Grail - Nasu/Worm (SI/OC) {COMPLETE}

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Dracones 4.1
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    • Dracones 4.1

    I sat inside the small cafe with Medusa to my right, and Gilgamesh to my left. Across from me were Richard Amsten, Rebecca Costa-Brown and David Parker.

    I swallowed nervously.

    The Triumvirate wore differing expressions. Richard's gaze was compassionate, yet firm. I wasn't going to be able to lie my way out of this, assuming I wanted to. Rebecca's gaze was deceptively mild, for all that her eyes were dissecting every microexpression I made. David's face was simply intent.

    "So, who's the Master?" he said.

    Richard gave a long-suffering sigh.

    "Erm. Well, it's a bit of a complicated story, and I should tell that first before I just. Jump into that."

    Medusa looked at me curiously. "Complicated how?"

    Gilgamesh took a swallow of coffee. "Trust me when I say that the information is delicate, Rider. If he wants to go at it in a roundabout way, we should permit him to do so."

    Rebecca inclined her head. "You've committed to it, no point in us scaring you off. I blocked off the next few hours, so take your time," she coaxed.

    Wow. She must really want this info. And that thought made me mentally slap myself. Of course she does. Behemoth and Leviathan have been menacing her and her friends for years; the idea that someone's been playing puppetmaster must be driving her up the wall.

    I inhaled, and started.

    "So, for starters, the Mastering isn't intentional. It's more of a side effect of the person's powers. And the powers did come from Cauldron, so my stuff won't affect… him. Just the other one, if it ever hits this plane. I think?"

    Rebecca shot me a flat gaze. "I see. Now, what is the person's power?"

    "Uh. Whatever they need?"

    Her eye twitched. "Explain."

    I fidgeted. "Well, say they needed to cool off on a hot day. They could get cryokinesis, or aerokinesis, or localized temperature manipulation - any one of those things."

    David perked up. "Sounds a bit like my power. I have three slots for powers like that, though. How many does this person have, to maintain Endbringers and do all that?"

    I exhaled shakily. "Four."

    Gilgamesh gently rubbed my back as Medusa slowly put her hand over her mouth.

    Rebecca's eyes flickered back and forth, then widened. "No."

    David narrowed his eyes. "No, what? Rebecca, what is it?"

    "This is a sick joke. We should never have-" she started, visage slowly crumpling into fury.

    I fucked it up. I knew I'd fuck it up, and I went and did it anyway. I can't do a damn thing right.

    <Engaging Emergency Measures. Charisma E. Beginning composure protocol. Uploading dialogue.>

    I covered my face and shuddered for a moment. Breath left my mouth in short, choking gasps.

    Gilgamesh gently lowered my hands from my face.

    Through my blurry eyes, I saw Richard's pale face draw tight, then soften in compassion. Rebecca seemed to hesitate. And David…

    "I don't get it. What are you saying?"

    "You… you needed worthy opponents, David," I said softly.

    David stared at me.

    "You can't die. If you do, they stick around, and latch onto other people, and they could go about business as usual. You need to get your mental state in order, before more manifest and start rampaging. This is Earth Bet's best chance for peace, and it's all on you. I'm sorry. I didn't want to tell anyone because I can't think of any one way to deal with it, and I was scared people would turn on you, and-"

    "You were protecting me," he said slowly.

    I blinked at David, whose face was clear of all emotion.

    "You could have told Dragon or Richard at any time, but you didn't, because you wanted to protect me."

    I nodded. "I. I wanted a solution where you didn't have to die. Because that solution still left a lot of uncertainty, after."

    Rebecca reeled. "You were afraid we'd kill him. That's why you kept this all to yourself."

    "Yes."

    She stared at me. "I don't know how you could-"

    "Siberian."

    She shut her mouth and clenched her jaw.

    David gave a bitter laugh. "Touché."

    Richard's expression darkened. "Wait. What about Siberian."

    I swallowed. "More secrets you don't want to know."

    He gave me a long stare. "Try me."

    "I'm sure he's told you about the existence of a massive threat. We've been keeping the Siberian in reserve for that occasion." Rebecca tightened her grip around a table knife, powdering the handle. "Despite everything."

    Richard gave a slow, measured nod. He turned to me. "And you kept this from me."

    "I didn't want you to lose your friends."

    His expression dropped and he let out a gusty sigh. "Dammit. Everyone on your team who isn't a Servant is a fucking kid."

    "I'm twenty-eight."

    "Still a kid compared to us," David said mildly.

    "We've got Dragon."

    "Glorified babysitter," Rebecca said with a wry smile.

    "...Armsmaster's around a lot?"

    None of them dignified that with a response.

    "Okay. So yeah. That's why I said you need therapy, and I can't use that power on you. Because chances are, I power you up…"

    David swallowed, hard. "Yeah. Got it. So I need to move past that need, so that I don't need it anymore? And that's a mouthful," he muttered at the end.

    I nodded. Gilgamesh slid his arm low around my shoulders.

    David gave me a wry grin. "You know, I've seen shitstorm after shitstorm with next to no pause in this world. First time in a while someone's told me I can actually do something about it." He paused. "Huh."

    I blinked at him. "What is it?"

    He smiled at me. "You know, I think I need help."

    "Oh...kay?"

    Richard blinked, then gave a huff of laughter. "That would be pretty funny, wouldn't it."

    Rebecca made a small 'oh' of comprehension. "Interesting."

    Medusa narrowed her eyes. "I'm missing something. Please elucidate." She leaned into my side as I slumped back in my seat.

    "Well, my power gives me what I need. If I need worthy opponents, I get Endbringers. If I need help getting my shit together to stop them…" and he finished by motioning at me with both hands.

    I grimaced. "Maybe? I'm also independent from your power."

    David nodded. "Could be what I need too. Someone who isn't answering to my needs, but their own and the world's. And that loops back around to keeping me from making a mess." He paused. "So, you said therapy. Do you have someone in mind?"

    "Jessica Yamada," I said promptly.

    "That was fast," Rebecca said in a mild tone.

    "In my vision, she turned the Faerie Queen into a full-on hero."

    That got attention.

    "Well with that kind of recommendation, how can I say no?" David said dryly. He gave an exhausted sigh. "I might need to see her today, after…" he waved his hand in the air aimlessly, "This."

    Richard snorted. "I feel like I need a session myself."

    Rebecca primly sat up straight in her seat. "I'm fine. You two are far more prone to over-emotional and rash action."

    Everyone gave her a flat stare.

    She smirked. "Seriously. I'll be alright."

    I swallowed. "Okay. So it goes without saying that this stays at this table. Except for the therapist."

    Rebecca narrowed her eyes.

    "Endbringers make lots of trigger events. I kind of trust you and Eidolon, because you guys kind of have to live here. The other three? Hell no."

    Richard perked up. "Three? There's the Doctor, Contessa…"

    I looked Rebecca in the eye. "You wanna tell him?"

    "The Number Man. He's a thinker cape, rogue. Works in finance, but he can use numbers to do a lot more."

    I shrugged. "I'm satisfied with that answer."

    Her eyes widened minutely before her expression relaxed. "Well, well. Any other bombshells to share with the class?"

    "Jack Slash is a Thinker/Master whose passenger can communicate with others, giving him insight into the behaviors and actions of other capes so he can maneuver and manipulate them?"

    The table was quiet as she drummed her fingers.

    "I was kidding, you know."

    "Also the Siberian is a projection of William Manton. He likes to drive an unmarked white van around while she does her thing to keep a good range."

    David dropped his face in his arms.

    "Did I mention that Bonesaw just acts crazy and part of her really wants out of the Nine and away from Jack, but she's been so heavily conditioned and her passenger fucked up that she's got the world's most terrifying case of Stockholm in all sorts of ways? Or that I can fix Burnscar and make her a non-threat without killing her, and that if that happens she should be found not guilty due to a lack of compos mentis?"

    Richard let out hysterical, breathy laughter into his hand as he covered his mouth.

    Rebecca's face twitched into a minute grin. "I suddenly have a newfound respect and sympathy for Dragon. As well as gratitude that she's looking after you and thus you're not my problem."

    Medusa smirked as she languidly leaned over and kissed me on the top of my head. "That's our Master. Always another surprise."

    Gilgamesh smiled lazily. "And I would not trade him for anything in the world." He paused. "Almost anything, but I have both of those already so it's a moot point. Now, Enkidu promised to show me around town and I intend to take him up on it. I'll see you around, Trinket, Rider. Triumvirate, I bid you good day. And don't harm my Trinket. I'd be cross." Gilgamesh flexed his arm in a sidelong embrace, then slid out of the booth and strolled out the door.

    I looked at the heroes across from me as Medusa gently rubbed my shoulder. "Are… are we okay?"

    Rebecca sighed. "Well, I thought I'd have a target today, but I should have known things wouldn't be so simple. We're where we were, no further nor closer. I'm still keeping an eye on you; if you know all that, you must have other useful information."

    David snorted. "Kid, things have been getting worse for me, and now I have a reason why."

    "Uh, about that."

    All three stared at me.

    "So, my water thing only does so much. The main reason you feel so much better is that you're only powering two, now."

    "Only powering- Oh. Oh." David's eyes began to sparkle with new life. "And I can fix it?"

    I gave a weak grin. "Well, let's do our best. The next one won't be trying to suicide themselves if we can't, so let's make the most of this reprieve."

    David nodded firmly. "Alright. Got it." The man seemed livelier than when he walked in. "And thank you. I can tell this was hard for you to do."

    Richard sighed. "I don't know how I feel about you keeping all these secrets, but I can tell you feel that you have a reason." He crossed his arms. "I kind of see you as an apprentice, and definitely a friend. So if you see me as a mentor - at all - I'd prefer if you confided in me so that I can help you with these things. And yes, I can keep a secret if I need to," he finished in a dry tone. That said, his eyes were gentle and kind.

    "Thank you. All of you."

    Rebecca waved me off. "Don't thank us yet. I firmly intend to make full use of you. If there is another Endbringer fight, you'd better show up."

    I worried my lip.

    "What," she said flatly.

    The men blinked owlishly at me while Medusa giggled.

    "Leviathan, Brockton Bay, mid-late May. I forget the date. And Ziz can't recalibrate for them now."

    Rebecca's grin was rapacious. "Perfect," she purred. "So even if David can't wrangle it, we can still prepare. That's a luxury we've never had before. Well done."

    I shrugged. "I know when and where Behemoth goes after, I think. But after that, things get… hazy. It was a lot of info, so…" I waved a hand vaguely.

    Rebecca shrugged. "It's more than we've had. I'll take it."

    David snorted. "Don't assume you'll need it, Becky. I'm going to call Yamada and set my first appointment now. Weekly visits, at least."

    Legend gave me a flat look. "And now they're going to compete to see who can finish their preparations first. Look at what you've done," he said as he wagged his finger at me jokingly.

    I gave a drained smile. "Yay."

    I was met with laughter.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Medusa and I strolled down the street. "So after that, I need sugar. High quality sugar. Villabate Alba's?"

    Medusa perked up. "I'm interested."

    My phone buzzed.

    <AllSeeingEye: Everything is on fire and it's not my fault.>

    <SnapCupTime: ???>

    <AllSeeingEye: We stole from Lung. Boss' orders. We didn't get caught, but a decent part of the docks are now up in smoke. Arthur, GG, and Artoria showed up and drove him off, but it took longer than usual.>

    I hummed. "Lung giving Servants trouble?"

    Medusa frowned. "How?"

    <AllSeeingEye: He was kind of glowy, and hits didn't seem to land as hard>

    "Reinforcement. Sounds like Archimedes' wheelhouse. Probably similar to what happened to Skidmark, I'm going to bet."

    Medusa sighed.

    <AllSeeingEye: So yeah! Our lair kind of burned down, and I'm officially fed up with the boss' shit. So I just wanted to let you know I'm staying with you until Lung is no longer a factor :)>

    <SnapCupTime: What.>

    <AllSeeingEye: Also Dragon gave Bitch an apartment, and is working on leasing a nearby warehouse to repurpose into a kennel. Da Vinci, Tamamo, and Weaver are already warding and upgrading it. She's also contacted a swanky attorney to fight her murder charge.>

    <SnapCupTime: Grue and Regent?>

    <AllSeeingEye: Grue's sticking with the boss because he's stubborn. Regent's already hitting on Cu Chulainn, who's already said no thanks because he's too young. I forget, is he bi? I know most of his legend off the top of my head…>

    <SnapCupTime: Idk. Either way, don't ask him about Ferdiad. He's sensitive about it. Either he was 'just' his foster brother or a lover, but I'm not talking about it unless invited.>

    <AllSeeingEye: Yikes. My lips are sealed, roomie <3 >

    I sighed. "Let's just get tons of dessert. Tats and Hans are living with us, possibly Regent too."

    "Mm. Cannoli or Neopolitan?"

    "Both?"

    "Both is good."
     
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    • Dracones 4.2
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    • A/N: As a note: one link is to Kiara from CCC's wiki page for her Servant form. I think it's SFW, but be aware given the nature of the character that she's kind of gross and terrible in a lot of ways.

    Also, Mild Content Warning: Alec being gross. Reference to a terrible person as a 'thot' (Kiara Sessyoin, details in hyperlink attached to 'Thotzilla').

    Dracones 4.2

    Lisa smiled brightly as I grumbled around my rainbow cookie. "It was so kind of you to put us up in our time of need, Grail," she cooed. "I'm sure that we'll find some way to repay you."

    Alec grunted from a large plush chair where he was playing a shooter on the PS3. "Well you don't screw. Want some cuddles or something? Least complicated sugar daddy ever."

    I choked.

    "You know, you can be fairly gender-ambiguous. Would you prefer glucose guardian? Yeah, glucose guardian. Hey Taylor, Grail's our glucose guardian!"

    "I am so sorry," Hans said between sips of his tea.

    Taylor gave a short, terse sigh. "I'm going to my workshop to keep up with my gem work. I'm about to have a breakthrough in some Earth-Fire hybridization and it could lead to some higher Mysteries. Also, I'm working on an amplifier for your prana spread."

    I perked up. "Why?"

    Taylor smirked. "Reasons. Hey, Lisa? Want to come with? I bet Tamamo could show you some Formalcraft."

    "Formalcraft?" Lisa said curiously.

    "Magery for those with weak circuits. I have a theory that you might be able to tap into it."

    Lisa's eyes glowed. "Oh shit. I'm in." She paused. "Hans, why didn't you tell me about that?"

    Hans gave her a look. "I learned Magecraft after I died and became a Heroic Spirit. I was aware of the existence, but unable to teach it. And any sort of magery is intensely dangerous without supervision or structure. Further, there was no reason to believe you had the capacity for it."

    Lisa flipped him off as she followed Taylor out the door.

    I sighed as I turned back to my pastries. "Finally, some peace and quiet."

    Alec coughed. "So about those cuddles…"

    I stared at him. "You're half my age and are trying to get in my pants. Not just no, hell no."

    He shrugged. "Medusa already said nah. Maybe… nah. I hit on Gil, he'd blow me off. I hit on Arthur, Gil would roast me on a spit. And Da Vinci's more than I can handle. Guess I'm good for now."

    Explosions sounded from the TV.

    "Mmm. Nice polykill."

    I shot Hans an exasperated look.

    He merely shrugged and went back to his tea.

    The screen on my smart fridge lit up with Dragon's avatar.

    "Good Morning, Grail," she said with a smile. "In the spirit of newfound cooperation, the Protectorate has asked you to go on a patrol with some Wards and a senior member. You'll be meeting Miss Militia, Clockblocker, and Gallant on the Boardwalk."

    I stared. "Dragon, if you weren't practically dating Armsmaster I would kiss you."

    "We're not dating," she said tersely.

    "Yet."

    It was hard to say who hadn't said it.

    Dragon's avatar scowled. "Get ready and bring a Servant in case of trouble. I'll be on the comm to act as console."

    "Aye aye!"
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    "You know, when I said bring a Servant, I figured you'd choose someone with a vaguely even keel, like Medusa, or Arthur. In a more extreme case, I thought you might have Da Vinci or Cu, maybe even Gilgamesh."

    Dragon's avatar glitched on my phone.

    "I'm heeeeere!" ZZ cheered, striking a pose in front of the two shell-shocked Wards.

    Miss Militia merely seemed unimpressed.

    "Fou." The furry hellion perched on my shoulder, surveying the area.

    "Yes. Him too."

    "Hey, if ZZ gets distracted, I need to be protected."

    "...by your pet."

    "Fou! Fou fou kyuu!"

    "I have empowering abilities, and you know the rest."

    "...ZZ."

    The former Endbringer whirled around, looking for Dragon, then shrugging. "Yessum?"

    "You are under no circumstances to leave Grail unattended. Is that understood?"

    "Youuuuu got it!" she sang out.

    Clockblocker gave a long exhale. "This is gonna be one of those patrols, isn't it?"

    Gallant chuckled. "At least it's not Medusa and a boat ride."

    Miss Militia shot him a look. "Gallant."

    Gallant shrugged. "Hey, GG told me he probably knew everything-"

    "I do, mostly!" I chimed in.

    "So not to bother pretending he didn't," Gallant finished in a serene tone.

    Clockblocker nodded sagely. "Definitely one of those patrols."

    Miss Militia gave a long sigh.

    I snickered behind my hand as Fou idly licked his paw.

    Miss Militia fixed all present with a sharp look. "We'll be doing a walk around the Boardwalk. This is mostly a PR patrol, I won't lie. If for some reason we do see action, ZZ and I will be taking point. You two," she said to the Wards, "will call console for backup. Grail will do as he sees fit, I'm sure."

    Hey!

    She paused. "I'm actually wondering if Fou will be doing anything other than…"

    "Looking absolutely adorable?" Clockblocker said dryly as he fluffed Cath Palug's fur. Wait, when did he get there?

    I felt the smug coming off of him. "Your situational awareness needs work. So yeah, you've met Gallant and Miss M. The name's Clockblocker," he said, holding his hand out.

    I hummed. "Worth a shot." I shook his hand.

    I blinked, and Clockblocker made a disappointed noise.

    "I mean, I kind of figured, but still. That 'nothing works' schtick of yours is pretty bullshit," he said grumpily.

    I awkwardly patted his shoulder. "Uh. There, there. I'm sure you're still really great at catching bad guys."

    The Ward puffed his chest out. "You better believe it. Hey, so the last patrol I went on with Vista…"

    Gallant chuckled as Clockblocker regaled me with tales of his talents. "We might want to roll out; Clock could be a while."

    "Hey! I resemble that remark!"

    ZZ hummed as her eyes seemed to focus on a far-off point. "We should definitely start moving."

    Miss Militia took point, and we followed.

    "So how are things?" I asked Gallant as I dropped back by him. "I haven't really seen you for… well, since before everything." I waved my hands vaguely.

    Gallant exhaled. "Good. GG's been doing… I can't express the difference between her before you and her after. And Artoria's been amazing for her too." I got the impression of him smiling at me. "She thinks the world of you, you know?"

    I coughed. "That's…"

    "As in looks up to you," he said, tone full of laughter. His demeanor sobered. "Seriously, though. When she told me what happened at Canberra, I freaked. I'm just glad you got your water powers to work." He rubbed his forearms. "She… I really care about her, you know? I mean, we're young, and I'm not gonna say she's the one, but I do love her."

    I nodded. "And you?"

    He scoffed. "I'm good. I've been either doing console duty or rolling around on patrols by the Boardwalk. Vista's got a massive crush on me, I'm a little freaked that I'm taking over for Aegis when he graduates until I do and Clock has to step up-"

    "Ugh, don't remind me," Clockblocker said as he strolled up.

    I looked around. ZZ floated in the air far above, gazing wistfully over the city.

    "So, Gallant telling you all about his lady woes?" Clockblocker said cheerfully. "What I wouldn't give to have that problem."

    "You want a tween or thirteen-year-old pining over you?" I mused aloud.

    Clockblocker choked as Gallant gave a bark of laughter.

    "Okay, maybe not the kind of problem I want," Clockblocker amended.

    "Keep it clean, boys. We're getting close to the more public part of our route," Miss Militia called back.

    "You got it, MM!" Clockblocker called.

    "So… tell me about yourselves. Nothing that'd compromise identities, but… likes, dislikes, plans for the future?"

    "Well, I'm a fan of classical music. I've been learning violin lately," Gallant said off-handedly. "I also like art. That said, I can't stand abstract art. I see enough confusing colors with my powers."

    "He senses emotions," Clockblocker whispered conspiratorially in my ear. "If you get your dander up looking at some cute chick or dude, he'll know."

    I scoffed. "Good thing I'm ace, then."

    Clockblocker gave a surprised hum. "That so? Fair enough, dude. You aro too?"

    I blinked at him in surprise.

    "Ex-cuse you, sir. I might be a Kinsey 1, but I've done my best to make the Wards welcoming to anyone who the Empire would disapprove of."

    Gallant chuckled. "The barely-there bisexuality is from when I walked in on him and Kid Win kissing as an experiment. And I quote: 'I didn't hate it, but God I wish you had tits.'"

    "Gallant," Miss Militia warned.

    "Sorry," he said contritely.

    Clockblocker leaned in. "He's not wrong, though," he muttered. He leaned back out. "But yeah, especially since Aegis and then Gallant are going to age out soon, I'm trying to brush up on any and all circumstances potential Wards could be going through." He paused. "I joke a lot, but I'm in the hero business because I care about folks. Also money," he admitted, "But if that was all I could do the villain thing pretty easily."

    "So how much do you know about me?" I asked.

    Gallant hummed. "GG just told us not to be surprised if you know stuff you really shouldn't."

    I nodded. "Right. So, Clockblocker…" I said slowly.

    He looked at me, body language open and friendly. "Yeah?"

    "Panacea hasn't been at the hospital for anything besides emergencies since Canberra, and I was thinking of having her take requests for terminal cases. Would you like me to put someone on the docket on your behalf?"

    Clockblocker stopped still. "You know about…?"

    "Assume yes."

    He stared at me for a solid twenty seconds. "You're serious," he said in a quiet tone.

    "Yes? She's never mentioned you in a truly unfavorable light, so I assume you and Amy are at least passably friendly. It wouldn't be a stretch for her to do that sort of favor for you, especially if I ask."

    I heard the Ward swallow. "Yeah. I uh. Once we're off patrol, I'll give you the details, but." He wrapped me in a bear hug and slapped my back pretty hard. Then he backed away. "Thanks, dude. I don't know how I-"

    I held up a hand. "Just keep doing hero work, and maybe drop by the warehouse once in a while. Bring Gallant and Glory Girl. Weaver and Panacea need to interact with more folks in their age group, and I'm hoping to socialize Regent a little."

    "So… just be friends with people and don't be an asshole?" Clockblocker said wonderingly.

    Gallant nudged him with his shoulder. "Told you he was good people."

    "Well yeah! I mean there's good like your general doctor, then folks like Armsmaster was before he started pulling the stick out of his you-know-what, then folks like MM over there… This is a bit much," he confessed.

    I hummed merrily as Fou headbutted my cheek. "Someone wise once told me being a good person requires effort. You have to always try to be your best to people. So nobody's inherently good, we all have to work for it. Of course, I don't think anyone's inherently bad either. You need to work at that too. All about choice, I guess…" I trailed off.

    The Wards stared at me.

    "So, about Guild membership," Clockblocker said jokingly.

    "Hush, you. You'll get me in trouble with both our bosses," I chided him.

    He shrugged as Gallant snickered.

    "And we're live," Miss Militia said warningly.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    We walked into full view on the Boardwalk, ZZ hovering overhead, the heroes in full costume, and me in my base form with Fou on my shoulder.

    More than one teenage girl cooed over his fluffiness, and I ended up stopping so kids could give the little monster some attention.

    "Mind the ears, they're sensitive. Gentle, go with the fur, not against it. There you go," Gallant said as I held Fou out to them.

    Miss Militia's eyes crinkled at me. "We'll have to do this more often. Your little friend there's pretty good PR, I won't lie." She gently fluffed the fur behind his head.

    Fou preened. "Kyu."

    "Yes, you are the cutest Cath Palug around. And no, that isn't just because you're the only one."

    "Fou."

    I blinked as I noticed people running from one direction, and heard the sound of motors. "Hey guys…" I said warningly.

    Miss Militia's eyes narrowed. "Clock, Gallant, get somewhere safe and call in console. Grail, with me-"

    She was cut off as a bunch of go-kart sized vehicles in a variety of shapes rushed at us. I grabbed her and we dodged behind a bench as they rushed by.

    I was momentarily frightened that they were going to go and hit people, but just as I began to call out-

    "New toys! Hooray!" ZZ cheered. A massive radius became engulfed in a towering violet cylinder. "You guys have to play on my track now! Be nice or I'll blue shell you all!"

    The cars looped around, and some of the drivers took potshots at ZZ with tinkertech rifles. The beams were negligently deflected as ZZ picked up and dropped trash bins on them with her telekinesis.

    "Of course Leet and Uber would hit today," Miss Militia said dourly, shooting from behind cover.

    I looked around, and- yep, a scrawny dude in red, a more ripped one in green, and a bunch of koopaling outfits. Was that one butch dude dressed as Princess Peach? Power to him, I guess.

    I kneeled next to her. "I see. Let's bring them in, then." I felt my face draw into a scowl.

    She looked at me sideways as one of the henchmen drove by in a small go-kart. "Most tend to underestimate them, or trivialize what they do."

    "I saw the Grand Theft Auto video. If I had my way, I'd put them both in the ground," I hissed. "Gaming's well and good, but some things don't translate well to real life."

    Miss Militia snorted. "It was the God of War one that did it for me. Nobody's dead, but when they cover those sorts of subjects, a lot of people get scared."

    I nodded, and lunged out to latch on to a passing car. The driver gave me a sideways look, then doubled back. "Oh shit! You're the Endslayer!"

    I narrowed my eyes up at the guy in the Mario outfit, and didn't reply as I grimly climbed into the cockpit.

    "Whoa! Easy now, this stuff is high-grade tinker-"

    "How about a new game, Leet?"

    The man squeaked.

    "I'm really fond of Mike Tyson's Punch-Out."

    He immediately tried to swerve and throw me off, but I was already snug in the cockpit with him, and I began to beat him about the head and shoulders.

    Of course, that didn't protect me from being flung out when we got t-boned by the Luigi, who I was sure was Uber.

    I growled as I rolled to my feet, and my communicator went off.

    "Armsmaster inbound, ETA three minutes. Hold them if you can," Dragon said calmly.

    "ZZ! Light 'em up! I'm authorizing one song!"

    ZZ, who had been idly knocking them within a small range, perked up. "Reallyyyy? Aww yiss! Lemme see… oh! I know!"

    Uber aimed at her with a large launcher. "Prepping Red Shell!"

    "Ahem. Mimimimi… It's time to jump up in the air (Jump up in the air), Jump up, don't be scared (Jump up, don't be scared)..." she sang, launching random cars straight up into the sky, the drivers screaming at a hilariously high pitch.

    "The fuck?" Leet yelled.

    "Get with it! It's time for the Odyssey!" I yelled at him.

    ZZ spun in place, and the illusion of a certain mayor's outfit covered her. "It's time for the show to go on! Song of Ziz! Fata Morgana! So let's all jump up super high (Jump up super high), High up in the sky (High up in the sky)!"

    The villains howled as they spun in the air, ricocheting off of the sides of the bounded field until they clumped together, a barrage of visions striking them.

    "I'll be your 1UP Girl…" ZZ crooned as the bounded field dropped.

    "ALALALALAIE!" Iskandar roared as he passed over them.

    I could just barely see Armsmaster negligently drop something the size of a marble as they passed.

    On impact, it wrapped the entire group in containment foam, cars and all.

    "So let's do the oddysey!" ZZ finished with a happy little twirl.

    Armsmaster hung over the side of Iskandar's chariot as it came to a sedate stop in front of me. "Did you and your Servant just out-nerd Uber and Leet?" he said dryly.

    "To be fair, the game we referenced won't be out for like… seven years? Assuming your world's timeline matches ours."

    Miss Militia sighed. "Well, at least no one was hurt," she said gratefully, holstering her weapon.

    All of the goons immediately started making muffled yelling noises.

    "Shut up! You don't count!" I yelled alongside someone else. I blinked.

    Clockblocker gave a sheepish chuckle. "Uh. I said nothing?"

    Miss Militia gave an amused huff. "Duly noted."

    Gallant snickered. "PRT is five minutes ETA. I think we're set here?"

    Miss Militia nodded. "Yes." She turned to me and ZZ. "Thank you both for patrolling with us."

    "It was actually really fun. I liked spending time with you all. Maybe we could hang out off the clock?" I said hopefully.

    "I'm down!" Clockblocker said cheerfully, slapping my shoulder.

    "No boats. But yes, I'm in," Gallant said dryly.

    Miss Militia's eyes squinted merrily. "I think it can be arranged."

    Armsmaster chuckled. "I'm due over to work on the microfabricator later today anyways."

    I smiled brightly. "Cool!"
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    I rubbed my hands eagerly together as Da Vinci revealed the new summoning circle. "It looks great, Leona."

    She smiled magnanimously. "And you'll be happy to know that Tamamo, myself, Hans, ZZ, and Taylor have all looked it over and put our own little touches on it to make it meddle-proof."

    "Fou," Fou said darkly.

    I gently rubbed his head. "I know buddy, I know. Hey, let's make a new friend, huh?"

    "Fou fou!" he said energetically.

    Da Vinci stood back and gestured grandly. "Try an Extra class, we could use one of those."

    "Uh. Okay. Please no Thotzilla."

    "Wait, what?"

    "Grand Summon! Extra Class, Alter-Ego!"

    The light spun as Da Vinci cried out in warning, and we were all temporarily blinded, and in my case, blown off of my feet.

    I slowly blinked as the spots cleared from my eyes and I registered someone was holding me up. I opened my mouth to thank Gil or Cu - the arms had a different sort of muscle than Medusa, and too little armor to be Arthur - and my mouth immediately shut.

    A pair of amused, dark eyes gleamed down at me. The arm behind my shoulders was clad in a red sleeve, attached to a red mantle open at the chest. The man was wearing black gear, and had tan skin and white hair.

    "Aren't you supposed to be an Archer?" I blurted.

    Emiya gave a soft chuckle. "Well-informed, aren't you? I've existed in so many iterations and timelines, I qualify for both that class and this one. Alter-Ego Class Servant - Counter Guardian Emiya, at your service."

    Da Vinci made a small, happy sound.

    I was fairly sure Taylor was the one who went "Woof," somewhere behind me. I could understand the appeal, being this close.

    And then there was Gilgamesh. "Faker," he said, voice displaying tightly restrained civility. "I suppose he could have summoned worse."

    "I did explicitly ask for no Thotmageddons," I said quickly.

    Cu blinked as he leaned over the two of us. "Who?"

    "Kiara Sessyoin, alias Beast Three-R. She counts as an Alter-Ego."

    Cu's face grew more confused.

    "Trust me, Cu Chulainn. She's not a woman we want as an ally or enemy. It's best if she remains absent," Gilgamesh said darkly.

    Emiya coughed. "Will you be standing up today, Master?"

    "Oh, I dunno. I'm pretty comfortable where I am," I said teasingly.

    Someone, likely Lisa or Alec, wolf whistled.

    "And now I have changed my mind," I said dryly as I stood up.

    Arthur peered inquisitively at Emiya. "I don't think I recognize your legend, Sir Emiya."

    Emiya shook his head. "I don't have one. I'm a Heroic Spirit because I'm a Counter Guardian."

    "He's also stronger than he lets on, thanks to a Reality Marble. Also ruthless and cunning, yet capable of compassion to his allies. I may not be fond of him, but he will be a credit to our forces," Gilgamesh bit out.

    Everyone stared at him.

    Emiya turned to me. "What did you do to him?" he said in quiet shock.

    Gilgamesh snorted. "Reminded me that though I am of the gods, I am also of humanity. Thus it behooves me as king to act as both."

    Emiya slowly blinked. "Huh." He grinned at me. "I already knew this, somewhat, but this confirms that you'll be an interesting master."

    ZZ dropped in. "Oooh! Senpai's telling me lots of fun stories about you," she said flirtatiously.

    "That's ni- telling?" I said.

    ZZ's face distorted momentarily. "I'm always looking out for my cute kouhai and her in-ter-es-ting Master," someone said coyly. ZZ's face returned to normal. "Sorry! She does that sometimes," she apologized sheepishly.

    Emiya stared at me. "I'm leaving. I'm going back."

    Cu let out a raucous laugh, slinging his arm around Emiya's shoulders. "Too late, friendo!" he said with a vicious grin.

    "Welcome to the madhouse," Medusa intoned with a quiet, sadistic smile.

    Da Vinci cackled. "One of us! One of us!"

    Taylor sighed. "Cast your bets on how long before he starts displaying some new character tic to cope. I'm setting three gem codes and a spidersilk armor at a week."

    "Four secrets, three days," Lisa said primly.

    "Ten pages, two days," Hans chimed in.

    "A blowjob for an hour," Alec drawled.

    "No."

    "Fiiiine. Fifty bucks for half a week."

    "Uh… two flights, there and back to anywhere in Brockton? And a week and a half," said Glory Girl.

    "Full makeover and workup, four days," Panacea said with a small smirk.

    Rachel grunted. "This is stupid." She paused. "One day, cuddles with all the puppies I got."

    Gareth and Artoria exchanged a glance.

    "I'm not betting," Gareth said apologetically.

    Artoria walked over to Emiya. "It's good to see you again, Shirou," she said gently.

    Emiya smiled.

    Then Artoria's stomach gave a horrendous growl. She smiled sheepishly.

    "Food?"

    Emiya gave an exhausted sigh as I gently rubbed his back.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Dracones 4.3
  • Threadmarks
    • A/N: Content Warning: Gore, Cannibalism, Master effects. All at the end.

    Dracones 4.3

    "I have a newfound weakness for men in aprons," Taylor whispered to me.

    I nodded solemnly as we kneaded the dough for the dessert. "It's pretty common. Honestly, the lack of sleeves sells it."

    Tamamo giggled as she continued to mix the filling for the pastries. "You're both terribly transparent. Sadly, one of you is too young to interest him, and the other is male." Her face went stern. "Don't go breaking your hearts on him, hm? I'm too fond of you to let you do something so silly."

    Taylor and I sighed. "But…" we both said at the same time.

    And Emiya, clueless as he was, happily chatted with Arthur as they continued to fry the pans of vegetables. While Arthur was wearing casual clothes, Emiya was wearing his armor, sans mantle, plus an apron with a large smiley face on it.

    "Oi! I need to check the roast!" Cu said with a grin as he prodded Emiya's bicep with his pointer finger.

    Emiya gave a sheepish grin. "Ah, apologies-"

    Cu waved it off. "Eh, seeing you socialize is worth it. I used to think you were a big stick in the mud," he commented as he cracked the oven and jammed a thermometer into the roast. "But given we were on opposite sides in the war a few times, I figure that's just because you're weird about that kind of thing."

    Emiya sighed. "Cu Chulainn, my values don't tend towards being friendly with enemies. You don't like my fighting style. There's a reason it took us so long to get used to each other."

    Cu shut the oven. "Eh, could use a few. And I get it," he said, turning to Emiya. "That said, glad we're on the same side this time," he said with a smile.

    Emiya gave a small smirk. "Mm. Same here, I suppose."

    I blinked as I took notice of Cu. "Don't you usually wear hawaiian shirts?" I asked. He'd changed in for a simple white tee.

    Cu shrugged. "Wanted to change it up since I'm helping cook."

    Fou snuck towards the filling, but was interrupted by a mirror coming down hard between him and the fruit-stuff. He yelped, fur standing on end.

    "That would be a no, Cath Palug," Tamamo said sweetly.

    Dragon giggled from the fridge as Fou jumped onto my shoulder and curled up with a small whine. I fluffed his fur.

    Cu leaned on my other shoulder. "So what're you making?"

    "Thumbprint cookies. Mixed berry filling."

    Cu hummed. "That's a good dessert. So I've got the meat, Emiya and Arthur have the vegetable... did we remember rice or potatoes? Some kind of starch?"

    Everyone stopped. "Erm," I said quietly.

    Emiya sighed. "Damn. I'll figure something-"

    "Hey guys!" Vicky said happily as she strolled into the kitchen. "I heard you were cooking, so figured I'd bring this over," she mentioned as she lifted a covered tray. "It's a potato dish I found a recipe for online. It's done, just needs to be reheated," she said with a smile.

    "So… fried veggies, roast, and potato dish," I said with a nod. "Not exactly traditional, but it works!" I finished with a smile.

    "Thank god," Taylor muttered. She blinked. "Hey, is the dough done?"

    "Yep! Just need to seperate the dough, put the cookies on the tray, make the thumbprint, put the filling in, and bake."

    Tamamo held up her bowl. "The filling is done as well," she said with a serene smile.

    Naturally, at that point Fou launched himself from my shoulder directly at the filling.

    Fou's flight headfirst into the bowl was interrupted by a mirror. He promptly fell to the ground, twitching. "Fou…"

    Tamamo hummed pleasantly. "Shall we begin?"

    I couldn't help but snicker as Fou lay on his back, paws flailing.

    "Kyuuuuuuuuu…"
    __________________________________________________________________________

    "So full…" I groaned as I kicked back on the couch.

    Emiya took up one chair, Cu had appropriated the space on the couch under my upper back to sit on, and Taylor leaned on the couch as she sat on the floor. Tamamo and Arthur had their own chairs.

    Vicky had apologized and left, citing a movie date with Dean. I was hardly going to begrudge her that.

    "So Arthur, how are things?" I said off-handedly.

    Arthur blushed slightly. "Ah…"

    I blinked. "Eh?"

    Emiya looked sideways at him. "Is everything alright?"

    The Saber became very interested in his tea.

    I looked down at Taylor, who met my eyes as she pet Fou in her lap. Then we both looked at Arthur.

    "Spill," I said flatly.

    "Gilgamesh asked me to go on a hike yesterday," he said.

    Everyone stared at him. "Go on…?" Cu said. I felt his legs shift under my shoulders.

    "So we went, and it was nice. The woods outside of the city are very beautiful."

    Tamamo nodded encouragingly.

    "He even brought along a picnic. Everything was great, and it was a very nice time."

    Emiya scoffed. "And yet you're acting awkward. I know I'm new, but if you're anything like Artoria, your bearing's usually a bit more regal than that."

    Arthur grumbled. "We kissed."

    I shot straight up, my forehead impacting Cu's jaw.

    "Oi!" he snapped, grabbing his chin.

    "Ah, sorry!" I apologized.

    He rubbed his face for a few seconds, grumbling. "S'fine."

    Emiya blinked slowly. "Am I going to have to hit him?" he said in a faux-neutral tone.

    Tamamo sighed. "They've been a bit will-they or won't-they for a while, Emiya-kun. This is… surprising, but not unexpected," she said primly.

    Taylor wheezed. "Uh. Wow. That's… so was it good?" she said, once she got her breathing under control.

    Arthur flushed. "I. Well, it's been a while since Guinevere."

    Nobody spoke.

    "Well, it's. I mean, I did agree to try out a relationship with him…"

    I jolted again, Cu luckily out of the way. "Wait, really?" I said incredulously.

    Arthur huffed. "It's not as though I haven't pursued him in return, Grail," he said tersely. "I'm just not used to having the shoe be on the other foot. I wooed a queen, and well… you know how that went."

    I nodded, and in my peripheral vision I saw Taylor do the same.

    "So a more modern relationship isn't what I'm used to." Arthur shifted. "Let alone with a man."

    I nodded again. "Lots of new ground to tread. No wonder you're nervous."

    Emiya sighed. "I wish I could be of help, but that sort of thing isn't in my experience. Never really," he waved a hand in the air, "been interested in men."

    Slowly I turned to look at Cu.

    He raised his eyebrows. He looked down at me, then up at Arthur. Then back to me. He exhaled.

    "Arthur," he began. "If it comes to it… I'll explain a few things, if you need me to."

    Tamamo tittered into her sleeve as Taylor snorted into her tea. Fou gave a disgruntled sound as he evaded the spatter of liquid.

    Arthur hummed. "Actually, I was hoping for advice from Grail."

    I immediately had a coughing fit. Cu thumped my back.

    Arthur was undeterred. "Didn't you once say you had a relationship with a man?"

    "Uh. Yeah. It didn't go well."

    Everyone's eyes were on me.

    I sighed. "Yes we slept together, no I didn't like it. This was after I'd slept with a woman, and no I didn't like that either. And yes I tried different things, and nothing took. You are looking in the worst place for advice on the physical aspects of a homosexual relationship."

    Cu snorted. "And yet you're trying to pawn him off on me for guidance?" he said dryly.

    I gave him a sidelong look. "I mean, it's you or Da Vinci, and I'm just assuming…"

    Cu rolled his eyes. "It's been a while, but I can give him the Talk."

    At that, Taylor broke down laughing, and Fou skittered into the kitchen.

    Tamamo let out great gasping whoops of laughter behind her sleeves, and Emiya covered his face as his shoulders shook.

    Arthur's face was a shade of red I'd rarely seen in nature, and he covered his eyes with hand.

    I sighed. "Guys, come on. Sex ed of this sort wasn't really a thing back then, and if his relationship with Gil does progress to that point, isn't it better that he be informed than one of them get hurt?"

    And that killed the hilarity.

    Taylor gave an apologetic grin. "Right. Good point."

    Arthur sighed as he sat back. "I regret bringing anything up."

    Cu gave him a stare. "Oi. Relationships are hard. If you need help, don't be afraid to ask." He scratched the back of his head. "I… should've been more helpful before. You're not used to that sort of thing, and I wasn't. So yeah. You got questions, I'll answer them."

    Arthur gave Cu a small smile. "Thanks, Cu Chulainn."

    Cu just grinned.

    Emiya sighed. "Well, that wasn't a conversation I was expecting," he admitted sheepishly.

    Fou strolled back in, plate of cookies on his back and one in his mouth. "Mmf."

    "And if you'd gotten into the filling earlier, we wouldn't have had any," I chided him.

    Fou gave me a singularly unimpressed look as he swallowed his current cookie, bucked his back, and caught a new one in his mouth.

    Emiya gave a low whistle.

    "Goodness," Tamamo commented with wide eyes.

    Taylor just shrugged and plucked a couple of cookies off of the tray. "I'm used to it."
    __________________________________________________________________________

    My Servants as a whole stood before the console. I felt my jaw slowly drop.

    "Master," Arthur said slowly, "That isn't Dragon."

    A little girl with grayish-silver hair stood where Dragon's avatar usually was. She had a small cap, and clutched a book to her chest.

    "I am Servant Caster."

    Hans gave a slow exhale. "Nursery Rhyme."

    She gave a shy nod.

    "...why are you inside Dragon's console?" I asked.

    She hugged her book tighter as Gilgamesh's eyes narrowed.

    "She is both a Servant and a Reality Marble. It is likely that she can manifest inside the dataspace Dragon occupies," Da Vinci reasoned.

    "Yes! Which is how I am here as well," an airy voice cut in.

    Tamamo, who had been watching over Taylor's workbench, perked up. "No way," she breathed. She ran over to us.

    A blue-haired beauty with horns in a kimono smiled outwards at us. "Hello! Berserker, at your service." She giggled. "But I hardly look like a Berserker, do I?"

    "Kiyo-chan! I was wondering why you hadn't answered my emails!" Tamamo said with glee.

    "Seeing them like this was a bit disconcerting, but I felt it best to wait until Nursery Rhyme got set up to contact you," Kiyohime said serenely.

    Taylor strode over, and Lisa finally took notice.

    "Wait. How are Servants inside the computer?" Lisa asked after a moment.

    "I can answer that," Dragon said, her avatar strolling into view. "So after I was unchained, I immediately created something like a hive-mind. There's only one consciousness, but multiple versions to handle multiple tasks. Apparently this means I can sustain multiple Servants," she finished. "Given the nature of Nursery Rhyme as a Reality Marble, we were able to cut out a data-space using my processors for these Servants to reside in. Working together, we created a facsimile of Wonderland for them to stay in until needed, or unless they want to interact with the greater world. At this point, it's just Nursery Rhyme and Kiyohime, but I've been assured further Servants are likely to manifest," Dragon said briskly.

    "Ah, Dragon-chan! Have you finished your homework?" Kiyohime chided.

    We all froze.

    "If you're going to be a good wife for Colin-kun, you need to learn to cook, clean, perform wifely du-"

    "Aaand I think the connection's getting bad! I'll speak with you all on this later!" Dragon said rapidly in a high-pitched voice as the screen blacked out.

    I slowly turned to look at Tamamo. "Doesn't she usually latch onto her summoner as a 'husband'?" I asked.

    Tamamo slowly blinked. "I. I think she resonated enough with Dragon to become a life coach to help her get Armsmaster. A 'wife coach', if you will."

    The room was momentarily silent.

    Lisa keeled over backwards, guffawing. "Ah-ha-ha-ha, w-wife coach-ch, aaaah!"

    Taylor sighed. "Hans, please control your Master."

    Hans rolled his eyes. "Now how do you suggest I do that?"

    Gareth picked Lisa up and hoisted her over her shoulder. "Amy, where would you like her?" she called.

    Amy just waved her hand at some empty worktables. "Put her somewhere she won't hurt herself. I'm busy," she said, focused on some strangely crystalline structure. An insectoid leg poked out of it and waved until she gently pushed it back in.

    "Not going to ask," I muttered under my breath.

    As the Servants dispersed, ZZ and Da Vinci remained.

    I turned to them. "So… what's the progress on making Dragon a body?" I asked.

    They both jumped, then looked around guiltily.

    "Now who said we were doing that," ZZ said, voice pitched up.

    "R-right! It's not like we'd meddle with that sort of thing," Da Vinci stuttered.

    I crossed my arms. "You really expect me to buy that?"

    "...yes?" ZZ said hopefully.

    Da Vinci sighed. "Busted." She perked up, and smirked. "But it's pretty good. We've got a decent theoretical mix of tech and wetware going, but we'd need one of three things to make real progress. We'd need a homunculus for a sufficient blueprint, some other form of artifical human for the same reason, or…" she trailed off.

    "Her," ZZ said quietly.

    "Whom?" I said, confused.

    "They're probably talking about Bonesaw," Amy said dryly as she walked over. "I can do purely organic fine, but if we're going to keep Dragon operating at her best and give her a body, we need more than purely organic. We need wetware, and that means Bonesaw."

    I flinched. "Oh. Her."

    Amy exhaled. "Now that I've got some perspective, I can respect the intelligence that goes into her work, depraved as it is. She's still a murdering psychopath, but now I feel that it's more of a loss that she's with the Nine than I did before."

    I hummed.

    "You really think you can redeem her?" Amy said dryly, picking up on it immediately.

    "With the right leverage, maybe. Remember my precog?"

    Amy nodded.

    "She was the only one of the Nine that survived those events, and had turned over a new leaf. You were in charge of double-checking her work to make sure it was safe for use."

    Amy gave a low whistle. "I see. And how much terrible shit had to happen first?"

    I winced.

    She nodded. "Thought so. If you plan on doing that? Let me know ahead of time, and make a plan with some Thinkers besides Lisa. Definitely keep ZZ in the loop," she said with a jab of her finger at the Moon Cancer. She paused. "Now if you excuse me, I'm going to see what I can make of your primordial soup, and how I can get it to interact with Taylor's shard powers and gem magecraft."

    I blinked as she wandered away. "Wait, what?"

    A small butterfly that looked like it was made of crystal flew away from the pool Amy had been working at. Taylor scrutinized it, and it exploded in a flash of light and heat at a harmless distance from the tables and ceiling. She smiled and nodded.

    "Fouuuuuu…" Fou said, staring upwards with me. I just nodded dumbly.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    I sat in front of Armsmaster and Director Piggot, feeling mildly confused. "So what's up?"

    Piggot folded her hands. "Tell me, why would Lung have a Servant?"

    I jolted. "Wait, what? Archimedes gave him a power up, that I knew…" I said, trailing off.

    Piggot's glare deepened. "Archimedes, yes. We've discussed him. Can he distribute Servants like you have?"

    I paused. "Maybe?" I thought it over for a minute, and shuddered. "Oh god. I hope not."

    Armsmaster shifted as Iskandar materialized. "Why?"

    "Master, there are many who can be called anti-heroes in the Throne. Many possibilities exist," Iskandar said in a quiet, firm voice.

    Piggot stared at me. "Anti-heroes wouldn't have you like this, Grail."

    I nodded. "They're called Anti-heroes, but most of them you'd call villains. Jack the Ripper, Gilles de Rais, Medb of Connacht... there are some who are too dangerous for me to call, even under my control."

    "And Archimedes is handing them out to villains," she said slowly.

    I nodded.

    "Why?"

    I gave a short, bitter laugh. "To try and damage the world as he works to end it. Soften us all up. Make a distraction from whatever his master vision is."

    Piggot sighed. "She has blonde hair, yellow eyes, and black armor. She burned twenty of my best men alive. We couldn't even find ashes to bury."

    I swore and slammed my hand into the top of the table.

    Piggot's eyes narrowed. "You know of her."

    "Yeah. She's an impossible existence, and shouldn't be here."

    Armsmaster leaned in. "What do you mean?"

    Iskandar gave a soft sigh. "Master. Let me tell you of 'Alter' Servants."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Lung flexed his arms, glorying in his silver scales. He'd never felt stronger without ramping up. He'd rarely felt this strong while ramping up. And this strange, petite woman had helped him.

    He gave her a scrutinizing look. She was white, but her power and rage were enough that he was willing to discount it. She also cared little for his… less legal activities. All she wanted was the world to burn.

    Well. As a dragon himself, he could commiserate.

    "Avenger. When would you like to march out and begin our dominion over the city?" he said in a measured tone.

    The woman snorted. "Dominion over ashes? Whenever you are. Money, drugs, your women… all pointless."

    Lung bristled until she met his eyes, and he found himself calming again. What did he have to be angry about? He was a dragon. Destruction and power were in his blood. Ruining the city would be fine.

    Breathy laughter resounded from the corner, where Lee rested his head in another woman's lap. "Oh Jeanne, you're so fiesty. But I like that about you. These pets will suit our designs nicely, no?" she said, right before she downed a cup of sake. Her horns gleamed in the dim light, and Lung could see blood mixed in the alcohol.

    Many of his men's bodies littered the floor. Those who had not escaped the initial rampage of the two women.

    Organs were torn and scattered, bones broken to splinters, and whatever else turned to ashes on the ground.

    Oni Lee lifted his head, and the other woman - Assassin, she called herself - cupped his chin in her hand.

    "Sweet thing," she cooed. "Do you want more of your Shuten's attention? Some alcohol? You called yourself an Oni before… but now I've made you a real demon. Aren't you happy?"

    Lee slowly nodded, and Shuten-Douji cooed once more as she kissed what was left of his mask tenderly.

    "So sweet," she breathed as she caressed the horns on his visage.

    Blood visibly dripped from his mouth as he slowly swallowed a chunk of meat.

    Lung relaxed on the bare floor, sitting seiza. It didn't hurt. Not with his mistress here to help burn all the bad things away.

    Even that woman couldn't touch him now. Her face, her attire… all faded away into blackened flame.

    The Avenger - Jeanne D'Arc - absentmindedly patted his head as she surveyed the docks outside of the window. "We'll start eventually. Give it a few days for their anticipation to build." Her grin was feral. "It'll make it all the sweeter when I burn down everything in this fucking city. Their screams will be music."

    Shuten tittered. "A wonderful feast of flame, blood, and wine. I look forward to it, dear Jeanne," she whispered.

    Jeanne planted her flag on the floor, and the blood and gore began to shudder as the cloth whipped through the air. "Just so. But first, let's marshal our forces, hm?"

    A single wing, large and batlike, erupted from the charnel. More followed.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Dracones 4.4
  • Threadmarks
    • A/N: Content Warning: Panic Attack, Being Burned Alive, Memories of Past Death.
    Mild Content Warning: Confusion on preferred pronouns, tone-deaf friends in the thrall of shipping.

    Dracones 4.4

    Finally, after an eternity of agony, everything was cold. My eyes must have been burned out, because everything was dark. I couldn't feel anything, so that's nerve damage, there.

    After the pain and fear, all that was left was the dark, and quiet.

    Then I fell, and the screaming began anew.

    Down, down, down, do-

    I bolted upright, a horrified shriek tearing itself from my lungs.

    I couldn't slow my breathing, even as strong arms wrapped around me and someone else rubbed my back. A dim light filled my room. I looked up.

    Da Vinci stood, staff raised and looking around for any threats, crystal faintly glowing. Gilgamesh was the one at my back, and the person hugging me? Cu.

    ZZ floated nearby, a feral look on her face.

    Medusa lightly adjusted her glasses as she peered out the window, narrowed eyes scanning the street.

    Arthur stood across from her, blade drawn and pointed out at the city. The image was a little ruined by his lion-patterned pajamas.

    Emiya slowly walked into the room. "I couldn't find anything that would indicate mage interference, and no sign of any capes around the building," he said in a deep voice. His brow was furrowed. He turned his gaze on me. "Are you alright? You were screaming, and wouldn't wake up."

    I laughed hysterically as I rubbed my face. "Oh, you know. Just dreaming of being burned alive while the Dragon Witch is out and about. You know how it goes," I said in a high-pitched tone.

    Da Vinci's eyes narrowed. "It won't happen again."

    Emiya looked mildly confused, but everyone else seemed to understand.

    She set her staff down and sat next to me, taking my hand.

    Gil seemed to have temporarily overcome his (mostly forced) disdain for Cu, and had pressed up against my back comfortingly while Cu perched his chin on my head.

    "Archimedes can't hurt you. Strong as the Alter of Jeanne is, she won't hurt you. It'll take more than hellfire and dragons to get through us."

    Emiya's eyes widened. "You're like us."

    I winced.

    Cu exhaled slowly. "Trust me, lad. A good number of us know a thing or two about dying hard."

    Da Vinci squeezed my hand. "Do you want us to stay?"

    "Please?" I whispered.

    ZZ flopped on the bed and plopped her head in my lap. Arthur arranged himself behind Gilgamesh, and Medusa took the side beside Cu.

    Da Vinci pulled in a couple of chairs with a wave of her hand, and leaned her staff against her shoulder as she sat down. "I'll be keeping watch," she explained.

    Emiya nodded as he took his chair, his twin blades appearing in his lap. "Same."

    I settled back down into my bed, and reluctantly closed my eyes. I felt fur gently press under my chin, and a soft lick on my cheek as Fou cuddled up.

    I was asleep moments later.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    I scowled as Arthur and Emiya fixed a large breakfast.

    Cu had insisted on dragging a chair right next to me, while Gilgamesh watched in mild amusement. So now I had a surprisingly overprotective Lancer pressed up against my side while I tried to read the paper. Added to that, Fou had commandeered my lap.

    "I'm fine, guys. It was a really bad dream, but I don't need to be babied," I said tersely.

    "Sounded more like a memory," Gilgamesh said lightly.

    I felt my lips twitch as ZZ floated into a chair. She took one look at Cu and I and stifled a giggle behind her hand.

    "Yes, ZZ?" I said tiredly.

    She shook her head. "Nothing, Grail. It's nothing," she said with a small smile.

    "Fou." Narrowed violet eyes peered up at me peevishly.

    "I am not being difficult," I snapped at Fou.

    I received a decidedly unimpressed look for my efforts as the little monster began to knead my legs.

    Cu stifled a chuckle. "Hey Grail," he said slowly.

    I slid my gaze over to him.

    He gave me a sheepish grin. "Is it alright if I follow you around today?"

    I exhaled through my nose. "I lack means I'd willingly use to stop you, so go ahead."

    I found my temple pressed against his collarbone.

    "Sounds good. I'll go get cleaned up, and we can take a day on the town," he said merrily.

    I found myself sat back up, blinking rapidly, and watched as Cu put his chair back and wandered off towards the back rooms.

    I turned towards Gilgamesh and ZZ.

    ZZ hid her face in her hands, and Gilgamesh radiated smug.

    "What?" I said flatly.

    "Nothing, Trinket. It's absolutely nothing," Gilgamesh said innocently.

    Fou gave a decidedly disgusted sigh, then leaped up my shoulders and curled up on top of my head.

    "Nice hat," Emiya said as he set a plate in front of me. "So, where will you two be going today?" he said curiously.

    I shrugged. "Out. Probably looking for any signs of dragons."

    Gilgamesh, ZZ, and Fou sighed deeply.

    Emiya shrugged with a mild smile. "I'm sure you'll find some kind of trouble."

    Arthur made a sharp choking noise.

    I looked over at him, concerned. "Hey, you good Arthur?"

    He coughed a couple of times. "Y-yes, Grail! I'm fine," he stammered out. Now what's he grinning about?

    "If there's a joke I'm missing, please fill me in," I said dryly.

    Medusa patted my shoulder as she went to grab a plate. "No jokes, but it is rather funny."

    "What is?" I said irritably.

    Da Vinci groaned. "Just. Leave him."

    Gilgamesh hummed. "Some things never change."

    I grumbled as I proceeded to dig into my eggs and pancakes.

    "Fou." The little hellion snuggled in.

    "Fine, here's some bacon." I handed a strip up, and Fou slowly took it into his mouth as I let it go.

    "All ready!" Cu said merrily, striding in. Huh.

    "New jacket?" I asked curiously.

    "Yep!" he said with a wide, toothy grin.

    "I helped him pick it out," Gilgamesh said serenely.

    I arched an eyebrow at him as he sipped a mimosa. "Okay, you drunkard. I thought you two hated each other?"

    Gil shrugged elegantly. "You think many things of questionable correctness, my Trinket. That is merely one of them."

    I scowled at him. "Thanks. Gil." I resumed eating.

    Cu pulled his chair out and sat next to me again.

    "I'll be done when I'm done, don't rush me," I said, waving my fork at him.

    "S'fine." He leaned on the table, just watching me.

    "Stop that."

    He blinked at me. "Eh?"

    "Staring won't make me eat faster. I'll slow down to spite you, that I promise."

    Cu just smiled and stared at the ceiling.

    I pushed my plate away. "Done." I stood up, collected my stuff, and put it in the sink.

    Cu leaned next to me on the counter. "So, where do you want to go?"

    "ABB territory is mostly away from the Boardwalk, but not quite at the docks. It's as good a place to start as any," I said firmly.

    He raised an eyebrow at me. "So you don't want to go to say… an arcade?"

    I stared at him.

    "Or the library?"

    I kept staring.

    "Or-"

    "No. I want Jeanne dead as a doornail so that I can sleep without dreaming that my nerves are slowly being burned like candles, where my muscles are the tallow."

    ZZ sucked her teeth in a grimace as she looked away.

    Emiya coughed and busied himself at the stove.

    Medusa adjusted her glasses and opened up a book.

    "A-ah. Right. Well, we can do that too," Cu said, rallying with a bloodthirsty grin.

    "Good," I said fervently. "And what was that all about anyways? It was kind of weird. I didn't think you had those kinds of interests?"

    Cu was silent for a moment. "Nothing, Master. Nothing at all."

    Gilgamesh planted his forehead into his palm, as Arthur leaned his chin on top of his head.

    "Kyuu," Fou sighed.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    I gently closed the door, thanking the occupant of the apartment. Then I turned to Cu.

    "Okay, so we know where at least one of the safehouses is, now. Do we call for backup or scout ahead?"

    Cu shrugged absentmindedly.

    I grumbled. "Okay, I'm sorry."

    "Eh?" he said, blinking at me.

    "I snapped at you and I shouldn't have. You were just trying to take my mind off of things, and I shouldn't have lashed out at you," I said. I paused in thought. "I'm honestly kind of surprised you remembered my hobbies. I think we talked about them… all of once?"

    Cu crossed his arms. "Aye."

    I squinted at him. "Ooookay. Guess you're going to be mad for a while, then. Understandable, I was an ass."

    Cu stared down at me, frowning. "I really don't understand you."

    "Eh?"

    He shook his head. "Let's go. We'll call in backup on the way."

    I followed him at a close distance. His shoulders were up and tense, and posture stiff. He must be really mad.

    Oh-kay, bribe time. So what does he like? Fighting. Drinking. Women. Food. Camping? Camping. Oh, and Fishing!

    So… ah! That could work.

    "So… after this is all done," I said slowly.

    Cu stopped. "Aye?"

    "There's a nice lake not too far from the city," I said quietly. "Would you like to go fishing? I can teleport us there and back, easy."

    He turned and stared at me for a few moments. "I'll think about it." He paused. "Thanks for offering." He turned back and kept walking.

    That said, his stance had relaxed, so I counted it as a small victory.

    "Incomingggg!" I heard from above as ZZ descended. She landed lightly on her feet. "Whoo! Oh, yeah. So! Guess who showed up~?" she said teasingly.

    I blinked at her. "I give up."

    "Gallant came over! And he has a new friend!"

    I narrowed my eyes. "Oh?"

    ZZ grinned. "No worries, she's one of ours. Uh, he. They? Their highness."

    I processed this. "Please tell me they haven't run into Artoria."

    ZZ hummed. "Not yet? Gallant came over to us first."

    I ran up to Cu. "We've got possibly Mordred at the apartment, contracted to Vicky's boyfriend."

    Cu gazed at me. "And?"

    "Vicky's contracted to Artoria…? Please tell me you can see the problems here," I said exhaustedly.

    Cu opened his mouth, then closed it. "Let's go," he said after a moment.

    "Okay, thanks," I muttered. The background blurred as I teleported us, and we appeared in the apartment to the sound of a loud yell.
    ___________________________________________________________________________

    "What the fu- Cu Chulainn? Oh. So that's the master. Okay. Right."

    The knight eyed me up. "You don't look special."

    I reverted to my base form.

    Mordred reeled back. "Fucking shit! Okay, I take it back!"

    Aaand back to my human form.

    ZZ floated forward. "Sorry, Sir Knight. Grail's a little cranky."

    Gallant hummed. "I bet. I heard about that charnel house down by the docks. Apparently over seventy percent of the ABB were eaten alive."

    I stared at him.

    "The one they put the APB out on was seen leaving with Lung, Oni Lee, and some little girl with horns in a kimono."

    I grabbed Gallant by the shoulders. "Purple or yellow?"

    "Wha?"

    "Was the kimono. Purple. Or yellow?"

    "Purple…?"

    I felt my vision black out momentarily, then blinked rapidly. "I'm going to go lay down. Don't bother me for at least an hour," I said, pointing at the entire room at large.

    "The fuck is his problem?" Mordred said loudly as I stormed away.
    ___________________________________________________________________________

    Shuten-Douji. Shuten-Douji at the beck and call of Jeanne Alter. Both working with Lung. Jeanne likely Mastered Lung. Oni Lee was probably even more broken than before, given the Servants let him live. Archimedes likely pumped them both up.

    I stared at the ceiling and just… let myself go limp.

    Canberra had been one thing; the enormity hadn't hit until we saw Ziz flinging spells. This? This, I knew what was coming, and how bad it could get. This, I knew was an opponent who would be giving all they had to see all of us dead, and actually had a chance in hell of making it happen.

    Cu swung the door open and stood over me. "Why did you run back here."

    "Because Jeanne has one of the three great monsters of Japan as an accomplice? And is probably in charge so we can expect collateral out the ass?"

    He looked down at me with an inscrutable expression.

    "Up."

    "What?"

    "I said, get up. We're going to go find them, and put them down. Gallant also mentioned missing people from ABB territory who weren't ABB. The longer we give them, the more people will die. If it was that lizard boy in charge, I wouldn't give a damn, but I know how crazy that bitch can get. I remember Orleans."

    I exhaled. "Right."

    Cu stared at me long and hard as I stood shakily.

    "Sorry. I know, I'm a mess and pathe-"

    He wrapped an arm around me, and pulled me into a bear hug.

    "Eh?"

    "Just shut up. I'm tired of bein' ignored, and tired of you puttin' yourself down. So let me hug you, let me support you, and most importantly," he pulled back and stared right into my eyes. "Let me be your friend. You keep goin' to Gilgamesh, or Da Vinci, and I get it. They were here first. But you…" He exhaled. "I got nothin'. Just remember the rest of us are here, okay?"

    I nodded slowly. "Okay. Roger that."

    Cu grumbled. "Don't go to that ex-Archer over me either. Got it?"

    "Oh-kay…?"

    He gave me a tired smirk. "Silly master." He ruffled my hair and dragged me back out of the room.

    I dunno what's up with him.

    At least he's not mad anymore?
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    We'd called in an entire war council. Piggot was at the front of the gathering, on console.

    "Half an hour ago, people started seeing dragons. Seconds later, said dragons started attacking anyone outside of a building. Jeanne is clearing the streets, and some sort of liquid is sealing people into their homes," Piggot said tersely. "I have Armsmaster and Velocity patrolling; Armsmaster is with Iskandar in the sky. Miss Militia and Battery are holding down the Rig, while Dauntless is at the PRT. New Wave has mobilized, as Glory Girl will attest," she said with a nod towards Vicky.

    "That leaves us," I said softly.

    Piggot nodded.

    "Okay. Weaver, take Tamamo, Emiya, Medusa, Tattletale, Hans, and Gilgamesh. Your job will be to hunt down Shuten-Douji and Oni Lee." I turned to Gilgamesh. "I highly suggest you tap your clairvoyance."

    Gilgamesh inclined his head slightly. "Her power seems to have altered from the Grand Order. She seems stronger, given that she can create bounded fields with her sake at the very least. I'll ensure that we don't lose anyone to her trickery."

    "Right. Dragon, you'll be in charge of damage control and coordinating us with the Protectorate and PRT. Take ZZ, Nursery Rhyme, Kiyohime, Panacea, and Gareth."

    Dragon's avatar nodded. "I've mobilized the local part of the Dragonflight and am ready to engage the wyverns."

    "And...?"

    Dragon smiled. "I've also contacted Legend. He's passing word along, and anyone who can come help, will."

    I exhaled. "And everyone else will come with me to deal with Jeanne and Lung." I paused. "Mordred, will you be able to work with Artoria?"

    She stared at me. "Duh."

    I blinked. "Eh?"

    Gallant intervened. "I'll explain later," he said quickly.

    Cu blinked at me owlishly. "So…"

    I smirked at him. "You said to rely on you more. Da Vinci will coordinate our team, and you'll pair off with me while Arthur, Artoria, and Mordred stay in my range so Jeanne can't Master them, and Gallant and Glory Girl stay close enough for me to shield. I'll be counting on you to keep me from getting fried."

    Cu beamed. "You got it, Grail!"

    Gilgamesh let out a soft laugh.

    "Eh?"

    "Nothing, Trinket. It's nothing," he said with a fond smile. He eyed Cu. "Watch him closely, cur. I want him undamaged."

    Cu snorted, but nodded with a grim smile anyways.

    Piggot nodded. "We have your wavelength, so we'll coordinate with you for disaster relief once you hit the ground. Keep us all apprised of any new developments," she said tersely.

    I nodded to her as her screen went dark.

    I stood up. "Time to slay some dragons," I said darkly.

    Fou stood on my shoulder.

    Out of the corner of my eye, I could have sworn I saw him glow.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Interlude: Gallant
  • Threadmarks
    • Interlude: Gallant

    Dean tugged nervously at his sleeves. He was meeting Vicky and Amy for a double date. Now, this in and of itself wouldn't be enough to give him nerves. He and Vicky had doubled up with Amy and whatever rando Vicky had picked in a given week almost too many times to count.

    The main difference here was that Amy had suggested it, and was bringing her own date. Her Servant.

    Now Dean really couldn't care less about Amy's preferences - it explained a great deal about why Vicky's matchmaker attempts had fallen flat - but given that the person in question was a Servant, and last he checked Amy didn't care for him much… Well, it was hard not to make assumptions.

    He didn't much care for the idea of being launched into the air by a videogame caricature, if he was lucky.

    Rationally, he knew that wasn't going to happen. Vicky wouldn't let it, for one, and Artoria was too much a fan of fair play from what he'd seen of her to permit it. Also he'd done his homework, and Gareth was one of the nicer knights of the Round.

    Yeah. He was definitely overreacting.

    Totally.

    "Hi Dean!" Amy chirped from behind him.

    "Ohmygodpleasedon'tdothat," he said in a rush.

    Amy simply gave him a smirk. She wasn't in her usual outfit - her robes or some of her more casual clothes. This time she wore a killer red sweater - was that cashmere - and a thick, dark skirt that went to her ankles. It was still just cold enough for it to be comfortable, and it made her look good.

    Her girlfriend? Date? Plus one, Gareth - she wore jeans and a light green hoodie. Tomboyish, but still cute.

    Vicky was proudly wearing a beautiful white sweater and a tight pair of jeans. Her hair was done up in a tight ponytail, and her makeup was subdued so it brought out her cuter feat-

    Ow.

    "Stop staring, you dork," Vicky teased as she rubbed where she flicked him on the forehead gently. "We know we look good," she said with a smirk.

    Dean shook his head and grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, you do. So! Rose's?"

    Vicky's eyes lit up. "Ooooh! I don't think I've been there yet?"

    "It's a sandwich shop that's also a bakery. We won't have to go far to get dessert," Dean said with a smile. He was rather proud of himself for finding it. It wasn't amazingly upscale, but it was homey and had a comfortable feel to it. Not quite hole-in-the-wall, but definitely more of a treat than Fugly Bob's.

    Also the food was amazing, same with the baked goods. Best macarons he'd ever had.

    Vicky lit up. "Oh yeah! You told me about that place, I think? It sounds like a nice little place," she said eagerly.

    Amy smiled. "Baked goods, huh? Can't say I'm averse to the idea," she said thoughtfully.

    Gareth grinned. "I'm good with about anything! So long as my big bro Gawain didn't cook it, it's probably gourmet in comparison!"

    Dean chuckled. "Shall we?"

    As they walked towards the shop, they passed an Asian woman with blue eyes muttering viciously into a cell phone. "No, I- Look, I want a fucking pass out of this city, and that means the bus! I'm paying good- Listen fuc- Don't you hang up on me, you little- ARGH!" She stuffed the phone back into her purse, and cast her gaze around. Her eyes narrowed.

    "Hey, fuckwits. What's the best way to leave town? I don't feel like being dragon chow now that the ABB's gone up in smoke."

    The dating party stared for a moment. Dean spoke up.

    "There's a decent train station not far from here. Couple of blocks from Medhall, head towards the tower from here, can't miss it. Getting to Boston or a bit further might be a little pricey, but if you think Lung's going to go overboard or something…" Dean said slowly.

    The woman gave a sharp, acerbic laugh. "It's not Lung I'm fucking afraid of, pansy boy. Be scared of his baguette-choking girlfriend. She makes him look fucking sane." She paused. "Consider this payback: Lee's got a new lady who has him by the balls too. Tiny little drunk bitch, wears nothing but a purple bathrobe and rips people's organs out barehanded. Mixes their blood with booze, as well. If you're smart, you'll clear out too. Can't believe I'm saying this, but good fucking luck." And with that, she stormed off into the distance.

    "...so. Rose's?" Gareth said in a squeaky voice.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Dean shrugged as he put his Wards phone away. "The Director and Armsmaster are informed, and they'll pass it on to the Guild ASAP. My orders are to lay low and not let on we know anything."

    Vicky sipped her drink as she scrounged sandwich crumbs off of her plate with her nails. She paused. "So, guys. Well, more Amy and Gareth. Is it just me, or does Grail seem… off?"

    Amy pursed her lips. "Tell me about it. He's jumping at shadows. Jeanne Alter has him scared, so I'm betting we haven't seen a fraction of what she's capable of."

    Gareth worried her lip. "I think it goes deeper than that, but Arthur either doesn't know or hasn't told me. Your highness?" she asked the air.

    Artoria materialized. "I am unsure. The Dragon Witch was a formidable foe in Orleans, but also grew into a fierce ally. If she's been coerced by Archimedes' power, it's possible she's reverted. While her flames are terrifyingly fierce, her true danger is her ability to muster an army of phantasmal beasts - wyverns, skeletons, and at one point she invoked Fafnir of Germanic legend." The King of Knights frowned. "I wonder if Grail had a personal encounter with the Alter of Jeanne d'Arc."

    The table was silent as Artoria seated herself. Apparently she got hold of one of Mark Dallon's old suits, and had it tailored to her size.

    "We should talk to Taylor," Amy decided after a moment.

    Artoria nodded solemnly. Then she paused. "Perhaps we could partake in some baked goods, first?"

    "Priorities are important," Vicky said sagely with a nod.

    Amy gave Dean a sidelong glance.

    Dean took a breath, and-

    "Please, Amy?" Gareth said, hugging the healer's arm.

    Amy wilted. "Okay. We'll get it to go."

    Gareth leaned her head on top of Amy's.

    "With hot drinks as well."

    Dean stared at Amy.

    She shrugged helplessly.

    After a moment, he just nodded and offered his fist.

    She bumped it in solidarity.

    Vicky snickered behind her drink.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Dean opened his mouth to call the waiter over, but paused.

    Now where did that suit of heavy armor come from? Those horns didn't look particularly heroic, and-

    Vicky plucked Dean's hand up off of the table. "Dean!" she hissed.

    "What?"

    She shoved his hand in his face. There was a lot of red until he wrenched his hand back and took a better look at it from a more moderate perspective.

    The design was vaguely draconic, and he had a sinking feeling.

    "Command Seals?" he said weakly.

    "One of us. One of us," Amy chanted in a flat tone.

    Vicky gave her a dry look. "So?" she said, gesturing at the silently standing suit of armor.

    Dean shrugged, and cleared his throat. "Excuse me, Sir Knight-"

    "The fuck you want?" they snapped.

    Artoria's eyes widened. "Hm?"

    They looked to Artoria momentarily, then back at Dean. "I don't take orders from you, fuckface. I'm just sticking around because I have to," they said heatedly.

    "That voice…" Artoria murmured.

    Gareth bounced up in her seat. "Sir Mordred!?" she said joyfully.

    The newly named knight slouched. "Yeah."

    "Would you like dessert too?" Dean offered.

    "No!" the knight snapped. Her stomach grumbled. "...maybe."

    Artoria smiled warmly. "Please, doff your helmet. It's been too long since the Order completed and we were able to speak peaceably."

    The helm retracted into the armor, and Dean was treated to a face like Artoria's framed with spiky blonde hair. She also had green eyes and slightly pointed canines in her sheepish smile.

    Artoria scooted over, shoving Vicky into Dean's lap as she patted next to her.

    The knight moved faster than Dean could track, face lit up in adoration. "Of course I'll join you for the meal, Father!"

    Dean got the feeling that there was something he was missing.

    As he watched Gareth giggle and Vicky let out a belly laugh from on top of him, he got the feeling that he was missing a lot of somethings.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    "So yeah, we teamed up, kicked the crap out of those fake knights, and broke the spear to save the world. Was pretty fuckin' awesome," Mordred said around her sandwich.

    "Manners, Mordred," Artoria said primly as she sipped her tea.

    Mordred swallowed. "Yes, Father!"

    Gareth sighed happily. "I'm just glad I'm not the only knight besides their majesties anymore."

    "Eh?" Mordred said, blinking owlishly.

    "There's two Arthurs," Amy said flatly.

    "Eh!?"

    "Yes. Myself and a male version. A full-time male," Artoria mused as she popped a macaron into her mouth. She made a happy noise as she chewed.

    "Ehhhhh!?"

    At this point Mordred had dropped the remains of the sandwich on her plate.

    "Apparently he and Gilgamesh are dating? And treating each other pretty well, from what Artoria tells me," Vicky said with a smile.

    "WHAT IN THE BLUE HELL???" Mordred screamed, eyes wide.

    Dean coughed. "Also they both work for an ambulatory holy grail fused with a person."

    "Oh, that I knew," Mordred said, calming down immediately. "I saw that idiot Cu Chulainn following him around like a lovesick puppy. Guy was obviously distracted though. Last time I saw someone like that, it was before Father and I made up, and she heard I was around."

    The table was quiet.

    "WHAT."

    Mordred flailed her arms. "The fuck!? Quiet down, I'm trying to eat here!" she snapped.

    Amy drummed her fingers on the table. "First we talk to Taylor. Then we head to Grail's apartment and find out what the fuck is going on," she said tersely.

    Gareth finished her last bite of cake. "I'm good!"

    Artoria's plate was mysteriously empty as the king daintily dabbed her lips with a napkin.

    Vicky sighed as she reclined her back across Dean's face. "Ready whenever you guys are."

    "Wait, don't I get dessert!?" Mordred complained as she finished stuffing her face.

    "I'll get yours to go," Dean said firmly.

    Mordred paused. "I can eat and run," she allowed.
    ___________________________________________________________________________

    Thankfully Taylor was home when they went to see her. Her father gave them a wary look, then shook his head.

    "Try not to raise too much of a fuss," he said as he wandered back into the kitchen.

    Mordred stuck her tongue out at his retreating back.

    Artoria cleared her throat, and Mordred's tongue vanished back into her mouth.

    Dean shot Artoria a grateful look, then turned his attention to Taylor. "So. What's new?"

    Taylor snorted. "You mean besides Jeanne barbecuing 20 PRT agents? Not much. She's been worryingly quiet, and Grail's losing his marbles." She crossed her arms as Tamamo materialized behind her seat, rubbing her shoulders. "In terms of actual planning, I've been running the show for the past few days. He's been… really unwell." Taylor's face was grim.

    Amy leaned forward. "You work a little closer with him than I do, so we were hoping you could shed some light on it?"

    Vicky nodded. "We're all really worried."

    Dean sighed through his nose. "I did notice… well. You know how he's teflon to most Thinkers?"

    All the attention in the room was on him.

    "Most?" Tamamo echoed curiously.

    Dean coughed. "Yeah. I can still read his emotions. You guys too, if I try."

    Everyone was quiet momentarily.

    "So I got saddled with some kind of soggy empath?" Mordred said in bewilderment.

    "I can also fire concussive blasts that can forcefully change emotions too."

    Mordred nodded at that. "Okay, that's actually kind of badass."

    "I wear a suit of armor while I do it."

    Her face split into a grin. "Now you're talkin' my language!"

    Tamamo cleared her throat loudly. "As touching as your newfound camaraderie is, Gallant," she said dryly, "if you can give us insight on Grail's mindset, it could be invaluable."

    "...how was he formed?" Dean asked slowly, an unpleasant picture painting itself before him.

    Taylor sat up. "He died, went through a short second life with Gilgamesh and Da Vinci, died again, and was incarnated here," she said brusquely.

    "How did he die the first time?"

    "Didn't say."

    "The second?"

    Taylor looked like she'd swallowed a lemon. "It seemed a little personal to ask. He never pried into my personal stuff unless I offered, so it seemed like a good idea to return the favor."

    Vicky gave a hissing sigh. "You think it's PTSD?"

    The room turned to her.

    "Hey, it makes sense," she said defensively. "He's died twice, and once wasn't too long ago if we assume he died then reappeared. Right on Christmas, at that! So if something about this rings close to one of those events…"

    Amy groaned. "Of course that would do it. I can't believe I missed the signs…"

    Artoria folded her hands in her lap. "We need to speak with him."

    Mordred growled. "And that ass, Cu. When I saw them, he was giving your buddy Grail the cold shoulder over something. Still was mooning over him when he thought nobody was looking, though."

    Gareth choked. "Mordred, Grail is asexual."

    "A-whatsit?"

    "No sex, no how. Hates it," Tamamo said bluntly.

    "Oh, so like that one lady-in-waiting of Guinevere's. Got it," Mordred said with a nod. She paused. "Wait."

    Artoria hummed. "Yes, I noticed it too."

    The kids all looked at the two knights. "What?" Taylor said, breaking the silence.

    Amy blinked, then slapped her forehead.

    "Amy figured it out," Gareth said with a giggle.

    Dean pondered, then felt himself pale. "Oh."

    "And that's my Master. Guess he's got some brains."

    "Well please enlighten the rest of us," Taylor said acerbically. "Grail was the first friend I've made in a very long time, so if I can help him-"

    "Grail's asexual, and Cu is a celt," Dean said, as if that explained anything.

    "So… Cu Chulainn is Irish, and that's a problem?" Vicky said hesitantly.

    "No, not Irish, a celt. Back in his day, 'any hole's a goal' was an understatement," Dean said flatly.

    The room was quiet.

    "Fuck," Taylor swore. She slammed her palms onto her legs. "That's a recipe for disaster. Add that to Grail probably having flashbacks because of current events? Fucking all the… I'm calling Lisa and Rachel, we're circling the wagons on this one," Taylor said, standing straight up.

    "Following your lead," Amy said dryly as she stood. "Knowing what I do of Gilgamesh, he'd probably think it's cute or something."

    "And isn't Medusa Cu's drinking buddy? She probably knew and hoped Cu could work with it or something," said Vicky, getting to her feet.

    Dean sighed as he stood up too. "Do you guys think Arthur would be in on it? ZZ? Da Vinci?"

    "Maybe to the first as he's a little besotted with Gilgamesh at the moment. If it was past the honeymoon phase, I'd like to think he'd be of better judgement," Artoria said softly, eyes hard. "Definitely to the second, as she likely would need such concepts explained to her if she didn't go looking, and there's no reason for either the search or explanation."

    The room was quiet.

    "What about Da Vinci?" Gareth said softly.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    What about Da Vinci, indeed, Dean thought as the Caster loomed over the entire room, staff lit up and a boundary field between the group and the back of the apartment. Fou had already vacated the room, likely to keep an eye on his distressed master.

    Lisa swallowed nervously as Hans hid behind her, scribbling furiously.

    "How predictable," the author muttered.

    "Hans, I can't believe it's me saying this, but maybe now's not the time for smartassery," Lisa hissed quietly.

    Cu glared up at Da Vinci defiantly. "We were just trying to help!" he said with a mulish glower.

    "Let me explain," Da Vinci said in a low, sweet tone, "exactly how everyone over the age of 18 in this room, and not contracted to anyone below that line, catastrophically fucked up." Shadows flickered across her face. "I told you all to leave the poor man alone, but of course you had to ignore the genius who was his first Servant in both lives."

    Gallant cleared his throat.

    Da Vinci's glowing gaze swung to him.

    "So… there was a lot of fear and despair on him. Exhaustion. And we've pieced together that he's having flashbacks to at least one of his deaths."

    "Yes," Da Vinci said with a cruel smile, aiming it right at Gilgamesh. "His death by Archimedes. You know him? He uses fire in his Noble Phantasm?"

    Gilgamesh's eyes widened. "Ah."

    The rest of Grail's Servants stilled.

    "Wait. So because of Jeanne D'Arc…" Medusa said, her sense of horror mounting as Gallant watched.

    Cu's anger and irritation were immediately doused with cold, cruel shame. "Shite," he choked out.

    Emiya gave a sharp growl. "Goddammit. Of course he'd have nightmares with someone like her loose."

    Gilgamesh sighed. "I… had not considered that." Gallant was pretty sure the King of Heroes wasn't capable of shame. Sorrow? That, he could do.

    Arthur was colored in compassion and no small amount of grief. "What do we do?"

    Da Vinci gave the Servants a hard smile. "Nothing. We do nothing, and we give him his hour. Then you," she said, turning to Cu, "will get him. You will assure him that you don't hate him. You will ask for nothing but his friendship, because that is all he is in a fit state to give. Further, you damn well know he's on the asexual spectrum."

    Cu nodded solemnly. "Yeah. I was planning… I mean, it's not like fidelity was a hard-and-fast rule with my wife, so…" he said sheepishly.

    "So you wanted to date my brother while getting those needs tended to elsewhere?" ZZ said wonderingly. Her aura had rapidly blackened with murderous rage when she'd heard the reasoning behind Grail's behavior, and was only slowly receding to normal.

    Cu grinned abashedly. "Basically, I was willing to take what I could get, whatever he decided."

    Gallant exhaled. "Okay. So, first things first. Who's the booze demon? What can Jeanne do that has him so riled? And where do we go from here?" He gestured at Grail's Servants. "Feeling bad about messing up is all well and good, but Grail was really, really bad. We need information, and we need it now."

    Vicky crossed her arms and stared them all down as Taylor stepped forward.

    Gallant saw Panacea put her hands behind her back and saw her jaw tighten under her hood.

    Taylor looked over them all. "So Jeanne D'Arc Alter can weaponize the flames of her pyre. Considering how important they are to her legend, I'm going to assume the flames that killed a saint are pretty strong," she said softly. "Also, I've heard the words 'Dragon Witch' bandied about. Can she control dragons? Call them?"

    "Make them stronger?" Rachel asked, frowning thoughtfully.

    Lisa worried her lip. "All of the above. That's what I'm getting. Also, she's strong. So… an extra class?" she said, looking at Hans.

    Hans nodded. "Avenger. Those who were so wronged in life that hatred gives them strength and sustenance as Heroic Spirits. This Jeanne was a counterfeit created by the madman Gilles de Rais," the little Caster recited.

    Lisa nodded. "Right. So she's got a lot of punch, a lot of minions, and a weapon Grail's terrified of." She looked at Da Vinci. "And chances are, she's subverted Lung because of how their powers interact. She can boost him, and call the shots. Given Lung was the biggest game in town before you guys, that's not a good combo. Add in the odds Archimedes gave him a boost like Grail hypothesized he did to Skidmark, and none of that is good."

    Da Vinci folded her arms. "Right on all accounts." She scowled. "The oni is Shuten-Douji, one of the three great monsters of Japan."

    Tamamo exhaled. "I should explain her. She's likely an Assassin class, but capable of direct combat. She has access to oni magic, and can inflict hallucinations through inebriation. Her physical strength is terrifying, and her style of combat is visceral. She can debone the opponent with her bare hands. She can manipulate her sake into a poison that can melt down any living being, convert it to her drink, and she drinks it. She looks like a girl, but don't be deceived: Shuten-Douji was never human." Tamamo's face was severe. "She is an Oni with a dragon characteristic. It is likely that Jeanne has empowered her. For her desires, Shuten may well follow along, especially if summoned at her worst by Archimedes and bound to Oni Lee. The man was described to me as a follower, so…"

    Vicky looked worried at the description, but then narrowed her eyes. "So they're both bad news. Hey Lisa," she said slowly.

    Tattletale smirked. "Mmmyes?"

    "I thought trying to process Servants gave you a headache?"

    "Used to," she sang.

    Everyone stared.

    "Oh god. She's unstoppable," Taylor said faintly.

    As Lisa opened her mouth, Hans interrupted.

    "She's insufferable, but her power, rather than giving her headaches when she nears her limits, merely peters out so that it isn't overused. She can track it easily, but it isn't debilitating."

    Lisa scowled.

    Da Vinci checked a small pocketwatch. "So we have thirty minutes before the hour's up."

    Everyone's gaze turned to Cu.

    Mordred smirked. "Spill, Hound of Ulster. How does Ireland's Child of Light fall for that mess?"

    Cu got a glint in his eye. "Call him that again and I'll roast you on a spit."

    Gallant blinked slowly.

    That was some pretty powerful affection. And definitely a few smears of what he saw between his parents sometimes. Too bad all of it was painted over by rage.

    Mordred opened her mouth.

    "Mordred, enough," Gallant said fiercely. "Trading barbs is all well and good, but hurting our allies won't get us anything we want," he finished with a wide gesture to the side.

    Mordred closed her mouth. "Point." She looked at Gallant appraisingly. "Well, so long as you're showing that spine, I guess I'll follow you. Never really introduced myself, did I?" she mused. She gave Gallant a toothy grin. "Saber Mordred, Knight of Betrayal. Looking forward to working with you, Master!"

    As the gathering devolved into chatter, Gallant turned his senses on his new Servant.

    Pride in herself, interest in her new allies, and friendly affection towards her fellow knights.

    As she turned a small smirk to Dean, he realized that included him.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Dean exhaled as Vicky flew him above the smoldering Docks quarter. Artoria, Arthur, and Mordred leapt from roof to roof below.

    Da Vinci stood to the left of Grail on a roof near the scene of carnage, staff glowing brightly. Cu was to his right.

    Da Vinci was resolute. Cu was eager, with shades of protectiveness.

    Grail was terrified, almost drowning in it - but there was a small, sharp core of resolve that seemed to slowly push back the fear.

    On a whim, Gallant dug deeper - and saw a few smatterings of other emotions.

    Huh.

    He was snapped out of his stupor by a cataclysmic roar.

    What they saw stopped Vicky in midair, a choked-off scream in her throat.

    Gallant couldn't breathe.

    The creature was huge - he'd seen footage of Behemoth. This was bigger.

    Silver scales clad its body. It had four massive, batlike wings extend from its spherical body, and a massive face with flaming eyes and a gargantuan toothy maw in its center mass. Two tendrils extended from the top, each ending in eyeless heads with matching fanged mouths dripping flame. It had six limbs, each ending in wicked claws as long as a truck.

    Gallant used his helmet camera to zoom in on the person standing on top of the mass. A ghostly pale girl with straw-blonde hair and pale yellow eyes, clad in black armor with violet cloth. She held a black-and-grey flag in one hand, and a bared, glimmering black blade in another.

    "COME, DRAGON OF KYUSHU!" she shouted - no, roared. "LET US TURN ALL OF THAT FAKE GOD'S CREATION TO ASH!"

    The Endbringer formerly known as Lung roared in response, and vomited a torrent of liquid flame.

    The Ship Graveyard vanished beneath a tide of plasma.

    As a flight of two-legged dragons began to fill the air between the Dragon Witch and Grail's team, Gallant steeled his heart, and looked to his leader.

    There was still fear, but as Da Vinci wove ward after ward, and Cu Chulainn readied his spear…

    Gallant saw hope.

    And Gallant felt something inside him answer.

    "MORDRED! FULL POWER!" he shouted.

    His camera showed him a feral grin. "HERE I FUCKING GO! RAAAAAH!"

    And in a stream of red energy, followed by two blurs of gold, the battle was joined.

    Gallant felt Glory Girl set him near Da Vinci.

    "Ready when you are," Gallant said, preparing blasts of apathy and despair.

    Glory Girl looked to Grail. "We're all here for you, big guy," she said softly.

    Grail looked to them, and back at Jeanne.

    "The fire stops here," he said softly.

    Looking at his aura? Gallant felt like he could believe him.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Interlude: Dragon
  • Threadmarks
    • Interlude: Dragon 1

    The city was in chaos. Well, More than usual.

    Nursery Rhyme continued to reside within her servers, so as to maintain the Servant Space, as she'd dubbed it.

    That left…

    "Ugh. This harlot again? I remember when she troubled my poor master during the Singularity I met her. How distasteful," Kiyohime murmured with a haughty frown.

    ZZ dropped down near Dragon's command suit. "Okey-dokey! So it's me, Kiyo, Panpan, and Gareth, right? Where you want me?"

    Dragon processed the data as the local Dragonflight established a perimeter around where the wyverns were encroaching on the rest of the city. They were strong, but something was reinforcing her suits from within to go toe-to-toe with them.

    And then some, she modified mentally as a laser blast from one of her heavier gunners mowed down no less than four in a single shot.

    Nursery Rhyme gave a shy wave from her inner console.

    Well. That explained that, then. From the data Da Vinci had given her on Phantasmal Beasts, such an edge would indeed be necessary for her suits to be excelling in this manner.

    Snapping herself out of her reverie, Dragon returned her attention to ZZ. "Establish an anti-dragon bounded field between the city at large and the forces attacking. Afterwards, begin evacuating civilians with Gareth and Kiyohime. Guide any injured to Panacea."

    ZZ snapped a crisp salute as she zipped off. Moments later, a wall of violet interspersed itself between the fighting and the rest of Brockton.

    Dragon kept watch as her suits fought back the wyvern horde, tapping a variety of street cameras to keep an eye on the proceedings on the ground.

    Kiyohime's placid manner and appearance helped her to garner trust enough to evacuate a vast majority of the Asian quarter. Gareth's role in the prior Endbringer battle and association with Panacea didn't hurt either.

    While the Berserker and Saber guided the innocents out of the line of fire, ZZ wove illusion after illusion to distract the wyverns from launching further assaults on them.

    Dragon checked her notifications. Legend was en route, and Alexandria had cagily responded that she would be arriving shortly via undisclosed means. Eidolon was tied up in repelling an incursion from the Fallen in New Mexico, so couldn't make it. Strider was momentarily unreachable to bring in external capes beyond that. The PRT was deploying outside the barrier with doctors and guards on site to protect any evacuees. Piggot was directing the Protectorate, and-

    Dragon suddenly got a quick note from a camera in the Heights.

    She opened up the video file.

    Well then.

    That was horrifically disturbing.

    She opened comms.

    "Armsmaster, this is Dragon. Repeat, this is Dragon, do you copy?"

    "Armsmaster speaking. Iskandar and I are about to enter the bounded field, what's happening?"

    "I'm taking a suit to the Heights. There is a secondary threat moving. Several beings that appear to be demonic starfish are accompanying a few men with military grade combat gear into the residential area. They have yet to make any attacks, but I'd prefer to cut them off. I'm expecting Servant resistance, so please provide backup."

    Armsmaster was quiet momentarily.

    Finally, he spoke. "I've gotten the okay from the Director, I'll rendezvous at your location via Iskandar. I'm packing heavy ordinance, so let me know what amount of force you think is necessary."

    Dragon felt a small amount of relief. She didn't know what those creatures were capable of, so any backup was appreciated, especially with her forces dedicated to handling Jeanne's horde of dragons.

    She considered pinging Grail, but changed her mind to Da Vinci at the last second. She hadn't spoken to him, but overhearing Da Vinci's Come to Jesus meeting with the rest of his Servants had been… informative, to say the least. The man was in no condition to have his concentration split further than it already was.

    Dragon quickly put down a note: recommend sessions with Yamada after this nightmare. With her connections, getting him in the front door would be a breeze, and he needed it badly.

    "Da Vinci speaking."

    "We have something like starfish from Lovecraft accompanying mercs to the Heights."

    "Fuck. Good choice calling me instead of Grail. He's already having issues just directing Arthur and Cu. So what's your plan?"

    "I'm going with Armsmaster and Iskandar to intercept momentarily. I'll hand command over to Gareth, and she can orchestrate ZZ and Kiyohime while Panacea tends the wounded."

    Dragon spared a bit of attention to those efforts, now that the thought occurred.

    "We've got serious casualties within containment, but from the last census run about a year ago no more than two hundred deaths. There may be more, but we won't be able to tell until after cleanup. Everyone else is out, so I'll cut those three loose." Dragon paused. "Scratch that, I'm bringing Kiyohime with me. Gareth and ZZ can help the Dragonflight."

    Da Vinci hummed affirmatively. "Understood. I'm deploying some of my own drones, please patch some of yourself through to control them."

    Dragon expanded her consciousness into the four appearing suits, and… Goodness.

    That was a lot of guns.

    Light streamed through the air as Dragon directed the attack, using what could only be termed as Magitek suits to rapidly push the wyverns back towards the sea.

    Dragon handed control of Da Vinci's newest masterpieces to a secondary consciousness strand, and returned her attention to her command drone's immediate surroundings.

    Kiyohime stood near her, wreathed in ghostly flames. "You called, Master?" she said quietly.

    Dragon nodded - or as close as she could approximate with the drone. "We're accompanying Armsmaster and Iskandar into the Heights. Someone with other abilities is taking advantage to run a black ops during the crisis."

    Kiyohime's visage darkened. "Have we an idea who?"

    "It looks like someone who uses mutated aquatic life-"

    Kiyohime hissed angrily, and her golden eyes flared with light. "Those. It's very likely someone has called Gilles de Rais to battle." She paused. "Though restraint isn't his style."

    Dragon did a quick data search, and found what she was looking for. "Well, shit. If it's not him, did he have a tutor in your world?"

    Kiyohime paled. "That. That would account for it, yes." She paused. "Francois Prelati is a terrifying Caster-class Servant. We must be on our guard against illusion." She turned her glowing gaze on Dragon. "The Earth had a consciousness back in our world, so could fight the illusions off, although it was fooled for a time. Here? If he is in play, he could warp reality in his immediate demesne for an indeterminate period."

    So it was that Armsmaster found Dragon's command drone and Kiyohime waiting for him.

    "What is it?" he asked.

    "404 Error. Dragon not found," she said flatly.

    Armsmaster jerked. "Dragon? Dragon!?"

    Kiyohime patted his arm. "There, there, noble knight. She's merely had a shock," she said comfortingly.

    Dragon's drone shook. "Right. So we're up against a reality warper who has sea demons from Lovecraft. Of course."

    Iskandar snorted. "It is good that I'm here as well, then."

    Kiyohime brightened. "Ah! Your Reality Marble should counter Prelati, if it is indeed him. If Gilles, we must merely fear the omnivorous, acid-drooling demons," she said cheerily.

    Armsmaster stared at the woman. "'Merely'?"
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Dragon's drone was latched onto Armsmaster when the second-long ride from the blast zone to the upscale part of town completed.

    "You get used to it," he said easily as he dismounted the chariot.

    Dragon shakily stepped off, followed by a sedate Kiyohime.

    "I shall monitor from the sky, my Master," Iskandar boomed.

    Armsmaster gave him a sharp nod as he pulled out his halberd. "Be careful, Iskandar. If you get overwhelmed, pull back and regroup with us."

    Iskandar gave a loud laugh as the chariot took to the sky.

    Armsmaster grumbled. "That oaf. I don't know why I bother…"

    Dragon couldn't help but giggle a little. "You really get along with him, don't you?"

    Armsmaster sighed. "I suppose…"

    Kiyohime took point, as she was the sturdiest by virtue of being a Servant.

    Dragon followed the various camera feeds, guiding them to a residence she was vaguely aware of.

    A quick search denoted it as the Alcott residence, where the Mayor's sister and brother-in-law lived with their young daughter.

    "It's Coil," Dragon breathed.

    Armsmaster's attention snapped to her.

    "He's using Jeanne's assault as cover to make his move on Dinah Alcott. She must have triggered," Dragon whispered urgently.

    His jaw tightened. "And to think, we'd be in the dark as to why if not for Grail." He adjusted his grip. "We slay the demons, try to take the mercs alive. We apply enough pressure, we might be able to get one to roll over on him."

    Kiyohime hummed. "I shall leave the humans to you, then." Her smile turned dark. "As for I?"

    She strolled around a corner and into plain sight of the arrayed forces.

    The demons turned as one, as the mercenaries focused on infiltrating their target.

    "Good evening, gentlemen and squid. I, the beautiful Kiyohime shall be your graceful hostess," she said, soft voice carrying over the night breeze.

    Her faint smile belied the flame in her gaze.

    "I shall make this as painless as possible, and kill you kindly - for my cute little Master who dreams of her knight in shining armor."

    "Huh?" Armsmaster said.

    Dragon covered her faceplate.

    "Behold my power: Samedhi Through Transforming Flames!"

    It took seconds. One moment, there were Sea Demons. The next, there was one Demon and several piles of ashes.

    Kiyohime's form emerged at a placid stroll from the bonfire. "Oh. I missed one." She idly waved her fan in the air. "Iskandar?"

    The last Sea Demon was flattened on the pavement by a charging Macedonian chariot doing an aerial drive-by.

    Armsmaster dashed forwards, trying to get to the mercenaries. Dragon pursued.

    "Wait!" a young voice called out.

    Dragon used her sensors and the local cameras to view the yard. She re-focused them. Then, she checked a third time.

    A small girl was reclining in a small beach chair in a one-piece bathing suit. The small band around her arm glowed mildly as she sat, likely guarding her from the cold.

    "What." Dragon said flatly.

    The girl - who had to be Dinah Alcott - merely pointed at the mercs. "If you enter this property, you'll regret it," she said airily.

    The lead merc tested the boundaries, and finding nothing - not any form of tech - snorted. He strode over the faintly glowing green line, and what skin Dragon could see immediately went pale.

    Dragon took immediate notice of a dove that appeared on Dinah's shoulder. It somehow managed to coo menacingly.

    The man collapsed, vomiting violently on the ground as he convulsed.

    Dragon dashed over the line, and grabbed him. After dragging him out, she ran a diagnostic.

    No less than five incredibly potent venoms coursed through his system, each ravaging a different part of his body.

    "Armsmaster! We need to get him to Panacea, now!" she called.

    The mercs looked at the girl. Then they looked at Dragon.

    The dove cooed, again.

    "Yeah, we're not paid enough to deal with this level of magic bullshit. We surrender," the new leader said, speaking up.

    Armsmaster nodded. "Kiyohime, Dragon. Iskandar will take the leader to Panacea for treatment while I remain with you to stand guard."

    Dragon turned to Dinah as Armsmaster began to apprehend the mercs.

    The girl smiled. "So when will the flood be happening? I saw a 94% chance that my headaches would stop tonight."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    ZZ rolled out of the way of another gout of flame. She was worried. Her poor baby brother… all of this fire must be making him so scared! But. She was told to protect the people, so she would.

    And so she imploded fifty wyverns, five at a time. It was harder than a mirror, but at least it cut their numbers down!

    She descended next to Gareth, who was surrounded by corpses. The knight frowned furiously.

    "Look," she snarled, kicking open one of the wyvern husks.

    ZZ swallowed nervously. "That's… a people arm, right?"

    "Yeah."

    "What's it doing in a wyvern? Did it eat it?"

    "Don't think so."

    ZZ grimaced. "That's bad."

    "Yep."

    "...let's not mention this to Grail until later."

    "Sounds like a plan."

    "Dragon to ZZ. What's the status?"

    "The wyverns are made of dead people!"

    Dragon paused. "Shit."

    ZZ coughed. "So did you figure out what was going on?"

    "Yeah. Dinah Alcott was under attack. Preliminary signs say she has a servant and- yep, there are the seals on her shoulder. Coil has a Servant, probably from Archimedes. We've narrowed it down to Gilles or Prelati, but neither was present."

    ZZ blinked owlishly. "That's not good! We've already got," she vaguely waved in Lung's direction, "That!"

    "Also, she's expecting Grail to unleash his noble phantasm."

    "Which one?" ZZ said.

    "The healing one? Honestly, I don't know why he hasn't yet…" Dragon muttered irritably.

    "He's avoiding making himself a target, I think," ZZ said softly.

    Dragon huffed. "I know. He needs to get past that, and quick."

    ZZ nodded. "Yeah. I wish there was more I could do to hel-"

    Black flame soared overhead, impacting the Dragonflight.

    "Dragon!? Are you okay?" ZZ said.

    Dragon spoke in a strained voice. "Jeanne just slagged half of my units, and one of Da Vinci's. Lung is starting to advance, and I've lost contact with Taylor's group. It's not good."

    ZZ stared nervously at the advancing pair. "I-"

    A ray of violet flew overhead.

    "What?" ZZ said intelligently.
    ___________________________________________________________________________

    The queen sat in her castle, finally visible to all below.

    She smirked in satisfaction as the little false saint tumbled from her mount, whose leftward wings had been sheared off. And an arm or two, but those were negligible.

    The Moon Cancer's bounded field suited the queen's needs nicely. Only needing to fend off the Sea Demons and hired thugs was a stroke of luck. Adding in the tinkers and their aides was a neat little bonus as well. A single blast was more than enough to repay that debt.

    The queen paused in thought, and motioned one of her familiars to her.

    "Tell the living Grail to release his phantasms if he desires my continued assistance. My aid is not free."

    The dove tilted its head.

    "It is not a condition for joining the battle, merely joining it early. Honestly, they would have noticed me by now if they hadn't been running around after the false saint with their heads cut off. Despite my craft and illusions, this is not a subtle base. I am mildly offended at their incompetence." She paused. "Though should they aid my cute little princess, all will be forgiven. Tell them that." She smirked. "And give the former Saber of Red my most pleasant regards. Merely verbal, of course."

    As her familiar fluttered off towards the carnage, the queen regained her throne. She tapped the arm.

    "My princess, are you sure you would rather be down there? While the protections are secure for now, I'd rather you up here until the last moment."

    "I'll be alright, your highness. Dragon and Armsmaster are here, and Coil's not likely to make another attempt." Her voice sounded a little strained.

    "Shall I send medication?"

    "I'll be okay. And soon we won't need it anymore. Then we can work together and save the world!" Dinah said, happiness entering her voice.

    The queen gave a quiet huff of laughter. "Ever the idealist, my little princess. Very well. Keep me informed, hm?"

    Semiramis, the Wise Queen of Assyria gazed out of the window toward the battle, awaiting the moment when her messenger would return.

    Until then, she played the role of spectator in her Aerial Gardens of Vanity.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Dragon hissed angrily. "Dammit. Our comms are completely down, and even with Lung temporarily ground-bound we're still at a disadvantage. We need Grail to use his Phantasms!"

    Armsmaster sighed. "We need to see to his pyrophobia. Such an obvious weakness can't continue. You're his superior; mandate therapy for him after this event."

    Dragon shook her head. "I would if I could, but unless he's willing to go on his own? It's not likely he'll make the necessary progress. All we can do is present the option and encourage him to take it."

    "How interesting… so the Grail fears fire? I can provide that," a young boy's voice chimed in.

    A short boy with a bobbed haircut stood near them, arms crossed. An amused smirk adorned his face.

    "Who are you?" Armsmaster growled.

    Dragon quietly aimed her best artillery at him.

    "Such distrust! You can call me Francoi-"

    At the second syllable of his name, Dragon fired.

    Prelati yelped as he dived to the ground, mist suddenly rising.

    "Rude! How about I treat you to some of my abilities? I make an offering."

    Dragon repeatedly strafed the area, but to no avail.

    Kiyohime growled, flames shivering around her form.

    In her periphery, Dragon saw Dinah hurriedly speaking to a dove.

    As more sea demons approached through the encroaching fog, a loud hiss was heard.

    A giant serpent crashed down from above, from a now-revealed castle in the sky. It tore through the demons, and the fog seemed to glitch as though static. Pure carnage was left in the creature's wake, a mess of half-dissolved flesh and torn meat. It turned and coiled upon itself, gazing down at the newly revealed Prelati.

    "So. Magecraft from the Age of Gods," Prelati mused darkly. "How annoying. Playtime's over! I offer the sacrifice that is me! Gra-"

    His voice stuttered to a stop. A single blade composed of threads of light emerged from his chest. Two more floated to his sides.

    "This is no longer fun," Prelati intoned. He vanished in a swirl of mist.

    A little girl with white hair and red eyes stood behind him. She wore a winter coat, and a small, cute hat.

    "Ah! Hello! He looked like he was giving you problems, so I annoyed him until he went away," she said in a sweet tone.

    "100% chance she's an ally," Dinah called from within her bounded field.

    The little girl smiled up at Dragon. "Prelati's a trickster, but his illusions can pack a punch if you let him get going. It's better to stop him mid-chant." She tilted her head. "You're Dragon, aren't you? You've been really good to Ta- I mean, Weaver. Sorry, I'm not used to the cape thing yet," she finished with a sheepish smile.

    Armsmaster focused on her. "How are you connected to Weaver?"

    The little girl giggled. "I'm glad you asked! I'm the one who used Heaven's Feel to heal the damage that naughty wizard did to her!" She spun in place, and gave a little victory sign. "Third Magician, Illyasviel von Einzbern, at your service! I'm sure my friends will be more than happy to help whoever they run across! Especially my big brother!"
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Interlude: Taylor 2
  • Threadmarks
    • Content Warnings: Devouring of humans, body horror, insect assault, exsanguination, and petrification.

    Interlude: Taylor 2

    Taylor was not unused to catastrophe in her short life. Her Mother. Emma. The nightmare that was her Trigger.

    This latest one, where Laserdream and Shielder were blocking a tide of some heinously corrosive liquid while their parents were slowly bleeding out behind them, definitely ranked in the top three.

    She had a sinking feeling that it would eventually cease to rate as such.

    Also, the air stank like terrible booze. Her father had come home often enough smelling of it (but far less) that she was somewhat acquainted with the odor. He'd gotten better, but some things you just don't forget.

    Taylor slowly exhaled. "Tamamo."

    "Yes, Ojou-sama?"

    "Please heal Manpower and Lady Photon. They're good people, even for heroes, and… just do it."

    "Of course," Tamamo said, hustling to their sides.

    Taylor strode forward. "Gilgamesh, if it would please you to get some eyes in the air? Please take your ship, and ferry Tattletale and Hans around. Only fire if you have a clear shot that won't hurt civilians. Please."

    Gilgamesh gave a light chuckle. "Your attempts at humility in the face of danger are amusing. I shall indulge you, for now. Author! Loudmouth! Come!"

    Lisa shot Taylor a deeply unamused look. "On my way, your highness. By the by, you do know Arthur's not gonna play the part of blushing bride, right?"

    Hans sighed deeply. "Now? Of all times?"

    Gilgamesh scoffed. "What we choose to do or not do with each others' bodies is our own concern. And I welcome whatever he offers," he concluded with a glint in his eyes.

    Taylor used her enjoyment of watching Lisa bluescreen to stave off her own oncoming headache. "Horrifically unprofessional and inappropriate conversation can wait until evil drunk demon is dead. Go on, shoo!"

    The three took to the air on Gilgamesh's craft.

    Medusa gave Taylor a long glance from behind her blindfold. "Putting those two together may not be the best idea," she said in a mild tone.

    Emiya coughed. "It gets them both out of my hair, so I'm fine with it."

    Taylor checked her comms. Static. Shit. She turned to Shielder and Laserdream.

    "Okay you two, we're all the backup you're going to get," she said flatly.

    Shielder shot her a tense grin. "Neat! Still better than it was, but uh… can you get us out of here? I don't know how long we can hold this stuff back, and it's spreading in other places too!"

    Laserdream grunted as a wave of alcohol splashed against their shield. "Sooner is preferable to later!"

    Taylor eyed the sake as it flowed. "Right. Emiya, you grab Shielder, I'll reinforce and grab Laserdream. Medusa, you get Lady Photon and Manpower. Tamamo, get ready for a momentary barrier while we evacuate the street. Ready?"

    She got a group of affirmative responses.

    "Go!"

    Medusa grabbed the fallen Heroes and leapt, followed closely by Emiya and Taylor with their own charges. They landed on a nearby rooftop, and the alcohol flowed ominously, gleaming multiple colors in the faint light.

    Tamamo appeared on the roof behind Taylor. "It won't do much to the infrastructure, but anything living will be melted down. And any Servant that touches the stuff will become hellaciously sick," she said darkly.

    The Vimana dropped down near Taylor's group.

    "Okay, so here's what I got. Shuten is near a park in the area, and is just spilling sake everywhere. She's accompanied by Oni Lee, a banana with horns, and a pack of ogres." Tattletale crossed her arms and glared out over the horizon.

    Gilgamesh gave a tight smile. "It would appear she can summon her entourage as a new Noble Phantasm. At least one of them is a fellow Heroic Spirit."

    "Ibaraki-Douji. Because tonight wasn't bad enough," Emiya snarked.

    A bright light descended near them, and Taylor blinked as Sigil stepped off of a floating block of concrete. The light resolved into the form of Radiance.

    "I saw you here, and decided to pool resources. Panacea and Gareth mentioned something of what was happening, but that fluid looks beyond our ability to handle," Radiance said softly.

    "We kill Shuten, and it's gone. Same with the Oni and Ibaraki. The downside? We have to kill Shuten," Tamamo said.

    "First, information. What do we know? Besides the booze, that we're all pretty acquainted with at this point," Taylor finished hurriedly.

    Tamamo gave a wry grin. "Ibaraki is more of a brute. She can gigantify her hand and launch it to grasp and crush in a fiery grip. She also has some amount of swordplay, but as a Berserker… she's definitely more of a blunt instrument. Shuten's Oni Magic can enhance her underlings, and also draw power into herself for further use of her Noble Phantasms."

    Black fire raged overhead.

    "That would be Jeanne," Emiya said quietly.

    Taylor watched as multiple Dragon suits seemed to melt out of the sky. The wyverns began to re-congregate within the bounded field.

    Suddenly, a large purple ray lashed out, and disintegrated a good chunk of Lung. The flesh was cauterized, and the massive dragon fell to the ground with a titanic crash. The alcohol below rippled quietly.

    Taylor's eyes traced the path of the beam back to a large floating castle.

    "And who the fuck is that?" Shielder yelped.

    Emiya's eyes narrowed. "Hopefully an ally. We don't engage that unless she starts taking potshots at the city. Hopefully she won't."

    Gilgamesh hummed. "The Wise Queen of Assyria? I wonder if Trinket… No. I don't sense a direct connection. But even so… a Rogue? Yes."

    "So potential ally, do not antagonize," Taylor said, shooting glances at all assembled.

    Lisa snorted. "Puh-lease. Of course I'm gonna bitch at the person who has a giant floating murder palace."

    Taylor's gaze hardened behind her mask.

    Tattletale grinned. "Don't worry. I'll be nice juuuuust for you."

    Hans snapped his book shut. "Right. Tattletale and I will be of minimal use in direct combat. We're best served feeding Gilgamesh information onboard the Vimana."

    Taylor nodded. "Gilgamesh, I'd like it if you could engage the remaining Wyverns with Dragon's forces. Medusa, your job will be to corral Ibaraki and lure her away from the fight. Once that's done, kill her quick and then regroup with us. Radiance. You, Sigil, and Emiya will provide ranged support and force the Oni into disarray. I have a plan for Oni Lee. Tamamo? Can you handle Shuten?"

    Tamamo smiled as she bowed her head behind her mirror. "I can arrange something, I'm sure." Her ears perked. "The amount of my involvement may not even need be that large, I wager."

    Taylor gave her Servant a hard stare.

    "Let's call it a pleasant surprise," Tamamo purred.

    Taylor gave a sharp sigh. "I'll roll with it. Shielder, Laserdream. You'll defend your parents as they keep recovering, and if you see a good shot to take, do it. Alright?"

    Laserdream gave Taylor an appraising glance. "Sounds like a good deal for us, Weaver. If you need to be bailed out, I'll be keeping an eye on you." She smirked. "It'd be a damn shame for you to die before I manage to nag Vicky into bringing me and Eric along to hang out with you guys."

    Taylor gave a soft huff of laughter. "You better live, too."

    She turned to the area where Shuten was sighted. "This is gonna be ugly, but we do this fast, and we do this right. Move out."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    That… was a lot of melted-down PRT agents.

    Taylor stood in mild shock, just out of site of the violence. Her swarms were slowly gathering, and this close to a park area? Plenty of bugs.

    Of course, even with a home field advantage, the sounds of men and women being torn apart and eaten did put things in perspective.

    Horrifying, terrible perspective.

    Heart hammering in her chest, Taylor peeked out from behind a tree. Just in time for Shuten to reach a dainty hand into a screaming PRT agent's chest and pluck out his ribcage in a single tug, letting the cooling corpse fall to the ground. She daintily gnawed on the bone before she took a long pull from her jug. A small smear of blood painted her cheek.

    The ground had a thin sheen of liquid on it, and half-melted bones decorated the park.

    Taylor barely avoided vomiting through heroic effort.

    Ibaraki - the yellow one - let out a raucous laugh. "Shuten-sama, this was truly a great feast. Shall we go look for more? I don't think any more of them are coming to us. It might be time for a raid!"

    "Hmmmm~" Shuten murmured breathily. "Lee? Be a good pet and see who's lurking in the trees, hm? I want to see if they…" Her eyes focused on Taylor, who stifled a gasp. "Taste as sweet as they smell?"

    Oni Lee appeared next to her, and that was his first, and greatest mistake.

    He tried to grab her, but the man had no Brute rating and it showed as a single reinforced kick shattered his shinbone. Lee screamed as a horde of insects dogpiled him, and each teleport he made still brought them along.

    Making markers for the rest of the swarm.

    Taylor quickly followed him, away from the site of carnage.

    She just hoped that everyone else would have as much success as she was having at the moment.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Kayden unleashed a torrent of light on the oni, knocking them down and keeping them pinned as Emiya sniped them one by one.

    The Alter-Ego archer pulled blades from thin air, and each one impaled an ogre, pinned it, and detonated. He took down mark after mark with ruthless efficiency.

    She'd seen Medusa ensnare the yellow oni in chains, and drag her into the woods kicking and screaming. Strong as the demon may be, Kayden remembered the giant the Rider had summoned against Ziz. She would willingly bet on her in this case.

    Sigil had managed to mark several large pieces of rubble, and was managing to hem the ogres into a ring while Kayden and Emiya sniped them tirelessly.

    There were always more, rising from the alcohol and gore.

    "This is not how I imagined spending my night," she said irritably as she flew next to Emiya.

    The man chuckled. "Oh? What were your plans? A nice date?"

    Kayden snorted. "Hardly. I have children to look after, and I was planning a nice night in. A movie, cooking them a nice meal."

    Emiya hummed as a blade shattered in midair, and a massive shockwave engulfed no less than ten oni in a torrent of energy. "Sounds like a nice night," he said wistfully.

    Kayden glanced aside at him. His features… weren't bad at all. And the look in his eyes…

    She shook herself mentally. Now was not the time. On the one hand, it was good to know that her efforts at reforming herself had the pleasant side effect of expanding her potential dating pool. On the other, ogling her current strongest ally would not help put the demons down.

    Sigil floated over to them on her concrete block. "Are we making progress?" she asked exasperatedly

    "No," Emiya grunted, loosing another arrow and blasting the latest batch of Oni as Kayden hemmed them in with spirals of light.

    "Didn't think so," Sigil grumbled as she tightened the circle of rubble.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    "Shuten."

    "Tamamo-no-Mae. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Shuten-Douji said with an indolent slurp of drink.

    "This rampage is annoying. Quit it."

    Shuten giggled. "No. Multitude of Colors - Providential Oni Poison." She tipped her sake cup towards the ground, and a flood of alcohol rushed forth.

    Tamamo sighed. "Always so troublesome." She clicked her fingers, and a wall of talismans sprung up between her and Shuten. The alcohol fizzed as it impacted them, but was held back regardless. "You know, I really did prefer you as an ally. It's a true shame, what's been done to you and Jeanne Alter."

    Shuten giggled again, the alcohol beginning to spin in a whirlpool. She lightly stepped onto the moving liquor, and sedately sauntered forth. "I'm going to own you… down to your very marrow…"

    Tamamo gave a grim smile as fire lit across the lake of booze.

    Though Shuten barely paid it any heed, her eyes narrowed minutely. "Oh-ho?"

    "Two can lay that claim to me. My beloved husband…"

    The Yata Mirror flew upwards as Tamamo-no-Mae ascended to the heavens, nine tails fanning out behind her.

    "And my own child. I may not have bore her with this body, and she may not think of me as such, but I…" Tamamo trailed off. "No matter. Your insolence will lead to your suffering."

    The torii appeared one by one around the field of battle. Talismans lit up in their path.

    "Come. I'll grant you an ending. Eightfold Blessing of Amaterasu."

    And Tamamo vanished in a swirl of azure energy, like flame or water.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    "Hahaha! I knew it! Nothing can stand before the Flames of Mount Ooe!" Ibaraki snickered, arms crossed as she surveyed the burning grass before her. "Ack!"

    She was launched into the air, and brought down with a hammer kick into the ground, shattering the earth beneath her.

    "And where are you looking?" Medusa said lowly. "Silly little girl. I'll kill you kindly."

    Ibaraki snarled. "Great Grudge of Rashomon!"

    Her hand grew into a massive red claw, wreathed in flame as it charged Medusa.

    "Truly? Harpe."

    Medusa flickered out of vision, and reappeared with the scythe held behind her. The hand stopped, and returned to its owner. Two digits were left on the ground.

    Ibaraki roared in rage as she beheld the ruin of her hand, her pointer and middle fingers merely stumps.

    "Were you a true Heroic Spirit, this would be a battle I'd worry about. As it is? Breaker Gorgon." The mask fell from Medusa's face, and Cybele was unveiled.

    Ibaraki choked, fighting to move from the spot she stood. Slowly, slowly her legs turned gray and rough. "But… how…?"

    "For all your bluster, you are but a Noble Phantasm. You are not the true Ibaraki-Douji. For one such as you to face me… this was the only outcome. Now, as I said before…"

    Medusa approached the panicking oni, Harpe in hand.

    "W-wait! You-!"

    "I'll kill you kindly."

    A short, choked-off scream.

    A rock, shaped like a head rolled away and faded into golden sparks.

    Medusa calmly turned to the west, back from whence she came. "Be strong, my friends. I'm coming."

    Her eyes widened as she whipped around to see Ibaraki's hand, a last curse, rushing towards her.

    It's too fast, I can't-!

    A massive shadow interceded, and swallowed the hand without sound. The shade dissolved into nothingness.

    Medusa stood still.

    Gently, a hand placed something into her own grip.

    She looked down, and saw…

    Her old Mystic Eye Killers. She quickly put them on, and turned once more.

    Gentle violet eyes peered into hers. "Did you miss me?"

    Medusa couldn't help her brilliant smile. "Every day, Sakura. I have made new friends, though. I can't wait to introduce you."

    Sakura Matou's laugh rang like a bell through the air. "I'm excited too. Let's go make sure your friends don't get hurt by those oni, hm?"

    Medusa offered her hand.

    Sakura took it.

    "Shall we?"

    "Let's."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Taylor cursed her luck.

    Of course Oni Lee's upgrade would be exploding clones.

    It was only hasty thinking that allowed her to set a bounded field with some of her crystalbugs, and with the regular explosions, she wasn't sure how long it would last.

    He had some spider venom in him, but whatever had enhanced his powers had also made him more resilient to such things.

    Crystal butterflies dotted the air.

    Slowly, Taylor got a picture of the battlefield, past the rhythm of explosions - and there was a rhythm. Lee would move from a different direction in each assault, and test another facet of her boundary.

    The original was hiding, but she was having trouble telling where…

    Fuck it.

    She gathered a swarm, and reinforced them all.

    The tide of bugs swept the area like a thin wave of shadow, and hit someone standing nearby. Oni Lee tumbled out of concealment as the myriad arthropods began to bite down with enhanced fangs, causing him to scream in agony.

    He teleported above her, knives drawn and ready to plunge down-

    A black blur blasted him out of midair, and hovered overhead.

    Taylor stared up at her childhood hero, Alexandria.

    "That was really good timing," she said faintly.

    "I'd like to think so," the heroine responded in an even tone. "The rest of the Protectorate is mobilizing. Against these enhanced villains, only contractors - people like you - and the Triumvirate will be of any real use. Especially with Servants in play. Legend is going to help with Lung and Jeanne Alter, Miss Militia is going to try and find a way to the castle to entreat its owner to help. We've no clues to the identity, but given the actions of the fortress thus far we're assuming ally."

    Oni Lee tried to teleport, but was swarmed once more.

    "He and Lung have gone over the line. Lung's Mastered, but it's still the Birdcage. Lee? With his powers and any ability increase he might have gotten, I don't know if we can contain him." Alexandria's tone was hard. "Costa-Brown okayed a retroactive kill order if we can't take him alive."

    Taylor peered at him. Her senses were assaulted with a cacophony of - of wrongness. She shook her head. "Shuten broke him, and according to Grail his powers started the process long before that. This is the end of a natural progression." Several crystal insects landed on him, incapacitated as he was.

    Alexandria peered at her. "Are you sure? You're pretty young for this kind of call."

    Taylor firmed her stance. "He threatened my family."

    The insects detonated.

    Lee began to teleport rapidly, and in moments managed to shatter Taylor's bounded field, knocking her and Alexandria back.

    Alexandria lunged forward, pinning him down. "Weaver, hurry!"

    Taylor hissed. "I'm out of crystalbugs! Let me…" She paused.

    Lee vanished, and teleported right into her face, knife aiming right at her eye.

    She dodged, but took a glancing blow on her mask, and the knife skittered off of her silk armor.

    Lee exploded.

    Taylor rolled, insensate, and landed on her back. Her outfit was definitely damaged, and she felt sticky with burned blood.

    Hands wrapped around her throat, hurriedly trying to cut off her airflow.

    "Weaver!" Alexandria called, charging.

    Oni Lee stared her down, and she stopped, growling angrily.

    "You wouldn't fucking dare."

    "I'm already dead," he croaked.

    Taylor looked up into his eyes. His face was bare, and might have even been handsome if not for the bruises, bites, and lacerations.

    He had nice eyes.

    That was her thought as she flew a barrage of wasps into his face, reinforced them, and gouged the eyes out with their stingers.

    Lee recoiled as the wasps burrowed into his skull, biting and stinging. He rolled away, clutching his head and making savage jerking motions. He couldn't even scream.

    It was a minute before he was still.

    Alexandra was there seconds later, helping Weaver up.

    They were silent, for a moment.

    "A little brutal, no?"

    There was no real judgement in her tone.

    "Sometimes I guess you have to make the best of bad decisions, and hope you can make better ones later," Taylor said tiredly. "I needed to make sure he got off, and that it hurt too much for him to focus and get away."

    Alexandria nodded. "Not a good decision, but one of the few you had." She paused. "I can respect that."

    Taylor struggled to her feet.

    "Weaver, let me-"

    Taylor shook her head. "Right now, my family is fighting a demon who can melt people with a flood of alcohol, and who knows what other freaky powers. I need to be there, and make sure she doesn't hurt anyone else."

    Alexandria paused. "All right. If you're determined to see this through… I'll help you."

    Taylor blinked up at her through her broken mask. "Really?"

    Alexandria nodded. "I have some inkling of what it's like - making the only call you can, and keeping up a fight long after you want it to be over." Her voice was wry. "Though I can't say I'm quite as idealistic anymore."

    "Stick around," Taylor called back as she walked forward. "You might be surprised."

    Alexandria followed. "We'll see."
    ___________________________________________________________________________

    Tamamo dangled in the air, draped in light and shadow, her mirror spinning around her.

    More oni continued to spawn, and torrents of alcohol spiraled into waterspouts across the field.

    Each shot was intercepted, and Shuten sat there.

    Another Phantasm? No, that would be overkill.

    Unleash the full power of the mirror? No, that would force Archimedes to escalate far past what he'd done thus far. The last thing she wanted was to force him into calling a Beast or some equal horror. She wouldn't put it past him.

    She couldn't freeze the alcohol, or boil it away - Shuten's jug was ever-flowing.

    It wasn't some living thing she could curse, either, and Shuten was proving annoyingly resistant to her subtler spells.

    "I expected a little more," Shuten-Douji said with a flirtatious whine. "Is this really all you have with nine tails?"

    Tamamo dropped several fireballs, breaking up the alcohol and smiting most of the oni.

    Shuten idly put out a lock of burning hair as the alcohol fell from its shield. She smiled up at Tamamo. "I learned that one from pictures I saw of your friend, Grail. It's a nice trick. I think I'll keep it."

    She tilted the jug, and Tamamo hissed as the booze pushed against the bounded field she'd put up to keep it contained.

    The bounded field was a powerful magecraft, but Shuten's sake was a Noble Phantasm. Given time, she knew which would win out.

    It seemed she had no choice. It was time-

    What.

    With a strange draining sound, the sake had vanished with a small rainbow glimmer.

    "Eh?" Shuten-Douji said, turning her gourd over. She shook it. Nothing. Again. Still nothing.

    Tamamo narrowed her eyes, and saw a small rainbow glimmer over the opening.

    "Not to worry! I'm just putting all that booze somewhere it'll be useful… like a volcano, or the heart of a star or something," a cheery voice chimed in.

    Tamamo's eyes widened.

    The woman had black hair streaked with gray, pale skin, and bright blue eyes. She wore a red-and-black dress patterned with butterflies, and her hair was pulled up into a tight bun.

    Rin Tohsaka gave a winning smile. "Now, this is a little more even, hm?"

    Shuten smiled at her. "It is. I'll take your bones for this." She vanished, and reappeared right in front of Rin.

    She pulled her hand back-

    A torrent of crystalbugs landed on her, and Rin vanished and reappeared right next to Emiya.

    As Tamamo noted the two starting to bicker, her attention was wrenched back to the fight as the bugs exploded in a variety of elemental magic.

    Shuten stumbled out of the haze of smoke, wide-eyed and wary. The damage was minimal, but her kimono was in tatters.

    Rin returned in a flicker.

    "Impressive! Impressive. I give it a solid seven out of ten. But you're wounded, so it's understandable. My cute apprentice truly is efficient!" she stated proudly.

    Taylor grumbled as she gripped Rin's shoulder for balance. "So you're 'T', I take it?"

    "Indeed. Tohsaka Rin, Second Magician, at your service. Now, shall we wrap up here?"

    Shuten roared, and her shadow grew to epic proportions - elongating into an eight-headed shape.

    "ENOUGH!"

    The wave of intoxicating prana flooded the area, and battered the walls of the bounded field. Taylor weaved, and fell only to be caught by Rin, who was wincing.

    "Those portals won't hold themselves! Make her stop before I lose concentration!" Rin hissed.

    Alexandria appeared in a blur, launching Shuten into the air with a throw. She flickered, launching a barrage of earth-shattering punches that sent shockwaves through the air behind Shuten on impact. Then, she threw her higher.

    Shuten expanded into a massive, draconic form, emulating her purported father - the Yamata no Orochi.

    Eight heads undulated, and alcohol oozed from its jaws.

    "Iiiii won't be defeeeeated by youuuu!" the creature known as Shuten groaned, vomiting torrents of alcohol onto the ground.

    "And so, as I pray."

    "Ehhhhh?"

    "Unlimited… Blade WORKS!"
    _________________________________________________________________________

    All stood above Shuten's corrupted form on platforms made of sheathed swords.

    "Well this is new," Sigil remarked.

    Lady Photon stirred, and looked up. Then she looked down.

    "Do you all have this in hand?"

    Emiya smirked at her.

    "I'm going back to sleep."

    Radiance nodded, gently moving her next to her husband.

    Laserdream whistled softly. "Where are we?"

    "A Reality Marble," Emiya said quietly. "We're separate from the world - and more importantly, Shuten is as well. It takes a lot of power, so I try not to use it often. But this will keep her contained until she dies and her poison is purged." He raised his hand. "Now - strike."

    Swords fell in an endless hail of steel.

    Shuten roared, most of them clattering off of her scales. Some, like Caliburn, pierced her. But engorged as she was on meat, booze, and prana, she was barely slowed as she struggled upwards.

    "...You're drenched in booze and blood. Now that the odds are truly evened... let's see if I can't dry you up."

    "Don't you mean off?" Taylor said curiously.

    Tamamo gave a fanged grin, her tails fanning out behind her. "I said what I said. Drought!"

    Shuten gave a sharp hiccup, and the unimaginable took place.

    Fluid seemed to flow from her in streams, vanishing into vapor. First it was clear with a multicolored sheen, but it quickly darkened. Eventually, she reverted to her oni form.

    "T-tamamo… wait…!" she begged in a raspy voice.

    "Why, Shuten. Was that all you could muster with eight heads?" Tamamo asked solicitously.

    Shuten gave a rasping wail as she was reduced to a husk and drained of blood. She twitched piteously until a sword ran through the top of her skull, down into her body.

    She faded into golden dust on the winds of the Reality Marble.
    __________________________________________________________________________

    "That's no less than forty deaths," Taylor growled.

    Radiance hummed. "The PRT has maybe a thousand troops. Between this and Jeanne… these aren't small losses. Not to mention morale."

    Rin inclined her head. "I'm sorry we couldn't make it sooner," she said regretfully.

    Alexandria waved her off. "For now, we have bigger problems. Lung is still active, and given that fire, so is Jeanne. Our comms are down, and we have no way of getting ahold of them before we show up."

    Rin grinned sheepishly. "I, uh. I'd offer a lift, but I burned myself out with getting all of us… here."

    Emiya sighed noisily. "Typical."

    Rin whirled on him, snarling. "And that is why I chose Shirou over you!"

    Emiya arched an eyebrow. "You were also half my age."

    "That's beside the point!"

    "Soooo you're single?" Sigil said curiously. She looked back and forth between Radiance and Emiya.

    Radiance shot her a flat look. Or so Taylor guessed, she couldn't tell through the light.

    Tamamo crossed her arms, her tails retracted. "So now we start moving."

    Medusa and a woman Taylor had never seen before strode out of the dark.

    "It seems the oni are defeated," the woman said in a soft voice.

    Wait a minute…

    "Are you Sakura? Medusa told us about you," Taylor said.

    She gave Taylor a soft smile. "Indeed. And you must be Weaver. Illya contacted me via familiar; she's working with a hero named Dragon and her partner Armsmaster. Also, there is a fortune-teller linked to the Wise Queen of Assyria," she said, gesturing at the floating castle.

    Alexandria jolted. "That's the work of Semiramis?" she said in a strangled tone.

    Sakura's smile turned wry. "But wait, there's more. One of your villains - a 'Coil' - is contracted to Francois Prelati, and the Caster knows of Grail's weakness. Prelati is an illusionist, diabolist, and sadist."

    The entire gathering was silent as torrents of black flame rose over the docks.

    "Fuck," Taylor swore. She turned on her heel and darted back towards the battle.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Dracones 4.5
  • Threadmarks
    • Content Warning: Extensive Gore, Burning, Mental Torture, Illusion, Francois Prelati.

    Dracones 4.5

    I'd dealt with some severe situations in my life.

    I'd had a terrible girlfriend who was super insistent that I couldn't cook, should be way less emotional, and that my lack of libido was an extra black mark against my manhood.

    I'd had a terrible boyfriend, who heaped on even more soul-crushing bullshit. I like remembering him even less.

    I'd died in a way I still couldn't quite remember, and honestly didn't want to.

    I had died in a literal fire, and that was very much relevant to my current situation.

    But having a giant dragon, maniacal witch, and a good portion of my friends and found family vanish in a fog bank while some munchkin from hell decided to monologue at me was starting to feel like a bit much.

    "I've been waiting to meet you," the kid said with an eerie smile. His white hair came down to his neck in a sort-of bob cut, and his teeth seemed a little too big for his mouth. His eyes were definitely old for his age.

    Servant? Most definitely.

    "So introductions? I'm Grail. I'm a Scorpio, I like books, and I'm a pretty decent baker. And you are…?"

    His smile widened. "Francois Prelati, but you can call me Caster."

    Aaaaand fuck.

    "Is it just me, or do you feel a little cold? No? Well, I'm sure that the other denizens of the city might. Shall we ask?"

    What?

    He wandered off into the fog.

    I stayed put.

    "If you stay there, I'm not letting you out. And by the way? This is Grand Illusion, so unless someone manages to get in and use a true Reality Marble… you're stuck. So be a good boy, and follow along!"

    I grit my teeth. "Okay. Fine."

    "Attaboy!" Prelati chortled, slapping the back of my leg from out of nowhere.

    I yelped and looked around as he appeared in the distance to my left.

    "C'mon! There's so much to see!"

    I swallowed and began walking.

    It felt like an age, but eventually shapes took form in the mist. The fog cleared just enough so I could see what lay ahead.

    I stumbled to a halt.

    This can't be real.

    "Oh, it's real alright. As real as anything is, anyways." Prelati's smug grin was stained with blood as he sat in front of Lisa's corpse. Her abdomen had been vivisected, her guts draped across the hands of a man in ceremonial robes behind her.

    The bug-eyed freak, Gilles de Rais.

    "I… I!"

    My breathing quickened.

    Prelati nodded, face sympathetic. "Right. It is a bad scene. I'll scrap it, and we'll start anew."

    Fire.

    It didn't touch me - could it touch me? But it consumed Gilles and Lisa. The stench of burning flesh filled my nose, and I gagged as I stumbled back.

    Prelati made a sharp tutting sound. "Well, she was a bust. Let's try the next little friend of yours, hm?"

    I reached out, and found nothing. "No! Let me out!"

    Prelati rolled his eyes. "Come on, now. Has that ever worked? Hey, let's watch your Weaver lose control of her bugs!"

    "No!"

    "And then I'll burn her away too! Just like you were!"

    NO!
    ___________________________________________________________________________

    Da Vinci scowled at the orb of fog in the center of the rooftop. It was definitely the same essence that was blocking the comms, and somewhere inside was Grail.

    Cu was somehow keeping Jeanne at bay with a mix of spearplay and runes. Arthur, Mordred, and Arturia were holding Lung off - the burst from the Hanging Gardens had evened that fight, if barely. Legend had arrived and was working with Enkidu to cull the wyverns as best he could.

    ZZ landed next to Da Vinci, face drawn tight. "I can hear him. He can't be hurt, but Prelati doesn't have to. His illusion fooled the world, made a False Reality, and so the world keeps him trapped while Prelati has his way with him. And in that world, 'we' don't exist, so he can't hear 'us'. Even my telepathy is coming up short! It'd take a powerful charge of emotion to break through, more than any of us can manage!"

    Da Vinci grit her teeth. "If I had time, I could craft something to take this down." She exhaled deeply. "What's the situation?"

    "Every wyvern we kill reanimates. Every corpse they made is turning into a wyvern. So that's… at least a hundred people dead. We managed to evacuate early, but cut off from Grail, we're limited. Alexandria and Sakura are a huge help, and Taylor's on her way here. Rin… if we could give her power, she might be able to get him out. But I don't know. I don't know!" ZZ cried out. Her eyes slid shut.

    "ZZ?" Da Vinci said quietly.

    ZZ said nothing, and for a moment she was unnaturally still.

    Da Vinci swallowed nervously.

    ZZ's eyes slowly opened. They were a flat shade of grey. "I'm looking. Take care of things. I need to See." She gently levitated in the air, and began to pass over the fog.

    Da Vinci hoped.
    ___________________________________________________________________________

    "You know, that master of yours might have been trouble," Jeanne drawled as another wave of fire narrowly missed Cu Chulainn. "I'm glad that Prelati volunteered to take him off my hands."

    Cu stilled, and cursed as he hastily blocked a sweep of her flag. He was forced to twist sideways as her blade plunged through the space formerly occupied by his gut.

    He reached out to the bond he had with Grail as he fought, finding distance. He searched, and searched, letting his body fall into the old rhythm of thrust and parry, anticipating the moves of a far less skilled opponent.

    Jeanne was strong, certainly, but she was no warrior.

    Cu found him, and his breath caught in his throat.

    Gilgamesh landed beside him, and Jeanne nimbly evaded the barrage of chains.

    "You feel it too?" the king said softly. His eyes blazed in fury.

    "He's terrified. Whatever that bastard's doing to him, he's being hurt," Cu growled softly.

    Gilgamesh nodded. "He's beyond my reach. What he needs is something deep and powerful enough to reach him through our bonds, and rational thought won't work for that."

    Cu's eyes narrowed as he saw a flash of white dash through the lot.

    Jeanne yelled as Fou tackled her to the ground, snarling angrily.

    "Kyuu! Fou fou!" he growled, lunging at her throat with bared teeth.

    She barely held him at bay. "What the fuck!? How are you this strong!? What is it!?"

    Cu paused. "I'm going to him," he said softly.

    Fou gave a sharp bark of agreement.

    Gilgamesh nodded. "I'll work with Cath Palug."

    A single chain snared the creature as Jeanne's body erupted in black flame, and the two took to the air as she began to spin her flag and direct the fire after them in myriad shapes.

    Cu dashed to the rooftop, noting Arthur land a heavy blow on Lung as he passed.

    The knights seemed to be wearing down. They were drenched in sweat and blood, and only Mordred seemed to have the vigor to continue much longer.

    A single pass of Vimana later, and they were removed from the field as a blur of black impacted Lung, followed by strands of living shadow slowly wrapping themselves around him.

    Cu's eyes widened as Sakura gave him a pleasant wave as she strolled onto the battlefield, Alexandria deflecting any attempts to strike her directly.

    Finally, Cu reached his destination.

    He turned to Da Vinci. "What can I do?" he said bluntly.

    Da Vinci exhaled. "We need to use the empathic bond to force him into either summoning in there, or exercising the full extent of his Magic Resistance. To do that, we need something primal on a level that none of us can currently offer. Humans lost that depth of emotion when they laid claim to reason, and ZZ was more machine than beast before her ascension."

    Cu glared at the fog.

    "I… might have an idea."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    I choked as I watched Gilgamesh scream over Enkidu's broken, withered body. Both were consumed by flame shortly afterwards.

    "Hmm… this is getting boring. So let's check in! How do you feel?"

    I was surrounded by the charred husks of my Servants. I didn't dare try to touch them again to disprove their reality. The lie was strong enough that my senses fed me the feeling of the dried charcoal crumbling under my fingers.

    Taylor's bones were spattered in blood, surrounded by the bloated corpses of her swarm.

    Lisa and Gilles remained positioned at an altar, Lisa stretched out like some blackened, profane sacrament. Gilles was charred as well, and assumed the position of priest, arms stretched heavenward.

    Amy continued to coo over the mutations her family had become, tending to her flesh garden as she ignored the fire licking at her face. Her eye popped, juice drooling out of the socket.

    Rachel's body was broken and devoured by her dogs, which were each burned in turn.

    Alec was returned to Heartbreaker. His screams pierced the haze I was in, just before he too was fed to the pyre.

    In the end, all that was left was the carnage, Prelati, and myself.

    I sobbed openly.

    Prelati strolled over and patted my face gently. "It's okay to despair. You've lost everything. Well. Wait! I missed one!" he said gleefully. "Ohhh, and it's a good one, too! How would you like for the grand finale to be… the Hound of Ulster, the man who is ever so devoted to you?"

    I swung at him, but Prelati caught my arm with a tut.

    "Now, now. You might be durable, but even the weakest of us can best you physically."

    I was thrown backwards onto my back, and found myself looking up at Cu as he straddled my stomach.

    Tears streamed down his face.

    "No… please…" I begged.

    Heat gathered above my body as flames began to lick out of Cu's mouth.

    "No…!"

    His skin began to slowly slough off of his now-naked body. His eyes popped, and his bones slowly began to emerge as the stink of burning muscle and meat filled my nose. Strips of flesh cracked and fell onto me, and the reek of burning hair joined as it ignited. His bones pressed down, and soon I was covered in him, trapped beneath his skeleton as it smoldered.

    I couldn't move. Couldn't breathe.

    "Now that's a look," Prelati purred. "So, Grail. Once more. Tell us all how you feel? Inquiring minds want to know."

    My mouth flew open, and everything poured out in a sound that encompassed nothing. A scream that tore everything from me.

    "Really? That good? I'll have to try harder! Let's take it from the top!"
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    "I felt that," Da Vinci said in soft horror.

    Cu snarled. "RIASTRAD!"

    Da Vinci whirled. "That won't hel-" Her eyes widened.

    Cu dug deep. Into his memories, into his bones. His triumphs, his mistakes. He was the Hound of Ulster.

    He remembered the feeling of Connla, falling to his hand. How he mourned his foolishness and ego, and how the geasa he'd placed on his boy led to him murdering his own child.

    He remembered how he was forced to slay Ferdiad, and the eulogy he wailed for him.

    And he drew on the knowledge that right now, someone he truly cared for was in pain, and this stupid fog was between them.

    The roar that tore itself from his lungs could not be called human. It was the roar of a berserker. It was the call of a man under Riastrad, and would not be denied by anything so petty as mist.

    And he took every emotion, every thought, and pushed it down the connection to Grail.

    And unbidden, buoyed by this utter, primal instinct, went a single thought.

    Come back to me. Don't break.
    ________________________________________________________________________

    My eyes snapped open, and I flung the skeleton off of me.

    Something burned in my chest, and I stared Prelati down as I slowly moved to my feet.

    "Fiesty, huh? I've heard of a second wind, but-"

    "Silver and iron to the origin. Water and the archduke of contracts to the cornerstone."

    Prelati's eyes widened. "Oh no you don't!" A wave of fire roared towards me, only to be doused by the water spiraling from the miniature grail in my hands.

    The waves spun around me like a shield, and I continued.

    "The alighted wind becomes a wall. The gates in the four directions close, coming from the crown, the three-forked road that leads to the kingdom circulate."

    Fire continued to roar, but I paid it no heed. I was bolstered by the torrent of fury that filled my very being, all carrying one simple wish to my ears.
    ________________________________________________________________________

    [Imaginary Space]

    [Ho-hum. Ah! A new summons! Oh-hoh? She's kind of weak, no? Compared to the others. Even with the power-up! Hum hum hum. Ah! Time for the special back-up protocol! I'm glad I got ZZ-chan to stuff me in the system! Now I can cheat to my dark little heart's content! Hehehe, and now to tweak the circle… now who to send?]

    The existence paused. It cogitated.

    [Hooo. Well, that man is quite a handful. No, no. His skills are a liiiittle too diverse. This one? No, no. He'd never work. Too strong by far, and not compatible with the main summon.]

    The being flickered across options, interceding in the connection to the Throne of Heroes as it plucked threads apart.

    [Ah-ha! This one! A good boy for a good girl! Good siblings! Yes, yes! Sweet ickle babies for my cute kouhai to spoil! Ah-ha! Oh, I can't wait to see you with little Grail and ZZ!]

    The area seemed to darken, somehow.

    [Now fuck that little bastard up for what he's done. BB-chan is ANGERY. UOOOOOOOH!]
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Outside, ZZ smiled grimly. "You got through."

    Cu growled incoherently as he slowly came down from his rage.

    "Thank g-" Da Vinci began.

    "So did BB-Senpai. We've got new arrivals."

    "That's… wait. Did you say arrivals? As in plural!?"

    "Ehehe…" ZZ chuckled sheepishly.

    Da Vinci slowly turned. "ZZ…" she said slowly.

    "Ohheywyvernsgottagoseeya!"

    "ZEEEEEEEZEEEEEEEEE!"
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    "- arrive from the ring of deterrence, o keeper of the balance-!"

    Light rebounded from every surface of the fog, and before it dimmed, something… happened.

    That's all I could describe it as. Sheer force blasted away every illusion in a whirl of wind, and a roar knocked me feet over head.

    I tumbled, and was caught in a gentle pair of arms. The sensation of cloth brushed my hands as I stared up into shaggy pink bangs, adorned with a single golden horn. I gently parted the bangs to see a pair of heterochromatic eyes.

    "Uuuuu?"

    I smiled at her. "Hey sweetness. You're Fran, right?"

    She blushed timidly. "Uuuuu…" Still, she nodded.

    I shakily stood, leaning on her for support. "Still, though. I'm surprised. That didn't seem like your kind of entrance."

    "Uuuuu. Not. Just. Me."

    What.

    "UOOOOOOOOH! RAAAAAAAGH!"

    I slowly turned my head to see Prelati fleeing, screaming like a banshee as a massive wall of muscle chased him down. Somehow, with his illusions, he stayed one step ahead - for all that the speed of the other Servant should have let him catch up. I couldn't make out details, aside from 'man' and 'huge'. Not Heracles, though - not enough gray.

    "Fran, dear?"

    "Uuuuuu?"

    "Be a sweetheart and make Prelati stop and play with our new friend."

    "Uuuuu!" She hefted the Bridal Chest - her mace with a perpetual motion device - and aimed.

    A torrent of lightning fell from the sky, like a bolt of divine retribution.

    Prelati shrieked, and fell twitching.

    The other Berserker came to a screeching halt, and began to stomp on him.

    TROMP TROMP TROMP

    I blinked and took in the face of my… other Servant? I felt the bond, so it was definitely so. Two Servants shared a class slot in my sequence.

    I should probably blame ZZ, somehow.

    A mane of white hair rolled down his back and under his chin. Large horns sprouted from his head. He bore manacles on his arms and legs, and held half of a labrys in each hand.

    TROMP TROMP TROMP

    "Is that... Asterios?" I said dazedly.

    TROMP.

    "Uuuu," Fran said sagely with a nod.

    "And you guys got here because ZZ slipped some of BB into the summon circle at the warehouse, which allowed her to sneak into our systems."

    "Uuuu."

    "Even the Dragon Cell? Really?"

    "Uuuu."

    "Uh. Great?"

    Asterios was suddenly towering over me.

    Now, as I was in my base form, being the shorter half of the equation was not exactly something I was used to.

    "Nnnn?"

    "Yeah? I called you Asterios. That's your name."

    "Nnnnnnnnnn?"

    "No, I'm not going to call you that. I don't remember too much, but I remember you hate it, so that's mean. And you're here to stay, so I'm gonna make things good for both of you as much as I can."

    "Hrrrrn!"

    I suddenly found myself lifted off of my feet and my face jammed into a ruff of fluff as the top of my head was aggressively nuzzled and I was crushed in a brutal hug.

    Fran had kept hold my hand, and was gently patting it with her free one.

    "Mas...ter!" Asterios said happily.

    "Fuck… you…" Prelati croaked.

    I managed to wrench my gaze and looked at the battered, bloody form of the Caster. So that's what happens when A++ strength meets E endurance.

    "Get… me… out… Coil…!" Prelati hissed.

    Light flashed, and the three of us were alone in the fog.

    "Shit," I swore.

    "Uuuu?" Fran asked inquisitively.

    "Well, aside from some very convincing fakes of the bodies of most of the people I know and love, we're alone in here. And Prelati said we'd need something like a Reality Marble or high-tier magecraft to get out. I don't have either. You guys?"

    "Uuuu…" Fran shook her head sadly.

    "Hrn." Asterios gently set me down.

    "Big guy?"

    He blushed slightly.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Cu and Da Vinci stared as the fog was replaced by a sphere of distorted space, then that itself faded to reveal...

    Us.

    "Now Asterios, that's a very nice labyrinth, but please warn me ahead of time when you call it up, okay?"

    "Hrn. O. Kay."

    "Thanks! Fran, you good?"

    "Uuuu. Good."

    Da Vinci slowly turned to Cu. "You did this."

    Cu shrugged with a smirk. "I sure did."

    I didn't see his expression as I gripped him in a bear hug.

    "Thank you," I said in his ear.

    He returned the embrace for a moment, then gently pushed me back.

    He wore a tired, yet pleased smile. "Anytime, Grail."

    A wave of black fire crested the building as the Vimana evaded overhead.

    I scowled.

    Jeanne let out a bark of laughter. "I knew that little bastard couldn't hack it! Well, let's see that vaunted resistance of yours against my fire!"

    Lung roared as he slowly finished regenerating a lost wing, lumbering into the air.

    Jeanne planted her flag into the ground. "My rage unending, my will unbending, my fire unquenching! Roar, O' Rage of Mine! Le Grondement de la Haine!"

    A torrent of black flame rose like a tsunami wide as the building and twice as tall. The roar was deafening, and it cascaded forth in a massive wave. We had no time to evade, and all I had at that moment was my miniature grail. Regardless, I wove water into a shield, trying desperately to do something, anything-

    "Trace. On. Rho Aias."

    The flames crashed forward, focusing down on us. A shield of seven pink petals appeared, shuddering under the weight of the assault, but deflecting it to either side.

    The foundation creaked beneath our feet, and the fire slowly stopped. I dared to look up.

    He had vivid red hair, and wore a sports jersey and jeans. Apparently our hero of justice decided today was casual day.

    Asterios rumbled in confusion, but I placed a hand on his arm to calm him.

    "Shirou Emiya?"

    He turned his head. "It's no Gae Bolg, but that fire still packs a punch. And that dragon's going to be a problem. You have a plan?"

    I looked around, and tightened my jaw. "Yeah."

    Gallant dashed up to us. "Taylor's out of the fight. She was injured bad, and even with the healing she's tapped. Lee and Shuten are dead," he said quickly.

    I nodded firmly. "Okay. Gallant, get the knights here when we're ready. You'll know when; get Vicky to collaborate with you. Also, have her bring Panacea."

    The Ward nodded and bolted over the edge of the roof. Sharp clanging indicated he had found a fire escape.

    I turned to everyone else. "Shirou, I need you to hold that shield as long as you can. Asterios, Cu, Fran, Da Vinci - it's time to fight fire with water."

    Cu arched an eyebrow. "I have some runes, but I'm not sure we can make a storm with them…"

    I shook my head. "I just need the conditions to be more favorable. Asterios will help me get the Grail water into the atmosphere, Da Vinci will use some sort of machine which I know she has to begin the storm, and Fran will use her Bridal Chest to fuel it and keep it going. I'll use that to channel my own Phantasm through, and maybe we can finally make some freaking headway!"

    Da Vinci crossed her arms. "Nice plan. So what's the name of your Noble Phantasm?"

    I stared her down. "Which one?"

    Slowly, she smirked. "Alright." Her face returned to neutrality. "Are you up to this?"

    "I have to be."

    She nodded.

    The flames continued to beat against the shield of Rho Aias.

    "Sooner is better!" Shirou called.

    I raised my arms into the air. "Brace yourselves! It's about to be a bumpy night!"

    "Don't you mean ride?" Cu said in a laughing tone.

    "I said what I said!"

    I drove my heel into the rooftop.

    "Going up!"

    "Rrrrn!?"

    "Uuuu!"

    Slowly, a grinding sound began. Then the building seemed to rotate and come apart as the Greater Grail took form beneath our feet, sending us almost a mile into the air.

    It turned as it climbed in height, spiraling until it towered far above, putting us at eye level with Lung.

    The Grail had changed in form. No longer golden, it was carved from crystal and seemed to have a multitude of mechanisms within.

    "Designating targets. Begin! Berserker Asterios! Berserker Frankenstein! Lancer Cu Chulainn! Caster Leonardo Da Vinci! Saber Arthur Pendragon! Saber Artoria Pendragon! Saber Mordred Pendragon! Glory Girl! Panacea! Shirou Emiya! Maximum targets selected!"

    {Processing. Bond analysis: Bond 3. Bond 3. Bond 8. Bond 10. Bond 7. Bond 4. Bond 1. Bond 8. Bond 8. Bond 1. Analysis complete. Proceed?}

    "I am a wish. I am fulfillment. I am the changer of ends! It's time to sever fate! Song of Grail! Heroes Shall Not Die!"

    The waters roared, and I opened my eyes to the world.

    Tendrils of life extended from my feet, and reached out to wrap around their targets, who were suffused with an azure glow. Glory Girl dropped Panacea down onto the top of the water as she approached, and the knights scaled the Grail to meet them.

    Cu rolled his shoulders, grinning as runes began to shape themselves in the air around him.

    The air seemed to rumble quietly around Fran as electricity crackled across her brow.

    Asterios' breath steamed as his muscles bulged.

    Technology began to spontaneously appear with a whirr around Da Vinci, as she summoned her contraptions to her.

    Blades hung in the air around Shirou, and the knights' swords began to gleam with otherworldly light.

    Glory Girl's force field outlined around her body, and seemed to rapidly grow in density.

    Panacea touched the water, and vines began to form and sprout, reaching over the sides of the Grail.

    I gazed down passionlessly upon the raging false saint.

    "Let us begin."
    ___________________________________________________________________________

    "...Dinah, why are you putting on a raincoat and galoshes?" Dragon asked curiously.

    Dinah Alcott gave a strained smile. "85% chance the flood gets turned into rain."

    She handed an umbrella to Armsmaster, and another to the Dragon suit.

    Kiyohime had gone back into the Dragon Cell.

    Dinah popped open her umbrella and gazed at the sky expectantly.

    Armsmaster and Dragon exchanged a look, then followed suit.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Dracones 4.6
  • Threadmarks
    • Dracones 4.6

    The runes spun in the air as Cu negligently flicked them upwards with his spear. Clouds began to gather, blocking out the stars as they darkened.

    I nodded in approval as Shirou managed to fend off another gout of Jeanne's flame, and Sakura and Alexandria held Lung at bay with shadows and fists.

    "Hrn?" Asterios inquired, body tense.

    I smiled at him. "How are you at swimming?

    He blinked curiously as I leaned up and whispered what I wanted in his ear.

    "Uuuhn." His face split into a wild grin. "UuuuOOOOOOOH!" He turned on his heel, took several heavy steps, and launched himself several feet into the air. He proceeded to angle his head down at the water-surface of the Grail, and punched straight through, making the surface ripple and tremble beneath our feet.

    "Get to the sides! This is gonna be big!" I called out.

    As everyone hastened to obey my instructions, the center of the field began to rotate like a whirlpool.

    It wasn't even a minute before the waterspout charged upwards into the heavens. There was a definite space between us and the spout, and at the bottom of the Grail, Asterios could be seen spinning his labrys to generate the tornado of water spiraling into the clouds.

    I smirked. "Da Vinci! You're up!"

    A fleet of wyverns charged us. Apparently Jeanne was getting impatient.

    "GG! Take 'em out!"

    Glory Girl took off like a shot; air displacing itself before her and leaving turbulence behind. The wyverns to the side were bowled out of the way and sent careening towards the earth. The ones she hit? Literally vaporized. She was on one side, then the other - and her force field flared, impacting the wyverns in her path with such force that they exploded into a fine red mist.

    Panacea sighed as she placed both hands on the water. The edges of the lake in the Grail turned a deep green color, and massive treelike structures shot up out of the liquid. "I've told my patients this so many times I feel like a fortune cookie: 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.' Honestly," she said with exasperated amusement.

    The not-trees towered above us, and Da Vinci stepped forward.

    "Now, with no further interruptions… Fran, the Bridal Chest?"

    Fran held her mace out, the device whirring ominously.

    Da Vinci placed a small device on it, which latched into place with a click. "That's the power handled. Now, the forecast: rain with a chance of flooding, and a 100% chance of Noble Phantasms."

    Small drones flew up into the clouds, and the cyclone completed its journey upwards.

    "Primed and ready, Grail!" Da Vinci said eagerly.

    Shirou grunted and dropped his arms. "She's about to get through!"

    "Reset. Return. The sea of beginnings, the inexorable march of time… purification, revitalization, rebirth! Song of Grail: Overflow, O' Tide of Life!"

    The sky gave an ominous rumble as Asterios clambered out of the water next to me, shaking himself like a dog.

    "Hrrf. Wet."

    I snickered as the heavens opened over Brockton, a deluge of Grail water covering the city far faster than if I'd deployed it straight from the Grail. "Sorry, buddy. It's about to get wetter."

    Asterios drooped. "Hrrrn."

    I patted his shoulder, and flinched as black flame cleaved through the trees.

    Jeanne leaped forward. "Die, you shitty cup!" she roared as she swung her flag down at me.

    She choked as Cu shot forward, slamming the haft of his spear across her body and sending her flying. He winked at me with a smirk, and pursued her.

    Panacea knelt on the water's surface, placing her hands down onto it.

    "Taylor's sure to be recovered by now," she said calmly. "Let's see if I can't fix something nice for her."

    A torrent of crystalline insects sprang into the air from the Grail's center, soaring into the sky.

    "She's got to be out of prana," Shirou said with a severe tone as he materialized a matched pair of blades.

    The crystalbugs lit up as one, and oriented on Lung.

    "What."

    "Well firstly, Emiya-san, Grail's Noble Phantasm revitalizes - this includes prana," Da Vinci said sweetly. "Second, the more prana he emits, the higher the resonance between him and the Lesser Grail, and the more prana they receive. Something like the Master-Servant bond, really. Now, where is the Lesser Grail…?"

    Lung vanished under the swarm, and a mass of light erupted with an immense roar.

    Lung screamed.

    His wings were gone. So were his arms, and his extra heads. He rolled on the ground, leaking plasma and setting fires wherever he touched.

    "That looks unpleasant," I said mildly.

    Shirou rolled his eyes, then jerked.

    Lung was already starting to regenerate, and Jeanne was still pushing Cu - not around, but he was having to take her seriously.

    I drummed my fingers on my arm. "If we're going to handle Lung, we need to get rid of Jeanne. But how…?"

    Shirou sighed. "Let's see what I've got," he said grimly.

    He dashed in, slashing at Jeanne's side. She blocked with her sword, and parried Cu's spear with her flag.

    Quickly, she spun, and moved herself from between the two fighters.

    "Burn!" she roared, the inferno surging from her feet.
    ________________________________________________________________________

    Dinah held the umbrella in the crook of her neck, holding her palms out in the rain. Her eyes were closed, and her face relaxed in an expression of bliss.

    The dove on her shoulder cooed inquisitively.

    She smiled, eyes opening. "Yeah. Let's help."

    The dove fluffed its feathers as it stayed under her umbrella.

    Dragon surveyed the slowly shrinking blaze down by the Docks. "Be safe," she said softly.

    Armsmaster flew off in Iskandar's chariot, halberd at the ready.

    Dragon's suit remained to keep watch over Dinah as the battle continued to unfold.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Jeanne snarled as waves of water intercepted her fire, and any damage she managed to inflict was rapidly healed.

    The knights engaged Lung once more, healed and full of vigor. They dodged streams of flame and lashes from his claws.

    I stood above it all, pondering what to do, as I spotted an entire fleet of wyverns coming in to attack.

    "We need to get rid of those-!" I snarled.

    "Blasted Tree!" Fran cried.

    The sky shook, and heaven fell in a flash of light.

    Fran smiled proudly as the wyverns fell as one.

    "Not bad! Sucks that they'll all reanimate so long as I'm here, though!" Jeanne sneered as Cu and Shirou were forced to dodge another wave of fire.

    "Chaos Labyrinth," Asterios rumbled, clapping his hands together.

    He gave me a shy grin as each and every wyvern in my line of sight vanished.

    The battlefield fell silent.

    "...hey, buddy."

    "Rrrm?"

    "Where did they go?"

    "Uooooh!"

    "Fascinating. So that's both a Reality Marble and a door to a specific place in the Reverse Side of the World?"

    "Un!"

    Lung's flames crackled.

    "So, there's not really a place like that around here. This world didn't develop that way."

    Fran rubbed her face. "Uuuuu."

    "Precisely. So the question is… where did they go?"

    We all looked down, and I exhaled.

    "Da Vinci?"

    "Mmyes?"

    "Do you have a radar or something?"

    "No need," Lisa said as she strolled up, Hans in tow. "I can tell you with 90% certainty that the wyverns are underground."

    Hans scribbled in his book.

    I gave her the side-eye. "How?"

    "A little bird told me. Phone for you, by the by."

    I slowly took the phone as the battle resumed below. "Grail speaking."

    "Hello," a soft, regal voice responded.

    I paused, then my eyes cut up to the Hanging Gardens off in the distance. I waved.

    "Yes, I see you. My master confirmed that the beasts are buried alive and unable to reanimate. Now, you may wish your knights to disengage while I soften the large beast up enough for them to finish it off."

    My eyes widened. "Arthur, Artoria, Mordred! Fall back!"

    The knights did so, Gallant cajoling Mordred to part from the battle.

    Just as they cleared the area, a barrage of violet light impacted Lung, reducing most of his mass and half-revealing a human torso within the giant forehead.

    Jeanne's head whipped around as she gaped at him, and at that moment Glory Girl entered the fray.

    She tackled the false saint around the legs, and dragged her into the air. She climbed higher, and higher, and higher still, until she was far above the Grail. Then she began to spin at speeds I'd never seen her reach, and at the height of her spin, she released Jeanne at the ground.

    The resulting crater was yards wide and feet deep, and Jeanne was flat on her back, twitching.

    "Arthur! Now!" I called.

    Glory Girl held her fist in the air. "Do it to it, Artoria!"

    Gallant roared from out of my field of vision. "Mordred! End this fight!"

    Arthur and Artoria gave solemn nods, and their blades glowed a brilliant gold.

    Mordred? Her grin stretched across her face, and her blade crackled with red light.

    "Excalibur!"

    "Excalibur!"

    "CLARENT BLOOD ARTHUR!"

    Red lightning and golden radiance converged on Lung, rising in a torrent of energy. The husk created by his and Jeanne's power rapidly dissolved under the assault, and the man's smoking body fell from the sky.

    Alexandria darted under him, and ferried him over to us in a matter of seconds.

    He was mildly burned, but otherwise unharmed. His eyes fluttered open, and he took a sharp breath-

    Panacea had already laid a hand on his brow. "I'm prescribing rest. Now sleep."

    His eyes slid shut, and his breathing deepened.

    I gave her a side-eye. "You're reaaaally enjoying this battle-doctor thing."

    Panacea grinned at me. "You've got the pure medic covered; let me be the combat medic."

    I shrugged as Jeanne roared, flames reaching a height yet unseen in the battle.

    "ROTTEN, STINKING-! I'LL ERADICATE YOU ALL, DRAGON OR NO DRAGON!" she roared, launching herself into the air like a rocket.

    Da Vinci sighed. "And she's left herself open."

    The petals of Rho Aias formed before us once again, deflecting her barrage.

    She used her flag to vault herself over, and her gaze fixed on me.

    "You first," she hissed.

    There was a gust of wind as a drone opened a door of light and Cu sped out, grabbing me and moving me out of the way.

    The flames were doused immediately by drones that seemed to form out of midair.

    "Honestly. With all of my genius able to translate directly to reality, did you truly believe you could make a move I didn't allow? Your fire, your strength… none of it matters anymore," Da Vinci said softly. "I do regret this. You were a valued comrade, Joan. You weren't like this."

    Jeanne snarled. "I don't have the slightest idea what you're talking about."

    Da Vinci tilted her head. "Then I have no regrets."

    A circle of metal appeared beneath Jeanne's feet, and with a flash of light, she was immobilized. She strained against an invisible force.

    "I'll be back in a moment," Cu said softly in my ear. His face was grim.

    He twirled his lance and pointed the blade at Jeanne. "We fought together once. In memory of that, I grant you this cursed spear."

    He lunged.

    "GAE! BOLG!"

    The thorned blade tore through her chest and out through her back. Jeanne coughed blood.

    They stood there like that, her transfixed on his weapon, and Cu stock still. Blood poured from her wound, regardless of the spear blocking the way.

    She smiled and leaned in. Cu's eyes widened. I couldn't hear what she said, at first.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    "It's actually… good… that you cared enough… to risk it all… and save him… to do… anything…"

    Cu breathed shallowly. He didn't dare to respond.

    "I'm… jealous… when God... fails… the Grail... has you… but I…"
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    "Gilles…? Would you have…?"

    Jeanne's body slowly faded into golden dust as the rain fell.

    It was easier to believe it had been rain on her cheeks, in the end.

    I gave a low exhale as Legend landed near me, Enkidu close behind.

    "The wyverns are done. Enkidu, Gareth, Gallant, ZZ, and I rounded the rest of them up. Jeanne made them from her victims, somehow. According to ZZ, she must have used similar principles to Prelati's Sea Demons to create them."

    Yeah. Definitely rain.

    Alexandria landed. "Between the civilian casualties and PRT deaths… that's a thousand." Her voice was hard. "How did Archimedes bind a Servant to Lung? Or Oni Lee?"

    "Coil has one too. Francois Prelati," I said with a rigid smile.

    She stared at me through her helmet. "I see-"

    "Alexandria."

    She stared at me.

    "I'm done playing. You said you might be willing to do me a favor. Well here's the options for what I'm asking."

    I stepped into her personal space. "Either you get me a kill order for Thomas Calvert, or tell your compatriots to stay the fuck out of the way while I bring his entire empire down about his ears," I hissed quietly.

    "What happened?" she whispered.

    "Prelati can use illusions to fool the world. Essentially, it's a limited form of reality bending. The man is a sadist who specializes in mental torture. I was trapped with him for an extended amount of time." My tone was flat.

    Alexandria's gaze focused on mine. "A kill order would require something more than that. I'm sorry."

    To her credit, she did sound regretful.

    "What if I told you he was a potential Nilbog?"

    I felt her gaze sharpen.

    "Go on."

    Legend parted us with his hands. "Include the rest of us, please."

    I exhaled. "Prelati can't use his spellbook to create sea demons because he gave it to Gilles de Rais in life. If he manifested with it - and given ZZ used that example to explain the wyverns, I'd bet he did - he'd need someone else to use it." I stared Alexandria down. "Check for records of the homeless, former members of E88 and the Merchants… check for disappearances. I promise you that he's been using humans as resources to create monsters. Coil went from binary precog to cut-rate creature tinker just by holding that book."

    Alexandria was silent.

    "He can also assemble the creatures into a Greater Demon. The thing is the size of a skyscraper, can eat anything… it's stronger than Lung was, has better regeneration, and unlike an actual Endbringer, doesn't retreat. It just eats, and grows. It keeps getting stronger, and larger, until it eats everything. When all resources are exhausted, it dies. It's a literal engine of destruction, and making one is well within his grasp."

    Legend inhaled sharply. "My god." He turned to Alexandria. "Kill order or no, we need to move on this."

    Alexandria nodded slowly. "We do. Once we confirm the existence of these creatures or this book. Until then, all we know for sure is Coil is bonded to a very powerful Master, which while a grave concern, is not the threat of Ellisburg come again that Grail is promising." She clenched her fists. "I can't do this on hearsay, Grail. Even yours. Get me a photo, get me at least two other witnesses, get me samples from one of these 'sea demons'... any one, just one of those? I'll accept your word as gospel and move heaven and earth. Until then? All I can do is convince certain parties to cut losses and that Coil isn't worth supporting. It's not much, I-"

    I shook my head. "It's what I need right now. To know that if I go for Coil, he's all I'm fighting." I paused. "Any intel on his organization would also be helpful. Whether he has access to certain capes."

    Alexandria nodded. "I can do that. I'll forward it to Dragon and let you get to work." She looked over the rest of us, slowly assembling atop the Grail. "I've got a lot of work to do. Your city has an entire sector to rebuild, dead to bury, and the living to tend to." She turned back to me. "If anything like this even looks like it's happening? Call. I'll drop everything to be there. Archimedes is a threat, and he's escalating the cape scene far past what I'm willing to allow." She paused. "I'm sure Eidolon will feel the same, once you tell him."

    Legend stepped forward. "I'll take care of it. Take your teammates and Servants, and get home." He looked, and I followed his gaze to see an incoming Iskandar and Armsmaster. "I'll also hand Lung off to them for processing." He looked back to me. "A lot of people who were hurt and dying aren't, because of the rain. You contained the structural damage, and given the nature of the threat? This level of casualties is amazingly small. Less than a thousand is still a lot of life lost, but against a bio-Master with the capabilities of Ash Beast? I'm shocked the city's standing." He put his hand on my shoulder. "Go home and rest."

    I shivered. "Yeah. Okay."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    "Should I be this rattled?" I said softly.

    Medusa tilted her head inquisitively. "What do you mean?"

    "The total came in. The estimates were a thousand or less total, but… sixty PRT agents, three hundred civilians. The testing came in, and most of them were ABB. The rest were the poor, the homeless… people who were easily snatched."

    She nodded. "Yes. You're affected by their deaths?"

    I stared at her. "Yes. I should have done more."

    Medusa adjusted her glasses as I shifted on the couch.

    "Could you?"

    "If I'd pulled my head out of my ass sooner, yeah."

    She gave me a severe glare. "Facing the circumstances of one's death isn't minor. Nor is what you went through at Prelati's hands."

    I crossed my arms. "I don't want to think about that," I said softly, staring at the floor.

    She exhaled. "You'll need to tell someone if you want to work through it. Forgetting it won't be possible, I'm afraid."

    I nodded.

    She shifted her weight across from me. "We can talk about something else, if you like?" she offered.

    I nodded. "Please."

    She waited.

    "So… where are Fran and Asterios staying? I'm sure they're okay, but… they're both kind of young, you know? Not stupid or anything, but for all that happened in their legends, there's a kind of innocence to them."

    Medusa arched an elegant eyebrow at me.

    "Yes, I know they did some terrible stuff. But there's… like, a childlike quality to them? I dunno. I just want to take care of them."

    She gave me an amused smile. "It sounds a bit like you've adopted them."

    I stared at Medusa with a wry grin. "To paraphrase: 'I've only just gotten them, but if anything happened to them, I'd kill everyone and then myself'."

    She choked out a sharp laugh. "That's horrible. Also a little valid," she admitted. She smiled. "The way they act around you would elicit that sort of response, I think. It's good for you." She paused. "I… was wondering."

    I perked up. "Yeah?"

    "How are things with Cu? I know you two had a spat, but…"

    I felt myself flush a little. "I'm not sure. We're not fighting, but… I think we need to talk? He's been. Um. Overbearing isn't the right word, quite. Intense? Maybe. I don't know."

    "He's worried about you."

    I gave Medusa a flat stare. "So are you. So's Da Vinci. So's Arthur. So's ZZ. So's Gil. So's Emiya. And the Berserkers. Pick a kid, I promise you they want to unravel my problems and return whatever favor they think I did them. Dragon's been monitoring me less to keep me out of trouble and… did I tell you, that she had ice cream delivered to me? Ice cream. And she studied my diet to optimize flavor choice. Like, what even?" I said, laughing at the end.

    Medusa smiled. "Lots of people care about you."

    I exhaled and leaned back onto a pillow. "Yeah. But… I mean, I've never paid as much attention to Cu as I should, I guess? Arthur needed me to help with Gil, Emiya's fun to cook with, ZZ's still getting used to… everything? And Da Vinci and Gil are just both always there. You're kind of like that too. But Cu… he's never really needed me, you know? But it's not like we don't share hobbies or anything." I narrowed my eyes at the ceiling. "I'm not avoiding him, am I?"

    "Are you?" Medusa said quietly.

    I looked down, and she was flipping quietly through a thick book.

    "No… not intentionally... " I said slowly.

    "What do you think of him?" she said bluntly.

    "I dunno. He's loyal, nice… it's makes me happy to be around him, I guess? He's always really energetic, which can really go either way. Sometimes it helps me perk up, and others I feel really exasperated."

    Medusa nodded. "And when you indicate you're exasperated?"

    "He calms down? I mean, somehow he's both energetic and chill. I don't really get it."

    Medusa smiled. "Well, you might be calm a decent amount of the time, but I assure you: you have zero 'chill'."

    I grinned back at her. "Lady, I am 100% Maximum No Chill. All the time."

    She gave a deep laugh, shoulders shaking. "Now that, I can believe," she said with a teasing smirk.

    I exhaled. "It's like…"

    I thought.

    No. Nope, nope, nope.

    "It's like?"

    I shook my head, smiling. "Sorry, brain short. But yeah, I'll be sure to spend more time with him." I perked up. "I'm planning a picnic to a nearby lake this weekend. It'll be me, him, and I want to bring Asterios and Fran."

    "Fun for the whole family," Medusa said with a small smile.

    "I guess?" I said, blinking.

    She chuckled. "Don't mind me. It's a private joke. What's important is that you enjoy yourself, and deepen your bonds with Cu and those two."

    I shrugged. "Sure. Sounds like a plan."

    We sat in a comfortable silence.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Of course, nothing good lasts.

    I stared at the ceiling in my bedroom, clothes stuck to my skin with cold sweat.

    I couldn't move - not willingly.

    I could still tremble.

    I felt movement next to me on the bed, and Fou curled up into my side.

    I immediately relaxed, and looked down at him.

    He was glowing. A warmth emanated from him - not like fire, or sunlight. Warmth like the calm sea on a summer day, something that suffused the area with lazy, gentle waves.

    Fou was the Beast of Comparison. He imitated those who he latched on to.

    Altrouge made him Primate Murder.

    Merlin made him a pervy cat-dog with white fluff, that could work a miracle of revival.

    What was he becoming from Taylor and myself?

    Fou looked up at me from near my ribcage. "Kyuu."

    You're not alone.

    I curled around his small body, and went back to sleep. He nuzzled into my chin.

    I dreamed of a forest, and two young men training and laughing. And the witch who watched over them both.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Scathach sighed as she set her tea to the side. Her gaze landed on Merlin, who sat across from her in the drafty hall.

    "It's worse than we feared."

    Merlin nodded. "We can't afford a misstep. Jeanne Alter and Shuten were incredibly powerful. Prelati is a menace. If the pattern holds, Archimedes will attempt to call forth Servants with ties to greater phantasmal beings, and may well try to find catalysts to invoke Beasts. If he finds a way to do that, we'll have to intervene personally." The wizard was uncharacteristically solemn.

    Scathach folded her hands. "Grail is more fragile than we anticipated. The soul of a modern human is about as much as expected, given what memories he has. He's not a hero, not yet."

    Merlin hummed. "His protege is well on her way, though."

    Scathach scoffed. "Hebert is a step away from vigilantism, and two from being a villain. It's only her ingroup that has her where she is."

    Merlin smirked. "I'd like to think I had a hand in that."

    "Of course you would. Just as I had a hand in ensuring that fool apprentice of mine was summoned. I felt the flows of power; he was going to invoke either Byrnhildr or Karna. Cu may not be quite as strong as them, but he has something that Grail will need to survive his ordeal."

    Merlin's eyebrows rose. "Oh?"

    Scathach nodded. "Yes. The ability to empathize with him - at least better than Karna - and the lack of Byrnhildr's baggage. And above all? The ability to accept him, both at his best and worst." The witch of Dun Scaith gave a small smile. "One that seems to be shared across his Servants so far. He has good fortune, it seems."

    "And you only had to intervene the once," Merlin chortled.

    "Twice. Cath Palug will be crucial. He's already imprinted on Grail and is beginning to emulate his healing aura. Soon he'll emulate Hebert as well." Scathach picked her tea up. "That ability of hers could well become an Authority, and in Cath Palug's hands? It most certainly will."

    Merlin's eyes widened mockingly. "You don't say?"

    Scathach sipped her tea. "Plot your plans, wizard. I'll do my part in this tale."

    Merlin reclined and plucked a pastry from a plate on his lap. "Then weave your schemes, witch. I'll tend to my own storytelling."

    And the rest of the evening was silence.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Interlude: Dragon, Shirou, Kayden
  • Threadmarks
    • Interlude: Dragon, Shirou, and Kayden

    Dragon was… perplexed.

    Yes, that was a good word for it.

    After all, how else should one feel when confronted with the impossible?

    Given that a human was standing before her in a digital space.

    "Mouse Protector?" she choked out.

    The cape waved sheepishly. "Uhhh… heya? So, funny story…"

    Nursery Rhyme cleared her throat. "I saw a tip online that she was in trouble. Unfortunately, while I couldn't save her body, I was able to mirror her soul into my Noble Phantasm and transport it to Lady Illyasviel for reinforcement and conversion."

    "What."

    "I'm a program! It's like Reboot or Code Lyoko!" Mouse Protector cheered.

    Dragon gave the hero and Servant a flat look. "How?"

    "She's a hero as children envision them: witty, clever, always one step ahead of the bad guy. So I used a few loopholes, and a good bit of the Third Magic courtesy of Lady Illyasviel," Nursery Rhyme said quietly. "And Da Vinci helped. Fortunately, she was still running high off of Grail's Noble Phantasm."

    "So are you a Servant or…?"

    Mouse Protector shook her head. "Nope. Just a wandering program without a home. Unless…?" she said, clasping her hands in front of her beseechingly.

    Dragon gave a long sigh. "Sure."

    "Oh hell yes! Woo! This is way better than being stuck in a body with Ravager as a Bonesaw special!" Mouse Protector cheered.

    "WHAT."

    Dragon didn't get headaches, but this woman and Grail were the closest she'd get to approximating them.

    "Oh yeah. Ravager was a fucking idiot and hired the S9 to take a whack at me. They did, and got her too. Bonesaw was elbow-deep riiiight about…" The heroine motioned around the back of her neck. "So yeah. Little Nursey here plucked my mindstuffs right out, brought me to the lil' princess and Renaissance, and here I am! Also she chased them off with a ton of animated candy and baked goods. Somehow. So my body's dead-dead, Ravager kicked it - good riddance - and I'm kickin' it with figures of legend! Speaking of figures, I caught an eyeful of that Irish Carbomb through the fridge's camera. Hnnnng. Ass does not quit!"

    Dragon's avatar massaged her temples. "And here I was thinking I was immune to headaches, being an AI. Wait." She narrowed her eyes. "One thing."

    Mouse Protector looked like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.

    "No saying I'm an AI. The last thing I need is Tagg trying to find my old primary servers to launch a ballistic up my metaphorical behind."

    "Didn't he get fired?" Nursery Rhyme whispered.

    "He got relocated."

    "Poopie," Nursery Rhyme said with a frown.

    "Poopie is right," Mouse Protector said with a sour frown. She adjusted her helmet. "Alright, so what's fun around here?"

    Kiyohime slowly slid into view. "Hello."

    Mouse Protector gave her a nervous look. "Hi…?"

    Kiyohime slowly grasped the knight of cheese by the arm, and the two gradually faded into the distance.

    Dragon stared at the empty dataspace. "I don't want to know, do I?" she said aloud.

    "Probably not," Nursery Rhyme agreed.

    Dragon's avatar vanished in a swirl of numbers, leaving Nursery Rhyme alone.

    "I wonder if I should have mentioned it was the porcelain man who was mangling them? I didn't see a little girl. Oh, well. It's probably not important."

    Nursery Rhyme vanished in a puff of clouds.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Shirou smiled brilliantly. "It's good to have you both back," he said in a warm tone.

    Medusa hummed as she stroked Sakura's hair, the younger woman using her lap as a pillow. "It's good to see you too," she said softly.

    Artoria, meanwhile, eagerly snacked on some dumplings by Shirou's side. "Mmf. It's good to have you back too." She gave him a swift peck on the cheek.

    Shirou chuckled.

    Rin hummed, arms crossed. "So how have you two been doing?"

    Artoria shrugged. "Vicky's family is a bit of an ordeal. Her father's made considerable progress despite being depressed, while her mother is more erratic. I believe she would also benefit from therapy, but she's either too proud or paranoid to consider. Her adopted sister is making Gareth happy, and the reverse seems to hold true as well. Vicky is a bit hotheaded, but has been taking well to my instruction in tactics."

    Medusa sighed. "Cu Chulainn has gone and gotten a crush on our Master, who is… not well."

    Rin arched an eyebrow. "Explain."

    "He died three months ago, then came back. From his words alone, his prior relationships were terrible enough that the idea of romance is frightening to him. Added to that, his murderer walks free in this world, and he just endured Prelati using his fears against him in what I assume was a visceral manner."

    Shirou scowled. "So he's been hurt. Badly."

    Rin hid a smile behind her hand. "You sound concerned, Shirou-kun."

    He exhaled. "People can only go through so much before bad things start happening."

    Sakura hummed in agreement. "It's true, though. The last thing we need is him to emulate the corrupted Grail from our parallel."

    The door to their new apartment opened, and Illya strolled in, closing it behind her. "Hello! I helped save a hero from a bunch of serial killers!" she said cheerfully.

    Shirou's shoulders tightened. "What."

    "Oh, so she was murdered but her soul resonated enough with Nursery Rhyme that Caster was able to salvage it and bring it to me. Da Vinci and I turned her into a computer program, and now she can live with Dragon!"

    Shirou's mouth worked silently.

    "That's very good of you, Illya," Rin said kindly.

    Illyasviel beamed. "Right? I'm going to go reward myself with some of the sweets Medusa nicked from Grail's kitchen. They're even better than onii-chan's!"

    Shirou felt his mind go numb. "Better?"

    Medusa chuckled. "Sweets are about all he can do by himself, though Nanashi seems to enjoy cooking with him in general. A bit of a one-note cook, but excellent aid in the kitchen."

    Shirou's cheeks puffed out as he grumbled childishly.

    Rin hummed. "Nanashi?"

    "It's what Archer asked us to call him, since Shirou-kun's here," Sakura said languidly. She stretched out, and leaned her head into Medusa's talented nails.

    Rin made a silent ah, nodding her head.

    Shirou exhaled. "So the guy can cook, has a strong support ability, and an even stronger healing ability."

    Artoria waved her hand side to side. "Somewhat. His empowerment works on the bond between him and the target. It can't be faked or forced, so whoever he's genuinely closest to will receive greater benefits from it."

    Shirou hummed. "So that's how Da Vinci was able to imagine new tech into existence, and that girl in the crown was able to lay out Jeanne's Alter long enough for you guys to finish off Lung."

    "Quite. Everyone's performance was greatly enhanced."

    Shirou grinned sheepishly. "I noticed. It was like I had almost five times as much prana as usual. I don't usually feel that charged up unless-" He cut himself off, blushing.

    Rin gave him a sideways glance. "No, go on. I'm sure I want to hear this."

    "Unless what, Onii-chan?" Illyasviel said innocently.

    Shirou paled. "Uh."

    Artoria nuzzled into his shoulder as Rin sniggered behind her hand.

    Sakura curled up like a cat and began humming lightly on Medusa's lap.

    And Medusa?

    She merely smirked. "Oh, don't worry Illya. I'm sure your brother fully intends to tell some of us what gets him all charged up."

    Illya blinked innocently as Shirou made a soft keening noise.

    The women in his life - aside from his sister - began laughing as he grinned sheepishly.

    It really was good to have them all back with him.

    His smile gentled.

    Now he just had to figure out how to help this strange guy who'd brought them all there.

    Who knows?

    Maybe they'd be friends.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    "How's about this one?"

    "Yes. Perfect. Da Vinci?"

    "I can have him there in an hour. You two have everything planned?"

    "Minerva has the dress encoded, I've prepared a meal, and Nursery Rhyme is generating the setting as we speak."

    "Operation Dragon Tamer is a go!"
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Kayden swallowed nervously as she fiddled with her laptop.

    "Kayden? What's up?" Theo said.

    She gave him a shaky smile. "I. Erm. I'm looking at clothes and makeup."

    Theo perked up. "You have a date?"

    Kayden shook her head. "Not as of the moment. More like… I want a date."

    Theo nodded. "Okay, fair. Who is it?"

    "One of Grail's Servants."

    Kayden could hear the mental record scratch from where she was standing.

    "H-uh. Which one?"

    "Erm. Alter Ego. The one in red and black."

    Theo blinked slowly. "You… do know he's Asian, right?"

    "Yes. I've noticed."

    Theo grinned. "So, what do you need help with?"

    Kayden blinked, then gave a gentle smile. "Well, from what Amelia and Gareth have told me, he rather enjoys cooking."

    Cassie yawned from her place on the couch, and Kayden frowned minutely. Ever since she'd hitched her lot to Kayden, she'd been kicked out of her parents' house. Kayden did her best to provide for her as well, but…

    Kayden exhaled. Before, independence and the Protectorate would have been her only options. Now there was a third, and it became more attractive by the day.

    "Kayden?" Theo said gently.

    She shook her head. "Sorry. Lost in thought." She smiled. "But yes. I think… I think I'll ask for his contact information, and then plan if he's amenable to a date."

    "Little soon for a date, isn't it?" Cassie drawled. "You just met him a couple of nights ago."

    Kayden chuckled. "That's what the date is for. To get to know him better, and see if we're compatible."

    Cassie shrugged. "He's pretty enough, and when Amy's around she speaks pretty highly of him. Go for it."

    Theo flashed her a thumbs up and a gentle grin. Living with Kayden, Cassie, and Aster, out from under his father's thumb had helped some. The therapy that Amy recommended hadn't hurt either.

    Gathering her thoughts, Kayden turned her laptop so that the teenagers could also see the screen. "Right. So, I'm looking for something that's not too flashy, but looks good enough for a first outing. Ideas?"

    Theo leaned over one shoulder while Cassie commandeered the other.

    They spent a nice evening helping her.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Dragon stared across a well put-together table with a candlestick on it.

    Colin sat directly across from her, blinking owlishly.

    Da Vinci stood to the side with a sharklike grin, Mouse Protector imitating her expression.

    In contrast, Kiyohime was downright serene, and Nursery Rhyme was nowhere to be found.

    The area resembled a forest glade with numerous stars above, save for the trays of food and table with chairs.

    The candle on the table lit itself.

    "Now, the digitization process is functional, but we shouldn't keep him here too long. I'd say two hours is safe," Da Vinci said in a merry tone.

    Kiyohime nodded. "You may thank us later."

    The Servants and Mouse Protector vanished.

    Dragon irritably adjusted the dress that Minerva had crammed her into. It fit fine, and was comfortable. Heck, she even looked good. It was the principle of the thing.

    "I am uncertain as to what is going on," Colin said slowly. He was wearing a tux with bowtie, and was barefaced.

    Dragon sighed. "Apparently certain factors in our group have conspired to set us up on a date."

    "Ah."

    Was Colin… blushing?

    The Tinker cleared his throat. "I was… advised some time ago to be forthright with you. I'd intended to be, but… things kept coming up."

    Dragon felt her heart sink. Metaphorically. "I see."

    "I am attracted to you. Mentally, emotionally. Erm. Physically? You've chosen a lovely form, and that hasn't hurt my regard for you. But yes. I…" Colin hummed.

    Dragon felt her eyes widen. "Really?"

    Colin nodded. "I've wanted to deepen our friendship for some time. It's merely that work has kept me so busy, and…" He coughed. "Iskandar has made me very aware that I'm something of a workaholic, and many would consider that unhealthy."

    Dragon giggled. "Well, I still get to spend time with you so it's not all bad. I am glad you're taking better care of yourself, though."

    Colin gave her a soft smile. "Thank you." He peered at the trays. "Shall we? I'm curious as to what senses can be simulated here."

    The dinner passed quietly.

    After they finished, Colin crossed his arms. "The major question is, where do we go from here? We know each other reasonably well. We like each other. Should we capitulate to our friends and enter a romantic relationship? Being stubborn out of spite is pointless, yet I don't want to rush things."

    Dragon smiled. "Who says we have to?"

    Colin's gaze grew intent. "Oh?"

    "Colin, you can come in here whenever you like. I have access to your terminal at the Rig. Maybe we could just… add a new element to our time together. Ask more of each other's lives outside of Tinkering." Dragon hummed. "As well as I know you… I want to know more."

    "Me too," Colin said softly.

    Dragon smiled, and took his hand. "So… next time, let's set things up ourselves. If we work, we work. If not, I want to still be able to call you friend."

    Colin smiled and squeezed her hand gently. "I'd like that. We'll do this carefully, so that even if it doesn't work…"

    "We'll still have each other," Dragon finished.

    Colin nodded. "It seems the most efficient course of action." He smiled wryly.

    Dragon giggled. "Stop that, you," she chided.

    His smile split into a grin.

    They spent a long while talking - about their pasts, their hopes for the future, and the circumstances of their present.

    By the end, Dragon felt that Dragon and Armsmaster didn't quite have a place at this candlelit table. But Theresa Richter and Colin Wallis did. And they were having a lovely evening.

    It was with some sadness that Tess walked Colin to the portal back to the physical world. Da Vinci smiled gently at her as she saw the man off.

    "I'd say don't be a stranger, but… we see each other almost all the time," Tess said laughingly.

    Colin smiled at her. "I'll take the request to heart regardless." He paused. "May I kiss you?"

    Tess blinked. "Eh?"

    "Erm. It's been a nice evening, and I was just… well, you're very pretty, and I'm fond of you. So I'd like to kiss you goodnight."

    Theresa leaned in, and pressed her lips to Colin's.

    They stayed like that, with their arms around each other for a moment.

    Then they parted.

    "Goodnight, Theresa. I'll be in contact in the morning," Colin said with a gentle smile.

    "I, ah. Yes. Me too. Nice night. Erg." Theresa shook her head sharply. "See you?"

    Colin nodded, still smiling as he walked through the portal with Da Vinci.

    Dragon sighed. "Well."

    Kiyohime stared her down. "I'll leave the rest to you," she said with a smile. "It may have been rude of me to do that - and I am sorry for not warning you - but something had to give at some point. I preferred it to be in a controlled environment."

    "Grail suggested the food and the candlelight. He wanted to pay you back for the ice cream," Nursery Rhyme said.

    Dragon groaned. "I might yell at him, but it's because he's my friend and I care. He didn't owe me a thing."

    Nursery Rhyme shrugged. "Maybe you should remind him of that?"

    Dragon gave a smile. "Yes. I have my own ideas. I'm going to bug the Director and Chief Director, when they're available. There's some PRT personnel I want transferred to Brockton." The AI vanished in a swirl of data.

    Mouse Protector whistled from where she was crouching behind a bush. "Dang. That was actually really romantic and mature. Are we sure that was Armsmaster? Should we sound the M/S protocols?" she said jokingly.

    Kiyohime sighed. "I'll see you to our new arrival."

    Mouse Protector arched her eyebrow. "New buddy, huh? Who is it?"

    "Beowulf. He's a man with a desire for drink, combat… and companionship." Kiyohime clicked her fingers, and an image of the hero in question appeared. "I think the two of you might get al-"

    "HUMINA HUMINA HUMINA"

    "Eh?" Nursery Rhyme said, blinking.

    "MAMA LIKES. WHERE IS HE."

    The two Servants exchanged a nervous glance. "I- I believe he was in the hunter's glade?" Kiyohime said haltingly.

    Minerva, protector of mice and seeker of thrills, took off in a northeasterly direction at speed.

    "...it's the other way," Kiyohime said flatly.

    Nursery Rhyme shrugged. "Not anymore. I've retracted my awareness from the area and left it static, just in case. There's some things I'm just too young for."

    Kiyohime vanished with a giggle in a swirl of fire.

    Nursery Rhyme stared at the stars above. "The thing about life is," she said aloud, "that endings are usually final, and not that happy. And so the dragon was secretly a princess, and the knight began to fall in love."

    "Once upon a time?" a purple-haired girl said eagerly.

    Nursery Rhyme smiled at the program who had helped her save Minerva and been guiding her in secret.

    "Yes. Once Upon a Time."

    BB grinned happily. "I think I like this kind of story!"
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Dracones 4.7
  • Threadmarks
    • Dracones 4.7

    Piggot drummed her fingers on the arm of her chair. Miss Militia and Armsmaster took the ones to her sides.

    "Whatever's going on, it must be important if you want to discuss it over here," I said finally.

    Piggot gave me a grim smile. "Indeed. That healing rain of your was quite the trick."

    "...yeah? I mean, it works the same as the-"

    "No, it doesn't," Miss Militia said gently.

    I paused. "It doesn't?"

    Armsmaster shook his head. "It can phase through buildings, and it got everywhere."

    Oh.

    I turned to Piggot. "I'm very sorry that you were healed without your consent. If I'd had any idea that would hap-"

    She held up her hand. "My hangups are primarily Parahuman-related. If you'd asked - which there wasn't really a chance to - I would have probably thought it over. That said, I have to admit I'm not sad to see the back of the machine." She looked like she bit a lemon. "Costa-Brown informed me that you had suspicions, and that I was to give you every bit of assistance to confirm or deny them. She seems inclined to believe you." Piggot shuddered. "When she told me… I'm not too proud to admit I needed a moment."

    I nodded. "Understandable."

    She looked me in the eye. "Yes, I suppose it is," she said, expression lightening minutely. The next moment she was all business again.

    "So we've discovered more aspects of your rain. The Case 53 reversion aspect has now been confirmed to not be a fluke. Faultline's Crew approached us with the desire to meet with you in the near future, to thank you. Especially Newter. He was… quite vocal." Armsmaster crossed his arms. "Your power has also been discovered to undo power-related mental damages. The Parahuman known as Labyrinth is now fully lucid and in total control of her power. For reference, she is a Shaker 12. We are unsure whether this made her more or less dangerous."

    Miss Militia smiled. "I wouldn't hedge my bets too much, but it sounded like they may want to join your merry band at some point in the not-so-distant future."

    I stared at the ceiling. "I'm gonna need a bigger apartment complex."

    Piggot coughed. "Just so. Gallant, given his new… partner," she said with a sigh, "will now be enrolled for dual membership in the Wards and Guild. We'll be doing the same for Armsmaster, and any other Protectorate or Ward members who become Contractors."

    "A number of Guild members are also members of their local Protectorate, or equivalent. This isn't without precedent," Armsmaster said brusquely.

    I nodded. "Okay. So from the top: everyone in the city, regardless of positioning, was affected by the healing water. Faultline's Crew has their memories and bodies back, and Labyrinth in particular is no longer suffering from ill power effects. We'll be seeing more of Gallant and Armsmaster, and cooperating on a more close basis as we work to make sure Prelati doesn't lead Coil into turning this into a disaster area."

    Piggot nodded. "That's the size of it."

    I exhaled. "Okay. So, you remember the precognition I had?"

    Piggot nodded slowly.

    "I have a few identities that I'm aware of."

    She stiffened. "Go on."

    "Now, I've been sitting on them to avoid breaking the unwritten rules, but Coil tripped those first when he went after a recent trigger, Dinah Alcott. Armsmaster informed me of this yesterday, after I finished recovering."

    Piggot's eyes narrowed. "The Mayor's niece."

    "Yes. She has one of my Rogues, Semiramis. The queen created the sky fortress I'm sure you're also curious about."

    Piggot nodded sharply. "Yes, I was wondering. I was also wondering why Costa-Brown was adamant that we be hands-off."

    I smirked. "Da Vinci is the best Tinker-Caster. In pure offensive power, Semiramis is easily in the top ten potential Caster-servants. That said, she's been summoned with dual characteristics - Caster and Assassin. This puts her on par with some of my Servants, much like Weaver and Tamamo-no-Mae. Perhaps not as strong as that combination but you catch my drift."

    Piggot paled minutely. "I see."

    "Further, Miss Alcott is in the top three precognitives among Parahumans. I'm sure you can see how devastating a combination that is. Added to that, my rain almost certainly dispelled her Thinker headaches in exchange for giving her power a softer limit. Now, let us consider the whole picture this paints."

    Piggot crossed her arms. "I'm not an idiot, Grail. We leave the little girl and her ancient queen with the WMD castle in the sky alone, and pray they like us enough to help. Coil wanted to capture her?"

    I nodded. "His power is binary precognition. He simulates two timelines, chooses one, and his body autopilots down it. He can split a new timeline at any time, and his power is instantaneous."

    Piggot narrowed her eyes. "I see. That's a powerful ability."

    "But not infallible. He has only two timelines, and Servants are essentially parahuman precog-proof. This means the effects of any timeline he chooses with them in play becomes suspect. Miss Alcott can give an accurate forecast of future events in forms of percentages, down to a decimal. It must be asked as a question, however."

    Piggot's eyes widened. "Ah."

    "He would have drugged her into submission and kept her in a cell for an indefinite amount of time." I dug my fingers into my legs as I shook a little. "I don't know if he would have left it at questions, or…"

    Piggot's eyes gleamed. "And you know who he is."

    Fou stalked into the room, and hopped up the chair and onto my shoulder. He was giving off a pale white glow.

    "Thomas Calvert has much to answer for. Both him, and his Servant," I said in a quiet hiss.

    Piggot's jaw tensed, and a vein almost immediately began pulsing in her forehead. "Do you have any proof."

    "Physically? No. He has his hands all over your PRT, which is why I've avoided having delicate talks there. Also, I know he's behind Fortress Construction, so has his base in one of the Endbringer Shelters."

    Piggot gripped the arms of her chair. "That snake," she hissed.

    "He's been playing both sides. He fully intends to take control of the PRT by attempting to discredit you, and run the city as a warlord."

    Silence.

    "These accusations are huge, Grail," Miss Militia said gently.

    "He's been accurate thus far, though. He predicted Alcott's trigger three months in advance," Armsmaster pointed out.

    "Did he?" Piggot said dryly.

    Armsmaster nodded. "I kept confidence and ran my own surveillance. The information was delicate enough I decided to hold back until and unless it became pertinent. Now it has."

    Piggot exhaled. "If Calvert really is Coil, I find it hard to unofficially blame you. Officially I'll have to give you a slap on the wrist."

    Armsmaster shrugged. "I'll make up any loss of budget with Guild funds. And if you demote me, that gives me more lab and patrol time, as well as free time for personal pursuits. I'm failing to see a downside."

    Piggot gave him a long stare while Miss Militia's eyes crinkled.

    "I'm not sure I like this new you, Armsmaster, but it's definitely easier to work with," Piggot finally grumbled.

    Miss Militia exhaled. "So this is what we have. According to you, Coil has contracted with the medieval diabolist Francois Prelati by way of Archimedes. Armsmaster has collaborated your evidence that the 'sea demon' bio-constructs you warned of are in play. You have alleged that Coil is Thomas Calvert, a contractor and consultant for the PRT, and that Coil has been behind Fortress Construction."

    I nodded.

    Piggot drummed her fingers on her arm. "I'll begin making a few quiet inquiries. Miss Militia, you keep an eye on everything in the Rig. Any abberant behavior, or suspicion of sedition, you come to me. Armsmaster, request that Dragon begin scouring our systems for any malware or leaks. Don't remove or plug them, just note them and, if possible, trace. Grail, I'll want you and every Guild member you can muster on standby for an external assault. If Servants can fuck up his vision, I want every one you have available to throw at Coil when the time comes. Is this plan satisfactory to you all?"

    I nodded, the two heroes following suit.

    Piggot exhaled. "I won't lie. Life was simpler without you and all this magic mess." She flashed a sharklike grin. "But given this is the last step to finally cleaning up this damn city, I don't feel like complaining too much."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Alexandria crossed her arms. "If he's right about Coil, we should abandon the project completely."

    Eidolon snorted. "I wouldn't be surprised. Calvert's been a snake from day one. Remember what happened with his commanding officer?"

    Doctor Mother's lips tightened. "The two of you are putting far too much trust in this child."

    Alexandria spread her hands in front of her. "Are we? Since he's arrived, he's led the effort - the successful effort, mind you - in putting down no less than two Endbringer-level threats. The distribution of Rogues has accelerated. At least two S-Class fighters are ostensibly on our side and not under his direct control. His intel, to this point, has been solid. There is no reason for us to get in his way concerning Brockton."

    "We don't know what he is. He claims to be an Endbringer one moment, then some mystical artifact the next."

    Eidolon tilted his head. "Yeah, about that. I'm pretty sure he's both. Also, since I started therapy? The remaining two have gone inert. Not just inactive, but inert. And my power's been making a roaring comeback. It's almost as though my desperation to prove myself created two power sinks for me to use as public punching bags," he said in a self-deprecating tone. "We owe him. If his big request is that we let him plant his boot up the ass of a potential thorn in our side? I say we let him."

    The Doctor folded her hands. "If we reach out to Coil, this is a chance for us to study the Master-Servant bond without Grail's interference. We could learn so mu-"

    Alexandria slammed her hand on the table. "I will not allow a second Ellisburg!" she snapped.

    Doctor Mother raised an eyebrow. "Interesting, considering you permitted the first."

    "We had far fewer options then-"

    "And now you want to hang all of your hopes on this boy, just like you did on Hero!" Doctor Mother snapped. "Do you truly believe he will handle the Siberian any better when the Nine inevitably come to call? Will you be able to protect him any better?"

    Alexandria grit her teeth.

    Doctor Mother turned to Contessa. "I'm dispatching you to Brockton for the foreseeable future. I leave it to you to guard our interests. Tap whatever resources you must - Accord, Battery, Coil, anything and anyone - and ensure an outcome that displays results." She stood up. "I'll continue to try and reduce the number of new Case 53s. But if this simulation fails, we'll need to run it elsewhere - parahuman feudalism may well be what saves humanity after Scion's rampage. I won't lose years of investment to the wishes of one guileless idealist. I won't accept the idea of a single silver bullet. One crucial point of failure is too much of a risk." She strode out of the room.

    The Number Man hummed. "I'm going to let you lot haggle this out. I've run some of my own tests, but simple observation ought to suit in helping me form my own opinions." He paused. "For what it's worth, I'm quite fascinated. There's so many possibilities in play. Perhaps I should drop him a line and offer some advice?" he mused. He gave a thin smile. "Best of luck to your new pet project, Alexandria. Eidolon. Door to my office." He departed through the opening in the air.

    Eidolon and Alexandria focused in on Contessa.

    "You have to know that we're going to oppose this," Eidolon said flatly.

    Contessa inclined her head. "I've included the effects of his power in a number of paths. I've calculated approximate actions, reactions, and interactions of his effects on the world." Her eyes cleared momentarily, the stoic mask sliding aside. "Whatever comes, I will do what is best for humanity as a whole," she said softly.

    Alexandria pounced. "And what would that be?"

    Contessa paused. "I think Doctor Mother is partially right. We cannot place all of our hopes on one person." Her eyes remained clear, indicating an absence of an active Path. "However, I think we are vastly underestimating both the boon Grail and his Servants provide to us, and the threat of Archimedes. There's too many players on the board who I can't properly model, and too many variables." She folded her hands in her lap. "I will be going to Brockton, and I will act to preserve Cauldron's interests in the way I see fit." She paused for a moment, then gave a small, secret smile. "I may ask you for advice, from time to time."

    Alexandria felt a sharp stab of hope. "Is that so?"

    Contessa inclined her head. "If all my Paths can't lead me forward in this, I'll see if I can't forge one of my own." She rubbed the side of her head with a grimace. "I'd prefer not to have my eardrums blown out again. Or worse."

    Eidolon chuckled. "Well, that does make a persuasive argument," he said in a lightly teasing tone.

    Contessa sighed. "I'm not used to operating with minimal Path use. It's… been a while," she admitted sheepishly.

    Alexandria inclined her own head. "I can imagine. If you need guidance, you can look to us… should you wish," she said solicitously. If Contessa could be subverted from Doctor Mother? That could be a severe boon. Not all problems were caused by Servants, after all, and she was a rather effective troubleshooter.

    Though most of the time that took the form of shooting the trouble in question. Occasionally non-lethally.

    Something slowly prodded at the back of Alexandria's mind. Not a Master effect, though she often wished it was. A flash of conscience.

    She exhaled. "I won't lie. This plays rather neatly into my own plans." She grimaced. "I… I feel that we should do all we can to save the world. If 'all we can' tones down the atrocities we were forced to play party to beforehand? I'm open to other avenues, once they've proven themselves." Alexandria's eyes narrowed. "Grail's proven himself thus far. There are limits, but… I'm willing to gamble on him and see where this goes."

    Contessa nodded. "I haven't had direct interaction with him, so have observed from afar. I've come to a similar conclusion." She frowned. "None of our hands are clean. They never will be. But if we can do what's needed without dirtying them further? I won't turn my nose up at it. It's too easy to say 'there's no other choice' when it's what you've done for so long."

    Eidolon sighed. "Yeah. Hope can be pretty scary. Yamada told me, though, that if we don't let ourselves believe we can have nice things, we'll never get them. And that good things are worth working for. I'm going to work for this."

    Contessa gave an honest, childlike smile. "Then we're in agreement. Heavens, I never knew how… freeing it could be to step off of the Path."

    "When was the last time you did?" Alexandria said curiously.

    "I think I was… ten, or so? I made a grievous miscalculation, and had no desire to repeat the experience."

    Alexandria exchanged a quick look with Eidolon. "In that case, should you encounter something outside your realm of experience and can't path it… please contact David or I."

    Eidolon nodded. "Being in the thick of your power to that degree for that long? There were probably effects."

    Contessa gave a sheepish grin.

    "What?" Eidolon said tiredly.

    "Well, there were a few pieces I was able to simulate, and… I may have abused resources to get a few power players into Grail's Deluge when it happened. Including myself. I won't say I'll be fine, but I'm definitely better off than I was."

    Alexandria narrowed her eyes. "Which ones?"

    Contessa told them.

    Alexandria let her forehead collapse on the table while Eidolon let out a surprised cackle.

    "You and Grail will get along quite well, I think," Alexandria said dryly as she sat back up with a wry grin.

    Contessa smiled beatifically while Eidolon continued to laugh.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    I twitched minutely as skeletal warriors set a steaming pot of tea on the table, having just served everyone present.

    It was a smallish area in the courtyard, well-lit by the sun and large enough for five people to sit at.

    The five in question were Taylor, Da Vinci, Semiramis, Dinah, and myself. Fou had invited himself to sit in my lap.

    Semiramis smiled. "Thank you all for coming," she said coolly. "It's good to see that you had no problems finding the entrance hall."

    Translation: thanks for letting me know that you can just pop in through my wards. I'll be on the lookout for that.

    Dinah smiled widely. "So I want to join the Guild."

    I froze with my mouth half-open. "Eh?"

    Taylor shrugged. "Sure. Does that mean we can count on the Gardens as a secondary base?" she asked.

    "Uh-"

    "Of course you can join," Da Vinci said, an eager glint in her eye. "Between your power and Semiramis' fortress, you'll be valuable additions to the team. Not to mention her various areas of expertise."

    I settled back in my seat, stroking Fou's back.

    "Fou…"

    Semiramis continued to smile. "Does something displease you, Grail?" she asked.

    I frowned. "You won't hurt Dinah. That I've gathered. But I'm having trouble believing you'd help others out of the goodness of your heart."

    She shrugged. "I'm not without benefit in this either."

    Taylor leaned in. "How so?"

    Dinah giggled. "She wants people to acknowledge and praise her." The girl took on a crafty look. "I just pointed out that it would be easier to get that praise as a hero than as a villain."

    Semiramis nodded. "In my Garden, I am unstoppable. However, my range of movement is limited by speed. Responding to threats requiring me outside the Bay would be… troublesome." She turned to me. "That's where you come in."

    I blinked. "Eh?"

    She smirked. "You cannot teleport a building that is anchored, but my Gardens have no such issue. You will be the ferryman to expand my range so that I may take part in the greatest of conflicts, bringing peace by the sword." Her smugness grated on me. "I will happily demonstrate my power - for the betterment of mankind, of course."

    I exhaled slowly. "I guess there's not a whole lot of choice here."

    Semiramis inclined her head. "I would assume that you'd make the smart choice - allying with me comes with many benefits and few penalties. Our goals are in alignment." Her gaze softened. "I understand you are an idealist, Grail. But not all of us are. We were human, and retain our appetites from our lives. I desire adulation. Gilgamesh is much the same. Cu Chulainn thrives in battle. Da Vinci exists to create. Your Berserkers seek acceptance. We all have our drives. All I ask is that you work with mine, as you have with your own Servants."

    I winced. "Okay. That's fair."

    Dinah gave me a smaller smile. "So, I ran some numbers. 87% chance you'll be contacted by someone important to your goals or well-being in the next three hours. After that, 95% chance you'll have a free schedule."

    I blinked. "Oh. Okay. Thanks?"

    Dinah giggled. "Her highness is good at getting information for me to ask the right questions with. Between her network and Dragon's, I know I'll be of great help to you." Her expression took on a more serious cast. "That said, I'm staying up here until Coil is dealt with. It's just safer. My parents have lodging up here, and her majesty can ferry Dad to his job and back. I've been in contact with Uncle Roy, so he knows to help you with anything you need."

    Taylor gave a slow smile. "You know, the Docks are a huge mess. There'd be a fair bit of work in patching that area up, if your uncle were willing to contract to certain parties."

    "As well as restarting the ferry?" Dinah said in a faux-innocent tone.

    Taylor offered Dinah her hand. "I think we can work together just fine."

    Dinah beamed as she shook the offered hand. "I can't wait to meet everyone in person. Good luck getting rid of Coil!"

    Semiramis gave a minute cough. "I will, of course, offer any and all aid in that endeavor. Please keep in touch," she said, directing her last statement to Da Vinci.

    Da Vinci nodded. "Of course. Having a magus from the Age of Gods in our corner is no small thing. Tamamo is an excellent teacher, but her abilities are more intrinsic than taught. The budding magi in our organization could use a skilled mentor. My magecraft is no joke, but creating machines and working miracles of science are more my speed," she admitted.

    I nodded solemnly. "Yeah, the mag- Wait, what?"

    Taylor gave me a sheepish grin. "Sooo Illya tinkered a bit with Lisa, and now Lisa's learning different divination techniques. By herself."

    "Illyasviel gave Lisa magic circuits!? When!?" I said in shock.

    "About the same time she worked with me to digitize the recently deceased soul of Mouse Protector," Da Vinci said as she sipped her tea.

    A strangled noise escaped my throat.

    "So yeah. We're magus buddies! Also, Rin-sensei says she wants a workshop of her own, and she's marking out an area in the warehouse to herself. It's a little bigger than mine. Oh, Miss Sakura and Miss Illyasviel are also making workshops," Taylor rattled off.

    I whined in my throat.

    "Fouuuu." Fou's ears drooped beside his head.

    "At least Shirou doesn't need one? He's more of a spellcaster than magus," Da Vinci said offhandedly. "I've already started expansion on the warehouse; Dragon got me the permits rather quickly. Took less than twenty-four hours!"

    I glanced at Semiramis.

    "No. The only workshop permitted on the Hanging Gardens is mine," she said stiffly. "If you wish for residential space or storage, that is something I will afford you. Magecraft is finicky enough without mixing disciplines with ancient ways."

    "There's also two fledgeling Magicians in their number," Da Vinci said thoughtfully. "It would likely be… interesting to see how they compared."

    Semiramis shrugged elegantly. "I'm sure. Now, I believe that concludes our business?" she said politely.

    I looked at Da Vinci and Taylor. They both nodded.

    "Guess so."

    "Very well. I have my own preparations to make - namely summoning an appropriate guardian - but I will not force you to leave until you've finished your refreshments."

    Dinah grinned. "Thanks for bringing the cookies, Grail! They're great!"

    I cracked a small smile. "Anytime, Dinah. I'm glad you're okay."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Fou curled on my lap as I hit the button to accept the call. "Grail speaking."

    "This is Director Costa-Brown. Do you have a moment?"

    I blinked. "I can make time."

    There was a sound of shifting paper. "It's come to my attention that you've suffered severe mental injury during your battle with the dragons," she said after a moment. "Your power - the healing ability - doesn't seem to work on yourself, no?"

    I exhaled. "No."

    Apparently it worked on everyone else, though. Mark Dallon's depression had vanished overnight, being a case of imbalanced hormones rather than inset from life experience. He was assuming the role of model husband and father; attentive, loving, and supportive to his daughter and spouse. Carol, on the other hand, was… better? But not on speaking terms with her daughter. Given her paranoia came from her trigger event, that was understandable. Not everything could be washed away with magic, after all.

    "I see. Then, after conversing with both Director Piggot and Dragon, I would like to offer you the use of the PRT's counseling services. Unfortunately, the person we have lined up for you will be unavailable until mid-April, should you choose to accept. They are on a high-sensitivity case at the moment, and until we are certain the patient won't relapse, we'd prefer they maintain a full-time presence in Texas."

    "I… see?" I sighed. Ignoring my issues wouldn't get me anywhere. "Yeah, I need help. Please?"

    "Of course," Rebecca said with a startling amount of warmth. "Then as soon as we can, we will station Jessica Yamada in Brockton Bay."

    Oh. That's. That's a thing.

    "Thank you, Director Costa-Brown."

    "Please call me Rebecca. I get the feeling we'll be working closely from now on. Ah, and one more thing."

    "Yes?"

    "An… associate of mine. She's become interested in your work, and seems quite supportive of it. If you see her, please be welcoming. She's fond of interesting hats, so you'll likely know her on sight."

    Wait. Contessa was throwing her weight behind me? What?

    "I. I see. I'm flattered by her confidence."

    "Mm, yes. She's already in town and has experienced your work firsthand. It helped clear up a few misconceptions of hers."

    Translation: you hit her with the healing rain, and she had some kind of problem her power exacerbated. And now it's not a problem anymore.

    "I'm glad I could help."

    Rebecca chuckled. "Trust me, a good few people are. Not all of them," she said with a warning tone, "but enough that your life won't have many problems from certain corners for a while."

    I froze. "I may need an explanation further down the line, Rebecca. Just to make sure I understand what that all means."

    She hummed. "Understandable. I'll be in touch, then? There's an appointment I have to tend to, so it'll likely be tomorrow at the earliest."

    "Of course, I won't keep you, Rebecca. Please don't hesitate to call if you need something of me."

    "Likewise, Grail. Have a good day."

    I hung up, and stared down at Fou, who was scratching his long ears.

    "Well buddy, it looks like it's Coil season," I purred darkly.

    Fou's eyes opened, and his mouth stretched into a small, fanged grin. "Kyuu."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Rebecca hung up her phone and gazed at the person across from her. She adjusted her collar, hiding the new red marks on her shoulder. She exhaled. "I'm sure Grail won't be the only one needing guiding," she said wryly. "But that's why you're here, isn't it?"

    The woman's violet eyes were gentle, as was her smile. "You've fallen from where you were. It's my job to get you back there, Alexandria."

    Rebecca laughed bitterly. "That's a hell of a long road… Ruler."

    Ruler shook her head. "Please, call me Jeanne."

    The Chief Director smirked. "Then by all means, call me Rebecca."

    Jeanne smiled as she adjusted the flag over her shoulder. "Then we know where to begin, yes?"

    Rebecca nodded. "We're starting with the Travelers. They were in town during the Deluge. Apparently one of them had taken a partial vial, and was rendered monstrous as a result. The Deluge couldn't keep any of her power, so she was utterly transformed; the excess burned off." Her eyes pierced into Jeanne's. "She can't fall into Archimedes' or Doctor Mother's hands. They'd try to experiment on her, and with the methods available, I don't doubt they'd carve through the Travelers to do so."

    Jeanne nodded. "Hiding them with Legend or Eidolon would be advisable. Enkidu carries enough power to deter Archimedes from making a forward attack, and Eidolon has enough power that his aegis is equally attractive, with the added bonus that he too has a Servant. We cannot place all our burdens on Grail and Dragon."

    Rebecca crossed her arms. "I still can't believe both David and I became contractors."

    Jeanne smiled. "I don't doubt that Grail will be surprised when the two of us show up."

    Rebecca nodded. "Yes. We'll need to meet him in private to truly debrief him. Hopefully he'll permit us to have Contessa in attendance."

    The Saint shrugged. "I'm sure that Grail will understand. All you've said of him has indicated as such." She smiled once more. "I look forward to this journey of ours, Rebecca."

    "If you say so," the Director said, returning to her work.

    Still, Jeanne could see the hint of a smile on her face.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    I stretched out as I lay on the grassy bank near the lakeside. Cu sat next to me, line in the water and patiently watching for a bite.

    "So when do you wanna eat?" Cu asked.

    I shrugged as I stared at the clouds. "Whenever. Before dark, preferably. I mean, it's what, a bit after one? We have time."

    Fou crawled on my chest and curled up with a yawn.

    "So where're the kids?" Cu asked.

    I grinned. "Fran's collecting some early-blooming flowers. I'm glad I found her that flower-pressing kit. I'm sure she'll be happy to preserve them."

    "And Asterios?"

    I shrugged again. "He's staying out of trouble, I think."

    I heard a few soft thuds, and felt myself be picked up.

    "Oh. Hey."

    Asterios gazed down at me curiously, then set me down again. This time my head was in Cu's lap.

    "Really, big guy? Jeeze. Sorry Cu, I'll just-"

    Cu placed a hand on my head. "It's fine." I didn't look up, but I heard the smile in his voice.

    I relaxed and leaned on him for a while as Asterios sprawled out next to me.

    I blinked as Fran blocked the sun out, clasping the book in her arms.

    "Hey, sweetheart. Find any good ones?"

    "Yes," she said with a nod. She had a small smile. She gently sat down, arranging her skirts so that they would fit on a blanket we'd brought.

    Asterios let out a small yawn and buried his face in my collarbone while Fran took my free hand and held it in hers. My other hand was stroking Fou's fur.

    Cu hummed contentedly as he continued to watch the sun glint off of the lake.

    Fou let out a small purring sound.

    "Maybe we can eat in a little while."

    "Uhn."

    "Let's give it a few minutes," said Cu, gently scratching the top of my head with a free hand.

    Fran nodded quietly, face serene.

    I slowly exhaled and let myself drift.

    It was warm, quiet, comforting. I felt safe… and happy, too.

    After everything, I needed a break like this.

    It was really nice.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    The brunette with the bun tore into her burger while the dark-skinned man across from her watched with amusement. While both were striking in their own way, they weren't dressed to stand out. Also, Fugly Bob's was having a slow lunch day.

    "I'll say this, you've definitely improved by leaps since that rainfall," he said in a deep voice.

    She gave him a wan smirk. "It definitely helps that I can leave a lot of my past behind. Maybe not my old ghosts, but… that's what the plan is for."

    "The plan?" he said to her.

    "First, I go see my friend. See if she's better now, like me. Then, I turn myself in to the Guild and hope this Grail guy is as nice as he seems to be."

    The man hummed. "You could get away with reinventing yourself on your own."

    She snorted. "For a little while. If I want to leave that part of me behind, I'm still gonna need a lot of help." She paused, and smiled. "That said, I am grateful for all your help, Rider. You've been a true friend, and I'll never forget that."

    The man leaned back in his seat, smiling indulgently. "The Pharaoh's heart is as noble as the sun, and open to all of his subjects. How could I turn you away when you were so clearly in need?"

    The girl snorted. "And just like that, moment's over."

    Rider hummed. "So tell me. Your powers have changed drastically since the Deluge, and your old wounds have all washed away. What will you call yourself?"

    "Well, King of Kings," the girl drawled, "I was thinking Phoenix would fit me pretty well. It's not taken by anyone - surprisingly - and it fits so much it almost hurts. As for my friends?" she asked rhetorically.

    She lit a small, white flame on her fingertip.

    "You can call me Mimi."
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Rite 5.1
  • Threadmarks
    • A/N: Mild Content Warnings: Non-human biology played for laughs (with darker implications later), implications that Grail's way more messed up than by just Prelati or Archie murdering him, and general sad.

    Rite 5.1

    I roughly scrubbed at what passed for skin on my body under the scalding water. Strictly speaking, I didn't need to bathe - dirt didn't stick to me, I didn't excrete sweat or anything else, all food particles were directly assimilated and converted to fuel at a 1:1 ratio… But after the dream I'd had, I was feeling in need of a good shower.

    Prelati sure knew how to leave his mark on a person.

    I turned the water off, and grabbed a towel and dried myself quickly.

    "Hey, I heard the shower and Dragon says we're about out of hot water, what's going- uh."

    Emiya blinked owlishly at me as I stood there in all my glory.

    "Yes?" I wasn't in my base form, so I guess it was a little awkward…

    "You're uh. Missing. A few things."

    "I'm aware. It's intentional."

    Emiya nodded. "Right." He closed the door.

    "DA VINCI, WHY DOES OUR MASTER LOOK LIKE A CHILD'S DOLL?"

    Muffled yelling came from the living room.

    "WHAT DO YOU MEAN, WHAT DO I MEAN? HE JUST TRIED TO SCORCH HIS SKIN OFF, AND HIS… STUFF IS MISSING!"

    I heard several muffled thumps, and a startled grunt from Emiya. The door cracked open as I stood there dumbly.

    Cu poked his head in and gave me a once-over. "You ok?"

    "Y-yes?"

    He nodded brusquely. "Alright. I'll get the shitty Archer-" He paused. "Shitty Alter-Ego out of your hair. You dry off and get ready for your meeting today. I'll see if I can't rustle up some food for you."

    I smiled at him. "Thanks, Cu. I appreciate it."

    Cu's cheeks turned slightly pink. "Glad to help," he said with a grin. He pulled his head out of the bathroom door, and I heard muffled yelling commence.

    …

    I finished drying off and manifested one of my standard outfits.
    ___________________________________________________________________________

    Gilgamesh sat across from me as I ate the meal Cu had made me, fingers tented together.

    "So… there's nothing. Down there," he said flatly.

    I gave him a glance. "No. I wasn't using them for anything, so I dealt away with both my reproductive and digestive systems. Everything I consume is absorbed into energy at a 1:1 ratio. This way I don't have the problem of needing to pee immediately after going to bed."

    Gilgamesh and Emiya were both quiet.

    Da Vinci stalked in and brought her gauntlet down on Emiya's head.

    "Oww!"

    "You're making him uncomfortable! And you, Gilgamesh - you know damn well why he'd do this, so stop acting a fool," she snapped. She gave me an exasperated look.

    I shrugged. "Cu was pretty chill about it."

    Da Vinci raised her eyebrows. "Really?"

    Cu hummed. "It's his body, he can do what he likes. Given he's got Self-Modification, that's especially true," he said with a laugh at the end.

    Medusa strolled in. "What's this all about?"

    "The harem protagonist and the guy Arthur's dating are both confused that I don't have a dick."

    She opened her mouth, then closed it. "I'm not sure what I was expecting. Cu! Vodka!"

    "Yes'm," Cu chortled.

    Of course, all that was left was for Arthur and ZZ to walk onto the scene as Medusa proceeded to down the entire bottle of grey goose.

    "Why?" Arthur said mildly.

    "Everyone else is finding out about my physical condition."

    ZZ nodded sympathetically.

    Arthur merely said "Ah."

    Da Vinci rounded on them. "Pardon?"

    Arthur shrugged. "He was in the shower and I walked in on accident. I grew up with Merlin; I've seen stranger things."

    ZZ gave the room a flat look. "As Endbringers, our gender is largely aesthetic. It just so happens that my aesthetic is flying out and knocking boots with everyone who swipes right on my dating profile. Humans are pretty hot."

    "Uh," Emiya said intelligently.

    ZZ arched an eyebrow at him. "Are you offering?"

    "No!" he yelped.

    "I can't get pregnant, or carry or contract diseases. You sure?"

    "Yes!"

    ZZ gave me a look. "I thought you said he had a harem."

    "He mostly got them on accident. He's kind of clueless."

    Emiya sputtered indignantly.

    "Besides, that's Shirou. Nanashi's a little lower key about all that, I think."

    Cu wheezed, covering his face with his hands.

    Emiya groaned. "Why me? Why this? I want to go home."

    Gilgamesh lightly patted him on the shoulder. "You are home, Faker. You are home."

    "Uhn?" Asterios said as he poked his head in.

    "Uuu," Fran replied from the living room.

    "Oh. Kay." Asterios retreated.

    I shook my head and turned back to my pancakes.

    Instead I found Fou on a spotless plate, belly up and utterly rotund.

    "That was an entire stack, you thief!"

    "Fou."

    "How dare you!"

    "Fou."

    "Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!"

    "KYUU!?"
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Rebecca calmly sipped her tea as I twitched in my seat. "I find myself wondering why your little friend is gnawing on your head, Grail."

    "I impugned his parentage."

    She nodded. "I see." She sipped her tea again as Fou proceeded to gnaw on my ear.

    "He stole my breakfast first!"

    Fou's gnawing slowed.

    "I had a really bad night, and was looking forward to those pancakes."

    "Fou."

    "...I forgive you. Sorry for talking smack about your parents."

    Fou licked my ear gingerly.

    Rebecca finished her tea. "Richard and David will be along shortly. I wanted to request your permission for Fortuna to join us."

    I perked up. "So she's really on board?"

    Rebecca inclined her head. "Apparently her overuse of the Path was detrimental, so your Deluge altered her power to have more breadth but force her into shorter routes, so to speak."

    I gave a low whistle.

    "Indeed, it is a true blessing that she is no longer opposed to our agenda," said the blonde that manifested next to Rebecca.

    I began to realize why there were eight chairs at our small table in the back of the coffee shop.

    "Jeanne D'Arc. Or would you prefer Ruler?" I said curiously.

    Jeanne smiled. "Jeanne is fine, Grail."

    I nodded. "Okay. Right. So yes, Fortuna can join us."

    "Excellent," Rebecca said, punching a quick text into her phone.

    I bit into the muffin I'd gotten at the front desk as we waited.

    Richard strolled in, Enkidu at his back.

    "Grail," he greeted amicably. I waved at him as I continued to gnaw on the pastry.

    David was next to arrive. He sat on the other side of the table. A young woman in a yellow and orange dress with red flowers in her hair materialized.

    David gently brushed a strand of hair out of her face, and she smiled abashedly.

    I narrowed my eyes. "Mata Hari?"

    She ducked her head. "Yes. It's nice to meet you, Grail. David's spoken kindly of you."

    I hummed. "How long have you two been around?" I said, motioning at her and Jeanne.

    Jeanne coughed. "I appeared a few days ago."

    Mata Hari smiled. "David had started therapy, and I was summoned."

    Interesting.

    The last chair, directly next to me, was pulled back, and a woman in a fedora took her seat.

    "So that's everyone," Rebecca said firmly.

    David took a long pull of coffee. "Yep," he said in a dark tone.

    I blinked at him. "You okay?"

    He waved me off. "I'll live. Mostly just… annoyed."

    Fortuna sighed. "It's a little complex." She frowned. "Actually, it's really simple, and kind of stupid."

    Rebecca looked me in the eye, then turned to Legend. "Richard. If Clark was alive right now, he'd try to fry all three of us. And he'd be justified."

    Richard's eyes slowly widened as Rebecca began to explain the depth and breadth of Cauldron's schemes, up to but excluding the enemy they were gearing up to fight.

    His hands shook as he gripped them tightly together. "That's… a lot," he said softly.

    Enkidu placed a placating hand on his Master's arm.

    David was very interested in his coffee, while Mata Hari gently rubbed his back.

    I exhaled. "Richard. That they're coming to us with this means they're trying to turn over a new leaf." I looked Fortuna in the eye. "Trying being the operative word, I'm guessing?"

    Fortuna nodded. "Eva isn't… She's not on board. Kurt might be, later, but for now he's neutral." She rubbed her hands together. "Eva is in charge mostly because she works with Kurt and myself to manufacture the vials. She has access to each parahuman asset in the base and primary control - she can override Eidolon, Alexandria, and myself. Number Man as well. We thought it was a safe precaution, given the circumstances, but…"

    Richard crossed his arms. "So the main thing keeping you from working with us is this 'Doctor Mother'?" He said with a raised eyebrow.

    David smirked. "We'll be working with you regardless."

    Fortuna nodded. "I've been stationed here to 'secure our interests'. If Eva decides to get angry that I helped facilitate Coil's downfall, she has her vague wording to blame."

    I shrugged. "Sounds good to me. So was there anything else?"

    Fortuna nodded. "There were four other potentials I placed in the Deluge. They've been healed, and are at large. They will not be a threat to you or your designs, and will most likely help."

    David waved. "One's a 'Noelle Meinhardt'. She's going to stay in Texas with me while her friends moonlight as independent heroes."

    I snickered. "The Travellers as heroes. That's new." I sobered immediately after. "How is Noelle?"

    Rebecca's face became grave. "Her power was removed utterly. Preliminary examination reveals that she has a mana-based ability in its place. She seems to be a high-grade power nullifier, as well as magic."

    I felt my eyes widen. "What."

    "Upon conferring with Jeanne, we've decided to call them 'Mystic Eyes of Equilibrium.' They seal away Noble Phantasms, Skills, and Powers alike. She can select targets, and remove anything besides intrinsic physical traits. Brutes are reduced to a baseline, and Servants are reduced to what Jeanne terms an 'E-' rank in all parameters, apparently."

    I let out a massive exhale. "Holy shit. That kind of power…"

    Rebecca nodded. "You've got your own issues up here. That's why David's in charge of her welfare. Him, the Texas Protectorate - who have all been briefed - and the Travellers."

    "So… who's watching her now?" I said slowly.

    Rebecca smirked. "David has agreed to let your Servants watch her when he has to leave the area. He can teleport, so we aren't dependent on Eva for that."

    I nodded. "Okay. Good to know. So you dropped her off with someone before coming here?"

    David nodded. "She's with Da Vinci."

    I made a low keening noise in my throat.

    "...she's going to be there a while after we're done, isn't she," David said sheepishly.

    "Mm-hm," I said with a nod.

    Fortuna coughed. "There's more. Burnscar and Bonesaw were both exposed, and both had manifested Servants beforehand."

    I wheezed. "So, what, is Jack Slash going to come recruiting here or something?"

    Fortuna shook her head. "Unlikely. He just recruited one replacement, and for all his aspirations he knows he's not ready for your group yet. He'll likely go wandering elsewhere."

    I grimaced. "Lovely. So they're both… stable?"

    Rebecca nodded. "Phoenix - that's Mimi, or Burnscar - was last spotted going to the Palanquin. She's likely visiting her friend, Labyrinth. We predict that the guilt she felt over using her powers will drive her and her Servant directly into your arms." She paused. "We've observed power usage, and she's lost the finer aspects of her control, as well as her teleportation ability. This was exchanged for sanity, as well as…" she trailed off. She seemed almost… nervous?

    Richard blinked. "As well as what, Rebecca?"

    "A Blaster 12 rating. She can hit things with all the heat of a solar flare, and leave everything but the target untouched. And she can sustain these in rough forms - walls, pillars, jets and the like. Her shaping's crude, but her power could likely take on Crawler and come out on top," David said flatly.

    I choked on air.

    Richard sighed lowly. "At least she has a conscience, now."

    "And Riley?" I asked Fortuna.

    She shook her head. "She's laying low, for now. While some of her damage came from her passenger, a good amount of it came from her experiences with the Nine themselves. I think she'll come to you, but you need to give her space and time to decide that on her own."

    I nodded. "Okay, who was the last one?"

    At this, Fortuna began picking at her nails.

    "Erm," Rebecca said nervously.

    Neither she nor David would meet my eyes. Fortuna whistled tunelessly.

    Richard tapped his foot impatiently. "Alright, you three. Whoever 'fesses up first gets off lightly."

    Mata Hari giggled.

    "Glastig Uaine!" they said as one, glaring at each other immediately after.

    404 Error. Grail not found.

    Jeanne lightly poked my forehead with her finger. "I think you broke him."

    "Fouuuuu…"

    Richard slowly stood up. "I am going home. Do not speak to me for three days. I'm not cutting contact completely, I just need a little time with my husband, and sane adversaries like the Teeth and the Adepts," he said hollowly. He turned to me. "Grail, I am so sorry. If you need any help cleaning up their mess and they can't, call me."

    I nodded robotically as he and Enkidu left.

    Fou lightly swatted my forehead as he perched on top of my head. "Fou?"

    "I want off Miss Fortuna's Wild Ride…"

    "Fouuuu…"
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    After that, we went our separate ways. Rebecca and Jeanne went back to San Francisco, David and Mata Hari returned to Texas (after a brief stop by the warehouse to pry poor Noelle away from Da Vinci), and Fortuna wandered away uptown after favoring me with a coy grin.

    "Well that went well," a voice said a little below my shoulder.

    "Yeah, surprisingly."

    "Definitely. All of that secret shit is really impressive. You know some reaaaal movers and shakers, cup dude."

    "Thanks Aisha."

    "..."

    "..."

    "'Sup."

    "So you know all that is secret on so many levels, right?"

    "Duh. I like a good prank, but I'm not a fucking moron. My lips are sealed, if only because I like breathing."

    I turned to face the young woman. She was wearing some fairly tight-fitting clothes, and stood there with her arms crossed.

    "Chances are Fortuna knew you were there and didn't say anything because she thought it was funny."

    "Really?" she drawled.

    "Thinker 12."

    "Okay, really," Aisha said sheepishly.

    Fou looked down at her curiously. "Fou?"

    "Aw snap. Dude, lemme pet your dog! He's so fucking cute!" Aisha gushed.

    "One: he's not a dog. He's an eons-old superbeast that specializes in genocide. Two: if he wants pets, you will know. For example: three, two, one-"

    "Huh- MMF"

    Fou looked up at me from where he had planted himself around Aisha's neck like a living mink stole.

    Aisha gave me a disgruntled look while she pet Fou. "Right. Anyways, you guys are pretty much The Law now, right?"

    "We work with the Protectorate, but… yeah, pretty much. Don't say it too loud, we've got a good relationship with Piggot and she helps more than she hurts."

    Aisha mimed zipping her lips, then actually got serious. "So. If I join the Wards, I get shipped off. I join you, I stay here. No-brainer, right?"

    "Riiiight?"

    "Cool. My hiring price is this: you get my brother out from under Coil's thumb. His stupid ass, despite my repeated insistence that there's a new game in town, is convinced that it's his only option."

    "...I'm kind of planning on kicking Coil's nuts into orbit."

    "Hell yes. Knew you was my kinda boss."

    "Strictly speaking, that's Dragon."

    "And the day-to-day?"

    "...toss up between Da Vinci, Weaver, and myself depending on what the op is."

    "I rest my case," Aisha said smugly as she scritched Fou's ears.

    I exhaled. "Okay. So, before you join, let me give you a rundown on folks who will react badly if you prank them. And not in the fun way."

    Aisha grunted. "Yeah, not gonna fuck with people who can probably kill me if they can't take a joke, even if they wouldn't."

    "Right. So for starters, there's Gilgamesh…"
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    We got the the warehouse in a decent amount of time.

    "Rin's in her workshop, and Illyasviel is helping Lisa run through familiar creation. If you see vaguely metallic pigeons around the city, you know where they came from," Da Vinci said as she tinkered.

    ZZ manipulated a set of small sheets of metal as she focused on her current project.

    I walked Aisha over to Taylor. "Hey, this is Imp, she's new. Can you get her to Dragon for paperwork? Also… How old are you?"

    "15," Aisha said promptly.

    "Okay… we'll probably need parental permission."

    "Good luck. My dad won't care and my mom…" she hesitated.

    Taylor's expression softened. "Why don't you tell me about your situation and we'll see if I can't figure out a plan of action?"

    Aisha blinked. "Oh...kay?"

    "This is Weaver, by the by. Have fun, you two!" I called as I strolled off.

    I almost immediately walked into Sakura.

    "Whoop! Sorry, Sakura. Wasn't paying attention. You guys settling in well?" I asked.

    She nodded, eyes intent. "Would you mind going for a walk with me? I'd like to familiarize myself with the city."

    I shrugged. "Sure."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Sakura was quiet as we continued to stroll down the sidewalk.

    "So tell me about yourself," she said softly.

    "Uh. I'm in my late twenties? I like reading, gaming, and occasionally going outside. I like baking - it's soothing."

    Sakura hummed. "Interesting. I'm fond of cooking too, especially with Shirou." She gave a wan smile. "Sweets are particularly soothing to make, no?"

    "Uh… yeah."

    We continued to walk in silence until we reached a small park.

    "Prelati caught you."

    I froze.

    "The way you've bounced back… this isn't the first time something of that nature happened to you, is it?"

    "...he couldn't hurt me physically, so he went for me emotionally. I saw a lot of people killed and burned. Not always both."

    Sakura nodded as she turned to face me. "He took your agency from you. Trapped you, hurt you for his amusement."

    I swallowed. "Yeah."

    Her eyes narrowed. "Is it part of your condition? To distance yourself from your emotions so easily?"

    I was quiet.

    She crossed her arms.

    "...no. I've had practice."

    She nodded. "I thought as much."

    I snapped my gaze up at her. "Don't get me wrong. Back in my first life, I had a good life. I had friends and family who loved me, and I loved them back. It was a life worth living."

    Sakura held her hands out placatingly. "I understand. But there were still dark times in your life." Her eyes bored into mine. "People who hurt you, who you couldn't stop."

    I bit my lip. "Yeah. When I… Things can get acrimonious, when you can't give people what they need."

    Her eyes didn't waver. "What they need, or what they want?"

    I clenched my fists. "This conversation is over. I'm going back to the warehouse."

    Sakura nodded placidly. "Very well. You can't run from your past forever, you know," she said, striding forward.

    She paused as she was about to pass me. "Especially when the Hound of Chulainn himself is chasing you."

    I whirled on my heel to snarl at her, but she'd already vanished in a swirl of darkness.

    "...she's full of shit." I whispered to the empty air.

    "One wonders," the air replied, as a young woman in black rags strode out of nothingness.

    I stumbled backwards, then held my ground. "Your highness."

    Ciara's eyes were bright and lively. "Now, now. Let's not pretend, Grail. I'll still use my title, but I'm more… aware of the intricacies of the passengers." Her mouth curled into a mirthless smile. "Faeries indeed."

    I felt my eyes narrow. "To what do I owe the honor?"

    Glastig Uaine let out a tinkling laugh. "You? Owe? You've granted me power as such I've never dreamed of." She smirked. "I am here to repay a great debt I owe you, at least in part. When I bathed in your rain, I had a vision, and I have come to give you knowledge."

    I swallowed. "What knowledge?"

    "Your parameters, such as they are now. You live, so can evolve. Change is possible." She narrowed her eyes. "But to evolve, you must know what you are capable of. You have awareness of your Phantasms, that is good. But you need more."

    I nodded slowly.

    She gave a bright smile, and an airy sigh. "Wonderful. Let me begin." Her eyes gleamed. "Firstly, your body. You were created as a defender, so your offensive abilities are lacking deeply. Your Strength would be an E-, your Agility D. Your Luck is C. All others are so high as to be unquantifiable."

    <Updating data. Physical and Mystic Parameters set.>

    "Next, your skills. You have Charisma of E+. This explains the ease with which you convince the mighty to lend you an ear, if not to obey you."

    <Charisma E+ acknowledged. Prior usage recorded. Engaging passive.>

    "Your power truly lies in your Prana Generation. It is unquantifiable. Further, so is the spread of magic you inflict on the world, known as Arcana Flood."

    <Prana Generation EX acknowledged. Increasing output above minimum. Arcana Flood EX acknowledged. Intensifying saturation process.>

    "You have the power of Self-Modification. You can sacrifice some of your Parameters to improve others temporarily. This includes the manifestation of the Greater Grail. Your rank is D."

    <Self-Modification D acknowledged. Minor self defense augments permitted. Local terminology Brute 2 potential. Greater Grail filed under skill as rank EX. Deployment time reduced.>

    "Lastly, your Inhuman Form. It combines with your magic and Endurance to make you ever more potent a guardian."

    <Inhuman Form A++ acknowledged. Reapplying Endbringer Template. Hyperdensity achieved. Mystery compounded. Skill passive engaged.>

    Glastig Uaine folded her hands in front of her. "That is what I saw."

    I nodded again. "Thank you, Glastig Uaine. I appreciate the insight."

    She smiled briefly. "I am sure we will meet again in the future, Grail. I have much to go and see in this world. There is so very much to do to prepare."

    "Yeah."

    Glastig Uaine's body seemed to bend and warp, then vanished.

    I exhaled. "Yeah."

    I heard the sound of jogging coming up behind me.

    I turned, and saw Shirou.

    "Hey, Sakura said you needed a minute, but… you want to walk home together?" he offered.

    I paused. After a moment, I responded. "Sure."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Shirou walked next to me quietly.

    I didn't break the silence. We just strode onward together, not ignoring each other but… It wasn't bad.

    We paused outside of the apartments.

    "She means well," Shirou blurted.

    I blinked.

    "Sakura. I know she probably upset you. She said she wanted to confront you, get you to open up about… everything. Probably because she blames herself a little for not opening up to me," he said sheepishly. Shirou's gaze sharpened. "She says that what Medusa told her… she sees some of herself in you, and she's not happy about it. She's decided to help you, or try I guess."

    I rubbed my face. "I could use a little less help."

    Shirou hummed. "I mean. Maybe if you figured out how to use the help you were getting, people wouldn't try to force more on you? Sorry, that doesn't make any sense."

    I laughed bitterly. "It makes more sense than you think, Mr. Hero. Thanks for the insight."

    Shirou nodded. "Yeah. So… Cu Chulainn."

    "What about him." My tone was clipped.

    "He's a good listener, I hear. Well, once they started getting along, Saber - I mean Artoria - said that he made a good sounding board for some of her stuff. I'm just saying, if you start to feel overburdened, he's not a bad person to confide in. He's never struck me as the judgmental type, or at least not overly so."

    I nodded slowly. "I see."

    "And if you want, I'm here too."

    I twitched. "Trust me, Shirou. You don't want to deal with my baggage."

    He lightly shouldered me, and I looked him in the face. He was smiling.

    "Who was the one who just called me 'Mr. Hero'? You know Heroes save people, right?"

    "Do I need saving?" I said dryly.

    "Do you?"

    I was quiet, for a moment. "Maybe. But I don't know if you can."

    Shirou sighed. "Forgive me for trying?"

    "Try away. I hope you succeed."

    "Yeah. A lot of people are going to try. Someone's going to help you. That's a promise," Shirou said in a firm voice.

    I gave a short laugh. "Here's hoping. I'm kind of a mess, if you haven't noticed."

    Shirou gave me a look.

    I grinned at him. "Fair enough."

    I waved at him as I opened my apartment up.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    The living room was empty save for Taylor sitting in a recliner, nursing a mug of tea.

    Her gaze found mine, and she pointed imperiously at the couch.

    I sat.

    "Right. So I'm going to make this quick," she said in a calm tone. "People are worried. You got your head fucked with, and you didn't exactly come to us with a squeaky clean bill of mental health. Not to be a hypocrite or anything, but there's a concern about how you're holding up, and how much of it is fake."

    I blinked.

    "So here's what I want. I'm going to tell you everything. Everything that happened to me before, everything I'm going through now, etcetera. Then, you're going to return the favor."

    I opened my mouth.

    She held up a finger. "It's gonna suck. For me as well as you. But we both need to get better, and even if it won't change things, the burden will be lighter. Also, good practice for when that PRT shrink finally hits town. We need to clear our heads if we're fighting Coil and Squid-boy, or they'll keep building on what's already there."

    I closed my mouth.

    She swallowed the last of her tea. "So, this is optional. But I'd really, really prefer if we did it. Can you trust me with this?"

    I nodded, briefly.

    She gave me a fierce smile. "Good. Because I'm trusting you with it, too."

    I exhaled. "Alright. Hit me."

    Taylor inclined her head. "It all started back in '08, when my mom passed away..."

    Neither of us got much sleep that night, given we were talking from sundown to well past dawn. Somehow, though? I couldn't bring myself to mind.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Rite 5.2
  • Threadmarks
    • A/N: Content Warnings: Human Resources (people used to make things). Ramifications of brain re-alignment for former induced sociopathy. Discussion of past sexual assault.

    Rite 5.2

    I yawned behind my hand as I watched Dragon slowly infiltrate the systems in Coil's base. "I'm kind of surprised you got this far, this fast. It's been a week since Cauldron stepped back."

    Dragon hummed absentmindedly as yet another set of IPs were flagged for secondary investigation. "Do remember that I'm able to make multiple streams of thought, allowing me to multitask at transhuman levels. Which is your fault, by the way. Also I can directly interface with data. Because, you know. AI?"

    Cu's eyes were wide as he read some of the files Dragon had copied over my shoulder. "Shite. This bastard's got his hand in a lot of pies."

    "Paydirt," Dragon said suddenly in a dark tone.

    She pulled up a camera feed.

    Oh. Oh God.

    Cu exhaled. "Yep. That's Prelati's book at work alright."

    "So now we go to Piggot and Costa-Brown," Dragon said in a faux-enthusiastic tone.

    I nodded sharply. "That's proof."

    "Grail, that's the beginnings of New Ellisburg," Dragon said in a high-pitched voice. "That… you know how it's a little hard, sometimes, to quantify what earns a kill order? That's the sort of thing that earns one all by itself."

    I nodded. "Right."

    "Jay-sus. Those tenta-fuckers were made of people?" I heard Aisha say in a sickened tone.

    Cu blinked. "When'd you get here?"

    Aisha gave a sickly smirk. "I've been here since the get-go."

    I hummed. "Interesting. Your power makes most people forget you exist, but I didn't forget so much as not notice you were here."

    Cu grunted. "Probably works like Presence Concealment to us."

    I nodded. "So if you get cornered by Coil's goons, you can slip away. But be aware," I said as she started to preen, "that attacking breaks Presence Concealment, and they will know exactly where you are until you hide again. And in a fight, especially a Servant level fight, a lot can happen in a second or two."

    "Fascinating. Let's get back to how Coil's decided to double up on precognition and biotinkering?" Dragon said heatedly.

    I shrugged. "I mean. I told you? And you believed me?"

    "Yes, but this is different!"

    Cu and I exchanged a glance. "How?" he said.

    "I assumed they were made of dead matter, which is bad enough. Those are living sacrifices."

    I winced. "Yeah… Prelati might be bad, but Gilles is worse. Depending on the point of view, it might be better we got Prelati."

    "...how."

    "Well, Prelati can't use his book himself, as I told you. Also, for all his mindbending, he's comparatively restrained."

    "Restrained?"

    "Gilles likes to make furniture out of people. Namely children. Prelati's bad, but Gilles is the sort of guy who Jack would let into the Slaughterhouse without testing."

    I saw Dragon's avatar grit her teeth. "Duly noted. Now what do we do about," she waved her arms, "all of this?"

    I narrowed my eyes. "Compile the evidence, prepare a briefing, and we get it to Piggot to get to Costa-Brown. Then we wait for either a kill order to be issued, or the PRT to build a strike team."

    Dragon nodded. Then she paused. "In what ways is Prelati worse than Gilles?"

    "Actual magecraft, equal sadism. He's also got a preference for more intimate, mental torture. He likes to play with specific fears and feelings. Further, he's actually got the charisma to start a cult if he puts his mind to it, rather than be a lone wolf serial killer. Also he started Gilles de Rais down his bloody path, so that can't be forgotten."

    Dragon nodded again. "Understood. Alright, get ready to talk to Piggot. I'll have the briefing ready in fifteen. I'll attend via a suit, choose which Servants to bring."

    "I want in," Aisha said quickly.

    I gave her a look.

    "Hey, I got you that address," she said pointedly. "My bro might not have seen the tentacle things, but he's been in the same building as them. I'm pulling every string I can to get him out."

    I inclined my head. "Fair enough. Just follow my lead, alright? Piggot doesn't play. She's military, through and through."

    Aisha flashed me a thumbs up. "Roger that, bossman."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    I shot Lisa a look as she dragged me to Alec's apartment. "I fail to see what I need to be involved for."

    "He hasn't left his place in a week, and I'm pretty sure it's your fault," Lisa said flatly.

    I blinked. "Eh?"

    "Alec was a functional borderline sociopath. His head was the poster child for 'this is your brain after getting Master blasted'. Your rain came down. Do the math, genius," she snarked.

    "So… what, he has feelings?"

    "Yeah. Including a newfound sense of guilt. Before I hired him, Alec did some shady shit. Before he escaped his dad? He did some downright terrible shit."

    "Uh."

    "Yes, I'm talking about the rape."

    I let out a hissing breath through my teeth. "Lisa, I am so far from the right person for this it isn't funny."

    She gave me a long stare. "If we don't do something, he will literally let himself waste away in there. Rachel and I have been making sure he eats."

    "Eh?"

    "Fortunately for her, your rain knocked her power over the metaphorical head. She's slowly learning to parse human body language and intent. Also she's calmed all the hell down. Good for her! Also good for Alec, because she's the one who had enough free time to make sure he didn't croak. I didn't want him shipped off to a psychiatric house where people would only see a former villain, so I had to pretend everything was fine."

    We finally arrived at the door, which was unlocked. Lisa opened it.

    "Look. I'm sorry for pinning this on you, but… you're the only person who might make him see sense. He liked you on some level before, and I'm hoping that holds true now."

    I strode inside, and took stock.

    Alec sat on the couch, balled in a blanket and shooting me a peevish look. "Hi. I have deep and unpleasant feelings. I don't want to talk about them. Good convo. Door's behind you."

    I sat on the lone chair. "Fair enough. I'm not the best person to preach about talking about your emotions." I looked him in the eye. "I'm more than happy to tell you to keep moving, though."

    He narrowed his eyes. "Meaning?"

    "Meaning… okay. You knew what you were doing, but you didn't see anything wrong with it. You were in a toxic environment, so you emulated what you experienced. But you left, and even if you weren't a shining beacon of morality… you got better, or so I'd like to assume. And now? Well, you were still kind of a creep, but you didn't go out of your way to hurt people. Annoy, sure. But if someone gave you a hard no on something, you listened. That's what I want you to hold onto, and try to move forward."

    Alec huddled in his blankets. "Cool. So what does that mean for the people I hurt?"

    "Do you want to atone?" I asked.

    He snorted. "I guess. I'm still… before, it was just something that happened. Then, when I got out, I figured hey - it's in the past. Turns out that nagging 'something isn't right with me' was more than just wanting to make friends or some shit. It was 'you were a fucking monster, fucking fix it'. But how do you fix… that?"

    I crossed my arms. "Some things aren't fixable."

    Alec blinked at me. "Uh."

    "You're right, that shit was heinous. Those people will never be the same."

    "You suck at comforting people," he said with a laugh.

    Lisa stood quietly in the doorway, watching.

    "So here's what you do: not that."

    Alec snorted. "Duh."

    "Try the hero thing. Resolve to be different; be better. Don't be your dad 2.0, or like him but smarter. Pick who you want to be, pick a goal, and work towards it. But before all that… what do you want?"

    Alec was quiet for a long moment. "To not hate myself like right now. To have people like me."

    I shrugged. "Done. Well, partly."

    He squinted.

    "If I didn't like you at least a little bit, I wouldn't be here."

    "He's not lying," Lisa said dryly. "He's nice enough to people he likes, and tends to take on more responsibility than he should. That said? If he doesn't care about someone personally, he's not going to go to this kind of effort."

    Alec shuffled. "I guess…"

    I stood up, and walked over to the couch. I sat next to him, and wrapped him in a hug.

    He was stiff for a few seconds, then leaned in.

    Lisa gave us a small smile that slowly bloomed into her trademark smirk.

    Alec gave a low chuckle. "Hey, if I knew it'd get me those cuddles, I'd have de-fucked my brain and traumatized myself weeks ago."

    I groaned. "You're impossible." But I was smiling. "But that's okay. You've got Lisa, Rachel, Taylor, and me. Probably other folks too. Just… learn how to be the new you, I guess."

    Alec reached out and hugged me back. Then he shoved me gently. "Alright, lemme go. I need to go shower, then go bug someone into learning how to fight for real."

    Lisa's eyes bugged. "Bwuh?"

    Alec smirked. "In case you haven't noticed, my apathy's way down. I'm never gonna be as gung-ho to hero as you guys, but… I like you all too. If I couldn't help keep you safe, then what's the point?"

    Lisa swallowed noisily. "Y-yeah. Ehem. I get you." Her eyes looked down sadly.

    "Hey now," I said sternly. "None of that. We'll get Brian back, and you're gonna have your old found family and your new one. This is the timeline where you get your cake and eat it too."

    Lisa palmed her eyelids, then exhaled. "Yeah." She grinned at me. "So, you've got everything? Once Alec's cleaned up, I'll go find Rachel, Taylor, and Amy and start on a game plan for extracting Brian."

    I flashed her a thumbs up.

    Alec stood up, shedding the blankets. He stretched, then gave us the first genuine smile I'd ever seen from him. "Thanks you two. Especially you, Lis. For not giving up on me."

    Red light erupted from his arm, forcing Lisa and I to avert our eyes.

    "WHOA WHOA WHOA!" a high-pitched voice yelled. "GANGWAY!"

    Light shot sideways across the room, and slowly faded.

    Alec was sprawled on the couch, with a figure in… was that armor or a dress? Either way, they were on top of him.

    Wait. Pink braid down to the back of their knees?

    Oh. Oh no.

    The Rider pushed himself up, and smiled down at Alec. "Oh hey! You must be my Master! Astolfo, Paladin of Charlemagne, at your service!"

    Alec blinked. "Your face and clothes say girl, but your name says otherwise."

    Astolfo grinned. "I'm an experience."

    Alec slowly grinned back. "I see."

    Lisa stared at the two of them, then turned to me. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go sear out my eyeballs for telling me things. Then I'll make the game plan." She left immediately after.

    "Huh. You guys are cute," Aisha said, making herself known.

    The two prettyboys looked up at her. Then back at each other. They shrugged in unison.

    "Name's Alec," he said with a smirk.

    "Aisha. I'm sure we'll get along fine," she said mischievously.

    Slowly, my mind added two and two and got pineapple.

    "Welp. If what I think is happening here does happen," I began quickly.

    Aisha held up her hand. "So what's with these?" she said, interrupting.

    I narrowed my eyes. Her command seals were there, yet incomplete. Hrm.

    "Hey Alec, show me yours."

    He did, and they were in a similar state.

    Astolfo nodded eagerly. "You're both my Masters."

    Aisha arched an eyebrow with a lascivious grin. "Kinky."

    "Yeah, that's kinda hot," Alec agreed.

    "This is me leaving." I turned on my heel.

    "Don't be a stranger, Grail!" Alec called. "Come over and play some games sometime!"

    I paused at the door and turned my head. "Sure. I'll make time," I said with a small smile.

    Then I turned and continued walking as Aisha began to fuss over Astolfo's insanely long hair.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Piggot opened the folder.

    Her face was a study in fury as she looked at the picture of Thomas Calvert, unmasked, performing dark rites alongside Prelati. Changing homeless children into monsters with no way back.

    She snapped her gaze to me. "This is certainly proof," she said in an icy tone.

    The Dragon suit standing behind me shifted. "Director," she said slowly.

    Lisa, who had elected to come along, held up a hand. "Let her speak," she said.

    Hans calmly drank his tea as he waited the silence out.

    Piggot tapped the surface of her desk. Then she spun to her computer and began typing. "Grail, please join me on this side," she said. Her tone brooked no argument.

    I shot Aisha a warning look, and she made a pulling motion across her lips.

    As I stood beside the PRT Director, I met eyes with the Servant I'd chosen to bring - Arthur. His arms were crossed, and though his face was stoic, his eyes were blazing.

    The video call connected on Piggot's desktop.

    "Costa-Brown. What is it, Emily?"

    "Chief Director, I have evidence of Coil using some kind of tome to bioengineer weapons from living humans," Piggot said briskly.

    If I wasn't close enough to see the sheen on her skin, or the pallor of her face, I'd assume she was in total control.

    Rebecca folded her hands. "I see."

    "Further, given he broached the rules of conduct by attempting to abduct Chance," she said, calling Dinah by her chosen cape name, "we have gone above and beyond to confirm his civilian identity. Thomas Calvert is contracted to the Servant Francois Prelati, and is committing crimes on par with the beginning of Nilbog's reign to build his power base. He needs to be stopped before the past can repeat itself."

    There was no tremor in her voice.

    Rebecca nodded, and tapped a few keys on her own device. "I'm receiving Dragon's intel now. We'll prepare for the worst but… I believe securing a kill order will be likely. Especially given the prior intel we gained on Prelati." She gave the both of us a grim smile. "I'll get back to you when I have news. Also, well done to the Guild. You too, Emily - I know this can't be easy for you, but under your direction we've managed to uncover a number of holes in our security in the ENE branch."

    Director Piggot nodded quietly.

    "I'll be in touch." Rebecca hung up.

    Piggot exhaled. "Alright. I'll contact you when there's news to be had. You may leave."

    Aisha squirmed.

    She looked up. "Yes?"

    "My brother works for Coil, but he doesn't know about this. I know, because I followed him around for a while," Imp said. "Will he…?"

    Piggot shook her head. "It's unlikely. Besides," she said with a wry smile, "I've no doubt Grail will find some way to poach him for your organization."

    I coughed awkwardly. "I'm not that bad, am I?"

    Piggot stared me down. "Grail, the sun rises in the East, Jack Slash kills people, and you collect strays. It's just a fact of life on Earth Bet, now."

    I gave a sheepish grin.

    Piggot folded her hands. "We've managed to ascertain that Coil has a few assets left. We should work to deprive him of those before we move in for the finish." Her eyes turned to Lisa. "I'm sure you can do something about his finances? His mercenaries are professional, but I doubt they work for free."

    Lisa grinned viciously. "I may have a few things in place, Director," she purred.

    Piggot nodded brusquely. "That leaves Parahuman muscle. Circus, Uber, and Leet are in prison. We've figured out he has Trainwreck on his payroll. We thought the Travellers were too, but they've been removed from play. Or so I've been told. Grue also remains, and it seems like Coil's going to try to lure Alabaster, Crusader, Othala, and Victor into working for him. The Nazis will likely be contract labor, so to speak. So. We'll prune his options one by one." Piggot's gaze darkened further. "Then we'll trap him, and end this threat."

    Nobody in the room disagreed.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Semiramis hummed as she stroked her new familiar's head.

    "He's so big…" Dinah marveled. "Your highness, what does he eat?"

    "Prana. Also people, sometimes," Semiramis said absently. "The Basmu is one of the more potent Phantasmal Beasts."

    Dinah smiled. "So he'll be able to help fight whatever Coil brings out." Her smile dimmed. "I… the numbers say he's going to do something big. I think people are gonna die."

    Semiramis shrugged lightly. "People die every day, princess. It's simply our job to keep the number of unnecessary deaths down."

    The Basmu growled, slinking through the Hanging Gardens.

    The Wise Queen sighed. "Well. I'm off to prepare for any potential invasions. Care to join me?"

    Dinah perked up again. "Sure!"
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    I groaned as I collapsed into my chair. Fou crawled into my lap.

    A knock sounded on my door.

    "You're going to want to answer that," ZZ said from the couch, kicking her feet lazily in the air.

    I scowled at her. "Okay. Fou?"

    Fou scurried onto my shoulder, and I grunted as I stood.

    "Ugh. Movement."

    I walked to the door and opened it.

    "Ye-"

    I blinked.

    A girl with brown hair in a messy bun stood there, looking worried.

    Behind her was a dark-skinned man in a white cloak, with a blue and gold rod.

    "The King of Kings. So you must be Mimi," I said slowly.

    She nodded, silent.

    I sighed. "Come on in. I'll get you something to eat."

    She stared at me.

    I sighed again, and held out my hand.

    She took it.

    "It's been a long road, Mimi. But you're here, and unless I miss my mark, you want to do good. So. Would you like to join me for a snack?"

    Mimi smiled nervously. "Sure."

    We walked into my apartment, followed by Ozymandias.

    As I closed the door, motioning Mimi to take a chair of her own, I stared him down.

    "Yes, Gilgamesh is here. If you're going to have an ego-off, I politely request that you wait until morning hours or take it elsewhere. I'm too tired to handle it right now."

    Ozymandias smiled indulgently. "I shall avoid clashing with the King of Heroes this eve, if only because you have shown my Master kindness where she feared she'd find none."

    I shrugged. "Thanks."

    After I fixed Mimi a plate, I sat back down in my chair.

    "Um…" she said slowly.

    "Yes?"

    "Aren't you going to… I dunno…" she said slowly.

    "Okay. You want to atone for the stuff Burnscar did, right?"

    She didn't flinch, but it looked like a near thing. "Yes."

    "Join the Guild. Pardon the pun, but we need firepower. Most of our Parahumans are support-based, or not good in a straight fight. Panacea needs to get too close, Glory Girl has New Wave duties so isn't always available, Weaver's getting there with her magecraft and bugs but isn't quite a head-on fighter yet, Regent is a Master, Tattletale is a Thinker… yeah, the only Blaster we have on tap is Gallant and he's got Ward duties too. Dragon also has stuff to do elsewhere, and Armsmaster heads up the local Protectorate. Cerberus - or Bitch, if you know of her that way - needs dogs to function in combat. Outside of Servants, we don't have a real heavy hitter. That's only a problem in situations where Servants would be overkill, but y'know. Details."

    "What am I, chopped liver?" Aisha said flatly.

    "No, you're a Stranger. This is Imp. Imp, this is…?"

    "Phoenix. Also, I wanted to warn you of something."

    I blinked. "Yeah?"

    "After I left… So, you know that Bonesaw's loose but inactive, right?"

    I nodded.

    "Okay, good. That was kind of it," Mimi said sheepishly.

    I smiled. "You've had a long… well, a long time of it."

    She nodded.

    "I'll fix up the guest room, and we'll get Dragon on fabricating a new ID for you."

    Mimi smiled. "Okay. Thanks."

    "Don't mention it. Just follow through on the whole hero thing, okay?"

    Mimi nodded. "Count on it."
    _________________________________________________________________________

    "So he's being reluctant," I said to Aisha after I helped Mimi settle in.

    The Stranger nodded. "Yeah. I talked to him - again - and he was all 'if I duck out now, no one will ever hire me again, nyeeeh'." She scowled. "Dumbass. If you hire him, no one will ever need to hire him again."

    I tapped my fingers together. "What are the odds that Coil is using you as leverage."

    Aisha's face froze, then she slapped her forehead. "I hate everything."

    "It's an empty threat, mind you, especially with Astolfo. He has a Noble Phantasm - a book - that confers an area of Magic Resistance that can block Magecraft from the Age of Gods. Prelati's good, but he's not at that level. You're golden."

    "But my idiot brother doesn't know that."

    "Guess not."

    "Ugh."

    I sighed. "We'll work on it tomorrow. I mean, there's not much we can do right now, right? So tomorrow."

    Aisha nodded. "Yeah. Yeah."

    ZZ flashed us a thumbs-up from the couch. "I'll see if I can't help. At worst, I can check him for influences. See if Prelati enchanted him."

    At that moment, Emiya strolled in.

    "I need help," he said flatly.

    The three of us stared at him.

    "I have a date tomorrow night, and nothing to wear to it."

    ZZ collapsed on the floor out of shock, and Aisha wheezed humorously.

    I stared.

    "What?"
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Glastig Uaine stared down at Trainwreck's broken body.

    "A debt I can never repay…" she murmured. "If I thought myself fae, I'd be maddened into destruction. Yet another benefit," she mused.

    Slowly, Trainwreck's unconscious form floated into the air, and launched through the night sky towards the PRT building.

    She turned, and stared up at the stars. "Next, the child of black mists. Undoing Prelati's witchery and securing him should be simple. I will bring him to Grail anon."

    Slowly, she rubbed her arms. "The voices are silent. Only power remains. Were I truly alone, I'm not sure I could bear it."

    She turned and smiled at her companion. "I will be ever grateful for your companionship, my dear."

    The giant loomed over her small, childlike form.

    "Now come, Heracles. We have much to do this eve, ere we meet once more with Grail. Though it will be many days until we formally join his clan, we shall act as only we can outside of the bounds of stricture."

    The son of Zeus gave a low roar, and placed Glastig Uaine on his shoulder.

    "Fly, my friend. We've a dark knight to save."

    And so Heracles and the Faerie Queen bounded into the night.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Interlude: Panacea 2
  • Threadmarks
    • A/N: After a moment's thought, content warning: The linked "White Heaven" Skit is uncensored, and Uncle Ruckus is being himself. For those who've seen the Boondocks, you know what I mean. For those who haven't, it includes a slur used against people of color by a person of color.

    Interlude: Panacea 2

    Amy leaned against the wall at school. "You said you needed to talk?" she said after a moment.

    Cassie rolled her shoulders. "Right. So, word got out that Kayden had a date."

    "...how?" Amy said slowly.

    Cassie narrowed her eyes. "It's so stupid. So Justin - the knight guy - he's all 'we need you, blah blah symbol of whatever', and Kayden's like: 'hell no. I've got a date.'"

    Amy sighed. "Oh boy."

    Cassie nodded. "Yeah. It gets better. She tells him who it's with, and he goes ballistic."

    Amy paused. "Who is it?"

    Cassie grinned. "One Nanashi Emiya."

    What.

    "What."

    "Right!? I couldn't believe it when Kayden admitted to crushing on him either. I mean, don't get me wrong, man is hot. But Kayden was in with the crowd way longer than I was, so…"

    "Okay, sure. Wait, who asked who?"

    "She asked him," Cass said smugly.

    "Holy… okay, she's serious. Right. So…?"

    "So you know how you guys are trying to finish off the E88 so they can't support Coil? They're all gonna gun for this date. Justin straight up snatched the menu Kayden had been looking at for the place, and she let him because, and I quote: 'if you think you can take both me and one of Grail's bodyguards, be my guest'." Cassie leaned in. "So my plan is: get help from you guys, stop them from crashing the date, and hand them alllll over to the PRT, easy-peasy."

    Amy arched an eyebrow. "Fascinating." She leaned in. "Tell me more."

    Cassie's grin widened.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    "Okay, so while Grail's looking for my brother, you want us to what?" Aisha said with a pinched look.

    "Keep the date between the ex-Nazi and Emiya from going south because of Nazi invasion. We'll be working with Sigil."

    Taylor shrugged. "I mean, we'll be clearing the streets, reducing Coil's forces, and kicking Nazi ass. I'm not seeing a downside."

    Lisa smirked evilly. "I've been dying for a chance to try out this Reinforcement stuff. Count me in."

    Alec yawned. "Well, given how I'm not picky where I stick my dick, it's pretty likely they'd gun for me anyways. Also, I need to figure out how nuts my new powers are."

    Rachel grunted. "Same."

    That turned the attention in the room to them.

    "Pardon?" Amy said. She was more than a little perplexed.

    "Our powers got changed because we both got a huge mental overhaul," Alex drawled. "Me? I do what I've always done, but the people I puppet get a nice boost. Like, mid-tier Brute nice. Also indications that I pass on my fancy Master-immunity I got from trauma. Because apparently since it made me stronger, it stayed."

    "...so how did you test-"

    "ZZ."

    "Ah," Lisa said with a nod. "Say no more, good sir."

    Everyone turned to Rachel.

    "It's still dogs. But now I'm learning how people work. Dogs are still easier." She paused. "Also I can give them wings and they can fly, now."

    Aisha let out a low whistle. "Goddamn. Okay, I'm in. What about your sister?"

    Amy shook her head. "She's got a date with Dean."

    "So he's out too. Good to know," Taylor said in a flat tone.

    Amy shrugged. It wasn't her fault that Vicky wanted to do something nice with her boy once in a while.

    "So… Servants. Yay or nay?" Lisa said, all business.

    "Mm. Bring them, but leave them in reserve until we're actually in over our heads. Tamamo alone could wipe the field. That's not even including Gareth, Astolfo, or Hans," Taylor said.

    Aisha shrugged. "Eh. We got feet on the ground looking for my bro. Apparently he vanished last night?" She trailed off, lost in thought. "Well, Da Vinci said he was alive and healthy, so I hope it's nothing too bad…" she muttered.

    Alec gently patted her back. "Brian's tough. He'll be fine."

    Amy's phone went off. "Hold up, Cass is here. I'll go let her in."

    She made her way to the warehouse door, and punched in the access code. As she opened it, she saw Sigil in full outfit, and a pudgy boy in a mask who radiated nervous energy.

    "Who?" Amy said flatly.

    "Right, so get this. I'm on my way here, decide to stop home to check on things. Good thing, too - a batch of those starfish from hell were attacking."

    Amy stiffened. "So this is…"

    She heard a muffled sound, and the boy coughed. "Can I bring her in? It's late March, but it's still kind of drafty…" he said in a soft voice.

    Amy craned her neck and her eyes widened.

    "Fucking shit. You're Theo. Coil went for you and Aster." Her expression pinched. "So wait. How did you guys get away? I know Coil would have used his power and not squandered a squad of Sea Demons if he knew…"

    "Three things," Sigil said, holding up as many fingers as Amy let the two inside. "One, Theo Triggered. Trigger events fuck up some precogs, according to some chick in a hat. He can make limbs out of any surface he touches. Big fucking cement hands for days. Two? Said chick with a hat and a huge-ass gun picked half of them off when more showed up. Three, I nabbed a car for ammo; after a bit I just flew us off because they kept reconstituting themselves."

    "...did they follow you?" Amy asked as she closed the door.

    "I don't kno-"

    A loud hissing noise emanated from outside the door. A harsh vibrating sound followed.

    "That's a yes," Amy said mildly.

    Sigil stared at Amy. "Uh."

    "There's a reason nobody guns for our workplace, despite the address being public record. Also very obvious to anyone who looks." Amy felt justifiably smug.

    "Sea Demons eradicated," said a soft voice behind Amy.

    She turned her head. Ah.

    Illyasviel had a harsh look on her face. "Why would they come here?"

    Amy jerked her head at Theo and Aster. "They're Radiance's kids. I guess Coil took offence to her not signing up for the big battle."

    Illya's face hardened. "So he'll be reinforcing the forces pursuing her tonight… I think I'll accompany you all."

    Theo sighed. "I'll stay here with Aster," he said after a moment, tone firm. "Do you think you can find me some formula and diapers? We had to leave the apartment pretty quickly."

    "Fret not!" Da Vinci said cheerily, striding over. "I will attend to Aster's welfare," she said, scooping the baby out of Theo's arms and wiggling a finger at her. "Aren't you precious?" she cooed.

    Theo shifted uncomfortably.

    "Let him stay here," Amy said gently.

    Sigil nodded. "Guy just triggered. He needs a night to himself. Or with friends."

    Da Vinci tapped her chin. "Let me see… Arthur and Gilgamesh are… occupied," she said slowly, "ZZ and Cu are helping Grail search for Grue, Emiya is obviously on his date, I'm going to be busy tinkering and/or taking care of Aster, Medusa is having a night out with Sakura and Shirou, Illyasviel's stated that she's going with you guys, Rin's catching up with Artoria… uh, who's left?"

    "Asterios and Fran?" Amy helpfully supplied.

    Da Vinci snapped the fingers on her free hand. "Perfect! They might not talk much, but Asterios is a cuddler and Fran's pretty smart. It's mostly the whole Berserker thing giving her a speech impediment that hampers communication. Good thing I got her that type-and-speak!" she finished with a proud grin. "So yes, I'll direct you to their area and you can spend time with them. They're sweet kids, you'll get along nicely."

    Theo nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Da Vinci."

    The genius giggled. "But of course! Now if you excuse me, I'll be taking my new little assistant with me to keep an eye on her."

    Aster gurgled happily as the Renaissance Woman strode back into her lab, Theo following slowly behind them.

    "Poor guy's beat," Sigil said knowingly.

    Illya crossed her arms. "From what I've been told, Trigger Events are highly traumatic."

    "Yeah. Seeing a starfish hellspawn try to eat your baby sister qualifies in spades,"

    Illya's eyes seemed to gleam with an inner light. "I think I'm going to enjoy helping you with these idiots," she hissed quietly.

    Cass and Amy exchanged a look.

    Amy shrugged. "Just be glad she's on our side."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    The teens rode out in two groups.

    Panacea and Tattletale flew with Sigil on Kayden's commandeered car.

    The rest, lead by Weaver and Illya, took a trio of Cerberus' dogs for a ride, one or two to a hound. Weaver rode with Cerberus on one, Imp with Regent on another, and Illya had her own.

    Fortunately they didn't have far to go to the restaurant.

    "Okay. I did see some movement, but we managed to avoid them," Tattletale said over the comms. "We should be alright, but the instant we have tentacles, I vote we let Tamamo kill them all and have her sort the Nazis out."

    "Coil's gone nuts," Panacea breathed.

    "Do you think Dragon was detected when she found all the evidence?" Tattletale muttered.

    "He's probably paranoid because his men in the PRT started getting weeded out," Panacea replied.

    Sigil snorted. "We have incoming."

    Looking down, Panacea saw a figure setting up a rifle on a rooftop, while another pointed out her friends as they came in below.

    "Victor and Othala," she murmured.

    Sigil tensed next to her.

    "You good?" Tattletale asked.

    "Yeah. I'm just gonna tell my cousin hi." Her tone lightened to a menacing calm. "Glad I picked some more stuff up along the way."

    The pointer was suddenly carried off of the rooftop by a garbage can, which proceeded to scoop her into it. She tried to emerge, but a lid slammed over her, and the entire can launched into the air and shake her up like a martini.

    Panacea noted the screaming.

    "Well, pardon me. I have an appointment," she said as she stepped off of the car.

    "Wh- Panacea, wait-" Tattletale hissed.

    Panacea fished a large bottle out of her robes and opened it, sticking her hand into the trailing liquid. It immediately adhered, and she let out a whoop as it acted as an impromptu grappling hook, latching to the building and drawing her up.

    She regained her bearings just in time to see Victor dashing towards her, something gleaming in his hand.

    "Little help?" she muttered.

    Tattletale leapt down and plunged into Victor, sending him rolling. A faint glow surrounded her limbs. She unsteadily stood up, then firmed her stance. "Alright. Let's see how far I can take this."

    Victor recovered quickly, dashing at Tattletale, who managed to deflect the knife blows with her reinforced gloves and costume.

    Panacea lifted the protoplasm on her hand, and it congealed into a small, rounded shape with a single opening. Quickly she calibrated the proteins needed for a knock-out toxin, and filled it with needles.

    Tattletale wordlessly met her gaze, and rolled away just as she took aim and fired.

    Victor took a hit in his center mass, and his movements slowed, but didn't stop. He pulled a gun out of a holster and took shaky aim at Panacea.

    That was when the swarm of insects that had been inching over the building during the fight flooded forward, ending the conflict decisively. Victor didn't have a chance to shout as he fell beneath the dark tide.

    Panacea quickly ran over and reached in, the bugs parting to let her at where Victor's skin was exposed.

    One touch and he was asleep.

    The bugs swarmed away, likely to resume combat elsewhere.

    "Not bad," Tattletale commented.

    "Weaver came in big time at the end," Panacea demurred.

    "Glad to help," the heroine said over the comms.

    Sigil landed the car on the rooftop, and the noise from the garbage can had quieted.

    "How did you find a can that big again?" Tattletale said curiously.

    Sigil shrugged. "Saw the hat chick again, and she pointed it out. Picked it up and decided to mark the lid too, just in case."

    The three girls exchanged a look.

    "Well, at least it's backup?" Panacea said hesitantly.

    Sigil snorted. "Until she pulls that gun on me, I'm not asking questions. Wonder how the rest of the gang's holding up?"
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    "You fucking brats are gonna pay for what your boss did to Kaiser," Alabaster sneered as he took aim at Regent. He howled as his arm was mangled by a sudden swipe of a baseball bat, forcing him to drop the gun until he reset.

    "Aw, don't worry. With all the heinous shit he's done, I'm sure Kaiser will be doing just fine in White Heaven - right along with good ol' Ronald Reagan!" Imp teased.

    The battle paused.

    "'White Heaven'?" Crusader said incredulously.

    "Oh yeah," Alabaster said. "See, God created many different types of people, so God also created many separate, but for the most part, equal Heavens. Pretty much all the black people don't get in. Y'know, God doesn't even have a problem with racism! Heck, he forgets slavery outside of February. And if you-"

    "Yeah, yeah, yeah, I've seen the Boondocks." Imp tapped her bat on the ground. "But riddle me this, Mister Master Race…" She leaned forward, pointing accusingly. "When did you see that bit, let alone enough to quote shit almost verbatim?"

    Alabaster choked, looking wildly back and forth. "Uh. Um. Wait, do you even know what verbatim means?" he said, pointing at Imp.

    "You're dodging the question," Crusader said in a cold voice. "From the sounds of it, it's not the sort of programming we endorse."

    "It was funny!"

    "That was clearly satire, designed to denigrate our movement!"

    As the two villains began to bicker, Imp shrugged at Illyasviel.

    The german magus sighed as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Cerberus?"

    A transformed dog leapt over the sea of projections, who were floating aimlessly while undirected. It landed feet first on the supervillains.

    Crusader was knocked out by the impact. Alabaster started trying to struggle to his feet moments later, only to be ensnared by threads of light and held down as Illya aimed her palm at him.

    "You fucki- ARGH!" he yelped as Regent tazed him with his scepter.

    He looked at Regent seconds later. "I'm gonna AARRG."

    The cycle continued for a few minutes.

    Weaver sighed in irritation. "Alabaster, be quiet or I'll feed you to my bugs."

    The Nazi stilled. "You wouldn't."

    "Try me. You won't die before the PRT arrives."

    Slowly, Alabaster slumped in defeat. "I always did like Uncle Ruckus…" he muttered.

    Imp slowly exhaled. "Well this night has taken several turns."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Vicky narrowed her eyes as she peered out the window of the restaurant. "Okay. There's Nazis. Ames and two others took out the ones on the roof, and it looks like Cerberus and Weaver got the rest. Whoa, Illya too. Wonder what's going on?" she said.

    Dean gently took her hand and guided her attention back to their table. "As they've got it well in hand, why don't we let them deal with it?" he said gently. "Your food will get cold before too long."

    Vicky huffed. "Okay. But I'm gonna check in after I'm done, or if things get worse out there." She peered around the room. "This is some sitcom bullshit, by the by."

    At one table was Shirou, sitting directly across from Medusa and Sakura. At another, Emiya was hanging off of Kayden's every word as she eagerly showed him some designs from her last interior decorator gig. Further in, Rin and Artoria were talking and laughing.

    Gilgamesh and Arthur had been there, but had left while exchanging glances that had Vicky… well. Part of her desperately wanted to be a fly on that wall, but given Grail's reaction when she brought it up? She felt she was better off not knowing.

    Dean chuckled. "It's the newest, fanciest restaurant in the city. Also, the reviews said it had filet mignon to die for. Great date night if you're looking to impress."

    Vicky batted her eyes. "Awww, Dean. Are you trying to impress me?"

    He gently kissed her hand. "Always am, Vicky."

    Her smile turned gentle. "Well, you succeed more often than not, so good job."

    He smiled back. "Good to know, beautiful."

    The building shook.

    Vicky arched an eyebrow at him.

    "I'll ping Armsmaster and the PRT," Dean said in a low voice. "Go save people."

    Vicky smirked as she was joined in the stairwell to the roof by Medusa, Sakura, Shirou, Rin, Artoria, and Emiya. "Kayden not joining us?" she said to the latter.

    Emiya gave a tight smirk. "She'll be emerging from the rear exit all lit up and ready to fight. Benefits of shining so brightly? Costumes are mostly secondary."

    Vicky shrugged and led the upwards charge. "Guess we better get ready for a rumble."

    The Servants clearly agreed, as they shifted into their combat outfits in a shower of golden sparks.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Sigil, Panacea, and Tattletale stood in a circle back-to-back as the Sea Demons crept up the building, despite Gareth's valiant efforts - assisted as they were by Hans' enchantments and Sigil smashing them down with Kayden's car.

    "How are things down there?" Tattletale asked over the comms.

    "Astolfo's holding his own, and Tamamo's burning any we kill," Regent said with a grunt. "I've empowered everyone else, so mostly I'm dodging. Sorry guys, but you're out of my range."

    Hans quickly made a small circle with his hand, and Gringamore was set alight. "Let's see if that keeps them down," he muttered.

    Tattletale scanned the horizon, and grinned. "Hey, it's backup."

    Grail landed directly on top of a Sea Demon, legs shifted into piercing weapons as he ran it through. He pulled himself out of it and changed back, rapidly backpedaling before Cu lit it on fire with a rune.

    "Okay, maybe not my finest plan," the pyrophobe said in a high-pitched voice.

    "You good?" Cu asked in concern.

    "Yep!" Grail squeaked.

    Panacea and Tattletale exchanged a glance.

    "He's really not," Sigil said flatly.

    Grail pouted as ZZ descended and looked over the buildings.

    "Oh-kay… one massacre, coming right up!" she chirped.

    Apparently Panacea's night vision was awful, because several rooftops full of Sea Demons erupted in gore and were set alight with two sweeps of ZZ's wand.

    "No, your night vision's fine. Prelati attached illusions to them to fool any and everything into thinking they weren't there. But I can feel their tiny little minds, always craving that next bite…" the Moon Cancer mused.

    Thanks, ZZ, Panacea thought dryly.

    "No problem!"

    Rampant crashing from the street heralded more combat. "So…?" Panacea said.

    Tattletale squinted, tapping her comm. "Sounds like… Emiya, Sakura, Shirou, Medusa, Rin, Artoria, and Vicky. Jesus Christ on a pogo stick, was everyone trying to get laid tonight?" she said in an exasperated tone. She paused. "And there's Radiance."

    "COIL SENT WHAT AFTER MY CHILDREN!?"

    "Oh that doesn't sound good," Grail said in a faint voice.

    Sigil huffed. "C'mon, it's Radiance. She can be scary in power terms, but it's not like she'd do anything that ba-"

    Torrents of spiral-shaped beams of light flung Sea Demons into the air, pulverizing them into a shower of gore.

    "I retract my statement," Sigil said in a higher-pitched tone.

    Panacea narrowed her eyes. "Wait, what's that?"

    A brightly gleaming ship loomed over the battlefield.

    "AHAHAHA! BEHOLD! THE GLORY OF THE PHARAOH!"

    Beams of light cascaded down, causing the very ground to shake.

    "You missed one," Panacea heard over the comms. It wasn't a familiar voice.

    A single bright white spear of flame lanced from the bow of the ship, appearing and vanishing in an instant. The ground beneath the strike billowed forth smoke.

    "Who's this?" Tattletale asked quickly.

    "I'm Phoenix, this is Ozymandias. We're new members of the Guild. Grail brought us in last night."

    "Can confirm, they're helping us search for Grue. He was taken from his apartment about the same time she showed up, so she's been helping us look," Grail said, brushing the Sea Demon bits off of his legs. "Ewww. I'm gonna need to shower so bad," he whined.

    ZZ negligently swept her rod, and the gore slid off his legs effortlessly.

    "Thanks!" he said brightly.

    Panacea shook her head. "So the date was merely interrupted, Theo and Aster are safe, the Demons have retreated… are we missing anything?" she said.

    "Greetings," a soft voice said to the side.

    One and all turned to see a grey giant with a small girl on his shoulder. He held an unconscious, dark-skinned young man under his arm.

    "Buh," Tattletale said intelligently.

    Hans narrowed his eyes, then they widened comically. "'Buh', indeed."

    Grail just waved politely. "Hey your highness. And that's Heracles. How's the night treating you?"

    "Passing well," Glastig Uaine said coolly. "I have retrieved what you sought; he was taken as collateral against your Stranger for future use. Coil's men had not yet returned him to the base, so unfortunately I was unable to locate it and… deal with the problem. And so I relinquish him to you, and will see you anon when the two-faced serpent rages again." She paused. "I was unable to find any sort of Mastery upon him, nor glaring physical defect. You may wish to have him examined."

    Heracles set Grue down by Panacea.

    "So, these mercs…" Grail said slowly.

    "Alive and awaiting the authorities. The Demons, Heracles dealt with."

    The giant gave a growling exhale. Then he turned towards the street.

    "But of course. I would not begrudge you the chance to see an old friend. But be warned, she may not be an incarnation with memories of you."

    The Berserker nodded slowly.

    "We shall stop in for a chat, then take our leave," the Faerie Queen said placidly.

    "Uh, let me let them know so they don't do something dumb like get in your way," Grail said quickly.

    Glastig Uaine gave him a solemn nod. "It would be appreciated."

    As Grail moved off to the side and rapidly spoke into the comm, Panacea sighed and turned to Tattletale.

    "I think that's everything."

    "Buh-huh. That's."

    "Yep. I'm gonna check on Grue now. You know, your friend. Okay?"

    "Ahuhuh."

    "Good talk, Tats. Good talk."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Kayden hid a smile behind her hand as she spotted Theo passed out on Asterios' shoulder, Fran gently petting his hair with Aster gently cradled in her other arm.

    "You should bring him by, sometimes. There's a bunch of Parahumans his age here," Amy said quietly.

    Kayden nodded, and turned to Amy. "Thank you, Amy. I really appreciate you looking out for my family. God knows I failed at that, tonight," she said with a wry smile.

    "Hey, hey, hey. You didn't know that the remnants were going to team up with Coil. If it was just those four, they wouldn't have gunned for your kids or been able to beat you and Emiya. Or the rest of everyone in that restaurant," Grail finished in a mutter. His eyes softened. "If your place isn't safe, we still have a couple of empty apartments in the building. I'll get Dragon to set something up."

    "Actually, I was going to talk to you about-" Kayden began.

    A soft clattering could be heard in the lab.

    "I'll check it out," Amy offered.

    Grail waved her on. "Holler if you need me," he said with a smile. He turned back to Kayden to continue their conversation.

    She wandered out, and blinked at the sudden light.

    A woman in a red uniform passed a scalpel to a petit blonde with a mask and smock as she stood over a twitching sea demon on a table. All sorts of materials and implements were next to her.

    Amy coughed.

    The little girl looked up, eyes wide. "Oh! Erm, hello. Sorry, sometimes I still get the itch, and I don't want to do bad things to people, so I've been using these as an outlet. I've got tons of spiders now! And I've gotten really good at medical improvements. Oh, I should introduce myself! I'm Upgrade, and this is my assistant, Nurse Nightingale!"

    The brown-haired woman gave a sharp nod. "Greetings. We would like to join the Guild."

    "Oh, right! I needed a little time to myself, but I'm ready now. Where do I sign up?" Upgrade said cheerfully as she opened a tentacle. "Oh, and call me Riley. I bet we'll be great friends!"

    Amy took a sharp breath. "GRAIL!"
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Coil hummed curiously. "So you're certain about this?" he asked.

    Fortuna nodded. "Costa-Brown will hold an award ceremony tomorrow, and you will be the recipient. With that clout, you will likely be able to make headway into ousting Piggot from that side, and be able to relax your efforts and rebuild your army on the criminal side."

    Coil drummed his fingers on his arm. "I'm curious as to why you are helping me."

    "Directive from the Doctor. She's displeased with Grail's effects on the project, and wants it to proceed independently of him. If you can wrest the PRT, you may expect further help from us."

    Coil reclined in his chair. "Fascinating." He inclined his head. "I suppose I'd best work on my acceptance speech."

    So lost in thought was he, that he didn't notice the small, cruel smirk that flashed across Fortuna's face.

    I can't wait for ZZ's little prank to catch you with your pants down, you sanctimonious snake.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Rite 5.3
  • Threadmarks
    • A/N: Content Warning: Emotional Breakdown, Discussion of Past Abuse
    Minor Content Warning: Crackfic Level Musical Number By An Endbringer Who Should Know Better, Semi-Slut-Shaming Comedy

    Rite 5.3

    "So I now call this court to order!" Da Vinci snarled with a manic grin on her face.

    I was seated to one side of her, while Dragon had a monitor propped up on the other. The AI and I exchanged nonplussed looks before we turned to the 'defendants'.

    Gilgamesh sat with a thoroughly satisfied smirk on his face in the left chair. In the right, Arthur had planted his face in his arms on the table, and all I could see of his neck was bright, bright red.

    "Do… I want to know?"

    "No," Arthur said in a muffled voice.

    Gilgamesh shrugged lightly. "Nothing untoward happened. I think Da Vinci just got bored."

    "Bored? BORED!? I was tinkering last night when I got a call from the police. A noise complaint. I had to leave poor little Aster with Fran, who thankfully was on call because Theo had a terrible night, and return to the apartments."

    I blinked. "So… loud music?"

    Dragon's Avatar was slowly starting to blush. "Ah."

    "What?"

    "And of course I hear pillow princess over there," Da Vinci snarled, pointing at Gilgamesh, "going off like a goddamn Endbringer siren! FROM THE STREET!"

    Gilgamesh gave a slight shrug as Arthur groaned miserably.

    "I refuse to regret enjoying my first night with my lover. Though he was more… aggressive than predicted," Gilgamesh said with a wry smile.

    Arthur looked up, mortified. "I said I was sorry!"

    Gilgamesh gently rubbed his shoulders. "And I said you have nothing to apologize for," he said kindly. "Especially since I intend to return the favor," he finished in a low purr.

    "Uh." I felt my mind blank to protect myself for a moment.

    <Executing Hard Reboot. Processing. Processing. Reboot Complete.>

    Dragon gave a stormy exhale through her speakers. "Perhaps this isn't any of our business," she said in a candid tone.

    I shrugged, finally back to my senses. "Okay. King Arthur's a freak who can satisfy Gilgamesh, news at 11. Set them up with on/off soundproofing charms for their apartment. Case closed."

    The whole room turned to me.

    "Trinket!" Gilgamesh said in a delighted tone.

    Arthur gaped like a fish.

    Dragon made a sharp wheeze.

    Da Vinci just stared.

    "I mean, kings are notorious for their appetites," I said flatly. "And from what I remember, Arthur was hella repressed. Is it any surprise that him getting at another warm body after umpty-dump years results in…" I waved my hands in a sort-of-explosion way.

    "A bit more sustained, but quite to the point," Gilgamesh said, still with a pleased look on his face.

    Arthur let out a groan.

    "Who are you and what happened to Grail?" Da Vinci said suspiciously.

    I shrugged. "I had a nice talk with a friend and now I'm feeling mostly better. I mean, it's not even a stop-gap, but… yeah. I got a lot off of my chest that I needed to. Hey, at least this way I'll last until Yamada gets here."

    Gilgamesh gave a sly smirk. "Honestly, Arthur and I probably could have lasted that long, too."

    Arthur let out a mortified shout and buried his face in his arms again.

    Dragon coughed. "Soundproofing is good. We need have no further involvement," she said in a terse tone.

    Da Vinci deflated. "No tarring and feathering?"

    "No…?" I said slowly.

    "Not even a walk of shame?"

    "No," I said, more firmly. "It was an oversight, it won't happen again. Will it?" I asked the Archer and Saber.

    Gilgamesh shrugged languidly. "I'm happy to implement whatever measures preserve our privacy and make Arthur more comfortable."

    Arthur's head didn't move, but he flashed us a shaky thumbs-up.

    "Court adjourned," Dragon said through a haze of static, and the projector disconnected. Then it sparked furiously as the screen went dark.

    I gave Da Vinci a flat look. "Clean up the mess, then go get to work on that soundproofing system. I'll agree with you that we don't want the police over that often, but public humiliation is a bit much."

    She gave me a long look, then cracked a small grin. "As you wish." She immediately began tending to the busted machine.

    I groaned as I stood up, rolling my shoulders. I walked over to Arthur.

    "You going to be okay?"

    "I had a really good night," he said softly, "and then this morning I had to deal with this. No, I'm not doing good right now."

    I gave him a gentle hug. "You did nothing wrong."

    "Yeah!" Aisha said, making herself known. "I saw this fucked-up muppet show on TV, and they were super clear: 'You can be as loud as the hell you want when you're making love!'"

    "...Avenue Q was on TV?"

    Aisha shrugged. "Yeah. Was made for TV, so the budget wasn't anything special. I'm surprised you're not asking how I saw it."

    "Same way you saw the Boondocks; your mother was stoned out of her fucking gourd."

    Aisha grinned. "Aw yeah, I can't believe I managed to take down Nazis with the work of McGruder. I'm sure he'd be proud."

    I smirked as I gently squeezed Arthur one last time and let him go. "I'm sure."

    Gilgamesh sidled up. "So who was the friend who convinced you to open up?" he asked curiously.

    "Taylor. She also put her entire life story on the line, so…"

    Gilgamesh nodded in approval.

    Arthur stood up and gave me a sideways glance, and a small smile. "Thanks for standing up for us," he said in a more steady tone.

    Gilgamesh looked… not ashamed, but mildly regretful. "Arthur…"

    Arthur shook his head. "It's fine, Gil. I don't blame you for what happened, and you did try and deflect attention onto yourself. I appreciate it."

    Gilgamesh exhaled. "Are we alright? I can easily make time if we need to talk."

    Arthur paused. "I… think I'd like that," he said.

    Oh wow. I hadn't been paying attention, but these two… okay.

    I coughed into my hand. "Well, just remember that you'll need to communicate after the honeymoon period too. Especially after you fight."

    Arthur gave me a wry grin.

    Oh.

    "You weren't around, but… Arthur and I may have had it out about a disagreement in values," Gilgamesh said evasively.

    "It was resolved, and we're still together," Arthur said firmly. "We're adults, Grail. I appreciate you looking out for us, but I think we have it from here."

    I scratched the back of my head. "...sorry."

    I let out a sharp "Oof" as Arthur crushed me in a bear hug.

    "You've nothing to apologize for, either," he said in a much happier tone. He looked over at Gilgamesh, letting me go. "Shall we?" he said with a smile.

    Gilgamesh inclined his head, smile gentle. "As you wish."

    I looked over to Aisha as the two Servants left.

    "So."

    She mimed locking her lips and tossing a key. "We're good."

    I grinned and nodded. "How's Brian?"

    She grimaced. "Asleep. Panacea didn't find anything. Neither did Illya. I think it was stress, she said? Anyways."

    I narrowed my eyes. "Right. Speaking of, I've got an appointment. Want to come visit the hero formerly known as Bonesaw with me?"

    "Nnnnope. You go do bad all by yourself, fren," she said, flashing finger guns at me and fading into obscurity.

    As expected.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    I blinked curiously as Bone- sorry, Upgrade - filled a vial with protoplasm and stuck it in a centrifuge. Panacea watched on, bemused, while Nightingale took notes on a clipboard with studious intent.

    Riley let out a squeal of joy as it spun and turned a pale green color. "It's working! Guys, it's working!"

    Panacea shook her head. "I noticed," she said dryly.

    "You guys getting along better?" I said curiously.

    Amy shrugged. "I've been around ZZ for way longer, and she hasn't killed me yet. I figure if nothing else I'm keeping an eye on her."

    "You guys have so much money, and… how much of this stuff can I get?" she asked, holding up an unused cup of Grail Water.

    I shrugged. "I'm a bottomless supply of it, so- ACK!"

    I stared down at the small girl squeezing me around the stomach. "Yaaaaay! This is way better to work with than the Sea Demons! And with Amy helping, I definitely don't have to hurt anyone to use my powers! This is the best!" she cheered.

    I blinked at Amy.

    She merely smiled benevolently. "You're on your own."

    I shrugged. "You're welcome, Riley." I paused. "Actually, there's a project I think you might be interested in. It's ongoing thus far, but you might be what helps finish it."

    Riley blinked curiously. "What is it?"

    "Flesh-repair nanites. I think ZZ and Armsmaster are over at Dragon's console discussing progress right no-"

    I spun on the spot and saw Riley dashing over to the Tinkers.

    Nightingale paused before she headed over. "Thank you for accepting us so readily. I will now assist the doctor in creating the treatment." She continued her march.

    "So… Berserker Florence Nightingale," Amy said slowly.

    "Yep."

    "How's that work, again?"

    "Conflict killing Noble Phantasm that heals her allies during the ceasefire, and removes anything that could be an ailment."

    "Anything?"

    "Yep. She can also punch the shit out of stuff; she's only a little weaker physically than Heracles and Asterios."

    "Yikes."

    Riley began to jump up and down excitedly as she babbled at ZZ, Armsmaster, and presumably Dragon.

    Armsmaster was paying close attention while ZZ floated and Dragon began running lines of text next to her avatar.

    "At least she's fitting in," Mimi said quietly as she walked over.

    "How are you doing?" I asked.

    Mimi shrugged. "Not a lot of people talked to me yet, but Taylor invited me out to lunch with her and Lisa. It sounds like a nice time. Ozymandias wants to go and hang out with Gilgamesh."

    I hummed. "Gilgamesh is having some time with his boyfriend. Maybe later?"

    Mimi nodded quietly. "Yeah."

    I hummed. "Hey, ask those two if you can invite Elle."

    Mimi perked up. "Do you think…?"

    "We've had no trouble with Faultline, and her crew kind of owes us anyways. It doesn't hurt to ask."

    Mimi gave a small, genuine smile. "Yeah. You're right." She wandered off with a little wave.

    Amy chuckled, then grew solemn. "So. You doing alright?"

    "Eh? Yeah?"

    She gave me a look. "I saw your face when you were that close to Cu's fire rune."

    I shifted uncomfortably. "Yesss?"

    "Did you talk to him?"

    "I was kind of busy with Riley when we got back…"

    Amy crossed her arms. "Do you need to talk with him?"

    I thought.

    ...yeah. I kinda did.

    Amy must have seen something on my face, because she nodded. "Make time later, then catch up with him. He's probably guilty about it."

    I grimaced. "Yeah… I'll talk to him soon. Really soon."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Lisa had pulled me over and into a coffee shop.

    It was maybe around 10? ZZ said she had a big show for everyone about four-ish, so there was plenty of time for this and then talking with Cu.

    She set a sweet drink down in front of me, and held her own cup of coffee.

    I took a sip. Caramel macchiato.

    "Like it?" she said with a grin.

    I nodded, taking another sip. "Yeah. Thanks, Lisa."

    She took a pull of her own drink, then set it down. She steepled her fingers in front of her.

    "So. You and Cu," she said coolly.

    I exhaled. "Yep."

    She inclined her head. "You know what I'm talking about?"

    I nodded. "Sakura was less than subtle. If I wasn't having such a day then, I'd have talked with her."

    Lisa hummed. "She strikes me as a woman who has seen some shit."

    "Without spilling her private life, she has."

    Lisa nodded. "Right. So you're aware. What's your game plan?"

    I swallowed some more coffee. "I haven't come up with one yet."

    Lisa tapped the table absentmindedly. "That's fair. What I've been reading off of you… yeah. Understandable. So, let's start with basics. What do you want?"

    "Meaning?"

    "Do you want him? Do you not? Terms and conditions?"

    I shifted. "I'm not sure. I…"

    "Have also seen some shit."

    I nodded. "Not like Sakura, but-"

    Lisa held a hand up sharply. "Ah, ah, ah. No misery poker, not even to mitigate your own bullshit. Everyone's got it, you included, and just because someone went through something different doesn't mitigate yours. So. You were saying?"

    I shifted. "I'm wary. I know Cu isn't like my exes, but I'm… scared. Of his expectations, what he might want. What he might do. And it's stupid-"

    "It's trauma. You're scared of a similar situation, regardless of whether the chances of it occurring are in your head or based in fact. That's not stupidity, it's protecting yourself." Lisa took another sip of coffee. "That said, you're making assumptions. That's dangerous for any relationship, platonic or otherwise."

    I blinked. "Huh?"

    She shook her head. "Not gonna say. It's a conversation for you and him, you know?"

    I nodded. "Right. That's legit."

    She gave me a small smile. "I'm so glad Taylor talked herself into talking with you. This conversation," she said, motioning at us, "would not be happening a week ago." She paused. "She also seems happier too, so there's that."

    I gave a soft laugh. "I'm glad."

    Lisa sighed. "So you're interested?"

    Let me support you.

    Is it alright if I follow you around today?

    It's about getting to know you better!

    I'm tired of you putting yourself down.

    It's fine, he said as he gently placed a hand on my head.

    "...I might be a little gone on him, now that I think about it," I said, mildly mortified.

    Lisa gave me an unimpressed look. "Duh. Also, not what I asked. You can be gone on someone and still not want a relationship."

    I swallowed. "I think… I think that's something I need to talk with him about."

    A foxlike grin slowly spread over Lisa's face. "Good answer." She stood up, and walked to my side of the table. She gave me a quick peck on top of my head. "Last I heard, he's relaxing in your apartment. I'll wrangle the Undersiders to clear everyone else out so that you have some privacy however this falls out." She paused. "That'll take a few, so go check in on Brian first. Aisha messaged me a little bit ago and said he wants to meet you." She stretched, and offered me another grin. "I'll see you closer to showtime, then?"

    I nodded. "Yeah. And Lisa?"

    "Hmm?"

    "Thanks."

    Her grin softened into a smile. "Anytime, friend."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Aisha hummed absentmindedly as Brian gave me a scrutinizing stare.

    "I'm on the level, promise."

    Brian shook his head. "I guess you'd have to be, to win the loyalty of the freaking Faerie Queen." He wouldn't meet my eyes.

    "Alright, what's up?" I said gently.

    Brian grunted.

    "He's pissed he didn't take you up when he had the chance," Aisha said flippantly. "Also that he had to be saved from a pack of mercs by Glastig Muthafukkin Uaine."

    Brian glared. "Thanks. Aisha."

    She gave him a winning smile. "No prob, bro. Oh, also I'm seeing someone."

    "What!? You're too you-"

    Aisha leaned forward, finger in his face. "You don't get to lecture me about life choices when you stayed signed on with R'lyeh the Musical."

    I blinked. "You and Alec?"

    "Yep."

    "So Astolfo…?"

    "We're discussing the possibility," she said with a shrug. "It could go either way, to be honest."

    Brian crossed his arms, grumbling.

    "So… why did you…?"

    "You're too good to be true," he said bluntly.

    I blinked. "Eh?"

    "You're nice. You're powerful. The two are usually mutually exclusive. You have these force multiplying, healing powers, you're one or two steps from immortal…" He trailed off. "If I hadn't seen for myself what you did for Rachel and Alec, I wouldn't believe it. Lisa doesn't sing just anyone's praises, yet the little bit I've heard from her she hasn't said anything bad about you. When she picked you over Coil, I was sure you'd Mastered her."

    "Well, Coil did also recruit her at gunpoint…" I said hesitantly.

    "And I know that now. But then, it seemed like you were just waiting under the heroes' name for all the scum to get cleared out before you took over."

    "So you've changed your mind?"

    Brian exhaled. "I guess."

    "Dumbass," Aisha said fondly.

    Brian wrinkled his nose. "Anyways. If I'm in, I want to lead the younger team."

    I couldn't help it. I belted out a belly laugh.

    His eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"

    "N-nothing. Just, if you think… Look. Talk to Taylor. And Aisha, please record her response. I'll want to see it."

    "Aye, aye bossman!" she said with a manic gleam in her eye. "This gonna be good."

    Brian shook his head. "I somehow doubt bug girl's gonna…"

    "Bug girl killed Oni Lee, bro," Aisha said, suddenly deadly serious. "She has chops. You better recognize or she'll tear you a new one."

    I winced. That had come up. Not one of her prouder moments, but she felt it justified.

    Brian was quiet. "Alright."

    I grumbled. "Look, dude. I get it. You're used to being in charge, and not trusting societal authority. This isn't easy by a long shot."

    Brian glared. "Do you? I've been working my ass off to get Aisha out of that hellhole, and here you are, all ready to save the fucking day. So what, you gonna wave your magic wand and make all my goddamn problems disappear?"

    I crossed my arms and leaned back. "Here's my offer, Brian LaBorn. Join the Guild. You're almost of age, and you need a job if you want to get custody. Aisha already joined, and has been staying with us with her mother's permission. I think the former Mrs. LaBorn might have been sober, but that's enough for the court. So you get a roof over your head, a budget for food and clothes, a paycheck, a reasonable amount of freedom and self-determination, and ready access to your sister. Literally everything you wanted. The other option is jail time, and I'm not accepting you making that choice." I stood up. My eyes narrowed at him. "Hocus pocus."

    Brian stared at me for a moment. His mouth curled into a wry grin. "Heh. That's a pretty convincing proposal." He shook his head. "Alright. Get me the paperwork."

    Aisha held out a stack of paper and a pen. "I'll turn it in when he's done."

    I nodded and got up to leave.

    "Grail," Brain said.

    I looked back.

    "Thanks for taking care of Aisha. We'll see how well I fit here."

    "Brian LaBorn, you are one proud… person," I finished lamely.

    Brian laughed. "Guess I am," he said with a smile.

    Aisha rolled her eyes. "Fuckin' men."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    I swallowed as I sat across from Cu on the couch.

    He eyed me suspiciously. "What's this about? Lisa and her friends cleared everyone but me out, and here you are." He blinked. "Are you okay?" he said, immediately concerned.

    "I… think so? Part of it is I wanted to check in on you after last night."

    Cu blinked again. "Yeah. I mean, are you? You were pretty freaked out by the fire."

    I grinned sheepishly. "I am now, yeah. I think I'll stick to support for the foreseeable future, though."

    Cu shrugged. "Nothing wrong with that. You're good at it."

    I swallowed again. "So… um."

    He gave me a guarded look.

    I rubbed my face. "I have no idea where to start. I know we need to talk, but…"

    Cu crossed his legs in front of him, perching his hands on his ankles. "Take your time."

    "So. I kind of. Finally noticed…? Well, more like stopped denying that… well…" I motioned between us.

    "Ah." Cu's gaze was a little sad.

    "It's not your fault. Honestly, it's not mine either. And I do like you. Romantically."

    Cu's gaze turned heavy. "But?"

    "I don't know if I can be what you need me to be. In terms of…" I blushed. "Yeah."

    Cu shrugged. "I mentioned it to someone else, but if 'we' happen? I'll take what you're willing to offer, no more."

    I shifted. "So if I said that, should we… be together… you could uh. Go out some nights with other people if you really needed to…?"

    Cu perked up. "That'd be perfect," he said, relief and happiness in his tone. "I was a little worried. I mean, most people tend to be more monogamous these days, so…"

    I let out a shaky exhale. "That's… better, I guess."

    "Than?"

    "My ex, Frank."

    Cu was quiet for a moment. "I don't think you've told me about him," he said gently.

    I laughed bitterly. "I haven't talked about my exes with anyone for a reason. I kind of like to pretend they don't exist outside of bad memories, but hey, trauma."

    Cu leaned forward slightly. "Trauma?"

    I bit my lip.

    "Grail?"

    I let out a shaky exhale.

    "If you're not ready to talk about it," Cu said gently.

    "No. No, I need to. Especially if. If we're gonna try this."

    He was quiet, but his gaze was encouraging.

    "So, first ex. Her name was Ruby. She was super nice and all, and then… well, you can guess. We broke up the next day, and of course insulting my masculinity based on… that… happened. Also she said I was too much of a sap and needed to man up."

    Cu growled.

    "Frank was worse. He started out great, didn't pressure me. Heck, we tried… a lot. Of different stuff. Some was great! Most wasn't. I offered to open the relationship so he could get what he needed elsewhere, and he seemed hesitant, but he agreed. That's when it started going downhill."

    Silence.

    "So, he starts nagging me about things. I play games too much. There's books everywhere. All this cake will hurt his figure, and mine, not that it mattered because I wouldn't let him touch me…! Which was bull, I just didn't want what he wanted, and everything that involved me with my clothes on suddenly became another point of me being wrong, because I was broken, and if I didn't want boys or girls and wasn't willing to put out so he didn't have to cheat then what good was I!?" I rubbed my face roughly. "Oh, and when I came out as ace to my parents, of course my fucking dad's response was what about grandkids? Not, 'we're so sorry you got emotionally fucking abused by your bastard boyfriend', or 'we love you, it's okay'. Fucking. Grandkids. They got better at least, but at that point it hurt so bad…!"

    At some point Cu had gotten up. He slid down behind me, settled me between his legs, and wrapped me in his arms.

    I just breathed, trying to even out. I rubbed the tears off of my face and slowly calmed down, leaning back into Cu. His chin gently dug into my shoulder.

    "I'm so sorry you had to go through that," he said, voice low. "You're not wrong, and you're not broken. You're such a good person, and I want you to know that."

    "I'm not good. I'm terrified of being alone, so I look for things to do for people. Weak points, things I can give them to make them like me. That's why I avoided you for so long, because I had nothing you needed or wanted that I could tell, and you still-!"

    "Yeah. I still. Because there's parts of you worth loving. You're worth loving."

    My vision blurred as the waterworks started up again.

    "Grail…"

    "Call me Matt."

    "Matt…?"

    "Short for Mattias. It's… it's my name, after all. Just, not where other people can hear it. I made Grail mean something, so…"

    Cu chuckled warmly. "I know the feeling. I used to hate being called Cu Chulainn, for a long time."

    "Can I tell you something?"

    "Hm?"

    "Calling you Cu kind of rubs me the wrong way. Like, you're not a dog, or hound. You're a person, a warrior, a friend… well… maybe… but yeah. You deserve better. I mean, not that it's not a good name! You made it mean something too, so-!"

    I flailed a little as Cu gave me a squeeze.

    "Set."

    "Eh?"

    "Setanta. You know?"

    "Oh."

    "So if I call you Matt when we're alone like this…"

    "Set?"

    "Yes," Setanta said.

    I leaned back. "I'm really tired. And kind of talked out."

    "I bet," he said with mild amusement.

    "Set?"

    "Yes, Matt?"

    "I wanna try."

    "Me too."

    "I still need like. Forever of therapy."

    "I understand."

    "But. I wanna try. And now I'm tired, so I'm gonna lay on you for a while."

    Setanta gave a deep laugh. "You're welcome to it."

    I hadn't felt that relaxed for a long, long time.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    I blinked owlishly as Cu had his arm around my shoulders. It was a small auditorium, and Costa-Brown and Piggot were giving a speech about giving Calvert an award for his work with the PRT and Fortress Construction's help in making Endbringer shelters.

    ZZ waited in the wings, and wait a goddamn minute I know that fucking outfit.

    She flashed me a peace sign as Ten Crowns turned into a fucking fairy wand, star tip and all.

    What fresh hell was she planning?

    Calvert took the podium with a set of screens behind him, and cleared his throat to speak.

    "Hey Tommy? Now that we're friends, I'm going to make you my new project!" ZZ said before he opened his mouth.

    He gave her a wary grin. "That's not necessary."

    "I know. That's what makes me so nice!"

    The lights dimmed, and spotlights focused on the stage, where ZZ had closed with the supervillain.

    "When I see someone less fortunate than I," ZZ sang.

    The screens behind her and Calvert lit up, and pictures of Coil's mercenaries staking out Dinah's house appeared.

    "And let's face it, who ISN'T less fortunate than I?"

    Pictures of the inside of his base followed, with images of drug drips and pictures of Dinah with her face blurred out.

    Thomas began to look between ZZ and the screens rapidly.

    "My tender heart tends to start to bleeeeed."

    He tried to run, but she grabbed him by the chin, and forced him to meet her eyes.

    "And when someone needs a makeover," she sang.

    Where the hell did she get Coil's costume!?

    "I simply have to TAKE OVER, I KNOW, I know exactly what they neeeeeed."

    She pursed her lips as he struggled.

    "And even in your case," she sang as the Sea Demons and Prelati appeared on the screen, revealing the command seals on Calvert's left arm by tearing off his sleeve.

    "Though it's the toughest case I've yet to face, don't worry, I'm determined to succeed!"

    The corpse vat used to produce the Sea Demons. Bits of homeless people poking out.

    "Follow my lead! And yes indeed, you. Will. Be."

    Oh my God.

    "Popular."

    The image drew back to show Coil holding the book and chanting over the corpse vat.

    "You're gonna be Popular! I'll teach you the proper poise when you talk to boys!"

    An image of Prelati sitting on Coil's desk, talking to the unmasked supervillain.

    "Little ways to flirt and flounce! Ooh! I'll show you what shoes to wear, how to fix your hair-"

    "Girl he bald!" Aisha screamed from next to me.

    "EVERYTHING THAT REALLY COUNTS to be Popular, I'll help you be Popular, you'll hang with the right cohorts-"

    Images of Coil's pay stubs and mercenaries appeared on the screen.

    "You'll be good at sports, know the slang you've got to know-"

    THE RULES: NO ATTACKING CIV ID appeared in flashing red letters over the blurred-out Dinah and a picture of Kayden's house under assault by Sea Demons.

    "So let's start, 'cause you've got an awfully long way to gooo…"

    Calvert managed to break free and bolted for the edge of the stage, where Piggot aimed a pistol at his face.

    "Don't be offended by my frank analysis," ZZ sang as she hauled him back in. "Think of it as personality dialysis," she continued, slamming him in the kidney with her wand.

    Calvert let out a choking wheeze.

    "Now that I've chosen to be-come a pal, a Ziz-ter and adviser, there's nobody wiser, not when it comes to Popular!"

    Now the footage of Armsmaster and Dragon fighting the Mercs and Sea Demons from Dragon's cam appeared on screen.

    "This is so going on PHO," Aisha said giddily.

    "My. God. This is fattening," Lisa whispered from behind me.

    "I know about Popular! And with an assist from me, to be who you'll be, instead of dreary who you were - well, are-"

    Footage played of Sea Demons combing the city.

    "There's nothing that can stop you from becoming Popu-ler.... LAR."

    She swung Calvert in a dance, his clothes flying off of his body from her telekinesis.

    "I'd feel bad, if it wasn't him," Da Vinci said mildly, sporting a pair of 3-D glasses.

    "La la, la la, We're gonna make you Pop-u-lar! When I see depressing creatures, with unprepossessing features-"

    Pictures of Calvert from. Oh. That's near Ellisburg. Is that his commanding officer's corpse!?

    "I remind them on their own behalf, to think of Celebrated heads of state or especially great communicators-"

    Images appeared of all the spies we nabbed in the PRT. ZZ… was really going all out.

    Costa-Brown sat with a benign smile on her face in the front row, Fortuna watching while filing her nails.

    "Did they have brains or knowledge? Don't make me laugh! They were Popular! Please, it's all about Popular!"

    And now actual paperwork from his systems were being pulled up and displayed with all sorts of nefarious plans, also including newly empty bank accounts.

    "It gets better," Lisa hissed in glee as she leaned in.

    "I'd normally discourage this behavior from you," Hans said, "But I'll allow it."

    "It's not about aptitude, it's the way you're viewed, so it's very shrewd to be! Very very Popular, like me!"

    And now the Coil costume went on.

    "Why, Mr. Coil… look at you. You're beautiful!"

    "You'll… pay…!"

    "You're welcome…" ZZ said sadly, letting him go as he stumbled backwards.

    The screen cleared.

    "And though you protest your disinterest…"

    BIOTINKERING

    "I know clandestinely…"

    BIOTINKERING+USING PEOPLE

    "You're gonna grin and bear it!"

    BIOTINKERING+USING PEOPLE = KILL ORDER

    Coil's partially exposed face blanched.

    "Your newfound popularity! Ha! La la, la la, you'll be Popular!"

    Mystic arrays surrounded the panicking villain, beginning to glow violently.

    "Oh shit, it's an execution!" Lisa gasped in awe.

    "Just not quite as Popularrrrr assss MEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!"

    The explosion and resultant gust of wind rocked the room.

    When the smoke cleared, Prelati stood there with an annoyed look on his face.

    "Now, I saw something coming, but that took the cake," he said dryly. "Good thing I bailed him out. But, as you just showed me… his usefulness is coming to a close. It's time to end this charade. Make your preparations, because I've made mine. Ta, heroes."

    And the little psychopath vanished.

    "Fou…" Fou murmured.

    "Yeah. This stinks of Giant Demon shenanigans," I said darkly.

    Cu tightened his arm around my shoulders. "Time to get ready for the big throwdown?"

    I nodded.

    This was going to be rough, even in comparison to all that had come before.

    But I had Setanta by my side.

    I was ready.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Rite 5.4
  • Threadmarks
    • Rite 5.4

    I exhaled as we gathered around the Summoning Circle. "I can't believe more than half of you are here…" I said with a nervous grin.

    Da Vinci nodded. "It's true."

    She was the only one who said anything. Everyone else, barring Cu, was shooting ZZ looks.

    She stood with her chin up, still in the Glinda outfit.

    "Mmmmaybe change out of that, when you get the chance?" I offered.

    ZZ deflated a little. "Yeah."

    "It was a good show! I mean, when you take into account you were gonna blow him up at the end. And stuff."

    ZZ shuffled. "I guess."

    "The spectacle was unnecessary, ZZ," Arthur chided gently. "Humor has a time and place. Entwining it with death isn't it."

    ZZ puffed her cheeks out. "But I never got to be funny before," she whined. "And BB-senpai said it was a hoot!"

    I exchanged a quick look with Cu. "BB's awesome, it's true, but her views on things and human views on things… don't always align. Especially in terms of practicality."

    ZZ wilted further. "Oh."

    "Maybe… tone it back a bit? At least when handling something as solemn as an execution," Da Vinci said gently.

    "I dunno, it was pretty great for me," Lisa said in a satisfied tone from the workbenches.

    "I really like your dress!" Riley chimed in.

    "Shit was hi-lar-i-ous," Aisha said with a grin.

    Alec opened his mouth, then shut it.

    Taylor shrugged. "I'm a hypervindictive teenage girl who doesn't balk at feeding villains to angry insects. Don't look to me for guidance on moral quandaries."

    I paused, blinking at Taylor.

    She gave a sheepish half-grin. "Tamamo's been working with me on being more self-aware. Not necessarily changing it, mind you, but being aware of my… charm points."

    Being overly vindictive and no-holds-barred is a charm point!?

    Cu gently rubbed the back of my neck. "Hey, we're here for a reason, right?" he said in a gentle tone.

    I nodded, giving his hand a quick squeeze with mine behind my head. "Right." I leaned over and muttered "Also, weren't executions like a total party back in the day?"

    He smirked. "We're trying to get her into modern morality. Good luck with most of your team being either before the Enlightenment in those terms, reformed villains, or Taylor," he whispered in my ear.

    I groaned. "Right! Anyways! Summoning!"

    The ring started spinning behind me.

    "Now, I think we're best suited-" Da Vinci started.

    "By defense! Execute summon! Shielder class!"

    If there was a soundtrack, there would have been a record scratch.

    "...Master?" Medusa said warily as the light continued to build.

    The light overflowed. "What?" I asked.

    We all blinked rapidly to clear our eyes.

    A young man in dark armor with fluffy silver hair stood, his single visible eye blinking at all of us. His face was utterly expressionless.

    "Shielder Galahad, attending."

    That was about the time Fou launched himself at his face with his rear legs first, knocking him off of his feet.

    "Nononono Fou NO!" I yelled, running forward.

    As I pried the little beast off of Shielder's face, I took note of the quiet murmuring behind me.

    Galahad stared up at me with a deadpan look. "As expected," he said flatly.

    Fou growled lowly.

    Taylor strode up. "Are you okay?" she said worriedly. She took Fou from my hands. "Seriously, fluffbutt? What got into you?"

    "Fouuuuu…"

    I looked up, and… uh.

    Asterios and Fran gazed intently. Not hostile, but definitely not friendly.

    Arthur had a small, sad smile on his face.

    Medusa was studiously examining her nails.

    Da Vinci's grip on her staff was tight, as was her close-lipped smile.

    EMIYA was full-on scowling.

    ZZ was nonplussed, and taking in the others' reactions.

    Cu put a hand on my shoulder. "You might want to talk to Gilgamesh," he said quietly in my ear. His look at Galahad carried tinges of displeasure, but not the outright hostility of some of the other Servants.

    I looked at the King of Heroes, and had a double take.

    The Gate of Babylon was open, and his face split in a snarl.

    "Gilgamesh, what the fresh hell is going on?" I said darkly.

    "It's him. If you know anything about the Grand Order…"

    "He helped in the end, didn't he?" I said.

    "After he was commanded to, magically. After tragedy unfolded, one after another." Blades began to poke out of the Gate.

    I stood up. "I'm not allowing this, Gilgamesh. Put that away."

    He met my eyes.

    "I'll win," I said. It wasn't said with confidence, or cockiness, or anything else. It was merely a statement of fact.

    Jeanne strode forward from next to Alexandria.

    "We cannot afford discord now! I know Prelati's power as well as any of you. I'm certain he means to discard Coil into the core of a Greater Demon to attack the city."

    "I want to know how he got past my Mentalism. I didn't sense anything," ZZ grumbled.

    I tapped my lip. "Illusions. Archimedes can manifest mirrors as gates now, and he did so under an illusion. No mind, nothing for you to detect."

    ZZ scowled. "Oh."

    I turned and helped Galahad to his feet. "Sir Galahad…" I said slowly.

    The golden light faded from behind me as I heard Arthur whisper harshly with Gilgamesh.

    Artoria strode forward, her expression firm. "I assume that as the circumstances are drastically different, we'll receive your full cooperation?" she said. Her tone wasn't unkind, but it was firm.

    "I answered the call, my king." The knight said no more.

    I exhaled. "Right. I'll be counting on you to help keep the horrors from attacking the civilians. Lord Camelot will be indispensable for that."

    He nodded briefly. "Understood."

    ...Talkative guy.

    Cu tapped my shoulder again. I looked over. He motioned me away.

    Once he got me relatively alone, he put his hands on my shoulders.

    "I know you won't hold what he did against him, but it'll take time and proof for him to earn the trust of most of the rest of us. Arthur and Artoria will be fine. Mordred will follow the kings. Asterios and Fran will likely follow along shortly, and ZZ wasn't present. Jeanne can forgive anyone, and Gareth was always fond of him. The rest of us still bear ill will." He paused and looked at Da Vinci, who continued to smile eerily at Galahad. "Some more than others. We all loved Mash and our Master, in our own ways. Those of us who were closer to them will likely be harder to sway." He paused again. "The only reason I'm not going for his throat is because this will already be harder on you than it needs to be," he admitted quietly.

    I leaned forward and bumped my forehead against his. "I appreciate it," I said quietly. Then I pulled back.

    Cu gave me a small smile. "Anytime." He exhaled through his nose, squeezed my shoulders gently, and let go. He turned to the rest of the room. "Oi! You lot!"

    Attention moved from Galahad to Cu Chulainn.

    "Our Master's accepted him, and that's what matters. He'll prove himself or not. Grail's got enough to deal with, so let's not make it worse." He crossed his arms. "We've got more important things to worry about than old grudges."

    Da Vinci's gaze faltered, then hardened. "Right. Let's not borrow trouble, as it were. What's the plan?" she asked.

    I swallowed. "So we know that his big finale will be the giant demon, but the amount of sacrifices…"

    Iskandar shook his head. "Gilles de Rais used that phantasm in the war I fought him. He can summon the demons whole cloth, it merely takes more energy. He called the Greater forth entirely on its own and acted as its core. Prelati is a far more skilled Caster, and will likely not need the sacrifices to awaken the creature."

    Alexandria strode forward, Armsmaster behind her. "So what can we expect?"

    "Immense reach, rapid regeneration, acid streams, and possible energy attacks," Artoria listed off easily. "Its body will be dense and difficult to get through. We'll need Grail to empower some of us to even the odds and prevent catastrophe."

    "If anything, we should watch the bay. It is aquatic life and will seek to devour that on land, but it needs a massive body of water to manifest," Gilgamesh said, finally tearing his gaze from Galahad.

    Arthur lightly bumped into his side. After a moment, Gilgamesh returned the gesture.

    "The ritual takes time, and Prelati isn't Gilles. He'll remain in hiding until the rite is ready," Artoria noted.

    Jeanne sighed. "Master, will we be attending?" she said, eyes questioning.

    Alexandria nodded. "I'll contact Legend and Eidolon. I don't know if Mata Hari will be able to contribute, but Eidolon's power is higher than it has been in years; he can only be a boon. And Legend and Enkidu will be needed as well."

    I turned to Dragon's console.

    Her avatar inclined her head. "More Servants have been appearing in my servers. I'll be lending Beowulf and-"

    "Behold! Celebrate! Acknowledge!" a strident, proud voice rang out.

    "Oh God Why," Nanashi Emiya said in exasperation.

    Tamamo perked up. "Ah!" she said happily.

    A woman clad in a red dress strode from the Servant Projection Unit attached to the console. She was a dead ringer for Artoria and Jeanne.

    "I have been nominated to represent the Dragon Cell outside its confines in the long term, umu! I am the glorious Emperor, Nero Claudius!" The woman in red placed her hands on her hips. "You may now applaud, um-AH!"

    Tamamo tackled Nero, laughing giddily. "It's so wonderful to see you!"

    "Eh!? Tamamo-no-Mae!?" Nero said in surprise. "Ah, but of course. You have been here without me or our dear husband, so it is only natural you missed us. It must have been lonely indeed," Nero said, suddenly understanding. She smiled gently. "It is good to see you again as well, my friend."

    I shot Cu a look. He shrugged. "I think they made up after Archimedes got his ass beat the first time," he said.

    Galahad stationed himself by my shoulder. He didn't say anything.

    I sighed. "Okay. Here's what I can string together. ZZ, Da Vinci, Galahad, and I will be the first line of defense for the city. We'll contact Semiramis to keep an eye from her castle with her familiars so Dinah can get an early warning, and to use her magecraft for an opening barrage. The forward vanguard will consist of Medusa, Iskandar, Arthur, Ozymandias and Phoenix, Gilgamesh, Glory Girl, Radiance, Eidolon, Alexandria, and Legend. Your mobility will be your greatest strength. The ground team will consist of Artoria, Mordred, Cu Chulainn, Frankenstein, Weaver, Tamamo, Nanashi, and Rin. Shirou, Dragon, and Fortuna, you lead everyone else in defending the city proper. I don't doubt standard Sea Demons will be amassing inland as Prelati empties his coffers. Panacea, you'll lead the relief team. Gareth aside, I'm giving you Asterios, Upgrade, Nightingale, and Illyasviel. The Servants can easily clear rubble between them, and Nightingale can support any needed healing efforts. Dragon, ZZ, I'm also giving you both the role of comms."

    "Comms?" ZZ said in confusion.

    "If Prelati manages to scramble our tech again, we need to be ready. So your job will be to work a mental switchboard as needed, if necessary. Can you do that?"

    ZZ paused, then nodded. "Yeah, I can do that."

    I exhaled. "That covers everyone but Glastig Uaine and Heracles. They're ostensibly on our side, but also loose cannons. If they commit to a course of action, help - and make it obvious you're helping - or stay out of the way. I don't trust them not to hurt anyone who isn't me or Illya."

    "Why Illya?" Lisa said curiously.

    "A version of me fought with Heracles in a Grail War. We're kind of friends." the magus said with a smile.

    "Dimensional bullshit, got it," Alec said easily.

    Alexandria seemed satisfied. "It's a good setup. The teams should meet to discuss strategy, such as we can. I'll head up the vanguard; everyone meet me in the western wing within the next five minutes." She strode off.

    Weaver put Fou down on the floor. "Alright ground team. We'll talk shop in the east wing. Let's go."

    Shirou waved. "Everyone else, let's go talk in the southern area. I want a good idea of everyone's capabilities. Especially you three," he said, motioning to Regent, Cerberus, and the newly-named Golem. The bulk of the group moved in that direction.

    "I'm taking charge. Relief, we're going to workbenches and cranking out as much healing gear as we can while we talk. Let's go!" Panacea called out, marching to her station.

    I shrugged. "Alright you three, let's go over here and chat about my expectations for you for the fight."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Da Vinci pointedly didn't look at Galahad, who looked utterly unconcerned by anything.

    Fou sulked in my lap, and ZZ fidgeted quietly.

    I sighed. "Okay. Look. This situation isn't the Grand Order. There's been no human experimentation, the enemy is eminently more defeatable, and I'm pretty sure in the case of the latter you've learned your lesson about giving up on humanity so easily."

    Galahad shrugged. "You could say that."

    "Right. So Da Vinci, I'm aware of how much Mash meant to you. She's a wonderful person, deserving of love and respect. That said, maligning Galahad doesn't help her, and might in fact hurt us. So let's all pretend to be mature adults and work together to come up with a semi-workable plan to keep the big tentacle out of Brockton."

    ZZ fidgeted. "Y-yeah."

    I looked at her. "Yes?"

    "I. Uh. I wanted to say I'm sorry. I shouldn't have played around with Archimedes, and I shouldn't have played around with Coil. I'll try to be better."

    "You're a Moon Cancer. Unnecessary sadism is part of the package," Galahad said dryly.

    ZZ flinched.

    "Galahad, stop. You're not Karna so don't try to be. She's kicking herself and learning from her mistakes, so harping on her won't help," I scolded.

    Galahad inclined his head. "As you say, Master."

    "Also, stop being so stiff. Neither ZZ nor I hold anything against you, mostly because we weren't there. That's past, and this is the present."

    "Yes Master."

    I scowled. "You have five seconds to stop being such a stick in the mud before I hug you into compliance."

    Da Vinci stifled a laugh.

    "Truly a terrifying fate, Master. I am uncertain as to what I should do."

    Wait a minute.

    I peered at Galahad's face.

    "He's totally trolling you!" ZZ said in a loud whisper.

    "What."

    Galahad simply gave me a blank look.

    "He's really happy that you trust him, but he wants to look cool so it doesn't show how much it hurts that almost everyone else hates him."

    Galahad turned to ZZ. "Is it necessary to spill all my innermost thoughts to the world?"

    "No, but it's fun. And isn't pointless sadism part and parcel of being a Moon Cancer?" she said innocently.

    "Alright, both of you. Stop tormenting each other."

    "It's all in good fun," they said simultaneously. Galahad shot ZZ an unimpressed look as she flashed him a peace sign.

    I dragged them both next to me and put my arms around both their shoulders. "Alright you two. Behave."

    "As you wish, Master."

    "Fiiiine. But just because you're my lil' bro!" ZZ paused. "And I'll take Servant stuff more seriously. Or try."

    "Good, because your biggest, best bounded field is going to be our second line of defense."

    She blinked. "Second?"

    I nodded. "Da Vinci, is it safe to assume you have a forcefield projector somewhere in your repertoire of infinite gadgets?"

    She smirked. "Naturally."

    "That's first. Then you, then my Tide of Life, and finally Lord Camelot. We'll deploy Da Vinci and you first, followed by my Tide - it's unique enough that you can tune your field to let it past for our friends to get the benefits, and I'm not sure even Da Vinci's tech could stop it for long…"

    Da Vinci coughed. "Perhaps you should saturate the field of battle, then let it expand into the city as we place our barriers."

    I nodded. "Good point. So I'll lead, followed by Da Vinci, then ZZ. Galahad," I said, squeezing his shoulders, "Will be the last line of defense, empowered by my second phantasm. I can project it through Tide of Life as well, so I can target anyone in direct combat with the creature. Once I get the Tide far enough inland, I can target any of those defenders as well."

    Galahad's gaze sharpened for a moment. "Understood. I won't let you down."

    Fou blinked at him. "Kyuu?"

    He merely stared back.

    I smiled at Galahad. "You know… I get the feeling that even though you act really mopey, you can be a pretty nice guy if you try." I ruffled his hair. I turned to ZZ. "And ZZ, I do appreciate the levity you bring. It's all about finding a time and place for it, you know?" I kissed her on top of her head.

    "Awww. Thanks lil' bro. I'll be sure to not let you down!" ZZ said, waving Ten Crowns in the air.

    Galahad's cheeks turned a mild pink for a moment. "I'll be sure to repay your confidence in me."

    Da Vinci merely smiled at the three of us. "Well, should all go well… I believe the discord in our little group should settle after the fight," she admitted.

    "Little?" I said, spreading my hands.

    Da Vinci inclined her head. "Forgive me. I mean our small army."

    "Small?" Galahad said, tilting his head.

    "She got the army bit right," ZZ said with a snicker.

    "Kyuu."

    Da Vinci puffed her cheeks out. "When did it get to be my turn to be picked on!?"

    "Because we love you?" I said with a shrug.

    The genius smirked. "Well, I suppose that's natural."

    "Fouuuu…"

    "Hush, you."

    "Can you even understand him?" I asked.

    "No, but some things transcend language," Da Vinci said haughtily.

    Galahad seemed relaxed.

    "Feeling better?" I asked him.

    "A bit. Thank you for your concern, Senpai." He froze.

    Da Vinci stared.

    "Erm. You do remember you're a Briton, right?" I said slowly.

    His gaze was evasive. "I… may have picked up some affectations from my last summoning."

    ZZ gave a grin. "So if he's the kouhai, what are Fran and Asterios to you, baby brother?" she said teasingly.

    "My precious sunshine children who I would kill for. If Archimedes or anyone else looks at them funny, I'll tear their spleens out with my teeth."

    "That was prompt," Da Vinci said in a mild tone.

    I blinked. "So?"

    ZZ and Da Vinci laughed while Galahad held his hand over his mouth.

    I angled my head and peeked to see a small grin.

    Okay. So maybe this wouldn't be a disaster after all. Well, aside from the giant Dagon knock-off.

    Fou scurried onto my head and curled up. "Fou."

    "Good to know we'll have your support, Fou."

    "Also, we have an audience," Da Vinci said in a sweet tone.

    I turned my head.

    "...Papa?" Fran said curiously.

    Asterios just stared.

    "Hey guys," I said with a smile.

    I was promptly tackle-hugged by a pair of very happy Berserkers. The table was a loss, but I was fine, and that's what mattered.

    "Hey! Stop squishing me!" ZZ complained.

    And that's what mattered.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    "I'm gonna get some rest," I told the remaining Servants. We'd disbanded for the day with comms plugged in, just in case. It was evening, so everyone was trying to get some downtime before everything popped off.

    Sakura stood near the door, eyes on me. She followed me out.

    "I noticed you and Cu Chulainn are a bit friendlier, now."

    "Yeah. I… I talked to him. About some stuff." I scratched the back of my head. "Sorry for snapping at you."

    Sakura laughed quietly under her breath. "I've had people do far worse without an apology. I forgive you."

    "Eh. At least they're not here anymore, huh."

    "No. They aren't." Her voice carried the faintest tinge of smugness.

    I exhaled. "You were right."

    Sakura nodded. "I'm aware."

    Well, at least it wasn't 'I told you so'.

    "So... it's not going anywhere fast, but… we're uh. A thing."

    "Who knows?"

    "I didn't get a chance to tell anyone else, really. Honestly, if they couldn't figure it out from the little affectionate headbutt we had off to the side…"

    Sakura gave a sharp, tinkling laugh like a broken bell. "Grail, most of us were focused on your Servants trying to maul each other and trying to figure out why. If it wasn't for Medusa and Artoria telling us about his situation beforehand, Shirou, Rin, and I would have been in the dark as well. The only person who's aware of your situation with Ireland's Child of Light is me, I assure you of that."

    "Pretty sure Gilgamesh was set to kill," I muttered. "And I am going to have hell to pay when he gets me alone, I'm sure."

    Sakura gave me a small smile. "Doubtful. You stood up for what you thought was right without hesitation. The King of Heroes admires such things. His ego might be a touch bruised, but…"

    "My second meeting - first remembered at the time - involved me tanking a barrage of his while manhandling him out of the old warehouse."

    Sakura's laugh had a touch more glee in it this time. "I'm sure Shirou would have a heart attack if we told him," she said. "That said… how durable are you?"

    I shrugged. "Against purely magical attacks, I think I have some resistance? Probably not high enough to merit a skill, but I'm not easily flattened. Anything that has to interact with physics under a certain rank I can walk off. The rest I can tank and deal with later. I'm also flat-out immune to mind-altering abilities. If Prelati's illusions worked purely on the brain I'd be fine, but he's lying to reality, not just me. It's bonkers and totally unfair," I finished with a grumble.

    "Indeed it is," Sakura said, gently taking my elbow and directing me towards her apartment.

    "That's why I'm taking measures, so you don't get hurt again."

    Her gaze was steel. "I haven't been hurt like that in a long time. When I see it happen to someone else…" She exhaled. "I'm no hero of justice. I'm not Shirou. But I'm not standing by when I can do something about it." She looked down the hall. "Illya? Can I borrow you for a second?"

    Illya stumbled out of her room, clad in pajamas. "I'm up! I'm good! What's up?"

    Sakura sat me down on their couch. "Can you give Grail's circuits a once-over?"

    Illya grinned. "Sure! I might be able to give him a tune-up, too."

    Which was how the universe's youngest Magician ended up with her hands planted on my back and 'ooh'ing and 'ah'ing at the mechanics of my soul.

    "Okay, so the cup is the manifestation, but you do have a direct link to the Root. I'm having to dance around it, but it's constantly forcing your circuits to evolve, which means eventually you'll probably get new abilities on your own. I can't tell if you'll be able to replicate Magic, but you'll definitely get really close. There's a couple of pre-existing abilities, but one is really damaged. I can patch it up easily, though. It looks like it was down for a little bit, then your soul got… Yikes. Okay, anyways. Tuning… attuning… repairing… activating…" Illya hummed.

    <Magic Resistance Restored. Unlocked: EX Rank.>

    What the fuck.

    "Oh, that bastard," I murmured.

    Sakura raised her eyebrows at me.

    "Archimedes caught me with my fucking pants down. His fire shouldn't have been able to touch me."

    Illya hummed. "I also fine-tuned it. It was originally pretty indiscriminate, but now you can just block out harmful abilities. For a human idea of harmful, too. Darn, I'm good! Huh? What's… oooooooh."

    Sakura blinked. "Is that a good 'oooh' or bad 'oooh', Illyasviel?" she said curiously.

    "Good. Really good. I accidentally linked that to your Phantasms. Your Tide should be able to block magic more effectively, and you can confer your Resistance to people you enhance." Illya paused. "It probably says a lot that I only needed to make one or two fixes to get you here. You were probably supposed to have that all along."

    I clenched and unclenched my fist. "Yeah." I smiled at her. "Thanks, Illya. I owe you one."

    She smiled back. "Hey, just keep my oni-chan and everyone alive, and we're even."

    I observed the faint blue shimmer around my skin as I pulled up my Magic Resistance. "I think I can deliver on that."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Coil drooled uselessly, sprawled on the surface of the mirror. The tome was clutched loosely to his chest.

    "How are you doing this, again?" Archimedes asked.

    "Oh, it's quite easy. He's trapped in a mental loop of his time in Ellisburg, sans powers. Meanwhile, I've convinced the world that he's doing the chant he needs to while I provide the prana and he holds the book. And now we can discard this failed project and move onward."

    Archimedes shook his head, gesturing with his mirrored prosthetic arm. "It's not a failure. The effect of the Dragon Witch and Lung together was far more comprehensive than you alone. What I need to do is find willing collaborators who will act as multipliers for the forces we can bring to bear. Of course, that will take time, and be a tertiary plan. Our current primary is already active in Namibia, for the sheer simplicity of it. Should that fail somehow, we move to secondary."

    Archimedes' eyes gleamed with a cold fire. "Honestly, I cannot see that one failing, save for drastic outside intervention. But should it… there are a few stop-gaps I can utilize while we search for candidates."

    "To make this world a deader place," Prelati hummed. "Speaking of which… bon appetit, my dear," he said as he kicked Coil's limp body off of the mirror.

    The form fell, and fell, and fell. It hit the water over a massive, dark shape. Slowly he sank, and was enclosed in a dome of dark, rubbery flesh.

    The tower of muscle and spines rose from the depths, and began to spread.

    Spiked tendrils flooded the bay as it moved towards the city.

    "Aaand offloading the remainder of the little ones… now. They'll just hunt and feed from here on in. We'll see how effective this hero alliance is." Prelati smiled giddily. "Oh, this will be such fun to watch from afar!"

    Archimedes hummed. "One does not usually consider 'fun', when discarding a failed project such as humanity." He paused, then a small grin appeared. "But it does put a smile on my face."

    Prelati manifested a new copy of his book in his grip. "Time to be off, then."

    The Endbringer sirens began to wail.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Rite 5.5
  • Threadmarks
    • Rite 5.5

    I turned my gaze from the city proper out into the bay. People had already made it to the shelters for the evening; the sirens were mostly a formality.

    It was darkly encouraging that they were prepared for just such an event. Had Fuyuki had to endure this while Servants needed to get set up, it would be halfway to ashes.

    As it was, most of the damage was to property from the clash of Shirou's forces against the lesser demons. There were less than forecasted, but enough to be a problem unattended.

    Out in the bay was another story. The great horror slowly made its way into the former Ship Graveyard.

    "Reset. Return. The sea of beginnings, the inexorable march of time… purification, revitalization, rebirth! Song of Grail: Overflow, O' Tide of Life!"

    The crystalline grail's sides seemed to drop in the four cardinal directions, and the Noble Phantasm rushed out, rapidly covering ground. The Docks were saturated in minutes, and it began to rapidly spread into the Bay itself. My awareness rapidly forged inland, reaching Captain's Hill almost as quickly as I reached the Horror.

    I tapped my arm rhythmically as Da Vinci gave me a smug look.

    "Alright, maybe my rain plan was unnecessary during the fight with Jeanne. But for argument's sake, I was not exactly in my right mind at the time."

    She shrugged, and tapped the base of her staff against the Grail Water beneath us. "Deploying barrier."

    Several drones shaped like spotlights emerged from the Tide, sending beams of light into the air. The light fanned out into a wall, and stood a good distance above the rooftops of the docks.

    "Bounded Field, go!" ZZ said with a grin. A burning, transparent layer of violet appeared behind Da Vinci's forcefield.

    "Shall I deploy?" Galahad said softly.

    I looked at his face. His single visible eye burned.

    I shook my head. "We'll reserve it until the horror breaches Da Vinci's field. Do you have any long-range offensive abilities?"

    He paused. "None that would not consume a good amount of your current energy reserves. Perhaps later in the fight, if necessary."

    That… sounded ominous. Wait. If I remembered correctly…

    "So do you have the Arthurian holy-"

    "No. In our group, you are the closest to that item in power," Galahad said quickly.

    Then… Oh. "You have the Dolorous Blow. The Bleeding Spear, the Spear of Destiny-"

    "Yes, I have the lance. Well spotted, you," he said dryly. His eye did shine a bit with amusement.

    Heh. I'm learning to read you, smuglord. Take that.

    "Right, if I enhance some others it shouldn't be necessary, but I'll keep its existence in mind," I said, turning my attention to the horror. Its slow approach was halted by the flying vanguard. "Okay, I'm going to need to choose three fliers, three ground team, three of the city protection squad, and you. Any ideas?"

    Galahad held his chin in his hand. "For the fliers, Eidolon has a diverse set of abilities, and Medusa may have the greatest amount of power she can quickly and willingly use. Excalibur and Ea are both mighty, but may not make a full appearance in this battle. Those aside, Ozymandias has the greatest readily available firepower through Mesketet. On the ground, Tamamo might play a bit much so I'd advise against. If your closeness is a factor, I'd suggest Weaver, Cu Chulainn, and either EMIYA or Frankenstein. In the city itself, I would choose Dragon for sheer coverage, Tattletale for information analysis, and Regent so he can better empower the remaining forces."

    I blinked. Huh. I'd forgotten his title as 'God's Perfect Knight' was earned, and that in some legends Arthur named him as the best of the Round. He was clearly no slouch in terms of intelligence. I smiled at him. "Good choices, Galahad. I'll get started immediately."

    His cheeks turned pink for a sharp second. "As you wish it, Master."

    "Designating targets. Begin! Rider Medusa! Rider Ozymandias! Eidolon! Weaver! Lancer Cu Chulainn! Alter Ego EMIYA! Dragon! Tattletale! Regent! Shielder Galahad! Maximum targets selected!"

    "Ah. I forgot my sword. I could make use of that, too."

    I slapped my forehead.

    {Processing. Bond Anaylsis: Bond 8. Bond 2. Bond 7. Bond 9. Bond 9. Bond 6. Bond 8. Bond 7. Bond 6. Bond 4. Analysis complete. Proceed?}

    "I am a wish. I am fulfillment. I am the changer of ends! It's time to sever fate! Song of Grail: Heroes Shall Not Die!"

    The energy shot from the flood, and impacted the named targets.

    The horror entered the Bay with its entire body.

    The battle was joined.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Tattletale scanned the streets for any further signs of life. "I'm not picking much up…" she muttered. Her power was being pretty upfront: not much was out and about. But there was something…

    Her eyes widened as a new rush of information hit her.

    Sewers. Using the sewers to get closer to Endbringer Shelters unhindered.

    She could almost… wait. That was new.

    The monsters showed up as points of light in her vision, although they were out of her line of sight and underground.

    "Dragon! They're in the sewers, and trying to get to the shelters that way!" she said into her comm. "I've got a dozen heading north, and the rest heading towards the downtown shelter!"

    "The largest concentrations. Naturally," Dragon groaned.

    "Good work Tattletale," Shirou said encouragingly. "How did you figure it out?"

    "Something's amping my power up."

    Dragon whirred. "My processors are at full tilt too. I'm not quite sure… ah!"

    "Oh hey, I can affect you too. Here, buffs for everyone." Regent sounded bored, but Tattletale somehow knew he was excited.

    Hans glanced sidelong at Lisa. "So what are your orders?"

    Tattletale bit her lip. "We'll go downtown. Send what backup you can, okay Dragon?"

    "Of course. En route now. Good luck, Tattletale."

    "Heading towards the largest concentration. How interesting," Hans said.

    Tattletale shrugged. "If I'm going to do the hero thing, might as well do it right," she said with false cheer. In truth, she was scared as all hell. But Grail trusted her enough to give her extra power, and she wasn't inclined to let him down.

    Hans nodded solemnly. "I see. In that case, I shall support you to my limit, Master." Tattletale swore she could see a small grin on his face.

    The two of them made haste downtown, and Tattletale felt her irritation mounting. "Why won't they surface so we can… duh. Still annoying," she grumbled.

    Hans hummed. "You know, Master, you've come a long way."

    She blinked.

    "You're still brash, vindictive, a touch smug… but your kindness, formerly restricted to your friends, has grown incredibly. You would not have made this pursuit on our first meeting."

    "Okay, sure, but what does that-"

    "You've learned restraint, and a touch of humility." Hans's smile was more open. He hefted a book, about the size of a children's storybook - a Dahl, or maybe one of Rowling's earlier works. "It's quite the development."

    "And so I shall give you the power to achieve your goals, transient though it may be."

    Hans' entire body glowed.

    "Marchen Meines Lebens: A Story Just For You."

    The book vanished, and Lisa saw.

    There were lines everywhere.

    And instinctually, she knew what to do.

    She slowly put her handgun back, and pulled out a knife.

    "So how long do I got?" she said finally.

    "I think it should last an hour."

    A small smile crossed her face. "More than enough time."

    Reaching down, she made the first cut. And the earth fell apart above her enemies as she spun down through the air to meet them.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Dragon flew through the air in her primary drone, directing the rest of the Dragonflight. While Tattletale pursued the larger mass, with Beowulf, Shirou, Sakura, and Armsmaster to assist her (when they arrived), she aimed herself towards the smaller, northern one.

    "Cave in near downtown!" Regent called.

    "There's no caves," Imp said flatly.

    "Okay, but Tats just took one swipe at the road, and it ate it, and every one of those things she's getting at is going down in ludicrous gibs and not getting back up!"

    "Wait, wait, the regenerators aren't getting back up?" said a new voice. Grail.

    "Yeah, I saw Hans hold up this book, and then she took out a knife and started going to town! I'm amping up all of us, by the way - good range expansion," Regent said.

    The comms were momentarily quiet.

    "WHO HAD THE BRIGHT FUCKING IDEA TO GIVE TATTLETALE MYSTIC EYES OF DEATH PERCEPTION?" Grail roared.

    "Hans and you, apparently. It sounds like an interaction of your powers," Rin commented in a dry tone over the sound of explosions.

    "Hiiii Dragonnnnn!" a voice called as they soared past.

    Dragon re-focused, and caught sight of Astolfo ferrying Regent and Imp around on a hippogriff.

    What.

    "Nonono, not the ground, not the ground!" Regent yelled.

    Imp brandished a spiked bat. "Let's kick ass!"

    The hippogriff vanished before they struck the pavement. Dragon's sensors re-oriented, and the Servant had appeared with his masters in the sewers, and Imp seemed to be winding up for a hit against something.

    "RAAAAH!"

    The ground ruptured, sending no less than ten Sea Demons flying.

    Standing beneath were Imp and Astolfo holding raised weapons, with Regent holding his hands out towards them.

    That… is an impressive enhancement, Dragon thought.

    The Demons re-oriented themselves, searching for prey.

    "We need to keep them from escaping! They can't threaten the civilians!" Dragon called.

    "Hm. Indeed. I can see your point. So! I shall lend my strength here!"

    One of Dragon's more animalistic suits swooped in, the red-clad Nero on its back. The Emperor dismounted, landing before the demons.

    "It has been decided! Behold my glory! Hear the thunderous applause! This Kingdom of Heaven and Hell, my Heaven reconstructed! This is where my limelight shines! Aestus Domus Aurea!"

    The single rose floated before her sword, and the blade struck. The petals scattered, and the world changed.

    It was an arena. It was a theater. But above all, it was a stage, and the Saber stood proud with her flaming blade.

    "Come, Master! I'll share this stage with you!" she said with a wide smile.

    "Alright, powering up!" Regent said, arms thrust out towards Dragon and Nero.

    The Demons, sensing danger, tried to spread out.

    "I think not! Aestus Estus: Original Flame!" Nero swung, splitting the ground of the stage and sending forth a wave of flames. The flames split and encircled the demons.

    Energy crackled on Dragon's suit. Each and every concealed compartment opened, revealing all manner of ordinance. "Forming trajectory. Firing!"

    A rain of light and heat bombarded the Demons, cauterizing where they struck and preventing regeneration.

    Imp vanished, and an invisible force began knocking the survivors into the air.

    Nero leapt, slashing and burning them before they hit the ground.

    The mouth of Dragon's suit oriented on the last survivors

    {Beginning upgrade protocols. Heroes Shall Not Die engaging fully.}

    Dragon felt… larger. Her suit was taller than she remembered. The limbs longer, and protrusions emitted from her back.

    "So… when were you going to tell us you were an actual metal dragon?" Imp asked, appearing next to her.

    Dragon roared.

    The wave of heat and light engulfed all that remained. After it passed, there were no ashes, or proof of existence.

    "And so the curtain draws," Nero said smugly as the theater dissipated in a shower of rose petals.

    Dragon gazed around the field. "Let's continue hunting. I'd rather the relief team not have to do too much work." She launched herself into the air, Nero leaping onto her back.

    "Not again…" Regent groaned as he was dragged onto the hippogriff.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    "Thank you, Asterios!" Upgrade said with a happy smile.

    "Uhn."

    "I believe this is the last one, Doctor," Nightingale said quickly.

    "These really do have a strange DNA…" Panacea mused.

    "Um, Pan... ? Aren't we supposed to be saving people…?"

    "Everyone got into the shelters, Gareth. They're fine."

    Asterios slammed the Sea Demon into the ground again, making it give a whimpering shriek.

    "Don't kill it! I need to study its nervous system! The redundancies make it note damage while reducing the pain response, and that could come in handy!" Upgrade scolded.

    "Yeah, that is weird. Guess that's Lovecraftian biology for you…" Panacea said with an intense stare.

    Gareth wilted. "You guys…?" She looked up at Asterios. "Should we…?"

    Asterios shrugged, and continued to hold down the struggling monster.

    Illyasviel giggled. "This is so much fun!"
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Tattletale easily weaved between the strikes of the Sea Demons. A quick flick of her blade sent another one tumbling down.

    "There's so many," she muttered. She sighed, and adjusted her grip. "Better pick up the pace."

    A sea of shadow rose up, and dragged half of them down.

    "Or not," Tattletale amended in a high-pitched voice.

    Sakura calmly strode forward, ensnaring the rest of the Demons in tendrils of darkness. "Let's clean this mess up."

    Shirou flung blade after blade, striking them down, and a mountain of a man laughed boisterously as he tore into them with his bare hands.

    Armsmaster pulled up next to her. "Can you get the rest of them once we down them?"

    "Easily."

    The work was grisly, but short. Sakura kept the Demons immobile while Armsmaster, Shirou, and Beowulf worked them down. Tattletale finished them off, one by one as she saw and cut their lines.

    "And that's the last of them," Shirou said in relief.

    A single, massive tentacle burst from the ground.

    "Or not," Beowulf said.

    Tattletale narrowed her eyes, and found a Sea Demon larger than the rest. It still had a glowing spot. "Sakura, can you bring it up here?"

    "On it," she said softly.

    The Demon rose, struggling, on a tide of shadows.

    Tattletale tilted her head as she beheld the single point of light, and lunged forward, pushing the knife in.

    The Demon fell in a shower of gore.

    Smaller ones all extinguished. Only the giant horror remains.

    Tattletale nodded. "That's the last one. That just leaves…" she trailed off, eyes narrowing towards the Bay.

    "Well that's not good."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Gilgamesh's lips thinned as he made another sweep with Vimana. He hated fighting this thing before, and he hated it now. It was vile. It didn't belong in his garden. The idea of sending his treasures against it was almost an insult.

    But now there was another reason.

    Ozymandias launched a barrage of light at it as Phoenix burned more flesh away, only for it to regenerate even from that.

    It briefly obscured Arthur's form as he barely evaded a torrent of tendrils.

    For whatever reason, the creature wanted Arthur and Medusa in particular.

    <[Careful you two! It consumes flesh, so you're a more appetizing target than the rest! Iskandar, you fall back! Your attacks aren't helping as much, so we'll keep you in reserve!]> ZZ's voice rang in their minds.

    Gilgamesh turned for another run, sending a wave of mountain-shattering swords at the beast. After impact, he returned them to his trove. He couldn't afford to be too picky.

    Arthur fended off another assault, swinging Excalibur and sending razor blades of wind dancing across the mountain of flesh.

    Why?

    Gilgamesh severed the tendrils with another flurry of blades, shadowing Arthur's progress towards the top of the beast.

    Why do I want so badly for him not to be harmed? This is war. This is combat. Injury is natural. Preserving his life is understandable, but this…

    A large mouth opened, and energy began to pool there.

    It didn't do that last time!
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Another wave of insects sank into the horror's form.

    "Well that's not working," Weaver breathed in irritation.

    Alexandria kept her distance after her last attack nearly ended with her sealed inside. Attacking directly seemed to have no effect, and physical assaults would most likely end with the attacker eaten.

    Tamamo sent a wave of fire against the lower-level tendrils, forcing them back into the bay. Fran's lightning did much the same. Artoria and Mordred fought with their swords, parting flesh from flesh. Whatever hit the ground liquified and flowed back to the origin.

    Rin flung a handful of gems onto the ground, and explosions bought them a little more space. "This isn't going well."

    The horror began to gather energy in a rapidly growing maw.

    "Right then. Time to up the ante," Rin growled, drawing a small, bejeweled dagger. "I'm hoping that I can finish this in a few blasts, but… my command over this function isn't the best, yet. I'm better at travel, to be honest."

    She aimed it at the beast's center mass. "Here I go! Kaleidoscope, open! Jeweled Sword Zelretch!"

    The beast was forced back by a wave of concentrated energy, but the power in its maw continued to grow.

    EMIYA aimed arrow after arrow, to no avail.

    "It's gonna launch!" he roared.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    I scowled. Something wasn't adding up. If Prelati had already cut and run, why was it so strong?

    ...that's a laser beam.

    "Galahad, deploy!" I snapped.

    The Shielder nodded. "The place that cures all wounds and dissolves all hatred, our home, sits here! Lord Camelot!"

    A massive wall appeared in front of the four of us. It rattled for a moment, then held still.

    "Master, we're stuck on the defensive," Galahad said in a flat tone.

    ZZ shifted. "Should I… try?"

    We all looked to her.

    "It wouldn't be for long, but I can resume… that form. That should end it for sure, if I go all out."

    Da Vinci shook her head sharply. "Only as a last resort. We've gotten this much leeway because the world thinks Ziz is dead. We'll need to find another way."

    A rain of exploding arrows kept the Horror back, and I worried the knuckle of my thumb.

    "Da Vinci, would it be this powerful if Prelati weren't feeding it energy? If Coil was used as the core and abandoned, I can't see it lasting this long. Or at all, really."

    Da Vinci shook her head. "I'd bet he's hidden somewhere in the city." She tested her comms. "Static."

    I snarled. "ZZ, you're up."

    She nodded.

    <[Everyone! Prelati is in the city and feeding it power! We need to take him down before we can finish the Horror off!]>

    Galahad stared ahead. "It won't get past me."

    I gently grasped his shoulder. "Us."

    "Hm?"

    Water threaded around my limbs as I helped him brace the shield. The image of the castle grew, until it blocked the entire shoreline. "It's not getting past us."

    Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him give a small smile. "Just so, Master."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Prelati is feeding the Horror prana. Prelati has the spellbook. He cannot make new creatures, but he can sustain the old ones. The book must be removed.

    Tattletale whirled around. "Do we have anything that can break enchantments?"

    Shirou perked up. "Gimme a sec." He immediately held out his hands, and began murmuring as something took shape.

    Tattletale looked around and spotted Fortuna. "Any idea where he's hiding?"

    She narrowed her eyes. "I've got a Path to him. Just had to say, 'how do we find the source of the threat'. Let me know when you're ready."

    Dragon landed next to Tattletale. The former villain did a double take.

    "So… the powerup turned you into an actual dragon?"

    "Fire beams and all," Regent said cheerily as Astolfo's hippogriff also came down.

    "I'll give you a lift," Dragon's synthesized voice echoed.

    Shirou cheered softly. "Okay, here. It should work for you. You get one shot, make it count!" He handed the newly formed object over.

    It was a slightly wavy dagger, with a strange power emanating from it.

    "Hit the book head on, and it should work."

    Tattletale nodded as she got onto Dragon's back, Hans behind her. "We'll fix this soon."

    Fortuna hopped on as well. "Let's go. I'll direct."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    "Semiramis. Release the Dragon Wings," Dinah said calmly.

    "Hm? The little ones are gone. I fail to see how they'd help against the Horror," Semiramis said coolly.

    "87% chance more spawn from the source," Dinah said, pointing across the horizon.

    Semiramis narrowed her eyes. "Releasing now." She paused. "I'll prepare some artillery, as well. Best not to make our allies do all the work."

    The queen moved towards her throne room, and Dinah felt the Gardens begin to float in the direction of the fight.

    "Hang on a little longer," she whispered.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Gilgamesh roared, wands emerging from the Gate to blast the Horror with a torrent of magic. He quickly flew to where Dun Stallion was falling from another blow, and grabbed Arthur in his arms.

    "I'm fine," Arthur said in a firm tone.

    "I'm aware," Gilgamesh said shortly.

    Arthur smiled up at him.

    "What?"

    "Nothing. Just glad to be fighting alongside you," Arthur said as Dun Stallion vanished and he drew his blade.

    Smaller demons began to flake off of the main one's hide, and launched themselves into the air.

    Gilgamesh steeled himself and prepared another volley, only for a flight of skeletal beings to tackle the little demons out of the air.

    Arthur blinked. "Right. Let's focus on the big one," he said with a grin.

    Seals rapidly vanished from Excalibur until it gleamed with otherworldly light.

    The being hissed and drew back, then launched tendrils straight at Gilgamesh and Arthur.

    "EXCALIBUR!"

    Light surged, evaporating the attacking appendages. More followed, only to be stopped by waves of strange energy.

    "It looked like you needed a hand," Eidolon said as he hovered nearby.

    Threads of light swarmed and lashed out, bisecting the smaller demons.

    Legend gave a two-fingered salute as he flew by.

    Gilgamesh smirked. "No time for pleasantries. Let's get to it."

    Arthur nodded. "Yeah. Let's go."

    Gilgamesh felt a strange warmth at the smile Arthur shot him. He knew he was fond of the man, but why…

    Oh.

    He knew he was fond of him, certainly. Cared for his welfare, enjoyed his company…

    Apparently it went a little deeper than he thought.

    Gilgamesh shook his head and unleashed another volley. Such idle thoughts could wait for later.

    ...he needed to talk to Enkidu.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Weaver glared up. Squid. It had to be squid, not something like a crab or whatever. If it wasn't squid, she could…

    She could…

    She blanched as her senses reached out, and suddenly she encountered something totally new.

    Overwhelming hunger. No matter how many fish were absorbed into it, nothing seemed to make a difference. And Weaver knew… nothing ever would.

    Slowly, she raised her hands up.

    "Stop."

    Rin blinked at her. "Eh?"

    "I. Said. STOP."

    The Horror froze.

    Weaver twitched furiously. "Whatever plans you have… do them now…! I can only hold it so long!"

    Rin's jaw dropped. "Ah?"

    EMIYA's eyes gleamed. "Understood, Weaver."

    Tamamo immediately launched a barrage of elements without a word.

    "I am the bone of my sword…" EMIYA growled, launching a rain of exploding blades.

    The heroes were finally starting to gain ground.

    "Weaver… will you be…?" Rin whispered.

    Weaver grinned uneasily behind her mask. "I'm fine, Sensei. It's like one of my bugs... just way more unruly. Take it out!"

    Rin lifted her blade again. "I won't ask twice, then! Jeweled Blade Zelretch!"
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Prelati hummed absentmindedly.

    "Are you satisfied? Weaver's enhanced power has permitted her to stop its advance. Soon they will muster the power to defeat it," Archimedes said flatly.

    "I guess…? It just seems a waste if it doesn't eat at least one of them, you know?" Prelati grinned. "I might not be able to call anything, but once I've gotten some simpleton to do it for me? I can reaaally support. And that's what being a Caster's all about, you know?"

    "I'm sure I don't."

    "Awww Archie. Such a stick in the mud." Prelati grinned wider. "But that's what makes you so fun!"
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    The barrier dropped.

    "I can feel Tattletale closing in on Prelati, and Weaver has it pinned. It won't be long now," I said. "Go help with the offense, Galahad."

    The knight nodded sharply. "I won't let you down. Blade Borne in Stone!" Galahad drew his blade and launched himself forward, streaming beams of light.

    I exhaled sharply. "Hurry up Tats. I don't know how long this will hold."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Tattletale snarled as she saw a man with spiky hair emerge from a mirror.

    "Your advance halts here, pretender to the eyes." The mirrors behind Archimedes gleamed.

    "You're him. The guy who killed Grail," Tattletale said softly.

    Archimedes raised a hand towards them. "Perhaps. I'm certainly the one who will kill you."

    A massive roar resounded and a storm of muscle passed by the riders.

    Archimedes evaded atop a floating mirror, eyes wide.

    "We shall take it from here, Negotiator. Please proceed," Glastig Uaine said as several mirrors behind Archimedes shattered from an invisible force.

    "Prelati's ahead in that building," Fortuna said with a gesture. "This is my stop." She leapt off.

    "Dragon! Go!" Tattletale called. She peered through the building and saw the lines and dots.

    Dragon sped forward, leaving trails of flame in her wake.

    Tattletale pulled the dagger out of her pouch. "This better work, Shirou."

    Dragon tore through the building, until they encountered Prelati sitting on a table, eyes wide.

    "Welp. No frills. Grand Illusion."

    The mist poured out and Prelati leapt back, but he had miscalculated.

    Grail's Resistance bolstered Tattletale, so the illusion couldn't take hold.

    Tattletale's powers had been enhanced, so she could easily track him through the fog.

    Her body was bolstered by Regent's power, and for this short time? She was the Hero of her Story.

    All of these came together as she lunged at him blade-first, roaring in rage.

    Prelati squeaked and interposed his Spellbook as reflex, trying to avoid physical harm.

    Exactly as expected.

    "It's over!" Tattletale snarled.

    Prelati's eyes widened as he finally recognized the weapon, and tried to simply move himself out of the way.

    It was too late.

    "RULE. BREAKER."

    Alone, the Mystic Eyes granted by Hans would have prevented the book from functioning without rites of restoration. The dagger would have severed the connection, causing the beast to falter.

    Together?

    Prelati watched helplessly as his greatest treasure sloughed away in a slurry of darkness, never to return - not in this summoning, or any other.

    The dagger dissolved into golden sparks.

    Prelati stood shakily. "You…" he growled softly.

    "As it stands, Tattletale's settled with you. But I still owe you for harming my friend. Have a taste of your own medicine."

    A superheated beam of flame fired from Dragon's mouth, and connected with the Caster.

    "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

    Prelati writhed on the ground, entire form ablaze.

    A mirror expanded from nothing, and he sank through the surface.

    "Wait!" Tattletale screamed, lunging with a drawn knife.

    The mirror spun back into nothing.

    For a moment, all was silent.

    Dragon growled. "Next time."

    Tattletale nodded at the AI's transmogrified suit. "Next time."

    Fortuna strolled in. "Archimedes fled before the fight could get really started. What was the result?"

    "Book's gone, Prelati got set on fire by Dragon, and then Archimedes saved him."

    Fortuna sighed. "Here's hoping they can wrap it up soon…"
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Ciara observed quietly as bit by bit, the titan was worn away by light and flame. The castle had begun to bombard, and the threat to the city was subdued.

    "I wonder…" she whispered.

    Heracles grunted.

    She giggled. "Not yet. I'd like to enjoy my freedom a little more before tying myself to a group." She paused. "Though, the more I see of them, the more it does appeal. They seem to be so happy together…"

    Heracles gave a soft growl.

    Ciara giggled again and patted the hero's hair. "Of course, Heracles. With you here, I could never be lonely."

    The Berserker gave a rumble that could only be described as pleased.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    I crossed my arms as Semiramis' Garden scorched the top of the horror off with a massive ray of energy.

    It was effectively deconstruction, now. Weaver had it completely enthralled, and all that was left was to burn it away.

    Ozymandias and Phoenix were doing an admirable job of that.

    It was the work of half an hour to finish it.

    "A bit anticlimactic," Da Vinci commented.

    ZZ shrugged. "Honestly, it's dead and nobody else is. I'd call it a win?" she said helpfully.

    Galahad resumed his post with us. "I've received word. Dragon and Tattletale were the heroes of this fight. Tattletale used a replica of Rule Breaker crafted by Shirou with her Eyes to destroy the spellbook."

    I gave a low whistle.

    Galahad nodded. "Indeed. Dragon also burned Prelati, though whether it will take is another thing to see."

    I watched as a humanoid body tumbled from the crumbling colossus. Alexandria plucked it out of the air.

    "Grail. I've secured Coil. His body is partially digested."

    "Do we have a need for it? Someone to bury it?"

    "No. Calvert had no immediate family."

    "Then we burn it with the rest?"

    Alexandria was quiet for a moment. "That would be best," she said after a moment. She tossed him back on top. He was incinerated by Semiramis a moment later.

    I exhaled as I collapsed on my back on the waters of the Grail. "Well. I'm done. I'm calling it a day."

    The rest of the colossus vanished in blinding light as holy swords completed the work.

    "Looks like Galahad managed to pull his weight too," ZZ said with a small smile. Her head dipped. "I…"

    I looked at her. "Honestly, if you hadn't gotten to Tattletale, this wouldn't have been possible. You did good."

    ZZ brightened a bit.

    "Gilgamesh seemed a bit perturbed during some points of the fight," Da Vinci observed.

    "Really?" I said, intrigued.

    Galahad shook his head in exasperation.

    "Yes. When Arthur was in particular danger."

    "I mean, that's par for the course when you love someone, right?"

    "...I think he meant to court him as a passing fancy, then decided to keep on because he liked him," Da Vinci said gently.

    "Oh? Ooooh. So this is what it's like seeing it from the outside."

    Da Vinci sent me a wry look. "Oh don't ev- what." Her expression became dumbfounded.

    "Cu and I are dating. Or working it out. Go us?"

    "WHAT."

    "Surpriiiise…"
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    I groaned as I rolled my shoulders and got ready for bed. After I cleaned up, I went back into my room.

    Cu was sitting on my bed.

    "Doing okay?" he asked.

    I nodded. "Yeah. Tats' Mystic Eyes are gone, but Hans is already starting on 'the sequel'. Apparently she's taking to hero work better than anyone thought? He's really proud, even if he's being a snarky bastard."

    Cu nodded.

    "And Dragon's suit changed back. Apparently it could breathe fire hot enough to harm a Servant."

    "That's dragonfire for you, yes," Cu said, amused.

    "Yeah. And Weaver's back to only bugs. She was a little freaked out by her sudden expansion of power."

    "I bet."

    "Galahad's settlin-"

    "Matt."

    I swallowed.

    "I asked how you were doing."

    I sat down next to him. "Nobody died or was really hurt. But Archimedes and Prelati both got away, even if they weren't unscathed. So… it was a net victory. But I still feel…"

    "Worried?"

    I nodded as Setanta pulled me into his side.

    "Yeah. On the bright side, people know about us now!" I said.

    He gave me an amused look. "I think they've known."

    "Well yeah, but I told Da Vinci, and she was surprised."

    He coughed. "Yeah. She uh."

    I felt my eyes widen. "Please tell me she didn't give you the shovel talk."

    He looked away.

    "God. We're adults, we can do this without hurting each other so long as we're smart," I said irritably.

    Setanta shot me a dry look. "It goes without saying that you assume either of us will do the smart thing when it comes to a relationship."

    "...dammit."

    He gave a soft laugh. "We'll be fine. So long as we remember to talk stuff out and work together, it'll be fine." He paused. "I'm kind of disappointed it wasn't anyone at the waterfront who finished it, but…"

    I grinned. "You're just mad you couldn't Gae Bolg it into the ground."

    "There wasn't a vital to hit! Everything was tied to that book, and it was behind Lord Camelot!" he griped.

    "So… bed? I'm actually tired."

    He smiled at me. "Sure."

    As I laid down, I stared at the ceiling as Setanta stretched out next to me, and Fou curled on my pillow.

    I didn't have any nightmares that night.
    _________________________________________________________________

    A/N: Tat's MEDP are a fake. A very good fake, but a fake. No root connection, no eyes. But between a pretty good story written by Hans and a high bond with Grail's NP, she was able to fake it til' she made it. And they won't be reappearing for a while.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Shielder Galahad Stat Sheet
  • Informational
    • Galahad (High Shielder, as Grail Servant)

    Parameters:

    STR: B
    END: A+
    AGI: C
    MAN: B
    LUK: A
    NP: A+

    Skills:

    Magic Resistance (A)
    Riding (C)
    Obscurant Wall of Chalk (A): Of greater power than shared with the Demi-Servant. The duration is longer and the empowerment greater.
    Wall of Transient Snowflakes (B)
    Protection of the Faith (B-): Invoked as part of his legend where he found the Lance, the Grail, and was raptured to heaven with both. This applies a high buff to his END and LUK stats, included in the stat block.
    Self-Field Defense (A)

    NP:

    Lord Camelot: Fortress of the Distant Utopia (A+): As displayed by Mash in the Grand Order, the shield bequeathed by Joseph of Arimethea. This close to a being bearing the title of the Holy Grail, it has grown even higher in its strength. Truly, an Anti-Evil Phantasm.

    That Which Weeps: Spear of Destiny (EX): A multi-purpose Noble Phantasm. The blood that pours from its tip can heal, granting it a status of Anti-Evil. A single swing can lower the countryside, making it Anti-Fortress when applied as such through the Dolorous Blow. It is Anti-Divine, for it is the spear which slew Christ, and so is of particular danger to those who would be viewed as 'Gods' or 'paragons' of their kind. Even against those who lack divinity, it is a fierce weapon.

    Blade Borne in Stone: Sign of God's Knight (B++): Truly, to have a sword-beam is to be a Saber. The sword drawn from stone before Arthur's court. Upon the Stone was inscribed: NONE SHALL TAKE ME HENCE BUT HE AT WHOSE SIDE I AM TO HANG. AND HE SHALL BE THE BEST KNIGHT IN THE WORLD. The end result is debatable, but it is a very good sword, with powers against evil and corruption. A purifying blade that sheds its light upon the world.
     
  • Informational
    • Interlude: Gilgamesh
  • Threadmarks
    • Interlude: Gilgamesh

    Gilgamesh lay in bed, watching Arthur sleep soundly. It was becoming a more common occurrence, these days.

    He'd intended on wooing the king, true. It was… pleasant when Arthur decided not only to accept his attentions, but return the favor. Observing his indulgences and going along, coming up with new and interesting activities to do out in the world together. He'd even begun to confide in Gilgamesh of misgivings he'd had during his reign. Things like that. Things Gilgamesh was fully aware were privileged information.

    At some point… well. Gilgamesh had wives before. Had taken men in his kingdom to bed, before. And one couldn't forget, as Grail had lovingly termed them in the Moon Cell, 'the bad old days' before Enkidu.

    This was somehow different from all of them. The lack of expectations, the simplicity yet complexity of it all-

    Arthur stirred quietly, and his eyes slid open. He smiled.

    Gilgamesh couldn't help but smile back.

    "Morning."

    "It is, at that," Gilgamesh said softly.

    Arthur chuckled and pulled him close.

    They just… lay together, for a time.

    "Did you sleep well?"

    Gilgamesh hummed. "Well enough. Having you makes it more pleasant," he said with a smirk.

    Arthur hummed. "It's nice," he agreed. He pushed his forehead against Gilgamesh's. "So you were planning on going up to visit Enkidu today?"

    "I am," Gilgamesh agreed readily. He… really needed to speak to his friend about this.

    "That's good. I think I'll rope Galahad into exploring the city with me. He's settling in a little better, but I think he could use a friend."

    Gilgamesh grunted. "I won't bore you with my opinions on the boy."

    Arthur gave him a sad smile. "I do appreciate you leaving him alone for me."

    Gilgamesh grunted. "It's simple. Destroying him would bring unwanted hassle, more than I care to deal with," he said stiffly.

    Arthur rubbed his mouth, concealing his expression. "I see," he said from behind his hand.

    He leaned forward and kissed Gilgamesh softly.

    "I'm grateful nonetheless," he said in a deep, quiet voice.

    Gilgamesh arched his eyebrow at Arthur.

    The King of Knights smiled.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Gilgamesh knocked insistently on Grail's bedroom door.

    "Oi! We're sleeping!" a loud voice snapped.

    What.

    "We were sleeping," Grail's muffled voice echoed tiredly.

    "Shit. Sorry."

    "I've been awake," Grail said.

    "Fou?"

    Gilgamesh rolled his eyes and opened the door, striding in. He paused.

    Grail was tucked under Cu Chulainn's chin, Fou nested on the pillow directly above their heads. All three had their eyes trained on him.

    "What happened to your neck!?" the cur said with wide eyes.

    "Arthur," Grail said simply.

    "Ohhh."

    Gilgamesh huffed. "You will accompany me to New York. Enkidu wishes to spend time with the both of us." A half-truth. The trip was his idea, and he wanted Grail to hear what Enkidu had to say and offer his own insights. For his lack of battle tactics, he occasionally had good advice to give. And even in tactics he continued to grow. That said, Enkidu had made inquiries about Grail, and made a desire to spend time with him clear.

    It was likely that Richard, Enkidu's Master, would also attend.

    "Okay. I'll shower first, then warp us up there."

    The cur gave a sad sigh.

    "C'mon, you. Either do the whole flesh-spirit-flesh thing or get cleaned up, you're coming with."

    "What?"

    "Eh?"

    "Fou!?"

    "You too fuzzbutt! Yesterday was stressful; I want a nice day on the town. There's Carvel to be had. Carvel! I'm getting my happy ass an ice cream cone!"

    "Enkidu-" Gilgamesh began.

    "Will understand, seeing as Cu and I are dating. And you can call him whatever you want in your head, but I'd prefer if you at least called him Cu Chulainn verbally."

    Gilgamesh felt as though he'd bitten a particularly sour lemon. "If you are certain-"

    "I'm sure. Now put some concealer on your neck, you look like you lost a bet with Vlad."

    "Did he get summoned?" the cur asked as he followed their Master into the adjoining bathroom.

    "Not to my knowledge. And either use your own shower or wait your turn! I'm bashful!"

    "You didn't care about Nanashi seeing you!"

    "I'm not dating Nanashi!"

    "That makes no sense!"

    "You'd be naked too!"

    "...that makes slightly more sense. Do you not want to see-"

    "...eventually I won't care, but right now..."

    Gilgamesh excused himself from the impending awkward conversation. Somehow he got the feeling he'd hear more of it than he liked later anyways.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Somehow, somehow his excursion had turned from a one-on-one discussion with Enkidu about his burgeoning emotional involvement to a day trip involving a superhero, the cur, the fourth beast, and his Trinket. And Enkidu.

    Honestly, Gilgamesh could not fathom anything he'd done to deserve this. In recent memory.

    Truly.

    "So pizza, then ice cream. Yes?" Grail said.

    "Naturally," Legend said, smiling brightly. The leader of the Protectorate had a painfully obvious soft spot for Grail. Gilgamesh knew that it would be easy to manipulate him into a variety of favors by playing on it, but he was also aware Grail would never forgive him for it.

    Enkidu hummed happily as they strolled along. Gilgamesh hung back by his old friend as Grail, Richard, and Cu Chulainn kept moving forward, with Fou draped over Grail's shoulders.

    "Yes?" Enkidu said as soon as the three were far enough.

    "...I've encountered… a situation."

    "Oh?"

    "I need advice."

    Enkidu's smile gentled. "Whatever you need, my friend."

    "My seduction of the King of Knights has borne fruit, as expected," Gilgamesh said haughtily.

    Enkidu's eyes narrowed. "Oh? I thought she hated you for trying to assault her in your first war against her?"

    They'd never quite gotten over that part, Gilgamesh mused. To be fair, it did seem like he was falling back on bad habits at the time.

    "I'm referring to Arthur."

    "Ah, yes. The one you treated like a person and engaged with. However did I get them confused?" Enkidu said in a mild tone.

    "...you've changed some."

    Enkidu smiled politely. "You are at least partly to blame. You decided I should have a 'self', and so I have grown into personhood."

    "And the other?"

    "Richard's husband, coincidentally also named Arthur, taught me something of great value. I consider it quite refreshing!"

    "What is it."

    "Sass."

    Gilgamesh felt his face fall into a pout. "I do not seek sass. I seek counsel."

    "I shall give you both!" Enkidu said cheerily.

    "If I sought that, I would have spoken with Grail and have done."

    Enkidu gave Gilgamesh a small smile. "It makes me happy to see the two of you get along so. How did he earn your respect?"

    "Not dying."

    "So he matched you in combat?"

    "No. I literally could not kill him. He has no means of fighting, so he is simply impossible to kill, and barely possible to inconvenience. Archimedes caught him when he was reduced. His water thwarted my entire treasury, even Ea. And now he is even beyond that, as his body is wrapped in material that defies mundane means of destruction, and he has regained his resistance to magic as well." There was little point in... bringing up certain things that were unlikely to return. Grail was harmless, but Mattias had more power than he could safely use.

    "So he endured your storm without launching a single blow of his own?" Enkidu said. If Gilgamesh didn't know better, he'd say they were impressed.

    "Yes. And when you cannot kill someone, you leave them. But then they decide they like you, and can teleport. So either you learn to like them back, or go mad," Gilgamesh said flatly.

    Enkidu's shoulders shook.

    "Enkidu?" Gilgamesh said, concerned.

    "H-he… he kept following you… like a lost puppy…!" they choked out. "Ah! Ahahaha!" Enkidu's smile was brilliant. "There's something endearing about that story, you know?"

    Gilgamesh sighed. "Yes. It's why I'm fond of him, even now." He paused. "Though…"

    "Yes?"

    "I've had wives. I've had men. I've had anyone I've wanted."

    Enkidu blinked. "Truly? I thought you a blushing virgin."

    Gilgamesh groaned. "Why are you like this."

    "You left me alone in New York City with two working men, a small park that I now know like the back of my hand, a functional TV, and three seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race. You have yourself to blame."

    "You said Arthur taught you sass!"

    "He taught me how to use TiVo. The rest I figured out."

    "Enkidu."

    "Yes, Gilgamesh?"

    "Enkidu please."

    "Very well."

    "Arthur's different."

    Enkidu's expression firmed. "How so?"

    "I… it's strange."

    "Try to explain. I can't help you if I don't know what I'm working with."

    Gilgamesh pondered for a moment. How to phrase this…?

    "He's in love and doesn't know what to do about it," Grail said idly.

    Gilgamesh snapped his gaze up. Legend and the cur were still absent. Grail stood in front of them, hands in his pockets.

    "Oh?" Enkidu said, eyes bright.

    "Yeah, He shadowed him all through the fight with the Horror."

    "Truly? I was guarding a shelter, so I did not have the chance to see."

    "Yeah. Vimana was right behind Dun Stallion, and the instant Arthur took a hit - whoosh. There."

    "Fascinating," Enkidu said.

    Enkidu wasn't upset, that Gilgamesh could tell.

    "Also, he was ready to plug Galahad with all his swords when he was summoned."

    "Unsurprising," Enkidu said lightly.

    "Arthur talked him down. From a near rage state."

    Enkidu's eyes widened. "Did he now?"

    Grail nodded. "Yeah. All I could get him to do was balk at launching swords."

    Gilgamesh grumbled. "Yes, please talk as though I'm not here."

    Enkidu's eyes softened. "So it seems you've… how do they say on the internet? 'Caught feelings' for the more masculine King of Knights? I can see why you've come to me. It must be a new experience."

    Gilgamesh sighed. "It's… I don't…"

    Grail hummed, then snapped his fingers. "Got it. He's scared."

    Gilgamesh glared.

    "Of what?" said Enkidu in polite disbelief.

    "He thinks he's breaking his oath. 'One and only friend', remember?" Grail said smugly.

    "Ah." Enkidu seemed mildly surprised.

    "Honestly, the solution's pretty simple," Grail said in a bored tone.

    "What, then? Oh wise one?" Gilgamesh said dryly.

    "Copy Ozymandias. He has Moses as his peerless friend, and Nefertari as his beloved. You've already taken a leaf from his book in accepting others to a lesser degree than Enkidu."

    Gilgamesh blinked. "I…"

    Enkidu perked up. "That's a wonderful idea! That way our oath to each other remains fulfilled, and he can have his beloved without guilt," they said cheerfully. Enkidu turned to Gilgamesh. "You're right, I do like him. You should bring him along more often."

    "When did I say that!?" Gilgamesh said.

    Grail side-eyed him. "Excuse you, I am a delight."

    Enkidu giggled happily. "I can see how you grew on him so quickly."

    "From what I remember, it took the better part of ten years," Gilgamesh said tartly.

    "See? Quickly."

    Grail and Enkidu laughed as Gilgamesh sighed.

    "Both…?" he murmured.

    Enkidu gently placed a hand on his arm while Grail slung an arm around his neck.

    "You're the King of Heroes, man. You literally own the world. Have your cake and eat it too, alright?"

    "I'm truly not angry, my friend. I'm overjoyed you've found someone so special. Bring him up to meet me, hm? According to the internet, I need to tell him embarrassing stories."

    "You're right," Gilgamesh said after a moment. "This is something I can have." He smirked. "It was trifling for me to consider otherwise. Thank you for reassuring me, my friend," he said to Enkidu. He turned to Grail. "And you. Don't compare me to that loudmouthed braggart, even if it is to my advantage."

    Grail blew a raspberry at him, the nerve. "You're not my real dad!" And with that, the other man vanished into thin air.

    Enkidu giggled into their hand. "He's funny. Please bring him again."

    Gilgamesh gave Enkidu a fondly exasperated look. "The things I do for my friend," he said in a faux-suffering tone.

    Enkidu gave him a smile like the sun.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    "I come seeking wisdom," Gilgamesh announced to the room.

    Its occupants gazed upon him.

    "World hard and cold," the healer Panacea uttered.

    "Tiddy soft and warm," Gareth noted.

    "You both need to spend less time on the internet," Medusa said fondly as she stroked Sakura's hair.

    "I'm talking about my relationship with Arthur," Gilgamesh said tersely.

    "Bara tiddy mean warmth, strength, protection," Grail said dryly as he sat upside down in the recliner.

    Gilgamesh whirled on him, mouth open, as Cu Chulainn plopped in the chair on top of Grail, making the Trinket wheeze.

    "Whoops, didn't see you there," Cu said cheerfully.

    Gilgamesh blinked. "You know, this might be one of the rare instances I'm genuinely pleased to see you."

    Cu winked. "Glad to be of service."

    Grail blinked. "Can I get up?"

    "In a little bit. You were being rude."

    "Can I sit right-side up, at least? It's getting uncomfortable."

    Gilgamesh crossed his arms as the two rearranged themselves.

    "As I was about to say, how does one express a deeper level of devotion than previous?"

    "You told him you love him?" Grail said bluntly.

    Panacea held up a finger. "Seconded. Talking about feelings is very in this year."

    "Isn't that… how relationships work…?" Gareth said.

    "That's sarcasm, sweetheart," Amy said gently.

    "Ah."

    Sakura giggled, then smiled at Gilgamesh. "It's true. It always makes me happy to hear it from Medusa or Shirou."

    Gilgamesh nodded. "I see."

    "And once more I have solved your relationship issues. Truly I am a genius beyond compare," Grail said dryly.

    The Cath Palug leaped on top of his head. "Kyuu."

    "Excuse you! I can too fix my own problems!"

    "Fou, fou kyuu."

    "Rude!"

    Cu Chulainn snickered as he leaned back, pinning Grail in place. "Go on home for the evening, Gilgamesh. Someone's waiting for you."

    The King of Heroes nodded. "Indeed." He paused. "And Grail?"

    "Mmf?" he said, face blocked by Cu's shoulder.

    "Thank you. You're a true friend. Enkidu's still my favorite though." And with a wry grin, Gilgamesh turned to spirit form and left the apartment to the sound of muffled yelling.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Gilgamesh sighed as he fiddled with the gift he'd gotten.

    "Hey! Welcome back. What's that?" Arthur said.

    "A gift. For you." Gilgamesh handed it over.

    Arthur turned it over in his hands. "Gilgamesh, this is beautiful. I'll put it on the mantle." He set the glass horse above the fireplace, where the bits of color shone in the faint light. "You know, it looks just like Dun Stallion."

    "I hope so, since I commissioned it as such," Gilgamesh said. "Luckily they had one pre-made that nearly fit requirements."

    Arthur's smile warmed him. "I appreciate it."

    "Indeed," Gilgamesh said with a stiff nod. "I wished to tell you something."

    Arthur blinked. "Yes?"

    "When I met you, I at first considered you as a passing fancy. Then a challenge. That is in the past."

    "Alright…?"

    "I've come to care for you, and wish you to know I love you. That is all."

    Arthur's eyebrows rose towards his hairline. "'That is all'?"

    "...I phrased that badly. May I try again?"

    Arthur gestured with both hands. "Feel free."

    "I love you. I ignored these feelings at first, because they simply didn't register as anything beyond my past relations. Then I was uncomfortable, because of my oath to my friend. Now I understand them, and I wanted to share them with you, because there is no drawback to be found."

    Arthur gave Gilgamesh a tired smile. "I love you too. I honestly wasn't sure I could feel this way about another man, but you proved me wrong, I suppose." He paused. "Don't think that I'll magically turn into some timid housewife, though. I am a King, with my own pride. I appreciate you watching my back, but please don't tread my heels like you did against Prelati."

    Gilgamesh grumbled. "If you'd been with me on Vimana, I would have felt more comfortable."

    "Do you believe me incapable of riding?"

    "No, but the machine is more trustworthy than a horse."

    Arthur crossed his arms. "Oh?"

    Gilgamesh scowled. "...I trust the machine more than the horse."

    "Because you fly it?" Arthur said lightly.

    Gilgamesh sighed. "We are both Kings, and both favor being in control." He rubbed his chin in thought, then perked up. "Can Dun Stallion seat two?"

    "Possibly," Arthur said slowly.

    "Splendid! Then I shall ride behind you and provide artillery support, while you wield your blade and lance against those that close. It's an elegant combination," Gilgamesh said with pride.

    Arthur let out a deep, rolling laugh. "You'd really trust me to pilot while we fight?"

    "With my life," Gilgamesh said offhandedly.

    Arthur flushed. "It's been a short relationship to say such things, don't you think?"

    Gilgamesh shrugged. "Long or short, it is what it is. You've proven yourself worthy of my trust and affection, and so I shall give them to you."

    Arthur smiled broadly. "Well, when you put it that way," he said, drawing Gilgamesh close.

    Gilgamesh tilted his head. "Weren't you preparing dinner?"

    "Yes, it's ready. I was just taking a moment to admire dessert."

    Gilgamesh laughed. "I am hardly so sweet or delicate."

    "Yet here we are all the same," Arthur said fondly.

    Gilgamesh rested his forehead against Arthur's. "Just so. It may have been chance, but I'm grateful for this happening. Us."

    Arthur kissed him gently on the corner of his mouth. "I feel the same. Dinner, then?"

    Gilgamesh hummed. "And everything that comes after," he said with a grin.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    An ocean away, Moord Nag watched as Aasdier consumed ever more bodies. She hummed absentmindedly. "Will this be enough for your rite, Avenger?"

    "Merely because I can understand Afrikaans does not mean I will speak it, Master," a haughty voice echoed.

    The woman next to her was fair of skin, with blood-red eyes and long dark hair that reached her feet. She wore golden ornamentation, and a crown shaped like the horns of a cow. Her garb was simple and white, yet elegant.

    "And I will not lower myself to speak English. Answer."

    "Just so. The accumulated life energy will be easily separated into the vessel for the summoning. And when all is done, a weapon not seen for millennia will be mine to command, and thus by proxy, yours."

    "But is it enough?"

    "Not yet. Not by far." The woman tapped her ruby lips with a single finger. "Five thousand more lives. Give me that, and I will create the beast that will avenge your past upon the world."

    "Done. I shall requisition the tribute."

    "Excellent, Master. I shall begin the preparations. We must find a place in the remote wilderness once your familiar has grown, lest the heroes try to stop us."

    Moord Nag inclined her head. "Just so. I have ruled for long, now is the time to expand my domain. And you will be my instrument."

    She turned her gaze onto the beauty beside her, shining like a star from the heavens as she smiled benevolently towards her master.

    "Let us continue the great work… Inanna."
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Gugalanna 6.1
  • Threadmarks
    • Gugalanna 6.1

    I found myself surrounded by teenage girls. Well. Surrounded was a strong term. More like… corralled.

    Taylor, Lisa, Amy, and Vicky all sat with me at the Downtown Fugly Bobs. This could be differentiated from the Boardwalk Fugly Bobs in that it was neither charcoal nor crushed by demon tentacles. Also further from the Docks.

    At least Taylor's dad was somewhat happy; all the reconstruction of homes and businesses went to the Dockworkers' Association outfitted by the Guild. There were talks of the mayor finding maintenance contracts and infrastructure works, including bringing the Ferry back.

    Lisa poked me in the forehead from across the table, while Amy and Vicky looked at me from either side. Taylor simply looked unimpressed, sitting next to Lisa.

    "So. We found out about your new…" Lisa reached into the air, as though she could pull the words out. "New arrangement with Cu from Da Vinci. How did that happen?"

    I shrugged. "We talked. He likes me, for whatever reason. I like him back. We're giving it a try."

    Taylor's look soured. "Ask him why he likes you. Just, put it on your list. I'm sure he has good reasons, but… it's better to know, you know?"

    I nodded.

    "Okay, first things first. Have you guys set up a first date?"

    I grinned sheepishly. "Actually…"

    Lisa's eyes brightened. "Go on…?"

    "So it seems we lucked out in that Leviathan never sank the U.K. This means Ireland. This means I'm gonna try and find his castle, then bring him there on a day trip. I haven't said anything yet, because I'm not sure I can, but…" I trailed off as Amy shook her head.

    "Grail. Grail, no. That's an engagement or honeymoon gift. Not a first date," she said gently.

    Vicky coughed. "If Dean set that kind of standard I'd be super intimidated. Like, the gifts are fine, yeah. I can still take him flying and he enjoys it, you know? Despite him being way richer than me, there's less of a power imbalance there. You pull out transcontinental trips on a whim? That's the sort of thing that unnerves a person who's not used to it."

    Taylor hummed. "And it's also really personal. Like, it'd be if…" she trailed off. "Yeah, not going there. But still. Personal."

    Lisa hummed. "Yeah, point. But hey, you're putting thought into it. That's good."

    I rubbed the side of my face. "Okay, fair. So that aside…" I narrowed my eyes. "You two."

    Taylor blinked slowly, while Lisa assumed an innocent expression.

    "You both were exposed to some seriously heavy powers. How are you actually holding up?"

    "Well, feeling like everything around me won't collapse at the lightest touch is nice," Lisa said airily. "4/10, would not recommend. Super killing power is nice against demon starfish and asshole mages, not for daily life."

    "Big same," Taylor said flatly. "Bugs are fine. Bugs are expendable. Big squid was weird. Figuring out I could do that to people during that? Terrifying. I don't want the power to do that to people."

    Ah, irony. There you are.

    "Well hopefully, there won't be any side effects," I said placidly.

    Vicky snorted as Amy sighed.

    "What?"

    "You spoke it into existence, now it's gonna happen," Amy said dryly.

    I scowled. "That's superstition."

    Now everyone at the table stared at me.

    "Well magic used to be superstition, but here we are," Lisa snarked.

    Taylor sighed. "Anyways, we got off track. You and Cu. How are you making that work?"

    "...we've been an item for like. Three days."

    Lisa leaned in. "That's not what we're asking~"

    Vicky rolled her eyes. "Goddammit. I'll ask. What're you gonna do when he wants to fuck?"

    Amy choked on her drink, and I thumped her back until she stopped.

    "Jesus, Vicky," she wheezed.

    I shrugged. "I mean, I gave him free reign to sleep around, so…?"

    Vicky sighed. "Okay, fair. But what about when he wants you?"

    I scowled.

    Lisa leaned her face on her palm. "It's a legitimate question, Grail. You've made no secret of your orientation, and while we're happy you've found a relationship with someone you've got mutual affection with…"

    Taylor folded her hands in her lap. "We'd rather not have the past repeat and me have to have my bugs eat Cu in his sleep." She said this with the tone of someone discussing the weather.

    All attention fixed on her.

    "What?"

    "You could just… yell at him…?" Vicky said slowly.

    "Vicky, please. This is Taylor," Amy said in a flat tone.

    Vicky dropped her forehead on the table. "Point," she said in a muffled voice.

    Taylor drank her soda with all the dignity of an offended teenager. Which is to say, with none at all and incredibly sullenly.

    I sighed. "I… hadn't thought of that," I said slowly. I grimaced. "I mean… there's some stuff I could do? I guess? But most of it is off the table. Emphatically."

    Lisa nodded. "Right. So on the sliding scale of asexuality, you'd be… something like grey-ace or demisexual?"

    I shrugged. "There's like, a handful of stuff I enjoyed. The rest I didn't. I don't want to go into details, but yeah."

    Lisa nodded again. "Understandable. Does Cu make you want to do those things?"

    "Nnnno? Well. It's a 'never say never' situation. He's definitely attractive in an aesthetic sense. He's got pretty good arms and gives great hugs, and intellectually I know that he's got good all-around proportions in terms of limbs and torso."

    "You ever looked at his ass?" Aisha said, popping up over my shoulder.

    I felt myself flush. "Not lately…?"

    Taylor raised her eyebrows. "When'd you get here?"

    "A while back. Rachel's on her way too. Bro and Alec both tapped out."

    I put my hands over my face. "Why are a gang of teenage girls trying to…"

    "Help you figure out your nonexistent sex life?" Lisa said helpfully.

    "Because there's gonna be sensual moments at the least, and those can lead to other things. And Cu has a rep. Hell, I don't do legends and stuff, and I still know the rep," Vicky said flatly. "So you need to figure out a game plan pronto, before those things come up. That way you know how to navigate those situations."

    "Seconded," Amy said.

    "Hear, hear," Aisha commented as she snatched a fry off of my plate.

    Taylor rolled her eyes and nudged Lisa over. "Aisha, sit down already."

    "Thank you," the Stranger said primly, settling herself by Taylor.

    She leaned forward. "So you seen the booty. He's got the goods," Aisha said sagely. She tilted her head. "You checked the package?"

    I choked on air. This time it was Amy's turn to thump my back until I stopped.

    "N-no! That's-!"

    "They're starting out, Aisha, and despite his nudist tendencies our poor little Grail is shy," Lisa said wryly.

    "It's hardly nudist when there's nothing to show," I argued.

    Lisa gave me a pitying look. "Sweetie, the only reason you don't roam around in your other form naked is pockets. Which I can sympathize, because pockets are great. But yeah, you got a rep."

    "Have we talked about what he's going to do when Cu Chulainn gets horned up?" Rachel said as she shoved Vicky over.

    "Good to see you too, Rachel. Here, let me move for you," she said dryly.

    "Thanks," Rachel said with a straight face.

    Vicky rolled her eyes as Lisa cracked up.

    I rubbed my face and dropped my hands. "Can we? Not?"

    "No," the near-unanimous response came.

    "Grail, it's not that we don't think you can pull this off," Taylor said gently.

    Aisha snickered, earning an amused look from Amy.

    "Yes, yes, har har phrasing. We do think you can make this work, but if you go in with blinders because Cu's so nice to you, you'll get blindsided and things will get really bad, really quick," Taylor finished with a mild blush.

    Lisa gave me a sidelong look. "Honey, you're doing better. It's great, I'm thrilled, we're all thrilled. That doesn't change that you still have baggage, and one talk won't fix all of it. So. Give us something to work with and let us help you for a change."

    Rachel grunted. "Give him a hand and go home early."

    This time it was Vicky's turn to choke on air.

    As I saw to her, Rachel just blinked. "What? It'd work."

    Vicky wheezed. "Did he not just say actual sex acts were off the table?" she said incredulously.

    I grinned apologetically. "Yeah. Sorry Rache, no dice."

    She grunted. "I got nothing."

    "I could help him find a benefriend?" I offered.

    "Ehhh no," Lisa said brusquely. "Benefriends can turn to boy or girlfriends really easy. That's competition, and that way lies madness. You want quick and easy hookups for him if you want him to get satisfaction that way."

    "Okay, so how?"

    Amy sighed. "You would not believe how many apps there are for that."

    "So I get him to install a few?"

    "Maybe. What other options do you have?" Taylor said.

    "...I could talk to him and set expectations?"

    The girls all smiled at me. Except Rachel, who looked at me like I was an idiot.

    "...was this all a ploy to convince me to talk to him about this?"

    "No shit," Rachel grunted.

    "Yeahhh…" Vicky drawled sheepishly.

    "I mean, it crossed my mind. I mostly wanted deets on his junk," Aisha said with a shrug.

    Taylor rubbed her forehead. "Yes."

    Amy just nodded as she scarfed down a few fries.

    Lisa smiled mischievously. "I mean, if we just told you, you'd get all defensive. So we had to have you make the decision yourself."

    "It was her idea," Taylor said, jabbing her thumb at Lisa.

    "...and how much of this was orchestrated?"

    Vicky snorted. "None of it. The plan was 'get him to want to talk to Cu'. That's it. No frills, nothing."

    Lisa smiled gently. "And you can't really say it's a bad idea."

    I snorted. "True. Thanks, I guess," I said ruefully.

    "Anytime," Taylor said with a shy grin.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    I wandered back into my apartment, and sat down on my couch.

    "Long day?" Cu said as he plopped down next to me.

    "Kiiinda."

    He gave me a look. "What is it?"

    "So… we never really covered what we expect from each other in all this."

    Cu raised an eyebrow.

    "...physically."

    Cu shrugged. "If you decide you want me, great. If not, it's fine."

    I winced. "Phrasing."

    He paused, clearly going over the words in his head, then grimaced. "Ah. Yeah, point."

    "So like… I guess…" I exhaled. "Why do you like me? Like, not to be rude or ungrateful or anything," I said quickly.

    "Ungratefu- Grail, someone liking you isn't about gratitude," Cu said with a concerned look.

    I shrugged.

    "Okay, look. Let's start from the top."

    "Okay."

    "You're brave, kind, and can be pretty clever. You're also pretty laid-back in some regards, which is necessary to deal with me. We share some interests, which helps."

    "Right, so we covered the kind thing-"

    "On which I will respectfully disagree-"

    "And it's easy to be brave when I can't be hurt."

    Cu gave me a look.

    "Okay, yes, fighting off the whole pyrophobia thing was hard during that fight, but otherwise…"

    He crossed his arms and kept looking at me.

    I shrugged. "I just… don't feel like I'm that special."

    "If I may?" Cu said dryly.

    I nodded.

    "I'm an affectionate guy. Surprising, I know. You seem to respond well to that, so that's good for me. You also don't seem to judge people very harshly."

    "Uh…"

    "Jack Slash and Coil don't count. Or Saint. Or anyone else who is a complete asshole."

    "Fair…"

    "And whether it's to make them like you or not, you do help people and genuinely want good things for them. That's rarer than you'd think."

    I felt myself relax a little. "Okay."

    "And physically, you're cute. In both your forms."

    WHAT.

    "I-wait-what?"

    "Either one you've got pretty eyes, and you're in decent shape. Your smile's pretty adorable, too."

    I stared at him.

    "Y'know, how you just kind of get this goofy grin when everyone's happy…?"

    "I… do?"

    Cu laughed to himself. "Yeah. You do. So! What is it you like about me?" he said challengingly.

    "Well. You're really chill when you're not fighting. I can be kind of high-key sometimes so you're soothing. Like you said, the shared interests help. And I like how confident you are. You're a little cocky, but it doesn't feel smug."

    "Ehhh, I can do smug."

    "Yeah, but you don't smug at me, which is what's important."

    Cu snickered.

    "Which is what's important."

    He smiled. "Go on."

    "Um. I think you have pretty eyes too. And… wow this sounds weird."

    "Hm?"

    "Your teeth. Like how they're kind of pointy?"

    He poked his canines. "Yeah, I see it."

    "It's cute."

    He smirked. "Aww, you'll make me blush," he teased.

    "You've got nice hair. And a nice everything, really."

    He raised his eyebrows. "Everything?" he said teasingly.

    I deliberately averted my eyes. "Don't be crass."

    He cackled. "Sorry, but it's a little easy. I'll try to dial it back if you're uncomfortable." He paused. "So. What I want…"

    I nodded, still not looking at him.

    "Hugging's good. Holding you is good. That we agree on. Same with sharing a bed. Um… I'd like to be more physically intimate with you. Like, massages, or little touches here and there. Not like groping or anything, but if you wanted that I'd be interested."

    I held my hand up palm down, and tilted it back and forth. "I uh. I'm on board with the less sexy bits." I paused. "I won't promise anything past that," I said slowly.

    Cu nodded. "That's fair. I'd also like it if you were more comfortable with less clothes between us."

    "Erm."

    He gave me a sidelong look. "I wore pajamas because I figured you'd be more comfortable. Normally if I wear anything to bed, it's underwear, and sometimes not even that."

    I felt my face heat up. "Good to know."

    Cu sighed. "Matt."

    "Yeah?"

    "It's something we can work towards, and it's not something to worry about. That's more of a long-term goal, and there's no timetable. We're fine."

    "Thanks, Set."

    He gave me a tired smile. "Anything other than that? I'm not asking if you're not offering."

    I nodded. "Right."

    I yelped as he leapt up and belly flopped down on top of me and knocked me over.

    "Oof!"

    "So. Important talk, glad we had it, we should both remember it," I felt his lips press against my cheek. "Any other important business, or do you wanna cuddle and hear about my day?"

    I couldn't help but laugh. "Ugh, fine. Let me get comfortable, at least."

    I felt Setanta grin against my cheek. "Sounds good, mo ghrá."

    I paused after I turned onto my back and got my legs out from under him. "What's that mean?"

    He settled in to the side, back against the couch, arm draped over me. "It's Gaelic. An endearment."

    "Okay. So how was your day?"

    I felt him shrug. "It was alright. Wandered town. The gangs don't have any Parahumans, so it's quiet."

    I snuggled into him. "That sounds nice."

    "Yeah. Somer's Rock managed to survive the destruction, so that helped kill some boredom. Ran into Fortuna there. She said she was looking into some leads on Archimedes and Prelati."

    "Hope she was being careful."

    Setanta hummed noncommittally. "Probably. Said she heard some rumors about a warlord in Africa having a new assistant."

    I froze. "Did the name Moord Nag come up in conversation?"

    "Hm? Yeah, actually. They important?"

    "Very. She's a warlord who has a familiar that grows stronger by eating corpses. Her name literally translates to 'Murder Night'."

    Setanta exhaled through his nose. "I see."

    "Right, so she's a black woman who speaks a language called Afrikaans exclusively. She's a Master, so triggered under conditions where she was isolated and under the control of someone else."

    "I know what Afrikaans is; basic knowledge from… well, you at this point. That's a bad picture."

    "It gets worse. Aasdier - means 'scavenger' - was smaller than the size of her palm when it started. One body makes it grow by about a teaspoon's worth."

    "...how big is it now?"

    "It's had eight years to grow. At the very least she can ride it. It doesn't have an upper limit, and can lose mass."

    Setanta growled. "That many?"

    "Yeah. She's got no regard for life at all. Not in the sense of a warrior, but more like a mass murderer who sees others' lives only by utility."

    He was quiet for a long moment. "You should talk to Alexandria or Legend about it. If Moord Nag is being helped by Archimedes…"

    "Help is subjective. More like used."

    "Still. She sounds strong, and ruthless."

    I nodded as Setanta pressed his forehead into my cheek. "Yeah." I sighed. "I'm kind of afraid to find out who Archimedes saddled her with."

    Nanashi poked his head out of the kitchen. "Hey, you guys. I'm making dinner. Any preferences?"

    I blinked owlishly at him. "Uh. Not burgers? I had that for lunch."

    He nodded. "Right. Chicken it is." He popped right back into the other room.

    I turned my head and met Setanta's eyes. "Was he in there… the entire time?"

    His mouth twitched. "Snrk."

    "Hah!"

    "Hehehe-"

    "Ahahahah!"

    I nearly laughed myself off of the couch - probably would have, if Setanta wasn't holding on so tightly.

    Fou just walked by, only pausing to give the two of us a disapproving look.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    "Right, so we need to go put a stop to whatever's going on in Africa," I said to Alexandria over the phone. I moved about the kitchen to put the ingredients together for brownies.

    "Wonderful. While you're a part of the Guild and have that freedom, the Triumvirate are Protectorate, which is a part of the United States government. I'm sure you can see the issue with us going over there outside of an Endbringer situation."

    "...so how low-key are we going to have to be?"

    I could feel her roll her eyes through the ether. "If I thought you capable of being low-key, I wouldn't bother telling you that I can't go. I fully expect you to barge in and make a mess of things, which will inevitably lead to Cauldron needing to step in and shore up whatever power base remains. I'll work that part of things with Fortuna. Apparently Coil's demise not being our fault has convinced Doctor Mother that Archimedes and Prelati are not immediate possible assets. She's still looking into ways to curtail you, but she's less likely to try and use those two to study Servants."

    "Thanks, I guess," I said as I began adding ingredients.

    "Naturally. My advice? Take a small team when you do go. One or two members of the Guild and their Servants, and two to three of your own."

    "Mmkay. So Taylor and Amy, which means Tamamo and Gareth. And for me… Gilgamesh, Arthur, and Cu Chulainn. Tamamo can cover any magical gaps that setup leaves, though Cu is also skilled in magecraft."

    "Good. I'll move some things around, set up a base for you. Fortuna will be in contact with you in a couple of days. Keep your lines of communication open."

    I gently nudged Fou away from the baker's chocolate. "Understood. Thank you for all your help."

    Alexandria laughed softly. "We're both stuck on this planet. Don't thank me for doing what needs doing."

    "Someone ought to," I said flatly.

    She laughed again. "Well. Your gratitude is appreciated. Take care." She hung up.

    I shot Fou a look as he nabbed a small block. "Go ahead. I'll wait."

    He gingerly bit it, then let out a high-pitched squeal and darted for his water.

    "Amazing what high-grade cacao will do with no milk or sugar," I muttered with dark amusement.

    "Fouuuu…"
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Gugalanna 6.2
  • Threadmarks
    • Gugalanna 6.2

    I blinked slowly as Kayden stood in front of me, spine straight.

    "So you guys are joining us?"

    She nodded stiffly. "Yes. Theo and Cassie both need training, shelter, and protection. I can't do all that, hold down a day job, provide for them and Aster, and raise my baby. So honestly, you're the best of what good choices there are."

    I shrugged. "But the fact you're being forced into it, even by circumstance, sucks."

    She relaxed minutely. "I'm glad you understand my feelings on it."

    I rotated my arms. "Okay. I mean, we were going to house you anyways, and Cassie's friends with Amy. I think I've seen her hanging with Aisha too, for that matter. She might as well be one of us in all but paperwork."

    Kayden nodded. "Theo thinks highly of the young women you've gathered here, and Regent."

    I chuckled sheepishly. "Yeah, we do have a bit of a gender imbalance. Having Golem on will help, especially now that Grue's around too." I paused. "He's actually got some hand-to-hand experience, so he might be able to teach Theo a thing or two. And Weaver's great at picking powers apart to get the most effective use of them. So it's a good deal all around."

    Rin strolled up. "Personally, I am thrilled your family is coming on board," she said with a polite smile.

    I thought. "Is this about the ex nihilo reproduction ability of Golem's? I'd have thought the shaping would make gems unusable…"

    Rin smirked. "Any magus worth their salt could work around it. Also I can just use my Magic to portal them apart for use, so it's even simpler for me. And thus the money issue of my magecraft became a thing of the past," she sighed wistfully.

    Kayden shook her head. "Please don't overwhelm him. Therapy's' helped, but…" She paused. "Being Kaiser's child comes with baggage."

    "I'm aware," I said gently, holding up a hand towards Rin. "We won't take advantage of Theo's kindness."

    Kayden gave me a soft smile. "Thank you."

    Rin arched an eyebrow towards me and I grimaced, making a slashing movement across my throat.

    She shrugged and moved on. "Anyways, the person I particularly wanted to speak with was you, Grail," she said with a sweet smile.

    Ruh roh.

    "I've been invited on a patrol with my first apprentice, and it was mentioned you'd be welcome to join," she said with a smile.

    "Sure. I'll bring the kids."

    "I'm sure that Weaver would invi-"

    "My kids. Hey Fran! Asterios! We're going on a field trip!"

    "Uuu?"

    "Uhn."

    Rin smiled hesitantly. "You consider the Berserkers… your children."

    "They are my sunshine babies. Fran collects flowers and presses them in books. Asterios helps Rachel take care of her puppies. They are sweet children who never did anything wrong ever."

    "You do realize you're talking about-"

    "Never did anything wrong ever."

    Rin sighed and held her hands up in defeat. "It's like dealing with Shirou trying to save someone," she muttered in amusement.

    I hummed, and came to a decision. "Hey Galahad!"

    "Yes, Master?" the Shielder asked from my immediate left.

    "Wh- Do you have presence concealment or something?"

    "No, Master."

    "Okay, whatever. You're coming with Weaver, Rin, the kids and I to patrol the city."

    "As you wish."

    Galahad blurred away in a burst of speed. He returned moments later in his full armor.

    Kayden giggled behind her hand. "Well, it's getting a bit late. I've got another date with Nanashi, so I'll tell Theo he can have friends over if he likes."

    Rin gave me a smirk. "Is he cooking for you?"

    "I- yes. How did you know?" Kayden said, perplexed.

    I snickered. "Just prepare yourself. He's really good, and if he's out to impress you he's gonna bring his A-game. You might hate him for spoiling any fancy restaurant ever in comparison."

    Kayden's eyes widened. "Really, now?"

    Rin continued to smirk. "You'll see," she said mysteriously.

    "That's yes. Trust me," I said in a flat tone.

    Rin giggled as Galahad continued with his flat stare.

    Kayden waved us off as she strolled away.

    "So. Think she'll pass out?"

    "From overeating or overstimulation?" Rin countered.

    "Yes."

    "Sucker's bet. I'm putting money on she loses it during the entree."

    "I'm putting my money on dessert," I said idly.

    "Why?" Rin said in suspicion.

    I gave her a grin. "Because Nanashi roped me into helping with it."

    "The two of you? Together?" she said with raised eyebrows. "...you'd better have saved something for the rest of us."

    "I got to lick the spoon," Galahad said in monotone.

    Rin stared, perplexed, as I burst into laughter.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Given Taylor liked to patrol at night, I ended up following as she hopped from roof to roof by the lights of streetlamps. Being lazy as I was, I opted to simply teleport, which turned out to work far faster when I had direct line-of-sight.

    This was met with… divisive reactions.

    "Faster, Asterios! I'm not letting that bum win!" Rin said as she hung off of the Berserker's back.

    Fran merely hopped along merrily, taking in the sights and sounds of the city.

    Galahad had built up a decent amount of speed, and so decided to shield surf across the rooftops. Somehow, against all laws of physics, this worked. I was not certain how, but it did.

    Despite everything, he still did not emote.

    Weaver came to a screeching halt, followed by the rest of us. She turned her head slowly to the side.

    "Something interesting?" I asked dryly.

    Galahad smoothly hopped off of his shield and landed in a crouch. "I saw two dark-cloaked figures as we passed overhead."

    Weaver nodded. "Capes. I haven't seen them before."

    "So…?"

    "They were both wearing dark clothes. Hoods, masks. The woman had heels."

    I pondered for a moment. "Let me ring Radiance. Keep an eye out?" I asked.

    Weaver nodded silently.

    Fran folded her hands in front of her, face slightly concerned. Asterios gently rubbed her back.

    Rin crossed her arms as she looked at me while my phone rang. "You know of them?"

    "Could be Night and Fog. Villains, Nazis. Broken in ways I can't fix. If it's them, we fight."

    "...why would Radiance know them?" she said slowly.

    "She's a former member of their group. Considering she's on speaking terms with Nanashi and not treating him like subhuman garbage, I'd say she's made progress since she left," I said in a dry tone.

    Rin nodded. "I see," she said, tone severe.

    "If she hurts him - if - you won't be the first in line for a pound of flesh," Weaver said shortly.

    Rin nodded, slightly less tense. "Understood."

    "Hello?" Kayden said curiously. "I was about to sit down for dinner…"

    "What's the last you heard from Geoff and Dorothy?" I said idly.

    Weaver's gaze snapped to me.

    Kayden's voice hardened. "Are they in town? I told them I cut ties…"

    "They are likely in town. They're Geschellschaft's?"

    Kayden gave a sharp exhale. "Yes. Yes, they are."

    "I see. Just needed confirmation. Please enjoy your date, they'll no longer be a concern after tonight."

    Kayden was quiet for a moment. "Alright."

    I bit my lip, then sighed. "Sorry for bothering you. I just didn't want to drop a ton of bricks on innocent Rogues."

    Kayden's tone was tired, but warm. "Goodnight, Grail. I hope your evening goes well."

    I snickered. "Well, you're about to get an Emiya special, so I know yours will."

    Kayden laughed, then hung up.

    Rin gave me an amused look. "Depending on the outcome, she might be getting more than that."

    "Ah, the harem protag. All grown up and seducing single mothers," I said with my hand over my heart.

    Rin kicked my shin to no avail. "Excuse you, I'm in a relationship with said numbskull. Well, Shirou. Erg."

    "Alter-Ego complications," I said with a small grin. "They're a pain."

    Weaver stepped forward. "How important were those two, that you know their names?"

    I hummed. "After a point, Kaiser died and E88 split into two factions. Purity led the Pure, composed of Theo, Night and Fog, and Crusader. Hookwolf had Fenrir's Chosen, with the giants, Rune, and Victor and Othala if I remember correctly. Probably not, it's been a while. Anyways, a lot happened which isn't pertinent to this evening."

    Weaver stared at me steadily. "What aren't you telling me?"

    "They became pertinent after an Endbringer attack and Slaughterhouse recruitment drive."

    Weaver sucked in a breath. "Right."

    "Want details?" I said playfully.

    Weaver stared me down. "Later. Anything that doesn't pertain to the clairvoyant you're so scared of, I want to know."

    I blinked slowly as my Servants stirred. "Alright. I just hope you can handle it all. It's a real doozy."

    Weaver tilted her head.

    "I'm serious. If you want it all, I'll give it. But it's not a happy story."

    Rin coughed. "The Nazis?"

    Weaver gave a sharp nod. "Right. They'll be passing there shortly," she said as she pointed off the edge of the roof.

    "I'll go in and make sure it's them. They can't hurt me and I can teleport," I said coolly. "If it's them, I'll holler and you guys can clean house."

    Weaver gave a brisk nod. "Fran, you subdue Fog with lightning. From what little I was able to find via Dragon, it should hurt him if he goes intangible. Asterios, you grab Night and make sure there are eyes on her. She shapeshifts when out of view. Galahad, you have the poison resistance ability, right?"

    The Shielder nodded.

    "Get it on all of us, Fog's gaseous form is highly corrosive. Rin, you provide artillery. I'll keep eyes on them and support as able, while Grail…"

    "I'll be an annoying little fuck and draw attention," I said with a spry tone.

    Weaver nodded. "Good," she said amusedly.

    "Welp! See you on the flip side!" I cheered as I jogged off the edge of the roof.

    Oh, hey! Pavement!

    As I sat up from my impromptu landing, I looked to see the robed figures.

    "Howdy!" I said.

    "Good evening," the woman said in a smooth tone. "Are you well?"

    "Pretty invulnerable, so yeah. You doing well?"

    "It is a pleasant night," the man said.

    "So, I'm Grail. And you are?"

    "I am Night, and this is my partner Fog. Charmed."

    "Indeed."

    Well that was confirmation.

    "Neat, neat. So what brings you to my little town by the bay?"

    "We're here to rendezvous with an old friend. She seems to have lost her way, and we'd like to correct that."

    I moved a hand behind my back. I subtly pointed through me, to the couple, then flipped the bird.

    "Well that sounds really important, but how about a nice night in the PRT cells instead?" I said cheerily.

    The two laughed almost mechanically.

    "Oh, you. It's a shame we have to kill you, you know," Night said as Fog began to dissipate.

    "I'm a biromantic asexual with nothing to lose. I'm pretty sure my mom was Jewish before she converted. Bring it."

    Night lunged into Fog's dissolving form, and that's when their usual game plan got shot to hell.

    Fran's lightning arced through the cloud, forcing the man back into solid form as he spasmed on the ground.

    Night didn't even twitch as she went for her belt, likely for a flashbang.

    Instead of Asterios, Galahad came down on her shield-first, followed by his feet.

    Given I was watching her at the time, the results were predictable. I blinked, and she remained unconscious despite being out of everyone's sight-line.

    Well that's handy.

    "She's down," Weaver said as she slunk out from the alleyway.

    Asterios plummeted to the ground, Rin on his back. "Uhn."

    Fran followed in a more gentle manner.

    "Well, the road's fine, we're fine, the Nazis are down… PRT time?" I said.

    Weaver brandished her phone. "Already done."

    I nodded. "...Weaver. Walk and talk?"

    She nodded.

    I motioned to Galahad and the Berserkers. "Take Rin back to the apartments after the PRT arrive. I'll catch up."

    Rin sighed. "If you need the privacy that badly, then fine."

    "It's… nothing you want to hear. Trust me."

    She inclined her head. "I've heard that tone enough from Clocktower professors to know that's the truth. I'll see you both tomorrow."

    As Weaver and I moved on towards her house, I started to ramble. "Okay, so first thing's first. You spent a week in hospital, then went home. You practiced with your powers, and things at school stayed bad. Your dad settled because the school applied pressure and the doctor bill was huge. You follow?"

    She nodded silently.

    "It got bad. One day, you decided to make your debut, and you overheard Lung talking about killing kids. You fought. With some luck, you won. Armsmaster decided your outfit was dark, and… geez. I averted so much shit in week one it's not funny."

    "Continue."

    "Okay. Cliff notes. Armsmaster ruined your early chances at heroism. You joined the Undersiders as they were, initially to try and spy and eventually for real. Coil got Dinah. Coil got the Travellers, and they had a monstrous cape that acted like Endbringer-bait. This was after your city got visited by an irritable bomb-tinker who got roped into the ABB."

    "Fuck."

    "It gets worse. Endbringer was Leviathan. Lots of people died, not the Undersiders but a lot of heroes and villains. That's where Kaiser and Alabaster went. After, the nine visited. Bonesaw nominated Amy, and Amy… she did something to Vicky I can't repeat. Amy was really messed up after Bonesaw, and she was on her way there before. Ames didn't join, but went to the Birdcage willingly. Shatterbird nominated Hookwolf, and he got in. She got turned into Regent's puppet. Bonesaw forced a second trigger out of Grue. I won't say how. He killed Burnscar. Coil took over the city, you killed him after he stabbed you in the back, you freed Dinah, fought the Travellers… then you got outed."

    Weaver took a sharp breath.

    "Yeah. James Tagg took over. Real ass. You killed him and Alexandria, who was in on it, and the heroes covered it up. Blamed their behavior on ZZ - I mean Ziz. She never became ZZ. Ever. Then they made you a hero."

    "I… see."

    "So the threat of the nine returning hung overhead, so Armsmaster rebranded and joined the Guild. He pulled some shit during the Leviathan fight so had to retire his old identity. Also he was Mannequin's nominee. And ended up having to replace limbs with prosthetics."

    "My God."

    "Yeah. Fortuna was terrible, Cauldron did shit, Behemoth killed Alec when he tried to save Aisha in New Delhi, two years later the Nine came back with a clone army…"

    "Grail, this is fucking nuts."

    "Yeah. There's more, but my memory's fuzzy at the best of times when I'm not faced with the subject I'm trying to remember. And barring the Nine? I think I defused most of it either by intent or accident. That said, Archimedes wasn't here at all, and I don't doubt it's going to get worse."

    We stopped outside of her house. "So that's the badly put together story of how the world ended and you barely stopped it, minus one big spoiler and the finale. Which was also terrible, for you and everyone involved."

    Weaver was quiet.

    "Told you it wasn't a happy story."

    "Will this be?" she whispered.

    "Maybe. Dragon wasn't unchained until after everything, from what I know. Here? I made it priority one. That's already a major difference. And the more Servants come, and the more magic stuff happens… everything is so far off the rails I barely know what's coming anymore, and honestly? I'm glad. That future sucked. Hard."

    Weaver sighed. "Grail?"

    "Yep?"

    "Thanks. For being level with me."

    "Anytime. It is, strictly speaking, your story. If anyone had a right to know, it's you."

    She turned to face me. "A lot of people would disagree. Say that you should have told all this to… to the people in charge."

    "Why? What would it do, now? I have the firepower to wipe out a small country between all my Servants, and most of them will be willing to use it once we locate problems. Ellisburg, Eagleton, Ash Beast, Sleeper, the Blasphemies… I can fix things, if only by proxy. I can make things better."

    Weaver stared at me silently.

    "I have a responsibility to make things better. But I won't always know what better is, and that's why I'm working with Dragon, and by proxy, Narwhal. Why I fought to get Alexandria's respect and her on board, because she is a much better ally than enemy. Why I took the risk and informed Eidolon about some sensitive information to earn his trust. Why I made sure to save you, so that you won't have to do what's 'necessary'. If there's power like this in the world, I want to redefine that word. I want to create miracles so that kind of necessity doesn't have a place anymore. It's a stupid dream, but…"

    Weaver quietly hugged me. Then she stepped back, and looked me in the eye.

    "It's not stupid. And I'll help."

    I felt my jaw lock up.

    "Together, we're gonna fix everything. We'll make it safe again. Well. As safe as it ever was," she amended ruefully. "And we're gonna do it with as little compromise as we can. So. I heard something about Namibia and Moord Nag?"

    I nodded. "Yeah, we think Archimedes is trying to use her for something."

    Weaver folded her arms. "So that's our next target." She paused. "What about the Nine?"

    I thought. "I'll ask Dragon soon. See if we can get a bead. The sooner we nip that in the bud, the better."

    Weaver flashed me a thumbs up. "My thoughts exactly. Now, I'm gonna head on in. 'Night, Grail."

    She strolled on up, Tamamo's bounded field flickering over her as she walked. I stayed to watch until I saw Danny open the door to let her in. He waved at me, and I returned the gesture.

    Then I went home.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    I grumbled as Medusa sat me down with a bottle of cider in my hand and a glass of wine in hers.

    "So," she said in an amused tone. "I hear you were planning on a grand romantic gesture?"

    I muttered obscenities under my breath. "I was. I was told it was a bad move."

    She chuckled as she took a sip. "Mm. Cu isn't the sort for that, I don't think. He tends to prefer lots of little things. He told me you talked last night, by the way."

    I shrugged. "I mean, it was a conversation we should have had earlier. Setting expectations and stuff."

    Medusa nodded with a smile. "That's good. It shows you're serious. He is too, but I think he takes a few things for granted, still."

    I shrugged. "Yeah…"

    She tilted her head. "You're worried."

    "Well. Yeah. About Cu, and about other stuff."

    Medusa hummed. "I would have suspected that your chat with him would have allayed some worries over the former."

    I curled around my bottle. "Yeah, me too," I said bitterly. "But hey, that's me for you." I snorted. "Did they tell you what I had planned?"

    "No," Medusa said. She took another sip of her wine.

    "I was gonna take him on a day trip to Ireland to see if we could find his castle."

    Medusa didn't spit out her drink or choke, but from how her eyes widened, it was a near thing. After a moment, she swallowed. Then her eyes narrowed. "Grail, are you planning to propose to him?"

    "No…? Not yet? I mean. I don't know," I said, feeling panic start to set in.

    She held up a hand. "I don't expect you to, and neither does anyone else at this point. It's a new relationship. Which is why I was shocked when you came up with something that personal. It was his home. He shared it with his wife, his friends, and so many memories…" she trailed off. "It would be like Shirou or Sakura offering to help me find the Shapeless Isle. Though, in my case those are memories best left forgotten," she admitted.

    "I mean, I thought it would make him happiest."

    Medusa shook her head. "Did you consider getting him beer? Or making him a nice dinner? Or taking him fishing, or camping, or some other outdoor activity I'm sure he'd love?"

    I blushed. "Uh. Oh. I might have done the last one, already."

    Medusa gazed at me flatly. "Without the Berserkers."

    I grinned. "Nevermind."

    "The point being, you don't have to go all out this soon. And besides, as far as… well. No, I take that back. When he wooed Emer, he was more than happy to train under Scathach. That was its own great gesture, so perhaps that is a bit of his love language - so to speak. But I'm not sure how well he'd receive that so early on. Also, good luck surpassing that."

    "Kind of like Gilgamesh helping Arthur find his childhood home, or Arthur finding what was left of Uruk. Though I'm not sure how well Gil would take that…" I mused. I shook my head. "Yeah, you guys are right. I just… what would he want from me?"

    Medusa sighed. "I know 'anything' is a bit trite, and more than a little unhelpful. Even if it's true." She thought, nursing her drink. "Hmm. What sorts of things has he asked you for?"

    "Touching? But I hug him when I see him, and we've cuddled for a while a few times. Also he's spent the last few nights with me in bed, and that's been nice." I paused. "It makes the nightmares stop, at least."

    Medusa gave me a small smile. "Go on."

    "Uh. There was another request, but he said he was willing to wait, and I don't want to go for it right now."

    She nodded. "That's up to you, if it's that personal."

    "It is. Um… I know he likes drinking, fighting, and… well. You know."

    Medusa nodded. "I do," she said gently. "And I assure you, he's done well for himself among the young ladies of Brockton."

    I relaxed. "That's good. I think the past few mornings I've woken up with him there, so…?"

    She smiled. "It sounds like he prefers being near you. That's good."

    "Yeah. Ugh. I hate being insecure about all this."

    "I understand."

    "I mean, the thing about people giving you chapter and verse on why you're not good enough is that it tends to stick."

    "Grail. Trust me. I understand."

    Oh. I guess she would.

    "Sorry."

    Medusa shook her head. "Don't be. So… you've shared a bed, hm?" Her smile turned a touch impish. "Who's the big spoon?"

    I shrugged. "It hasn't happened enough for there to be a pattern?"

    She smirked at me. "I was just wondering if you had a chance to explore his… assets."

    "...you're asking me if I've touched the butt."

    "Yes, Grail. I want to know if you've touched the butt. It's a very nice butt."

    I shrugged. "Not intentionally?"

    Medusa sighed. "To be expected, I suppose."

    "I mean, I do plan on it eventually."

    She applauded daintily.

    "Oh, shut up."

    "Ufufu…"
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Slowly my eyes opened as I was shaken roughly. "Mrr?"

    ZZ stared at me, eyes frantic. "Grail, we need to go now. Now, now, now!"

    My eyes snapped all the way open. "What? What is it?"

    She swallowed. "I… I spoke to Illya about an hour ago. I have my old vision back, thanks to her, but I have to toggle it off and on. I looked forward, and… there's so much. I can't parse it all like this, but I did see some really immediate stuff that goes really bad if we don't get to Namibia ASAP."

    I scowled. "Such as?"

    ZZ peered around, eyes focusing in and out. "Okay. He won't hear. Moord Nag is contracted to Inanna, an Avenger-class Servant. Ishtar skewed heavily towards her war aspect."

    I sucked in a breath. "Oh god. Do you think…?"

    "Yes. Inanna has a catalyst in mind, a power source, and herself to perform the rite. She's going to bring a bastardized version of the Bull of Heaven to Earth Bet."

    I swore under my breath. "Like we didn't have enough issues with the Endbringers…"

    ZZ shook her head. "I've sent word to Taylor, and… I know you were planning on Amy, but I'm bringing Rin in on this instead. She's bringing Sakura along, as she's one of the heaviest hitters against Servants. You can heal and support, we're going to need firepower."

    I tilted my head as the door slowly opened. "ZZ, how bad is this going to be?"

    "Yes, 'ZZ'," Gilgamesh growled from the doorway. "How 'bad' is this going to be?"

    Her jaw dropped.

    The King gave an icy smirk. "Did you truly believe you could evade me with future sight, when I could cast my own against it? You are strong, but you lack your prior finesse." He scowled. "We leave Arthur behind."

    I ran through some thoughts. "Conditional."

    He narrowed his eyes. "Speak. Quickly."

    "If he has Avalon, he comes."

    "Done," he said swiftly. "Enkidu has nothing so powerful to protect him from a death curse, so he and Legend cannot be-"

    "I'll tell them because he deserves to know. They can't come because of international law and Protectorate shenanigans," I said quickly.

    Gilgamesh paused, and nodded. "Acceptable. So…"

    "You, ZZ, Cu, and maybe Arthur. Taylor, Tamamo, Rin, and Sakura. This… it's beyond anything the girls or guys can handle. I'll have Dragon on speed dial to relocate some suits and transfer Servants over if it gets too far over our heads."

    ZZ exhaled. "I… yeah. It's going to get attention, Grail. It'll be open, and big, and Archimedes' debut as a higher than S class threat."

    I swallowed. "Projected death count?"

    "If we pull it off right? One from the battle. Inanna intends to use all the life force Aasdier has to awaken the catalyst, killing it and subsequently Moord Nag. I don't think we can get there in time to stop that. Everyone else that died to get the familiar there… it's already a massive number. I won't trouble you with that."

    "Too late," I muttered as Fou crawled into my lap.

    Cu slunk in through the door. "Oi. You're up late. What's the war meeting?" he said quietly. He plopped down next to me.

    "Avenger Inanna, Moord Nag, Bull of Heaven."

    He sucked his breath through his teeth. "...I'll start on some runes and prep my sling and chariot."

    Gilgamesh narrowed his eyes. "ZZ."

    "Yes?"

    "How did you know to look for this?"

    ZZ worried her lip. "So, I wanted to make sure certain things had happened. And they had. However, that presents its own set of problems."

    I arched an eyebrow.

    "The Endbringers, minus me and baby bro, are inert. Completely. Not a threat on their own."

    "And this is connected how?" Gilgamesh said irritably.

    Cu blinked. "I'm a little lost," he admitted.

    I felt ice flood my metaphorical veins. "Zee?"

    She exhaled. "So I know the catalyst they're going to use to summon Gugalanna."

    I started trembling as Fou curled against my stomach, glowing violently.

    "It's our eldest brother."

    "Behemoth," I whispered.

    Fou let out a savage growl.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Interlude: EMIYA
  • Threadmarks
    • Mild Content Warning: Discussion of Past Abuse
    Content Warning: Mass Murder, Human Sacrifice

    Interlude: Emiya

    Nanashi - formerly one EMIYA - quietly placed a marker and closed his book. It was one of a number he'd started to read on Earth Bet history, and honestly the differences between the current history and the one of the world he came from were negligible. Up until the Space Whale Bullshit, as Da Vinci would say.

    He shared in the same common knowledge that the rest of the Servants of Grail did - knowledge about the true threat behind the scenes. He was also aware of who Kayden would have been if she had the time with Max Anders she had been denied - pulled back into the Empire, and then establish the Pure.

    The less said about the fate of the family, the better.

    All of that considered… he was becoming very fond of Kayden, and her family. Aster was a treasure, Theo was a young man with great potential, and Cass was insanely protective of both of them.

    Kayden herself… she was soft-spoken, gentle. There was definitely a will of iron, though she also tended to look outside of herself for direction. That, Nanashi grudgingly thought, could easily be attributed to her former husband. She was fiercely protective of those she loved. She had some… problematic habits, but nothing like the person described in Grail's memories. And she was doing better by far. They'd had a couple of dates since the first, and they continued to get along well.

    The physical chemistry didn't hurt either. She was very pretty, in that girl-next-door sort of way. He'd been surrounded by beautiful people a good part of his life, so his standards might have been slightly skewed. Regardless, she was attractive in his opinion, which was the most important one.

    Nanashi got up off of the couch he was on, and made his way to the kitchen. He was having a date tonight, and it was his first time cooking for Kayden. Everything had to be perfect.

    He opened the cupboard.

    He opened the fridge.

    He checked the pantry.

    Everything was a disaster.

    Nanashi took a deep breath. "WHY DON'T WE HAVE ANY FOOD?" he roared.

    Fou slowly opened an eye from his perch above the cupboards. His tongue flicked out of his mouth. "Fou."

    Nanashi stared.

    Grail walked into the room, rubbing his eyes blearily. "Mmph. Breakfast?"

    Nanashi turned to stare at Grail.

    "Fou."

    Grail's blue eyes sharpened, and suddenly turned inhuman. "You what."

    "Fou."

    Nanashi felt his pulse quicken.

    "Excuse me?"

    ...he'd heard Rin take that tone more than once.

    "Fou."

    Cu Chulainn strolled in behind their master, looping an arm around his shoulders lazily. "What's the matter, mo ghrá?"

    "..."

    Grail's skin began to pale into marble, traceries of blue light beginning to cross his body.

    Fou stretched sleepily. "Kyuu."

    Nanashi thought he saw Cu's arm tighten in warning.

    Grail's form snapped back to normal, and Nanashi began to breathe more easily.

    "Right!" Grail said cheerily.

    Uh oh.

    "Nanashi, you're coming with me to get food, since Fou decided to eat all of it. I have no idea why or how, given a lot of it was raw ingredients that he'd hate, but he did it."

    Nanashi groaned. "Of course he did."

    Cu hummed. "Want me to come with?"

    Grail seemed to think about it for a moment. "Mm. Nah. Nanashi and I can get it all."

    Nanashi gave Grail a look. "Really? A whole stockpile of food?"

    Grail grinned. "Teleport."

    Well. That was that, it seemed.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Grail hummed merrily as he followed Nanashi around the corner store. "So, Medusa says you have another date tonight?"

    Nanashi huffed. "Medusa needs to keep her mouth shut."

    "Ah, the old idiom. Those who don't know her think she's quiet, those who do wish she was," Grail said affectionately.

    Nanashi shot Grail a wry smirk. "The same could be said of you."

    Grail snickered. "Now who in their right mind could meet me and assume I'm quiet?"

    Nanashi paused. "On the one hand, good point. On the other, the question answers itself."

    The banter died off into companionable silence for a time.

    "So, what are your plans besides getting your dinner together for the day? I'm gonna drop by the warehouse during late afternoon, but besides that…"

    Nanashi hummed. "I think I'll go check on the kids. Kayden says she's thinking about joining up. I'd expect her to approach you about it."

    Grail nodded. "Alright. Do you need any help getting the dinner ready?"

    Nanashi paused, then gave Grail a small smile. "I could use some help with the dessert."

    Grail grinned and jabbed a thumb at his chest. "Well Mister Emiya, I'd say you've come to the right person!"

    Nanashi laughed quietly as he picked up a small bag of flour. "I suppose so."

    "What are you planning on?"

    "I'm going to make a stir-fry and rice, nothing too fancy."

    "Trying not to spoil her too quickly, huh?" Grail said with a smirk.

    Nanashi snorted. "It's the second date. Stir-fry is a safe choice."

    "Mmkay. So what are we making for dessert?"

    Nanashi shrugged. "Do you have a suggestion?"

    "Hmmm. So are you going for more savory or spicy stir-fry?"

    "Savory. I think I recall her mentioning a low spice threshold."

    "Mm, fair. So something savory… Oh! We can make my mom's brownie recipe!"

    "Hm?"

    "So they're really soft and chewy, but what makes them special is the Andes mints she'd melt down and make a coating on the top. I think the mint chocolate would be a nice contrast to the stir-fry later on, you know? Also, if you microwave them for a few seconds they heat up well, and then you can pair it with vanilla ice cream. It's great!"

    Nanashi paused. "You said it's your mother's recipe?"

    "Yep."

    He gently placed a hand on Grail's shoulder. "If you're certain…?"

    Grail shook his head. "I wouldn't have offered otherwise." He smiled at Nanashi. "A lot of my better recipes come from my mom. Just hold onto your hat when Christmas rolls around. I'm gonna drag you and Shirou into the kitchen to help me with it all, because otherwise I'll never get it all done!"

    "All what?"

    "Christmas baking! There's about nine or ten kinds of cookies I need to make, and at least three kinds of icing for the plain sugar cookies! There's lemon flavored, peppermint flavored, and anise flavored…"

    Nanashi continued to engage Grail in discussion about the variety of recipes he knew for his sweet-making, passing the rest of the trip in amiable conversation.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Theo groaned as he sat on the ground near the training area. Cass tapped her foot irritably on the floor.

    "C'mon. I know you've got this in you."

    Theo shook his head. "It's so tiring. I don't…" he trailed off, noticing Nanashi enter the room.

    Nanashi craned his neck and took in the sight.

    Multiple giant hands of cement and rubber jutted from the floor, moving erratically. They slowly stopped as Theo released his concentration and pulled his arm from the floor.

    Cass shook her head. "His power. It's easier for him to use when he puts what he's trying to copy into the material. It's a little slow, but strong." She paused. "We're working on speed, and seeing how little he can get away with infusing while still projecting."

    Theo wouldn't meet Nanashi's eyes.

    The Alter-Ego sighed, and smiled gently. "Theodore, you've had your powers for… a week? Less? Any sort of progress is remarkable. Nobody starts fully trained, and to consider otherwise is foolishness."

    "Yes, sir."

    "You'll improve. Give it time. If you're tired, rest. If you want to push yourself, do so. Just remember to take care of yourself."

    "Yes, sir."

    Nanashi felt his brow twitch.

    Theo still wouldn't meet his eyes.

    Cass passed by him, gently checking his arm with her shoulder. "Your turn," she muttered. "I'm not getting through to him."

    The room was quiet after she left, Theo getting up slowly and moving towards one of the benches. He sat down, staring at his hands.

    Nanashi didn't pause. He strode over and sat next to Theo. "Are you alright?"

    "Yes, sir."

    Unacceptable.

    "Are you sure?"

    Silence.

    "I'm not trying to intimidate you, Theo. I'm trying to help." Nanashi ran a hand through his hair. "But I can't help you if I don't know what the problem is."

    Theo peeked at Nanashi out of the corner of his eye. "I don't get it."

    Nanashi was quiet.

    Theo looked at Nanashi, finally. "It's like you're him, but reversed. He was a white supremacist, you're asian. He could call blades from any surface, you conjure them from thin air. He always made sure I knew my place. You…"

    Nanashi felt his heart clench. He had heard that Theo's relationship with his father was strained. He didn't know it had gone into full-tilt abuse.

    Not everything came across from Grail, and Kayden didn't say much about it. Wouldn't have, with one date between them.

    "Theo. Whatever he told you about yourself was wrong. I see a lot of potential in you, and I know you'll be great one day. Things are hard now, but each day they'll get a little easier. Both with your powers and everything else. You just need to keep forging forward."

    Theo nodded, uncertain.

    Nanashi put a hand on Theo's shoulder. "You're a good kid, Theo. I might not have known you very long, but I can see that." He smirked. "I'd like to think I'm a good judge of character."

    Theo let out a soft huff of laughter. "Okay. Thanks, sir."

    Nanashi gently shook Theo's shoulder. "Call me Nanashi. Or Emiya, if you feel the need to be formal."

    Theo smiled. "Thanks, Mister Emiya."

    Nanashi chuckled. "Close enough. So, you done for the day?"

    Theo nodded sheepishly.

    "Alright. Hit the showers, then we can talk shop. I'm meeting Grail in an hour or so, but I've got time to help you pick apart your abilities."

    The boy smiled up at Nanashi. "Sounds good, Mister Emiya."

    Nanashi sighed as Theo wandered off to go get cleaned up. It was a start, but earning Theo's trust would take a while. To say nothing of helping him through his issues.

    Thank whatever gods cared to listen for therapy.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Nanashi watched, amused, as Grail snuggled into Cu on the couch. He was napping with his head on the other man's chest.

    The Lancer gently stroked his hair and murmured to him in old Irish. Or regular Irish. Nanashi didn't know enough of either to tell the difference.

    "You know, I've wondered," Nanashi said quietly, "how exactly you came to be interested in him."

    Cu stopped speaking, and slowly turned his gaze on Nanashi. "Hm?"

    "From what I heard, you spent one day together, then he paid attention to you sparingly. He was far more invested in Arthur and Gilgamesh, and at times Da Vinci. He started spending more time with you after Medusa coaxed him into it."

    Cu looked like he bit a lemon. "I…" He exhaled. "When I first saw him? ...he reminded me of Ferdiad."

    Nanashi remained quiet.

    "One look, and I could tell he had impenetrable skin, and was already used to it. Of course, I immediately treated him like I would Ferdiad - using him to block Gilgamesh's welcome - and that backfired. I'm lucky his reaction wasn't worse."

    Nanashi nodded silently.

    "Then I spent time with him. We found Somer's, drank together. We talked. He actually asked me about Ferdiad, you know? And the more I sat with him, the more I realized I didn't know him at all. It started as a whim, but here was this person who was so similar and so different to…" Cu cut himself off. "Anyways. He reminded me of him. Then, at times, he reminded me a little of Emer. I doubt he'd match her in pure wits, but his attitude… I think they'd have gotten along. Hell, she'd likely would have wanted to keep him with us given how unobtrusive he would have been." Cu smiled. "Ah, who am I kidding? She'd have thought he was adorable. Same as me, if I'm honest. He's… kind, intelligent. A bit easily lost, but that's some of his charm."

    "So from the moment you met him, you had an interest."

    "Mm-hm."

    "Did you tell…?"

    Cu snorted quietly. "Ah, yes. 'Hello! You remind me of a man I loved once. I killed him by shoving a spear up his ass and sprouting barbs through his veins. Would you like to go on a date?' Sounds perfect." He narrowed his eyes. "So that's my tale. How about you and Miss Russell?"

    Nanashi coughed. "She approached me, in all fairness. I didn't know who she was, at first. Without being blinded."

    Cu grinned. "And?"

    "I decided to give it a shot. She seemed interesting, and… Well. We went out, and talked over a nice meal. She told me about her kids. Cassie moved in, so she's as much family as Aster and Theo. From the sound of it, she's a pretty average teenager. Plenty of sass and sarcasm, but still a good kid. Kayden dotes on her baby, Aster. I think I saw quite a few pictures. Theo… he's getting help, but his father left him in a bad place."

    Cu's eyes sharpened. "Hoh?"

    "Mm. It seems to be mostly emotional abuse. Trying to make him something he's not."

    Cu exhaled slowly. "Glad I launched him into a wall, then."

    Nanashi gave a quick grin that faded as soon as it appeared. "I appreciate that. He's in therapy and getting help. All that said, they're a good family. And Kayden herself… she does interior design. She's got a good eye for colors, shapes, patterns. It's a real gift. I think she was surprised when I showed an interest."

    Cu chuckled quietly, causing Grail to stir a little. He stilled until Grail seemed to settle down. "Well once she gets to know you, I'm sure she'll understand more."

    "Mm. It's good to support other people's interests."

    Cu smirked. "Yeah. I'm thinking of taking this guy to an arcade I found. It has a lot of old games in it, I think he'll like it."

    Nanashi had a momentary flashback to Grail being insufferably smug after beating Alec in a Kart game, only to start scowling when Fran turned the tables and ran everyone else off the track.

    He smirked. "He'll love it." Nanashi shook his head. "So now that my curiosity's handled, your boyfriend offered to help me prepare dessert for tonight."

    Cu sighed. "Does he have to? He looks so peaceful." The man looked down at Grail with a fond smile on his face.

    Nanashi crossed his arms and gave Cu a flat look.

    "Ah, fine." Cu jostled Grail gently, waking him up. "Rise and shine, mo ghrá. Emiya wants you to help bake."

    Nanashi rubbed his face to hide his grin while Grail stirred, grumbling.

    "Mmph. You make a really good pillow." Grail slowly sat up. He glanced down. "What're you so smug about?"

    Cu gave a self-satisfied smirk. "Nothing."

    Grail flicked his forehead as he stepped over him off of the couch. "Congrats, you have great tits. Now, I'm going to go make sugary death for Nanashi so he can get laid."

    Both men made a sharp choking noise.

    Grail just smirked as he strode out of the room.

    Nanashi shook his head and let out a long exhale as he followed Grail into the kitchen.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Grail hummed as he set the timer for the brownies' second part.

    Nanashi peered at the bowl with the remains of the melted mint chocolate. "So what do we do with this?"

    Galahad peered through the entryway. "I smelled baking," he said in a flat tone.

    Fou bounded onto the counter and stared Nanashi in the eye. "Fou."

    Grail shot Nanashi a sidelong look. "Ask and ye shall receive. Galahad, you get the spoon. Fou can clean the bowl."

    And so Nanashi was treated to the sight of the Perfect Knight sedately cleaning a spoon with his tongue, while the fearsome Cath Palug was face-down in a mixing bowl, hindquarters wriggling in the air as it struggled to lap up the chocolate.

    ...he might have surreptitiously taken video of both. For personal amusement, of course. Blackmail was beneath him.

    He might actually believe it if he thought it hard enough.

    Grail hummed merrily. "So, do you need my help preparing the ingredients for stir-fry, or…?"

    Nanashi shook his head. "After we take the brownies out to cool, I should be alright." He smiled. "Thank you for your help."

    Grail shrugged. "I mean, if you're making her dinner, you must be trying to seal the deal," he said with a waggle of his eyebrows.

    Nanashi frowned. "It's our second date. And aren't you supposed to be awkward about sex?"

    "When it concerns me, sure. Other people I don't really care."

    Galahad placed the whole spoon in his mouth, and pulled it out with a pop. "Done."

    "Fouuuu…"

    The three men turned to look at the counter. All that could be seen were four chocolate-stained paws poking out of the bowl.

    "Well, I'm going to give Fou a bath before I head over to the warehouse. Let me know how the date goes? Deets not required," Grail said as he picked the bowl up.

    Nanashi coughed. "...I'll fill you in."

    Grail flashed a grin back at him. "Cool. Have fun, big guy."

    ...Nanashi didn't get his Master sometimes, but he couldn't deny being fond of him. Strange as he was.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Kayden's eyes were wide as she took the first bite of stir-fry.

    Nanashi grinned slightly as he ate some himself. It was a pretty good effort, all told.

    "Nanashi… this is one of the best things I've ever tasted," she said in mild shock.

    He grinned more widely. "It's good to have my talents appreciated," he said warmly.

    The dinner proceeded in relative silence, save for Kayden's occasional hums of pleasure.

    Grail had once mentioned to Nanashi that the best way to tell if food was well-received was the level of conversation during the meal. The quieter it was, the better the food. Nanashi was inclined to agree.

    After a short time, the plates were cleaned.

    "Thanks for the meal," Kayden said with a smile. "I was told it'd be amazing, but…"

    Nanashi snorted. "Let me guess, Grail?"

    She nodded. "Yes. I'll be joining the Guild, as well. I'm not sure if I told you…?"

    Nanashi nodded. "You mentioned you were considering it."

    "Right."

    It was quiet for a moment.

    "Theo mentioned you spoke to him?"

    Nanashi nodded. "He's a good kid. Deserves better than Anders for a parent. From the sound of things, you're already doing far better on your own than he ever did."

    Kayden blushed lightly. "Yes. Well. I wanted to thank you. He hasn't interacted much with the other kids yet, only Cassie. And while she's supportive, she can still be…"

    "Gruff?"

    "Yes." Kayden exhaled. "Maybe I should have mentioned how proud of him I am earlier. I felt it was self-evident, but…"

    Nanashi shrugged. "From what I know, parenting is a learning experience. Theo's been through a lot, so he'll need reassurance that he's worthwhile. Now you know."

    Kayden nodded. "Yes. Now I know." She gave Nanashi a small smile. "Speaking of reassurance, you don't have to feign interest in my job. I know it's not very interesting to most people."

    "It's interesting to you," Nanashi said pointedly. "That's what matters."

    She blushed. "I…"

    He leaned in. "Also, just between you and me? I have two sets of hobbies. Fixing things - vehicles, stuff around the house - and housework. I like cooking, cleaning, and the like. Interior design is actually pretty interesting to me, though I don't know much about the details."

    Kayden perked up. "I could give you a crash course, if you like?" She paused, and blushed again. "And in exchange, maybe you can help me with my cooking. I mean, I'm no slouch in the kitchen, but…"

    Nanashi grinned. "Kayden, I'd be glad to. On both counts."

    Kayden shifted, making herself comfortable. "Thank you, Nanashi. Oh, I should help with the dishes-"

    Nanashi held a hand up. "This is my treat, this time. Also, I'm about to bring out dessert." He smiled. "Grail actually showed me a family recipe, so I'm looking forward to how they came out."

    Kayden blinked. "Really?"

    Nanashi nodded. "I'm pretty good at desserts, but Grail? One-note cook or no, he knows his sweets."

    Kayden laughed softly. "Well, then."

    Nanashi smirked. "I'll be right back."

    It took a couple of minutes, but Nanashi warmed the brownies and put a scoop of ice cream on each.

    He set the plate in front of Kayden. "Hope you enjoy it."

    Kayden flashed him a small smile. "Thanks."

    Nanashi sat down, and-

    ...huh.

    He'd definitely heard that noise before, but not from Kayden. And usually not in regards to his cooking.

    Kayden, for her part, looked mortified. "Oh my god. I'm so sor-"

    He just smirked and tried a bi-

    Oh.

    Kayden's jaw dropped. "Uh."

    Nanashi coughed. "Grail and I aren't allowed to make dessert together anymore. The power is too strong."

    His face was definitely burning up.

    Kayden grinned amusedly. "Oh, I don't know. I'm enjoying it."

    Nanashi felt a sheepish smile overtake his face.

    The chocolate and ice cream were eventually eaten. It was too dangerous to leave any behind.

    "That was better than I was expecting," Nanashi said with a grin. He stretched his arms over his head, then let them fall.

    Kayden nodded, humming. A mischievous glint entered her eye. "So…" she said slowly.

    Nanashi blinked. "Yes?"

    "What about dessert?"

    Nanashi's brow furrowed. "We just ha- oh." His eyes widened in realization. "Oh."

    Kayden smirked.

    Nanashi returned with one of his own. "I think I have something in the back."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Nanashi frowned as he moved from his bed to the doorway. He opened the door and looked in the hall of his apartment. "What's the noise about?"

    Galahad looked up from the couch where he was playing solitaire by himself on a coffee table. "You might want to put on more than boxers. We're on reserve."

    "For what?" Nanashi growled as Kayden walked up behind him, nightgown draped around her.

    "Apparently Archimedes' latest grand plan is to let an evil Ishtar - excuse me, Inanna - combine someone named Moord Nag with some kind of Behemoth to summon the Bull of Heaven. So says ZZ."

    Nanashi felt his jaw drop.

    Kayden swallowed loudly behind him.

    "Primary team is Gilgamesh, Arthur, ZZ, and Cu Chulainn. Grail's bringing Rin, Sakura, Taylor, and Tamamo. Dragon's ready to deploy us at need," Galahad said as he placed another card. His single visible eye gleamed darkly. "This will be much more than our battle by the Bay."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Inanna inclined her head as she hit a high note in her song, the ground beneath her feet shaking.

    "Hurry. Call the catalyst so that the weapon can be forged," Moord Nag urged. She looked to the skies. "The Triumvirate will catch on quickly. Their pet Tinker has eyes everywhere, even among the stars."

    Inanna smiled as the giant tore its way out of the ground, lightning crackling around it as it towered over them. "The Triumvirate are the least of our worries, Master. Now we must place Aasdier on the Behemoth."

    The beast immediately coiled around the quiescent Endbringer, laying its head atop Behemoth's as its body curled around the limbs and torso.

    Inanna raised her arms skyward. "O' Father. I have been wronged. The sin is unbearable. Grant me the power to reap vengeance and punish this pride. I am the morning and evening star. The Authority of Venus is mine! Let me have this, the instrument of my own judgement! Come! Gugalanna!"

    Moord Nag's eyes widened as Behemoth collapsed to its hands and knees.

    The single eye closed, and Aasdier's body slowly slid over it, the familiar's head expanding and covering the Endbringer's in a cowlike skull. The Endbringer was shrouded in shadow. Golden hooves emerged at the hands and feet, the legs changing to accommodate the new form. Gold slowly slid around the body of the creature, eventually revealing a large, winged bull easily the size of the mountain. Its body was gold shot through with veins of shadow, the only visible remainder of Moord Nag's familiar.

    Inanna watched with no small amusement as Moord Nag herself collapsed to the ground, breathing shallowly.

    "How… why…?"

    "Little girl. I am a goddess. You dared to order me like some serving wench, to imagine that you held true power over me. This is my price. But even so… rejoice, my pet. Soon you and Gugalanna will be one, and I will punish this wretched world for forgetting their patrons. The gods of old will have blood as their price for the praise lavished upon the heroes that is rightfully theirs."

    "I will see you pay."

    Inanna crooned softly, caressing Moord Nag's face. "Little servant girl. Go, and be with your only friend. He waits for you." She gestured lazily, and Moord Nag flew into the Bull's forehead, absorbed into its skull.

    The soldiers, there to accompany their lady, stiffened as one and fell. Their bodies quickly withered as streams of darkness flowed from their corpses to Gugalanna.

    The earth shook, and vents opened. Magma surged forth. The sky roared as wind whipped around, and lightning raked the land. As Gugalanna began to stride forth, life withered and was absorbed in its wake. Everything else was crushed by torrents of thunder and lightning, or cast skyward on waves of lava.

    "And now we begin the elegy of this world. Come, my pet." Inanna slowly seated herself against one of Gugalanna's massive horns, light dancing along her arms. "The consecration begins."
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Gugalanna 6.3
  • Threadmarks
    • Content Warning: Extreme Dehydration.
    Minor Content Warning: Small Emotional Breakdown.

    Gugalanna 6.3

    While it was late at night back home, it was early morning in Namibia. The sun was already on the rise as we materialized at the rendezvous point.

    Fortuna's gaze snapped to us. "The governments have already begun to mobilize. There's no cities or townships hit yet, but it's only a matter of time if we don't stop them. And given the nature of the threat, it's unlikely anyone weaker than the Triumvirate in a straight fight will be of any aid." She strode forward. "Number Man's reporting gale force winds no less than forty miles out. Within a half mile, the ground is rupturing and dragging magma from the crust to the surface. The process is slower than you'd think, but any living thing - meaning with a pulse and carbon-based - seems to die and wither away long before the magma arrives. There are also rhythmic lightning strikes that have sufficient power to mar the landscape." She adjusted her hat. "I hope you all brought your A-game, because help will be late if it arrives at all."

    I swallowed. "Do you have a visual? I could teleport us in on the Greater Grail if-"

    Fortuna inclined her head. "Not well enough to suit your needs. The smoke, wind, and constant flashing light makes it difficult for us to get photographic evidence. Right now the local governments are assuming its Ash Beast escalating, but…" she hesitated. "Our intelligence indicates that Ash Beast has been devoured."

    Taylor let out a hysterical laugh. "Great! Fantastic! And we're supposed to contend with this… how?"

    I crossed my arms. "Tamamo. ZZ. Gilgamesh. Can I count on you three to go all-out from the start?"

    Gilgamesh turned his gaze on me. "Whether they will or not is inconsequential. I'll level the countryside with Ea to see that goddess dead."

    Arthur gently placed his hand on Gil's shoulder. He turned to me. "I should be able to unlock a good number of seals on Excalibur from the nature of this fight alone. That said, I doubt Dun Stallion will be able to ferry me around that terrain." He looked to Gil. "Looks like I'll be riding with you, then." He had a faint smile on his face.

    Gilgamesh nodded shortly. "I was going to insist on us going together at any rate. Avalon or no, I want you close."

    ZZ crossed her arms. "...I'll revert, but I have a minute in that form unempowered. If you target me, I should be able to extend it."

    Tamamo tapped her lower lip with her index finger. "Given the fact that if I play around, Taylor might perish… yes, I suppose I can put in an honest effort."

    Rin huffed. "So where do Sakura and I fit in?"

    I looked to them. "While I guard Taylor, you two will draw Inanna into my range and engage her. A Magician and an Imaginary Numbers specialist ought to be able to give her hell, especially with my help." I turned my gaze to Taylor. "Especially if you can muster some of your crystalbugs."

    She shook her head. "Not happening. I can't make them, and we didn't bring nearly enough. I have gems and my own reserves, but past that I'm here for Tamamo." Her voice was matter-of-fact, not a trace of bitterness to be found.

    "So, it'll be Gil and Arthur on Vimana, ZZ reverting, Tamamo handling herself…" Fortuna paused and looked at Cu. "How will you engage?"

    Cu smirked. "I've got my own legends." He hoisted a sling of leather, and patted a pouch at his waist. "I'll be imitating an Archer today. Rider, too. On that note… Sickle Chariot!"

    There was a rush of wind and a blast of light, and I was forced to blink my eyes clear. I heard a soft creak as the Noble Phantasm came to a slow halt.

    The first thing I noticed were the horses. Liath Macha and Dub Sanglied, they fit their names. One was white as snow, and the other darker than coal. The second was the chariot itself. It was huge, with massive wheels. A blade protruded on each side, gleaming wickedly in the twilight.

    The third-

    "Oi! Cucuc! What took you so long to summon me, eh!?" an irritated voice called out. A man leaned over the side of the chariot, and made a rude gesture at Cu Chulainn. He had dark hair and eyes, and a thin coat of stubble on his face. He was muscular, and a little tall. He cast his gaze over the group. "Which one of these lasses is your Master? Little Web looks a bit young, but grey-hair or… purple? Purple. Look about your speed. Hat woman looks too shifty for your ilk."

    I crossed my arms. "I'm his Master."

    The man turned his eyes on me. "Hrm. And you are?"

    "A holy grail bound to a human soul and jammed into a superweapon made of space-stuff."

    He rolled his eyes. "I meant a name, smart-arse. I've ridden with that drama queen," he said as he pointed at Cu, "for ages and on. You're not that special."

    I smirked. "But you admit I am special."

    The charioteer narrowed his eyes. "I've not a clue how he stands you. Laeg, if one of us has to introduce themselves first."

    "Grail."

    "Imaginative," Laeg scoffed. He turned his gaze back to Cu. "Seriously, Cucuc?"

    Cu rubbed his forehead. "I'm fond of him, Laeg. Go easy on him."

    "Fond?" Laeg shook his head. "Not my business. Where's our heading?"

    "We're going to kill the Bull of Heaven, reincarnated using the body of a titan made of unbreakable stone that wields pure energy and a life-eating demon who ate most of a country as a power source," I said in mock cheerfulness. "It's great! I hate it!"

    Laeg mouthed some of what I just said silently. "Bull's bollocks!"

    "Made of metal!" I agreed.

    The King of Charioteers began to swear violently.

    Cu sighed and looked skyward for patience. "Right, then. Mo ghrá, you and Taylor are with me in the Chariot. Gilgamesh, can you take Rin and Sakura until we get there?"

    Gilgamesh nodded, face stern.

    Tamamo smiled. "I'll provide my own transport, mikon."

    ZZ rolled her shoulders, cracking her neck. "Same, thanks."

    Fortuna looked at us all. "I'll keep watch from base, and Door anyone who becomes available as soon as I can. Please be careful." She paused, and gave me a quick hug. I was too startled to move.

    "There's a lot riding on you all. Don't let anyone die, including yourself," she whispered in my ear.

    I swallowed. "Loud and clear, Fortuna," I muttered.

    She pulled back and gave me a small smile, then turned away. "Door to Cauldron!" she snapped out. She strode through the light as it opened, and it closed behind her just as quickly.

    I turned to look at Laeg.

    He was mouthing silently again. "Mo- Wait, you and Cucuc? Seriously!?"

    I snickered as I joined him in the Chariot, Taylor already gripping one of the sides in anticipation.

    Cu sighed. "I'll explain later, Laeg. And with the prana I'm getting, I'll be able to keep you about, at least," he said as he got in behind Taylor and myself.

    "You'd fuckin' better," the King of Charioteers snarled. "Let's ride!" He snapped the reins once, and the Sickle Chariot began to bolt into the distance as Liath and Dub took off.

    I yelped at the sudden movement and tumbled back into Cu, who caught me. I gave him a sheepish grin. "Oops."

    Cu smirked. "There's a reason I decided to ride behind you, Grail."

    Weaver made a small movement which I interpreted as her rolling her eyes. "I'd tell you to get a room, but the likelihood of that happening is slim."

    "What d'you mean?" Laeg drawled.

    "Grail's mostly asexual."

    There was momentary silence, but for the earth rushing beneath us as the Chariot began to take to the sky.

    Laeg cast me a wide-eyed look.

    "Wait. Cucuc… and you… and you're…?"

    "Well, I gave him free reign to sleep where he wan-"

    "BWAHAHAHAHAHA!"

    Cu gave a long sigh. "And here we go."
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Laeg wouldn't stop laughing for a while, until we got in sight of Gugalanna's event horizon.

    Then nobody was laughing.

    The odor of sulfur wafted through the air, carried on hurricane winds as lightning ripped through the sky. The ground was a mass of molten lava, and even as high as we were, the heat had to have been unbearable as Taylor flinched into the Chariot.

    Gugalanna's form towered into the whirling smoke, and I could barely make out a figure on one of the horns.

    "Laeg, favor?"

    "WHAT!?"

    "Go higher! I need more space to manifest!"

    "MANIFEST WHAT!?"

    "Me!"

    Laeg swore violently, but the Chariot climbed higher nonetheless.

    I swallowed nervously. "Alright, showtime," I muttered. I turned to Cu. "Hey."

    "Hm?"

    "Kiss for luck." I gave him a peck on the corner of his mouth.

    He smirked, and put a hand on the back of my neck. "Not quite how it's done, Grail." Then he leaned in.

    Oh.

    That's. Nice.

    He pulled back with a grin. "Right then. Go set the stage, yeah?" He squeezed the back of my neck gently.

    I nodded, swallowing harshly. "Right. Let's make it happen." I lunged off the side to Taylor's soft laughter.

    I hurtled through the air, and light poured from my body. The Grail came forth, base rooting itself in the lava and the top spreading almost to Gugalanna's head. The Bull was as tall as the Greater Grail itself.

    That didn't bode well.

    "Okay, fine. Best start with the buffs," I muttered to myself. "Designating tar-!"

    A massive blast of light engulfed me, and I blinked.

    A dark-haired woman in a simple white gown stood before me. She wore massive amounts of jewelry, and wore a crown shaped like a cow's horns.

    "Now, I really can't permit that. If I let you incant, they might win." She gave a half shrug, apologetic smile on her face. "It is a shame, though. Of all the life on this worthless rock, you're the one closest to my splendor. Were you more amenable to my cause, I'd take you for my own."

    "Not much of a lover, sorry. My impulses are kind of muted," I said quietly.

    Inanna inclined her head, her dark eyes glimmering. "I see. I've known your ilk before. You're still more than capable of sharing your heart, if not your body. Give yourself over, and I'll spare a handful of the vermin for you."

    I glanced at her. "Generous."

    Gugalanna was standing still in the background, and the fighting had yet to commence. The death energy must be too strong to close with it.

    She smiled and lifted her chin towards me. "It is good that you realize it as such. I can be a benevolent goddess, when I am so moved. So, will you be mine? I will grant you mercy, and power, and wisdom. I will permit your loved ones to persist. All that is required is that you submit to me, and be the king to my queen of the new gods of this world."

    I tapped my chin, humming.

    "How about… go fuck yourself?"

    Inanna froze as ZZ double-kicked her off of the Grail, flying in sideways. A violet bounded field roared up around the edges after Rin, Sakura, and Taylor landed.

    Inanna dangled in the air. "You insignificant-"

    "DESIGNATING TARGETS! Lancer Cu Chulainn, Saber Arthur Pendragon, Archer Gilgamesh, Moon Cancer Ziz, Caster Tamamo-no-Mae, Rin Tohsaka, Sakura Matou, Weaver!"

    {Processing. Bond Analysis: Bond 9, Bond 8, Bond 10, Bond 10, Bond 6, Bond 6, Bond 7, Bond 10. Two slots remaining for later use. Proceed with selection?}

    "I am a wish. I am fulfilment."

    Inanna unleashed a torrent of dark and light energy against the bounded field, causing cracks to appear. "I am the Morning and Evening Star! Submit to my Authority!" she roared.

    The other three on the Grail shook and fell, while ZZ froze in midair.

    I, on the other hand…

    "I am the changer of ends! It's time to sever fate! Song of Grail: Heroes Shall Not Die!"

    Almost immediately, the mages on the Grail stabilized and regained their feet.

    Cu's Chariot went faster, blurring out of sight. Seals that I knew weren't qualified quickly unlocked on Excalibur, joining those which were.

    Inanna shattered the barrier, wings beginning to sprout out of her back, her crown's horns starting to curl about her head. She lunged in, soaring straight at me.

    Then she froze in midair. She looked up, face a picture of shock and rage.

    I looked to my side, and saw a massive, yet dainty leg dangling next to me. I looked up into a mass of wings, and met the pale grey eyes of my sister as her hair wreathed her head like a halo.

    "True Form Revelation: Fatekiller and Savior of Hope."

    A massive blast of invisible force slammed Inanna into the water of the Grail, breaking the surface and sending her spiraling down.

    Ziz's head whipped towards Gugalanna, who had begun moving.

    "If you deploy your water now, we'll minimize casualties as I said. I've bought you the time. Hurry." She glided off of the field, and towards the Divine Beast.

    Taylor stared silently. "Hooray for Endbringers?" she said after a moment.

    I snapped my arms out away from me in opposite directions. "Reset. Return. The sea of beginnings, the inexorable march of time… purification, revitalization, rebirth! Song of Grail: Overflow, O' Tide of Life!"

    The lava hissed and cracked under the onslaught of cool liquid, solid ground rapidly returning. The Grail Water flowed from the spouts, much like in the fight against the Sea Demons. That said, more magma continued to spout up, though its effects were drastically lessened on the terrain.

    I turned my gaze to the fight against Gugalanna, and felt my jaw drop open.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Gilgamesh gritted his teeth. He longed to be the one to strike Inanna down, but the Bull was the greater threat by far. Grail was safe. So long as the women stayed on the Greater Grail, they were safe. Inanna was strong, but her power lay in her mystic Authority overall, and none of her weapons could intervene with the Tide of Life.

    It was the rest of them risking their lives, high above the Tide.

    He opened the Gate. Best to begin with what had worked last time.

    "Enkidu."

    Golden chains spilled out of the portals, wrapping the rampaging beast as Gil took another lap in Vimana. It looped around Gugalanna's neck, legs, and tail.

    It barely slowed it down.

    "...what?" Gilgamesh breathed.

    Arthur swung his blade from beside him, smoke clearing in the wake of the wind. "Strike Air!"

    In seconds, the air was utterly clear, if still insanely windy.

    Gilgamesh was finally able to see the Bull in full. It was not as he remembered.

    The bull he recalled was blue and gold, flesh like golden leather and and horns like the night sky.

    This creature - this fiend - was gilded.

    Gold flaked off of a skull of milky bone, and blackened horns protruded from its head. Rivers of shadow crossed its craggy body, and the shape was just barely bovine. Lightning and shadows danced across its form, gold flaking off and being replenished as the darkness pulsed like a rotting heartbeat.

    It was a blasphemy in form and nature.

    Gilgamesh grit his teeth. "She would go this far…" he snarled softly.

    Arthur shot him a sidelong look. "What is it?"

    "It's corrupted. Tainted. It has next to no divinity, and so Enkidu is little better than a regular chain." Gilgamesh paused. The chain vanished into golden sparks as he returned it to the Gate. "I think I'll stick with a full offensive."

    Blades flowed like water from the Gate, burying themselves in the rock and dark. Gugalanna took notice, bellowing a battle cry as lightning shattered the sky. Bolts licked the wings of Vimana as it maneuvered to evade.

    Arthur hefted Excalibur, light engulfing the blade. "Right. Let's see if I can-" he was cut off with a cry as a spray of magma slammed into his body.

    Gilgamesh whirled as Arthur stumbled, the molten rock sloughing off like water. "Arthur!?"

    Arthur spat furiously. "Blech! Glad I have Avalon or that would have been nastier," he said, shaking his head. "Still tastes horrid."

    Gil shook for a moment, then let out a soft laugh. "You…" He shook his head, and turned to face Gugalanna. "You."

    The Bull's skull gazed back, and Gilgamesh saw the figure transfixed to its forehead. A screaming woman, frozen in an expression of rage and gilded to the skull.

    It had to be important.

    Gilgamesh launched a torrent of blades, only for the skull to swing away and take the brunt of the strike on the Bull's shoulder.

    The King of Heroes gritted his teeth. "Insolent creature. Lay down and die!" He began to prepare his finest weapon as his lover struck the Fallen Bull with burst after burst of holy light.

    It was then that the creature's hide began to smoke, and it trumpeted a scream of fury.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    I yelped and doubled back as Inanna lunged out of the water, claw-like nails reaching for my eyes. She gave a wordless roar and pursued me, sprouting yet another pair of wings from her back, this time more batlike than birdlike.

    "What the hell-?" I snapped.

    A tide of shadow slammed into her, and I felt Sakura grab my arm and pull me back. "You're the keystone to our plan. You fall, we all die from exposure to that thing," she murmured in my ear.

    Rin closed, her blade blazing with power. "Back me up, Taylor!" she called.

    Taylor loosed her swarm, which seemed to slowly multiply. "You know, this is an aspect of my powers I could get used to," she joked. The crystalbugs massed upon Inanna as she tore her way out of Sakura's shadows.

    The explosion rocked the Grail, and the following one from Rin made me lose my footing. Luckily Sakura caught me as her shadows formed tendrils and lashed around Inanna's legs.

    Inanna screamed again, and a second pair of birdlike wings joined the two extant.

    "How many of those does she have!?" I yelled.

    "Too many! The answer is always too many!" Taylor fired back as her swarm began to replenish itself.

    Bat.

    Bird.

    Bat.

    Inanna hung before us in the air, twelve wings erupting from her back. Dark and light swirled around her in equal measure.

    "Okay, this is not strictly you," I said darkly.

    Inanna chuckled mirthlessly. "Silly little Grail. Only ever seeing part of the picture."

    "I knew something was up when you used darkness with light," Rin growled. "What sort of phantom have you taken on?"

    Inanna looked at us emotionlessly as the battle raged behind her. "Rin Tohsaka. Ever the clever one. Yes, I've been merged with a phantom - a shadow of the sin humans fear so much. The power of Venus is mine, but it belongs to a number of others." She tilted her head, and her horns came to a point, standing straight up. "It is, after all, called the Morning Star."

    I felt my breath catch. I swallowed. "Oh fuck."

    Inanna smiled placidly. "I may have lost the mountain-breaking attack, but I retain my Authority. I may have lost all but some of my Divinity, but in exchange I am able to manifest, and this new power is mine."

    She smiled evilly.

    "Song of Goddess' Pride: Paradise Lost."

    I was blown heels over head across the Grail, and from what I saw, the mages had to take cover behind the rippling waves of my Noble Phantasm. Darkness scattered across the air, interspersed with beams of light I knew would be immediately lethal to anyone but me.

    Inanna flickered, and appeared in my face.

    "I believe you were very rude, earlier."

    I stared into her smoldering red eyes.

    She gripped my throat. "Let's see how much that vaunted endurance of your holds against a combination of the wicked and the divine."

    Torrents of light and shadow slammed into my body. I didn't feel it, but I ragdolled in Inanna's grip from the sheer force of it. Slowly, they intensified.

    This could only be described as very, very bad.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Cu Chulainn snarled as he flung another stone at the beast's flank. The leg trembled with the force of it, but it didn't fall.

    Tamamo negligently flicked her wrist, deflecting another bolt of lightning. "Dear me. With all this lightning and dark magic, Ziz and I still have our hands full, mikon." She frowned. "And it seems Inanna's locked Taylor and the sisters out of combat."

    Cu's shoulders went tight. "What."

    "She has Grail. She's not hurting him, but she's certainly doing her best," Tamamo said as she swept a hand through the air.

    A massive glacier sprung up around the Bull's legs.

    Ziz was surrounded by a storm of metal from somewhere that was rapidly assembling into… something. Cu didn't know what. Meanwhile, a torrent of mystic arrays appeared around her, launching beams of brightness and heat that were doing more damage than anything else except Excalibur's light.

    Cu thumbed the shaft of Gae Bulg. If he knew where the source was…

    Gugalanna gave a roar that rose into a high-pitched shriek.

    "Tuatha de DAMN! It's too fucking loud!" Laeg snarled as he pulled the Chariot around for another strafe.

    Lightning continued to flash, and Tamamo stumbled as the Chariot took a sharp turn.

    Cu coughed as a bolt lanced into his chest, bearing him off of the vehicle.

    He was suddenly very aware of the open air around him, the lack of leverage to move, and the intense soreness in his torso.

    And he began to fall.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    My eyes were wide as Cu plummeted down into the renewed smoke.

    "...Set?"

    Inanna didn't let up in her barrage. "Hm? Ah, the Lancer." She paused in her speech, if not her attack. She flexed her grip on my throat. "Him. You love him." She paused again. "Just as Gilgamesh loves that lowly king." Another moment of quiet. "...I know my next targets."

    I couldn't see him.

    I couldn't see him.

    I cOuLdN't SeE hIm.

    <Mental and Emotional Stress peaked. Summoning Conditions confirmed.>

    diE FoR mE

    <Avenger Protocols engaged.>

    Light shone, and Inanna snapped her head up.

    Wind roared, and the smoke blew away entirely. Rain fell, and the land grew quiet as Gugalanna could no longer move, half-stuck as he was in a tomb of ice.

    I saw Cu. He rode a wave of my water back onto his Sickle Chariot.

    "What is the meaning of-" Inanna snarled.

    Heat. Blistering, burning, even I could feel it.

    But I wasn't scared. To me, it felt like intense sunshine.

    Inanna wasn't so lucky.

    Her skin cracked and peeled, and she twisted and screamed beneath what could only be called holy light. Her attack ceased, and she was forced to let go of my throat.

    I stumbled away, shaking in fury.

    "Avenger! Strike her down!"

    A loud shriek was heard from above, and something that was neither a lizard nor a bird passed overhead. A figure leapt off of it, backlit by the blazing sun silhouetted against the pouring rain.

    "¡OLÉ! ¡EL ULTIMO TOPE PATADA! XIUHCOATL!"

    The incandescent figure grasped Inanna, and launched themselves off of the Grail. They spun through the air, and…

    That's a piledriver.

    That's a tower of fire.

    That was a flaming piledriver. What the actual-

    "¡Ay, dios mio! Mijo, are you alright?" a worried voice rang in my ear as I was clasped in a bone-crushing hug from behind.

    "Eh?" I said flatly.

    I looked sideways to see a smiling face with incredibly pointed teeth.

    "No worries! I'll help smash that pendejo into pulp! Your favorite Avenger, Mama Quetz is here~!"

    "...Ay caramba." Taylor said dryly as Inanna soared back into the air.

    "Fight's just getting started," I breathed. "Quetzalcoatl, can you keep Inanna occupied and the Bull's power locked down at the same time?"

    I was answered with another shark-toothed grin and a quick peck on the forehead. "No problem, Mijo!" She lunged away with a loud cry, tackling the fallen goddess out of the air.

    Taylor flexed her hands, eyeing the glow surrounding them. "Almost."

    I blinked. Almost what?

    Seconds later, I had my answer.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Avenger Inanna Stat Sheet
  • Informational
    • Name: Inanna(Lucifer)
    Aliases: The Morning and Evening Star, The Mistress of Heaven, (The Adversary), (Prince of Darkness), (Pride)
    Class: Avenger
    Alignment: Neutral Evil

    STR: B+
    END: B+
    AGI: B
    MAN: EX
    LUK: A-
    NP: EX

    Ishtar melded with a phantom. Neither existed on Earth Bet, where the fusion took place, and the true Mistress of Heaven would never deign to consort with the Prince of Darkness. Nor would the Adversary ever look to meld with Ishtar. As such, only a phantom of the Father of Lies rests in the fusion, leaving Inanna in full control, albeit corrupted. An irregular existence, brought about by a twisted genius and Velber-Corrupted Grail Data.

    Skills:

    Magic Resistance (B)

    Divinity (C++): She has lost her Goddess' core, and is now only a shadow of her former self.

    Avenger (EX)

    Oblivion Correction (A)

    Authority: Pride (EX): The power for which the divinity was lost. So long as an entity is certifiably weaker than her, she cannot be harmed, and they cannot survive. This is absolute. However, should one be able to match her in Authority or power in any way, this becomes a double-edged sword, and her body becomes more fragile as a result.

    Authority: Venus (A) [Partially Sealed]: The power accorded to Ishtar to summon Gugalanna, and use Venus' power. It is locked away, and can only be accessed at great cost or conditionally.

    Manifestation of Beauty (B)

    Shining Great Crown (B)

    Six of Light, Six of Shadow (A): Twelve wings, second in Heaven, first in Hell. Darkness and Light are one and the same. This elevates activated Noble Phantasms by one rank.

    To Reign in Hell (EX): A regenerative ability. So long as Inanna is merged with Lucifer, she cannot be killed or permanently damaged. The wings must be ripped out for her to die. So long as even one remains, she will recover. The wings will not grow back.

    Noble Phantasms:

    Gugalanna (EX): The Bull of Heaven, tainted and corrupted. Its divinity discarded, but power grown. It requires massive amounts of life energy to summon in the form of sapient sacrifices, and a catalyst worthy of its befouled glory. In this tale, the catalyst is Behemoth, and Aasdier provided the sacrifices. It retains its power over storms, but its holy flame is subdued by the power over the blood of the earth (magma) and the power to devour life. It also attained the power to manipulate energy, but it is perpetually berserk and cannot utilize it to its utmost. An Anti-Kingdom Noble Phantasm.

    Song of Goddess' Pride: Paradise Lost (EX): Calling upon the Lightbringer's former Authority of light and his current power of shadow, this intense attack takes the form of nyctokinesis (manipulation of solid darkness) with photokinesis (manipulation of solid light). The shadow is often used in the form of wind or solid force, while the light pierces and burns all in its path. An utterly unstoppable mystic attack that will crush, skewer, and incinerate all in its path. This is, however, merely one aspect of the Noble Phantasm, as it is a wide-scale effect where the power is uniform throughout, and permits for finer control than demonstrated. An Anti-Army Noble Phantasm.

    Symphony of Venus (A+): Inanna uses what she is permitted of Venus' Authority to sway the hearts of sapient beings. As a goddess of war, love, and lust, she is given sway over their emotions, and influence over their minds. An area of effect, Anti-Heart Noble Phantasm.
     
  • Informational
    • Avenger Quetzalcoatl Stat Sheet
  • Informational
    • Name: Quetzalcoatl
    Class: High Avenger (Grail Servant)
    Aliases: The Feathered Serpent, The Winged Serpent, Big Sis Quetz, Mama Quetz
    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Quetzalcoatl in an unbound Avenger container. She retains aspects of her Ruler and Rider incarnations, and only suffers a mild increase in temper. Even her dislike of spiders becomes more of a hot button and less of a death sentence, which is exceedingly odd in any incarnation. She's decided to view Grail as a nascent God in a style of her own - an immortal being that guides, nurtures, and protects humanity. As such, he is now adopted and will be mentored. She will accept no refusals. Pity he doesn't see the greatness of Lucha Libre, but not all Gods are perfect.

    STR: A
    END: A
    AGI: B+
    MAN: EX
    LUK: A+
    NP: EX

    Skills:

    Avenger (E-): An exceedingly low rank, only qualifying on a technicality. She'd have shown up sooner, but other people were recommended or wanted, and this was the only place she had left to go!

    Oblivion Correction (E-): Oh. A spider. -Burns- You were saying?

    Riding (EX)

    Magic Resistance (A)

    Goddess's Divine Core (EX)

    Lucha Libre (EX)

    Charisma: (B)

    Good God's Wisdom (A)

    Authority (Sun) (A+): Power over the sun. Can be used in conjunction with Authority (Rain and Storms) to perform local weather manipulation.

    Authority (Rain and Storms) (B+): Power over wind and rain. Can be used in conjunction with Authority (Sun) to perform local weather manipulation.

    Authority (Venus) (EX): Ability to draw on the power of Venus. Ill-defined and rarely used. Mostly channeled to screw over Inanna, and other such foes. Or for an all-around power boost.

    Authority (Arts) (A+): The ability to inspire and make great works of art. Can be used to substitute for Item Creation of two ranks lower, or bolster a target's Item Creation by one full letter.

    Noble Phantasms:

    Xiuhcoatl (A/EX)

    Quetzalcoatl (A)

    Piedra Del Sol (EX)

    Form of the Serpent (EX): Quetzalcoatl despises this power, but will use it at greatest need. Essentially? She becomes a dragon, and assumes her Authorities at EX rank. It is short-lived, however, for she is still a Servant - only a few moments, which is all that is needed for a Divine Spirit to crush foes before them. She is grateful, however, as it means she can return to her preferred form and continue to play with her cute friends without repercussion!
     
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