Gensokyo Tournament: Roster

As soon as the scroll was posted, lots of people were crowding around it, some of them hovering above others for a better view.  The list was a long one, but it didn't include everyone, and there was more than one disappointed face in the crowd.  The list read:

- Alice Margatroid
- Byakuren Hijiri
- Flandre Scarlet
- Fujiwara no Mokou
- Hatate Himekaidou
- Iku Nagae
- Kaguya Houraisen
- Kanako Yasaka
- Keine Kamishirasawa
- Koishi Komeiji
- Komachi Onoduka
- Marisa Kirisame
- Murasa Minamitsu
- Nue Houjuu
- Reimu Hakurei
- Remilia Scarlet
- Rin Kaenbyou
- Sakuya Izayoi
- Sanae Kochiya
- Satori Komeiji
- Shou Toramaru
- Sikieiki Yamaxanadu
- Suika Ibuki
- Suwako Moriya
- Tenshi Hinanawi
- Utsuho Reiuji
- Youmu Konpaku
- Yukari Yakumo
- Yuyuko Saigyouji
- Sunny Milk
- Star Sapphire
- Luna Child

After a while, only the contestants remained in the clearing.  Anyone who wouldn't be participating had cleared to the sides to watch or gone home entirely.  No one was sure just what to expect.  From somewhere in the crowd a disgruntled Reimu muttered something about hooligans on her property and tapped her foot impatiently.  It was apparent she wasn't the only one losing patience.  The group stirred restlessly, looking around in some confusion.

A young voice whined, "Sakuyaaa, I'm bored!  When are we gonna start?"  Flandre folded her arms, the gems on her wings jingling together as she flapped them up and down.  "I'm about ready to head down there and find that treasure or power or whatever all by myself!"  Remilia reached out a hand in an attempt to calm her sister, trying to keep her from doing anything rash, but she looked like she wanted to run off toward the prize as well.    Discontented muttering among the contestants rose after quite some time to a dull roar.  Just as the chaos reached its highest point, everything suddenly went black and silent.  No one could see or hear anyone else; it was as if everyone had been isolated at the same time.

All at once, from all directions, a voice spoke.  "Welcome, contestants.  You are all here to pursue the ancient power that lies within the cave, am I correct?  Then I will be brief."  People were looking around in inherent confusion, but there was nothing to see.  The voice continued.  "This will be an elimination tournament, one on one, involving as many rounds as necessary.  The only rule is to survive longer than your opponent.  Best of luck."  Everything was silent for a brief moment.  "Now then," came the sourceless voice again, speaking to someone unseen, "Shall we, little one?"

A spot of light formed in the darkness, and as it grew a younger, more excited voice shouted, "Okay, here we go!  One...  Two...  Nine!"