Chapter 4: Another Reunion

My old man's pretty much scum. I don't know if I'd call him a scumbag, but pretty close.

Not that anyone at Clock Tower or in the Glaives has the stones to say it to his face.

Business wise he's a savant; when it comes to family he's very inept.

He's pretty pathetic, always swagering around like he's the best thing ever. As if people should kiss the ground he walks on.

What he did to Mother was enough to make me give up on him a long time ago. But the years made that grudge wane somewhat.

We never really did see eye to eye.

Still…there was always a part of me—a pathetic part, but a part nonetheless—that hoped we could have been like a family. But he always squandered it. Despite all my attempts to appease him, it was never enough. Then Emil performed that experiment with the Nail and things went further to hell.

Now I'm doing a job for him. And it involves moving against my old friend Luvia. She'll be pissed when this is over, and most likely will focus her anger on me.

Man, this is twisted.

Midnight, between March 25 and 26

It was a beautiful night as Elric was riding a motorcycle with Mordred ahead of him on one of her own. Clear sky was filled with stars glittering the dark blue sky. And it was a shame the magician of Bristol could not take the time to appreciate it.

They had been chasing after the limo that was supposedly carrying Luvia to the airstrip with her friends for a few hours. The plan had been to grab them when they reached their destination, but Wesley's overzealousness got the better of him. So he decided to hit the limo with a car, aiming to take out the driver.

As he rushed over, worried Wesley might have killed Luvia with that little, all Elric could think was That stupid sumbitch.

He stopped his motorcycle and grabbed Boomstick, his custom sawed-off shotgun, then approached the vehicle.

Peering into the window Elric saw Luviangelita unconscious next to a woman with long wavy brown hair. Alarmed he opened the door before letting out a sigh of relief, they were still breathing. Despite Wesley's unnecessary stunt, they were just out cold and the limo was merely rendered inoperable.

Guess we better hurry and load them onto the van, the cops'll be here soon...wait, weren't there supposed to be three?

Suddenly, as if his thoughts had been said aloud, he heard a voice yell "Get away from them!" demandingly.

Looking around he found a young man with short auburn hair. Summoning a pair of short-swords into his hands.

All Elric could think was Shit before the man lunged at him with his weapons and prepared to summon Bleidd with the twin swords inches from his head before Mordred emerged, blocking the slash attacks.

Mordred prepared to fight back, pushing back against Elric's attacker with the force and power of a berserker. Dodging the man's reprisals and returning the favor with strong strokes he barely had the strength to hold his own against.

Before he could counter or Elric could join in, however, Wesley promptly clocked him with the back end of his shotgun.

"The hell, Wesley?"

"We're on a timetable here."

"We would have subdued him."

"No time to argue. I'll take him, you two grab the girls."

Elric wanted to argue further, annoyed with what Wesley did to the young man—how underhanded it was (even by Elric's standards)—but knew he had a point and thus relented from speaking further.

Glancing at the two young women, Elric thought Oh, thrilling, before turning to Mordred and directing her towards the two, then hoisted Luvia in his arms while his partner took the other one.

One hour later they were back at Clock Tower, with Enzo—a magus mercenary that went with them on the job—helping to sneak the three new guests to Rheon's office—bounds and gagged—where three chairs were prepared for Luvia and her friends.

They seat them, still unconscious. Elric used what little healing magecraft he knew to heal the scrapes and bruises left from Wesley's little stunt away. He doubted it would make Luvia any less angry but thought it was the least he could do—considering their past friendship.

In regards to the other two he was not even aware of their names.

Elric looked through the IDs they filched from them. One of the names caught his attention: Rin Tohsaka. But he kept the surprise contained and to himself. Watching as the three maguses gradually regained consciousness.

Rin? She's certainly bigger than I remember.

The second one, the same one who tried to attack him earlier with swords before Mordred and Wesley's collective intervention; his name also caught Elric's attention.

It was Shirou Emiya.

Artoria's master? The one who beat Gilgamesh?

He was stupefied to find out it was him. The discovery left only more questions—questions he would save for later.

The three made a noise, tried to say some things, but their words were muffled by the gags in their mouths, thus rendering them indiscernible.

It pained Elric to see Luvia that way, even if he could not show it.

'Master?'

'Yeah, Mordred?'

'There a reason you look upset?'

'That obvious, huh? It's nothing—this whole situation just sucks. I'll get over it.'

'We could always take out Enzo, his Rider Servant, and this Wesey guy; then free them.'

'Nah. Rheon would just find another way to get her back, and I'd have him and Somnus more eager to put me in the ground.'

It amused Elric—Mordred's sentiment—but he could endure this a little longer.

Edward Rheon entered the room; and he did so with Somnus, Regis, Regis' Servan, Elijah, and Nyx not far behind in tow. He looked as reserved as he normally did when contending with matters of business; Somnus was calm, even after seeing Elric; Nyx just went along with the situation as it unfolded; Regis and his Servant were calm as usual; and Elijah...well Elijah was just apathetic to the ordeal that was going on.

"You caught them." Somnus said, slightly impressed. "It seems I owe Father some sterlings."

"Yeah, I got 'em."

Yeah, ass hole; I've come a long way from my days of being saved by Kairi.

"As I told you, Son, Elric has become a reliable person." Edward told Somnus, looking at Wesley with a disapproving glare. It's not much of a leap in logic to assume he already knew about the stunt Wesley pulled near the airstrip.

"Yes, yes; very impressive." Nyx said with lackadaisical, showing less interest in protracting the moment. Pointing to the gag on Rin's lips. "Should we remove these?"

"Yes." Edward answered. "Elric, Enzo, help with that."

Elric was reluctant to comply, mostly because it meant listening to his father, but ultimately did so. Stepping closer to Luvia, the freelancer told her in the least threatening tone he could muster "No biting, now." Then untied the cloth from around her head.

Mordred and Nyx did the same for Rin and Shirou, minus the request.

Once it was removed, "What is the meaning of this, Lord Rheon?" was the first thing out of her lips.

To be honest, she was responding better than Elric thought she would—he was sure she'd be threatening them with various wrestling moves.

Rin and Emiya were responding similarly. With some of their attention diverted by the sight of Mordred.

Scratching his head, Elric sighed and stepped back; leaning against his father's desk while his parent explained "The Edelfelts are not amused, Luviangelita, not am I."

"What are you talking about."

"So disappointing." Somnus said "Trying to flee to Japan, running for your obligations..."

'What a load 'o shit.' Elric told telepathically to Mordred, still in her spirit form. 'Soon as this is over we're leaving.'

'You'll hear no complaint from me.'

"I would never do such a thing." Luvia argued. "I merely was visiting Japan for two days then was planning to return."

"Regardless, Lord Edelfelt has put you under my supervision until your studies are complete. We have also reached a new decision regarding your future."

"You honestly believe I will listen to a decree you make."

"No, but I do believe that with my, and your family's, combined power we can find a way to make you malleable," and then he gestured one of his hands towards Elric. "You remember my eldest son, James."

Oh, for the love of God, leave me out of this.

Looking at Elric upon hearing Edward say that, Luvia muttered "James?" with a raised eyebrow.

He imagined she must have been shocked to hear his name after such a long time. It had been almost six years—or had been exactly—since they last saw one another, so the change in his face might have thrown her off.

"It's Elric, now." the prodigal son corrected his father.

Edward continued "Your betrothed."

"Betrothed?" Rin and Shirou both said with question marks in their minds while looking at a speechless Luvia.

WHAT!

Even Mordred was flabbergasted.

Elric turned to his father in an accusatory fashion. "The hell? That was six year ago. You can honestly expect me to agree to go along with that."

"Oh, but I do." Edward responded. Then Somnus told him "And you will."

It was hard to tell who was in more disbelief—Elric or Luvia. But it did make some degree of sense, or atleast Elric could see the reason behind it—arranged marriages were not so uncommon among the aristocrats and notable magus families...at least, the ones outside the states—he was kinda hoping this old one between him and Luvia was long forgotten, or they were trying to find someone else to match her with.

Guess they never let that one go.

"In the following week there will be something of a gathering," Rheon explained. "Prominent members of the magus world will be present, as will you, and there we shall announce your engagement with Luviagelita Edelfelt."

"Like hell, I will." Elric declared, spitefully.

"Oh!" Rheon became intrigued by the defiance. "I seem to recall the two of you being rather close before the fifth grail war. Has something changed?"

Elric hesitated to respond.

Edward circles around him, "Well, allow me to put this in terms you will, no doubt, understand: you will wed Edelfelt and sire one heir with her, or more."

Sire...with Luvia? Good luck getting her to get either of us to go along with that.

"Should you fail to comply...I could always have my men visit your friends in Tucson."

At that the freelancer's heart halted, the whole of the world seemed to stop and time froze with the room feeling colder than the deepest circle of hell.

"None will survive. Not the bartender, the vendors, the men and women who greet you at the gun range; not even that necromancer you're so fond of will be spared."

Then Somnus looked to Luvia "The same goes for Emiya and your introvert of a sister."

Elric wanted to kill them for mentioning the necromancer and Luvia's sister.

In a huff, Elric spins around to face lord Rheon "If you lay a hand on a single hair of their heads I will never forgive you! I will wipe your children, your wife, and everyone you've ever met and cared about from the face of the earth!"

The aristocrat let out a small scoff, as did his younger son, Somnus, with a more condescending expression. "There's that tenacity I've almost missed. We both know you will do no such thing, you have that tedious code."

"You-" "You-"

Elric was at a loss for words.

He could only think to ask "Does Dio know about this?"

"His protest was overruled. As were Ned's and Coen's. Any other questions?"

"No."

"Good. Now if you'll excuse us, we have some guests to acclimate to the auspicious moment in the future."

Lord Rheon proceeded to walk away, with Somnus and the rest behind him.

Once they left the room, Elric was alone with Luviangelita, Rin, Shirou, and Mordred. He couldn't even bring himself to face them. The shame was as overwhelming as the disgust.

The source of the emotions is hard to say for certain. It was not because of Luvia, of course; more like the idea of what his father would probably expect him to do and what it entailed; as well as his own ineptitude to make any significant action against them. He felt severely powerless.

It had been six years since he knew that feeling.

"Master?" Mordred called out to him.

Elric did not respond.

Luvia spoke up "You truly had no idea did you?"

Elric could not bear to face her as he muttered to Luvia "No...No I did not." Too ashamed.

The Freelance Magician leaned back against the desk, again, pinching the bridge of his nose, stating "This whole thing feels asinine." with a sigh.

When he finished, Elric forced himself to look at the trio.

Elric drew his knife—one resembling one used by Red Hood, Pisto, saying "Okay..."

"Whoa. Whoa. Whoa...what are you going to do with that?"

Elric points the knife at Shirou, explaining "I'm gonna cut you loose. Just promise no punching."

Shirou nods his head.

Elric smirks, "I think you and I'll get along well."

"I'll knock him out if he tries anything."

"Now, now. I'm sure he'll be reasonable...I think. This is Artoria's master we're talking about."

"Wha?"

"Oh, did I forget to tell you? This is the one I told you about before, the one who decided to destroy the grail...well, one of them, anyway. He had a Saber in the Fifth Grail War, your old man."

Mordred was in disbelief.

Pointing to Shirou, she said "There is no way this clob pole is Father's master."

"Yes, he was." Rin told Mordred, injecting herself into the argument.

Elric and Mordred both looked at Rin and said simultaneously "Stay out of this." before returning their attention to each other.

Elric attempted to tell more, saying "I'm on the level with you on this..." before stopping in his sentence to say "...wait a minute." then looked back to Rin once more to ask "What do you me "he was?'"

Shirou answered before Rin could elaborate "Our servants were stolen by Lord Rheon."

"Stolen?"

"It's true, James." Luvia corroborated. "They arrive here with a Saber and Archer, your father used his magecraft to steal both from them."

Elric was a little flabbergasted, thinking to himself I don't believe it, he actually got the old family spell to work. Then proceeded to cut Shirou free, muttering "Interesting." Then freed Rin second.

Walking over to Luvia, Elric told them, "Well, whatever you had planned for resolving that—it's been put on hold for now." Then began to cut the Edelfelt free.

Once her hands were loose, Luvia tried to slap Elric on the face but he dodged backwards.

Making a sarcastic smirk, Elric told her "You missed."

Luvia responded "Worth a try, still."

"What'd I do?"

"You brought me to them."

"How was I to know things would turn out like this? I thought it was just another job. Maybe some kind of misunderstanding."

"James, you are not remotely that foolish, so please try not to pretend I am."

Sheathing his knife, Elric puts up his hands. "I swear, Luv, I thought it was a mix up. Hoped you could resolve this peacefully. Or anything this ridiculous happening."

Mordred chuckled, saying "Yeah, that plan worked spectacularly."

Elric looked at her and said "Zip it." pointing his finger.

Elric and Mordred resumed their ballbusting banter; ignoring Luvia, Rin and Shirou.

"James…" Luvia's voice called Elric's attention back to her "Who is this...woman?" Causing the magician's face to go pale.

Uh-oh.

"Woman?" At that, a shadow fell over Mordred's face and she summoned Clarent. "You're dead."

"Easy now." Elric ended up restraining her, wrapping both arms around Mordred. "Calm thoughts, partner. Calm thoughts"

Mordred had half a mind to use mana burst in that moment. But she ultimately calmed down, after what felt like half an hour.

"Elric...Elric you can let me go now."

"You good?"

"More or less. I still want to slash that woman."

"Well..let's not and say we did."

"Right, be a shame if I damaged your beautiful bride."

Elric groaned, recognizing the obvious bait. Releasing his grip, he looked to Luvia once more to say "Sorry about that. This is-"

"Mordred." Shirou beat him to the introduction.

"Yeah." Elric confirmed. "Guess you already know, given you've probably seen Artoria's memories." Then he looked back to Luvia once more, to resume what he had to say, gesturing his hand to Mordred "My new partner-in-crime."

"Mordred?" Rin repeated. "The Knight of Treachery?"

Mordred looked Rin, with a more stern expression "Who's asking?"

"A friend of the King you betrayed."

Looking over, Elric could see Mordre was repressing her reaction as she replied "You were allies with my father." Then the expression changed to curiosity "What happened to him after Rheon stole him?"

"We don't know." Shirou told them. "Occasionally we would see her, but she would run as soon as she saw us."

"Makes sense." Elric said, garnering attention from all four. "He probably ordered Mordred's old man to keep distance from you so you couldn't get her back. Probably threatened your lives if she tried anything."

The room became silent, Elric did not like that too much and broke it. "Well, this has been fun." Looking at Luvia to say "Luv, it was fun seeing you again," then guides Mordred to follow him to the door "But I've got some things to do, people to talk with, see if I can worm my way out of this bind."

"But-" Mordred tried to protest, and Elric kept pushing.

"We'll see 'em tomorrow. You can bond over your shared...fondness...obsession...whatever you share in opinion about the King of Knights."

Putting on a front for the confusion and anguish he was feeling inside.

'You-'

'Yeah, yeah; grill me later.'

As they reached the doorway, Elric suddenly stopped with "Oh! Before I forget." Then looked back to Luvia "By the way, as I said before, It's Elric now. James Rheon is dead." Then left, leaving Luvia confused even more, wondering What in the hell just happened.

Author's note: so after this my chapters might be a little less frequent. I'm still working on the story, I just want to create a outline so I can organize the fragments I have so far and plan out other stuff to add. So I hope you enjoy the next interval and chapter. Actually, I don't know if this will interfer with the story pace I just thought I should let some readers know incase I take a while with the following chapters.