Author's Note: Hello everyone! I wrote this story because I was upset that the Lancers in the Fate series basically had nothing good happen to them. This story will have very slight crossover features to Fairy Tail but you can easily read it without being familiar with the Fairy Tail anime. Also, this story will not perfectly follow the Fate/Stay Night timeline and will not necessarily follow all the rules of the anime. The story is meant to be fun and is meant to give my favorite Lancer (Cu Chulainn) some of the love he so desperately needs! Please enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Fate/Stay Night or Fairy Tail.
Fate is a Funny Thing
Earth cracked and trees splintered under the weight of Berserker's sword as his blow narrowly missed his prey. Saber felt herself get thrown back after she deflected a second killing blow from the giant. Everything hurt. Her legs shook and her sword felt like lead in her arms. Vaguely she could hear Shirou's panicked voice yelling in the background. Ignoring him, she shut out the noise and fixed all her attention on Berserker. Intimidating was the only word Saber could use to accurately describe the giant. He towered above her, his hulking physique nearly blocking out the sun as he advanced. Truly a hero of legend.
"Haha, this is fun!" Illya squealed, clapping her hands together in delight. "I'm impressed you all lasted so long. To think you were able to take six lives between all of you!"
"This is absolute madness," Archer gasped from his position being support by Lancer, his body broken and battered in too many places to count. Hell, he shouldn't even be alive. It was only by the act of the blue spearman that he managed to escape a death dealing blow. Despite the use of Unlimited Blade Works and vast amounts of his own and Rin's mana Archer only managed to take four of Berserker's lives. The other two lives were taken by Lancer and Saber. Archer gritted his teeth at this. Two of the most powerful A-rank servants, Cú Chulainn and Arturia Pendragon, couldn't hold a candle to Berserker in their current states. With the absence of a master to supply mana Lancer was barely clinging to the world and Saber wasn't much better off. Due to her master being an incompetent fool.
Cú Chulainn remained silent beside Archer, his own breaths coming as sharp, shallow gasps. Berserker had cracked several of his ribs and left multiple deep lacerations across Lancer's body throughout the course of the fight. Blood continued to pour from a gash on his face; the crimson dripping onto his cobalt armor. Lancer was spent. Despite his best efforts, his residual mana was fading quickly along with his remaining strength. His vision started to blur and he unwillingly collapsed, dropping Archer to the ground in the process. Damn it! He thought as an unpleasant numbness began to creep across his body. The world was quickly slipping away despite his efforts to remain materialized.
"Oh no, you don't get to die yet!" He heard Archer shout before the bowman's fist swiftly connected with the side of his jaw. The jolt seemed sufficient to bring him back from the pull of the void. For now, anyway.
"What the hell?" Lancer snapped, more out of principle than anger as his body solidified once again.
"You don't get to die yet," Archer repeated with a growl while struggling to get back on his feet. "We are going to get up and kill that thing. Then you can die."
"Ha. Perhaps you will die first and leave Rin to me," Cú Chulainn shot back, a wicked smirk threatening to spread across his face as he moved to a standing position. Archer merely snorted before following suit.
Fear gripped Rin while she observed the bloody scene unfurling before her. Despite all her training and planning, they had reached the end. We can't win this. The color drained from her face at the realization and her stomach churned as she imaged Berserker ripping each of them apart. Collapsing to her knees, Rin buried her face in her hands. Tears stung her eyes. I have to do something. Come on Rin, think! Her hands moved to cover her ears tightly as Saber's cries echoed through the forest. She could hear Shirou as well, his voice drowned out by Saber's screams.
"I… I don't know what to do," Rin finally whispered, tears begining to fall freely. Please, I need help!
As if by command, a blinding light surged from her left hand; the hand not decorated by her command seals. Magic power radiated from the source in enormous waves that swept across the forest floor and Rin felt her fear slowly dissipate in the warmth of a very familiar glow. Straining her eyes to see the source she spotted a golden emblem curving gracefully across the back of her hand. An emblem that offered protection from sickness and death to those who bore it.
Time seemed to freeze and the battle between the four great heroic spirits slowed to a halt; all eyes turned to Rin. Magic energy washed over the battlefield, prompting Berserker to raise his hackles, much like an animal, and turn his demonic gaze to the small mage bathed in golden light. Rin met his gaze unwaveringly. The light surged ever more brightly, as if fueled by her determination.
Illya's panicked voice broke the silence as she shrieked, "Berserker kill her! Kill her right NOW!" Rin felt more than saw Berserker as instantly he leaped, hurdling towards her at great speed; eyes blood red and sword poised to strike.
"Rin!" She heard Archer shout in alarm as he and Lancer moved to intercept the attack, their efforts clearly in vain. Panic flashed across their features. No matter how fast they moved they could not reach her in time. Rin offered them a confident smile.
Despite Berserker's might and size, his shadow never touched her for the light only continued to grow; each step the beast took served only to strengthen the luminosity until the light grew to split the earth and sky with a thunderous blast. Berserker's war cry was lost to the noise and his attack fell short several feet from its target. The beastly spirit was then swiftly launched backwards.
"What the hell was that?" Shirou whispered in awe as the Berserker class servant went flying.
"I'm not sure," he heard Saber rasp quietly from her position in his arms. She was barely clinging to consciousness. Rin dried her tears on her sleeve as the light began to recede back into the emblem on her hand.
"You called?" A distinctly feminine voice echoed out from the brightness, a soft tone of amusement present.
"You're late, Ashlin," Rin accused quickly, "seriously, I almost got my head chopped off waiting for you!" The voice chuckled lightly as slowly a figure became visible. Cú Chulainn watched in awe as a beautiful maiden with long raven hair emerged from the blinding light. She was adorned with black winged armor that wrapped elegantly around her body, fitting like a second skin.
"That's not my fault. The way I see it, the only reason your head is still attached is because I showed up just in time. Perhaps you should consider calling me sooner, little sis." Lancer balked at her words. Sister?!
"Humph, well I didn't really need your help you know! I had it handled," Rin retorted, causing Ashlin to raise an eyebrow at her younger sibling while surveying the destruction surrounding Rin.
"Sure you did, hun," she teased. However, Ashlin's amusement all but vanished when her ebony eyes stopped to rest on the broken and battered heroic spirits standing before her. The metallic smell of iron and blood assaulted her senses as she stared. Her eyes connected with Lancer's for a moment, sending a jolt down his spine. "Rin-" Ashlin began more seriously this time.
"Everything was fine!" Rin continued to insist stubbornly, cutting her sister off. "We had it under control. There was absolutely no need for you to come hurling across the dimensional rift like a crazy person. It was completely unnecessary," Rin paused with a slight jump as Berserker emerged from the destroyed foliage where he had landed not moments before. Ashlin's gaze immediately locked on his massive form, her dragon-like wings extending and flexing in anticipation.
"But, ummm, since you're here," she could hear Rin chatter quickly. "You might as well help. Starting with that thing!" She pointed directly at Berserker, as if Ashlin were an attack dog to be sicked on the beast. "We've already managed to take six of his lives. He has twelve total."
"Then we're halfway done," Ashlin replied with a smirk in Berserker's direction, earning a satisfied grin from her younger sibling.
"Just don't die."
"I don't plan to," Ashlin replied.
"Ha! You would consider killing a great champion like Hercules six times a simple task? As if! Berserker, I want you to crush her!" Illya screeched. Like a dead man reanimated, Berserker's still form suddenly leaped forward to rapidly close the distance.
"Rin, go to Archer," Ashlin commanded quickly before the wings of her powerful armor sent her surging forward to meet the beast head on. Their blades clashed in a shower of sparks and debris as the earth shattered beneath them. The warriors exchanged blow for blow, destroying the terrain as they went. Berserker was surprisingly agile for his size and Ashlin was finding it difficult to land a strike. Moving to a different tactic, she used her dragon-like wings to propel herself into the air.
Lancer observed as the raven haired warrior rose into the air while simultaneously materializing a second sword in her left hand. Ashlin's strikes were precise as she flashed about Berserker. The height advantage and maneuverability the girl had while airborne was serving her well. He could see several bleeding wounds scattered over the giant now. His heart hammered in exhilaration as the battle progressed. She was skilled, no doubt about it and her armor… He had never seen anything like it.
He smirked when Ashlin landed quickly on the ground, well within striking range of Berserker's throat. The monster narrowly dodged the blow by moving backwards but Cú Chulainn watched in fascination as a magic circle sprung to life at the sword's hilt, lengthening the weapon into a lance. The spear's point tore through the beast's throat, nearly severing his head from his body. Berserker immediately began to heal the wound as another life of his was taken. Wasting no time, Ashlin leaped backward to summon a magic circle.
"Requip magic, Flame Empress Armor!" She yelled as a circle of fire erupted under her feet and snaked around her body. Instantly, her black armor was replaced with crimson steel and scarlet wings. As Berserker recovered he was greeted immediately with a blast of scorching fire originating from Ashlin's enchanted blade. Instantly, another life gone.
Illya was starting to panic as the fight progressed. This couldn't be happening. Berserker can't lose. He can't! Taking a deep breath, the small white haired child began to focus magic energy into the numerous magic circuits inside her body. Her unnaturally large amount of circuits offered her the ability to tightly regulate Berserker's madness and she normally kept him on a very short leash. However, the way this fight was progressing Illya doubted he could survive unless she set him lose. She disliked the idea but…
"Berserker, I won't let you lose!" She yelled, her mind made up. In an instant, Illya dropped all magical holds on the giant, releasing the monster and in doing so unleashing his true potential as a legendary hero. Ashlin shuddered as the air itself seemed to change. Pure, unadulterated bloodlust was pouring from the beast and, before she could react, the hilt of his sword connected with her side, splitting the air with a sickening crunch. Her back smashed into the ground as Berserker sent her flying across the clearing. Ashlin rolled quickly to the side as his blade came down where her head use to be.
What the hell is happening? She thought as the monster's speed and strength dramatically increased. Berserker had her completely on the defensive and he came at her relentlessly. Ashlin leaped into the air to take flight only to have her scarlet wings grabbed by the beast. He proceed to swing Ashlin by her wings through the nearest tree and then into the ground at his feet. She barely managed to block a lethal blow by summoning a shield from her position on the ground. This isn't good, he has me pinned down! Ashlin racked her brain for an armor that could get her out of the situation as Berserker continued to hammer against the shield; the only barrier separating his blade from her body. Ashlin felt her stomach drop when her shield cracked. Shit!
"Hey, Hercules! I find it unbecoming of a hero to strike a woman!" Ashlin watched in surprise as the blue lancer she saw earlier engaged Berserker. Taking the opportunity to escape, she quickly rolled away. It was evident that Lancer was exhausted. His movements were slow. Too slow, Ashlin decided as she jumped in front of him to deflect a crushing blow. The clash of their swords sent shockwaves through the clearing. Spotting an opening, Lancer quickly maneuvered his spear around Ashlin to slice Berserker's flank, eliciting a howl from the beast. Swiftly Hercules raised a leg and connected his heel with the nearest warrior, sending Ashlin several meters back.
She moved to rejoin the fight but stopped as she heard the overhanging cliff crack. The shockwaves from the battle had damaged much of the surrounding environment and Ashlin watched in alarm as rocks began to tumble towards Illya. The white haired child was completely unaware of the danger rapidly approaching. Her sole focus was on Hercules and Lancer. Making a quick decision, Ashlin hastily launched herself in the child's direction and requipped into flight armor. Despite the incredible speed the armor provided, Ashlin barely made it to Illya before the rocks crushed her. Illya turned at the last second to see the incoming rockslide before Ashlin scooped her up and rolled away, covering Illya's small frame with her own body. As the dust settled, she peered down at the child in concern.
"You ok?" Illya just nodded her head mutely, her eyes wide with shock. Ashlin gently placed her on the ground before offering her a wide smile. "Good, you had me worried for a second there."
"What the hell was that?!" She could hear Rin screaming in the background, clearly not pleased. Ashlin simply ignored her and turned to rejoin the battle. Berserker seemed to have paused in his onslaught. His grip on Lancer's throat was firm but not constricting as he dangled the spearman off the ground. Hercules observed Ashlin with newfound appreciation, his gaze betraying something akin to respect or contentment while his madness lapsed briefly.
Ashlin wasn't sure why, but seeing the blue warrior in Berserker's monstrous grip sent her senses into a frenzy. Magic surged through her flight armor. Within seconds she flashed to Berserker and lashed out, slicing at the brute until his grip loosened and Cú Chulainn dropped. Ashlin grunted as Lancer's weight landed on her. Supporting him, she quickly flashed a safe distance away. He was gasping for air but otherwise seemed ok.
Cú Chulainn felt his vision and senses returning as oxygen flooded his lungs. His heart continued to beat wildly but he suspected that was more related to the beautiful warrior supporting him than the lack of oxygen.
"This isn't working," he heard her say.
"I'm open to suggestions," he replied shortly, between heavy breaths. Ashlin watched in apprehension as Berserker began to lose control again. Glancing backward, Rin was in tatters supporting and attempting to heal her injured Archer and Saber had lost consciousness. She was being carried toward Rin by a bruised and bloody young man, presumably her master. I can't protect them like this forever and there is no possible way they can escape the battlefield. And we still have four more lives to go…
"Looks like I have no other choice," Ashlin muttered, catching Lancers attention. Suddenly, her armor disintegrated, leaving behind a simple black skirt and a sleeveless white shirt.
"What the hell are you doing, woman?!" Lancer yelled with a start, chivalry out the window for the moment. Without armor or a weapon she might as well be naked against Berserker for God's sake.
"Trust me," Ashlin encouraged as she gently touched his shoulder and moved to stand in front of him. When she lifted her right arm Lancer could see one of her tattoos begin to glow.
"No way," Rin had time to whisper before the area under Ashlin and Lancer burst into a blinding magic circle. Golden energy billowed upward like steam from a geyser while Ashlin spoke the incantation. The very earth seemed to quake at her words.
"It's time to assemble a river of light that's guided by fairies! Shine your light! So that I may vanquish the fangs of wickedness!" The incantation paused as a golden ring of light encircled Berserker, trapping him in place. Rin covered her eyes and dragged Archer to the ground moments before the spell detonated.
"Fairy Glitter!" Ashlin cried, her voice reverberating through the air before the golden ring encircling Berserker exploded into fiery ball of blinding light. The blast radius was enormous and much of the forest was consumed by it. Lancer couldn't help but shield his eyes. To his surprise, he felt some of his mana being restored by the spell and several of his injuries begin to heal.
As the light faded and the dust slowly settled, he allowed his eyes to open. Ashlin stood directly in front of a fading Berserker, her skirt and shirt slightly tattered from the blast. She stared up at the colossal heroic spirit calmly and offered him a wide grin. He smiled back, finally free from the madness that cursed him since his summoning. Hercules raised one of his large hands and faced his palm toward her, prompting Ashlin to place her own much smaller hand against it, feeling his calluses and scars. He closed his eyes for a moment.
"I'll take care of her, you know," Ashlin spoke, causing him to open his eyes and glance over toward Illya. Tears poured down the young girl's face as she held her right hand tightly in her left. All traces of command seals had vanished. "I will not allow her to be harmed," Ashlin vowed, placing her free hand over her heart. "You have my word as a Fairy Tail wizard."
"Thank you," Hercules replied, his body slowly dematerializing. "I will not forget your kindness, wizard in armor."
"No, Berserker wait! You can't leave me!" Illya cried as she closed the distance and grabbed him in a tight hug.
"Stay strong, little one, and do not mourn. I shall watch over you from the halls of my father until the end of time. You will never be alone. Remember that, Illya." With his last words spoken, the great hero vanished.
"I'm sorry, Illya," Ashlin spoke softly. The small child stared up at her for a moment before grabbing her in a tight hug, much to the Ashlin's surprise.
"I tried to save him," Illya sobbed while tears poured from her eyes. "I used all my command seals to replenish his lives when you cast your spell." Lancer widened his eyes at the revelation. Assuming each command seal replenished 12 lives, the girl's spell was able to eliminate 40 of Berserker's lives at once. It was unfathomable. "I was selfish," Illya continued to cry. "I tried to force him to stay even though I knew he was unhappy. I just didn't want to be alone anymore!"
"Shhhhh, it's ok. You don't have to be alone," Ashlin reassured, causing Illya to look up at her. She fixed the small girl with a dazzling smile before saying, "if you want to, you can come with me." Illya dried her tears on her sleeve before nodding.
"I would like that, I think."
Lancer looked on in sheer amazement as Ashlin befriended the small mage, fulfilling the vow she made to Hercules. The young woman was not only powerful, skilled, beautiful, and intelligent but she was also incredibly kind. He had never seen such a sight. His chest tightened while he stared at her. With the battle finally over Lancer took his time admiring her, letting his gaze wander over her curvaceous features unashamedly. Too bad, he thought to himself as his body started to flicker out of existence again. I really do have the worst luck with women.
A sudden cry from Ashlin startled him and Lancer found himself moving towards her despite his fading mana. The young warrior dropped to her knees and was cradling her right hand. He could see blood dripping between her fingers. Illya was beside her, looking a little scared. Wasting no time Lancer knelt down and pulled Ashlin's hand into the view. He suddenly stilled. There, carved into the flesh of her right hand were three command seals. His mind was reeling. Where those there before?! No. No, they definitely were not there before. What the hell?
"What in the literal fuck?!" Ashlin suddenly screeched, startling Illya and making Lancer stifle a laugh. "No! Oh, no I am not participating in this stupid fuckin bloodbath of a ritual!"
"Apparently, you are," Rin deadpanned as she approached.
"The hell I am, that Grail thing is evil as shit! Send me back to Fiore right now!"
"Not with those things etched into your hand! You should of thought of that before you went flashing your abilities around in front of the whole universe. The Holy Grail watches us, you know! What the hell did you expect?!"
"This is so not happening," Ashlin groaned.
"You literally blew Berserker away with one spell and you didn't think that would get the Grail excited? Of course it wants to suck you into the battle after that," Rin continued, clearly trying to hammer her point home. Ashlin just slumped her head down in defeat. Rin took a deep breath before continuing more calmly. "But I guess what's done is done. If you're going to participate, we better find you a servant." Ashlin snorted at that.
"What servant would want to partner with me? If I do manage to summon the damned thing I plan to blast it into oblivion. That thing is pure evil, whether you believe it or not."
"You're really planning to destroy it?" Illya asked meekly, clearly still startled from Ashlin's outburst.
"Absolutely."
"That's fine by me," Lancer spoke, catching everyone's attention. "I never really liked the idea of something as powerful as the Grail existing anyway." Ashlin raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"Wait you- You have no master?" She asked in amazement. "Then why fight Berserker?"
"Well, let's just say I've grown rather fond of your little sister," he replied with a wink in Rin's direction. Ashlin turned to look at her younger sibling, a silent question hanging in the air. Rin simply nodded her head in confirmation.
"And you want to partner with me?" Ashlin asked slowly, attempting to process the information. The Lancer class servant was indeed strong, and for some reason Ashlin felt him to be more than an acceptable choice.
"It would be my honor, milady," he replied as he knelt before her. "Should you allow it, I offer you my spear and I pledge to serve you in valor and faith. I pledge to live by honor and glory, and I shall persevere to the end of all endeavors." Ashlin felt her voice catch in her throat, leaving her speechless. Recovering quickly, Ashlin pulled him to his feet, grinning as she requipped into simple steel armor. Lancer watched in anticipation, feeling a bit surprised when she took a step back and bowed deeply.
"And I offer you my sword and my partnership. From this day forward we shall stand together on the fields of battle. I shall not abandon or forsake you. This I do solemnly swear." Apparently, this woman was full of surprises. Cú Chulainn spent his entire life making oaths and vows to kings and conquerors. Never had a lord or master swore an oath to him. He couldn't help but allow a pleased grin to spread across his features. He glanced down when Ashlin extended a hand to him and, without hesitation, he gripped it to seal their pact. As their skin connected, a flood of magical energy and mana surged into Lancer. Just how powerful is she? He wondered briefly as his reservoirs quickly fill to the brim with magic power. He jumped in surprise when a blue emblem, a mirror reflection of the emblem tattooed on Ashlin's upper arm, burned painlessly through his armor to settle on his left shoulder. Peering at it, he couldn't help but wonder, is that a fairy with a tail?
