Chapter 26: Castling
-05:46:12
The motor of a certain high-power motorcycle rumbled steadily as its owner guided it along the streets of Shinto. It was a quiet night, rather warm considering the time of year, and nary a breeze. It was almost as if the world itself was holding its breath in anticipation of the battles soon to be waged, the rider of the already armored Yamaha V-Max mused idly, all senses on alert. Saber knew the flares had first been launched over two hours ago, but she had agreed with the rest of her team not to rush in blindly. Better to let the streets empty first and make some final preparations, then approach with caution.
Such caution quickly proved warranted when a high-pitched whine came out of nowhere, heralding the arrival of a particular extraterrestrial aircraft. Its blasters chased the motorcycle as its occupant accelerated down the street, swerving left and right to dodge energy bolts. Rider X chuckled to himself as Saber glanced over her shoulder to glare at him. "Running away from your enemy? Has our last encounter shaken you so, King of Knights?"
Rather than dignify her pursuer with an answer, Saber took a sharp right into an alley too narrow for the larger Servant to follow. Megatron scoffed at this tactic and arched upwards to fly over the buildings, but no sooner did he reach halfway was he suddenly snared. "What in-" He assumed his robot form to rip himself free of the nearly invisible wires…
And triggered the paper bombs attached to them through his struggles.
A chain of explosions erupted above the buildings, followed by the Servant's large body hurtling uncontrolled to an abandoned parking lot below. A cursing Rider X landed on one knee, a crater cracking open in the asphalt underneath him. Smoke wafted from him, but the bombs had done little damage to his mighty armor. At most, he was irked at falling for such a cheap trap.
His audio receptors processed a familiar rumble, and he drew himself to his full height with his right arm out. Saber burst into view, narrowly ducking her head under the blast of his fusion cannon before she raced straight at him, sword at the ready. Rider X evaded her for the most part as she passed, but a slight miscalculation on his part allowed Invisible Air to slice off part of his shoulder pauldron. He retaliated with another shot from his cannon that struck the motorcycle's rear wheel under its armor. Saber was forced to leap off before it crashed.
Though she couldn't afford to spare a glance at the Yamaha's wreckage, Artoria Pendragon swore to avenge it. The fiend before her had already become the target for a great many grudges in this War, what was one more? "Youseem to have grown careless, Decepticon. This War is far from over, and we have no intention of letting you be the victor."
Rider X sauntered out of his crater, his fusion cannon still primed. He had yet to call upon Dark Energon, so his optics remained the same crimson as when Saber had first met him. "We, you say? So, where is your sneaky little partner?" He chuckled. "Did I scare him off?"
"Hardly." The broad Servant whirled around one-hundred-and-eighty degrees with his cannon first. Assassin X slipped under the heavy arm and thrust Lightning Blade at his chest, but a burst of violet energy flared up before him. The electricity coursing around his fingers crackled against it, even briefly turning the same shade to the ninja's shock. And in that moment of hesitation, Rider X brought down both fists upon his head.
The smaller Servant buckled under the crushing blow… before disappearing with a Poof! Frowning at the smoke coiling underneath his fists, Rider X turned his head to see Saber charging him again. He made to face her when the ground broke away beneath his feet and a long chain sprang out to coil around his neck. He grabbed it just as an electric current traveled up its links, shocking him. The Heroic Spirit of the Mount's body convulsed about from his lost leverage and the electrified chain, nearly leaving him open for Saber to behead him. Rider X barely blocked her sword with his arm blade, but the strength of her arms was the final step to send him toppling onto his back with an angry grunt.
Saber landed on the street right as Assassin X burst up from his hiding place, pieces of rubble falling from his limbs. In one hand, he still clutched his chain tightly, in the other, Lightning Blade crackled at the ready. Neither hero spared a word as they lunged simultaneously at their enemy again.
Megatron gritted his denta, his optics blazing violet. Five large crystals of black and violet surged from the ground, their tips nearly impaling the duo if they hadn't dug into their heels. Saber and Assassin X hopped out of range before the spikes receded again, revealing their maker back on his feet.
"Layering diversions, sneak attacks and traps upon one another…" Rider X rose to his full height. "Well done. But do not think for a moment you can take my head so easily." He snapped the chain around his neck with a casual tug. "You may have to compare efforts with Iskandar once I am through with you and your lapdog, Saber."
Assassin X rose an eyebrow at the moniker, but it was his partner who responded. "Considering this 'lapdog' has confounded you again and again, Megatron, I would think twice about mocking my comrades." The King of Knights shot him a glare cold but stormy as the winds surrounding her sword. "And once this night is ended, you shall be the one seeing the real King of Conquerors again, that I promise you."
Her comrade noticed Rider X's fists tightening; for once, the cruel tyrant was the one being goaded. Let's see how much prodding he can take. "The way I hear it, you and your little rock collection," he nodded at where those crystals had been, "couldn't even finish off Rider or Berserker X. Despite your best efforts, it took another Servant to kill those two."
The smile Rider X shot him seethed with palpable fury and Dark Energon. "They may have both escaped death by my hands, but you will not be so lucky, ninja." He raised his fist as it swirled with power visible even without the Sharingan. "And once I've stripped you of your life and our little King of her title, I shall teach that golden fool not to steal another's kill."
Both made to dodge as that hand pointed towards them, but whatever dark force Rider X would've unleashed on them was cut short by an oncoming barrage from down the lot. Assassin X hastily summoned a Mud Wall in defense, and those weapons not halted by his efforts were swiftly batted away by Saber. Rider X slashed and blasted those aimed at him. The assault ended as swiftly as it had begun, but no one dared relax. "Speak of the devil…" Kakashi muttered under his breath; good thing he had already set up a passable Bounded Field in this area (his lessons with Irisviel hadn't been one-sided), because it was about to get noisy. He exchanged a look with Saber before she narrowed her eyes at the newcomer.
"What a splendid sight you make, Saber." Archer materialized from spirit form atop a neon sign, arms crossed and usual smirk across his lips. "Standing defiant in the face of darkness, a commanding presence for your ally, and ultimately doomed for all your efforts…" He sighed in delight. "Your radiance stands out anywhere, I swear. It nearly blinds me."
"I don't doubt you have a pair of sunglasses somewhere in your treasury," Saber drawled, eyes shifting from him to Rider X and back. It was hard to say which was the greater threat. To some tiny relief, though, the two were keeping a fair distance from each other unlike her and Assassin X. In fact, Megatron's body language had only stiffened more so upon Archer's arrival. They're not allies after all. She then added, "It appears as though you've finally begun filling your quota of battle," with a pointed nod at his scar. He isvulnerable. Killable.
A hearty laugh cut through her strategizing. "And you've even developed a sense of humor since last I saw you, splendid indeed!" Archer's red eyes fixed on Assassin X. "Your doing, I wager. For this, I suppose I ought to reward you with a swift and mostly painless death."
"Tempting offer," the shinobi adjusted his stance slightly in case weapons started flying, "but I think I'll pass. I'm a busy Servant, and there's a certain chalice waiting for Saber and me."
"The Holy Grail?" The King of Heroes shook his head with a scoff, his gaze returning to his rival King. "I can see why such a gaudy thing may entice these dogs intruding upon my garden, but you, Saber? Why in all heavens would yousquander your energy in seeking it? Isn't the existence of a woman such as yourself enough of a miracle?"
Flattering though the words may have been, she raised her guard all the more. Something about the Babylonian Servant was unsettling right now. "Tell me, King of Heroes, how do you tolerate being in the presence of this monster, let alone join forces with him?" Saber glared from the silver tyrant to the golden one. "You look down your nose at the rest of us and then go and assist one who is the absolute worst? Do you just turn a blind eye to his atrocities because he amuses you?"
Archer's smile slipped away. "I did indeed. More than I should have…" Finally, he glared at Rider X who returned his fire with an expression that said, "As if you could have ever stopped me." A statement he intended to prove wrong. "But tonight, I shall correct Tokiomi's greatest mistake and remove this blight upon my garden once and for all."
Assassin X tilted his head, an idea coming to mind. "If that's the case, maybe we can work together on this." Saber thankfully didn't stare at him in shock, but she was clearly expecting an explanation, a sentiment shared by Archer. "You could probably pulverize Rider X and us with your eyes closed, King of Heroes, but you're not the only one with a grudge against our metallic devil here. What say you let us join in on the removing, and then we settle whatever scores between the three of us afterwards?" He scanned the area before adding, "I imagine Gandalf would've agreed to this."
Saber observed silently. Mentioning their friend's name was a gamble, but from the way Archer stiffened, it had paid off. You didn't condone of Megatron killing Gandalf last night, did you? She remembered now, Lancelot had mentioned the moody King being rather patient, almost friendly, with his partner during their few encounters. Maybe Gilgamesh had simply wanted to finish off Caster X himself, but either way, if it netted them a temporary advantage…
Rider X, having reached the same conclusion, summoned another row of crystals to rise, but three treasures shot out from Archer's portals to crush them into dust. The King of Heroes tutted in mock disapproval before turning back to the last Servant team in this War. "Crafty, but I should expect no less from a mongrel who hides his face. And your offer is an amusing one." His gaze focused on one particular Servant. "And you could make it reality, Saber."
King Arthur didn't lower her guard for an instant. "And what exactly would be the price you expect of me? Because I warn you now, Archer, if you want me to turn my sword against my comrade or my Master, then-"
"Oh, nothing so dull," Gilgamesh waved off her accusations, drinking in the quiet fury in her form. Her strength, her passion, the splendor of her sword, the anguish on her face at the banquet when her dreams had been attacked (at least, before Olórin had intervened) …Now, more than ever, he was absolutely certain of his decision. "There is but one simple thing you must do to receive my favor:
"Throw down your sword and become my wife."
A long silence descended upon the battlefield as three verydifferent Servants processed the words of a smug fourth. "…Come again?" Assassin X finally asked in a dull tone.
Archer rolled his eyes at the mongrel's slowness. And here I thought he was one of the cleverer ones. "If you seek my favor, Saber, this is the simplest way to earn it. You may consider the upstart's demise a wedding present, and a most generous one at that."
Saber simply stared at him dumbfounded (for now). "Well, I can't say I've ever seen someone propose to a woman quite like this before," Assassin X noted wryly. It's a shame Lord Jiraiya isn't here, this would've made a lovely scene in a Make-Out sequel…
Then the glare Saber shot at him made him wonder if he'd said that last part out loud. He hastily cleared his throat. "I-I mean, couldn't you try more regular tactics like showering her with gifts? Y-you know, flowers, chocolates… promises you don't intend to-"
"Assassin X," Artoria narrowed her eyes at her stammering best friend, "shut up."
"Yes ma'am."
Meanwhile, the other King was much more amused at the foreign mongrel's antics. "Ah, but this is truly among the finest gifts I could bestow upon a woman: The head of her hated enemy presented to her." Archer gestured towards Rider X whose only response was a raised metallic eyebrow. "Cast aside those pointless duties and ideals of yours, Saber. All they do is shackle you and bring you misery. Under me, you would only want for me and be blessed with all my affection. And as your King, I would grant you every happiness in this world. Why, I might even let you keep your 'comrade,' he'd make a delightful court jester."
"Gee, thanks…" Assassin X muttered.
Saber trembled where she stood, though only a fool would believe it was out of fear. "Do you mean to tell me… the only reason you stand between us and the Grail… is because of this lunacy?" She bit out as she clenched her sword's handle tightly from her indignance.
"There it is!" this world's oldest hero pointed at his adversary's face in delight. "Such a radiant fire you carry within you, how brightly it burns! Oh, what a sweet sight to see it reduced to embers once it has been exhausted of heat… How I will cherish the moment tears of despair would glisten those perfect cheeks of yours, Saber…" He sighed, his inner desire making him shiver. "Oh, I simply cannot let you throw yourself into battle when the greatest of excitement await us in our bed!" He nearly giggled at how her face briefly turned green.
Besides, he added to himself in a more reserved state, I refuse to lose another to the upstart. Setting aside the memory of the wizard (He'd have tried to interfere if he were here, anyway.), Gilgamesh spread his arms open to the one he sought. "Seeing as you still seem slow to comprehend, let me speak plain, Saber: You are to be my bride. The sooner you accept this, the quicker you will reap the benefits."
Ah, how beautiful those eyes were glaring at him like that. "Then I shall speak even plainer." Like shining emeralds. "No."
"A little shy, aren't we?" Archer chuckled to himself. "Do not fear, I will forgive you as many times as I need to. First, I will teach you suffering, then I will show you a joy you could only ever experience through me."
A disgusted sound escaped Rider X. "You meatbags and your ridiculous mating rituals… I've indulged this farce of yours long enough, Archer." The Cybertronian's eyes shined violet as he gathered the Dark Energon within him. "If you wish to debase yourself and make a pet out of Saber, then do so back in the Throne of Heroes. I have a multiverse to conquer."
"What a strange little fantasy world you still live in if you presume to give me orders, upstart." As so many times before, golden portals shimmered into existence around Archer, the Gate of Babylon answering its King's call. From one of the dual portals emerged the gleaming hook belonging to Harpe, the weapon the Greek hero Perseus wielded to behead the Gorgon Medusa; from the other peeked out the spiral tip of Caladbolg, the feared sword of the Celtic King Fergus mac Róich. They had yet to be aimed at anything specifically, but Gilgamesh's enemies knew this combination, deadly though it was, to be merely an opening salvo.
Even so, one of them calmly stepped forward. "I don't make a habit out of defying royalty," Assassin X planted himself a fair distance between Archer and Saber, "but King of this world or not, I'm not going to just stand by and let you have your way with my comrade."
Saber made to protest her partner's interference; for one, she was perfectly capable of defending her own honor. More than that, though, they both knew how powerful and temperamental Archer was. Facing him alone was madness. But before she could move, his voice reached her mind. 'Saber, I want to try something. Stand ready, but don't interfere unless you have to.'
Artoria forced herself to relax at the levelheaded words. 'Alright, I'll trust you, but don't take unnecessary risks.' So, she kept watch on the ever-smug Rider X who had yet to make another move. That said, she prepared to jump in front of Kakashi if need be.
Archer's smirk only widened at the masked fool standing tall before him. "Your opinion in this matter is irrelevant." Thus, he aimed and launched his treasures with a simple mental nudge. The twin projectiles hurtled towards their target who hadn't moved a muscle…
Then Assassin X ducked underneath Caladbolgmilliseconds before contact, reached out with his right hand to snag the massive sword's handle, pivoted in place, and obliterated Harpe with one swing.
Archer's eyes shot wide open in outrage, fragments of his shattered scythe scattering across the asphalt. "What?!" His shock was shared by Rider X and even Saber; impossible though the shinobi's feat had been, there was another layer to it. His movements, all three realized, were… familiar.
A step-for-step reenactment of another Servant's first clash with the King of Heroes.
"Sorry," Kakashi Hatake straightened again, "I forgot to mention one little detail in my introduction at the banquet." He hefted his freshly acquired sword experimentally. "See, back on my world, I was given a title, too. Nothing as magnificent as King of Knights or King of Heroes, mind you, but it did contribute quite a bit to my own legend."
Aside from its Celtic origin making it fundamentally different from swords the Japanese-esque Heroic Spirit was familiar with, Caladbolg was a Noble Phantasm he had never encountered before. The Servant of the Shadows shouldn't be able to use it effectively. And yet he sliced the air before him in a swift series of practiced, graceful motions.
Motions, Saber noted with a tiny smirk, that were a perfect replication of hers with Excalibur.
Assassin X's Sharingan twinkled. "They knew me as the Copy Ninja."
Sometimes, it was easy to forget how potent a Mystic Eye could be, no less when it was a Noble Phantasm. With or without his participation, the Sharingan had been active throughout all of the battles Assassin X had witnessed. Warriors and legendary figures of so many variations had gathered for the Holy Grail War, and he had watched them very attentively with "A Gift from a Fallen Brother". While he couldn't copy their weapons or powers themselves, of course, he did pick up on their fighting styles and certain techniques.
And as it turned out, Berserker's Knight of Owner fell under the latter category.
Rider X frowned at the little man rolling his shoulder. He didn't know of Assassin X's past or home, but from what little he did know, he could draw one clear conclusion: Letting him last this long in the War was a mistake.
Then his smile returned. Mistakes like this were easily rectified, especially with all this power at his disposal. "Do you actually think a little mimicry is enough to turn the tide of this battle in your favor, little ninja?" He spread his arms wide, and Dark Energon surged from his body. Violet crystals began to spring up from the ground before him, sharp as stakes and twice as eager to pierce. His silver metallic body bathed in purple "flames" as they grew.
Saber stepped forward before they could reach anyone and shattered the crystals with one windy swing of her sword. "I've heard the tales of how you fought my fellow monarch, Megatron." She leveled her veiled blade at him. "Do youactually think the same tricks you used on Iskandar will work on me or Assassin X?"
"Oh rest assured, I have been saving something veryspecial for you, King of Knights." Saber remained where she was, and Assassin X and Archer turned to Rider X despite the freshly born tension between them. It was as though a black pit had opened where the foreign conqueror stood, and something was coming out. Something monstrous.
"Yes…" A delighted hiss slipped through Megatron's exposed denta as he reached over his right shoulder. He had entertained drawing this if his initial gambit against Rider had failed, and watching it fell the old wizard had been a treat. But this was truly the moment he had been waiting for. "I believe the time has finally come to teach you heroes the fate of all those who defy me." The darkness seemed to consolidate behind him, then he brandished his ultimate Noble Phantasm.
Saber, Archer and Assassin X eyed the sword Rider X had drawn with unbridled revulsion. It was a massive thing, nearly as long as its master was tall. Its handle was metallic but gave off the impression it had been carved from rock. The guard had been shaped with many edges which coalesced in the form of a fearsome visage. The blade was dark with a violet outline and spikes jutting out like thorns at random parts, ending in a single sharp edge. That same loathsome Dark Energon pulsed audibly along its length like some twisted heartbeat.
It was idle for now, but Saber sensed… something from her own sword just before Invisible Air vanished against her will, revealing Excalibur in all its glory. With wide eyes, the King of Knights concentrated to reassert her will over her Noble Phantasm when its illuminant blade emitted an angry hum into the night. Rider X's sword flared up in turn, a vicious growl emanating from it. Saber wondered how this extraterrestrial sword's presence could've provoked such a reaction…
And then the truth struck her. 'Rider X's sword,' she explained to a visibly confused Assassin X, 'it is a Divine Construct like mine.' She glared at that terrible weapon and its even more terrible wielder before amending her conclusion. 'No… It may be Divine, but it is an antithesis to Excalibur. My blade has recognized it as its enemy and declared war.' She eyed it with undisguised disgust; thiswas what had saved Megatron from the power of Excalibur.
Assassin X nodded slowly in comprehension. 'And from the sound of it, Excalibur's animosity isn't one-sided.' He shuddered despite himself as the Sharingan locked onto that blade. Never before in his original life or as a Heroic Spirit had he seen such concentrated, solidified… evil. That Noble Phantasm wasn't a sword of celebrated tales meant to inspire the masses into becoming their best. This was a weapon of one single purpose: Desolation.
"Feast your eyes…" Their attention returned to the one who had unsheathed this object of horror and destruction. Rider X for his part seemed to be drinking in their reactions with delight, for he swung his Noble Phantasm before him. Violet energy crackled in its wake. "This is the sword I personally forged from Dark Energon, the greatest symbol of my power, a weapon like no other of my world."
The Decepticon tyrant's voice rippled with pride. He may have harnessed and tamed the Blood of Unicron to suit his own purposes, but this was a weapon all his own. Witnessing the reaction of King Arthur's sword to its debut only made him more eager to reveal its name:
"The Dark Star Saber."
Since his summoning to this Grail War, Archer had been admittedly, to some minor whimsical degree, tempted to add one or two foreign items to his treasury. The drunken bird's transforming sword, for example, and that may be a viable option yet. And he could think of a quaint little pedestal which would go nicely with the masked dog's eye.
But that twisted perversion of a Divine Construct, in the upstart's claws? Gilgamesh would sooner raze all of the Gate of Babylon before letting that thing anywhere near it. "You should have left your toy behind in your universe, Megatron," he snarled, golden light surrounding him. "I cannot, will not, stomach your dragging such a blight into my garden."
Rider X laughed in retaliation as he pointed his Saber's tip at his final enemy. "Then allow me to rend your stomach from your body, o King of Heroes, and this garden from your unworthy hands."
Rrrrrrrrr… But before he could make good on his words, a dark mass shot out of nowhere, barreling straight towards him. Rider X turned and swung, the Dark Star Saber's edge slicing through the object like butter. Its twin halves crashed to the ground as a black shape sprung from it to hurl a spear towards his face. He split that in half as well, revealing it to be a pipe as ordinary as the car that had tried to run him over. So, you've finally made your move…
Berserker executed a perfect three-point landing to the right of Saber and Assassin X, a hand raised to forestall their movements. "Forgive me, my King." For Someone's Glorycontinued to enshroud the knight's voice and body despite all present already knowing his True Name. "It warms my heart to stand by your side again," he stood up with his gauntlets balled into fists, "but this is my battle."
"It's all our battle, Sir," the King of Knights refuted him with no small amount of worry. "I know the hatred you feel for what Rider X has done, and it's well deserved. But he has garnered hatred from us all, so you needn't face him alone. I promised you that, remember?"
She made to approach her Knight of the Round Table, but a tug on her shoulder kept her from being struck by a golden axe. "Promises are dangerous things, my dear." Saber turned to scowl at Archer's smirking face. "You are promised to me, after all, and I do not appreciate you deviating your attention from me." He scoffed as Assassin X took a step towards him. "And don't think your thieving friend alone can stop me."
Inwardly, Gilgamesh was all the more pleased at the black dog's timely intervention. Best case scenario, Megatron killed him and thereby removed his irritating thieving Noble Phantasm from the game; as much as Archer wanted to do that himself, he could settle for inflicting his wrath upon Assassin X. And the upstart would be left dead or too wounded to distract me any more than claiming my prize. So, go, mad dog. …Avenge your friend.
Lancelot du Lac couldn't have known what the King of Heroes was planning, and frankly, he didn't care. Removing his helmet, he turned his head just enough so he could look at Assassin X while still keeping the monster before him in view. The Servant who had supported his King so well in his War seemed to read the unspoken request in his eyes, for he nodded.
And that was enough. Lancelot knew he could trust Kakashi Hatake to aid his King no matter what happened to him. He's a better friend than I ever was. The Servant of Madness let this sobering thought linger in his mind before he glared full force at the one he'd sworn to kill.
Megatron leered down at the naked face before him; his expression was nothing he hadn't seen to one point or another. And now he finally had the chance to be rid of a persistent meddler in his plans. "You should put your helmet back on, Berserker," he taunted with a mock salute of the Dark Star Saber. "Otherwise, you may perish sooner than your partner did."
Lancelot's fury blazed inside his chest at the mention of his murdered comrade, but he took a breath before replying. "I need no helmet for this battle, Rider X. I want my face to be the last thing you see in this world."
That earned him a throaty cackle from his enemy. "A bold statement, but no amount of pilfered trinkets and fighting prowess can hope to stand against my blade."
The knight's eyes focused on that unholy weapon, its edge pulsing with energy and destructive intent. "Yes, you do carry a fearsome sword there." A humorless smile crossed his lips. "Let's see how it compares to mine."
The shadows surrounding his form promptly receded, revealing his dark armor in all its tarnished splendor. Knight of Owner was now sealed alongside For Someone's Gloryas well, the price for Berserker's decision to unveil his trueNoble Phantasm. Mana swirled around his right gauntlet as it solidified into a clear shape, a sword only Saber had seen before.
Arondight was different than how King Arthur remembered, though. While it remained a work of art in its sleek edge and the Fairy Letters engraved exhibiting its craftsmanship, the sword once deemed equal to her own had lost its luster. It now was nearly as dark as the Saber Rider X flaunted… and that detail did not go unnoticed by either sword.
The unsheathed Arondight released a howl of hot fury not unlike that of Excalibur. "The Unfading Light of the Lake" had once been the counterpart to the "Sword of Promised Victory" in their knights' time, and it, too, recognized an enemy in the Dark Star Saber. However, whereas one sword had been used for the most chivalrous of lives only to fall from grace alongside its wielder, the other had been created from evil and only ever committed evil. In that sense, their hatred towards one another was perhaps even stronger.
To say nothing of the tension between the Knight of the Lake and the Leader of the Decepticons.
The "Deathbringer to the Cosmos" trembled slightly in its creator's grip. Yes, you're eager for this battle as well, aren't you? Megatron determined from his sword's tangible fury. You seek to face these proud swords and show them how inferior they are in comparison to you. You wish to shatter them just as you did your predecessor, don't you? His smile widened. It was a desire he had shared since he had first learned of this world's Kings and their grandeur.
Neither Servant wasted any more time on boasts, threats or proclamations. Lancelot and Megatron simply charged at each other with matching battle cries, and the world itself seemed to tremble as Arondight met the Dark Star Saber. A heavy whine rang out from their first impact, sparks and mana danced in the air as the ground cracked apart, then the blades separated briefly only to meet one another again, and so they did. Faster than a human eye could track, strong enough to have drawn witnesses from everywhere were it not for Assassin X hastily reinforcing the Bounded Field he'd prepared. I owe you big time, Irisviel.
Saber watched the blurring figures attacking one another with no small worry. She might've jumped in to support her old subject and friend if Assassin X tapped her on the shoulder. 'Let Lancelot have this, Artoria.' She looked at him, only to receive a pointed nod. 'Grudges aside, we have another problem.'
She followed his gaze to where Archer had hopped down from his perch, lazily eyeing the duel. Of course… They couldn't be sure the King of Heroes wouldn't blindside Lancelot if he felt like it. And he did need to be vanquished one way or another if they wanted to win the Grail. Besides, Saber wasn't about to let what he said or intended with her go unpunished. She consented with a firm nod.
Thus, the Man of One Thousand Techniques settled into a new stance, Caladbolg raised to level with his head. "Hope you don't mind if I borrow a move or two from you, Saber."
His partner advanced to his side, mirroring his stance. Or, if one were to get technical, he was mirroring hers. "These days, I believe they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," she shrugged in good nature, "so please, Assassin X, borrow away."
Archer clicked his tongue as he watched the mad dog clash with the upstart. That mutt is always interfering… Though I suppose I can't fault him for wanting to tear out Megatron's throat. He huffed in bittersweet amusement. No sooner are you gone, Olórin, does he forget all that you taught him. What a fool you had for a partner.
He pulled himself from such melancholy musings. There was no need for them, after all, considering he was about to chastise this little trickster for laying his hands on his treasure and have the first of many dances with his bride-to-be. All at the same time, no less.
Archer smirked as the duo rushed him from opposite sides, the Gate of Babylon opening to greet them. Yes, why would I possibly complain?
-05:32:28
While it looked mostly complete from the outside, Fuyuki's city hall was still under construction on the inside. What few officials allowed had already closed up, and it was long since empty of any workers. Lights deactivated and doors locked, no one would've guessed this modern building to be the endpoint for a conflict that had been waged for one-hundred-eighty years.
Even so, Kiritsugu Emiya had kept a watchful eye on the other focus points for Fuyuki's leylines, and his investigations had all confirmed no activity… save for here. He reached the entrance with brisk steps to find the lock had been broken. A magical scan confirmed the reports his Servants had made minutes ago; all five remaining Heroic Spirits were duking it out about twenty blocks from the hall. Far enough that their battle wouldn't interfere with the ritual to summon the Grail, Kiritsugu noted, but close enough for them to get here quickly should a Master recall them.
He removed his gloves. Both hands still displayed two Command Seals for each of his Servants, but Kiritsugu doubted he held the advantage in that regard. Kirei Kotomine has probably stocked up on Seals from his father and Tohsaka. And who knows what other weapons he has at his disposal? The Mage Killer had thus far avoided meeting the onetime Executor face-to-face, so what he knew of the other Master's battle capabilities was limited to written theories and reports from Maiya. And he survived a point-blank explosion…
But as much as he didn't like it, this wasn't the first time Kiritsugu had taken on a mission with little intel. And it wasn't as if he had an alternative. So, he stepped inside the building, hands out and ready. His lack of trouble merely entering was enough of a clue. The city hall was magically the least likely spot for the Grail to emerge or the worst fortified base of operations, but Kotomine had obviously not bothered to add any defenses. For Kiritsugu or any other Master to move through this place so easily, it had to be a trap.
It's like Assassin X said, his real target is me, not the Grail. He knows the usual magecraft tricks wouldn't stop me, so he's not bothering in the first place. As he walked past a glass divider, Kiritsugu frowned uneasily at his reflection. I can't ambush him like I normally would, either. He's holding all the cards. He tapped a finger against his leg. Or maybe not…
It took a few minutes for him to pick up on a small trail of mana, and he delayed his approach even more. Kiritsugu had already resigned himself to the fact his confrontation with the one man he'd hoped to avoid was inevitable, but that was no reason for him to throw caution to the wind. He still didn't know why this priest he'd never met before was so keen on seeking him out, nor was he entirely sure he could beat him. Yet in the end, none of that mattered.
Kariya Matou might have survived up to this point, but he was no threat to Kiritsugu's plans. Kirei Kotomine remained the obstacle in his path to fulfilling his lifelong wish. So, he needed to be removed.
Kiritsugu had already drawn the Thompson Contender as he stepped into the auditorium taking up most of the first to third floors. It was one of the only rooms nearly complete in construction, but he refrained from flicking on any light switches. His night vision was sufficient for peering across to the other side.
He therefore aimed his gun instantly at the figure that suddenly rose up on the stage… but before he could pull the trigger, the figure turned to him. "…Iri?" Kiritsugu asked despite himself.
Even with no natural light, he would recognize that pale face anywhere. Alabaster hair shook about as she stepped haltingly off the stage, Kiritsugu barely catching himself from rushing towards her. Stop and think, you idiot, he scolded himself. Iri shouldn't be able to move right now, hell, she should be almost dead… And yet as the woman walked with stiff steps down the aisles toward him, he found himself moving to meet her.
And it was only through closing the distance that Kiritsugu could see her eyes properly.
They weren't the vibrant red that had eventually captivated him… but a familiar sickly violet.
He was already rolling to the side when Iri's arms jerked out. Multiple strands wove together into the magecraft she had developed herself in the hopes of fighting alongside him, and Kiritsugu nearly got his eyes clawed out by the freshly formed eagle. He managed to avoid that, too, noting how even the construct's wires had turned purple. Dark Energon purple.
The Master scowled at the flying perversion of his wife's efforts. Rider X… He turned with a heavy heart to see Iri's veins pulsing the same color as her eyes. That metal bastard… He corrupted her, too!? In hindsight, he should've expected this. It was a well-established fact by now that there was no depravity that alien tyrant wouldn't commit. Kiritsugu also realized the logic behind this move: sending Iri to attack him and rattle his thought process.
Unfortunately, it was working. The Mage Killer set aside his bag and aimed his Contender at the bird as it made another pass at him, but his index finger stalled. He ducked and made to aim at the source, but again, he froze, almost leaving himself open. I can't risk hitting her with an Origin Round, Kiritsugu thought, ducking low among the seats. Its properties may damage the Grail by proxy, assuming Rider X's mojo hasn't already.
It was a flimsy rationalization even to him, but nevertheless, Kiritsugu stowed away his gun. Alright, if I can't shoot her, I'll just have to immobilize her.
Irisviel von Einzbern's face was as blank as the day she had first met him, her eye color being the only difference. Outwardly, she showed no sign of having anything left of the woman devoted to her husband and daughter, proof of the Dark Energon's control of her.
There was a possibility, of course, that part of her consciousness, her soul, still remained inside her body, but in this state, it would be utterly incapable of resisting as her limbs and mind directed the eagle to chase after Kiritsugu. All that piece of the real Iri would be able to do was watch helplessly as she tried to kill the man she loved and pray he could stop her in time. But only an utter sadist would create such a cruel situation…
Kiritsugu ducked, darted and evaded as best as he could, but he'd inadvertently trapped himself among the seat rows. There was precious little room for him to maneuver, and when he leaned away from yet another dive, his foot slipped. His back fell against a seat, then the eagle's talons were already sinking into his throat.
Something resembling a gasp escaped Iri's mouth at registering the impact through her wires… Poof! But then Kiritsugu was gone, and the eagle had only caught smoke.
The homunculus marionette turned stiffly her head in every direction, her construct rising to get a better view of their quarry. No matter where either looked, though, there was no sign of the Mage Killer. Iri slowly took a step towards the exit; perhaps he had fled?
A hand shot out of the ground and grabbed her ankle tightly. Iri didn't even have time to yelp before she was yanked down into the floor until only her head remained visible. Meanwhile, a familiar shape slowly rose up behind her.
The construct wheeled around upon recognizing Kiritsugu and dived to attack, but he was faster. He flicked out his hand to send twin little papers fluttering towards the "bird," their detonation blowing it apart. There, even with Rider X's parlor trick, the backlash of its destruction should take her out of action for a while. Kiritsugu watched stray wires flutter to the ground before kneeling in front of his wife's head with a sigh. And here I thought the Headhunter Jutsu was just for pranks. He brushed some dirt off his coat. The name says it all.
He gazed at her struggle even in this predicament, but her body was too feeble to break free of the ground any time soon. Still, to see her reduced to a puppet, not granting her the dignified death she deserved for accepting her fate so gracefully… Kiritsugu couldn't think of anything to do for her right now, nothing that mightn't jeopardize the Holy Grail.
No, he corrected himself while standing up, there is onething I can do. He turned with a stony glare to the other end of the auditorium. Rider X was facing Saber and Assassin X, but Kiritsugu could detect the mana trail again. He retrieved his gear and brought out the Contender once more. I can take down the puppeteers.
Kirei Kotomine stood at the other side of the corridor, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He couldn't "see" through the eyes of the Einzbern woman such as through shared perception, but he noticed a distinct resistance through the Dark Energon's connection to her. Said connection clearly hadn't been severed, but he couldn't make her move at the moment.
So, he disabled her nonlethally. The fallen priest chuckled to himself. How uncharacteristic of the Mage Killer. It seemed the woman had truly told Kirei the truth about Emiya's softness and their bond. Well, in that case, shattering his resolve would be all the easier. Kirei could hear his enemy's footsteps now with Reinforced ears. Quick, heavy, practically stomping. Just as he'd thought, Emiya's encounter with his little homunculus had rattled him. Good.
Kirei began to walk himself, stepping into the field he'd chosen would best suit their "meeting." He rolled his shoulders a little as the foreign power began to stir inside him. No doubt it senses its host's anticipation. Spurring me on for the final battle, maybe, Kirei mused as he suppressed the Dark Energon. Temperance was a crucial aspect for a priest, and he wasn't keen on letting an alien corruption dictate all of his decisions. He thought he could detect… disappointment from the power before a memory took front stage in his mind. This one belonged to the one who had introduced this world to Dark Energon:
Megatron stood proudly on the cracked ground near a volcano. He could practically feel the eruption bound to happen, the molten liquids churning within, but he remained calm as ever. A Groundbridge opened up a short distance from the leader of the Deceptcions stood, and out strode the leader of the Autobots.
Orion Pax. Optimus Prime. His greatest adversary. The one he hated and respected above all others. His nemesis.
Footsteps captured Kirei's attention, and for a single second, he thought he could see the Last Prime stepping into the dark hall. He blinked, and his vison cleared to see Kiritsugu Emiya, black coat rippling from his movements. Guns in hand. Dark eyes glaring at him.
The lights flickered on, revealing the plain storage space that was to be their battleground. Kirei Kotomine kissed the side of his cross, thanking the Lord for this opportunity. And if damnation awaited him at the end of this night for his transgressions… Well, he surely deserved them. But he would gladly accept any and every punishment for this. The Executor drew six Black Keys from his frock as the Mage Killer snapped up his right gun.
Yes… this was always how it had been meant to be. This final encounter, this battle of two. One shall stand. One shall fall.
Saber sprinted past three separate weapons that buried themselves in the ground behind her, sword pulled back. The swing she unleashed would've split a two-story house in half if Archer hadn't intercepted it with two swords. A broad shockwave swept across the field from their impact, the latter shaking the King of Knights' defense for half a second. Archer exploited her little lapse by launching a Greek spear at her left thigh, but Assassin X caught it, spun it about as he had seen Diarmuid do countless times, and hurled it back.
Gilgamesh dodged his treasure with a slight frown that only grew as Saber suddenly appeared on his left. He called forth a shield to deflect her thrust, but she advanced into the move and turned it into a slash perfectly in tandem with Assassin X Caladbolg thrusting opposite from her. Gritting his teeth, Archer managed to halt their attacks with a large Egyptian khopesh and a Mesoamerican macuahuitl respectively, both legendary weapons that shattered on impact. They nevertheless bought him a crucial second to leap out of reach and fire another volley, forcing them to fall back a little.
Archer widened the distance between them with another two steps backwards. Calling the Wedge of Heaven a coward was slander and a sin deserving of the most violent punishments imaginable, but he was no fool, either. His battle with Berserker X had taught him not to let his opponent dictate what range the battle ought to be, particularly when his opponent knew how to fight. Moreover, Kenpachi had happily let opportunities slip to draw out their match a little longer. These two, though, they were out for blood.
He drank in Saber's expression a little, her visible fury and concentration painting such a marvelous picture, before pulling his attention back to the battle. The masked mongrel had tossed out a spread of those metal stars, but Gilgamesh didn't bother calling upon his treasury. He raised his left arm defensively over his face as the shuriken bounced harmlessly off his golden armor, then directed four portals with his right at the approaching dog.
Assassin X batted away the first sword, then caught the axe, spun, and sliced through the halberd with his newly acquired weapon, then raised Caladbolg to intercept the final dagger. But he fumbled in the final step, a pang running through his shoulder. He tried not to wince as the blade hurtled towards his right eye… Then another appeared to send it spiraling away. Saber landed next to him, a little reassuring smile in her eyes.
He nodded gratefully at her before planting the axe to massage his shoulder. The brief lapse in battle meant the Copy Ninja had to catch his breath, though. The Sharingan's helping me keep track of those "arrows," but I'm physically not at the same level as Artoria or Lancelot. Even with For One's Comrades, it's taking all I've got just to keep up with Archer's barrages. He looked up to find twelve new portals surrounding the golden King. And Lancelot made it look so easy… For all my copying, a guy like me just isn't in their league.
Saber listened to her partner's panting, but even as she realized his limits, she had nothing but appreciation for Assassin X's contributions. Something must've happened to Archer in his battle with Berserker X, she surmised, her gaze drifting to that scar on the King of Heroes' forehead again. One portal released a spike she parried, two more swords that she struck away, but they almost drew her attention away from the twin knives at opposite sides. A twist of her wrist stopped one, but the other would've landed in her abdomen if not for Kakashi. He's acting… cautious. He's using strategy now rather than just carelessly throwing weapons at us. I can barely keep track of all his portals. And… I don't have that with me…
These facts spelled out a clear truth for both Heroic Spirits: if either of them had faced the King of Heroes alone, he'd have demolished them by now. "A fine display for a dog," he taunted, "and you stand out as ever, Saber." He snapped his fingers. "But do not take me lightly. This dance has only begun."
The Gate of Babylon opened even more, forming a sort of dome around the two. Noble Phantasms rained down on them for an entire minute as Archer watched with a neutral mien. A massive cloud of dust emerged from the multiple impacts, obscuring his sight. His eyes narrowed in an effort to peer through before widening as twin holes opened in the cloud. A lightning bolt scorched his breastplate while a razor wind split open his left cheek.
Archer straightened and wiped away some blood, frowning at the dust scattering to reveal Saber in a post-swing stance and Assassin X discarding Caladbolg's broken hilt. Neither had suffered any notable injuries, nor had their resolve wavered. "You should take your own advice, King of Heroes," Assassin X commented, kicking up a scythe to twirl it gracefully.
Never before were the Once-and-Future King and the Man of One Thousand Techniques more grateful their partnership existed than in this moment.