This is something I wanted to bring up for a while after I conceived this story (with a box of scraps, don't ask). I wanted to show in the final chapter how different the Fifth Holy Grail War turned out, but to do that, I wanted to somehow have Jonathan teach Arturia some life lessons. However, given this story takes place in my Jojo New Universe, and readers of that story know Jonathan will eventually reincarnate into Danganronpa's Rantaro Amami, I wondered how I was gonna get that done. Enjoy my solution. Disclaimer: I don't own Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, the Fate series, Lupin III, Ni No Kuni, or My Hero Academia.
Chapter 36: Saber Dragon and Saber Star
Jonathan found himself in the middle of misty plain. 'Where in God's name am I? That drug really kicks like a mule…' "Failure," came a soft yet curt voice. Jonathan whirled around. "Failure as a human. Failure as a woman. Failure as a false man. Failure as a husband. Failure as a father." Jonathan was struck by the realization that the voices were not directed at him. He was more sure when a female voice screamed out, "Get away from me!" He spotted a young blonde woman in armor wielding a sword striking at a simple butterfly. Concerned, Jonathan approached.
The woman kept swinging her sword blindly, trying to quiet the voices. It was easy for Jonathan to tune them out. They were never meant for him. His reaction kicked in when he saw the woman swing the sword near him, prompting him to pull out the Sword of Luck and Pluck to block the attack, finally getting the woman's attention. Jonathan took one look at her sword and his eyes widened. "Excalibur. The Sword of Promised Victory. That would make you… Arthur Pendragon. The journals I uncovered in the remains of Camelot did make mention of Merlin disguising Uther Pendragon's daughter as a son."
The woman blinked, and stepped back. "My actual name is Arturia. But besides that, yes. I am… Was… The King of Knights, High Ruler of Camelot." She and Jonathan sat down. "So," Arturia said, "You were the one that was chosen as Saber over me. What is your Master like?" "Good-natured," Jonathan noted, "If a little misguided. He had a bizarre plan to rid the world of all evils. I told him, if there is no evil, then what is the use of good? The world exists not in spite of evil, because evil spurns good men to action." "It must be nice to think that way," Arturia said sadly, "Not being burdened by the role of leadership."
Jonathan laughed. "You think just because I am a mere archaeologist that I don't understand leadership? Leaders come in all shapes and sizes. For me my role as leader was head of the Joestar clan. A position I held for a hundred years following the death of my father. And when the Stardust Crusaders made their journey to Egypt to stop my villainous half-brother, it was me, my grandson, and my great-great-grandson that led the charge. Tell me something, what do you think a leader is?" Arturia looked confused. "One who strives to protect their people, and follows the rules and laws set forth before them."
"Now see," Jonathan said, "If that were true, then people like Joseph Stalin, Pol Pot, Benito Mussolini, Caligula, Count Vladimir, and Adolf Hitler couldn't be considered leaders. Those people were dictators. No, what really makes a leader is that make their choices and don't look back in regret. They make their own beds and lay in them. During my time I've had blood on my hands. Both living and undead. I don't subscribe to some arbitrary ideal of what a perfect gentleman should be. I decide what a perfect gentleman should be, using that ideal as a base and working from there. A gentleman never harms a lady? What if the lady is trying to kill you? Things like that."
Arturia looked surprised. "What if it's something you never wanted to begin with? When Merlin first told me about my destiny, I thought it would be like a fairy tale. I'd become king and help everyone live happily ever after." "I'd say you have a lot to learn from Evan," Jonathan noted, "He had the same dream. But rather than expect it to be handed to him on a silver platter, he worked for it. He built his kingdom, hired the best citizens, raised an army and fought without regret. But he also knew the true path to a happily ever after was to get everyone to subscribe to peace, to make them want to be ruled by him. How old were you when you took the throne?"
"Fifteen," Arturia replied, "Perhaps too young." "Not necessarily," Jonathan retorted, "Evan was twelve when he was forced into the wilds due to a coup in his homeland, forcing him to make his own kingdom from scratch." Arturia looked at Jonathan in shock, then her face fell. "Maybe my mind just wasn't ready for the responsibility. When I was told my father was expecting a boy in preparation for a prophecy, I was hoping that I wouldn't need to take up the role of king. That I'd be able to live my own life." "You could always wish for it," Jonathan stated. "That has been my goal," Arturia noted, "To remove my rule and make it so someone more worthy would take my place."
"I meant in the modern day," Jonathan clarified, "All my research into the various people around you suggests that, because of the chaotic time the world was in, you were the most worthy. Power being given to the one who wanted power the least? You were always bound to use it wisely." Arturia looked surprised, then thought to all the people she knew. She started laughing and facepalmed. "I'm an idiot! You're right… There would be no one better than me… I always tried to do right by my people, fighting back Romans and barbarians…"
"Not to mention if you changed history, it could have some nasty repercussions," Jonathan said, "Like seeing the hilarity of Graham Chapman blowing up a killer rabbit with a 'holy hand grenade'." Arturia raised an eyebrow. "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," Jonathan explained, "Affectionate parody of your misadventures. You see, Arturia, whatever you may think of your reign, the world sees it as inspiring, even generations later. I myself gained fame as an archaeologist when I found your scabbard Avalon near where the famous lake is thought to have been."
Arturia smiled, tears flowing down her eyes. "Jonathan… Thank you… I've been so worried how others saw my reign… But now I know, that even with all the mistakes I made, they saw me as a true king." Jonathan smiled and nodded, then started to fade. "Looks like the drug is wearing off. Yet none of this felt like a hallucination." "I guess the Grail has plans for you," Arturia reasoned, "But thank you… For the lessons you have taught me. Hopefully I can keep them should I be summoned for a Holy Grail War." Jonathan nodded. "In the meantime, I have my own Holy Grail War to finish." And with that, he vanished from Arturia's place in the Throne of Heroes.
Jonathan opened his eyes, and found himself back in the Einzbern manor, a familiar hand waving in front of his face. "Wakey, wakey, eggs and bakey, Jojo," came Lupin's voice. Jonathan grunted as he got up. "Took forever for that Fraulein Eule to leave my body," he noted. "Not that long, thankfully," Lupin said, "But we got big problems. Those Owl Bastards nabbed Iris while we were out like a light." Jonathan frowned. And grabbed his sword. "This time they've gone too far." "Kirei's already scanning the city," Lupin assured him, "Along with the others. Everyone's real tired of these interruptions. So we're gonna make this the last one." Jonathan nodded, and the two of them went to meet with their Masters.
So yeah. For the record, that wasn't a hallucination Jonathan experienced. He really did meet with the original Saber. And she'll be carrying those lesson with her when she meets Shiro years later. Hope you enjoyed it, but I really should be careful writing emotional scenes while listening to emotional music. Liquid pride man… Liquid pride… Read and review.
