Lancer of White was a simple woman. In her past life, she would simply stay in one area and guard it. It wasn't much, and it was rather boring, but that was her life. She was always alone with naught but beasts for company. The beasts didn't give her any trouble so she let them be. They were, in a way, protectors of the area just like her. She could sympathize with them even if they weren't sapient like her.

Humans were another matter. For one reason or another, they always came to her. They struck down the creatures in her land. Oh it was in self defense mostly but some seemed to lose themselves in their madness and kill beyond what was necessary. She would usually strike them down as they arrive, well after they explained themselves of course. Others came for her. She was a unique beast. Surely she would garner them fame or materials to use if they struck her down. She killed them as well. Others left as she gently bade them farewell. Then one human had struck her down. There was no reason to it. They just did it. She never knew why.

No human had ever just wanted to talk to her. None of them had ever said anything nice. Was she that ugly that they would not think twice as to murder her? Perhaps she was. Perhaps she was an abomination. So when Lancer of Red complimented her, she didn't know what to do. A human thought she was beautiful? That she deserved a compliment and talked to her as if they were equals? It was unheard of. There must be something behind his actions, she thought. He might be lying. Yet she didn't sense any lies from him. It made her feel… warm.

Still, this was a Holy Grail War. She had been summoned to fight. Her master, a monster like her, would not let her back down from her mission to kill Ruler. She would carry it out and end her and if need be this other Lancer as well. He fought strange for a lancer as he switched to a sword midway through the battle. Was that part of his Noble Phantasm?

He was fast and skilled. She could tell that much from his fighting style. In fact, he was probably better than most, if not all, knights she had to face when she was alive. Even so, she was greater than him. She was half dragon and half… whatever. She didn't know what made her how she was but the sum of her whole was greater than any human. She was stronger then him and that's all that mattered.

That's when she heard him speaking a chant. The power inside of him was building. Her eyes widened. It was a Noble Phantasm. She was sure of it. She needed to kill him before he uttered the final words to it. Even if she was a strong servant, a powerful Noble Phantasm could kill her. She was not going to lose this war. Not now, especially not this soon.

Yet she couldn't land the killing blow. He kept blocking or dodging her strikes, even as she tried striking at him faster. He was going to cast it. She was-

"Fleur de Lys!"

She could see a large white flower bloom behind him and suddenly she felt weaker. Her body seemed more sluggish and she felt drained. Her next strike, trying to cut him him from head to toe, was far weaker than her last blow. His Noble Phantasm must have cut her power in half or something of the like. She jumped back and glared at him.

"Do not look upon me with that sour expression," Lancer of Red smirked as he held his sword at the ready, "It is unbecoming of such a cute woman."

"I am not cute," Lancer of White growled. Her tail swayed behind her in agitation. Her arms were shaking slightly from holding her heavy weapon, oddly noting that without a part of her strength, it was harder to hold it correctly. "Thine efforts to sway me are for naught as was thou's Noble Phantasm."

Lancer of Red's grin widened, "To lie to you about your beauty would be a disgrace to the very idea of it." He somehow produced a rose from… somewhere and brought it to his face and sniffed it, "A rose is to be admired, never shunned."

Jeanne had put a hand in front of her face, sighing. She loved her country. She really did, but apparently he was a massive flirt. A flamboyant man. She didn't know how to take the very thing she had dedicated her life to to be this way.

In another life, Atalante would pat her on the back and tell her she felt the same way.

Lancer of White's grip on her scythe grew tighter as she glared at the servant before her. How dare he compare her to a rose. A timid flower. How dare he make light of what she had to go through. She was shunned because… she didn't know why. Was it a good reason? No, she shouldn't think about that. It would drive her mad. This man was mocking her. He had to be. She took in a deep breath. She would end him here and be done with this farce. Then she let it out.

Lancer of Red tried to get around it and find an opening, but this time her breath was more like a hurricane. The entire area seemed to swell with icy frigidness as the wind howled. A part of himself knew he should have pressed sooner after his Noble Phantasm was activated, but he knew he had to flirt. That was just his nature.

He tried to look around but inwardly cursed himself. She had turned invisible, like she was before she had struck him. Combined with this mini blizzard and he was out of his element. Lancer of Red knew full well about the dangers of ice and snow. Napoleon's failed campaign taught him that harsh lesson. He needed to focus on his other senses-

He rolled forward as the slight sound of something 'whooshing' through the air could be heard by him. He held up his weapon, which morphed back into a lance for reach. He needed to focus and hone his-

He heard another whoosh and leapt to the side. However, this time the scythe cut into his left side, sending him tumbling. He held a hand against it for a moment before putting it back on his weapon. It wasn't that deep. He'd survive. He could still fight well enough.

He thought he saw something move in the snow. He wasn't sure but he had to take a chance. So he jumped forward and thrust out his lance. It hit nothing. He snarled and slashed to the side where he thought he heard something else. He hit nothing again. He would need to be more careful as-

He let out a shout of pain as Lancer of White sliced right up his back. He was thrown to the ground by the strike. His back bleeding profusely from the powerful blow. He couldn't give up now. He rolled and watched as the scythe slammed into the ground. She materialized and glared at him. Raising her scythe again, she quickly turned and struck downwards again. He raised his lance and blocked it, gritting his teeth. He was thankful he was a country and had used his noble phantasm on her. A creature like her would surely be able to overpower a normal human servant. He just needed to think of a way to get out of this. How?

Luckily for him, he didn't have to think of anything. Another servant came leaping through the blizzard and slashed at Lancer of White with her sword. Lancer of White was quick as she spun around and blocked the blow. Still under the effects of his Noble Phantasm, the servant of the lance was pushed backwards.

Lancer of Red shakily stood up as he watched the two combatants have at it. Lancer of White still had enough speed and ferocity to keep this new strange, black clothed woman at bay but this new servant was quick. As she dodged one blow of the Lancer's scythe, she slashed her sword upwards and caught the back of Lancer of White's hand. The half dragon servant gave a small, sharp bark of pain before jumping backwards.

In all honesty, he hoped they would continue fighting. That wasn't just because this new servant had a lot of goods that shook just right as she moved. Not at all~

"Lancer of Red!" Ruler shouted as she ran to his side. He idly noticed how the blizzard was dissolving away. "Are you alright?"

"Tis but a scratch," he smiled to ease her worry, "I'll be fine in no time." He chuckled, "Isn't this something? Twice so far I've been at the mercy of another servant. I need to step up my game if I'm to do France justice."

Lancer of White blocked another blow from the new servant, "Who art thou?"

"I am Saber of Black," the servant replied. Lancer of White noted how her eyes were covered by a black blindfold. Yet the servant could see her just fine. "I was sent here to meet with Ruler and in doing so, I shall protect her from the likes of you."

"Thou art a noble servant," Lancer of White turned slightly as she felt her master calling her back, "This is where we shall end our battle. The sun rises and no servant shall fight in its light. Till next time, Saber of Black. As well as you, Lancer of Red." With that, she vanished.

Saber of Black turned back towards the other two servants and walked forward. She stopped before Ruler, who had Lancer of Red's arm around her shoulders as she kept him up and steady. She bowed, leaning forwards with her front half, "I am grateful you are alright, Ruler."

Ruler smiled at her, "And I am thankful you came to our rescue, Saber of Black."

"As am I," Lancer of Red gave her his most charming smile, "I look forward to working with you closely in the-ow!"

Ruler had patted his wound as she huffed, looking away. "Forgive him. He's a bit delirious from the blood loss."

The servant of the sword frowned as she stared at Lancer, "Shall I fight him as well?"

"That is not necessary," Ruler shook her head before turning to see a car stop near them.

A portly man huffed as he got out of the car, "Saber, next time don't jump out of the car so quickly. I need time to change seats you know."

"I am sorry, master." Saber of Black apologized.

"As long as you remember that," he huffed before coming up to Ruler, 'I am Gordes Musik Yggdmillennia of the Black faction. I am happy you are alright, Ruler."

"Saber of Black's arrival was quite fortuitous," Ruler smiled, "I can't thank you enough for coming out to meet me and saving our lives."

Gordes narrowed his eyes at Lancer, "And who is this?"

"This is Lancer of Red," Ruler said, "He helped save me from Lancer of White."

Gordes blinked at that, "It would seem things are getting harder to deal with. No matter. The Black Faction will ensure your safety. So come along-"

"That is not necessary," Ruler stated firmly. "I am to be impartial. That means I cannot stay at your base."

Gordes frowned, "But you have an entire faction after you and how long will the Reds stay on your side as well? No, I insist you come with me to safety."

Ruler shook her head, "I cannot. I must remain a neutral party."

Gordes sighed and rubbed his face, "Very well, but the Black faction will always be there when you need us." He turned back to the car, "Come along, Saber."

"As you wish, master." Saber followed.

The pair watched them leave before Lancer turned to smile at her, "Now we are alone~"

Ruler blushed slightly, "And nothing immoral shall happen, my dear France."

Lancer laughed, "That same fire. Oh how I missed it. That is why I shall come with you."

Ruler frowned, "As I told them, I am-"

"Then I shall cut ties with the Red faction," Lancer stated without hesitation, "I shall go where you go."

Ruler felt her heart skip a beat, "But-"

"I lost you once," Lancer scowled as though he hated himself, "I didn't do enough to keep you safe. This time? This time I will."

Ruler felt rather moved by her country's declaration, "I will never doubt my country."

Sorry about the wait. This was supposed to be finished a few days ago, but I lost a bit of drive to continue. hopefully this bit was worth the wait and we're coming closer to some bigger events in this story. I can't wait to read your feedback so please comment below.