Chapter 12
November 8th
Sun Faction HQ
It was just about 4 AM and a clear night. Sherlock was reading through one of the books written by Conan Doyle and raised a brow followed by a scoff from a particular line. The book in mind was 'The Adventures of the Six Napoleons'. Lestrade would never- he noticed as Beowulf returned to their territory some unknown Servants entering as well. "Hmm that's peculiar?" Sherlock stated with a hand placed firmly on his chin.
In a matter of moments he was notifying Heracles of what he felt. One was keeping it's distance while the other was moving using 'presence concealment (rank A)'. "Most likely an Assassin a swift one at that. Whoever they are it looks like they are making their way towards the base."
"If that's the case I shall go and intercept them." Heracles said as he prepared himself. He notified Luvia who set the intruder alarm off. The others started gathering in the lobby of the building as the intruder made itself around the area. They were obviously looking for their exact location.
"Yay! I'll go deal with the intruder." Saber jumped for joy. She's been dying for some real combat.
"You said presence concealment? Then it's probably an Assassin. I suppose I should go take them out." Assassin suggested.
"I was planning on going myself however there are two actually." Lancer bowed his head and contemplated briefly. "Assassin join me with intercepting the intruder."
Okita looked as if the life on her face left her body. She was pale and frozen only able to mutter words, with her body hunched over and rigid. "But, I'm, our, Saber."
"Actually Saber." Sherlock got next to her and pulled her aside. "There is something that you can do for me." Those were the magic words she needed and she perked back up with excitement.
"Really? I mean of course you do."
"Yes, your right. A secret mission."
"It would have to be, after all a great Saber like myself is also a skilled assassin." Okita confidently placed her hand on her chest as she shined with radiance, and a smirk.
"The rest of you be on guard. We shall dispatch the invaders! If anyone else get close deal with them accordingly." Lancer spoke as he took out his halberd.
The Masters minus Damel and Rin all got there a little later but heard the final parts of Lancer's little speech. "Hercules I'll be following from a distance. In case an enemy Master is close. However fight to your hearts content."
"Good luck!" Alan said to Assassin who just waved it off with an eye roll and headed outside.
"I guess that leaves the rest of us doing nothing. Sherlock's territory makes coming at us suicide." Seth yawned as he rubbed his eyes. "Would you call for us if you need it? Storming the base at 4 AM who does that?" Seth turned around with Rider and walked back to his room.
"I'll be ready for anything!" Rider proclaimed as she left.
"Archer is there anything you plan on doing?"
"I'll wait on the roof and set back up my traps." With a creepy smile he vanished.
Rin entered the area last with Shirou right behind her. She marched over finishing buttoning her top and turned to Sherlock. "How many Servants we're dealing with?"
"I believe two are here to fight." Sherlock said while flashing the same amount of fingers.
Rin with an apparent look of agitation darted her eyes around. She clenched her first. "Where's Saber?"
"Oh don't worry about that I sent her off on a mission, she's just following orders."
She's lucky this time.
Rooftops Fort Hamilton
Lancer and Assassin made their way to the northern section of their territory to find the intruders. Though with the 'presence concealment' that was going to be difficult. They jumped from building to building scanning the area. Sherlock was a unique case for territory control. His range was consistently expanding. He had almost all of Brooklyn under his reign by now. If anyone gets about half a kilometer in to the borough he knew instantly.
"Hey Lancer, shall I take the Assassin?"
"It depends on the second enemy."
As soon as they began their conversation three arrows came their way. Two for Lancer one from Assassin. Lancer took them out and Assassin dodged hers.
"I guess that answers who the second one is." Assassin pointed in the general direction of the attack.
"Go deal with her. I shall continue searching for the other Servant." Assassin nodded as she took off.
As Heracles watched her hurried off towards the Archer he stood on top of the roof of an apartment building. He was enjoying the serene night sky. He didn't get lost in it's radiance for too long as he was also looking for the intruder.
"Beautiful night isn't it?" The words of a woman he didn't recognize. He didn't jump or prepare to attack. Below him on the balcony a dark-haired warrior clad in black with red eyes stood crossing her arms waiting.
"You're the enemy Assassin I presume. Not very good at your job are you?"
The woman chuckled as she jumped to the top of the roof meeting Lancer face to mask. "I suppose I'm not much of an Assassin, although it's for the best. After all the only class I can ever really be is…." She took out a red spear and twirled it around locking eyes with him. "A Lancer of Twilight."
Heracles smiled as he took his stance with both hands on the weapon. "Lancer of Twilight, I am Lancer of Sun."
The woman smiled underneath her mask and pointed her spear at him. "I know who you are Heracles. I've seen your deeds when you were alive."
"That's interesting I don't ever remember seeing you before. Have we met?"
"No I just seen you with these eyes. Though, that is neither here nor there. I do have a question for you before we begin. Would you care to answer?"
"It depends on the question."
"Is your Berserker, about three meters tall and wields a weapon called Mjölnir?"
"Unfortunately no that would be Berserker of Moon."
The woman sighed. "Wrong choice on our part unfortunately. However that's enough of that let's begin." With a grin she ran at him and he did the same.
Assassin hurried towards the general direction of the attack landing in an empty construction site. She sensed her enemy and Archer of Twilight did the same. They both walked over meeting face to face drawing their blades.
Moon Faction HQ
Okita sat at the rear steps of the base with a cheerful smile and her hands on her face. She sang out loud to herself with a bubbly attitude. "Going to wait right here on standby. Then when all hope seems lost the hero Sakura Saber shall take the stage."
Jason walked by stopping to observe the Servant. He laughed out loud and shook his head. "It's obvious Sherlock played you girly."
Saber turned around with her face fuming. "Nuh-uh, Sherlock wouldn't lie. He told me my mission is to wait here and when he gives me the signal charge in killing every enemy in sight!"
Jason laughed so hard tears left his face. "Okay big shot hero what's the signal?"
"Well that's obvious its-" Okita realized a crucial piece of information and the life left her body even worse then before. Her eyes blank and the color left her being. She resembled a corpse more than anything else at this point.
"Played like a violin." Jason walked off leaving shaking his head leaving the mumbling Servant.
"But, I'm our...Sa-ber."
"Hey Beowulf!" Damel matched over angrily to the man. He looked up at him staring at his imposing size. "Why am I waking up lethargic?"
"Because I used your mana obviously. What of it." Beowulf was leaning against the wall trying to look like a tough guy which further infuriated his partner.
"What happened?!"
"I went for my rematch with Berserker. Why else?"
"You idiot! I told you, you can't beat him! The hell are you trying to accomplish?"
"You don't get it brat! Your so short sighted, that's why your such a loner!"
"Don't you talk about that!"
"Oh what, the fact that your disowned by your family? Or how about the fact you got expelled from the academy for your own stupidity? I got a list to say so don't criticize me!" The large warrior clenched his fist as he thought about his battles to the death. His fight with Grendel was his favorite. Just two monsters trying to kill each other. Berserker of Moon was no man he was a monster and the only way to beat a monster is for a stronger monster to defeat it. Heracles knows it. He's a monster in human skin like me. Raging beast that do battle till death.
"Beowulf?"
"Soon, so very soon, then our battle can commence. A battle to decide the greatest monster." The crazed face of a warrior was all that was shown as Damel walked off in frustration.
Rooftops Fort Hamilton
Both Lancers clashed and there was a clear difference between them. Heracles could tell plain as day. Out of anyone able to be summoned as a Lancer, the few that would surpass him were rare and only one he can think of that can be this gifted with the red spear Gae Bolg, and 'he' was not standing in front of him. "I just want to ask, you're not Cú Chulainn are you?"
The woman's eyes open up at the sound of the name. "No." She strikes with a her red spear from the right. Heracles blocks it but gets pushed back. She rushes at him and lunges her spear forward, he moves to the left dodging the blow and swings his halberd. She blocks the shaft of the weapon with her foot. He raises his spear up throwing the woman in the air. She maintains her balance and swings down aiming for his skull. The man uses both hands gripping the halberd blocking the attack. During the clash the ground beneath his feet began to cave in as the battle between Servants has only just begun.
Luvia just arrived seeing the battle from a distance and begins to tremble when she reads the stats of the enemy. With her mental link she informs the Servant of the pressing issue. "Hercules she out classes you in strength, agility, and endurance. Who is she?"
Someone who shouldn't exist in this war I'm afraid.
The spear woman strikes swiftly using power and speed. Attack after attack was landed dished out with Heracles struggling to keep up. She not only surpassed him in power and speed but the difference in skill was astonishing. After several exchanges Heracles could tell this was going to be impossible without activating his Noble Phantasms. He just had one last thing to ask before so. "I have one more question for you. If your not Cú Chulainn then I'm assuming you're the one that trained him, Scáthach of the Haunted Grounds."
A devilish grin showed as she removed her mask. She charged Heracles. Her skill with lance showed, she lived up to the legend as a God Slayer. Each attack was precise her perception surpassed even his he admitted silently to himself. The several exchanges between them was having a toll on the man as he was receiving more than his fair share of cuts to his skin. "You are correct hero of Greece. But can you kill me?"
She ran around after kicking him back several meters going for his flank. Heracles did a wide swing locking weapons with the woman who seemed unbothered by his defense. She pushed him back further to the edge of the roof. Heracles knew he made the right call, Assassin would have died to her spear by now. Not that it lessens her skill, but Scáthach has proven to rank as a top Heroic Spirit. Even now he still felt like she wasn't trying her hardest.
It was a in a swift motion but Scáthach managed to land a deep stab into the shoulder of Heracles. He grinned as he backed away holding the wound. "It would appear I need to tilt the odds in my favor." His body gave off a glow as the air got heated. "King's Order, Goddess of War!" In an instant a beautiful belt appeared with amazing details adorning Heracles around his waist. "I believe I am now on equal footing with you but just in case." Heracles turned down to Luvia staring down as if waiting for something to be said.
"I allow the activation of it. But you are not allowed to lose more than two." Luvia looked upset at her conformation. Heracles nodded in acceptance and a faint red aura briefly appeared over him. God Hand has now been activated. An odd mix of a passively active skill. Luvia and him kept it turned off to allow him to fight much longer than he normally would and conserve mana.
Heracles rushed in with an increase in all parameters except luck, matching Scáthach in speed and endurance. Her only factor was her 'God Slayer' skill that allowed her to gain a plus modifier against a spirit with divinity. But due to God Hand's description it means nothing if it isn't an A rank attack from strength or a Noble Phantasm.
They were evenly matching attacks. Heracles did a leg sweep with his weapon trying to knock her off balance. Scáthach slammed her spear into the weapon locking them both into the floor. Reacting quickly he got up balancing himself on the spear and with just one hand on it extended his reach kicking the woman across the roof into the stairwell exit. The exit was destroyed and Scáthach sat among the ruble with a smile.
"With your monstrous strength any lesser Heroic Spirit would have been killed by now, good." As those words left her mouth Heracles already closed the distance between them and was driving his weapon forward aiming for her head. She shifted her head to the right with her eyes closed avoiding the attack. "Your Caster's territory is at the level of the age of Gods. My 'Clairvoyance' hasn't been as effective since I've been in it."
The man showed no emotion in his response. She dodged that at such a close margin for error. Does she have a death wish? "Yes our Caster is quite invaluable."
"I've deduced petty tricks won't be as effective in here for enemies either. I've acclimated I'll just have to rely on a different skill." 'Eye of the Mind (True)A'
Heracles was gaining the advantage. He jumped back assuming a defensive position. His foe got up dusting herself off and walked towards him keeping about 20 meters apart. Scáthach was smiling, a gesture Heracles couldn't help but return. They were enemies meant to fight to the death and yet she was ecstatic over it. "You seem to be happy about something queen of the Haunted Grounds."
"Of course I am. I haven't had a real fight in a while. Now I shall fight you to till I'm satisfied." Before his eyes the female Lancer pulled out a second identical lance and poised herself. "Let us really have fun."
Lancer rushed Heracles and they both exchanged blows. Gaining a second lance didn't slow down or weaken any of her attacks in the slightest. In fact Heracles felt like her fighting improved with the two. One spear to get rid of the enemies guard and the other for his life.
She knocked away his weapon going for a stab but was repelled at the skin. Even with that however she pushed him back. Even with God Hand he still felt the pain. Even with his immense strength and skill plus two Noble Phantasms he was still only about even with her.
"That's some tough protection you got. I could tell at first glance but I had to try piercing it anyways." Several weapons appeared in the air around her. More spears, some swords, and daggers. "I'm curious about how much damage it can take."
Heracles and Scáthach continued combat as he took hit after hit from her weapons while still clashing spears with her. A blade to the leg, a dagger to the knee. Multiple lances attacking his chest. None could wound him.
"Why try to dodge and block if my attacks aren't piercing you?!" She yelled while attacking from the air.
"Force of habit I'm afraid, but if you truly had no way to kill me you would have fled by now. So I'm keeping my guard up for when that attack comes I'll be ready!"
The two warrior's have been fighting for quite a while the sun has started to rise and Luvia had to place a spell, to ward off civilians. Scáthach used her athletic build to her advantage maneuvering around the larger man who was no slouch himself. He easily displayed the mobility and dexterity of a Lancer and Assassin. Yet Scáthach's smaller frame allowed her to be a bit faster. They clashed weapons and she would move around attacking from another position entirely. Much like his battle with Okita. Not as fast as her but both using their size to their advantage. Now toss in the fact that she's substantially stronger and this fight has easily earned his top pick for one of the greatest battles he ever had.
The sound of metal clanging repeatedly comes to a halt as they stand opposite ends of each other. "Heracles, Chiron trained you well. I suppose should thank my own student who had beast like agility as well. Fighting you reminds me of him. However I believe I shall be coming for your life now!" She traced a rune in the air that caused both her weapons to glow. She jumped a good distance back hunching over with both spears still in her hands. She was low to the ground in a position similar to but not quite like a sprinter start as one hand with a spear was still up.
"What's with that stance?" Luvia stated with fascination. The mana in the air froze and the atmosphere contorted. Both her spears looked like they were on fire with mana.
"Hear I go! Stab and penetrate! Thrust and drill! Gae Bolg Alternative!"
With incredible speed she took off like a rocket with her right spear piercing up right into the man's body. His attempts at dodging and parrying were useless. It was as if the spear was fated to stab him no matter what. The attack launched Heracles into the air freezing him depriving him of his movements.
"Hercules!" Luvia yelled out with a look of distraught.
The second lance in Scáthach's hand was being pulled back by her left and aimed with her right. She tossed with such might it looked like a missile going right for the pinned Heracles. The spear had one target and that was the Servant in the air. It struck him with such force the impact caused an explosion of mana that shattered the spell around them lowering the barrier Luvia produced. The blinding red light left as quickly as it appeared. After the attack Heracles laid flat on the ground with his front facing down and a gaping hole in the center of his back.
Scáthach looked over from a distance with an annoyed look. "Tch. Guess for next time I'll know better."
Heracles was bested by that attack as his body laid out stiff. He was dead after all. Despite his current state of as a corpse Scáthach did not feel victorious. Luvia looked angrier over the fact that he was killed.
Light started glowing from his wound as the wound began to heal. His eyes came back to life as he started coughing out blood. Heracles has returned from death and slowly got up as he regained motor functions. That attack not only pierced him but packed such power that it took out three of his lives. He turned back looking at the gatekeeper with his eyes focusing on her spears.
"The day is beginning Lancer of Sun. Our fight shall be put on hold for now. I suspect next time you'll be trying your hardest to kill me." Lancer of Twilight nodded her head as she leaned her body off the building making a quick withdrawal.
During the fight between the two Lancers, another battle between Archer and Assassin was taking place. Both were woman of similar height and skin complexion although their ethnicity varied greatly. One was a Japanese/German, human/homunculus. The other was a middle eastern warrior. As of right now they were enemies.
Assassin swung her weapon around while Archer of Twilight attacked with dual blades. The weapons were matched evenly. They were locked trying to overpower each other.
"Not bad Archer. Saber said you were an easy kill."
Archer reacted as expected. "I'll kill that brat when I'm done with you!" Archer jumped back and took out her bow firing several shots in succession. Assassin dodged each one as she ran at her foe. She took out one her 40 knives and tossed it at Archer. The dagger was deflected as the bow woman projected a large ax-sword. She ran at Assassin carrying the massive weapon over her back as they were practically the same size.
Assassin sensed danger and immediately jumped to a higher building. Archer looked pissed and put the sword away. She smiled and disappeared from Assassin's sight. She re appeared above her with several blades floating in the air. "Sorry, this it. Sword barrel fire!" With a swing of her arms blades descended down towards Assassin.
As Assassin looked up in surprise at the attack certain parts of her body began to glow, feint tattoos began to glow blue. They were marks on her arms legs and back. "Oh help me D-"
A man with a trench coat was sprinting over the buildings racing to catch the battle. It was Sherlock and he had so many questions for the Archer. It took him a while to figure out it was her that returned. With a playful smile he pinpointed their location and was ready to dissect her for information. "Almost there."
She was about to invoke her Noble Phantasm but was interpreted by the interference of their Caster. He appeared in front of her swatting away the blades closest to her. His walking cane glowed white with mana as he knocked away the blades with the efficiency of a Saber.
"Caster? Why?" She asked in a fit.
"I'm sorry, but when I realized it was this Archer I simply had to see for myself."
"Lucky, two on one huh?" The Archer took back out her blades and performed trace overedge on them.
"No, one on one!" Assassin stepped ahead of Sherlock.
"I'm sorry Assassin but I must insist. She has my curiosity." Sherlock said with a smile as he stepped forward again.
"She's my target. Go find someone else you pedophile!"
"Shouting insults won't get you anywhere. Now I am ordering you on grounds as your superior she's mine." Sherlock sounded a bit more serious than normal. Assassin tightened her grip on her sword. Her face pissed beyond hell.
"This isn't over Caster!" She changed her sight to Archer and aimed at her. "You better not die till I get a chance to kill you!" Assassin then faded into the shadows.
"Well, that was dramatic. What, didn't want me to kill her?" Archer shrugged her shoulders with a tired expression.
"No, that's nor it. You two are about even. No actually she was probably going to defeat you. However there's something about you that strikes me odd." Sherlock gripped his chin and rubbed it.
"You think so huh? Then I'll kill you and prove you wrong." Archer ran at Sherlock and swung both blades from the outside closing in on the man.
He slammed his cane in the center blocking both blades from locking in on him. As they locked weapons a mechanical arm appeared from underneath his jacket which looked like it held a giant lens blasting her back with mana. "Kanshou and Byukuya twin legendary short swords formed by the Chinese blacksmith Gān Jiàng. Also favorite of the spirit Emiya."
Archer was frozen with shock. This Servant couldn't know about Emiya. No, worse he analyzed the blades perfectly. Who is this guy?
"If you're wondering who I am I'll simply tell you."
"Why?"
"Because it's simply elementary my dear. You have a dashing Caster in front of you with a British accent and gentlemanly rhetoric. Toss in great deductive reasoning skills, I can only be the detective, Sherlock Holmes." He said striking a finger up in the air.
Archer busted out laughing. "So we have a detective who fancies himself a hero? That doesn't change a damn thing! I'll beat you then that Assassin, then that arrogant Saber!" Archer got in position and started inching closer.
"Oh my the irony of that statement. Which reminds me I have a question for you. Why do you look like Illyasviel Von Einzbern?"
Archer's face crackled and contorted. Hearing that man mention her name flew her into a fury. "Drop dead!" She yelled as she fired several swords from the air right at the detective.
Sherlock shrugged his shoulders and casually walked towards her. He shifted his body left and right and only swatted away two swords with his cane. He swiftly adjusted his head only shifting slightly grabbing the last one plucking it right out of the air. He eyed it over and shook his head with a disapproving noise. "Good attempt but your projections are still inferior to his. B rank by what I can tell."
Her voice started to crackle as her face was red with rage. "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut uppppp!" Archer projected double the amount and fired them again.
Sherlock shook his head and picked up his cane. It glowed as he swung up then down then up again. Each swing deflecting a sword as he continued to advance. Archer rushed him with her swords and swung wildly at the man. It was sloppy and redundant in his eyes as he fended off the mad assault.
"I would assume that's a sore spot for you. Good." Sherlock smiled a small sadistic part of him loved exposing someone's secrets, and this girl was full of them.
"Shut up you damn detective! I'll kill you till your dead!" Archer projected Gae Bolg and had her sights locked on Sherlock.
"Oh dear, you mean it with that weapon." Sherlock didn't sound worried at all. He just stretched out his left hand gesturing her to come.
Archer did just that. The red spear that aims for the heart was locked on Sherlock. He stared it down with no fear. The spear glowed red and prepared to attack. Sherlock's weapons all deployed from his back. He had eight arms holding eight large looking lenses aimed at her. They all fired mana at Archer's spear as it tried to pierce him. The weapon was promptly destroyed shocking Archer.
"Ho- how? No! That spear alters fate. How did it fail?"
"My dear I am a detective and a damn good one at that. Do you think I believe in fate?" Sherlock said mockingly. It also helps the fact that he has extremely high Luck and an EX rank Territory making him the most dangerous Servant in the Sun Faction within it's confines. Probably a first for a Holy Grail War. A war where a Caster was more deadly than a normal Saber or Berserker. "Besides that's Cu Chulainn's attack that you tried to initiate. Even if it was from him though that attack would have failed. It's illogical after all."
"Now I'm curious. You have Illyasviel Von Einzbern's face and Emiya's powers but neither should be possible. I mean Illyasviel doesn't even existing on this Earth. Unless?" Sherlock stopped and started pondering.
Archer has lost. She realized this guy was on a level she couldn't hope to match. It was frustrating. It was infuriating. It was pathetic. She was pathetic. She was a sham and a fraud. She looked at her hands as she dropped her blades. "This form and powers borrowed." Archer jumped fleeing the battle. As she landed on another building Sherlock was there, ready and waiting.
"I'm not done with our chat yet."
"Wh- how?" Archer was confused she. She dashed back and jumped to the next building. With Sherlock landing right next to her simultaneously.
"No!" Archer jumped away instantly diving straight down the building landing in an alleyway. As she turned to bust out in a sprint but Sherlock was also there.
"I really want to know. I won't be able to focus on much else till I figure this out." Sherlock pondered and peered at Archer analyzing her. She has his outfit, well a modified version of it. She has his powers and Illyasviel's face. She's a bit older and taller however. There's also the obvious skin complexion. Is it natural or from over use of projection mage craft?
Archer teleported a block over and again and again. She repeated doing so even giving Sherlock a hard time to follow. "Teleportation? Now that's a unique skill, which shouldn't exist but is a possibility. Now I know I'm missing some pieces." Sherlock finally let the girl get away as he stood bringing his hands together in his usual fashion. "I wonder if this mystery is unrelated to the war or a key to me figuring it out."
"Hercules?" Luvia ran over to the man still sitting on the floor. "I know you had the resurrection ability but seeing you die was still traumatizing." She raised his hand with a distraught face as if checking for a pulse.
"I'm sorry I worried you my lady." Luvia placed the back of his hand next her face.
"You're still here with me that's what matters." Teary eyed she looked up struggling to smile. Her Servant took notice of it and wiped away her tears.
"Don't she'd any tears for me. I am undeserving of such precious jewels. The man that you should weep for should be deserving of those tears being shed."
"You're an idiot." She said as she planted her face into his chest as tears continued to fall. The sobbing increased and Hercules made an uncomfortable look that Luvia was too busy to nervous.
Why is it always like this? Why do I always hurt people close to me? I've abandon my rage and still I made my mistress I serve feel such sorrow. Hercules patted her back as he saw those who he killed. Directly or indirectly his brashness and strength caused him pain. He lost his wife, his children, teacher and friends. The nightmares towards the end of his life would keep him up at night as sleeping was impossible. With all the strength and skill, I wasn't able to save any of them.
He remembered the first day he met Luvia after being summoned. He saw a relic a shard of metal as he stepped out of the summoning circle. He tossed himself at her knees feeling like she made a mistake. He had no rage inside him he was calm and at peace. "I'm sorry my would be Master I seem to have been summoned outside a state of madness. I'm afraid you wasted your time."
With her arms crossed and assertive voice this woman surprised him. "It's perfect right? Your free from your rage and you shall serve as my loyal knight. Will you be my spear Hercules?"
"But I don't understand? I am to be used as a wild killing machine, correct? To mindlessly kill for the purpose of winning the war. I don't understand."
"I asked if you are worthy to serve as my knight?!"
It was in that moment he realized, Luvia wanted a loyal knight and she got one. All regrets and doubts faded away with her. This woman he would gladly serve to make sure she achieves her goal no matter what. "I am!"
Moon Faction HQ
It was later in the afternoon and the others minus Okita has gathered in the conference room. Fallout from the surprise attack was the main thing on everyone's mind.
"So what were they trying to accomplish?" Rin looked over at Sherlock who had his back turn in the revolving chair. He was lost in thought with his hands clasped together as he processed the information he gathered about the Archer.
Let's see a Servant with the abilities of Shirou Emiya the counter Guardian. One who came from an alternate timeline of the Shirou Emiya helped stopped the Fuyuki Grail Wars in 2004. That has three different out comes. That's four parallel universes of the world tree up to this point. I can't forget about the first universe with the Tokyo Holy Grail Wars, although that's highly unlikely. Finally there's the universe similar to this one in some regards where the Grail War became a Great Holy Grail War. Now there's this one. None of them have an Illyasviel like this one I'm sure of it.
"Holmes?!" Jason shouted out to the quiet man.
The man raised his head turning around with a shake of his head. His eyes met Jason's then the rest of the team. His attention shifted to them snapping him out of his mind. "Sorry about that, was thinking about our enemy."
"She's still alive, right." Assassin tossed a glare over to the man who nodded in conformation.
"Yes, she fled the scene before I was able to figure out her mystery-I mean identity." The man got up pacing back and forth appearing to be back in his own world.
Heracles coughed as he walked over to Sherlock's board. "I've encountered the other Lancer as well. Her identity I do know."
"Oh a lady spearman? She must really know how to handle-" Jax was knocked on the head by Archer.
"Our enemy Lancer of Twilight is Scáthach. Queen and gatekeeper of the Land of Shadows."
"Who?" Rin baffled.
"Oh I'm sorry most of you wouldn't know her. She is the teacher of Cú Chulainn."
"Oh, we like to call him Irish Hercules. No offense." Alan hastily added.
"None to be taken. Where was I? Agh yes, she is the great hero trainer of several heroes in Ireland."
"Who shouldn't be here." Luvia said with a small cracks in her voice. She bit the tip of her thumb and her face showed anger. "She never died. She should still be guarding the gate."
Alan shot up from his seat and ran at the room. "I'll be right back let me check something!"
"I'll bite, how tough is she? This hero trainer I mean?" Seth had his hand raised but didn't bother to wait for a response.
Heracles bowed his head thinking back to their battle. "Extremely. I had to use two Noble Phantasms to keep up but she did ended up getting the better of me with hers. I died."
"Hey genius your right here in front of me. You going senile or something?" Jason scoffed at his remark.
"You fool Hercules has a resurrection ability. It stands for his 12 labors so he has 12 lives." Luvia laughed at his face while pointing back at her Servant.
"You got something to say rich bitch?!"
Luvia started trudging over furiously but was held back by Heracles. He wrapped one arm around her waist holding her in the air. "Let me go! I'll clobber him!"
"Please my lady you asked me to help keep your temper in check." Luvia's resistance died down quickly which was followed by him letting her down gently. He turned his attention to Jason. "It would be wise of you to not insult my mistress in front of me. We are allies but try my hand and you might regret it." There was a cool rage behind the calm demeanor of the response he gave. His attention quickly switched to the door with Alan running in.
"Check this out." He put down a massive binder and took out a laptop. He flipped through pages of information his family has gathered on Celtic history. He pointed on a page with her name and a crudely drawn woman holding a red spear. "Queen of Dun Scath, warriors would have to leap over a ravine, could see into the future of individual's. Yeah nothing here about her ever dying. Could this be her sister, Aife or daughter Uathach, maybe?"
"No definitely her. Had to be, I would say I have the scars to prove it but I'm healed."
"Regardless of the matter she is a match for Heracles. It might be best-"
"Was a match for me." The man cut off Rin correcting her statement. It was a mistake on her part he just felt the need to correct. "I'm sorry to interrupt but I wanted to make sure you didn't say any false information. Her spear can no longer harm me. That Noble Phantasm she used against me is now worthless."
"God Hand was highly adaptable. After injuring you, the same attack won't work twice. It also gives you a stock of 12 lives. There's also the fact that if you were summoned as a Berserker and had a Master with enough mana, you could even have the stock replenish although you wouldn't be able to use your other legends." Sherlock spoke breaking him out of his spur. Heracles looked at his companion with a confused look. He switched to a warm smile and shook his head.
"The world's greatest detective indeed."
"So that leaves us with a dead Berserker, an unknown Archer, and Scáthach as a Lancer. This third faction is going to be trouble." Rin dropped her head onto the desk in front of her. "Damn it! If I summoned King Arthur we would have been fine! If only I had the scabbard or a piece of the round table."
Alan had a nervous sweat from the back of his head. Seth who was sitting next to him held off the urge to laugh.
"I believe this brings us to our final arrangement. We've been attacked by this third faction and as far as I'm concerned declared war with us. What are we going to do about it?" Jason tilted his head looking towards Luvia and Sherlock. Even with his sunglasses on they could tell he was staring directly at them.
"It seems their main priority is Berserker of Moon. That's who she was asking about, Scáthach that is." Heracles said.
"Regardless that means all of us have a stake in this. Their mysterious Archer also has a score to settle with us. So they consider us both as immediate enemies. Ordinary one would think to team up with the Moon Faction but something tells me they won't be playing ball with us." Sherlock noted as he drew up imaginary scenarios in his head.
"So basically that leaves us with-" Jason was cut off by Sherlock.
"We seem to have company everyone."
The others all tensed up and looked at the fact it was still day time. "No, it's broad daylight." Rin rubbed her temples.
"What the hell are they doing? It's forbidden to expose ourselves!" Damel slammed his hand on the desk.
"They aren't the same Servants from before and their at the edge of my territory. Can't really say anymore than that. I wonder what they're up to?"
Jason clenched his fist and slid out from his seat. "Sherlock and I will check it out!" He sounded anxious and responded swiftly.
"Why that's alright Jason. Sherlock already went out to fight maybe I should go?" Seth said while grinning at the young man.
"No we'll go!" Assassin got between them and had an equally annoyed look as Jason.
"It's fine I should-" Heracles stopped himself and thought about the fight earlier. He should only go into unknown situations at 100% and he did expand Luvia's mana by a decent amount already. Although she has plenty to spare he rather not risk it if she wasn't in top condition. "My lady I would be fine to go but using two of my phantasms at once during that last battle surely has had its effects. I say sit this one out till absolutely necessary."
Luvia inhaled and sat in silence for a moment while looking down. She turned her attention to Rin who shook her negatively. No words needed to be said the best option was clear.
"Sherlock do whatever you see fit. Our main concern is not to engage in battle in the open."
"I see, Assassin, Rider and I shall go to delegate the situation. We'll notify you if back up is needed."
"Sherlock, we don't need these other guys slowing us down. We can handle this!" Jason argued back with an increase in frustration in his voice.
"Jason, we can't take any chances with multiple Servants. What if it's their Berserker?" Rin said calmly and calculatedly.
"No! It's not him yet! When he's ready he and I shall have our life and death battle!" Beowulf had on the same look he had before when talking about the Berserker. That mad look of admiration.
"Why are you so sure?" Jason raised a brow at him?
"Because I went to their territory last night looking for him to fight. Their Assassin told me he was indisposed but he'll be ready to fight in the next few days."
The others all looked at Damel who shook his head rapidly. "I didn't tell him to go. He did it while I slept."
"We'll talk about this later, let's get ready to move." Sherlock stated as he walked over to the door. "Meeting adjourned everyone."
Williamsburg,
Brooklyn
A young man and a slightly older woman sat at the back of a restaurant. The young man shifted his eyes back and forth looking around as sweat ran down his face. The crimson haired woman had no such issue as she happily ate steak and held a mug of some lager.
"You're not eating?" Rider asked her partner.
"The hell I am! You brought me right into Sun Faction territory what are you thinking?"
"Relax. It's all part of the plan. Someone from the Moon Faction should be on their way since we drove through their territory."
Karaat violently got up and got his face in hers. "The hell kind of plan is this?"
"The kind that works. Now just remain calm it's middle of the day. Although if they start a fight we can reap the benefits in the ensuring chaos."
Karaat rubbed his face with his hands shaking. He clenched his fist as another vein protruded on his head. "You really think we're that lucky?"
"They'll gather here and if a fight may ensue or at the very least gain some info on the Moon Faction. We know all about the Sun but nothing of them or the third Faction. That means this is the best strategy. Three stones one bird." She down her drinking waving then over to the waved over for more.
Karaat looked down with his face stunned. He tried to piece together her rational and terrible analogy but came up with nothing. "You are seriously trying to screw us over! I'm calling Jason, we need insurance!" He called said man but the phone kept ringing out much causing an increase in frustration as he looked at his Servant happily eating away. "The hell Jason? I haven't been able to reach him all day." The man began tapping his finger on his head as he thought what to do.
"You still don't get it do you? It's simple a couple of Servants meet up near the border of Sherlock's territory so even the other Faction should know what's going on. They'll be curious and send someone over likely their Assassin to investigate. Unfortunately for them Sherlock would be able to pick them out rather quickly. We chase them down in the ensuing chaos and find out where they are hiding." Drake grinned as she picked up her refilled mug.
They were in an alleyway way a block away from the building the Servant was in. Assassin led using her Presence Concealment. Sherlock was right behind her as well as both their Masters. Seth and Rider took to the main streets coming in from the open. Sherlock has noted besides the Servant and Master inside the building two more Servants were approaching the area.
"I believe they are coming around this way." Sherlock pointed down the empty back alleys.
"Hey you and Sherlock should try to avoid combat if possible." Alan said as they continued the walk to their destination. He felt a tap on his shoulder as Jason held him back. He turned around facing the man who's face showed extreme focus.
"You and Assassin should just hang back and be our back up on this."
"What are-"
"THE HELL ARE YOU SUGGESTING?" Assassin stopped her lead and flipped on Jason. She marched over taking out one of her knives.
Jason didn't try to run or defend himself. He just sneered down to the girl in front of him. "Buzz off little girl before you cause trouble for your master."
"Little girl?! I should-" Assassin reached for his shirt collar as Alan reached to pry her off, however they were alarmed by a familiar sound of whistling. One that Assassin would never forget and made her blood boil.
As Seth and Saint Martha walked through the crowd they held hands sticking close to each other. Seth smiled a bit uneasily has he mused to himself. The building one of the Servants were in were just down the street.
"You don't have to hold my hand you know?"
Martha pouted at his words. "We can get separated in this crowd."
"Of course silly me, your absolutely right." Seth said with a smile while scratching his cheek. He looked across the block and locked eyes with someone. "I believe someone's been staring at us from across the street for a while now."
A blonde woman with her hair pulled into a side ponytail. She had on a green short sleeve shirt and brown pants with black boots. She was waving happily with a grin.
"Master, what should we do?"
"We can't be too sure. How about we say hi."
Martha looked at him as his words shocked her. She couldn't see why he would try something so reckless. "You jest right? Surely you don't mean?"
Seth already took the lead pushing through the crowd and stopping in front of the building they were sensing another Servant inside of. He looked at the door then the enemy Servant in front of them. His eyes met hers as she stopped in front of him. Martha grilled her but remember not to act in broad daylight.
The woman slowly raised up her had in a greeting gesture holding it open infront of them. "I suppose I should say something first. I am Assassin, howdy."
Servant Profile
Caster of Sun
Sherlock Holmes
Gender: Male
Height: 183cm
Weight: 65kg
Region: England, The Whole World
Alignment: Neutral Good
Hidden Attribute: Star
Origin - Elucidation
Strength – C (B) Endurance – D (C) Agility – B+ (A+)
Mana – B+ (A+) Luck – A++ (A+++) NP – B
Territory Creation EX- While not known for possessing true magic from the age of Gods Sherlock, still possess the skill at such rank. Instead of a floating Fortress or an impregnable tower, the area that he marks as his territory all within its confines are known to him. Any skill or weapon that is A+ rank or below is exposed, analyzed and if it goes against his logic he can lessen it's effectiveness. (Skills that rely on a sixth sense or future sight are prime examples but are not limited to) He can also make use of other Class Skills Ridding, Magic Resistance and Presence Concealment (up to A rank each) within its confines and ranks up all parameters.
As his knowledge of the land expands so does his territory. It is said even if he was blindfolded he can always find his way around London for it was a place he studied and analyzed to great detail.
Hypothetical Reasoning A+ Similar to Eye of the Mind True but further enhanced with Sherlock's keen intellect which allows him to think of every possible scenario in parallel to overcome a problem presented.
"I don't think five moves ahead, I think of every possible move."
Natural Insight A++ - is the ability to grasp the essence of things. Perceptive eyes for observation that will not overlook any information. Although the principle is entirely different, he can perform foresight equivalent to the future foresight of Clairvoyance.
"It's all eyes and brains."
Baritsu B++ - Sherlock Holmes can make use of striking techniques from the combination of this Skill and boxing, in addition to baritsu's specialty of throwing techniques and counters. If conditions are met, it can also be utilized as a special move on the level of a Noble Phantasm's True Name release but...
"I'm not one to resort to such roughness unless absolutely necessary"
Elementary My Dear (Rank B) Anti Unit/Anti World
Even if the enigma that is being opposed is truly an unresolvable mystery, the route and the clues that will finally arrive at the truth of it will "appear" without exception. For example, even if the key to a treasure chest is lost, the key will end up "not being lost", and it appears that it can be definitely discovered somewhere in the world. (However, as one would expect, it does not suddenly appear in the middle of one's hand, and wherever it is, Holmes and his collaborators must discover it.)
When using in tandem within the Confines of his territory the effectiveness rises significantly. Sherlock uses this his territory and other skills to always be several steps ahead of a foe. The more he learns about them the easier it is for him to exploit his foes.
I tried to elaborate on the vagueness they give on Sherlock as his Territory Creation is just blank with info besides being EX rank and Hypothetical Reasoning also being blank. So I did some research and I think these are what suit Sherlock. As long as he's within the confines of his territory and an enemy isn't just too strong and have no weaknesses in combat *cough we know who they are cough* he can find a way to beat them or at least not be defeated.