisions…decisions…

*

(With Tenchi cleared, and the team cleaned up the killer’s mess, we now get a good team discussion for the first time in a while, as they begin to have a good look at everything – the clues…the motives…)

Hinata: Anna-san…she seems to be a lot more suspect since the new evidence with her sister…but this recent killer clue gives us more inclination to speak to Ruri…

Ban: Ruri has to be talked with – this receipt plus her inclination to try and convince us that Duplica is the killer…though it could still easily be…

Hinata: (nods) She is the only person who has access to all three murders in terms of the murder weapons. And her motive is so different to the others which makes her being unique…

Negi: The safe is the key issue – the jewel was in there, and if an act of force was used – then Touji surely would be the key suspect, but I’m sure Duplica would have done it as well…

Triela: Anna less likely and Ruri very unlikely…but we’ve never really established if the killer stole the jewel anyway…someone else may have taken it after the killer finished off Kalos…

Ban …or indeed, if the killer wanted the jewel in the first place – remember where we found it?

Hinata: Ruri could have been framed I guess…but why would they do it?

Negi: If it was someone like Touji, out of desperation…we know he doesn’t have long to live…

Triela: I think it’s a case of either seeing which is the most obvious…or is the killer being VERY clever?

(Indeed, as at least for now, they are all fair and even…and trying to get ideas from each other of course…)

*

(The next day, 4 detectives are lacking sleep due to their own need to study and bring their own ideas to case. However, each detective also knows that there are 4 suspects left, with different yet just as important motives…)

Negi: (munching toast) This is it…the last day we’re here…

(…but most important of all, today is the final day that Triela, Negi and Hinata will be together thanks to Aya’s (not-so) surprising pick of Ban to be Team Leader…)

Hinata: I-I know…

(Hinata looks the most upset of the three – Triela and Negi rather indifferent, but Negi to be fair is avoiding looking into the faces of the girls or the camera…)

Triela: I don’t think we could have predicted what Aya did to be honest…actually…wouldn’t be surprised if Ban said something to her or something…

Negi: Like what? Aya-san and Ban-san weren’t exactly friends…

Triela: Something like (Triela impersonates Ban’s voice) ‘Aya-san, those three children are evil, more so than me!!! If any of those wins the game, chaos will rule over their mighty cyborb-ninja-mage powers. If there is even the slightest chance to avoid it, pick me and make sure I can stop them! You have the power!’

(Hinata and Negi do their best to avoid laughing…but fail in about 3 seconds. Triela comes over and gives them an arm round the shoulder hug as she has since Day 1.)

(And hides her face so she can avoid trying to cry…there will be plenty of time for that later…)

Ban: Greetings!

(Ban enters all smug…and then realises that the three are ignoring him and laughing. Ban scratches his head, not sure whether to wonder what is going on or be insulted that they’ve ignored him…either way, at least he can gloat about the fact he’s got a guaranteed final three place…which he has several times in Inside HQ.)

Ban: Hey…where’s food?

Triela: Do it yourself…none of us were in the mood for cooking so we just had a lot of toast. We left some, the burnt ones.

Ban: Why…

Triela: Because it leaves a bitter taste…come on guys.

(Triela, not really caring now, leaves with her boyfriend and girlfiend in arm as Ban looks at his number one problem…)

Ban: I guess she doesn’t give a damn tonight then…

(Ban does take a bite out of the burnt toast…)

Ban: Then I’ll may have to make her then…

*

(The three sisters turn up on time (and Michelle seems to have a foot print in her face) and smartly avoid the breakfast…)

(…as a shot on Ban’s face tells the story (small revenge) Michelle speaks again to confirm what the objectives for today are…)

Michelle: Do what you want.

All: Huh?!!!

Michelle: We’ll give you hints, but considering it’s the last chance to really get some help with the suspects and the non-suspects, maybe you should really get some knowledge. We’ll each have one suspect you need to talk to but the rest is up to you.

(Michelle indicates Maggie as she moves forward…)

Michelle: Maggie-dear, you and Triela-chan will be focusing on Anna.

(Michelle then drags a grumpy Anita to the front…)

Michelle: Anita-dear, you and your new boyfriend…

Anita: HEY!

Michelle: (smiling)…will get focusing on Touji.

(As Maggie has to restrain Anita from matching Michelle’s other cheek, she smiles.)

Michelle: Whilst we’ll be looking at Ruri Hinata-chan.

Triela: So…we can ask about anything and speak to anyone?

Michelle: Yep…Duplica can be dealt with by anybody but other non-suspects will be just as important. We couldn’t really speak to Ruri, Touji or Anna yesterday due to different circumstances hence why they are the main focus.

(The team nods in understanding…we’ve got a three way brawl to immunity and two of them will fall at this final hurdle. A lot of thinking needs to be done, so of these three young musketeers, who will triumph?)

(Shot of Ban left home alone as he smiles, as he gets ready to take a nap…making sure the computer’s sound is on UP if he needs to do something…)

*

Triela: Akari, you here?

(Shot of Akari Kanzaki, along with two cameos, Sena Kobayakawa and Mikoto Suou (Eyeshield 21 and School Rumble respectivelly) in her Akari House…and just caught an amusing moment…)

Mikoto: For some reason I don’t think the design of your outfit really fits him…

Akari: You think so?

(Sena, refuses to look up, as he’s pretty much dying of embarrassment at the moment, dressed in the BAV outfit…)

Akari: Sorry…we thought you wanted to train but there is so male equivilent outfit…so Miko-chin did what she could…

Mikoto: I guess sewing is not one of my strong points…

Sena: Not funny!!!

(The girls giggle but are interrupted by a strong ‘AHEM’ courtesy of one Gunslinger Girl…)

Akari: Huh?

Triela: Sorry to interrupt there ladies, but can we have a moment of your time…

(Sena’s face explodes in embarrassment as he runs away at his Speed of Light pace, Mikoto laughing and Akari pouting…)

Akari: And I was about to race him as well…

Triela: Hint my dear – don’t dress him in girl’s clothes like that before challenging him to a race…being part of an all-girls clan problematic I guess…

Mikoto: I think she needs to learn…

Akari: No, I get it! So…what can I do for you then?

(Triela smiles…)

Triela: Well…

*

(Our eldest sister and youngest ninja have a trip of strong importance…to follow up on what Ruri did at the press conference and also to see if she can shed some light on the killer clue that was found last night…)

Hinata: Are…you sure about this…

(Shot of an embarrassed Haley speaking at the front door…)

Haley: (blushing) Well, I don’t agree with this…but I want to confirm that my wife didn’t have anything to do with this…so I’ll speak to you.

(Hinata nods as Haley heads out to the van, as Michelle takes Hinata aside…)

Michelle: I told you! Young blunettes are his thing!!! Filthy boy!!!

(Hinata isn’t sure whether to blush, sweatdrop or be concerned…AND ANY JOKES ABOUT THAT LINE AS IN ‘ISN’T THAT THE AUTHORS PREFERENCE’ WILL BE SHOT AT DAWN BY ROSETTE CHRISTOPHER…YOU WOULDN’T LIKE THAT…)

*

(…lastly, we come to a similar plan between Anita and Negi…)

Hikari: I guess…Touji is still at the hospital and I do want to see him…

Negi: We won’t take more than a few moments of your time, we promise!

(Hikari is rather hesitant, but she nods…)

Hikari: I guess…you’ve always been nice Negi-kun. It’s just I want to make sure you guys know that my husband couldn’t have done the murder…

Anita: Indeed…we want to know that too.

Hikari: He could not have done it in his condition…I don’t care what anyone says, especially that damn Ruri…

Anita: Ruri?

(Hikari nods…)

Hikari: You see…

*

Triela: (smiles) I win.

(Shot of a beaten Mikoto…at arm wrestling…)

Mikoto: H-How is that possible…

Triela: O.K, the agreement stands. You go whilst we talk to Akari. Maggie, if you please?

Maggie: Sorry about this…

(As Maggie escorts Mikoto out (and Mikoto wondering how the hell she lost to a 13 year old at arm wrestling), Triela turns to Akari to ask about her teammate…and what they know and what she may know that can aid her…)

Triela: So you known her for a number of years?

Akari: (nods) We were teammates during the Great Competition to discover the next Cosmo Beauty…Anna suffered a trauma after we qualified for the first round when she went up against Mylandah Akhar Walder – considered the second favourite to win at tennis.

Triela: What happened?

(Akari shudders a little…)

Akari: Anna got scary…she threw the tennis racket at her during the game…but Mylandah deflected it…and then barraged her with fast tennis balls, causing her injuries to both her body and mind…

Triela: Would this be something to do with her dark side, and what happened with her sister?

(Akari seems a bit surprised but continues nonetheless…)

Akari: Indeed…I think she has become a bit obsessive through the weeks she’s been here – when Kalos sued her for the Church and it’s apparent ‘blasphemous’ ideals, I thin it struck a true chord in her and a lot of anger considering the work she put through.

(It seems Akari doesn’t know about the possible link to the Evan virus for Anna and her sister Elaine. Now is time for a good bluff…)

Triela: Would Anna have been able to access Kaleido Stage then?

(Akari looks up, and looks a little upset…)

Akari: How dare you! You’re implying that Anna-chan did this?

(But Triela is as cool as a cucumber and points out Akari’s mistake…)

Triela: Of course not – I only asked you if she could get to Kaleido Stage. It was you who assumed I suspected her of murder…which most likely means even you’ve considered that possibility as well…

(Akari stops in mid anger…and pauses…)

Akari: But…she’s so sweet and cute…hard working…she was a peacemaker in our group…so why…

Triela: You know why. And you probably know how as well…

(Akari looks at Triela, poker face fully on. Akari looks ready to cry, but shes speaks softly…)

Akari: I…well…I do know that she was part of Kaleido Stage of course…and may have had access to it…but as far as I know, Kalos made sure she returned all documents…but…

Triela: You don’t know?

Akari: Nope.

(Triela muses. The killer as we know came in from the upper balcony, and entered through a window. In the prologue, the killer descended and stabbed Kalos…now the easy access through Kaleido Stage assuming Anna still had the ability to do so could be an excellent bluff…or maybe she came AFTER the murder to get a certain object?)

Triela: Her past could be considered as tragic as Touji’s…

Akari: Personally, I think his tragedy may have warranted a more reasonable motive for this crime…

Triela: …if that’s true, why would he kill his best friend Kensuke?

Akari: That…I’m not sure, unless there is another killer out there…*shudders*

Triela: Is Anna a good fighter then?

Akari: Fighter?

Triela: You know – martial arts…weapons…that sort of thing?

(Akari is obviously a little upset with the way these implications are going, but she has to admit…)

Akari: Yes…she is to be fair, though weapons…no. She’s definitely a bare hands fighter and doesn’t use anything much – swords, guns…not her style.

(Interesting. Could that rule her out? It’s only Akari’s word but Triela makes a note of that…)

Triela: With her coming from the future, did she know of any developments that would happen?

(Akari has a LONG think about that one…)

Akari: I don’t know.

(Triela facefaults…)

Akari: She spent a lot of time when we weren’t training researching – she was the computer wiz of the team – and it was usually to research opponents she or we had and calculate set formations. She never seemed interested in the history of 3000 years ago…but I can never say she WASN’T either.

Triela: I see.

Akari: When she wanted to…she kept to herself…(embarrassed and quietly)..normally when Kris tried to get close to me…

Triela: Huh?

Akari: Nothing! Nothing!

(Triela would be suspicious but we’ve already had enough yaoi/yuri innuendo in this fic anyway so we’ll leave it at that…)

Triela: Do you think Anna would be trying to protect Tenchi from anything?

Akari: Hmm? Tenchi? Why?

(Now it’s Triela who is embarrassed to ask considering what she noticed of course the other day…)

Triela: N-Nothing…just they are quite close with the Church and all, and with what Kalos…

Akari: Yeah…Anna and Tenchi have managed to console each other well, especially with everything that happened to Tenchi…but sometimes I wonder what Anna’s intentions are…

Triela: Huh?

Akari: Well, Anna never really showed any interest in Tenchi when we got here and it was just through coincidence that Tenchi was looking for work as a shrinesman. Anna hired him so to speak – she was actually due to work in a restaurant but Kris convinced her otherwise.

(Triela makes a note to see if she can find this Kris but Akari continues…)

Akari: But things seemed to change after Tenchi’s grandfather passed away…they got a lot closer which surprised me, Anna was always very shy around anybody, let alone males, even with Kris and I…

(Triela seems surprised to hear Anna was quite shy – sure she looked nervous and embarrassed but considering a) her dark side and b) what she saw yesterday…)

Akari: …so it was unusual that they were getting closer – of course, she became a rock for him after Kalos’ death…when she went missing for a few days it was like he was a different person…

Anna: She said she went to Kris during that time…do you know if that happened?

(Akari pauses for thought…)

Akari: Actually…not really…

Triela: Can I see if I can get Kris’ details please? I think I need to speak to her just to make sure that Anna didn’t do anything wrong…I’m sure as a good friend of hers you’d want that as well…

(Akari can’t fault that logic and gives Triela’s contact details…basically her telephone number. Triela nods and decides to head back to HQ…)

(…after dragging Maggie back with Mikoto asking 20 questions about the surprising fact that Miko-chin has found someone taller than her…and if she can hire her as a bodyguard next time Imadori does a D joke…^_^)

*

(Meanwhile, thanks to charm, Haley has been coaxed into trying to convince the two ladies that his wife DIDN’T do the murder…and Michelle trying to change Hinata’s hair style into pig tails to see if it could coax him into revealing more information (have to wait 3 years before she grows enough hair for that…^_^))

Haley: This receipt…

(Hinata, unlike Triela, does ask about the killer clue yesterday morning – the one where Duplica’s post showed the court cases, and the costs for both Ruri and Anna. However, Hinata wisely doesn’t mention Anna’s costs, and instead begins to try and pressure Haley into giving them more information…)

Hinata: Haley-kun, we need to know if Kalos was doing anything more to force your problems with him in a more financial circumstance…

Haley: You mean…

Hinata: Was he blackmailing you?

(Haley is surprised by the outright claim Hinata made…however, Hinatas eyes are as scary as Ruri’s at times and he is forced to say…)

Haley: Um…well…us…and the Church…we were both going to go into a settlement with Kalos…to drop the charges against us…and there were certain…circumstances which he arranged to do this…and let’s just say, neither Ruri or Respighi-san really wanted to do this…

(The relationship between the two factions has always been interesting – working together and then against each other, but prior to the murder, they had a common cause and enemy…)

Haley: …however, after the meeting, we decided that we wanted to counter-sue him…unfortunately…or fortunately…

(Haley’s bitterness is well founded – good job he’s been cleared…)

Hinata: …someone found a way to stop him before it was too late.

Haley: RURI DIDN’T DO IT!

(Hinata borrows from Triela’s tactics here…)

Hinata: Did I say she did?

(Haley turns and gulps as Michelle adds a little tidbit…)

Michelle: Haley-kun, she cannot confirm a firm alibi and you can’t vouch for her either – we know that. We need to confirm if there is a way of proving she is innocent…

Haley: She is!!! That I’m sure of…I’m certain Anna did it or that pig-tailed bitch!

(The use of that word immediately makes Hinata on questioning…)

Hinata: Duplica? Why?

Haley: (grins) So you know who she is then…

(Hinata’s eyes suddenly glow and Haley refrains from growing a backbone and instead speaks quietly…)

Haley: S-Sorry…but she seemed to know everything – her plans were never for revenge, but for takeover. She was planning this I’m sure even before her injury…

Hinata: Really?

Haley: (nods) Look…if you hold on, I have something you may be interested in…but promise me you won’t tell anyone else about it…

(Hinata nods and bows. Haley goes, but Michelle follows, just in case…)

*

Haley: Here.

(Hinata reads an article – in fact it’s a certificate…and she is VERY surprised…)

Hinata: She’s an orphan?

(Haley nods…)

Haley: She was the one who suggested the idea for us to cover the front of the Evan virus. How she knew about it I don’t know, but she seems to know and be able to do anything…it scares me in a way…and also…

(Haley hesitates a moment before admitting…)

Haley: …also she was the one who funded the business for us…and from the problems in the court, it looked like along with her injuries, Kalos was planning to drag her into it.

(This is VERY NEW and important. Duplica would have lost a lot of money if she had been dragged down, and her plan of Kaleido Stage was in jeopardy. So…)

Hinata: This doesn’t mean that we haven’t eliminated other people from the murder I’m afraid Haley, and that includes…

Haley: But…she couldn’t kill anyone!!!

Hinata: Your words are falling on deaf ears Haley-kun – don’t make it sound worse than it is…though I’m grateful for this information, it means we’ve simply got another lead to fall on…

(Hinata bows as Michelle follows Haley, who starts to cry…)

Haley: Captain…did you REALLY do it?

(Yep, even Haley is now having his doubts…)

*

(Normally, having a date with Hikari would be a good thing…but speaking to the girl with her husband in a destructive state isn’t the best idea in the world. Negi and Anita have to be a bit tactful with this…)

Negi: …I don’t humour is going to work for this lady…

Anita: (snaps her fingers) Nuts…

(Negi is about to knock but the door opens widely and Hikari runs in blazing fists at the youngsters, she doesn’t even see them…)

Hikari: Please…leave me alone!!!

(Hikari’s fists barely have any venom, which is enough for Anita to stop going into a pose to strike as Negi wards her off. Hikari’s hands are caught by Negi, and she struggles…)

Hikari: You’ve been hounding him…he’s turned to this…he’s…he’s…

(Hikari’s struggles slow down and then lead to her collapsing on Negi’s chest. Negi just about holds her up as Hikari breaks down in tears…Anita steps over and helps Negi carry her back into the house…)

*

Negi: (offering a tissue) Here.

(Hikari gratefully accepts as Hikari begins to apologise…)

Hikari: I’m sorry Negi-kun…for lashing out…especially to you…you’ve been the most normal of everyone…

(Negi tries hard not to sweatdrop…)

Hikari: It’s just…Touji is still in the hospital and I don’t know what is going on…we need that help now…but we just can’t…

Negi: Did you know that Yomi and Chiriko are preparing a way to help you even as we speak?

(Hikari is surprised by then, and Negi perhaps more so in telling her, but Hikari just bows her head slightly…)

Hikari: Without the DNA code or the jewel…

(Negi, tempted as he is, doesn’t tell her they’ve got it – it’s still a vital piece of evidence and Touji is still a suspect…)

Hikari: DAMN YOU RURI!!!

(The outburst on Miss Hoshino (not the deceased one) takes Negi back a little as Anita takes charge…)

Anita: Ruri? You’re blaming her right?

Hikari: Of course, it was her fault that this happened to Touji – sure that bastard Kalos may have made sure we couldn’t help him, but if Ruri hadn’t brought that damn Evan virus here in the first place…

Negi: We are aware of Ruri’s mistake, but it was researched as an accident…and she certainly didn’t intend…

Hikari: So what?! That doesn’t make it any less right!!

(Hikari has to breathe as her voice doesn’t sound right with her tears and shouting…)

Hikari: S-Sorry…I just…I just can’t hold my emotions like this…Ruri…she ruined everything…we tried…to…but…

(Hikari smirks…)

Hikari: Ironic…a good reason just came up why Touji couldn’t have killed Kalos…he would have preferred to have killed RURI instead…

Anita: That’s enough!!!

(Hikari stops as the plucky Hong Kong girl looks dead ahead at Hikari…)

Anita: If you’re saying that he would have preferred…does that mean he went for that Kalos guy instead?

(Hikari’s mouth gasps…)

Hikari: Be quiet! I never said or implied anything like that…

Anita: But you were thinking it weren’t you? Those words of yours…did you say them to Touji? Did he think it would be better if one of them didn’t exist? And was he such a gentlemen that he couldn’t kill the creator of his destruction, and instead went to the source that stops him curing said destruction?

Hikari: STOP IT!

Negi: Anita…

Anita: What? You’re obviously not going to be the bad guy so I’m stepping in! Negi, sympathy when her husband could be a murderer is not something…

Hikari: He didn’t kill him! He couldn’t!!! If he did, why would he kill Kensuke, his best friend? Dammit, he was our best man at our wedding!!!

(That stops Anita slightly, and Negi takes over…)

Negi: That’s the thing – we are trying to see if there is a connection…and there is a physical one of the deaths of Kensuke and Jet that they have something in common with Touji – a best friend and another victim of the Evan virus who was trying to help your husband.

Hikari: Common links don’t mean anything…especially as these links should help clear Touji…

Negi: We are seeing if anybody would want to kill all 3 of them, and true, I don’t see Touji doing so with people who he’s is friends with.

(Hikari smiles…until Negi’s cute face goes stern…)

Negi: HOWEVER…

(Anita looks up…)

Negi: …that doesn’t take into consideration that all these things you are saying which suggest that Touji must be innocent, could be a well worked double bluff.

Hikari: What are y…

Negi: (interrupting) Killing his friends – hiding the jewel that he needed to make sure no-one suspected of him…we’ve said about this before Hikari-san, everyone is innocent until proven guilty…at the moment, it’s everyone here is guilty until proven innocent.

(Negi does a glare Ban would be proud of…)

Negi: And your husband has not been proven innocent yet…

(Negi’s words force Hikari into a few moments of silence…)

Hikari: B…but…

(It seems to be a round robin of people blaming others…so Hinata and Michelle decide to take a different approach after their speaking with Haley and speak to a helpful neutral…)

*

Michelle: It’s your decision of course but why here Hinata-chan?

Hinata: One of the girls here has been a big help…and she doesn’t seem to mind speaking on everyone…and with at least two of the last suspects with a strong link here…

(Shot of Kaleido Stage, where Hinata is focusing a bit more on Duplica…and others…)

Michelle: O.K…it looks like we’re not going to get in…

(Shot of Kaleido Stage under a locked for performance…but Hinata of course has a little ability which is pretty useful in these sort of situations…)

Hinata: BYAKUGAN!!!

(Michelle is slightly taken aback…but a shot inside the Kaleido Stage shows that there are a few still in the building. Duplica is on the upper floor, whilst in the training room, a few random performers…and in the main circus room…)

Hinata: Jackpot!

(Hinata takes the initiative, before realising Michelle doesn’t have mad ninja skills, so they are forced to sneak around…not easy with someone like Michelle but what you going to do?)

*

(Around the side, they see May Wong and the person Hinata wanted to see, Rosetta Passel, training…it appears Rosetta is trying to do the Demon Spiral, May’s trademark technique…)

Rosetta: Gah…I haven’t got the height to makeshift the technique!

May: Rosetta, you’re lighter than I am, you have to make the move let go a bit earlier and the raise a bit higher, otherwise you will fall every time…

Rosetta: (tired) Why do we have to stay behind anyway?

May: I think Duplica is just trying to torture us…she was your best friend until the injury so why…

Rosetta: She…she changed a little…maybe she was jealous between me and Sora…

(At that point, Hinata jumps in (literally) and lands on the trapeze. May jumps back…)

May: (in English) REVERSE TAKEN ABACK!!!

(Hinata crouches on the trapeze, smiles sweetly as she always does as Rosetta has to do a double take…)

Roseta: H-Hyuga-san?!!! How did you get in here?

Hinata: Well…

(COME ON, LET’S HEAR IT – BEEN WAY TOO LONG FOR THIS LINE…)

Hinata: …I’m a ninja.

(HOORAY!!!)

(May collapses but nips up and jumps on the opposite trapeze…)

May: What are you doing here ninja-girl? Are you that dorm manager’s private training dummy?

Hinata: Huh?

Rosetta: (sweatdrops) Trust me, you don’t want to know…

(Rosetta steps down as she looks up at the detective/ninja…)

Rosetta: I thought Duplica had made sure no-one could get in…

Michelle: Never realise what we can do if we want to…

Hinata: …and never leave the window open…

(May and Rosetta look embarrassed as the above window shows Hinata’s (not so) ingenious way to get inside Kaleido Stage…)

May: Fine…now give me 3 seconds to explain why I should be listening to you and call the police…

(Hinata shows her ID card…)

Hinata: Because I want to know anything I can…we are so close to this murderer, and I need you if you can to help me prove it wasn’t your new boss…

(It was something Rosetta obviously already knew about but May seems a little surprised…)

May: That girl? Dangerous? Hah…she’s about as dangerous as Sora’s comebacks…

(Unfortunately for May, Hinata has evidence on her side…)

Hinata: Tell that to Tamahome when she knocked him out…don’t argue here May, we know she has a viable motive, and I just want to see if there is any way someone can help me prove otherwise…but with this security…

(Rosetta looks concerned about May…)

Rosetta: May…I think I need to speak with her…

(May looks stunned…)

May: Rosetta…do you think…

Rosetta: I don’t!!! But…I need to speak to her…

Hinata: …and I think we would appreciate it if we were alone…Michelle, can you?

Michelle: (nods) I’ll speak to her…May-chan?

(May looks upset at what many people considering her best friend at Kaleido Stage (at one time her only friend) looks set to betray her…and possibly her boss and Kaleido Stage…)

May: Don’t call me that!!! Rosetta…you better not ruin things…not like this…

(May storms off as Michelle gets set to put things right…and Hinata looks very guilty…)

Hinata: I’m sorry Rosetta…

Rosetta: No it’s O.K…May is surprisingly emotional…I think she’s upset the way things have changed Kaleido Stage and this city in general…and the fact that someone she knows well could coincide with the crime…

Hinata: Again, I’m sorry…

Rosetta: (slowly) It’s O.K…

(Guilt trip hits Hinata hard, but fortunately she does focus on her job and speaks about the other suspect in the equation…)

Hinata: Do you think Duplica would have gone so far?

(Rosetta surprisingly doesn’t react with surprise or anger at what is almost an accusation…in fact, she calmly speaks…)

Rosetta: For this…no…but revenge…maybe.

Hinata: Revenge?

(Hinata almost forgot the initial motive of Duplica, but Rosetta clears it up…)

Rosetta: Everyone seems to think she did it, don’t they? That she was planning this all along…to get rid of Kalos and take over right? Well…I can say for certain she never even considered this before the accident…

(Accident…Hinata’s brain recalls that and now speaks…)

Hinata: Oh, the injury at Kaleido Stage…

Rosetta: Yeah…she was certain Kalos was doing it for insurance policies, and was pretty much proved right…Yomi got in trouble for it but Duplica knew the truth…

Hinata: …so she knew what Kalos planned…

(Rosetta nodded…)

Rosetta: Duplica…and I were, along with May, known as ‘The 3 Ring Circus.’ She joined us late last year and joined our double act that we worked whenever we weren’t working with either Sora or Leon as the leads…

(Rosetta turns her head, almost like she doesn’t want Hinata to see her emotions…)

Rosetta: ….but after that…incident…we became distant. My two best friends…May…who became more bitter about the scene…and Duplica…planning her revenge…

(Rosetta suddenly surprises Hinata by turning to her – Hinata on guard prepares for the worst…)

(…and is surprised by Rosetta’s collapse on her chest, her eyes blurry with tears…)

Rosetta: S-Sora…help me…

Hinata: Rosetta?

Rosetta: Duplica…sh-she was jealous…of my idol…and what K-Kalos said…I-I thought they were fr-friends…it wasn’t for money…it was for…

Hinata: I understand.

(Hinata, surprisingly being the calm one of the two here, wipes Rosetta’s tears away…)

Hinata: You don’t want to admit your feelings and what you think happened…Rosetta, everything is kept quiet here…

Rosetta: I…I know…and I don’t want to admit saying anything to Sora or May or anyone here as they are all convinced she is innocent…but I was the one who knew her best…

Hinata: That’s fine…I think I’d best leave you alone…

Rosetta: Huh?

(Hinata motions over, where Michelle has managed to get hold of May, who looks rather guilty herself…)

Hinata: I think friends need to make up to each other when things go wrong…

(Rosetta wipes the last few of her tears and smiles…)

Rosetta: Mmmm!

(Maybe if being a ninja doesn’t work out, Hinata’s calm effect may work in a position for counselling therapy (first patient Mikura Asahina…^_^) but either way, Michelle and Hinata leave, as the motive is familiar and the one originally brought up, but no-one seems to focused on it during the takeover…)

(…maybe it’s a double motive after all…but…)

*

Hinata: …I don’t think she did it.

Michelle: Seriously?

Hinata: (nods) Duplica has been a careful person – planning this apparently, but I believe Rosetta…

(Keep in mind this is different from what Haley said…)

Hinata: …I don’t think she planned this until after her injury – as her form of revenge. I don’t think she expected Kalos to be killed…it was just a tad convienent for her.

Michelle: So…

Hinata: (breathes) Touji or Anna are my main suspects…

(So we get a 50/50 choice for Hinata as who she thinks is the murderer, is she right? Well, let’s see if she survives the episode first…)

*

Seta: You certain?

Triela: Yes.

Seta: So you aren’t going to try and grill me to try and confirm, you are certain I am cleared?

Triela: Why, do you suspect yourself?

(Seta pauses…)

Seta: Point taken…you win.

(Triela breathes a sigh of relief and finally gets into talking with the professor and archeologist…)

Triela: We want basically an opinion and what you know on some people we are still wondering about the case…they are pretty much innocent but we need to see what other links there are…

Seta: Fair point.

*

Triela: I’m still troubled about Kensuke and for that matter, Jet’s murder…I mean…relationship between them with your partner in crime Anna for example…

Seta: That was her idea…

Triela: I know that, but I need to make sure she wasn’t into any other forms of misgivings. Did she know either or both of them?

Seta: Anna…well…I was close with her, Kensuke…I think he TRIED to get close to her…

Triela: Ahhh…

Seta: Lets just say, Anna’s from an old girls school…

(Which of course, makes her relationship with Tenchi even more interesting considering what we heard earlier…)

Seta: Anna…is hard to tell. At times she couldn’t hurt a fly…and others, it’s like she can destroy anyone in her path…

Triela: I don’t suppose we can ask you for a favour then?

Seta: Huh?

Triela: We need to speak to someone named Kris Kristopher…I don’t suppose you have a phone we can use?

(Seta’s eyes light up hearing that…)

Seta: Kris? The leader of the Returners? Man, I haven’t heard from her for a long time…

(Luck…or know how? Either way, Triela has a little more help…)

Triela: We need to speak to her to see if she can shed some light here…

Seta: You got her details?

Triela: Of course…

Seta: Go in then – if you can contact Kris it would be a shock…she’s very elusive, and only to close friends…even Anna seemed rarely to speak of her, almost like a cult…

Triela: Seemed Akari was kinda weirded out by her as well…

(It seems they wanted to find somewhere they could speak about Anna as well be able to contact Kris…unusual considering they could do at it at home, but does Triela have a plan?)

*

Triela: Maggie…

Seta: Hey, wait a minute…

(Maggie stops Seta from entering as Triela begins searching around the place…looks like she wanted to see if there was any links involving Anna…and unlike Hinata, who is searching for all suspects, Triela seems to be focusing on Anna only…)

Triela: (sweetly) Ah, here we go – looks like Seta may have been the one to teach our person here on who could have killed Kalos…

Seta: That was Tamahome! Him and I were both sword trainers in a way…

Triela: Hmmm…and I know you dealt with Chiriko from that so…care to tell me why Touji’s name is on this list…as well as Duplica’s?

(Oh dear…but before Seta can try and weasel out of it, Triela turns her back and goes for the phone…)

Triela: No matter…I need to find this Kris person…O.K…

(We can hear a few obscenties from Seta, but they are quickly shut by Maggie (actually as tall as Seta) with a simple glare…not in her nature unless she gets serious or if her friends and family are involved…)

Triela: O.K Miss Christopher…let’s talk.

(Triela makes the phone call…)

*

(…it actually takes Triela about three attempts to get through, mainly because Kris isn’t exactly an easy person to speak to in what appears to be her Returners Religion as a High Priestess. Fortunately, with back up of being an investigator in a murder mystery which could involve one of her followers, a few threats, calls and referees she can use (though she would be very surprised if Ban actually confirmed it for her), she gets a chance to get through Kris Christopher (and Seta ready to complain about the phone bill to me…))

Triela: Hello?

Triela: Yes…and am I speaking to the head of the Returners, Kris Kristopher?

(Triela wonders if someone did pull through for her…as at an athletics field, Akari sneezes as she gets ready to race Sena…)

Triela: Clear?

Triela: Seriously?

Triela: And what did she say?

Triela: This was after the murder?

Triela: But that was on a phone call…she could have been anywhere…

Triela: Huh?

Triela: Seriously…

(Kris hangs up, much to Triela’s annoyance, but she has got an interesting piece of information...)

Triela: I’m not too strong with religion, but I think this Returners business is either very truthful and Anna is innocent…or that Kris must value her friendship more than her religion…

(As we leave a confused Triela (and an angry Seta), let’s rejoin our favourite Welshman…)

*

(After their emotional ride with Hikari, Negi and Anita have decided to focus on the weapon…but instead of Seta, they’ve got two Chinese warriors to help them…)

Tamahome: I’m not sure I really want to help them after all that happened…

(Shot of Tamahome who has sustained a black eye, an arm in a sling, and has a stilt for walking…no, Anita hasn’t run riot…)

Chiriko: …I think you owe it to Miaka-san…

Tamahome: (sighs) I know I was stupid…everything was stupid…but…that bastard…anyway, I don’t see why you should say that Chiriko, considering your wi…

(Chiriko’s eyes glow a little and his face gets pissed…)

Chiriko: Say that again…

Anita: Ahem!!!

(Anita firm high voice catches both off guard…)

Anita: If you two keep marital and personal matters to yourselves, we have a problem here, and it would help if you gave us some information to see who would be linked with this murder weapon!

Tamahome: Sorry…

Chiriko: …m-me too.

(Anita, smaller than Tamahome by at least 2 feet, has him quivering…^_^)

Tamahome: It’s just that I’ve got a lot of crap going on now, and I really don’t need this…

Negi: With…respect Tamahome-san, a lot of it was put on by you…

(Tamahome looks at the three younger people, all staring at him, with little to no sympathy. Indeed, Tamahome has been a bit of a bastard (sorry Tama fans!) so far, and realises despite youth, he’s not going to win anything over this young crowd…)

Tamahome: Fine, but surely you should know Seta had the weapon…

Negi: We do…but we also know that the weapon was in Tenchi’s hands, and various other people had the ability as well to use it, so can you confirm either of you who the weapon would have been most suited to from who you know?

Chiriko: Chinese swords are rather unusual because of the weight – the one in particular had a slant in the centre, making the weight centre down to a heft…

Tamahome: Basically, it would have been hard to use in such a manoeuvrable sense due to the shift in weight one would use to swing it…

Negi: Shift in weight?

Chiriko: (nods) An overhead swing or a thrust at a good speed would require good control and strength.

Anita: (whispering to Negi) Who would that rule out then?

Negi: (whispering back) Ruri would probably be the only person without the physical strength of the remaining suspects…but I’m sure she found some way if she did commit the crime…

Anita: Duplica and Anna then do have the strength?

Negi: Duplica not sure, but with her capabilities, I’m sure she could have done something which made her strength. Anna…not so sure, but with her dark side and her athletics background is a safer bet. Only Touji is a certainty with his mechanical arm to use the sword freely…

(They get back to the two Chinese men…)

Tamahome: The fact that both Seta and Tenchi were so skilled with the swords is a bit off putting but it’s hard to find anyone else who had that…unless someone with Touji’s strength could have wielded it just for that moment…

(The team know about what was said in the diary but don’t mention this to the two men…)

Tamahome: Of course, that is just speculation…*holds his abdomen* in terms of strength, that little girl had as much as Nuriko…

Negi: Little girl? (remembers what he’s talking about) Oh!

Negi: Imite-san?

Tamahome: Yes…that little bitch is what, 15? 16 years old? And she’s planning on what next? Probably taking over the world never mind Kaleido Stage…

Chiriko: I think he’s suddenly got a complex about women beating him up…

Tamahome: (glaring) Hey, you tell me what’s worse? An affair or bigomy?

Chiriko: That…was uncalled for…

Anita: SHUT UP!!!

(Again, Anita becomes peacemaker as the two much taller and older men shrink to Anita’s height…)

Anita: UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE BEATEN UP BY ANOTHER GIRL THEN I SUGGEST YOU BE BLOODY QUIET!!!!

(It’s pretty funny to see these two cower in Anita’s eyes, but they do…as Negi sweatdrops at the whole thing…)

Anita: Now…in your own honest opinion…who would have had both the best motive and also the ability to use the sword to kill a man, with relative easy and ability?

(Tamahome and Chiriko have to think for a while as this question could determine Negi’s line of thinking…)

Tamahome: I’ll still say Duplica….

(Negi nods, but Chiriko is taking a while…)

Negi: Chiriko?

(The young prodigy then surprises Negi with his answer…)

Chiriko: Anna.

(Tamahome looks a bit surprised to say the least…)

Tamahome: Her?

Chiriko: (nods) I think she has a bundle of emotions inside of her due to her various circumstances, and I believe she had the strength to wield it if these emotions came out…not to mention, we forget that Tenchi had the sword, which meant easy access for Anna to get ahold of it.

(Negi nods…)

Chiriko: Ruri wasn’t strong enough to use it, and Touji…well…his condition is just speculation and whilst he probably had the strongest motive and acted in desperation, I just don’t see him being mentally and physically able to plan this. If he had committed the murder, I would have seen him running away rather than having a good plan. Ruri, Duplica and Anna on the other hand have the intelligence and skill to try and arrange something to avoid the heat being put on them…

Negi: That’s fine gentlemen. I just needed your honest opinion on this…so I shall leave you alone now…

(Negi and Anita leave as Tamahome and Chiriko’s opinions have made Negi think…so who does he think it is now?)

*

Triela: Look, I’m telling you what I found and my notes are here? What more do you want?!!!

Ban: Well, what is your conclusion then?

Triela: I’m not telling you that! In case you don’t realise this Ban, this is a game…and giving you an advantage on who I think the murderer is not exactly high on my priority list in ‘trying to win the game.’

Ban: (Snorts) No matter…I just wanted to see if you were right…I already know who the killer is…

Triela: (surprised) Really?

Ban: Heh…so do YOU want to know?

(Triela fell for it and she storms off, and rejoins Negi at a table, who has already delved his findings…)

Triela: Weird…I don’t think it’s Anna myself…but Chiriko…

Negi: (nods) I trust his judgement more than Tamahome’s, and I’m beginning to see it more his way…

Triela: Odd…I’d say Tamahome is spot on.

Negi: You think it’s Duplica?

Triela: (nods) She has a different motive than everyone else, but under that cute face and innocence she is a wise-cracking person who is just as deadly as someone like Tamahome. Trust me, I know all about cute yet deadly…both back home…

(Triela then looks upstairs…)

Triela: …and someone looking at me…and someone working on her own.

Negi: (blushes) Triela-san…

Triela: (sighs) Why is Hinata upstairs now when we need to talk together? We don’t have much time…

Negi: Hinata-san will be down in a moment…she just wanted half an hour to concerntrate her thoughts and focus on someone…

Triela: Looks like she’s out to win as well…

*

(A quick shot of the Hyuuga heiress as her eyes are in a meditative stance…her notes scattered around as he almost seems to be doing a fortune telling ritual in which suspect she believes is the murderer…)

(…after a few moments, she opens her eyes in her ‘BYAKUGGAN’ pose and slaps her hand on one of her notebooks…)

(…who has she chosen?)

*

(It’s been a long afternoon – but it’s not over yet…we’ll wait to see what the heck is happening somewhere as we just have 4 suspects to interrogate…)

Triela: Too…

(Triela swiftly spins her hip and kicks out Hinata’s leg from the floor…)

Triela: …slow…

(…at least, until a log reappears from the swept girl. Triela curses under her breath as she feels a presence behind her…)

Triela: Dammit!

(Triela strikes an open arm towards the upcoming fighter…and it is surprising that it ISN’T Hinata…)

Triela: Negi?

(Negi rushes with his wind speed and strikes an open palm. Triela blocks…but doesn’t see the REAL move, as in the wind images, Hinata leaps from behind him, aiming a Jyuken to Triela…)

Triela: Double-team, no fair!

(Triela bridges back, her foot gently connecting with Negi’s chest as she flips him back in a throw. Triela in time, kips up and blocks the attack with her mechanical arm, effectively making Hinata’s Jyuken useless…)

Hinata: HYA!

(Suddenly, Hinata spins on her toes, ducking a punch…strikes an elbow to Triela’s side…she continues to spin, attacking several vital points to Triela’s body, who is getting slower…)

Triela: STOP!!!

(Triela swings a powerful arm – which misses. She looks down seeing Hinata’s palms open, glowing with chakra…)

Hinata: KOR-Y-D…

Negi: HINATA-SAN, NO!!!

(Hinata stops…as Triela falls down on her butt, holding her stomach…)

Triela: You’ve been hitting harder than ever before…you’ve gotten physically stronger as well as mentally…

Hinata: I’m s-s-sorry…

(Triela stands up, and gets an evil grin…)

Triela: Sorry, isn’t enough…you’re getting punished!!!

(Triela jumps and grabs Hinata around the waist…and the evil Triela glomp activates!!!)

Hinata: Triela-san….can’t…br-eathe…

Triela: Oh, that’s the point. (looks at Negi) Oh, we have a witness here…have to deal with him as well…

Negi: Uh…w-wait…

(No chance. Negi is running as Hinata looks on, and laughs. Both the other kids are laughing as well, as inside, Ban looks on…)

Ban: Hmmm…I guess I can allow them one more day of fun…as it won’t be for too much longer, that’s for sure.

(Ban is using the time to have a good look through the notes of everyone, to make sure they weren’t hiding anything from him…and he’s making details notes to his own thoughts of the murderer…)

Ban: I still think Ruri has something to do with this despite her not being directly linked with the weapon. We found the jewel at her place…and I’m struggling to find a way for it to be planted there…unless of course she got it another way, and it isn’t linked to the murder…

(He looks at the wall, where the 4 remaining suspects are highlighted…)

Ban: If it’s not her, there must be a connection with the jewel and what happened between the kidnapping…there is something I’m missing if that’s the case…

(Ban puts his finger on another suspect…Anna.)

Ban: I think it’s one of the two blue hairs…

(Ban taps his pen on the table as his sea urchin hair flows with the brain waves…)

Ban: Dammit!

*

Ban: All right…I’m coming…

(Ban curses he has to work as we see in the other room, Triela and Hinata are talking…Hinata getting rather embarrassed…(INSIDE HQ – NOW) but that is quickly removed by Ban’s loud voice…)

Ban: WHAT?!!

(A few more moments of silence as Ban begins writing notes…)

Ban: Right, we’ll be on our way!!!

(He puts the phone down…)

Ban: Kaleido Stage…it’s on fire!!!!

Triela/Hinata: WHAT?!!!

(Negi steps downstairs as he overhears…)

Negi: Ban-san, what happened?

Ban: We don’t know yet, but all we know is that it’s on fire…

Negi: Let’s get on it!!!

(The three youngsters rush off as Ban looks a little surprised…)

Ban: …I didn’t get the chance to tell them the fire brigade has been deployed…

*

Triela: Anna?

Anna H: (coughing) Guys…it was horrible…it just hit across one of the floors up there and spread…

Hinata: Is everyone here and alright?

Anna H: We-we don’t know…Mia and Ken have been making sure but…I don’t know…

(Anna points them in the general direction as they head over to a distraught Mia…)

Mia: This is terrible!!! How could such a thing happen!!!

Ken: Calm down Mia…

Mia: But we’re trying to get everyone there, and we can’t…

Hinata: What’s happened?

(The two elder man and lady look at the younger ones, and despite the age difference, it’s the elder two relying on the younger…)

Ken: Please…we have a few people missing – Sora, May, Rosetta…and Duplica are missing!!!

Hinata: No…

Negi: (to Hinata) I could fly overhead, but I don’t want any powers being sh…

Hinata: No…I don’t want you to be hurt…

(Hinata grabs Negi’s hand as the two rush over to the side…and they find someone rather unexpected…)

Negi: Anna-san?

(Yep, the other Anna is also here…Anna Respighi. She looks faint, as she’s on her knees seeing this carnage…)

Anna: (holding her hands to her mouth) This…can’t be happening…

Negi: Anna-san, what are you doing here?!!!

Anna: (crying) I-I-I came to see S-Sora…I-I needed to speak to her about…my…my sister…and everything from Kaleido Stage…I wanted to ap-apologise…

(Anna suddenly collapses into Hinata’s arms, tears flowing from the elder girl…)

Anna: …b-but…th-th-this…

(Hinata tries to console Anna as Negi looks around…)

Negi: Hinata-san, use your eye move to see if you can find everyone we know!

Hinata: O.K…Anna-san…let go…please…

(Anna let’s go gently as Negi goes over to comfort her…Hinata stands up…)

Hinata: BYAKUGGAN!

(Through the fire, it’d hard to see who is who…however, Hinata like the other detectives know who they need to look for in concerns with the case…and Hinata sees two people running at full speed to Mia…)

(The ninja points over as Negi nods, and Triela is already there…)

Triela: Sora…May…

May: Rosetta?!!! She’s not here?

Sora: Neither’s Duplica…what’s going on?!!!

*A part of the roof nearly explodes as the crowd run back….Hinata, Triela and Negi even get into positions to protect everyone, but fortunately the debris and bricks are nowhere near any of the civilians…*

May: ROSETTA!!!

(Sora runs as Anna R is running up to them…)

Sora: Anna? I’m sorry this…

Anna R: Never mind that Sora, this is…

???????: GUYS!

(From the roof, we see Duplica, out of breath, with a collapsed girl over her shoulder…obviously Rosetta. By her side is a Wartortle (her Ditto) and a Squirtle (her Mini-Ditto) who looks as exhausted as their trainer…)

May: Duplica!!! Are you all right?!!!

Duplica: It…it’s hit my office…the damn fire hit my office and spread! If it wasn’t for these guys…

Sora: If we don’t get you down from there…

(Negi immediately gets his magic wand, not caring about the consequences now…this has gone beyond a game…)

Negi: Rosetta-san, Duplica-san, just hold on…

(…however, fortunately (or unfortunately, maybe he wanted to be the hero, a fire truck explodes with water around the side as Duplica tries her hardest not to look down, especially with Rosetta on her shoulder unconscious.)

(A firetruck raises a ladder with a small opening so the girls can get on and be gently lowered down…Negi does indeed look disappointed, but that is quickly removed as they need to check on their condition…)

May/Sora: Rosetta!!!

(Duplica lowers the Belgian/French girl and then drops out, out of breath, as Mia and both Anna’s check her out…)

Mia: What happened up there?

Duplica: Seriously? I don’t know…all I knew was that I came near to death as a flame had been thrown through the window and set the ground on fire…if it wasn’t for these guys…

(Duplica cuddles her collapsed Dittos…)

Duplica: …and then Rosetta came in, as we had a meeting, and the fire nearly aphsxiated her as part of a rock smashed against her head…she’s still breathing…I just hope…

(Duplica shows her soft side as she grabs the younger girl’s hand and clutches it, crying slightly…all the girls are now passed caring as all crying comes out, even May.)

Anna R: Is she alright?

Duplica: She’s breathing fine…making sure she’s not cut…

(Duplica touches the side of Rosetta’s head…as blood is showing slightly. Duplica gulps…)

Duplica: We need to…

(Fortunately, we’re way ahead of her and there is indeed an ambulance which accompanied the fire engine. A few have been brought in for aphxisation but Rosetta gets a stretcher, and a warm grab on each side by Sora and May who are going with her…)

Triela: I’ll go with these guys…you two make sure everything is O.K here now…

Hinata/Negi: Right!

(The two run as the fire department begins to finish the job, as Duplica probably has a slight insurance claim she needs to sort out, but she isn’t heartless as she watches three of her top stairs, and one in medical assistance go to the hospital…)

Mia: Who could have done this?

Duplica: I…I don’t know…it was like the attack was launched…

(Of course, Hinata and Negi already have an idea…)

Hinata: The killer?

Negi: (nods) Problem is…that doesn’t help. Duplica-san could have made an inside job…and Anna-san was here as well…

Hinata: …but on the other hand, that could work the other way. Ruri-san and Touji-san weren’t here either…actually…could Touji-san have even made it…

Negi: I’m not sure…and if our theories are right…then…

(So who is more suspicious? The ones that ARE here…or the ones that AREN’T here…)

*

(…that answer is quickly put to rest as Triela along with the main three female stars of Kaleido Stage…)

Matsumoto: Hurry, she could fall into a coma if she hasn’t already…

Sora: Rosetta, hang on!!!

(The girls head over to a room which is strangely familiar…)

Triela: Hey, hold on…

(As Matsumoto prepares a bed, it’s aware that there is someone else here…)

Touji: Again?!!!

(Shot of Touji as he looks on as Triela is as surprised as he is. Triela walks over…)

Touji: What happened?

Triela: Kaleido Stage. There was an…accident to say the least.

Touji: Is she alright?

Triela: We don’t know…she’s breathing fine but the worry is a concussion or a coma at worst…

Touji: Poor girl…

(Suddenly, Triela gets a phone call…she answers…)

Triela: Hello…

(It’s Ban. The two aren’t exactly on speaking terms but this is no time for petty ego…)

Triela: How important?

(Ban quotes over the phone…)

Ban: You know the rest.

(Triela pauses for a moment…)

Triela: Touji…is cleared. That means…

*

Triela: …so the diagnostic is a concussion but Rosetta has regained consciousness.

Hinata: (breathes out) That’s a relief.

Triela: And more importantly, as Ban commented, Touji is innocent.

(These reasons should help you guys out there as well on who is our killer, but at the moment, it’s basically a detectives guessing game as they go through everything that has happened…)

Triela: O.K…can’t believe I’m doing this, but the fact of the matter is that if Touji is cleared, then I need to focus on the girls…

(Looks like of the 4, Triela was the most annoyed at the revelation – she seemed to think it was Touji…)

Triela: And the fact that I’m not here moaning to Hinata is the main thing!!! Gah…

(Triela heads off to Hinata’s room for a last chance study session (it could be for one of those two)…)

(…but as she does, she overhears…)

Negi: …I just…felt different with everyone here…and I don’t want it to end…but at the same time, all the girls…my friends…they are waiting back…

Hinata: I know Negi-kun…this has been similar, yet different to my life back home…and I’m not sure whether I want it to end…

Negi: I know…I…I…

(Before Negi can say…well…whatever he was planning to say, Triela opens the door with a giddy schoolgirl smile…)

Triela: Yoo-hoo!

(Hinata and Negi jump apart…looks like they were surprisingly close, and both faces have a flushed feel…Triela gets into jealous mode…namely, teasing the both of them…)

Triela: Helping each other and not me…

(The two react in fear as they always do…)

Hinata: You were the one who said you were joining us!

(…correction, react with logic…which catches Triela completely off guard…)

Triela: Oh yeah…

(As a muted laugh gets the three, a more sinister smirk appears outside the room…the one belonging to Ban Mido…)

Ban: Soon…

*

(Due to the Kaleido Stage inquiry, the killer’s game is being set up now…and are joined by three ladies…)

Michelle: Everyone O.K?

Triela: I think we’ll live…

Michelle: I hope so…considering what you guys have to go through. And speaking of living, Rosetta has been confirmed as fine – she briefly woke up suggesting her coma state wasn’t as serious as we first thought, but she’s O.K…

(Michelle sighs)

Michelle: …sadly, cannot say the same for two of you here. We have to apologise now…as we basically each of us rated your performances whilst we were out there.

(And the role of the Sisters becomes apparent as Ban looks up a little. It wasn’t just for a partnership…)

Michelle: …so whichever of us gives their partner the highest mark will avoid the first vote. And we are all being unbiased no matter how much we liked you guys…

(Surprisingly, it’s Anita who is looking the most guilty…as Michelle gets three envelopes, each one with a report…)

Michelle: Maggie-chan is first…with Triela-chan.

(Triela doesn’t even acknowledge the ‘chan’ suffix as the rating out of 10 is delivered…)

(Next is Anita’s grade of Negi…)

*

(Looks like Triela having the most level headed sister of the bunch worked…and Triela is the only one safe from the vote…and now she has to make a decision as tough as the ones she makes back in Italy…)

Michelle: Sorry Negi and Hinata…but Triela is safe…and now…she has to nominate one of you to play the killer’s game…

(With Hinata and Negi cancelling each other out, it’s up to Triela to end this. Triela looks at Ban briefly who smiles – his plan working. Triela grits her teeth in anger…)

Triela: Can I do it in the investigation room? I’ll need some time to think…

Michelle: Of course…

(Triela heads up, looks over at her two dear friends back, looking with nerves…)

(…Triela shakes her head, as she has to send a person she has met and adored since Day 1 to a possible death…)

*

Michelle: Triela…have you decided?

(Triela looks at the two pictures of Hinata and Negi as she looks direct at them…)

Triela: The question I should ask is if you had to eliminate one of your siblings, who would you pick?

Anita: Hey, that’s dirty…

Michelle: No…she’s right. The situation would be nigh on impossible for us three sisters…

Triela: (nods) So you know what I’m feeling. At home, I’m close with three other girls, but whilst Claes is my roommate, I’m a lot more comfortable around Rico and Henrietta.

(Triela sighs)

Triela: What I’m trying to say is that there have been some great people who I’ve got along with, like Shiine and Kotone…and some who I haven’t got along with…but overall, the two I’m closer with the most are the two you are asking for me to eliminate.

(Triela shakes her head)

Triela: And I am forced to make a decision which I don’t like. However, I have to do it…

(Triela raises her hand up into the air…)

(…and slams it on one of the pictures…)

*

(Shot of the three sisters (and Triela) heading downstairs…as Negi and Hinata (unseen) clutch their hands under the table. It looks like not one word has been uttered since Triela and the sisters left.)

Michelle: The vote has been made…one of delay and a lot of thinking, and I would say heartbreak as well. However a choice has been made…

(Michelle pauses for effect…)

Michelle: The first person to play the killer’s game…will be….

(One more nervous pause before the final person pick by a LI is chosen…)

Michelle: Hinata.

(Hinata looks at Triela, and smiles slightly. Triela is near tears and bows slightly…)

*

(Triela puts her face down in despair as Hinata comes over and in a reverse of what has happened in the series puts a comforting arm around her. One of them had to make the tough decision…it just happened to be Triela.)

(Michelle nods as she goes over to Ban…for a decision that he can make or break…)

Michelle: Hinata Hyuuga is the first. Ban, you must choose the second as we play the final killer’s game of the season.

(Ban looks at a slowly rising Triela and a nervous Negi…it seems an easy choice…)

(…but this is Ban Mido we’re talking about – the most unpredictable contestant in MG history…and he doesn’t disappoint us…)

Ban: Well guys…it’s been a long journey, and no matter what anyone says, I’ve enjoyed it throughout. However, I need to cut off a head of the final problem…so here’s goes.

(Ban breathes in, releases and smiles…)

Ban: I choose Negi Springfield as the other person to play the killer’s game.

(Triela…is stunned. She was 99% sure she was going to be picked, considering her relationship with Ban. However, Negi is just as stunned, perhaps even he expected that as well…)

(…and instead, it’s this years equivalent to Season 1’s ‘sweethearts (Anna, Misao and Kano) who are playing the final killer’s game…)

Michelle: Negi-kun?

(Negi snaps out of the shock…as he nods…)

Negi: R-Right…

(Hinata and Triela go over to Negi – for those keeping count, this will be both Hinata and Negi’s THIRD time out playing the killer game (who would have guessed that these two would be playing the KG the most times) and both are aware of the consequence…and the fears that come with playing the killer’s game…)

Michelle: I’m sorry for you two, however the rules are there, and one of you will fall at the final hurdle. So, we have one more piece of business…Anita?

(Anita looks a bit upset herself, but hides her face so that it doesn’t show. She throw two envelopes (paper master remember) directly on each of the tables…)

Michelle: Hinata-chan, if you can confirm where you are going first…

(Hinata nods and bows, picking up the envelope…)

Michelle: Negi-kun, please confirm.

(Negi opens his envelope and sure enough…)

Michelle: Good luck to the both of you…and I mean it. To have it ended here…both the game…

(Michelle looks knowingly)

Michelle: …and other things here is the cruellest of fates. As this is the last game, Maggie-chan and another friend of ours will be helping in the driving to your final location…so use the next hour to rest up and say your goodbyes…as this is the end of the line ladies and gentlemen.

(Michelle bows as does Maggie. Anita just looks awkwardly as flashbacks escape her mind…Hinata and Negi look at each other as Negi tries his best to hold back tears…)

(…this time it is all over.)

*

(…and one young lady is upset…but not the lady you may expect…)

Triela: …yes, I should be grateful, but why him and not me?!!!

(Ban calmly sips some water as Triela lets her feelings known…)

Triela: Why?

Ban: To see your reaction.

(Triela stops…)

Triela: I could have given you a chance to be eliminated, considering you’ve been a thorn in my side and the strongest of the three definitely. But…

(Ban smiles…)

Ban: …I’m confident in that I know the killer…and the fact that I can defeat you in the end…which is the reaction I want the most…your defeat.

Triela: Bastard…

Ban: See…sometimes winning hurts more than losing…

(Triela looks ready to crush Ban’s throat…her aura is menacing enough for Ban to adjust his glasses to possibly use the Jagan…but fortunately, common sense…)

Hinata: STOP IT YOU TWO!!!!

(…and a ninja manage to stop it before it does escalate to something worse…)

Hinata: This is not the time to argue!!! Negi-kun and I are going in an hour and we need to make use of the little time we’ve got left…

(Hinata’s eyes flow slowly as water goes down her cheeks…)

Triela: Hinata, this guy…he…

Hinata: Triela…the choice were yours and his…we could have done nothing about it…Triela…I think Negi needs to see you…you’ve been his rock and vice versa throughout…I think you two need a good last talk…

(Triela’s emotions get the better as she begins to cry as well…)

Triela: I’m…I’m sorry Hinata…I-I lost control…

(Hinata hugs Triela as Triela nearly collapses in emotion – the weight doesn’t bother Hinata (she’s a ninja…^_^) and Triela enjoy the embrace warmly…)

Triela: (whispers) Negi may have been my rock…but you’ve been my best friend…

(Triela lets go slightly as she smiles warmly at Hinata (who blushes). Triela walks away to go find Negi…)

(…but as she does, Hinata stops as Ban watches her retreat…)

Hinata: Ban-san…treachery and deceit are something I’m used to…and therefore I’m not going to shout for your tactics…on the contrary, they should be applauded.

(Ban looks interested, wondering where Hinata is going with this speech…)

Hinata: I’m not going to be like Triela-san…if you do win, I will congratulate you…if I’m here. I’m sure Negi will as well…

Ban: Hey, I never had a problem with you guys…I’m just…

Hinata: (nods) Your nature…and you’re desire to win are stronger than anything. Your reasons for winning as well are for survival more than celebration…

(Ban is a bit surprised…)

Hinata: …I just want you to think about that when either Negi-kun or myself don’t return…

(Hinata turns around and bows towards Ban before escaping to be with her two friends…as Ban watches her retreating figure up the stairs…)

Ban: (shivers) She grew a backbone here…ninjas are scary…or is it just women in general…

(As Ban contemplates his next move…)

*

(…Triela doesn’t even hide her despair…)

Triela: (crying) Negi…I’m so sorry…

(Triela has her head cradled in Negi’s lap – her despair overcoming her strong character. Negi just lets her sob…)

Triela: The plan…failed…Aya…somehow got convinced…

Negi: It’s O.K…we couldn’t have had that planned…

Triela: But…we’re gone now…one of you or Hinata-chan…this was supposed to be the perfect ending…and that bastard…

Negi: He wants to win as much as we do…it’s just he was smarter…and do I say…more manipulative…

Triela: He got here thanks to tagging with Satoshi for most of it and getting bloody lucky!!!

Negi: Triela…

(A knock on the door…)

Hinata: Is it O.K?

Negi: Hinata-san…

(Triela sits up as she wipes the real tears from her eyes…Hinata isn’t fooled for a second and sits by the GSG…)

Hinata: Will you be alright?

Triela: I will…just I don’t know no matter who comes back between you or Negi what will happen…

(Triela puts her arms around both kids and in a mini group hug…)

Triela: I love you both you know…you’ve forgave me when things happened like with Kotone and Aya…you have no idea how difficult it was during that vote…but I guess the same would have gone for you two as well…

(Triela coughs a bit as her words and breathing are getting mingled in between her tears…)

Negi: We love you too Triela-san…and whatever happens…

Triela: I know…

Negi: (thinks) There…

Triela: Huh?

(Negi blushes…)

Negi: There is something I could do before we go for both of you…(looks at Hinata)…if I come back, I may need to make it different for Triela…but…

(Negi stands up and heads outside the room…)

Negi: Guys, I’ll be back in about 15 minutes…wait for me then…

(Negi goes off to do…SOMETHING…as Triela looks at the depleting Negi…)

Triela: What’s he up to?

Hinata: I don’t know…but…I think he wants to make our last moments together memorable…Negi-kun and I won’t be together no matter what, but one of us will return…

(Triela looks at Hinata…)

Triela: Hinata…do you love him?

(Hinata’s freezes as the crimson face appears once more…)

Hinata: N-Negi-k-kun?!!! I-I-I…well…I have someone I…I care for a lot back home…and Negi…well…he’s really nice…and sweet…and polite…

Triela: He’s someone different isn’t he?

(Hinata nods…)

Triela: (smiles) You’re just too cute you know? It’s obvious you’re feeling guilty for any consideration of these feelings for the person you love back home…

(Hinata remains silent so Triela continues…)

Triela: Do you know what I think? You’ve come from a place where feelings and emotion are often taken second nature, and you’ve put those feelings aside when you came here, thinking this would be the same. But…

(Triela grabs Hinata’s hand and puts in on her heart. Hinata gulp…)

Triela: …you met people who allowed you to be calm and upfront with emotions of friendship, care, consideration and love. Kotone was like that right? She kissed you on the cheek...and Anna did as well if I remember? And you accepted it...would you have done such a thing back home?

(Again, Hinata is silent, but her face says it all…)

Triela: You’ve accepted feelings for people here you held reserved because of the nature of your work and you’re being. And that led you to being in love with many of us, both friendship and in other ways...

Hinata: B-but…it’s not like that…

Triela: Yeah, right…Hinata…Negi is the sweetest boy I’ve ever met…granted, I haven’t met too many but few will beat him. And he’s has helped me so much during my trying times…

(Triela looks forward…)

Triela: I probably would say I’m in love with him…but I could also say the same about you…

(Hinata gulps and blushes, but fortunately, Triela continues speaking…)

Triela: …but that doesn’t mean my feelings back home will change. And I know that’s the case for you as well.

(Triela leans forward and stares Hinata’s in her unseeing eyes…)

Triela: I think that’s all I have to say here…I’ll just seal what I mean now.

(Triela leans forward and kisses Hinata on the forehead…Hinata shivers for a moment but relaxes.)

Triela: See? You didn’t mind right? This may be the last time you can enjoy this environment…so use that time wisely.

Hinata: Triela…san…

(Triela was about to leave…but Hinata stands up and hugs Triela.)

Hinata: Th-thank you…

(Triela smiles and holds her best friend…)

Triela: You’re welcome…

(Now, they wait for Negi-kun…who has the same thoughts in mind…)

*

Negi: It’s different to the girls back home…yet similar as well. I think if I can help them in any way, I’m going to…

(Negi pauses from whatever he’s doing and blushes…)

Negi: I…I just hope they don’t mind…

(He continues his work, which consists of circling around the whole HQ…)

*

(With barely 10 minutes to go before showtime, Negi heads upstairs to join Triela and Hinata one final time…)

Negi: Triela-san…Hinata-san…I’m not sure what is going to happen…but I want to give you both presents, especially as I know I won’t see Hinata-san again…

(Both girls are a bit confused…even more so when Negi turns completely red…)

Negi: B-But…there is s-s-something I need to do t-t-to make this pr-pr-present work…s-so you c-can s-say no if you wish…

(Again, confusion etches the girls faces…)

Negi: …h-however, I guarantee they will h-help you out in your c-current line of work…

Triela: Help us? Interesting…

Hinata: S-so…what do you need to do then Negi-kun?

(Negi leans up and with a tomato face, whispers what he needs to do in both girls ears. Triela reacts with amusement and a slight blush, but Hinata’s face matched Negi’s completely…)

Triela: (sly) Why, did you even need to ask cutie?

(Negi turns around to avoid his face being shown, but Hinata looks ready to faint…)

Hinata: Th-th-that’s a bit…

Triela: Oh come on girl…you only live once…besides, that will end soon between you two, so you should seal it with a….

Negi/Hinata: TRIELA-SAN!!!!

(A moment of calm though as they do realise that time is running out for the two of them…Triela goes up to Negi and hugs him…)

Triela: Well, I won’t hesitate…if you don’t mind Negi?

(Negi is very wavering and nervous, but despite how strong he is, Triela has him in a vice like grip…Triela leans forward…)

(…and gives Negi a small, but sweet kiss on the lips. She holds it for a second, long enough for a certain light and symbol to shine around. If Chamo-kun was here, what would he be saying?)

(PACTIOOOOOOOO!!!)

(Triela backs off, and indeed, two cards show…both with the same design (one for Negi and one for Triela) – on the card is Triela with what appears to be a dual pair of handguns and the words ‘Gunslinger Girl’ written in Latin on the top…very appropriate of course…)

Triela: Hmm…not bad…

(Negi nearly faints but he does recover as Triela asks about the card…)

Triela: So…what’s this?

Negi: It’s…it’s a pactio card. If you say the word ‘ADEAT’ whilst holding the card, it will transform into a magical artifact…you can use this to help you out in any way, shape or form…

(Triela looks at it…)

Triela: Ad-eat?

(Suddenly, magic shines from it…and the card transforms into two magical handguns…)

Triela: Whoa…

Negi: I…I suggest you decide if you can work out what they do…(pauses)…and NO PRACTICING ON BAN!

Triela: Damn…

(Triela smiles though…)

Triela: Thank you Negi.

(Triela kisses him again, this time on the cheek…during this though, Hinata’s emotions on her face was scattering. Embarrassment, nervousness, awe, concern…it was all there for the kunoichi. I’m sure other female kunoichi’s have had their problems, (apart from being slandered in British forums by idiots who haven’t seen their shows) but here…)

Negi: H-Hinata-san…I want this to help you out…and do a momento of our stay here…I want us to remember the good things not the bad…

(Negi’s head is down…he is a lot more embarrassed here than he was with Triela…which Triela duly notes…)

Negi: S-So…I-I can und-understand if you d-don’t w-want to…b-but…

(Suddenly, Negi is surprised by a gentle hand on his chin. The hands usually used to stop chakra flow grasp his as Hinata, eyes closed and a gentle smile on her face leans forward…)

(…the kiss by Hinata to Negi is held on as the light shines. The kiss actually lasts a few seconds longer as Hinata eyes show tears…as the card shows, Hinata…slowly…releases…)

Hinata: Negi-kun?

(Negi touches his lips – a moment of Nodoka in his mind and a moment he didn’t want to break – and raises the card…)

Negi: I can’t believe I did that here…

Hinata: (embarrassed) If…If Naruto-kun asked me about that if he knew…I’ll say it…it was to help me out as a ninja…

(Ironic as it is, she’s actually right. The card shows Hinata with some fighting gloves on with longer hair – the Latin translates to ‘Unleashed Kunoichi’ as we see chakra surrounding her – she’s also no longer wearing her trademark jacket.)

Negi: (softly) Hinata-san…I…

(Hinata smiles and hugs Negi…for quite a while…)

Hinata: Th-thank you so much Negi-kun…you…you’ve been the greatest person I’ve known…I…I’m s-sorry it has to end…

(Hinata doesn’t try out her pactio…instead the two cry for as much time as needed, as this sweetest of crossover couples in reality fanfiction history is about to make it’s grand finale…)

*

Ban: Geez…how long that one go when saying goodbye?

Michelle: Have a heart Ban, they’re just children…besides, you could tell how close they had come even in these two days…

Anita: I guess Negi wasn’t too bad of a guy…

Michelle: (sly) Awww…

Anita: NOT LIKE THAT! WHY DO YOU ALWAYS TAKE THINGS THE WRONG WAY?!!!

Yomiko: It’s a shame though…a strong friendship destroyed by a game…

(Doesn’t sound familiar in a way right Yomiko? However, before they get too diplomatic, footsteps of three people hit the floor…)

Michelle: Here they are…

(Shot of Hinata and Negi, holding hands on the way to the exit…Triela has her arms around both of them…both with their new pactio cards safely on their person (though Triela gives Ban a momentary glance meaning ‘if it wasn’t against the rules, your ass is mine’)…)

Triela: This is where I say goodbye to one of you…

Negi: (nods) I think we both hope we return…but one of us can’t…so I think I’ll just say this has been quite an experience…

Hinata: …and whether it’s Negi-kun or myself which goes, we will miss you guys so much…

(The three have a group hug as Ban wonders if it would be appropriate to vomit or not…)

(…however, he’s surprised by Negi and Hinata reaching out their hands for him…)

Ban: Er…

Hinata: Ban-san, we want to say goodbye to you as well…

Negi: We’re not upset about what happened or anything in the game…so we want to make sure that one of us leaves on a good note…

(Ban is surprised, but he hasn’t really annoyed these two to destruction, and indeed, he does feel a lot calmer around them than Triela…maybe that’s the real reason he didn’t vote Triela off…^_^)

Ban: Guys…thanks.

(He does shake their hands as Hinata gets a hug from Michelle (and Negi DOESN’T get one from Anita…:P)

Michelle: Hinata-chan, you’re with Maggie-chan…Negi-kun, you’re with Yomiko-chan…

(Yomiko nods and bows as Negi does the same…)

Michelle: Good luck to the two of you…

(Hinata and Negi look at each other one more time…and…)

Michelle: Awwww!!!!!

Triela: Hey, you’re gonna make me jealous!!!

Michelle: Yeah, but of who?

Triela: Both.

(Yep, the two (both on their own accord this time) kiss gently – Negi then does a small one on Hinata’s cheek, as the two go red…but this time…)

(…it WAS the last time…)

*

(As they go into the distance, Triela go upstairs as Ban watches their retreating figure…)

(…yep, even he feels the twinges of guilt…not much…)

(…but it’s there…)

*

(Shot of Maggie in what appears to be a paper plane flying overhead…the irony of cause is that neither Hinata or Negi would be surprised at this…)

Maggie: My sister wants you to win this…

Hinata: Michelle?

Maggie: (nods) Good luck…

(Hinata smiles…)

Hinata: Me being a winner? I guess…anything can happen now…

(She clutches the card she got from Negi…and bows her hand hoping for the best…)

*

Yomiko: …so I heard you discovered a great library somewhere in your school?!!!

Negi: Yes…but it’s kinda hard to get by…

Yomiko: Why is that?

(Negi, not ready to reveal the horrors of the creature beneath, whispers…)

Yomiko: Hmmm…I’d probably have a chance if I had enough paper…

(Negi refuses to sweatdrop, he’s too nervous…the 10 year old whizzkid is looking back with fond memories, hoping that he will see Triela again, but at the cost of Hinata’s chances…)

(…a hand to his heart, he knows he will lose something either way…)

(…but what?)

*

(Hinata does what she does best…stalk…^_^…but this time, it’s more sneak as she follows the map directions to a direct entrance inside a golden glow…)

Hinata: This isn’t what I expected…

(She actually…weird for a tomb…has to ring a bell. Hinata looks confused, but she jumps on a stone and presses the button…)

(…three chimes strike (scaring the girl) and a cage falls to the ground. Hinata realises she has to climb the cage and get to the upper level and enter the door there…)

(She does so as the adreneline and nerves hit fever pitch…she enters a dusty door, ignoring the bones on the floor…)

*

(The nerve Negi emerges from a sea of fire…literally…as he enters, a flamewall erupted behind him, making him run a bit in fear…)

Negi: Introduction wise…could have been better…

(Negi, unlike Hinata who had to head up, Negi is forced down…)

(…a serpent’s mouth has been engraved into the catacombs, and with two locked exits to either side, Negi only has one option…)

Negi: *gulps* Now…

(Negi glances at his own momento, a class photos of all the girls in his class…he’s understandably nervous as he enters the serpent’s mouth…)

(…and the stairs turn into a slide…)

(We hear the echoing screams of Negi as we change back to the now seems obligatory ninja…)

*

(Two golden statues of cats with beams shooting in between them greet our kawaii kunoichi. Fortunately, the beams are hitting the eyes only so she’s doesn’t have to get worried about being zapped…)

Hinata: Remind me why I entered this…oh…yes…to get stronger…

(Hinata closes her eyes – like Negi, she wishes to win but knows she’ll lose Negi if that does happen…)

Hinata: I must be strong…I must be strong…

(Hinata navigates the pit falls, shudders as a spider goes down onto the floor and spins across a door to smash it open…)

(…inside there is a scroll…Hinata goes to it and opens…)

(She looks at a door leading to a stairway…labelled TRICK.)

Hinata: Not a good sign…

(Hinata, without any other way – moves upwards…)

*

(In the catacombs, Negi has navigated to what appears to be a mine shaft…complete with a railcar on a track. Without any other way to move forward, Negi is forced to hop in…)

Negi: What will ha…

(Answer is simple…it starts to MOVE. Negi, on instinct, ducks inside as the rail cart goes down the track at a good speed…)

(…Negi holds on desperately as he comes in for a crash landing…)

(Negi is still alive…at the moment…as he dusts himself off, and like Hinata, sees a table with a scroll on it…and like Hinata, he moves over to open the scroll…)

(Yep, the same. Unlike Hinata though, Negi sees a door with the word ‘TREAT’ on it…)

Negi: Hope? Or Falsehood?

(Negi has no choice…he moves down the door to the ‘Treat’ door…but will he get a treat?)

*

Hinata: O.K…no more games…

(Knowing that the killer could launch at any of those doors, Hinata refuses to be intimidated and steps boldly forward…)

(…she grabs the clue…)

*

(Going down with Negi, the room descends into darkness. No light as Negi slowly goes down (not wanting to fall obviously) and as he hits the end – several candles go off showing a single pathway…)

Negi: O.K…here’s goes…

(With Negi, the killer could easily be hiding in the surrounding darkness…and Negi can’t sense anything. So he’s hoping against hope…)

(…as he reaches for the light…)

*

(Suddenly a gust of wind is heard outside and someone crashes down onto the floor and the paper surrounded them into a paper ball…when Triela sees who is with the person, she knows exactly who it is and tears flow despite smiling…)

(…she runs down as the double doors open. Ban hears it just in time to see…)

Triela: WELCOME HOME…

Hinata: I…I’m back…

(HINATA HYUUGA WINS THE FINAL KILLER’S GAME.)

Hinata: I…I’m sorry Triela-san…

Triela: Don’t be sorry cutie! I’m happy!!!! But I’m sad as well…it was always going to be a lose-lose…

Hinata: I…I know…I should be happy…

(Hinata’s tears tell a different story…)

Hinata: …yet, I’m crying…I’m…I’m…

(Hinata collapses as Triela and Hinata’s loss of Negi hits them hard, Hinata more so. Ban looks on for a few moments before heading back inside…)

(…he lights a cigarette, takes a deep breath and sighs…)

Ban: F*cking game…

*

YES! IT’S DONE!!

This was the hardest chapter to right…mainly because of the research…and also…it’s not a good idea to watch Princess Tutu last volume combined with a tearful romance scene…yes, I cried at my own fanfiction. I suck.

Negi. Ah, Negi. Negima is apparently a love or hate series in my circle of friends (both online and in the anime clubs) and to say a class of 31 girls with a pre-adolescent boy is a bit weird even for Akamatsu harem affair, it seems to evolve from that into a really good series (manga) with the battle scenes and the pactio plot – lots of things to think about and the relationships which descend (Yue and Nodoka being my favourite) – and Negi himself is actually a good male lead in that he may be young, but he’s sweet, nice and NOT a wimp like a few other male harem leads I could mention…with such a huge cast it could seem problematic, but the focus is on a few girls mostly (Asuna and Nodoka seem to be the main two, but Setsuna, Konoka, Eva, Yue, Chachamaru, Chao and recently Chisame, Haruna, Ku Fei and Kaede get their moments in the spotlight) and it’s very enjoyable fare. The anime of course is well documented for butchering the story, but with the second season upon us, hopefully this will bring more depth to the Negima story and make fans happy.

Negi falling at the last hurdle? Well, Naruto got eliminated at this stage at AR3 – it couldn’t happen again! Ban is too cool an asshole and Triela is a perfect catalyst to said asshole, so it had to be Negi-kun. (I predict Joe Klemm using a magic st…er…wand to clobber me with). However, the obvious romance had to be focused on Negi…and with someone so uncanily close to Nodoka (Hinata) it was a match made in heaven. Adding Triela in a three-way love triangle was a last minute addition, but it was definitely Hina/Negi all the way, especially with the problems with Shiine-chan.

Of course, this will lead to more questions later…but…heh heh.

Now, hopefully everyone now has a good idea set on who the killer is, so when the next chapter arises, I will e-mail those who can win so to avoid everyone answering (though everyone can still answer in the poll quiz of course)…so if you hear from me in the next few days, you could win a DVD of your choice plus some episodes of various series I’ll string together…

Until then, here’s are the awarding winning author’s notes!

*

The Tenchi/Anna scene is basically something that was always in the cards, mainly due to the fact of my running joke I have with Tenchi fans of ‘which girl he will pick?’ I (only half-joking) always say Sasami – and no, not talking about Sasami current, but more like Tsunami (even Ryoko/Ayeka are concerned that Sasami will grow up to be like Tsunami). Also, the end of the All New Tenchi manga suggests a similar thing as well, but the reason for Anna here?

She’s the closest equivilent to Sasami in an adult taste in this face (Yes, I know Shinobu as well could be used but Anna’s 3 years older (2 years younger like Tenchi here) so she got the nod. That, and Shinobu as a final 4 suspect? Yeah right…:P)

Gen Nakamura, a.k.a. the old man from Sensei No Ojikan. Him and Kitagawa save the series full stop.

Ah, Anita and Hisami – two best friends with polar opposite backgrounds. The joke is obvious here – Anita NOT in any way to do with anything with Negi’s cuteness is an obvious reference to her relationship with Hisami, speculated as something more than friendship by a vast majority of fans. My opinion is basically Hisami’s feelings for Anita are canon romantic, with Anita’s as best friends for life into something more – her depression after certain events happen in the series showed that. As for the ‘Loli-tastic’ joke, I think 4 certain people (in particular a Mr. Pulver and a Miss Otaku) could explain this better…but it just means that more ‘YOU SUCK’ chants will come when I brave Acen 2007…

Strawberry Panic – the hidden gem of 2006 (Pani Poni Dash was 2005). A show with a very strong yuri subtext to say the least, it started off slow but episode 12 after that, bam, instant favourite. Chikaru is the ‘head’ of Lillium, the school that doesn’t seem to get as much attention as Miator and Spica, but Chikaru is constantly the most popular character in polls due to her beauty, quips, her unwillingless to be all high and mighty and her involvement in her three kohai’s…very cute. Oh, and she was hot in her performance as Carmen…just saying. Kaname is part of Spica and is one half of the ‘Evil Lesbians™’ duo in the show. Hence the cross-comparrison.

Ah yes, the Hah-Hah brothers, a.k.a. Jumonji, Kuroki and Togano. The three former delinquents turned linemen seem for some reason to always been seen as brothers on the fact they are always together. The reaction always is that once accused, they say ‘WE’RE NOT BROTHERS!’

It’s true – Hinata is the youngest of the Genin 9…or should that be Chunnin 9…er 7 I guess…

Mikuru as a therapy patient? Trust me, this odds-on favourite (for me) in the Moe 2006 tournament could use some considering that she is considered Haruhi’s pet/plaything/person she can molest…

Triela being bisexual is speculation but strong hints suggest that in both the anime and manga. She admits to having some ‘affection’ to her handler Hillshire, but she is a lot more laxed to it than Henrietta is to Jose. On the other hand, she is very open to her comments over Henrietta, calling her ‘sweetie’ and ‘cutie’ and of course, the very romantic scene between the two in the last episode…Triela admits freely to ‘spoil’ Henrietta and she doesn’t mind at all…it’s really hard to judge it due to the shortness of the series and I don’t know much about the manga to judge…

The female kunoichi line was partly based on the old Amecon forums where somebody asked the question of their favourite ninjas. This guy apparently liked to question pretty much every choice – so not knowing what would happen, I made a comment that my favourite ninja was actually Orin from Akazukin Chacha. (Though Shinobu (Ninja Nonsense) and Koyuki (Keroro Gunsou) are also pretty close. I made a joke that Orin’s abilities could handle Naruto and Sasuke combined…well, this jerk then replied saying the following…

‘I’ve never seen either show (yep, a guy starting a ninja post hadn’t seem Naruto…) but I’m pretty sure the guys would pwn the girl – a ninja isn’t derived by cuteness…’

To me, that was insulting. If he made an argument about why she couldn’t win, fair enough, but the fact was not only had he not seen Chacha, he hadn’t seen Naruto!!! I replied in anger saying that and never heard from him again…I actually got a few PM’s saying well done (looks like I wasn’t the only person he pissed off – he never turned up for Amecon either).