I'm baaaack~

Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this X-over. Fate/ stay night is owned by Type-Moon while Young Justice is owned by DC and Warner Bros. Animation.

"Karada wa tsurugi de dekiteiru!" = Spoken Incantation/Spell/Noble Phantasm

{Shirou} = Telepathic conversation

[What did you do?] = Transmission line

+Battery Park, New York, July 4 8:00 EDT +

Inside an old warehouse among rows of abandoned warehouses, two males battled for supremacy. The older one had a large muscular frame clad in a black skin tight costume with a cat-like cowl that hid his eyes with its white lenses. The younger one wore a black bodysuit with red sleeves and a black metallic looking mask resembling that of a ninja's, leaving only his golden eyes exposed. They had been at it already for an hour and almost showed absolutely no signs of stopping had it not been for the hurried movements of the younger fighter.

Dodging a punch from the elder fighter, Shirou lashed out with two quick jabs using his left fist before chaining it with a series of haymakers, elbow strikes, and kicks, not exactly in that precise order. Despite what one would normally expect from an old man on the receiving end of the close quarter combat, he slipped, bobbed, and weaved through the melee with little to no difficulty.

"C'mon kid! Ya haven't hit me once yet this time! This all ya got for me today?" The former vigilante known as the Wildcat questioned as he moved in at close range and unleashed a flurry of jabs at the magus, making sure he kept close yet not too much, forcing Shirou to get defensive.

"You and I both know that this would be a different matter altogether if I use magecraft right?" The redhead pointed out as he dodged the jabs thrown at him, deflecting the strikes he couldn't evade with his open palms and then stepped aside to avoid an uppercut aimed at his solar plexus.

For his part, the former vigilante smirked as he backed away before he reassumed an orthodox stance and went on the offensive once more as he bounced on his feet, unleashing yet another series of rapid jabs at the young man. "That's precisely why I forbid ya from usin' it in our sessions. Your reliance on magic or powers or gadgets like the other supers to help is admirable but it ain't always right. Take that away and the only thing ya can rely on is your wits and fists."

Shirou evaded a right hook and jabbed with his left, only to have it blocked by the old man and get his arm trapped in a hold for his attempt. He gritted his teeth as he tried to pull away his arm from the old-timer's tight grasp, planting his feet firmly on the ground. "While I know you are right, I gotta say this. You do know it's practically what saved me more times than Arturia and I could count right?" That and Avalon and my connection to her. He finished in his thoughts, knowing that it saved his ass more times than he was willing to count.

Wildcat grinned at him. "Just tryin' to make a point, ya know." He then made a fist with his free hand…which was already moving towards him. "Also, it got your guard down."

Eyes widening, there was no time for the magus to react as he received a vicious right uppercut to his stomach that made him achieve lift off, his feet not touching the ground for a moment or two before he went down, wheezing and out of breath.

"A'ight, the win's on me again. Try harder next time kid." Wildcat said as he helped the redhead get back on his feet.

"Just you watch old man. I'll beat you again when I'm done with today." Shirou gasped out as he recovered and let his mask dissolve into motes of prana.

"Now I know why you're so distracted. Today's the day that the League is inviting you and your girlfriend to the Hall of Justice right?" The boxer asked, to which the redhead snorted in response.

"If Batman or the four of them are there it might turn into an interrogation more than an interview." He replied dryly with a somewhat faraway look on his face, making Wildcat raise an eyebrow underneath his cowl.

"Oh come on kid. It couldn't have been that bad. Ye'r just helping them out once in a while and even gave them those gifts on Christmas or their birthdays or something." The retired vigilante stated as he scratched the back of his head.

Shirou sent him a blank look. "That's precisely why. How was I supposed to know that they'd react that way when I knew and went precisely where their secret hideouts were? I was just trying to get in their good books and impress them. I mean, I know that Superman and Wonder Woman liked the gifts I gave them." He said with a grin before it fell flat and he then rubbed his head as if nursing a headache. "But no, Batman doesn't like that 'World's #1 Detective' cup and other useful stuff I gave him and is still trying his very best to find Arturia and I." After a brief pause he then added. "Well, that is me more so than her."

This time, it was Wildcat's turn to snort. "Then ya shouldn't have personally delivered those things yourself as if ye'r some Santa wannabe with that gift from Kent in the first place. Do ya know how much ya've been abusing that thing? " He said, pointing at the strange silver blade that the magus had just projected in his hands.

It was short and bulky, resembling an oversized key with the teeth-like edge it had, two of which were more prominent near the tip. The handle was of a deep blue color while the handguard and the rest of the hilt were of a polished gold, featuring an amber pommel. With a closer look on the blade's flats, there seemed to be a network of runes and lines etched on it.

At the retired hero's words, Shirou felt a bit sheepish. "Okay, maybe I have been abusing this too much." He admitted before using said object to slice the air in front of him, seemingly doing nothing before an orange rift appeared from where he had slashed, creating a slight vacuum that began to suck in the air around them. "It gets us to places were Arturia and I need to be in quickly after all."

"Ya leaving now eh? Send 'er my regards. Oh, I'll be having my usual when both of ya get back." Wildcat said as he removed his cowl and made his way to a duffel bag placed at a nearby stack of metal bars.

"Noted. See you later Ted." Shirou answered before entering the rift which closed afterwards, leaving no trace of it appearing at all.

A pair of nimble hands dropped the rag that had been used for drying, eyes gleaming in satisfaction as the counter that said object had been used on shined, not a speck of dirt staining the polished wood. Well, that or any other part of the interior of the place she, Arturia Pendragon, and her lover had worked on and in for long since the past year.

It used to be just an abandoned building that they had found in Battery Park, New York. Seeing that no one would have an actual use for it despite it being in relatively good condition aside from some examples of vandalism in both the interior and exterior of the place, they decided it would serve to suit their purposes well with some renovation. So, with a neat little trick of hers*cough*gambling*cough* that yielded more than enough money to get the necessary funds while Kent worked to get them the necessary leases and papers using a bit of 'negotiation' and Shirou doing most of the renovation, they were now the proud owners of the building.

Said infrastructure was large enough for the two of them, it being a 4-story building with a basement and a backyard surprisingly enough, that they had converted most of the ground floor into their fledgling café business that Shirou was inspired to do from one of the many flashes of different alternate versions of their world he had witnessed. Something about reincarnated people and a café with knights as employees was his brief but vague explanation, much to her ever persisting curiosity (and his amusement).

A flash of orange light and a slight suction of air from behind her alerted her senses for a brief moment before she felt strong arms encircle her frame, making her relax and sink into the embrace as a warm breath tickled her right ear. "Good morning Arturia."

Smiling, she turned around in the voice's direction so that she could give a quick peck to lips she was oh so familiar with, her green orbs locking onto golden ones. "And good morning to you as well Shirou, care to join me for some breakfast?"

"Yes please." He answered with a smile before they entered one of the most sacred spaces of the place they now called home…the kitchen.

After washing their hands on the sink, Arturia took a Chef's knife and began to cut several of the ingredients she had prepped on the table beforehand. Vegetables, garnishes and smoked bacon were sliced and diced with the precision and skill she learned under the tutelage of her lover.

Master of the blade she may be but its application in the battlefield doesn't necessarily mean that it could be translated quickly and easily to everyday activities. Thankfully, the redhead was very patient in teaching her and the extra money she 'earned' found use in purchasing new equipment in lieu of those she, unfortunately, damaged.

With one final slice of tomatoes done, the blonde gave the ingredients for Shirou to work on since he had finished beating eggs and was already heating up two pans. As her lover started to sauté the ingredients she gave him on one of the pans with a bit of butter, she took a bread knife and sliced a nearby loaf of bread into several slices. Leaving it there, she went to their fridge and got a jug of cream, mixing it with the eggs and dipping the bread in the mixture. Seeing that the other pan had been buttered and ready for her use, she placed the first mixture coated bread on the pan and began cooking.

"So Arturia," Her lover began as he flipped the contents of his pan to cook each side equally.

"What is it Shirou?" She asked, making sure that she kept her eyes on the French toast with a plate and tongs in her hands. She didn't want a repeat of her first few trials of cooking with the stove after all. Such horrors should only be reserved for the lowest of villains.

"Do you think the League is going to take it easy on us?" He asked before scraping off what he had been cooking on a plate and made his way to the fridge to grab a pitcher of orange juice.

"Perhaps…but I need you to let me do the talking to them when it starts." She told him as she continued her vigil on the stove. "I want to make sure that they won't have to worry about your actions last Christmas." Hopefully, nothing too bad would happen today.

Oh if only she knew.

+Washington, D.C. July 4, 14:00 EDT+

"Oh man! I knew we'd be the last ones here!" Skidding to a stop after his mentor in front of a group of several Justice League members and his fellow sidekicks, Wally crossed his arms, a little bit frustrated that they had arrived later than them.

What's the point of having super speed when you always arrive late? He thought before noticing that none of them were making any other motion towards the Hall of Justice. "Uhh…why aren't we moving? Everybody's already here right?"

To his surprise, it was Batman who answered. "We're still waiting for two others. Meeting them has been delayed for quite long enough."

Wait who are them? The speedster wondered. Could it be that a current League member had a secret sidekick that they were going to meet or something? Just before he could think of it further, an orange rift appeared right next to them.

Holy carp! Is that a freaking portal? Seeing as that nobody (except maybe for his fellow sidekicks minus Robin) was surprised at all, Wally reckoned that whoever might come out must be the two they were waiting for.

His curiosity regarding who the persons the dark knight were referring to was then promptly answered as two familiar knightly looking people got out of the now closing rift, with the taller one of the pair lifting his hands in surrender while the other just seemed to sigh at the display. "Wait, you?! What are you doing here?!"

"Hello Justice League members and their uhh…what do I call you guys without offending you?" The figure he now knew as Archer asked, pointing at him and his other peers while ignoring his earlier outburst. "I know that some of you might not take to kindly to being called with the 's' word after all, even I don't like it to be honest. Ain't that right Speedy?"

"Just…don't." Speedy answered with gritted teeth for him before adding, "I want a rematch by the way. I won't lose to you like last time"

"Wait rematch? What about? When did you guys even meet?" Wally thought out loud as more questions popped up in his mind.

Saber held out a hand, her tone confident and firm. "You can ask for a rematch in due time Speedy. Archer and I have…business to talk to with the League first, isn't that right Batman?"

Now what is this business all about? Is it the Christmas incident with Arche–wait a minute… Oh yeah, that's the most likely thing that this is about. Can't believe it's almost been 8 months since that day. Flash had told him who caused the so called Christmas incident, whatever that really was about, and chose not to say anything more.

Busy as he was in his thoughts, the young speedster almost didn't notice said Justice League member nod at Saber's question. "Indeed, the League has many questions for both of you that we'd like to be answered."

Even Wally could understand that it wouldn't be a simple Q & A just from the tone of the bat's voice. Man, the day just got stranger for him. What's next? An organization with some secret plot was just around the bend?

"That is acceptable and we shall comply." Saber replied curtly.

"Great but for now you'll have to go along with us so let's go." Flash said with a grin before walking towards the large building as the rest of them followed suit.

Wally periodically glanced at the pair behind the group, the clinking of their armor adding to the background noise of people pointing and talking about them as well as the small talk that was beginning with his fellow sidekicks. Today was supposed to be the day but now, he wasn't that sure. He'll have to wait and see more of this after the tour of the HQ. Speaking of which…

"Have all of us ever been in the same place at the same time?" Wally asked his fellow sidekicks, making sure to avoid saying the s-word as Archer said.

"Nah. This is definitely the first time KF." Robin replied.

"I feel that this is just the beginning of something." Aqualad said with a smile on his face.

"True," admitted Speedy. "Nothing would be the same. Not after today."

"Hey, how did you even meet that guy anyway?" The speedster asked Green Arrow's protégé as he discretely pointed at Archer with his thumb.

Speedy looked at said guy, nodded at Robin who did so too, and then back at Kid Flash "Oh, you mean him? I met him back during the incident he caused last Christmas."

At this, the redhead noticed Aqualad's expression become curious. "What is this Christmas incident? I only know that my king received a gift of some sort when he got back from a Justice League meeting that happened after that had transpired."

A gift? What gift? Who else got gifts? Don't tell me Archer did a Santa Claus kind of gig at said incident?

Robin answered the question for them all, a knowing (but forced) grin on his face as if he was trying to suppress some horrible memory. "He basically did a Santa Claus and gave gifts to all Justice League members but to do so he infiltrated the Hall of Justice and several bases of Justice League members…that included Batman's and Green Arrow's. Speedy and I were in each hideout respectively when it happened."

"Archer did what?!" Wally shouted, causing the adults to stare sharply at him for his loud voice before redirecting it to the cause of the incident.

Said cause of the incident merely shrugged while his partner tilted her head in apology. "Oh come on, I know most of you liked my gifts."

"We'll talk about your infiltration later." Batman all but commanded with a frown on his face as they entered the tourist-filled Hall of Justice, stopping before the metal doors of its inner sanctum, the large golden statues of the League's founding members standing at the space above it.

Wally looked upon the statues with his fellow sidekicks, feeling a bit overwhelmed at the opportunity. The sound of the metal doors sliding open then drew their attention to it, where they saw Martian Manhunter and Red Tornado stepping forward as the clicks and flashes of cameras followed.

"Robin, Speedy, Aqualad, Kid Flash, welcome," Martian Manhunter greeted them before turning to the knights. "That extends to both of you as well, Saber and Archer. Although you have…'visited' the hall already and with such means as well, it has helped us greatly. We had reevaluated our security since then."

He then smiled at the male knight, surprising Wally and his fellow sidekicks. "I have to thank you for the gift you have given me Archer. The cookies you gave are exquisitely scrumptious. Do you mind if I can have the recipe for it? Someone I know wishes to be able to eat it again or at the very least, recreate it."

At those words, said guy took out a folded piece of paper from one of his belts pouches and gave it to the martian. "Here's the recipe. The trick in making it taste like that is to add some kosher salt in the mixture."

Wally then looked at the others who were 'victims' of Archer, seeing their eyes looking at the piece of paper intently and then he saw the cause looking straight back at them. "Anybody else gonna admit they like my gifts?"

Flash, Green Arrow, and Speedy looked away and whistled innocently.

Batman, Robin, and Aquaman merely stared, however, with a closer observation; one may be able to notice the almost unnoticeable twitches of the latter two.

Man, it's that good? How come Uncle Barry didn't give some to me? The young speedster thought as he shared a confused glance with Aqualad who shrugged.

Saber on the other hand, Wally observed…gave her partner a ten dollar bill. "There's Superman, Wonder Woman and now, Martian Manhunter who admitted they liked your gift, are you happy now?"

Martian Manhunter coughed to interrupt and pocketed his copy of the recipe, turning around and leading them inside. The speedster gave a fist bump to the boy wonder as they followed suit. "You now have unlimited access to–"

They listened intently and observed what the inner sanctum had to offer. A quick glance behind him revealed that Saber was doing the same, Archer…not so much.

Can't believe this guy had the guts to infiltrate the Justice League's headquarters in the first place. Not only that, he infiltrated the Batcave. THE Batcave. And he got away with it. How did he do that? Not to mention that portal, does he have access to Zeta Beam technology or does his 'magic' have anything to do with it? He thought before they eventually reached the Justice League's library, where their tour of the headquarters ended. Guess I'll have to wait for whatever talk the league would have or ask Robin or Speedy about it.

"Make yourselves at home everyone." Flash said to them with a smile, prompting his protégé to take one of the armchairs available to sit on while Robin and Aqualad did the same, leaving, Speedy, Shirou, and Arturia to stand like the League members. Said members were gathered near another metal door that said Justice League members only.

"Quick debrief to discuss the coincidence of four ice villains attacking on the same day." Batman said to the gathered members before looking at them. "We shouldn't be long," He then looked at her and her lover. "–and then we can talk."

Arturia nodded in response. "Very well then, we shall comply."

Batman tilted his head curtly before turning around, a device sliding out of a panel up near the metal door. She initially thought of it as a camera before a green light went out of it lens and did no harm to the batman as it went from his feet all the way to his cowl covered head, the feminine robotic voice that spoke afterwards revealing that it was a scanner.

Quite an interesting piece of technology this is. She thought as she heard the voice call out the League members' superhero names followed by what she believed to be their designation numbers and then the door slid open. Then again, this world's technology is more advanced than what was in ours, the lapse in their timelines don't count.

"That's it?!"

Upon hearing the incensed outburst of a certain ginger haired protégé, Arturia looked at him and saw several things in him. He had a very serious nature and his fiery short temperament all but assured her that he would be butting heads with quite a few people a lot…perhaps literally. But there was something that she didn't feel quite right about with. As if there was something more to him that even he didn't know.

{Actually, there is something wrong with him but I'll tell you about that later.} Shirou told her through their connection, making her eyes narrow as they watched the argument as it unfolded.

"You promised us a real look inside. Not a glorified backstage pass." Speedy said as he crossed his arms.

"It's a first step, you've been granted access few others get." Aquaman told him, making the bow user gesture to the glass pane above the wall, where tourists took pictures of them.

"Oh really? Who cares which side of the glass we're on?"

{He's got that point right.} She and her partner thought at the same time, nearly making her smirk before she realized it as she could feel him do so. That was too close a call. She was not going to let his Archer demeanor to rub off her; it was practically his specialty after all.

"Speedy, you just need to be patient." Green Arrow told him in an attempt to placate his partner.

"What I need, is respect."

This is going to get ugly. She thought as Speedy turned to his peers.

"They're treating us like kids, worse, like sidekicks. We deserve better than this." His words reminded her of many a young squire that wished to be knighted when she was king, those with dreams of fighting in war as if it was some glorious battle. They were the ones who still did not know the truth and horrors that came with it, along with the burden and responsibility that would be with them like shackles.

Seeing the response of his fellows, which was them looking at each other and then at him with some confusion, Arturia could see that this would not have a good end. She was proven of this when several seconds and words exchanged later, Speedy revealed a truth that made her eyebrows raise in surprise and for several of the league members to look at Green Arrow.

"Except the Hall isn't the League's real HQ." Arturia couldn't quite find fault about the protégés shocked reactions since they had every right to in their case. "I bet they never told you. It's just a false front for tourists and a pit stop for catching Zeta Beam teleporter tubes to the real thing, an orbiting satellite called the Watch Tower."

{That sounds cool and actually makes some sense.} Shirou admitted to her as they all but ignored the argument in favor of discussion.

{How is that so?} She asked him, her curiosity peaked at the thought of a base outside of the Earth.

{Well, they protect the world so why not make their headquarters situated at a place where they can watch it as a whole? Not to mention that the view must be majestic too.} The mags answered.

{Hmm…that is quite true. Perhaps they would let us go there if I am successful and we're given a chance to join them?} The former king suggested.

{That sounds like a plan.}

"Maybe you're gonna let them be members before us!" She heard Speedy shout, causing her to look at him and saw him pointing in their direction.

"Hey, say that again and you ain't getting that rematch." Archer stated as he crossed his arms on his chest.

"Archer…" She warned.

"Forget it." The protégé replied before looking at his mentor. "I thought I was your partner. Well," he grabbed his cap and threw it on the floor, much to the shock of the other sidekicks and said mentor "not anymore."

He walked away from them, making his way out of the library, but not without leaving some more words. "Guess they're right about you three…You're not ready." And with that said, the door slid close.

Shirou frowned at the ginger's display but before he could say something about him, alarms rang quickly, the large screen behind them flashing to life and revealed a transmission from Superman.

[Superman to Justice League, there's been an explosion at Project Cadmus. It's on fire.]

Cadmus…as in the guy who killed Ares' dragon and got some fierce warriors called Spartoi by planting it teeth? Hmm…now that makes sense. He thought with his eyes narrowed as he recalled the information he got of 'Speedy's' history through using Structural Grasp on his bow the first time they met. This is my opportunity to investigate and possibly shut them down. Can't let them clone anymore people or make weapons out of them…I need to convince Arturia and the league to let me do this. Now how do I observe 'Speedy' without looking like a stalker after that? Oh right, familiars.

"I've had my suspicions on Cadmus." Batman said, prompting the magus to yell 'yes' in his mind, unintentionally broadcasting that thought to Arturia, who then turned to look at him. "This may be the perfect opportunity to–"

The dark knight was then interrupted by yet more alarms and an incoming transmission, revealing itself to be from the New York based Italian magic-user known as Zatara. [Zatara to Justice League, the sorcerer Wotan is using the amulet of Aten to blot out the sun, requesting full League response.]

At that message, an idea began concocting itself in Shirou's mind.

"Superman?" Batman asked.

[It's a small fire. Local authorities have it under control.]

Superman's response further cemented said idea in the magus' mind.

"Then Cadmus can wait." Batman said before pressing a button on the controls. "All Leaguers rendezvous to Zatara's coordinates, Batman out."

Shirou saw the protégés approach the dark knight and their mentors, watched as they (and probably both of them as well) were told to stay put, the reasoning being that they weren't trained to work us part of the Justice League before the League left the library, leaving them alone. To be honest…both sides had some points. Perhaps what they need is a compromise of some sort.

{Shirou, I do not know what you were thinking but I feel that it has something to do with Project Cadmus. Am I correct?} Arturia asked him.

The sword incarnation nodded. {We're gonna have to check it out. Something more sinister is at work here.} He then smiled underneath his helm as he gestured to the protégés who were now gathered at the computer, where Robin was hacking its system. {Besides, I think I'm not the only one interested in it.}

"Alright, Project Cadmus, genetics lab here in D.C., that's all there is." Robin remarked, prompting him to speak up.

"That's only the surface Robin. Batman is right to have suspicions about it."

At his words, Kid Flash jumped in surprise and turned around. "You're both still here?"

"We are indeed," Arturia answered before adding, "however, it seems that to some degree…all of you aren't just going to sit here and let the opportunity pass, no?"

"Wait a minute, are you gonna go with us?" Robin asked as he crossed his arms.

"We are." Shirou said. "I was planning to investigate it," he then paused before continuing, "with my partner and since that I could already see that it would be poetic justice on your part, perhaps we can all solve this case together."

"That is true but they told us to stay put." Aqualad reminded with a sigh.

"For the blotting out the sun mission. Not this." Robin countered as he grinned.

"Oh man, if you guys are going to Cadmus then I'm going." Kid Flash grinned before he stared intently at the magus. "This would also mean that I have the opportunity to really observe your abilities. I'm gonna confirm what it is one way or another."

At that, Shirou could only shrug. He figured it would be told by Flash anyway once the League interroga–err, interviewed him. "That is acceptable, I guess."

"So just like that? We're a team on a mission?" Aqualad asked.

"We didn't come for a playdate." Robin told him.

"Neither did us." Arturia concurred.

Shirou clapped his hand once, grin on his face. "That settles it. Let's go investigate Cadmus."

Author's Notes:

How's everybody doing? *avoids thrown objects* Aww...miss you to my readers and followers.

Now, you're probably wondering why I was so late in updating. Here's a few reasons why:

I was so busy with schoolwork and other related activities during January to March that I had no time to write for this. (I was the victim of Unlimited Thesis Works again)

When I'm not swamped by that, I'm swamped with household responsibilities.

I had to get my laptop (the only laptop that contained the files for this story) fixed numerous times last March.

Had to get myself reacquainted with the Fate series and DC before I can think of the chapter.

Since I was stressed from all of that, I had to de-stress myself for most of this month, in that regard, you have my family, my assortment of gadgets, and my girlfriend to thank for.

In other news, yes, I now have a girlfriend. She was a friend of mine since nearly four years ago when I used to live in the city where my grandpa was living before I had to go back to my hometown in the following year. It was only during the time between January and February of this year that I realized I liked her romantically rather than as a sister thanks to the aid of my adviser's test. After that revelation, when I saw her again during our attendance to our friend's debut near the end of February, we talked for a long time and then the question of relationships came up. We both said that we didn't have any romantic ones and then we both asked each other to be in one with the other at the same time. Happiest night of 2017 for me yet.

Several more chats afterwards revealed that she actually had a crush on me since the period after we became friends. It was also then I realized that I was like an anime protagonist due to how slow and dense I was regarding our interaction at the time when I could see her daily with our group of friends in my time in the city. The signs were right there and I didn't even notice until we got together. She even told me that herself. And then the flirting began in the following days and month that followed. What can I say, she's my type.

Anyway, let's get back to this story. Rest assured, I will be updating perhaps not weekly since I have my own life to do but I will try to finish one at least every two weeks or a month at maximum.

I thank you for all your support so far. Feel free to ask questions and even make suggestions. Show me what your thoughts are of this in a review since that is basically what makes writers think of what to improve on. If you like this story that much, feel free to add it on your favorites and follows to be alerted.

This is The Undying Will, till next time!