Fate/Blackened Sugar

[] "You're underestimating our stubbornness, Miyu. Seems like we still have much to talk... But we'll do so after we rescue you."

Assassin turned to Miyu and gave her reply, "You're underestimating our stubbornness, Miyu. Seems like we still have much to talk about..."

The black mud on the wall began to bubble some more and the Blackened reached out with his dark hand. His golden eyes burned with silent fury as Miyu gasped in shock as she staggered into her bed.

Assassin moved to escape out the window, "But we'll do so after we rescue you."

The Blackened fully emerged from the wall as the window began to shut. Assassin went faster and managed to take the jump, diving through the opening and escaping out the window. She then found herself soaring out the air and looked up to see the swarm of wings and claws.

She took out her blue gemstone and spoke into it, "RIDER!"

From the sky came a white comet, it tore through the air and dived straight down towards where Assassin was. She was able to see it tear through the mass of Sphinxes flying in the air before Pegasus spread it's wings to halt it's descent.

Rider held on to the steed's reins before holding out his hand. Assassin reached out and grabbed hold on to him as she looked back at the window to see Miyu looking back at her. She then grabbed on to Rider's shoulder as they flew through the air. The Sphinxes moved to dive down at them while Pegasus evaded them.

"Did you get what you needed?" Rider asked as he glanced behind him.

"I did," Assassin sighed as she looked to see the monsters come for them, "We have to lose them, Rider."

"On it already, miss Shinobi. Hold on tight, my friend will loosen up now," Rider warned her as he tapped the winged steed on the side and it responded by beginning to glow. Chiyome took out three clusters of smoke bombs and tossed them behind her just as Pegasus flapped its wings once.

The air left behind her was filled with a wall of smoke just as Pegasus broke the sound barrier. The explosions from the bombs were enough to distract the Sphinxes but the sonic boom left behind by Pegasus knocked several of them out of the air. The smoke should aid in making those things lose their scent, preventing them from tracking them back to the church.

Chiyome watched the Pyramid grow smaller and smaller as Pegasus shot forward, only to realize that she was hovering over the city now. Pegasus circled the entire downtown area and Rider noted that they weren't being chased anymore.

"I'll drop you on top of a building and stay in the air for a bit. We'll rejoin back at the church but make sure we're not being followed," Rider advised before gliding Pegasus down a building.

Chiyome hopped off and landed on top of it before Rider went off elsewhere. Assassin couldn't help but sigh as she recalled the expression on Miyu's face. She looked down her hands and felt that they were cold. Closing her eyes, she could feel Orochi's curse slowly adjust itself to her Spirit Origin. Now that she wasn't rejecting it out of self hate, it was no trying to coexist with her.

Much has happened tonight but she couldn't help but wonder if she could have done more.

Maybe that's why she felt odd without having Hans direct her on her actions. She always tend to miss things on her own.

"Can't get distracted now. We have to save Miyu after all..." Assassin said as she recalled Ayumi guiding her to where Miyu was earlier.

She grimaced and closed her eyes. That was going to be a problem, huh.

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It was morning when you gathered alongside the other Masters to hear Chiyome's report. You raised an eyebrow upon hearing her sabotaging the leyline connected to the Pyramid. You didn't like hearing about it given the considerable risk she went through trying to run from the Blackened but she made it out in the end.

The Pyramid was protected by a curse which slowed her down, only adding to your suggestion of dragging the Blackened out and fight him away from his home turf. Not only that but it seemed that from Assassin's encounter with him, he seemed to be gaining power while within the Pyramid. He could appear anywhere at anytime within the Pyramid but that doesn't seem to be the case when he's outside.

This was just making the Siege option look worse by the moment. So to sum it up, you had a near impenetrable fortress riddled with traps and curses which could even affect Servants. Not only that but it was guarded by a superpowered Blackened Servant and numerous Phantasmal Beasts that would make the Age of the Gods blush, and you have to take it all down before Manaka wakes up for good.

According to Rider, the Sphinxes hanging at the top of the Pyramid were strong, fast and resilient and they had numbers to boot. If that Pyramid ever decided to go ahead and blast the whole city away on a whim then it'll be a worse situation compared to the last war.

"Just my luck, huh?" you sighed as you sat in your room and rubbed your forehead.

You weren't the only one who had their heads aching though. Luvia and Sakura were stunned upon hearing the report and Ophelia was pale as a sheet. Minerva remained impassive as she listened while Caren remained unfazed, though Artoria did sigh loudly once or twice.

"Still, I'm glad you came back safe. We sure have a big night tonight, huh?" you chuckled as you watched Assassin emerge from the shadows in the corner.

Assassin stood before you and crossed her arms, "We couldn't delay it, not with the time limit we have."

"Have you told anyone about Miyu's intentions?" you asked her with a raised eyebrow.

"No, just you. Still, do you think they'll go over the Siege idea?" Chiyome asked as she had her arms behind her back.

"Hopefully now they won't. Not that you lied anyway," you replied as you shook your head, "Though in this case, you'll end up going back there on your own."

"I know. But better me than anyone else," Assassin hummed before she sat by your side, "Besides, I promised Miyu last night."

"You too, huh?" you chuckled as you glanced at her.

Assassin leaned her head against you and rested her hand against yours, "Forgive me but I may be picking up some of your bad habits."

"Well, as long as it's the right ones," you sheepishly replied before Assassin sat up straight and wrapped her fingers around yours. This made you blink in surprise, "What's wrong?"

"I'll save her. Definitely," Assassin said as she lowered her head without meeting your gaze.

[] "I know. I know you will."
[] "No. We'll save her together."
[] Write in...

[] "No. We'll save her together."

You managed a small smile before pulling your hand away and lifting up her face, "No. We'll save her together."

"Together?" Assassin blinked.

"Yep. I'll go with you. It's only right," you decided as you met her gaze. You smiled and added as you placed your hand on her shoulder, "I still have some unfinished business to deal with."

"What of the others, won't they need you?" Assassin questioned with a frown.

"I'm useless if I stay with them. Besides, wouldn't you want me close by for morale support?" you chuckled as you watched your Servant scowl at you, "What? You don't like the idea?"

"Forgive me, My Lord but I think that's the height of foolishness," Assassin pointed out as she gave you a sour expression, "That's just needlessly risking your life when you could stand back in a safe distance."

"Is that your preference?" you asked her with a raised eyebrow.

Assassin lightly punched your shoulder, "Stop teasing me."

"Ow! So quick to anger. So much for being a cool Shinobi," you chuckled as your Servant sighed and leaned on your shoulder.

"You demand much from me and yet you haven't given me my just reward for my efforts," Assassin said as she glanced your way with an unhappy pout.

You winced and awkwardly scratched your head, "Did I?"

Assassin leaned closer to you, kneeling one leg on the bed as she grabbed your shoulder, "Yes. You tend to end up being hyper focused on certain things that you forget others entirely. It's surprising you managed to get this far."

"Maybe it's because of that, that I managed to live this long?" you shrugged before Assassin placed a finger upon your lips and smiled.

"It's also the reason why my advances bounce off you, you fool. You're a fantastic Master but a useless human being when it comes to these sorts of things," Chiyome said as she frowned at you, leaning closer and closer.

"Is your Kunoichi pride still hurt?" you asked with an awkward laugh.

Chiyome then shoved you into your bed and you looked up to see her eyes resemble a serpent about to gobble you up, "What if I said yes?"

You reached out towards her and moved her hair to reveal her face giving you a flushed look, her expression being red all over. You then pulled her towards you and hugged her.

"Sorry... And thank you for helping me," you told her as you closed your eyes, "You've done more than you needed to for a dumb guy like me."

Assassin pressed her head against your chest and held on to your clothes, "Idiot..."

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The plan was simple.

It was to lure out the Blackened from his Pyramid and fight him on even grounds. With his army of Sphinxes, he could easily match the strength of four waiting Servants alongside himself. Caren had positioned the makeshift alliance so as that the Pyramid wouldn't make an attack upon the City itself.

The battle would be contained within the mountainous area where there were next to no people. Fighting the Blackened in the open was paramount no matter how many Sphinxes he threw at the four servants. They couldn't afford facing him while he was within his temple or risk being overwhelmed by his advantages over them.

In the meantime, Assassin will be retaking Miyu back from the Pyramid itself, infiltrating it once more while the Blackened's attention was split. It would be the only time she could do it and any future attempts would be thoroughly stonewalled beyond this point. You accounted for this by asking Luvia to provide Assassin with the same gemstones as before to aid her.

You on the other hand will be waiting outside to meet with Miyu and Assassin once they got out. However you were hoping to spring a meeting while you were there. You were after all a person of interest. A delectable bait that a certain someone wouldn't be able to resist messing with. It was how you ended up in the woods that you were in now, looking up at the golden Pyramid which nestled itself at the slope of the mountain.

"Christmas Eve," you breathed as you looked up the sky.

It was time. Your Command Seals began to burn with crimson light as you ended up with your vision.

You were soaring high up the sky, your gaze turning downwards. Your eyes locked with the Pyramid where your vision promptly zoomed down, through the Magical Barriers surrounding the Pyramid and the thick steel walls which covered it. Your sight led you through winding halls and corners before you ended up inside a chamber.

Miyu was standing there with the Blackened by her side, his golden eyes opening before he stood up.

You gasped and fell down your knees, feeling your Command Seals burn as you clenched your fist.

It was startin-

Your eyes widened to see the top of the Pyramid light up and fill with a brilliant glow. Magical Energy was gathered in the air as the entire complex pulsed, a massive sphere forming at the top of the Pyramid. It shined with brilliant blue light before turning dark and churning with black and red. Your gaze was fixed upon the ball as it resembled something akin to a black sun.

"Oh shit," you breathed before the Pyramid fired.

BOOM

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Sakura watched the pillar of black light come towards them, only for Caren to step forward and hold up her arm.

"By my Command Seal, Artoria Pendragon, I order you to use your Noble Phantasm!" Caren shouted as scarlet light emerged from her body and latched upon the Knight King of Camelot.

Sakura's eyes widened as the invisible blade Artoria held burst to reveal a Holy Sword. Shining with a surging golden glow, the Holy Sword was soon filled to the brim with raw power. Artoria stepped forward to meet the approaching pillar of light, taking two steps as she held her sword before her. Her golden hair swayed as she moved before motes of light swirled around her.

Those that were present watched in awe as the woman held up her sacred blade.

Artoria faced the pillar head on as she spoke, "Break through this storm of darkness. Become the Light to Pierce this madness. Shatter it all! EX...CALIBUUUUUUUURRRRR!!!!!( Sword of Promised Victory) "

Artoria brought down her Holy Sword and called upon its raw strength, unleashing a gold beam of light which thundered to meet the black pillar. the two forces smashed into one another and caused an all encompassing blastwave which devastated the mountainside. The air rang and nearby humans were brought down to their knees.

The impact was enough to cause the air to shudder and the ground to quake.

The two forces pushed against one another with the black light surging with power to send the golden light back. Artoria grunted from the strain as the wind howled all around her. Her light was being pushed back but she stood her ground otherwise. She braced herself and unleashed the Magical Energy she had in reserve, forcing her Noble Phantasm to release more output.

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"Oh... I know this light."

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You watched the two sides clash and you could feel the wind blowing past you as you held on to a tree. You then saw how they both dissipated at the same time and shattered. To think that the Pyramid would have that firepower as an opening act. That Blackened Servant wasn't leaving things up in the air, huh?

You then saw the Sphinxes flap their wings and dive towards the location where the four Servants and their Masters were located.

"It's starting," Assassin murmured as she stood by your side.

"I know. We're putting an end to this tonight," you declared as you looked up at the Pyramid.

Assassin walked past you and glanced your way, "Your orders, Master."



[] "Bring Miyu back!"
[] "Retrieve the Holy Grail, Assassin!"
[] Write in...