Chapter 26
Shirou was on the ground, bleeding from the cursed wound lancer gave from a surprise attack...
He came here to find an answer from Kirei but he was nowhere to be seen in the main hall. Shirou then headed for his private office in the back but then heard voices...A familiar voice coming from the stairwell to the lower level.
Against all the warning bells in his head telling him to go away and run. But something was clawing at him he went down there. "There are no dead bodies down here." Repeated over and over as he went down the stairs. What he found was an underground chapel with one doorway in the back. He then walked to the doorway and wished he had not. The crypt was filled with bodies, Not dead or alive. But half-alive wishing for the sweet release of death. What horrified Shirou the most is that he understood who those voices were…
The other surviving orphans from that day…
"Hello Emiya Shirou, I am glad you arrived."
That is what happened and now Shirou was on the ground paralyzed from Gae Bolg's curse. He was then left in the room with all the bodies and voices calling out to him to help them.
"You know I hate you right?" Lancer said to Kirei.
"I never expected you to. I needed someone to get the job done, that was it." The priest didn't care about lancers wishes
"Forcing me to kill a woman while her man was distracted is a sickening way to get him out of the war.." Lancer glared at his master. Attacking a woman without warning is against his morals, even for a servant he would rather have an honourable fight over the assassination.
"I had to get him out of the way, Killing him would result in more headache's and variables."
"I..can't...I can't" Shirou try with all his might to block out the voices as he felt like he would go crazy. He then senses someone enters the church and run through the building and hoped it was his allies.
Saber ran down the stairs into the lower chapel and found lancer standing in the doorway at the back of the room.
"Lancer!" She then looked behind him and saw Shirou face down on the ground. Saber didn't even bother talking to Lancer and charge at him with her blade. "LANCER!" She yelled and clashed her blade against his spear. They both retreat to a distance and Saber gets another look. Shirou wasn't moving at all but knew he had to still be alive.
"Heh, You know that this is the second time I skewered that kid through the chest eh? I added a little something extra to make sure he doesn't come back." lancer smiles viscously hoping for an actual fight against Saber
"And I know that kid doesn't have any tricks up his sleeve that would get him out of the curse." Lancer referring to Ben
"You Fiend! First, you kill in Caster such dishonourable manner and now you used your spear on a weaker foe. Is there no end to the madness you hound!" Saber yelled in anger ready to attack again.
"Saber, I suggest you sheath your blade," Kirei called out from the crypt behind lancer Draggin Shirou from his hair. The stone-cold persona of a man then throws him in front of himself in a sign of trust.
"If you come to retrieve this man, I will hand him over to you." Saber lowered her blade slightly but still did not trust the man.
"My role here is to determine who is the owner of the Holy Grail." Saber gasped as she remembered that the war should be over now and grail can be claimed. But then she remembers her conversation with Rin discussing how the extra servant may not have counted towards the completion of the grail.
"So you're saying that it's done and the grail is complete?" Lancer asked.
"Even with the death of seven servants, I sense that the grail is still in an incomplete stated. No matter, I can still give it to a master who still has a servant." He then kneels to Shirou and pulls his head up by his hair.
"But first, I would like to hear what you have to say, boy. On that day ten years ago, You honestly felt no hatred? " Kirei said referencing the day of fire from long ago...the cause of so many deaths and forever scarring Shirou's memory.
Shirou grunted in pain and opened his eyes
"Ten years ago?" Shirou looked up at the ceiling and shaw the ghosts of the past...All of them crying for someone to save them
"Please...Give it back...Help.." They cried in pain but Shirou resisted. 'Stop it, It's too late for you, Stop it!'
Flashbacks of the fire replayed in Shirou's mind, a young boy walking in the flames. Ignoring the cries of other burning alive wanting to be saved. But Shirou was only interested in saving himself and push forward. After what he had done Shirou knew he had to live on, Only one person got his wish granted and everyone else died. That was why he was obsessed in following his father's footsteps in becoming a hero. Now he met one that saved countless lives before proving that Shirou path was possible. If Shirou didn't stop pushing forward with his head held high. He never can face the people that died.
"If it was possible to undo the events of the past. If you could do it all over again. Would you desire the holy grail?" Kirei pause for a moment to let the temptation sink in.
"Come, Answer me. If that is what you want, I will give you the holy grail." Everyone waited to see what would Shirou do. Will he take the Grail and try and undo the pain of hundreds of lives all those years ago?
"I don't need it," Shirou said and Saber widened her eyes in confusion. Why didn't accept it? She knows of the pain he went through that day...the fire...the cries of pain and suffering...Why didn't he accept it?
"Even If I could change the past...It would be wrong to take away the tears and the memories of the cruel reality that stabbed our hearts. All the deaths, Sadness and pain...People have endured and overcome those over the years. Embracing it and moving on, isn't that the only way to leave behind what you lost?"
Shirou looked forward at Saber his words speaking right to her very soul.
"I believe this path is the right one." He said with steel in his voice.
Kirei then put Shirou's head down. "I see, So you.."
"I don't need the grail, nor will I ever accept it. Too many friends died for me to just take it and forget. I will stay on this path and stay true to who I am!" Shirou rejected the grail and stood with his re-forged beliefs.
Kirei says nothing and brings Shirou to his feet and pushes him to Saber. He lumbers around as he had to strength to keep his balance. He could barely even see where he was going but managed to land in Saber's grasps.
"What about you Saber? Surely you won't be as egotistical as Shirou. Kill him and I will give you the grail."
"I.," Saber remembers the talk with Caster and Paradox. She wanted to redo the selection of the king for her people as she felt it was unworthy of her to lead. She then remembered Tamamo's words.
"Camelot didn't fall because you were unworthy, it was because you couldn't understand the hearts of the people around you!"
Those were the last words she would ever hear from her friend and like before lost her due to her sealing off her emotions. What could she do now? What did she want? It was all spinning in her head.
"I believe this path is the right one," Shirou whispered and it made it clear for her. She did not have any regrets at all in truth. Saber led her kingdom to her fullest potential, doing her very best for her people. If she can be proud of accomplishments then, Saber should not change it now.
Saber finally looked deep in her heart for the one she truly wanted.
"I will protect Shirou no matter what! If the grail is something that would taint me then, I shall reject it." Saber wraps her arms around Shirou tightly.
"Do you not see, Scoundrel? Shirou is more than what I want from the grail."
Saber grabs Shirou's hand with her free one and grips tightly "Shirou, Hold my hand." Shirou tightened his grip and then felt energy enter his body and his strength returned to his body. Shirou stood himself up on his own.
"My strength is back? Saber, What just happened?"
"Nothing can affect you as you are now, Not even Gae-Bolg curse.
"The two of you are tiresome. The two of you will die here!" Kirei then snapped his fingers and the one enemy both Shirou and Saber did not want to see came down the stairs.
Gigamesh.
"Allow me to introduce the epic hero that was my partner in the last holy grail war"
"Dammit, not this guy again!" Shirou said with frustration as things just got really difficult and he knew that he wasn't ready to take him on again. Gilgamesh then jumped down from the steps and onto the floor.
"So we are going to end this right here? Along with this nuisance underfoot?" Gilgamesh referring to the Lancer-class servant.
"Hold on! This guy is your servant? How the hell did he last without a grail?" Lancer was now questioning Kirei's motives and how the heck did he never notices this guy before?
"When the last holy grail war end we entered a partnership where I would give him the required sustenance for him to stay here in this world." Lancer looked back to the crypt full of half-alive bodies.
"Sustenance? that's what that disgusting room is for?" Lancer began to get angry with his master.
"Why didn't you tell me any of this?" He glared at his master demanding answers.
"If I had, would you fought alongside him?" Kieri asked and Lancer was quick to answer.
"I'd kill myself then" He looked away in disgust while Shirou and Saber slowly tried to get to the steps While Kieri explained his actions to Lancer.
"This is a repeat of ten years ago, isn't Saber?" Kieri returning his focus on the retreating party.
"On that day I was defeated by Kiritsugu. I was unable to witness the final scene and cornered." he raises his and in an open palm.
"Then in my last moments I touched the grail when it appeared." he then closed his fist.
"To think that would be the result of my wish."
Shirou eyes lit up in anger and rage, The man in front of him was the one that caused that fire. "You used that power... All those lives lost because of you!?" Shirou yelled in rage.
"I merely wished for everyone in the area to go away and it resulted in that flame. But regardless of my contact, It would've done the same on its own." Kirei then proceeded to the steps out of the undercroft.
"Preposterous! The grail is a miracle that grants wish to those worthy!" Saber detested.
"How then does it go by granting those wishes? The Holy Grail is an effectively powerful weapon. It's pure unadulterated power to grant wishes...Through destruction…"
Both Shirou and Saber step away from the approaching priest.
"You mean the grail I was seeking the entire time is…" Saber could not believe what he said.
"A cursed chalice that would unleash all the world's evil that dwells within it." He then walked up the stairs calmly leaving the servants and young boy.
"Gilgamesh, Lancer! Dispose of the trash!" he orders and both enemy servants prepare attack...
"Trash? Zey are more like treasures to me! " A German voice calls out and a green portal opened up beside Saber and a large brass looking robot with a clear view of its green gears in its torso. The robot turned to wind up key like head to Shirou and Saber.
"I hope I am not too late to ze butt-kicking. Oh and zis one is Clockwork" Ben said with his usual confidence in battle.
"Ben! You're here!" Shirou gladly called out to his friend.
"Humpf! Looks like Kirei's plan didn't last long and the Alien returns. No matter you will die here all the same!" Gilgamesh then opened up his gate of Babylon ready to bombard them all only to have lancer jump between him and Saber's party.
"Hey, Your target is the half breed and the Alien."
"I changed my mind, I want no part in this!" Lancer stated his betrayal to Kotomine.
"What are you dong Lancer?" Saber asked.
"Hey don't take this as me siding with you or anything. After all the shit I done this is what I should do to repay." Lancer looked back to Ben.
"Ben, Get them out of here! I'll hold him off!" Ben just stared at him as his hatred for lancer was still fresh. "Come on get going!"
"Alright! Let's go you two." Clockwork then grabs his friends and warps out into a portal.
"So the mad dog has a heart...No matter, one of us was going to let them go," Gilgamesh said unfazed by their targets escape.
"So you wanted them to escape?" Lancer then took a stance ready to fight.
"I wish to make her my wife and I can't do that with that Kitsune spirit is roaming around in complete defiance of the Grail. So, one more servant has to die for the Grail to be complete."
Lancer let a small smile crack. 'Impressive, you got a lucky one there Ben'. He said in his head.
"Well, Let get this over with!" Lancer the dashed at Gilgamesh with no regrets.
Graveyard near the church
Clockwork warped his friend to a safe area for Saber aid Shirou's wound and powered down to let his watch recharge.
"Hold still Shirou, this may sting a bit." Saber then pushed her hand into the wound. A light shimmered from her hand as Saber poured unknown energy into Shirou's body. After a minute she let go revealing his wound had fully closed.
"There I refilled the scabbard inside you. You should be fully healed soon."
Ben raised an eyebrow in confusion "Scabbard? What's that doing inside him?"
"What you mean Excalibur's Scabbard?" Shirou asked and Saber nodded.
"Yes, the one I lost long ago. That very Scabbard is inside you and is the source of your extreme healing." Saber explained and it all made sense to Ben now. It was because of her Shirou was able to heal inhumanly and when Saber wasn't around it would stop.
"I see if I recall that Scabbard prevented you from falling in battle. Right?"
"Correct and I believe it's the same thing that allowed Shirou to summon me." Due to him being a novice a catalyst was needed for him to call upon a servant." Saber confirmed how Shirou summoned her the first place.
'Wait if that's the case for Shirou then how the heck did I summon Tamamo?' Ben questioned in his head.
"But how did that get inside me in the first place?" Shirou was still confused how in the world a noble phantasm got inside him? Shirou then got up with the help of the other's and walked with an arm around Saber for support.
"If anything it was most likely Kiritsugu who put it there. He must've found it and instead of returning it to me. He used to heal himself during his time as my master." With that discovery, Shirou felt slight guilt for using something important to Saber without her knowledge.
"I'm sorry Saber, I Shouldn't be using your scabbard this way."
"Don't be, it made me happy to learn of this, Shirou. I have never was able to save anything but I did save your life." Saber let a very happy smile grow on her face
"We have each others backs, Saber" Shirou smiled as they walked to the waterfront
Ben remained quiet not wanting to interrupt their moment together.
'I said it once and I would say it again, they are a great team.' Ben thought.
The pair looked out into the water as Shirou was able to walk on his own again.
"Thank you, Shirou, I now know what path I want to take. I want to be by your side I only wish Tamamo was here to see my breakthrough." Saber turned to Ben.
"Ben I am sorry, Deeply Sorry. You and she helped us and most importantly, she was my friend." Ben smiled
"Well, then I accept" Ben words surprised Saber.
"I do not know if I will ever get past what happened but there are bigger things to worry about right now. It's was hard seeing her like that after I promised to protect her. But... Call me crazy" he places his hand over his heart.
"I still feel her."
He said with no hint of anger at all and offered a handshake, which she accepted.
"Ok, now we got that out of the way…Do we have a grail to smash?" Ben overheard the truth as Clockwork when he's waiting for the right moment to rescue them.
"Yes, we can't let such a disaster happen again. My sword destroyed it before and now I have no complaints doing it again" Shirou nodded in agreement.
"Once we get back to my place we can rest up then find where Kirei went" A low growl came from Ben's stomach.
"Heh, Can we get some grub first? All this action is making me hungry." Ben said and everyone started laughing. Shirou and Ben began walking but Saber stopped in her tracks. She senses a presence, not evil but friendly. Saber looked towards the bridge down the river and focused her vision. Saber gasped as she saw the translucent image of a spirit looking back at her, smiling. the spirit did the hush motion with her finger and in with a blink, she was gone.
"Saber? Are you coming? I'm Starving over here!" Ben Called out.
"Sorry!" She then ran over with a smile on her face.
It was dark out as Ben, Shirou and Saber walked home, All discussing on how they are going to take down the grail.
"So where is the Grail going to be?" Ben asked
"The grail needs to be on a leyline and there are many spots in the city to summon, The old town hall was the spot used in the last war." Saber recollected from her memories. All of walked home in the dark planning their next move as it would be the last chance.
"I can go Chromastone again to see if I can sense any huge sources of mana." Ben offered.
"That will take to long. We needed to find them ASAP to prevent that disaster happening" Shirou said.
Ben sighed as again magic was still not his strong suit.
' if only she was aro-' Ben shook his head remembering Tamamos words. Lives are on the line and he needed to be a hero now more than ever.
"Huh? The doors open?" Shirou stopped walking as he saw the front door to his how opened a light from inside shining out. Ben instincts kicked in as it looked like someone unwanted was in the house.
"Come on!" He then ran in ready to go hero in a moment's notice with Shirou and Saber right behind him.
"Tohsaka! Sakura! Illya!" Shirou called but got nothing He then ran into the living and was horrified.
"Rin!" He yelled her first name as he saw her in the corner of the room with shattered plates and table upside down.
"Saber go get a bowl and towel! Ben get the first aid kit from the cabinet over there!" Shirou then kneeled to Rin as she opened her eyes.
"Hey, your b-back...I was about to fall asleep here." Rin said in a pained voice. She looked over to Ben and saw him unpacking the first aid kit. "No need for t-that, I patched myself up already.." Ben stopped what he was doing as he knew rin doesn't lie in situations like this. "Who did this?" Ben asked but already knew the answer.
"Kotomine..he had me fooled..got me with my guard down.."
Footsteps came rushing to the living room door.
"Rin, Nee-san!" Sakura cried coming into the room. Sakura was told to run when Kirei attacked so she hid in the bathroom and was found by Saber.
"Please tell me you're going to be okay! Please!" Sakura begged with tears.
"Relax Sakura...I am fine!" Rin gave a weak thumbs up as Saber Came in with a towel and a bowl full of water to clean rin up. Sakura took the items and began to wipe the blood off of Rins face.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't protect Illya.." Both Shirou and Ben eyes went to anger and worry.
"Was it Kotomine?" Ben asked. "Ah, So you already..know. Yes, it was" Rin felt her strength fade as her body demanded rest.
"I don't have much time before I fall asleep again. So listen up!" Rin getting the full attention of the remain three combatants. "His objective is Illya, He is most likely going to use her as a vessel."
Ben eyes went dark as it sounded more like a sacrifice for the grail.
"Use her as a vessel?" Shirou asked.
"Well..more precisely he'll use her heart. You see us magi have magic circuits inside us as we are human. But Illya is a homunculus, living magic circuits are given human form."
"So because of her mana supply, he will use her as a human sacrifice to bring the Grail to this world" Ben conclude and Rin nodded.
"Yes, have anyone told you that you listen well?" Rin complimented but she needed to finish this up and took a deep breath.
"Ben, Judging from that look you want to fight Kieri." Rin could see the rage building up on Ben's face.
"Yes, he needs to pay for what he has done. To the city, Shirou and Tamamo." Rin smiled and reached behind her to pull out a dagger.
"In that case..I will give you this…" Sakura's eyes widened as she knew the importance of the blade
"Ah, A Azoth Dagger!" Saber knew of such weapons for their use of being a close-quarters weapon and a full staff. "
It's a ceremonial dagger that magic receives when they become full-fledged. Heh, your cousin maybe is already qualified to get one.".
Ben reached out and carefully took the dagger and examined it. The blade was a light violet with a purple braided handle with a red gem on the pommel.
"It's weak compared to my gems but I kept it charged with mana whenever I got the urged to"
"It will activate with the word "Labt" after that flood it with all your mana. I understand you against killing but Kirei is not going to give you the same moral." Ben nods and stashed the dagger in his belt." Rin then looks over to Saber and Shirou.
"You two I guess are going to face his servant." Shirou nods.
"Well then, As your teacher I will give you one more piece of advice."
"Shirou, With the little training you had your skill has jumped from being a mere novice as your mana levels have quadrupled. But you still need to figure out how to fully call upon it. From what I can tell you have something inside you that can make it easier to use your projections...Focus on THAT!" Shirou knew she was talking about, Archer's reality marble...
HIS reality marble.
"Now then, they will most likely be at the Temple. It the best spot in the city to summon the grail." Rin felt her body remained sleep even more. "Now is that everything you needed? I feel sleepy…"
"Sure, go ahead and sleep. I will wake you up in the morning and then make you breakfast so big you'll burst!" Shirou said with a smile. Rin laughed but then grew serious. "One last thing, This is not a warning...it's an order." everyone looked at Rin.
"Shirou, Ben if you are going to do this...Win and comeback. If I wake up and the two of you are dead. I will never forgive you. Got it!" She then instantly fell asleep leaving the rest to Ben, Shirou and Saber.
Moments later.
Ben was sitting outside of the shed while Shirou helped Saber get her scabbard back. Ben himself was munching on some snacks as the hunger was unbearable at the moment. 'We have to win this, we have to! If we don't..'
"Grant our wish…"
Ben shook his head and grabbed another wrapped Snack cake. He tried to unwrap it but noticed a problem, his hands where shaking too much. He dropped the snack to look at his shaking hands He wonders why he was scared to face Kieri. He faced the highbreed invasion, fought Ultimate Aggregor and beat Vilgax more times than he can count on his fingers. But this, This threat of All The World's Evils. If those monsters in his nightmares were connected to all this then that is what sitting inside of the Holy Grail...
And that is what scared him…Ben tried to stop his shaking but he couldn't.
"I will be your light" A voice whispers and a warm gust of wind blew around Ben like it was hugging him. He opened his hands to the wind and it blew around his fingers with loving warmth...A feeling he knew very well.
His hands stopped shaking and smiled. "Thanks, Tamamo," Ben whispered and continued eating.
Stairs to the temple.
The two master and servant stood at the base of the steps to the temple. "You know, for a temple built for peaceful worship. It had a lot of action happening here." Ben joked getting a small laugh out of Shirou and Saber. "Yes, it's very ironic." Saber said.
"The mana density is tense here, just like it was ten years ago." She said remembering the fourth grail war.
"Which means the grail is being summoned to it's already over" Shirou added and They began to climb these steps to the temple. As the drew closer red aura in the sky glowed brighter, Staining the area with a red glow. Shirou looked at Saber whos was taking the lead. He knew that this was the final battle but a part of him was sad.
Because this would be the last time he would be with the girl he loves. "Saber." Shirou said without thinking and she turns around.
"Yes, Shirou?" Saber asks. Shirou couldn't say anything but his heart cried for Saber. To Shirou's surprise, she walked back to his side and grabbed his hand with her metal gauntlet.
"Let go." She smiled with her determination. Both then walked together smiling…
"Oh god! Hand holding! How lewd!" Ben yelled and they all burst out laughing. They were going to save the world and nothing will stop them.
The walk up to the temple ground entrance and as expected, Gilgamesh was waiting for them still in his street outfit.
"I grew tired of waiting for you, Saber. " Saber readies her blade but Shirou steps forward.
"Your timing is impeccable, The portal for the grail has opened and soon the substance that binds us to this word spill out. It is was kept me here since ten years ago." Gilgamesh.
"Now, What is your plan of attack? You three against me? Or will it be a clash between us servants or…" Gilgamesh looks over to Ben.
"I dunno If I want to fight you," Ben said with no fear.
"Really? Humpf why not?" Gilgamesh raises an eyebrow.
"Well you have your goals set on my friends here and to be honest, I don't have a reason to fight you," Ben said trying to play off the kings ego.
"You are right, Alien, I never had any quarrel with you I only was only interested in your title protector of earth. Only I shall bestow such titles." Shirou looked on amazed that Ben was having a normal conversation with the enemy. He then quickly realized ben was buying him time to make a plan. 'It's going to hurt like hell..' Images of all the swords he saw began to form a list in his head.
'I need to fight him.'
"Trust me that title is old news. I prefer to stay as Ben Ten, Sounds more like me don't you think" Ben asked and Gilgamesh laughed. "Hahaha! Finally, a mongrel who can humour me!" He then stops and looks at Ben. "Very well, I will let you pass to Kirei since you have some business with him." Gilgamesh then steps to the side.
"He is at the lake."
Ben looks back to his team. "You two ready?"
Shirou looks at his hands and takes a breath. "Yes, Gilgamesh is the one I must defeat him along with Saber." Saber nods in agreement.
"What about you Ben? Are you ready to take down Kotomine?" Saber asked. Ben paused for a moment recall that dreadful night.
"I am going to stop him, for what he has done to the city...And what he has done to her." Saber nods.
"Fight well, Ben." Saber nods. Ben smiles and walks across the courtyard, Past Gilgamesh and enters the building.
"Now, Saber I will give you-" Shirou takes another step in defiance.
"Boy, do you have a deathwish?" Gilgamesh stares down Shirou.
"No."
"You know what will happen, have our last fight taught you anything or are you just a brainless mongrel?" He laughs while Shirou keeps his steel.
"No, I will fight you and that is my choice."
"You think you can play the hero? Hah, you are a mere child!" Gilgamesh laughs at Shirou will fight him.
"I am not playing around because I know I will be one who will come out on top !" Shirou projects his Yin-yang blades swords.
"For once in my life the path is clear, I will control my fate and be a hero. Nothing will stop me! Not even you...King of heroes"
Gilgamesh snaps his fingers and four golden portals open. "Fine then, let see where your fate lands you."
Temple lake
Ben walks towards the lake, the blood-red aura getting thicker as he got closer to the source. He then stopped a frightening sight, there was a huge black orb that was leaking black tar into the lake and hanging from the bottom of the orb was Illya. clothes were tattered but she seemed unharmed for now.
Ben knew he reached the source...The Holy grail, and standing right in front of it was Kotomine, The man who is willing to unleash the cursed contents out on this world.
"You are not who I expected to be standing there," Kieri called out and turns to face Ben who glares back at him with fury. "I will admit I didn't expect you to return to the fight after the loss of Caster." Ben wanted to go way big and crush the guy but Ilya was being held, hostage.
"Let Illya go, now!" he demanded.
"I am afraid I can't do that. The Holy Grail has appeared but he portal has yet to even stabilize" Kieri then gestures to Ilya:
"As the contact point, she must endure the process as long there is life within her or my wish will not be fulfilled" Ben could not understand what would bring a man to bring the end of the world as a wish.
"Why? Are you Mad? That all the world's evils you're talking about!" Kirei raises an eyebrow in curiosity as he could sense a slight tinge of fear in Ben.
"If had to say, it would be for pleasure."
"What?" Ben Clenched his teeth in disgust, what kind of man seeks pleasure from this?
"All forms of pleasures produced by humans is derivate. It is nothing but impurity, something to be despised. The only time humanity ever shine was the moment of death. The whole life struggle only to justify the end that every human face. That is what I seek."
Kieri then let a small sickening smile creep on his face.
"Most of humanity tend to kill to justify their selfish acts as death brings meaning to their goals...You very hypocritical yourself" Ben grew angrier the longer Kirei spoke
"You say you are the protector of the earth, willing to save all of humanity and withheld all your hatred for those do evil deeds. But what happens when the very people you swore to protect kill innocents by there own free will."
"Shut up."
"Tamamo no Mae is an example of humanity at its finest. Bringing her death was the goal of the many soldiers she killed but they wouldn't stop until she died."
"SHUT UP!" he yelled as Ben's beliefs were being put to the test, He would not believe it was fruitless to save people.
"Humanity is constantly seeking death. So, I shall give them it in the form of Avenger."
"Avenger?" Ben felt a break in Kirei taunts looked back to the orb. "A servant locked within the grail, tainting it with sins" the Priest goes to grab a handful of the tar. "I will release it and let it's birth finally happen." Kirei's eyes looked back to Ben.
"She has some time before the Avenger consumes her, better act fast boy."
"Don't need to tell me twice!" Ben slammed down on the ultimatrix and charcoal began to cover his body and glow red. "HEATBLAST!" The pyronite yelled.
"Sorry Kirei, Avenger is going to have to cancel his travel plans as I am going to burn his one-way ticket out!" Heatblast then fired two fireballs at his feet and launched him towards Kirei.
Temple courtyard.
The sound of clashing blades echoed as Shirou kept on countering Gilgamesh with his projections. Every time Gilgamesh spawned a new blade Shirou would project it but Shirou could only do so much even with the enhanced skill he picked up over the past weeks. "Come on Faker, is that all you have?"
Shirou felt his circuits burn from overuse and his arms bleeding from the pain of deflecting with his swords. Gilgamesh the readies a massive barrage of weapons that to him would give him the win. "Worthless waste of effort." He then fires at Shirou and a huge explosion hit Shirou.
"Shirou!" Saber yelled She let Shirou fight on his own because he wanted to call her to strike at the right moment. She looked on into the smoke and saw a purple glow.
"Rio Aias!" Shirou said projecting a purple energy shield that absorbed most of the damage. He only took minor injuries along with his tattered clothes judging from Sabers point of view. "A shield? Is that all you have left? You put all this pathetic effort into creating swords that barely match the Gate of Babylon and you still not call for Saber? This is insulting for a treasure like her!" He laughs.
"You think you have me figured out but your wrong!" Shirou dispels the shield and lights up the circuits in his body. Saber herself felt the transplanted circuits respond to Shirou.
"I thought all this time I was pulling images from my mind but I was wrong. The process is different for me." A blue light appeared in his hand as he finally has an understanding of the magic that is granted to him.
"There's only one thing I can do.." Sparks of mana begin to shoot of Shirou as he calls upon the power within him.
"And that's is to give form to what's in my mind!" He then rips off his tatter jacket and begins the incantation to awaken the world inside his mind.
"I am the bone of my sword!"
"Steel is my body and fires is my blood"
Gilgamesh fires another barrage but Saber steps in front letting her armour protect Shirou.
"I have created over a thousand blades, unaware of loss. nor Aware of gain"
Saber creates a whirlwind with Excalibur that forces the gold servant blades to fall off-target/
"Withstood pain to create many weapons, waiting for one's arrival."
Shirou circuits went into overdrive, sparking and lighting up with mana.
"I have no regrets, for this is my path"
"My whole life...was UNLIMITED BLADE WORKS!"
The entire area was engulfed in bright blue light and the three were transported to a flat landscape with swords scattering the ground. Saber and Gilgamesh took a moment to take in the sight.
"Shirou is this..?" She looked at the swords and saw many familiar swords, she looked to Shirou and saw that Caliburn was in his hands again.
"You see, I don't create the swords, I make a world that holds them without number."
"This is the only magic aloud to Shirou Emiya."
Gilgamesh looked around and wasn't impressed at the current vista;
"A reality marble? So what of it? What can you achieve with the wretched mental landscape" three more portals open up ready to fire blades? The reality marble reacted and three of the same blades shot up to form the earth and smashed the portals. Surprising both Saber and Gilgamesh.
"So this was his noble phantasm." Saber whispered thinking about the red-clad Archer that is supposed to be one outcome of Shirou...
"There's nothing to be surprised about, everything here is fake. But it doesn't matter, no law says a fake can't surpass the original. " Shirou stares down Gilgamesh with bravery and confidence that he can beat him.
"You claimed to be the genuine article, Then I will just have to surpass you in every way and take you down. Let's go, King of hero, I hope you brought enough weapons." Shirou readies Caliburn and points it right at him.
"Humpf, Don't get cocky. Mongrel"
"I believe in you Shirou" Saber smiles
Heatblast dodged the mud tendrils that prevented him from moving towards Kirei, every time he burns one down two more grow out form the corruption while Kirie countered all the fireballs he threw with balls of tar...
"What is this stuff?" Heatblast swings his arm horizontally sending out a wave of burning hot embers that cut thru the tentacles but more grew.
'Looks like I am going to have to charge in and blast him.' Normally Gwen would be shouting at him for just charging in headfirst but she wasn't here to complain. Heatblast lit a circle on the ground around him and floated upward on a flying piece of burning earth. Now airborne Heatblast flies at Kirei dodging the tendrils whipping at him and closing the distance.
Kirei didn't move and only grinned,
"Fool" Then all the tendrils formed a net right in front of Heatblast. He didn't have time to react and jumped of the earth he was riding but was caught by a massive tendril and slammed to the ground. He tried to get back up and burn his bindings.
"This won't-GAHH!" Suddenly a huge burning sensation bites his Pryonite skin.
"How!... It's burning me!... As Heatblast?! GAHH!" Heatblast cried in pain from his Bindings. "Tennyson you face curses that can blot out the strongest flames. Your form is powerless as all of you others. Now cease your struggle and drink deep into the waters of your end." more tendrils latched onto Heatblast constricting him and expanding on his body.
"Gah I gotta mmmph!" the tar begins to cover his head. All he could do now was give the man one last glare before the darkness took him…
Minutes go by as the ultimatrix just powered down leaving ben fully defenceless from the curses.
"Gah! Let me go!" Ben struggled as hands pulled him down into the cursed waters that guaranteed death by endless suffering.
"Theft" deep voice calls from the darkness as Ben continued to resists but felt his strength fade with every second passing.
"Rape"
"I need to...Reach the Ultimatrix." Ben tried to free his left arm.
"Murder"
"Who-is Talking to me!"
"War, All of these things are the meaning of humanity. Answer me, Ben Tennyson. Is it worth being the hero when there is still suffering in the world?"
"What are you saying?" Ben didn't believe what the voice was saying. He denied it. The world needed to be saved.
"Death is what humans live for, Death. Death. Death"
The voice repeated as Ben was pulled into the water feeling his soul burn. "Was...it worth it?" Ben said as his life flashes before his eyes.
"All the things I do and people still suffer?"
Vilgax constant wishes for vengeance, Kevin becoming a monster, all the times he messed up against Aggregor. Ben fell into darkness as he questioned every one thing he ever has done.
"Was it all hopeless?"
"What are you talking about?" A voice calls out. "None of it was hopeless!"
Ben looked around and found nothing, "Who...Whos there?"
"Just listen to yourself! Are you going to lay down while the world still needs you! Come, Guardian of earth, you are better than this!" Ben somehow knew this voice but at the same time didn't.
"Think about your Family, Think about your friends." Ben looked around and swears he could see an outline of an armoured figure
"My family.." Memories His parents, Grandpa Max and Gwen lit up the world around him.
"My friends.." Kevin, Cooper, the Plumbers kids and the people he met in Fuyuki appeared in front of him one by one.
"Think about the one you love!"
"The one I love?..." Ben tried to pull together his memories but all of it was turning fuzzy and fragmented as if his whole being was being erased.
"W_en -our in th- d-rk, _ wi_ be your light" the only one message was left of her and even that was fading. "No..I have to try again!"
"When you're in the dark..." Ben said each word pulling the memories back together.
"I will be your light." His eyes lit up as his memories came flooding back and a bright light pierced the shadows revealing a mirror.
"Caster...Tamamo!" he touched the mirror and was engulfed in a bright light"
Ben eyes opened up again in as he pulled himself from the water, he wasn't going down without a fight and right now he needed help. "Tamamo I need you!" Ben called out and a bright light shined from his chest as the eightfold blessing appeared and activated. Ben felt the hands let up and began to shake as his strength returned. Ben freed his left hand but still could not free his right.
"Come on! This won't last long!" Ben wriggled his arm but he curses as they began to pull him back. A voice calls out.
"My love! Take my hand!" Tamamo appeared from the light of the mirror and reached out her hand. Just merely seeing the girl he loves returned gave him renew strength as he pulls against the darkness to take her hand with his left.
"Come one Just a little more!" Tamamo reached as their fingers touched.
"Gotcha!" Ben grabbed her hand a bright Green light engulfed him.
Unlimited blade works
Shirou was facing off against Gilgamesh, His projections against the originals works. To Gilgamesh's surprise and frustration, Shirou projections were stronger than his treasures. Shirou was able to quickly scan and reproduce any weapon that he threw at him thanks to the reality marble. With this Shirou's mana costs is cut in half and he can reinforce his own body to keep up with speed of the fight.
"Amazing" Saber looked from the distance but still on alert waiting for Shirou's call for her to strike.
"Mongrel, How can his blades match mine?" He looks a Shirou with frustration still building inside him
"Don't you get it? Because of your thousand noble phantasms, you are probably ranked as the top heroic spirit. But you are a king, Not a warrior like Saber as you never mastered any of them! Like me with my half baked understanding of the projections, were both incomplete!" Shirou stated the truth, Gilgamesh wasn't a warrior and never really used any other phantasm besides Ea and that brought out the anger within the king of heroes.
"When I am done with you there won't anything left! NOT A SHARD OF YOUR COUNTERFEITING SKULL!" his gate begins to fire off like a machine gun at Shirou. Shirou begins to run and dodge as he closed the distance. What he could not dodge he sent a projection that followed him to counter.
Three swords managed to land close to Gilgamesh and explode around him sending dust everywhere. From the dust came Shirou with The sword from a stone and clashed blade to blade with him.
"Impossible! How am I being pushed back again by you pathetic little faker!" Gilgamesh struggled against the young man's strength.
"If I was fighting any other servant, I'd be no match for them even with this reality marble. Having an infinite number of swords means nothing against an opponent who mastered just one." Shirou took another step forcing Gilgamesh's blade to pull back.
"But against you it's different, My swords are ready and waiting you got!"
"I'm a step ahead of you!" Shirou then shatters Gilgamesh's sword causing him to recoil back and snapping his calm composure like glass and unleashing a wave of anger.
"DAMN YOU! YOU LITTLE BRAT ROT IN HELL!" he yelled slashing at him with different swords but nothing was working as Shirou shattered each new blade he pulled out. Shirou slashed upwards knocking a sword out of Gilgamesh's hands but it shot back him a lot with more barrages from the Gate.
"I can't believe I have to go all out on fraud like you!" The Gate began to open up more as the king's rage increased.
'I can beat him like this but it's only a matter of time before he pulls out Ea. No, I NEED him to do that!' Shirou's blades works continued to dispatch the Gate of Babylon with ease but he felt his mana draining, he needed to act soon. Shirou jumped forward and deflecting all the blade to close the distance again.
'Damn it! I am going to need to use Ea to shut this thing down!' But he was still hesitant as that would prove Shirou right that he was the same as him.
Shirou reinforced his legs giving him a speed boost as he ran with is two blades.
'Saber, get it ready.' Then a dome of portals opened around him and all fired at once. Creating a huge dust cloud but even that wasn't enough as Gilgamesh looked up and saw Shirou using Rho Aias again.
"Saber GO!" Shirou yelled and Saber came from the dust cloud with immense speed.
"ARCHER!" She yelled raising her blade.
"Gah! So now he sends her! Fine! A worthy excuse for this!" He finally pulls out Enuma Elish and begins to charge it knowing that his sword would win against Sabers.
"Enuma, Elish!" He fired at Saber send the destructive red wave at her. Saber stopped and pointed her blade a the incoming wave. Not casting her swords power but something else, She then stopped the red energy by the tip of Excalibur shocking the king of heroes. "Impossible!"
"Take this Archer!" She swung her sword sending the attack right back at him.
Gilgamesh summons his armour to defend himself but still took the full force of the reflected Ea.
"Saber!" Shirou runs up beside her and projects Kanshou and Bakuya.
"Let's do it, together!" Saber nods and her sword begins to glow a bright white light.
"Avalon!" a barrier appeared around them and both charged at Gilgamesh. "Enuma!" Gilgamesh had to try again it was all he had left. Shirou was able to beat him but he wasn't going to let them win!"
"Excalibur!" She yelled as her sword cut right through Ea and slashed his chest. Then a shot of pain from his back as Shirou stabs his swords into him.
"GAHHHH!"
With a flash of light, they returned the temple courtyard. The three just stand there in the now calm air.
"I...guess...some things are treasures because... they are unobtainable...Saber." The King of Heroes' states calmly as his body begins to fade. He reaches and caresses the King of Knights soft cheek. Saber didn't react but allowed it.
"What an abominable woman you are...Defying me until the end, huh?" He then turns around to look at Shirou.
"You there. Make sure you keep her safe...or the next time we meet you won't be so lucky...Faker..."
"Farewell...it was fun..."
He then fades away...knowing that he now has a treasure he can never touch again.
Holy grail summoning ground.
Kirei looked at the orb of tar that trapped Ben and confirmed that he would either go mad from the curse or die to form the pain. Either way, it would not matter, he will have his wish granted.
…
"Huh?" Kieri turned around back to the orb as he heard a noise coming from it. It was cracking...
"How?!" The curse of Avenger should've ended Ben but now it looked like he was fighting back. The orb then cracked more as a green light shot out from it and Kirei had the shield his eyes. Then a massive explosion of green energy shattered the orb revealing a knight with Tamamo no Mae holding on to his arm.
"ULTIMATE STEELGUARD!" Ben yelled in his guardian form. Now hyper-evolved with Heavier armour plates with veins of pulsing green energy that started from his chest plate and spread over his body. Several gemstones decorated the armour and a new cape was blowing in the wind.
"Caster…" Kirei scowled as it seemed that Tamamo no Mae had returned somehow...Proving his one theory.
"You think a little Tar would stop me? Well, think again! As long that I have people who believe in me I will never give up!" Ben then looks down to Tamamo who was smiling
"I guess this proves one thing. You were not summoned by the grail 's choice at all were you?" He asks.
"Well...I had a hunch about my manifestation being different. So I left something behind just in case if I was right." She smiles while winking at her master. Suddenly the ground shakes as creatures of tar crawl out of the lake to protect Kirei.
"Those creatures..." freezes for a brief moment. They looked exactly like the monsters from Ben's nightmares. He shakes his head as he re-forges his courage. This was it...it was now or never.
"Don't worry master...My light shall purify them." She assures him with overflowing confidence.
"That reaction...you have seen this creature before haven't you?" Kieri asks morbidly curious. Why would he know what creatures dwell in the grail? Unless...it was calling to him...? Just what about this hero caused the grail to even reach out to him?
"Would it even matter? I am going to defeat you and free lady Illya!" Steelgaurd then charges into battle with his blade and the creatures charge at him like in the nightmares...But this time he wasn't afraid.
He draws his swords and it ignites in green flames as ethereal armour plates appear on his body giving him even more protection. It was time to face his fear and save the day.
"I shall slay you vile beasts!" He said slicing two in have and bashing the other with his shield shattering the foe. He was ready for them...He will not falter!
The corrupt priest cups more mud in his hands and throws it at the walking suit of armour.
"Not this time!" Tamamo yells throwing her talismans of light burning away the cursed tar. She Smiles realise that her blessings were effective against it.
The ground shakes once more as Ben slays another beast of darkness. A huge mass begins to emerge from the lake causing waves across the calm lake. What appeared was the torso of a humanoid creature but that was all that was recognizable as the rest was just a covered in dark red flesh and a crack of purple light right down the middle.
"By the stars..." said looking at the thing while quickly dodging the sudden strike of its giant fist.
"Tamamo! I request your assistance!"
"On it! my love!" She yells as here mirror spins around rapidly with glowing blue and pink energy as she casts her noble Phantasm.
"Multitudinous evils swarm about this world..."
"My bless sacred mirror shall purify them all."
"I will serve with all I have!"
"Behold, the Blessing of Amaterasu!"
Tamamo jumps up into the air and slams her Mirror to the ground causing the area up to the lake to be covered in her boundary field. The Monster recoils as the blessings scorched its hide but didn't deter it too much
"I am afraid your Blessing isn't strong enough to cut this tide of curses. Shrine Maidan of Amaterasu." Kieri states.
"No, that would be my duty!" declares feeling the surge of energy build up inside his core causing him to glow brighter than ever. Deciding to change tactics, Ben shifts his weapon into a bow and arrow.
"I call upon the power within my core, imbued my weapons with the strength to cut through the darkness!" says as his instincts kicked in allowing him to cast a spell causing his Arrows to glow in white light.
'Why don't I know this stuff as regular Steelguard?' Ben said in his head momentarily but quickly refocuses on the battle. He draws his bow and lets the arrow fly leaving a trail of stardust. It lands its mark right into the shoulder of the beast and then explodes in a golden light. The monster roars in pain as it swings at Ben with its remaining arm. He rolls to the right avoiding the crushing blow that leaves a crater behind as it slowly pulls away. It tries again but takes two more arrows to arm and head followed by another annihilating explosion. The beast can no longer maintain his form melts back into the tar.
Kirei scowls at the suit of armour wondering how in the world Ben was beating him. Even with his transformations, he was still a mortal being bound to the laws of the earth.
"You just don't get it, do you Kotomine Kirei?" Ben said readying his shield for the final charge
"You thought you crush my will to protect other's but it seems you haven't done your homework!" His bow shifts back into a shield with a gemstone in the middle.
"No matter the darkest depths my soul falls. I always find my way back to the light!" He yells powering up his shield with both his own and the blessing of Amaterasu.
"I call upon the power within my core! Use the light of Amaterasu strengthen my guard so I can protect the world I care for!" The shield then absorbs the aura into itself change the grey plates to a kaleidoscope of blue and pink.
"This is the end for you, Kotomine Kirei! " Steelguard then charges forward with his shield held forward. Kirei cups as the ball of tar and throws it at Ben to stop him the bright light flashed from the shield and disintegrated it.
"Not gonna let you taint my master!" Tamamo focuses her noble phantasm on Ben giving the full power of the eightfold blessing. The priest changes tactics and throws his short swords of holy steel at the Guardian. The blades not only bounced off his shield with loud metal clanging but also shattered on impact.
"KIREI!" Steelguard ran at him but he just stood still, shocked at the young man's power and determination.
"This, Can't be the end! I will not allow it!" He readies himself for a brawl.
"It's too late for you, Weakling" A voice similar to kitsune servant whispers in his ears, distracting the priest for a moment.
"What?!"
"RAHH!" Steelguard then moves his shield to reveal a dagger but before Kirei could react, he stabbed the dagger deep into him.
"No this is!" Kirei realized the severity of that dagger and was about to pull it out.
"LABT!" Steelguard yelled sending all his mana into the Azoth Dagger ending Kieri's life as energy ravaged his body from the inside. Kirei gasped for air but the fell backwards into the taint and his body dissolved. Without anyone manning the ritual, the summoning of the grail has halted and let go of Illya who Steelguard caught in his hands. The battle was over but the war was still on if the grail remains.
"It's over," Steelguard said moving Illya to a safe spot away from the grail. He places her to rest under a tree. He looks back to Tamamo "Thank you. Without you, I would be lost. My love" He takes her hand and kneels. "
"I am so glad I that I get to see you again…" Tears fell from his eyes, not of pain but joy. Tamamo had no words, she was just glad to see him happy again...Even it was for a short moment.
"Ben! Tamamo?!" Shirou yelled from the doorway glad to see Ben alive and surprised to see Tamamo alive!
"Caster!" Saber comes from behind Shirou and runs to her friend. She runs to Caster and gives her a huge bear hug out of friendship.
"Oof! Saber please watch your strength you could crush this little fox!" Tamamo laughed as she was glad to see her again.
"I'm sorry Tamamo! You were right! Because of me you..you.." Saber got emotional and Tamamo hugged back
"It's ok, I don't blame you. I am proud of you two!" She said as after her death she was put into a pseudo spirit form and kept watch over them until she could constitute a body once more the two girls separate as Shirou managed to catch up.
"How are you back Caster?" Shirou asked happy to see his friend back. "Well first you can stop calling me Caster, It's Tamamo from now on." She gives a smile to everyone as she no longer is scared of her past anymore.
"Two, well I took a gamble last second by putting my mirror inside Ben similar to your sheath Saber."
"Wait you knew!" Ben said surprised along with the others. "Hehe! I had to wonder how did a novice like Shirou here was able to heal so fast and once Saber fired off her sword I took a guess.." She then walked over the Ben and tapped his chest plate.
"So with the last of my power I put the Blessing inside Ben's man rich body with hopes of it being sustained and keeping me anchored spiritually." Steelguard looks back to that night
"After that night I have pulled myself together slowly as Ben was depressed with my death losing hope. I was worried I was going to return to the throne." Then Anodite guardian stood up.
"Then I found your note, it rekindled my spirit and reminded me not to ever give up hope."
"Once I got enough mana ben called me with a command seal and the rest is history!" Tamamo does a quick twirl showing off. "Alright now, Don't we have a grail to Smash!" She looks at the orb of the grail with disgust. Saber nods and steps forward as only Excalibur can destroy it.
Saber turned around to her master. "Shirou, I can't destroy the grail on my own. I need you to order me with your seals."
This was the end, Then end of the madness that was known as the Holy grail war. No more killing, no more innocent lives being hurt by servants...No more worrying about being attacked.
But this was also the end of seeing the women he loved.
'I want to have her stay.'
'I love Saber.'
'I want to make her happier than anyone else.'
'Want to keep being with her…'
Shirou then felt a metal gauntlet touch his shoulder to find Ben looking at him. "I know it's hard to see them go. I want to spend the rest of my life being a hero with Tamamo. Even now my heartaches knowing seeing her again would be an only small moment of bliss." Steelguard looks back to Tamamo who smiled but held back tears as she knew it was almost time to say goodbye. He wanted to find a way to keep her around but he could never unleash the power of the corrupted grail for his selfish wish as no amount of lives is worth restoring one.
"But this is not the end, Not at all. Once that grail is gone, A new path will open for all of us and somewhere along that road will be the ones we love waiting for us with open arms. Right?" Shirou looked to Tamamo,
"He's right, I believe if you keep the one you love the most in your heart, you will find each other again," Tamamo said agreeing with Ben's words. He then looked to Saber and she nods. "Please Shirou, I want to hear it from your voice.".
'You won't end up like me, I can guarantee you that'
Archer's voice calls out in Shirou's mind proving that he would end up with the future that promise happiness with her. Shirou wipes away the tears and looks at Saber with determination.
"Alright, let's do this Saber. " Saber readies herself and Steeguard returns to Tamamo's side to brace for the force that would most likely come from the grail.
"Saber, Destroy The Holy Grail!" Shirou used his second command seal to bypass the grails own rules and allow Saber to power up her sword.
"Excalibur!" She shouts bring her blade down sending a bright golden light of promise victory at the grail.
The grail reacted violently and a vortex of energy and mana lashed out causing the trees to bend as the wind reach tornado speed.
Then there was silence…only to be interrupted by the sound of the ultimatrix powering down. The two masters and servants get up to look at the sunrise. "Saber?"
"Yes, Shirou?" Saber looked back at Shirou. Her hair running freely in the wind as it vortex caused both girls to lose the ribbons that kept their hair done up
"What's your name?" Shirou wanted to know her true name to keep the memories close at heart. Saber smiled "My true name is Arturia Pendragon.".
"Arturia.." Shirou let that name be forever etched into his memory.
Tamamo looked to Ben as her cherry blossom coloured hair blowing in the wind.
"So this is...goodbye." she ran up to her master and gave him a hug tearing up with every second as Arturia did the same embracing Shirou.
"No, not goodbye." Everyone looked at Ben.
"Goodbye implies we won't be seeing each other again for a long time. I say let's not say goodbye but instead, let's say. Until we meet again."
Everyone agreed.
"Till we meet again," everyone says then leaving a moment of silence as the girls begin to fade away.
"Shirou, I love you." Arturi then planted a kiss on his lips and Tamamo did the same to Ben. With another second the girls faded away leaving the two boys with a beautiful sunrise.
"So what do you want to do now?" Shirou asked Ben who was staring at the sunrise lost in thought.
"How about taking some congratulations you two!"
Ben immediately turned around as he that voice like the back of his hands.
"Grandpa Max!"
"This is your Grandpa?" Shirou asked as he knew him from the stories ben told. "Yup, The one and only." Max walked up to the boys.
"You were watching me this entire time?" Ben asked.
"Not without help!" Azimuth said appearing on Max's shoulder.
"Azimuth!?" Ben was surprised to see him here.
"Ben is that the guy who.."
"Made the Omnitrix? Why yes I am. I am Azimuth." The leader of the Galvin said
"And I am Max Tennyson, No doubt Ben as mentioned me a bunch" Max greeted himself to Shirou.
"Well, I am Emiya Shirou." Shirou bows.
"Ah, you're the boy Kiritsugu adopted." Shirou's eye lit up with questions of how did max know his father.
"He was our contact on the Mage's Association, helped us keep them out of alien affairs on earth." Shirou was amazed to hear that his father worked with the plumbers. "While I questioned his methods, He was a good father to both you and that little one over there."
Max just let a bomb of questions go off in Shirou's head.
"Wait wait, Illya is his daughter?!" Shirou asked.
"Yes his biological daughter, after some incident he was locked out from the Einzberns and they kept him from his daughter."
Shirou looked to Ilya, he still had family whether or not she would accept him. At least he still had some form of family. Shirou the went over to pick her up and take her home.
"So what about you, kiddo? How are you holding up?" Max asked and Ben thought for a moment his heart ached for Tamamo he wanted to spend his life with her.
"I will miss her but I know we'll me again, and when I do I'll give her the biggest hug ever," he said with confidence.
"You are evolving Ben Tennyson. Same with you Shirou Emiya I would dare say you are the only other human I could trust with the Omnitrix." Azimuth complimented.
"This path you both tread along will have more difficult trails ahead but I know the two of you will surpass them."
Shirou then walked over with Ilya piggybacking on his back.
"We better get going," Shirou said as it looked like the three of them needed rest.
"Ben, Would you want to come home? The school is going to give you your credit regardless." Max offered as Ben went through a difficult battle and wondered if he wanted to be with his family.
"Nah, I think I'll stick around. I think it will help to be around the others that went through this war" Ben chose to stay for the rest of the trip.
"But, Can you do one thing for me, grandpa?"
"Alright, What is it?"
"Can you keep this whole thing a secret from the others back home? I just want things to be as they were when I get back." Ben said as it is going to be an emotional couple of weeks dealing with the departure of Tamamo
Max nodded. "I understand But don't keep it a secret forever."
"Well Azimuth, looks like we are done here." Max looked to azimuth and he nodded.
"Alright, Farewell you two. Oh just to give you a heads up Shirou, I will be stopping by in the future to help out with some things." With their farewells, Max and Azimuth teleported away and the boys proceed to take Illya home safely.
"Hey, Ben Nii-chan?" Ilya said wide awake surprising both boys as they walked home tired.
"Wait how long were you awake for?" Shirou asked.
"Just after Arturia bear-hugged Tamamo," Ilya answered with a giggle. "Oh and You can get very poetic as Steelguard by the way"
"Heh I guess it comes with the DNA." everyone laughed as ben wasn't nearly as good with words compared to Steelguard. "Illya?" Shirou needed to ask the important question, About their father.
"Yes, Onii-chan?"
"Do you still hate me for taking Kiritsugu away?" Illya paused and looked the sky remembering the times with her father and the all the years of abandonment. That very reason why she was so angry at Shirou. "No, Not anymore. Well, maybe a little but...After spending time with you and seeing that he was truly gone. I decided to try to accept you like family even if we're not blood-related." She then hugged Shirou
"Besides, it would be dumb to hate my hero." Shirou felt a warmth from her words. The past didn't matter anymore, They were a family and that's all that matter.
"Your gonna have a heck of a time explaining that to Taiga," Ben commented.
"I am going to need Tohsaka's help with that." Both then laugh as they walk home after a hard-fought victory with the hopes they would see the ones they loved sometime in the future. In the distance; unknown to them, Was Paradox and servant Emiya watching them.
"So you have seen the end of this grail war. What do you think of this version of yourself?" Paradox asks as the Red clad servant look's on.
"Alright, I will admit that you were right. Stubborn as he still is, at least he will not become the murderer bound to Alaya " Archer let a small smile creep on his face this Shirou Emiya may become the hero of his newfound goals.
"But I now know the truth," Archer said as he finally understood the whole goal of the professor's meddling. Paradox just looks at him with a straight face that knew the servant has figured him out.
"Ben Tennyson wasn't supposed to receive a servant. Or even be in Fuyuki in the first place." Archer states
"You set this all up" Archer glares and time walker nods.
"Yes, I did pull some strings at his school to make the option available and dealt with the mage's association. But I assure you that I did not do anything with the previous war's. This one was the only war I could make adjustments without causing problems." he states to quell the anger in the servant as he was telling the truth and had nothing to hide from Archer.
"I know the will of the planet has been...disgruntled with my existence and my quest to make timelines have better endings. But know this EMIYA, unlike the will you serve, I take the whole universe into account." Paradox said with experience of eternities in the time streams. EMIYA sensed no lie but then again he could barely understand what the professor was doing most of the time.
"So how did you manage to get the grail to summon a servant and pick the one you wanted for him?" Archer asked wanting to know what mysteries did the man envoke to influence the Grail.
"That would be a question for the man on the moon. I would take you there but it would appear you are out of time." Paradox gestured to Archer's feet showing that he began to fade away. Archer was able to stick around thanks to Paradox and the Independent action skill that allows him to hold his manifestation without a master for a bit. But it would look like he without the grail he would soon return to his work as a Counter Guardian. He looks up to the early morning sky and sees the full moon over the horizon.
"To think THAT also exists here..."
"I have things under control for now Archer. I will keep your current spirit origin along with the others when the time comes the servants of this war are needed." Professor Paradox states his promise to keep watch over the others until the time comes once more he would be needed.
"The war is not over is it?" Archer asks as half of his body was faded away.
"No, This was a mere prelude. Farewell Shirou." He said as the servant of the bow fades away with a small smile. This timeline still had a story to tell for both Shirou Emiya and Ben Tennyson but he believed both shall prevail. He then pulls out a gumball from his pocket and pops it into his mouth.
"But I could have never predicted that Beast-V would make an appearance...I thought I took the proper precautions."
AN: Well there you have it. It's over and the world is saved from the curse of the grail. But is what is in store for our heroes? Well, something silly and VERY experimental as I am still in the works on the first volume. But for right now I am going to add an epilogue and a mini-arc of a small post-war story focusing on Ben. First will be a small short story of the end of Ultimate alien then lead into a specific episode of Omniverse. Finally, one last moment of Romantic fluff to assure a ending after the next story just in case some readers think my next project is way too nutty.
Thanks for sticking around fellow readers. I will admit I am not the best when it comes to grammar. I do intend to proofread some more to fix up and make it look less like scribble and maybe try to fix some plot holes. OR I quit being a coward and get some help. Whatever the case I hope you guys enjoyed this story and keep an eye out for more stories I make.
See you around in the Mini-arc!
