Hi guys Azza here!

Reviews

Ouroborousdragon – For your first point I had planned on that from the beginning, they just hadn't gotten to it yet. He's not one to let that kind of stuff slide easily and would of course fix that for them.

And yeah, its dark but I felt that in order to better characterize and justify Boa's sadistic side it would be important to explain what she went through rather than merely allude to it.

In a way, meeting someone like Natsu who isn't very mentally stable either is probably a bad thing for her, case in point being what they decided to do and their rather playful and excited manner. But I think it works better in Boa's favour if I work her as a little unhinged since it also benefits her standing amongst the rest of the Warlords as well, case in point Doflamingo's unhinged side, Moria's insanity due to the loss of his crew, Mihawk's complete lack of empathy for anyone he deems a waste of time due to his sheer strength and power and Kuma's robotic ruthlessness.

As you've seen, when it comes to characters and their mental states, I'm not very nice haha!

And trust me, the Mordred, Arthuria and Artoria meeting is something I've been looking forward to as well for a long time. Unlike Artoria Alter, these ones are the legit ones Mordred knew in life with Arthuria being the one she actually killed.

Making Arthuria older, wiser and more understanding was something I've had planned from the beginning. Taking into consideration how Iskandar and Gilgamesh viewed Saber Artoria in Fate Zero and her selfishness in desiring to remove the burden of rule simply because she didn't like how it went, making Arthuria the one who actually got the damn job done and accepted her mistakes thus making her a King Iskandar and Gilgamesh actually like was pretty much a guarantee for me.

Now I don't hate Saber, but Lancer is the one that fought to the end and the one who accepted her destiny in the end. Saber will see the light but it will be at a heavy cost …

I won't say anything more other than I hope you enjoy what I've got planned for them!

Anyway on with the story!

I do not own Fairy Tail, One Piece or the Nasuverse.

A Small Moment Of Peace

/Amazon Lily – Luffy's POV/

"I wonder what they needed to talk about," Luffy pondered aloud as the small group retreated toward the main entrance of the palace. "Then again, Natsu's usually all about secret stuff so I guess I shouldn't be surprised."

"Natsu has always been one to do things himself wherever possible," Avenger nodded in agreement. "Though the one I know, his sanity is much more questionable than this one."

"Says the crazy lady who wants to cut up her nakama," Luffy scoffed in reply which earned him an annoyed growl.

"Careful boy, lest I cut out that impertinent tongue of yours!"

"You can't do that."

"I think I proved back in the arena that I certainly can, weakling."

"Sure, I'm not as strong as you right now," Luffy agreed as they reached the large set of ornate double doors. "But Natsu wouldn't let you get away with doing something like that to me so I'm not too worried."

"Cocky little-!"

"Food time," Sandersonia cut in, literally barging past the pair purposely which knocked them both down the stairs where they tumbled to a stop in a mess of tangled limbs.

"OI!"

"GET OFF ME BOY!"

"YOU GET OFF OF ME!"

"YOU LANDED ON ME FIRST!"

"NO, YOU DID!"

"Goodness," Nyon sighed as she hobbled past the squabbling pair. "You both look pathetic …"

"SHUT UP OLD HAG," both Avenger and Luffy snapped which froze Nyon in place.

"NYO LITTLE BRATS!"

"I think it would be for the best if we all kept heading over to the banquet hall," Marigold cut in as she picked up both Avenger and Luffy by the scruff of their necks. "I doubt that our Sister or Natsu would want to see us squabbling, especially when we clearly are making peace."

"You're right," Avenger sighed, looking over to Luffy with a slight frown. "Besides, I have quite a lot of work to catch up on anyway."

"Work?"

Avenger seemed to drop out of Marigold's grasp, spinning around on the spot so quickly that Luffy barely saw it. Once she returned to face him, she was now wearing a pair of glasses and her hair was slicked back at the front instead of possessing its usual bangs.

"Indeed. I am the current CEO of Amazoness Import/Export, the world's number one most profitable shipping business," Avenger replied in a clearly fake accent, though Luffy had no idea what specifically it was. "Customer satisfaction is always our top priority and our clients always receive their goods on time and with a smile."

"Uhh …"

"Don't worry about that," Sandersonia laughed shakily in reply. "It was a way of us making money without raiding any ship we came across; Avenger just loves it so we let her run it now."

"Ok …"

"Anyway, food," Sandersonia giggled as she continued to skip toward the banquet hall with a cheerful smile.

"Why's she so cheerful?"

"Sister Sandersonia is the free spirited one of us," Marigold replied with a small smile. "Perhaps that is because she is inherently the most innocent of us."

"Innocent?"

"Truthfully, Sandersonia has never told a lie in her entire life," Marigold explained which prompted Luffy to raise an eyebrow in surprise. "She's also the most emotional of us, at least when it comes to anything other than being cold or indifferent."

"You don't seem to be doing either of those right now though?"

"No, but Sandersonia can easily flip from being cold to bright and cheerful at the drop of a hat. To say I'm a bit envious of it despite everything we've been through …"

"To be fair, she likely suffers from what you three went through just as much as you and Hancock," Luffy replied with a stern gaze on Sandersonia's shrinking form. "She's just found her own way to cope with it."

"Hmm. I never really thought of her actions like that before," Marigold mused as she looked down at the man next to her. "Despite her being my Sister, it seems you've perhaps shown me something I failed to notice about her. Thank you."

"All good," Luffy grinned in reply only for Avenger to smack the back of his head. "OW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR!?"

"Keep that mouth of yours closed boy, you too Marigold," Avenger said sharply as she continued to march forward. "Lest you blab 'sensitive' information needlessly."

The two nodded quickly, knowing full well what the Servant was on about as they moved to catch up with Sandersonia who practically burst into the banquet hall.

"SISTERS," the green haired girl cheered as the doors burst open. "Prepare a mighty feast for our guests!"

The Amazons all looked between the small group that entered behind her and Sandersonia in confusion, the only one not seemingly bothered being a familiar blonde who ran up to Luffy.

"Oh, you're here," Luffy grinned as he casually walked over to meet her. "How are yo-?"

Luffy was shocked as the blonde decked him, knocking him flat on his back with a twitching left eye and maddening grin.

"WHY IS EVERYONE HITTING ME HERE!?"

"You think its funny to just up and grab me, drag me all across the island only to ditch me at the most remote part of it and then give me a heart attack by jumping off a cliff and crashing through the Empress' roof!?"

"Ok … how is any of that MY fault!?"

"It-it just is!"

"Screw you, you're just a jerk!"

"Oh, I'M A JERK!?"

Sandersonia giggled as the two seemed to become locked in a back-and-forth struggle on top of a banquet table as the Amazons cheered around them, many taking bets on who'd throw the next punch.

"Looks like those two are already friends, doesn't it Marigold?"

"I'm … I don't think that is quite what friendship looks like," Marigold replied confusedly.

"No, I don't think so either," Avenger agreed, though she did appear to crack a genuine smile. "Though, I think that this one might indeed fit in well amidst us. He appears rather free spirited, just as Natsu described."

"Even so, neither he nor Natsu can stay here," Nyon chimed in which brought the attention of the small group to her. "The fact remains that men are forbidden from being on this island-."

"Hate to break it to you, but I doubt we could really enforce that with these two anyway," Marigold replied with a small smirk. "If Natsu could defeat Avenger easily and has an agreement with the other one then there's probably nothing we can do to force them to leave."

"But even so-!"

"Who cares if they are men Elder," Sandersonia snapped back before the older woman could go off on a tangent. "If they're willing to kill Celestial Dragons then they can live here forever as far as I'm concerned!"

"Perhaps we should simply focus on enjoying ourselves for the moment and deal with this later once Sister and Natsu are done speaking," Marigold suggested which earned an approving nod from Sandersonia and Avenger.

"Indeed. Arguing serves no purpose, let us simply relish in the fact that three of the Celestial are dead," Avenger agreed as the girls entered the banquet hall.

Outside the hall however, the two purple haired Servants watched with dispassionate gazes. They couldn't care less about such a petty squabble, nor could they care about those taking part in them.

What pissed them off was being scolded. That wasn't something they were used to.

"Reminds you of Chaldea, doesn't it," Sister on the left muttered as the one on the right narrowed her eyes on the gluttonous man who was now consuming the tail of a Sea King whole.

"Only Ritsuka ever really bothered telling us off, yet now we've been told off by some mortal who isn't even our current Master!"

"Even so," Sister on the right sighed as she looked up toward the mountain, her mind focused firmly on the Servant at its heart. "In a way, its nice to be part of civilisation again."

"What?"

"Strange, I know," Sister on the right giggled as the man fell off of the table after trying to eat a second Sea King tail. "But I almost feel … happy."

Sister on the left pondered the words as a small smile slowly crept its way onto her face, her eyes watching the man roll around as over ten Amazons pulled out a multitude of bones from the man's unusually gaping mouth.

"Perhaps you are right Sister, perhaps not. We still are revered as Goddesses here but we also get treated normally at the same time so it is a rather humbling concept to get used to."

"Being treated like everyone else and not the beings of perfection we are?"

"Of course."

"Hey, what are you two still doing out here!?"

Both Sisters gasped as they felt an arm wrap around each of them, the man from earlier quite literally popping up in-between them with a cheeky grin. "You're missing out on all the fun!"

"H-how dare you touch us-!"

"Blah blah blah! Less talking, more partying," Luffy laughed as his arms extended to wrap around their waists, launching himself back into the group of cheering Amazons with a cheer of his own.

Dropping the pair right into the crowd, they easily landed on their feet but looked up to see the man smash into a nearby wall, his head being embedded into it. Sister on the left blinked owlishly, the one on the right losing her glare as a slight smirk made its way onto her face.

Perhaps living among mortals wasn't so bad?

/Elsewhere – Natsu's POV/

"This is a rather nice bath," Natsu commented idly as he laid back to stretch his aching body. "To be honest, I did take you for a bubble bath enthusiast, just didn't think you'd be game enough to do it in a bath as big as a house though."

"I figured after what we just did, we could have a bit of fun with it," Boa giggled in reply as she sat down underneath one of the snake heads that seemed to supply the water to the bath, letting it fall down upon her blood coated form. "Ahh …"

"So, you feel a bit better now?"

"Yes actually, better than I have in quite a long time," Boa replied with a small smile as she looked across to her bathing companion. "I must say though, you really are a strange one, even for a man."

"Ouch, really got me right in the heart with that one …"

"You know that literally any man or woman would kill to be in your position right now and yet you just sit there, relaxing. You sit in a position to ask anything of me and yet you just ask how I'm feeling …"

"Well, I'm able to see beyond your looks and into the scarred woman beneath. My concern for you is genuine and all I ask in return is friendship, even if I'm a man."

"And what a first activity as friends we did," Boa laughed as she washed off some of the blood currently coating her black hair. "I don't think I've ever seen a body live through some of the things we did."

"You wanted him kept alive as long as possible …"

"And you ensured it, to which I'm grateful. But now that we sit here, and the euphoria of what we've done dies down … I can't help but wonder if what we did was the right thing?"

"Torturing the Celestial Dragon?"

Boa couldn't suppress the unladylike snort in response to his question, bursting out laughing which brought a smirk to Natsu's face.

"Of all the mistakes I've made in my life, torturing that piece of trash was certainly far from one of them! No, I'm referring to the fact that we're hiding it from my Sisters."

Sitting up from his relaxed position, Natsu paddled over to Boa's side of the bath where she slid down into the water to join him. Placing his hands on both her shoulders, he shot her a reassuring smile.

"I may not know them the same way you do, but it didn't take me more than a few minutes to figure out that they wouldn't have had the stomach for what we did. Especially not Sandersonia."

"That's true," Boa sighed as she wiped away some of the blood staining Natsu's cheek. "Risking them would serve little purpose …"

"Are you alright?"

"Of course I am-!"

"I don't mean physically," Natsu whispered as he gently tapped a finger to her forehead. "I mean in here?"

"In time, once I've fully accepted that the monster who raped my Sisters and I before passing us off like trash is finally gone."

"You'll heal in time," Natsu agreed as he let go of her and floated backward slightly. "The scars will remain, but you will eventually learn to overcome the pain and replace it with much happier memories. Consider this your new beginning, in a way."

"Yes," Boa whispered as she looked back to Natsu who was now trying to pull a chunk of flesh out of his hair, a rather difficult knot having formed in his hair as a direct result of his meddling. "Stop, let me get that out!"

"Thanks."

Floating over, Boa expertly undid the knot and tossed the offending piece of flesh out of the bath, her hands lingering on the long hair in her hands for several moments.

"Since we're here, perhaps I could fix this bush for you?"

"Heh. Many have tried and failed Boa and I doubt you'd be the last," Natsu replied challengingly which brought a smirk to the Empress.

"Is that right. Well then, I accept your challenge, mighty King!"

"Whatever you say, O valiant Empress!"

"I shall return in a moment with some things," was all Boa said before launching herself out of the bath with considerable force, shooting through the closed doors stark naked as she took off for a run down the corridor.

"How do I get myself into these really strange situations," he chuckled softly to himself. "You have one of the most beautiful and most desired girls in this world completely naked and likely willing to bang and you start having a girls night with her …"

Shaking his head with a small smile, he gently leant backward to float on his back, looking up at the hole in the roof with his eyes twinkling in amusement. He of course knew the real reason, but didn't bother answering his own unasked question.

He'd just enjoy the moment of peace; he was rather tired after all.

/Amazon Lily – Luffy's POV/

The party had gone quite late into the night with only the most diehard partygoers still concious, the rest either passed out drunk or departing early in order to be ready for their duties in the morning.

Luffy currently sat next to the blonde, the pair had an arm slung around one another as they sung a drunken song no one could even hope to decipher. It clearly didn't matter though since almost everyone else was just as drunk anyway and were simply yelling along for the sake of it anyway.

"Oi Margie, we need more booze," Luffy slurred as he slumped against the equally drunk Amazon.

"Huh!? I got the last lot, why don't you go and get it!?"

"I can't feel my legs," Luffy laughed as he motioned down to them, not even realizing that the blonde had been sitting on them the whole time. "Where'd they go?"

"Hah, what an idiot! Who even loses their legs like that!?"

"HELP! MY LEGS ARE MISSING!"

"Shut up," the blonde snapped as she clocked him over the head with her mug, shattering it and spilling its contents all over Luffy's head. "Shit! Look what you did now!"

Luffy was about to retort but the blonde moved in and started licking his face, an act that seemed to gain the attention of the only sober women left in the area.

"Should we stop that," Marigold asked confusedly, never having had to deal with such a situation before.

"Why? I think its cute," Sandersonia cooed as she took another sip of her own drink. "She's like a puppy!"

"That's not what I was referring to Sister …"

"At this point I don't think its worth the effort," Avenger sighed as she took a bite from a slab of meat. "They won't remember any of this anyway in the morning, and the headache should be sufficient enough of a punishment."

"Hmm. I suppose that is true."

"I don't think its going to matter much longer anyway," one of the purple haired Sisters pointed out as the blonde's licking became slower and slower until she collapsed into Luffy's chest, out like a light. "She's gone."

The bump on his chest knocked Luffy onto his back, his head whacking the edge of the table which knocked him out as well. The Servants, Sandersonia and Marigold all looked at one another before bursting into a fit of giggles. Even Avenger couldn't help but laugh at the scene.

"Now that they're passed out," Sandersonia giggled as she skipped over toward them. "Prank time!"

"Sister!"

"What!?"

"We've discussed this before!"

"Aww, come on Marigold! Don't be such a stick in the mud!"

"Fine, just don't go overboard," Marigold sighed. "I'm going to bed. No doubt tomorrow is going to bring with it something either wonderful or troubling and I'd rather be awake enough to deal with it."

"Don't worry Sister, I won't go too far," Sandersonia giggled as her form slowly began to shift, her already massive body growing even larger as her legs merged together, leaving her with only arms.

"I feel like I'm going to regret leaving when I see you in your Anaconda form," Marigold sighed as the now identified Anaconda Zoan Devil Fruit User wrapped the unconscious duo up in her tail and slithered off out of the banquet hall. "Archer, Assassin. Please watch over them."

"I suppose we can do that," the two Sisters replied with knowing smirks. "Though, we may also take part in whatever she's got in store with them."

"And that is my tolerance of nonsense for tonight, goodbye," Marigold sniffed as she walked off back toward the palace.

"I'm pretty sure I know what Sandersonia is doing and I know you two won't want to go there anyway," Avenger sighed as she turned toward the two Servants. "Therefore, I shall watch over them myself. You two go back to the palace as well."

"Well … I guess if you really want to volunteer yourself like that!"

"Who are we to refuse!?"

The two Sisters vanished, leaving Avenger by herself to survey the room full of drunk Amazons and destroyed furniture. Looking out at it all, she couldn't help but smile as memories of her own time as Queen Of The Amazons flooded back.

"Perhaps Natsu's arrival was a good thing," she mused before vanishing herself, off to follow the Sister of her Master to the one place she knew Sandersonia would leave the drunken teens.

/The Next Day/

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRGH!"

Natsu's head snapped toward the mountain, the pancake on his fork mere millimetres from his mouth as the sound of Luffy and the blonde girl he'd taken yesterday rang out across the island.

"Seems like they finally woke up," Sandersonia giggled prompting Marigold to huff in reply.

"I told you not to take it too far!"

"I didn't take it THAT far, just a little prank!"

"Whatever you did, it clearly was enough to get them to shred their vocal cords whilst I'm trying to enjoy my breakfast," Natsu grumbled in reply as he looked over toward Boa who was equally as tired.

"Why are the two of you so tired anyway?"

"We stayed up all night discussing things, and he hasn't slept for almost four weeks apparently."

"WHAT!?"

"I'm using my own power to sustain me for now since the only times I've technically been 'unconscious' were when I collapsed from fatigue or was knocked out. But anyway, that isn't the point."

"And what is supposed to be more important than the fact that you apparently haven't slept for a month!?"

"Natsu and I discussed a variety of topics, many of which involved the World Government and the most recent … issue, that has cropped up."

"That actually was at the forefront of the discussion, believe it or not," Natsu replied as he looked toward Elder Nyon who was now eyeing him suspiciously. "The matter that affects her Warlord status actually affects my friend Luffy in a serious way."

"Is that so?"

"Indeed. The upcoming execution involves a man that, though I have yet to actually meet personally, I have heard nothing but good things about from the rest of my friends and allies. Therefore, it is in my interests to ensure that this execution doesn't take place-."

"ARE YOU INSANE," Nyon screeched as she jumped up onto the table, startling Marigold and Sandersonia as the old woman marched across and started hitting Natsu on the head with her staff. "STUPID! IGNORANT! IRRESPONSIBLE! MAN!"

"OUCH! CUT THAT SHIT OUT!"

"Cease your childish behaviour at once, Elder Nyon," Boa hissed as she slammed a fist down onto the table. "You may have once been Empress, but that does not give you the right to be so rude to an honoured guest!"

"Honoured guest nyow, is it!? I have to wonder just what the two of you did in private after we all left, seeing as his hair is now as straight as nyours!"

Natsu chuckled softly as he ran his hands through his now long and silky-smooth hair. True, he lost the bet on that one when he said Boa couldn't tame it. How was he meant to know her hair secretly also was wild and unkempt when not kept in check by the most expensive hair care products money could buy?

"What I discuss in private is none of your concern! But that aside, Natsu and I have discussed a means of assisting Luffy in freeing his friend before he even reaches Marineford!"

"No," Nyon said softly as she seemingly collapsed onto the table. "Please tell me you are not serious …"

"We are still in the planning phase, but this should help both protect Amazon Lily by allowing Boa to keep her Warlord status, and help Luffy and I free the man we're looking for."

"Sabaody was one thing … but are you actually suggesting you can do the impossible!?"

"I am."

"But it's only been done once, by a legend from before Roger's era!"

"I'm aware, Boa and I also discussed theories on how that happened."

"Snake Princess, surely you can't actually be considering this!?"

"I owe Natsu," Boa said softly as she gripped the edge of the table so hard, they all could hear the cracks beginning to form along the edges. "All three of us do …"

"Sister, what are you talking about," Sandersonia asked confusedly as she looked between Natsu and Boa. "Why do we owe him, aside from killing Celestial Dragons of course?"

"Because … Natsu said he can remove our curse."

Sandersonia and Marigold's jaws dropped as they looked between Boa and Natsu, expecting it to be some kind of sick joke. Avenger and the two purple haired Sisters weren't surprised in the slightest with all three sporting knowing smiles as if they'd known he'd do it from the beginning.

"You … you're not joking, are you?"

"I can alter that disgusting brand on your backs and turn it into something that will make you all stronger. This does however require the cooperation of your Servants though."

"You want to make the Gorgon Sisters myth real, don't you," Sister on the right giggled as she put down her fork. "What an interesting idea."

"I have spent a good portion of the night discussing the theory and I believe it should be possible because of the Devil Fruits you all possess. Boa will be the trickiest but I don't foresee any problems in the long term."

"C-can we do it now?"

"I don't see why not," Natsu shrugged in reply as they all began to rise to their feet. "Since SOMEONE decided to prank Luffy, I won't be able to fill him in until later on today since he's likely either being beaten half to death by that blonde girl, too embarrassed to come out of hiding or the two of them …"

"I doubt that last one," Sandersonia snorted in amusement. "Those two are still kids, they'll likely either be fighting or embarrassed."

"Heh, good point. Anyway, we need to go to Boa's room for this."

"You'll need some of our blood, right," Sister on the left asked as she picked up a glass and followed behind them. "You're just lucky we like you, otherwise we wouldn't do this."

"Thanks, I guess," Natsu replied, unsure of exactly how he should've responded to that statement as they all made their way upstairs. "Anyway, for the two of you, I've got the ideal seal you'll need so this shouldn't take too long. Once I'm done though, you'll probably pass out for around three hours or so."

"If it rids us of these cursed marks, so be it," Marigold replied firmly as they reached Boa's room.

"Right then, let's get started," Natsu' said sharply as he pushed open the doors and motioned for them to all enter, a grim smile on his face as he closed the doors behind him.

/Somewhere In The Grand Line/

"This has to be the most ordinary looking place we've ever been to; don't you think?"

"Yes, the island is completely flat …"

Having been connected when Kuma touched them, Mash and Ritsuka had ended up in the same place together. It was an island that was completely devoid of anything that wasn't symmetrically flat.

The mountains were either rectangles or cubes, the blades of grass likewise the same. The river that ran through the centre of the island was a series of rectangles that led to a cube shaped lake with even the trees and everything on them being squares and rectangles.

"I swear this reminds me of something," Ritsuka muttered as they walked through the strange forest. "This ringing any bells for you, Mash?"

"No."

"I doubt it would," a voice muttered quietly, prompting both of them to freeze in place. "This island is one of a kind, a kind of place reserved for either the realm of fiction or perhaps in some kind of alternate dimension where the laws of logic and physics don't apply."

Looking beyond the cube bush, Mash and Ritsuka were shocked to see a familiar face standing by the river, seemingly looking at his reflection.

"No way-!"

"Shh. I doubt there would be many who'd want to know that I'm out and about right now, even if I'm restricted to the form of a Servant. Consider yourself lucky that I'm here because Natsu wanted me here, not because I was summoned in because of this Realis Grail War crap."

"A-Avenger!? How did you get here!?"

"Through Natsu's bullshit trial and error, that's how," Avenger grumbled as he rolled his shoulder several times. "I'll kill that prick one day …"

"So … I have to ask," Mash started slowly as Avenger shot a smirk in her direction. "Why would he send YOU of all Servants?"

"There are a multitude of reasons, namely because he has no one else he can send at the moment. Plus, I have that connection to you that you like to pretend doesn't exist."

"What connection," Ritsuka asked confusedly, prompting Mash to grit her teeth in a rare display of hostility.

"Sorry, but that involves my creation Master and as you know, those records are classified."

"Oh …"

"If I could tell you, then I would," Mash sighed before shooting a glare in Avenger's direction. "As for you, I don't think Natsu would like it if he found out you were telling people things you shouldn't!"

"Probably not, but then again what he hates I like!"

"Avenger …"

"Right, fine," the Servant grumbled. "Forget it. Let's just get this shit over with then …"

"What are you talking about?"

"I've been asked to send you over to where the rest of the Servants are so that you'll eventually link back up with brat Natsu again. Because clearly that shit worked out so well the first time, right!?"

"Then send us along," Mash snapped, prompting Avenger to simply laugh at her poor attempt at intimidation.

"Man, you're so lucky I'm bound or I'd kill you for speaking to me like that!"

"But you really wouldn't, even if you weren't bound."

"And why is that, little Servantling," Avenger chuckled as he slowly stalked toward the pair. "Or perhaps you've forgotten exactly who I am?"

"I know who you are and your history, just as you know who I am and mine. You know you can't do anything to me without damaging yourself and you wouldn't ever do that. Your survival instinct is far too strong for that."

"…"

"Mash. Perhaps that wasn't the best-?"

"Hehe … HAHAHAHAHAHA! Funny, really funny," Avenger laughed as he wiped a stray tear from his eye. "But let me ask you this one thing."

Both Mash and Ritsuka started to back up at the horrific presence that began to wash over the area as the land around them slowly started to wither away and die.

"All those things you spoke so confidently about … and the survival instinct you so thoroughly praised …"

Vanishing and appearing mere inches from their faces, his own now morphed into nothing more than a maw of razor-sharp teeth as Green and Blue flame leaked out from the sides of his maw.

"Do such things apply to the already dead and departed? Would I care, knowing that I can simply be resummoned once again? What say you to that, SHIELDER!?"

The way Avenger barked Mash's Servant Class caused both of them to be blasted back into an Aqua Blue portal. The Servant chuckled softly to himself before reverting to normal and looking upward toward the bright blue sky.

"Second chance at life … what a joke."

Hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one!