Chapter 20: War & Conquest
-55:39:06
Assassin X chuckled while trying to ward off probing snouts. "I'm alright, boys, seriously! There's not a scratch left on me." Pakkun and Biscuit backed off a little in compliance but continued to circle him. They would've knocked him back off his feet if it hadn't been for his support to whom he now looked over his shoulder. "Really, I'm good now. Thanks."
Maiya gave him one more appraising look before stepping away with a nod. "Good." Her arms returned to her sides as she began to walk towards the others. Kakashi watched her go while noting to himself how her eyes appeared a bit livelier than usual. Thank goodness, looks like she's fine, too. The ninja then fixed his gaze on his ally's destination. Wish I could say the same for Irisviel.
The other half of Assassin X's ninja hound pack was busily fussing over his Master's wife. Ūhei and Shiba stood on either side of Irisviel while Bull was gently supporting her from behind, Guruko perched atop the bulldog's head to try and assist as well. She smiled weakly while slowly walking towards the Mercedes thanks to their, Saber and Kiritsugu's support. "T-thank you all, but it's not that bad," she tried to reassure them, but there was little strength in her voice and even less in her limbs. She could barely register the dogs' fur or the touch of Saber or her husband, and her Magical Energy was practically a flicker. Such was the cost of Avalon's absence. But as Irisviel noticed Assassin X joining her side and her smile widened, she knew she had no regrets.
Kiritsugu recognized this as well and settled for wordlessly steering her towards her (he suppressed a shudder) favorite toy. He'd been preparing for this, he told himself. This frailty was the inevitable outcome for the Einzbern homunculus, especially seeing as another Servant was now eliminated thanks to Assassin X. "Kiritsugu," Urushi's voice crackled over his earpiece, "another bomb's been taken care of. I'm not getting a whiff of any others, either."
"Same here," Akino reported. Both hounds had volunteered to do another sweep of the city alongside the group's Shadow Clones. Even with Archer X's death, not all of the explosives she'd hidden would simply disappear alongside their creator. Fuyuki had already been ravaged enough for one night. "Looks like we've finally gotten the last of them."
Images and sounds flowed into Kiritsugu's mind all at once, and he felt Iri's magical pulse strengthening by just a little. Their clones had released themselves, and the additional memories the Mage Killer sorted through confirmed both dogs' words. Assassin X stepped over, his hands raised in a silent offer the Master accepted by gently passing Iri over to him. His own hands free for the moment, he lifted the speaker closer to his mouth. "Good work. Do another round, but if neither of you find anything else, you can release yourselves."
Both hounds replied with affirming barks, and Kiritsugu turned back to the rest of his team. "There's no time to rest. Emergency services and police will be spreading out now that the heat's died down a little, and it'll be even harder to keep witnesses away from any further battles. We need to determine the other teams' statuses before the streets get too crowded. Now that they've lost Caster and Archer X, the rogues' strength is diminished, but I for one would sleep easier knowing that Megatron and his new teammate have joined them." And Kirei Kotomine, he added to himself. Too bad the tanker plan wasn't an option anymore.
Though their preferred tactics remained oil and water, Saber certainly agreed with her Master's wariness towards those two Servants. "Maiya." She adjusted her hold on Irisviel's right arm and shifted towards the human woman, making sure not to bump into Ūhei. "If I may entrust Irisviel to your care, I would head out alongside Kakashi." At receiving a nod and another smile from her respective allies, she quickly bent down to stroke the canine quartet still assisting the white-haired lady. "You'll watch over these two, won't you?" Artoria allowed herself a little giggle from their confirmation cuddles which multiplied when Biscuit and Pakkun trotted over. Lions would forever be at the top of the animal kingdom in her heart, but this pack of doggies had secured themselves a snug second place. And Guruko does look a little leonine, she noted while kissing their snouts. In a certain light…
Assassin X had never imagined his ninja hounds would grow so popular with this new team just by their cuddliness. Sadly, as much as it warmed his heart to see Saber so openly happy as well as his boys enjoying themselves like ordinary dogs could (and he became oddly fixated on that shine returning to Maiya's eyes when Ūhei snuggled up against her), they all had work to do, and Kiritsugu was looking an odd mix between impatient and… conflicted?
Oh well, Saber was already back on her feet, and he remembered one more thing he had to do. "Okay, then…" He moved over to his partner and opened out his arms. "So, uh, how does this work?"
Saber blinked at the gesture. "How does… what work, Kakashi?" She haltingly mirrored his actions before taking a step closer. "Please don't misunderstand, I'm very relieved you're still with us, but I have admittedly little experience with displaying this sort of affection-"
The shinobi tilted his head in confusion before his eye widened. "O-oh, no, I mean, I don't doubt you'd make a good hugger with some practice," he hastily explained, waving his hands in front of him, "but I was talking about Avalon." When the only answer he received was another (less confused than surprised) blink, he went on. "Well, I appreciate it being loaned to me and saving my life, but with all of my wounds healed, there's no reason I shouldn't return it." He scratched the back of his head with a modest chuckle. "I just, um… haven't a clue on how to get it… out… of me."
"A-ah, o-of course…" Artoria quickly turned her head away to cough into her hand (and hide her embarrassment). But she did nothing to stop the smile her mouth shifted into while she mentally replayed her friend's words. "I appreciate it being loaned to me…" Avalon, the sacred treasure stolen from her when she had lived, a relic of priceless power and value, sought after by nearly all of this world and countless others…
And yet Kakashi considered his currently holding it a "loan." As if it had never crossed his mind to hold onto the fabled sheath. He was undoubtably smart enough to realize what an asset it would be for him in future battles, and yet, he sincerely wanted to give Avalon back to her.
In that moment, she recalled another sentence this man had said: "…I couldn't think of a better comrade to have in this Holy Grail War than Artoria Pendragon." I think our positions ought to be reversed in those words, Kakashi Hatake.
Saber calmly moved closer to Assassin X and raised her left hand to him. "Please hold still and try to visualize Avalon." Both tasks simple enough for the ninja even without his special eye: As with Excalibur, no one who had seen the hallowed Noble Phantasm so much as once would ever forget it. Its image appeared swiftly before his mind, and Saber's fingers bent slightly. This reminds me a little of some Sealing Jutsu back home, he pondered idly, trying not to disturb the process. A golden light emerged inside Assassin X's chest before the scabbard began to emerge from it, inch by inch. Golden with streaks of blue, Fairy Letters engraved upon its center, its features solidified even as it levitated towards its true master.
Then, for the first time in fifteen hundred years, "The Everdistant Utopia" once again rested in the hands of King Arthur.
She willed away her left gauntlet before running her bare fingers along the smooth, illustrious side; no matter how long they had been separated, Avalon remained as beautiful as the day she had first received it. Merlin's lesson from long ago, "You should truly value the sheath, not the sword," never rang more true in Artoria's mind than in this moment. To think she had been so careless as to let Morgan steal it from her… As her index finger traced the Fairy Letters' lines, she wanted to never let go of Avalonagain.
Finally, she sighed in content and turned back to her comrade. "Though I'm not happy about you nearly dying in the process, I won't forget your part in Avalon's return to me," the King of Knights vowed. "Thank you, Kakashi Hatake of the Hidden Leaf Village."
He happily returned her smile. "My pleasure, Your Majesty. And truth be told, getting shot in the back wasn't my idea of fun, either." The Copy Ninja noticed a slight tensing in a certain woman's shoulders and quickly added, "But it all worked out in the end, and I can't take all of the credit for your good fortune." He walked towards Irisviel and Maiya, the latter gently leading the former to her car. "And don't think I've forgotten how you saved me, too."
Maiya merely lowered her gaze. "It was Ma'am who remembered Avalon and gave it to you. She's the one who deserves both of your thanks." She kept her voice even, making sure not to let her frustration creep in. Irisviel von Einzbern would now have even less time than what she had calculated in her explanation, and from the way Saber was cradling that sheath, she wouldn't be so quick to relinquish it again. At least he's still alive…
No sooner did the thought cross her mind than Maiya wondered which "he" she meant.
Irisviel for her part didn't even have the energy to muster a giggle at her help's hidden expression. Her clones' unspent energy returning to her had aided a little bit, but she was still far from in good shape. "I'm just relieved you're both alright and whole now," the woman assured them, nonetheless. She'd made her decision and wasn't afraid of the consequences.
But before Maiya and her sweet, fluffy little helpers made to load her in the car, Saber stepped forward and pressed Avalon against her. "Wha-" Irisviel gasped out even while the Noble Phantasm shifted into a bright light that traveled inside her. A second later, she felt the familiar sensation of its energies restoring her body again, the tingling of her weakened nerves as they could now register Maiya's steady but impressively gentle grip and the dogs' bodies supporting hers. It wasn't a complete fix, but the homunculus' strength was returning. Yet she could only gape in shock at the one standing in front of her. "Saber, Avalon was-"
"You relinquished it despite your own frail health to save Assassin X," the King of Knights replied calmly before glancing to her partner who eye-smiled back, "and neither of us take pleasure in watching you suffer for your sacrifice, Irisviel. Do you really think me so cruel to not return it to you?"
Her red eyes widened, and she raised her left arm with new strength to frantically wave. "Oh, nonono, I didn't mean it like that, Saber, I just-" Her eyes narrowed then at their expressions. "…Are you… teasing me, Saber?" Irisviel then registered a series of tremors through her limbs that didn't originate from them, and her cheeks puffed up when she glanced down. "D-don't laugh at me! Oh, you sneaky rascals aren't getting any more treats from me tonight…"
Kiritsugu had been busy mapping out where the disabled bombs were (with a little luck, he might be able to collect a few before any bomb squads collected them, waste not, want not…) when a corner of his mouth twitched upwards. And she says Ilya got her pouty side from me.
Saber giggled a little into her rematerialized gauntlet before continuing. "Apologies, Irisviel, I am a bit unskilled at humor. And I fear a certain someone," her smile curled into a smirk, "has been influencing my efforts in developing it." Assassin X only glanced away playfully, a light whistle coming from his masked mouth.
Irisviel couldn't keep up her pout anymore at his antics and giggled herself. "All the more reason for me to be glad he's still here," she replied before her smile faltered again. "Still, are you sure about this, Saber? Avalon is… it must mean the world to you…"
"It does," the Servant of the Sword acknowledged, "and I have waited over a thousand years to be reunited with Avalon." She smiled gently as her eyes roamed over each of the people gathered here. "Thanks to all of you, I have held it once again and know it is close by." Her eyes even focused on Kiritsugu's back turned to her. "Which makes it less difficult for me to leave it with you for until you've recovered, Irisviel. Besides, I wouldn't deem myself worthy of it if I hoarded it to myself and let a friend of mine die."
"And I technically owe both of you a debt for having it patch me up," Assassin X added. "So, while you recuperate, I'm more than willing to compensate for Avalon's absence."
A few tears gathered inside those red eyes, but Irisviel held onto her smile. Her heart swelled at the kindness these two continued to show her despite the burden her weakness placed on them. But in the next second, it broke again as she remembered her fate. No matter how much Avalonaided her, it was only a matter of time…
Irisviel mentally shoved such pessimistic thoughts away. This was no way to repay her comrades, so she settled for smiling in gratitude to them and not resisting as Maiya set her down in the Mercedes' passenger seat. Biscuit and Shiba promptly settled themselves on her lap, having volunteered (rather strongly) to keep the two ladies company. The others grumbled amongst themselves before Maiya stepped by them with a whisper. "Ma'am said you wouldn't get any more treats from her." She winked. "But Inever said that."
It was unanimous: Kakashi Hatake's pack of ninja hounds loved this team.
The four separated with noticeable springs in their steps, eager on doing as much recon as they could with their time left, while the car drove out of the alley. Assassin X summoned a Shadow Clone to tail the latter as a precautionary measure, then both Heroic Spirits exchanged nods before turning towards their Master. "You know how to reach us if you need us," Assassin X said.
"Mm." Kiritsugu Emiya didn't face them, still huddling over his map. Kakashi took no offense, though, as he spun on his heel and scaled the building within a second to bound away. Saber was surprised with how little irritation she felt at the poor courtesy. Perhaps I've simply grown accustomed to it, she mused as she made for her Yamaha.
"…Thank you."
She stopped, nearly stumbling at the abruptness, and turned around visibly shocked, but the man hadn't moved an inch. Did he just…? Saber stood there for another second, staring at that back, then nodded silently to him and continued to her ride.
But even when Kiritsugu finished his work and left the alley as well, he failed to notice the skull-masked face watching from above.
-55:38:00
Waver Velvet's head spun about like a top, staring one moment at Archer storming towards the Gordius Wheel, then the next at Rider X standing calmly at his spot. He had no idea about which Servant was the bigger threat, and the longer he stood next to Rider and Berserker X, the more he wondered if the enemy Servants were the ones he should be worrying about. The tension was so thick you'd have needed a chainsaw to cut it.
"You afraid, boy?" He stopped looking about as Rider's rather quiet words reached him.
Whereas before he would've lied and scolded his Servant for insulting him, the Master took a breath and replied, "Yeah, I am. Or I guess as either of you would phrase it as, 'my heart's racing like crazy.'"
That made Berserker X's grin widen all the more as he stood bracing his long sword over his shoulder. "The kid's finally getting it."
Iskandar smiled as well before frowning again at the taunting grin his rival Servant of the Mount was shooting his way. Rider X had clearly yet not to engage in any sort of battles tonight, judging by the pristine condition of his silver armor. It seems he had settled for letting his fellow rogues rampage about and waiting for the right time to confront them.
As for Archer… Rider glanced over his shoulder. The golden King similarly showed no battle-worn signs as he marched confidently towards them, though given his peculiar Noble Phantasm, it was doubtful Archer X's fury could've actually caused him any trouble. Neither of Waver's Servants had suffered more than marginal damage from Archer X's clones and chasing Avenger X. Not that either one would've backed down even if they were death's door.
Archer showed no haste or worry as he strutted into the center of the bridge, eyeing each of his prey in turn. "Rider, how dare you let yourself be swayed by this upstart's taunts and forget who your enemy is? I would've thought the loss of that pickled bird of ill fortune you call a partner would've knocked some sense into you," he scoffed, "but it seems the mad dog's insanity is infectious."
Megatron scoffed at him from behind. "And you consider yourself a model of pristine mental health, Archer? Turning your back on an opponent who would have few qualms cutting you down from behind, particularly when you seek to steal my prey… there are less painful ways of committing suicide."
"Indeed there are, upstart." Gilgamesh finally turned his head towards him with a smirk so arrogant the Decepticon had to grapple with himself not to charge the gilded bastard on the spot. "Should you cast aside what little pride you gained in those pits you brag of and attempt to strike at my back, you wouldn't feel a speck of pain. Ever again."
The hatred between the two was genuinely tangible. But before either would begin to truly consider putting an end to their long rivalry here and now, another voice interjected. "What are you morons jabbering about, wanting to stab each other in the back when I'm right in front of you?" Berserker X swung himself over the Gordius Wheel's rail and took three long steps towards them. His sword's tip scraped idly along the ground. "After all, two-on-one's not really enough to get the rust off this guy, but when life gives you lemons, right?"
The tip flicked up from the ground and pointed at the two enemies, its keenness equal to the smile on its wielder's face. "Hell, if you both attack me all at once, then one of you might be able to wound me."
Archer's smirk fell away as he glared back at the dark-haired warrior. "Once again, that arrogance of yours vexes me. As though I would require anyone's aid to put you down like the senseless mutt you are."
"Talk is cheap," Kenpachi shot back, his smile not wavering. "I thought you'd know that, dollying yourself up with all that shiny junk, Goldy."
Seeing those blonde eyebrows furrow together, Waver was beginning to wonder if he'd be safer jumping into the river than staying on this bridge when Rider whispered to him, "Wait here," and hopped off the Wheel himself before he could stop him.
The King of Conquerors easily crossed the distance to his partner and proclaimed laughing, "My, such feistiness! It's good to see you finally taking some initiative." He swept his arm out to who stood behind him. "However, I must concur with my rival. We have most important matters to settle between us. But rest assured, once I have taught Megatron the error of his ways, there would nothing to stop our own confrontation."
Archer clicked his tongue at the suggestion. "You can fight over a silly title with my blessing, mongrel. But do not expect me to just wait and pray the upstart doesn't crush you beneath his heel when I have graced this battlefield with my presence."
"You stupid or something?" He glared at the insult, but Berserker X only grinned wider. "I'm not big on watching on the sidelines either, so me and you might as well have a little of our own fun while these bozos settle things." He leaned a little closer. "Hell, you make it interesting enough for me, and I might let you live so Kandy can fight you, too."
The golden alloy of Gilgamesh's glorious armor actually creaked from how tightly his gauntlets were gripping it. "You… let me live?" He bit out the words like his teeth were trying to pulverize them.
"Wouldn't be the first time," Berserker X scratched his chin unbothered by the increase in danger. "Those who give me tough fights and manage to stay alive after I cut loose tend to be fun, so I leave 'em be and wait to see if they come back for another round." Like a certain bald blockhead,Waver considered by his spot.
"Fine logic," Rider praised his partner before smirking. "I might consider practicing it myself to keep my wits sharp. Darius III never ceased to be a fearsome opponent no matter how many times we faced each other."
Meanwhile, a vein was beginning to bulge in the King of Heroes' illustrious forehead. Quite unhealthily so.
Rider X chortled behind him. "My, how far the mighty King of Heroes has fallen if he needs the charity of a brute to keep his life." He walked past him to loom over the other member of his class. "Raiding his treasury will be simpler than I imagined once I am finished with you, Iskandar. And I can assure you, no trace of you or your beast will remain."
"On the latter," Archer growled as he stepped forward with a twitching smile, "we agree. Congratulations, mad dog. You shall have the privilege of perishing by my hand tonight."