Time to wrap up this story arc...

Neptunia Guild Files: Fate/book one

A Hyperdimension Neptunia Fan Fiction

by Derald Snyder

Section 18: Morgan Aftermath

*Planeptune Guild HQ, Interrogation Room*

"So... what happens to me now?" Mordred asked as she sat across from IF and Olga Marie.

"Well, technically, you're up on charges of aggravated assault, attempted murder, and massive property damage," Olga began. "However, due to the circumstances, and the fact that you helped us recover Saber, I'm leaning towards not pursuing said charges... After all, being a recent clone means you legally don't even exist right now..."

"Whadaya mean I don't exist?!" Mordred stood up.

"She's talking in technical terms," IF cut in. "You don't have a birth certificate or social security number, so you don't exist as far the law is concerned..."

"...Oh." Pacified, Mordred sat back down. "Right, I get it... sorry. So am I gonna get one or both of those?"

"We'll see," Olga Marie shrugged. "Getting back to what happens to you... I don't think it's a good idea for you to stay here. There's likely still some tension between you and Saber, her current condition notwithstanding, not to mention it could get confusing real fast..."

"Yes, it's confusing enough with Nero here, and she's not even a clone," IF appended.

"No kidding, she even fooled me once," Mordred deadpanned. "So what, you just gonna throw me out on the street?"

"Not necessarily," IF shook her head. "I was thinking instead, we could send you to one of our auxiliary branches in the neighboring cities... that would give you a support system while you find your footing, at least..."

"In that case, perhaps we could send her to Agent Zero's branch," Olga suggested. "Being a professor of sorts, he could help teach Mordred what she needs to know to live and work in Planeptune..."

"I'm fine with that," Mordred nodded. "I admit I'm a hopeless idiot, so I'll take whatever education I can get..."

"Agent Zero's a bit overworked these days, but I'll see about contacting him," IF acquiesced. "In the meantime, we're placing you in a holding cell here for safety's sake. We'll try to keep you comfortable, however, until we can get you transferred."

Mordred heaved a sigh at this. "Fair enough... like deputy director here says, I deserved to be locked up for what I did anyway... I can handle a few days in the slammer." She looked up at IF. "Just... when Father- I mean Saber gets back to normal, let her know I'm sorry, okay?"

"We'll do that," IF nodded.

*The next morning...*

As Rider, Nero and Tamamo walked into the bullpen, they noticed that Saber and Archer's cubicles were still empty. "Huh, those two are usually in before us..."

"Given what happened yesterday, it shouldn't be that surprising," Nero pointed out.

"I'm sure Archer will be here soon enough," Rider mused. "Saber'll have to take some time off after what happened to her..."

"Why should I have to?" a voice spoke up behind the trio making them jump in shock before whirling around... sure enough, Saber was standing there, her hair and skin still pale, her eyes still golden. However, instead of the black armor, she wore a black, long sleeved blouse and a black skirt that partially covered a white frilly underskirt, with Excalibur Morgan strapped to her waist. Her hair was done up in its usual style, albeit tied back with a black bow. A pair of black pantyhose and flat black slippers completed the look. "...why do you look so shocked? Despite my condition, I am not injured, and am perfectly capable of performing desk work." Without another word, she shoved past the others and went to her cubicle.

"Um, uh... I stand corrected," Rider babbled.

"Where is Archer at?" Nero inquired fairly.

"Archer will come in later. He has taken half a day," Saber Alter replied immediately, not even looking up as she sat down at her desk.

"What, did you wear him out having him make all that food for you, mikon?" Tamamo asked.

"...not exactly. We also... sampled dessert afterward."

"Sampled dessert...?" Nero face took on a confused expression.

"Ah, that's an euphemism," Rider quickly spoke up. "For stuff done 'under-the-covers', if you catch my drift."

"Oh...? Ohh!" Tamamo realized, her cheeks going red.

"I... still don't understand," Nero shook her head.

"I-I'll explain it to you once we get to our cubicles," Tamamo stammered, quickly pushing Nero away.

"...has Red Saber not had the talk yet?" Saber Alter looked over at Rider.

"Um, I don't know..." Rider began, only to be interrupted as a loud 'Oh, my!' echoed from the direction of Nero's desk. "...I'll take that as a yes."

"Red Saber!" Alter stood and turned, "Must you always speak at full volume? If you cannot lower your voice, then shut up!"

"M-my apologies! I'll be quiet!" Nero called back. Saber nodded curtly before returning to her keyboard.

Rider could only shake her head in disbelief- Saber had never been so blunt before! "Um, anyway, once your morning stuff is done, we gotta go down to see Leona, to see if she can get that dark magic out of your system..."

"Understood," Saber nodded as she typed away.

*Forensic Laboratory*

"Oh my, oh my..." Leona looked upon the altered Saber with mild distress on her face. "That Morgan did a real number on you, didn't she...?"

"Can you restore me to normal?" Saber Alter asked bluntly.

"Well, I'm sure I can, but I have to do some research first... for starters, may I see your sword?" Saber promptly handed Excalibur Morgan over, Leona grimacing as she took it in her mechanical glove. "Euuuhh... I can feel the darkness emanating from this thing..." She quickly turned and placed the sword on a nearby table, before running a scanner over it. "...Just as I thought. As it is right now, this weapon is the thing that's keeping you 'corrupted', so to speak..."

"So if I do not wield it, I will return to normal?"

"Eventually... though I can't say how long it will take for the dark energy to 'bleed' out of your system, so to speak... could be a couple of weeks, could be a few months..." Turning back to face Saber and Rider, Leona then said, "So first, I'm going to try and purge the dark magic from Excalibur here... I'll have an easier time doing that with an inanimate object than a living person. So for now, let's see if Saber returns to normal on her own... if not, come back to me and I'll see what I can do."

"Understood. Then I will fight with a normal sword for the time being," Saber acquiesced.

"Um, about that..." Rider spoke up. "Deputy Director Olga said you should be limited to desk work for the time being, 'cause she's afraid that darkness will cause you to lose control or something..."

"Preposterous. I am in full control of my actions now," Saber Alter retorted. "...Am I at least still allowed to use the training facility?"

"Well, I can't speak for our bosses, but I'm thinking as long as you're supervised, it wouldn't be a problem..." Rider pondered.

"So be it. Get a hold of IF, and tell her to meet me at the holding cells." Saber promptly stood up-

"Just a second," Leona called to her. "I finished my analysis of those feet you brought to me... there's no doubt about it, they're Morgan's feet. She won't be bothering you ever again."

"Good to hear," Saber nodded curtly, before leaving, a hand reaching up to wipe a tear from her eye... (If only she had approved of me and Shirou being together... Damn you for making me kill you, Mother...)

*Holding Cells*

Mordred sighed as she sat on her cot, dressed in a red t-shirt and blue jeans, her sword having been confiscated for the time being. "So damn bored..." She looked out of her cell, a force field separating her from the adjacent hallway... only to be surprised as a familiar face suddenly walked into view. "F-Father?!"

"Mordred. Are you well?" Saber Alter asked, IF joining her at her side.

"Y, Yeah, I'm fine... just bored as hell," Mordred nodded. "I thought we weren't supposed to see each other..."

"You have stated that you no longer have any intention of murdering me, correct?" Receiving a 'Yeah' in response, Saber continued, "Nor do I have intention to commit murder or serious bodily harm on your person. Anyway, I heard you are being transferred to Agent Zero's custody?"

"Yeah, that's what they told me," Mordred replied. "He's gonna teach me the ways of the world, or something like that."

"I see. However, his knowledge of physical combat leaves much to be desired. Therefore, before you depart, I shall train you in the basics of swordplay. I will not allow any child of mine, clone or not, to disgrace the Pendragon family name. Do I make myself clear?"

"Y-yessir!" Mordred quickly stood up.

"Excellent," Saber nodded. "IF, if you would please."

"...I still don't like this," IF hesitated.

"You do not have to like it," Alter shot back. "You only need supervise, like when I started training Red Saber..."

"Right, right," IF sighed as she entered the code to deactivate the force field. "But I reserve the right to step in if I think you're getting out of hand..."

"Agreed. Let us proceed to the training facility, then. Mordred, follow us." Saber promptly turned on her foot and strode off.

"Coming!" Mordred quickly followed...

*Some time later...*

Mordred panted heavily, down on one knee, sweat pouring down her face and soaking her t-shirt, her sword arm straining to keep a hold of her training implement...

"I think that's enough for today," IF spoke up. "She's clearly exhausted."

"So be it." Saber Alter lowered her training sword, only slightly sweaty in comparison to her 'child'. "Your form has improved remarkably, Mordred. I expected no less from my flesh and blood." Walking up to her, she held out her hand, Mordred grasping it and getting pulled up to her feet. "That being said, you have a ways to go before you equal my skill... but we can only do so much in one day, as IF says."

"Right," Mordred nodded. "I'll try not to forget what you taught me..."

"See that you don't. You have a legacy to uphold, after all," Saber stated bluntly. "You are, at least, capable of being so much more than Morgan's obedient thug... I am glad that our previous confrontation did not result in your demise. But do not get overconfident, either. Do you understand?"

"Yeah, I get it," Mordred grunted, before grabbing Saber in a rough hug. "Thank you, Father. I won't let you down..."

"...See that you don't," Alter grunted in mild discomfort as she awkwardly returned the embrace.

*Elsewhere...*

Merlin stood on the roof of an apartment building, looking down at Morgan's old hideout, noting the large hole that had been blasted out of the wall. He was wearing a simple t-shirt in lieu of his robe that he had left behind... "Well... looks like Morgan's psychosis finally got the better of her," he sighed. "But don't celebrate too soon, Planeptune Guild... because next time, it'll be my turn. And unlike Morgan, I have full control over my mental faculties..." With that, he vanished in a flash of light...

(Morgan Arc- End)

Uh-oh, I wonder what Merlin will do next... anyway, next chapter we meet Agent Zero in the flesh, so until then, review!