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The following is a fan-based

FICTION

F/SN, F/Z, F/KPI and other products related to the Fate Series are all owned by TYPE-MOON, Kinoko Nasu and Takashi Takeuchi.

All Parts of the JJBA are all owned by Hirohiko Araki.

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Chapter 18: Bloody Tears, Part 2

Medea of Colchis had never felt angry as a young girl.

Not the same way and intensity as her older self would have. Not when she never experienced true pain, true betrayal and true discomfort. She always had others helping her when she was younger- when her friends were around. And yet, even though she wasn't the Witch that eventually led to Jason's demise through his shameful backstabbing, the girl had enough common sense as a Servant to perceive her Master didn't mean to do good things. Yes, she had done terrible things herself in her original life, but it was always due to her intense attraction for her first 'master'.

Now? That was missing. It was just the Master-Servant bond that enforced basic trust. It wasn't enough to kill off the doubt growing within her mind, especially when he got a glimpse of her Master's 'Ambitious and Efficient' workshop. Sadly, it wasn't. Then again, Medea doubted people in this time and age knew what that kind of setup was meant to look like. A shame, really, and yet she couldn't do much. It wasn't like he was outright going against her goals, but her Master… sure was getting on her nerves with his Jason-like behavior.

It was frustrating- not the boiling point that made her snap, but slowly getting to that point the more he flaunted his wealth and control over fellow women. Jason had some limitations due to the females among the Argonauts, but here that filter didn't seem to exist. A 'true pig' as her aunt would have called him, yet Medea doubted Circe would have been as patient as the girl was towards him. It was just business at this point, and… that wasn't holding that well before their first battle.

Yes, Medea was supposed to kill someone that wasn't a Magus, but it wasn't as easy as it sounded. The masked individual looked incredibly confident in his current abilities despite the lack of magecraft and he was soon proving that he could back up his simple claims of power. Arlecchino moved fast, nimble- her spells were swift, but failed just short from hitting their target. The human was moving at an unnatural pace, and his 'tricks' were definitely noteworthy in their own right. Medea was no natural spellcaster, she couldn't exactly understand the limits of natural magic, and yet she could perceive its energy as she was taught by Circe. The power her enemy was harnessing was impressive, and yet not at the level and intensity she was currently displaying with her own power.

A trap? Definitely looked to be that way, but Medea kept away from any surprises. Sadly, that didn't seem to prevent other 'issues' to emerge in the middle of that battle. Specifically her foe trying to talk with her when they were at each other's throats.

"You look upset."

Argh! Even her current foe could tell. This was just embarrassing, and she wasn't willing to waste time like that.

"Truly? Perhaps you can stay still and die for me?"

"I'm afraid I can't do that, Medea," He replied confidently, making use of her name so easily and annoying her some more as her identity had come out so early on during this brawl. "Yet, it would hardly help you. I'm sure you can tell why."

Of course! If her Master won here, he would just parade it as his win. Not hers, just like back when she was still an argonaut. Back then she didn't mind. But now? That matter actually stung her pretty bad. And it was even worse considering that she was doing it to harm others… and nothing else. Back in her original life, Medea could at least put her conscience at ease before the fact she was hurting some to help others. Now? The only one getting helped was her Master. And she knew he was a bad person without any doubt.

"It's irrelevant. You have to die."

"Hmm, I'm afraid that's not that easy," The masked figure remarked truthfully, and Medea could only groan in frustration before that honesty.

She was starting to lose faith in her own superiority right now, letting herself grow a bit distracted as she wondered how it was possible for a mere non-magus human to manage to pull such an interesting situation. It was just surreal, impressive and- she huffed as she felt her body forced to take action on the stalemate by a Command Seal. She hardly heard her Master speak, mostly because she had zoned him out as soon as she heard him just throw insults and orders at her about doing what she was already doing.

Instead of precise shots, Medea unleashed a full force 'multi-barrage' that was meant to at least deal some damage. Speed didn't matter if she hit a lot in a quick pattern. The barrage was meant to work, she saw some of the beams closing in on Arlecchino's position and… then something happened. It was brief, and yet the figure was out of her sight in a blink of an eye. Her shock increased before this development, but it got even worse when she felt a hand pressing onto her upper back. She would have turned and dealt with that issue, yet her body was just paralyzed. Her head could move, and what she saw was… interesting.

Arlecchino stood there, calmly holding her put with his right hand while a small metallic sphere rotated in a perfect pace within his other palm. Red energy crackled out of the unusual object, coursing over the masked figure's body and then trailing up to her. She was impressed, this was indeed one of those times where her many years of studying magic couldn't fathom what she was looking at.

"What-"

"I'm going to give you two choices, Princess of Colchis," The figure hummed. "First, your return to the Throne of Heroes and I deal with your fool of a Master."

Medea blinked. "Or?"

"Or we can strike a fortuitous deal which would enable you to live for as long as you wish back in the mortal realm."

…

"What? That's-"

"Within my power," He remarked firmly. "So, that's your choice now."

"...Why?"

"Why what?" He asked back.

"Why do you want to give me that?"

Arlecchino hummed. "I believe people can be granted a chance to be happy if one has the means to provide for them as much. Especially when someone like you was deprived of the chance to achieve a true happy ending."

While that sounded incredibly dispassionate, the way he said it wasn't. No, it sounded genuine and particularly honest from her foe. He meant it, and she was slowly having trouble finding reasons not to switch sides. Not when her soon-to-be-ex Master had taken so many horrible steps that were making Jason's malicious plots look like child play. Yes, Medea couldn't accept this anymore.

"I… I want to live."

"Good. Please, assist me."

The polite request was accepted with a nod. She was sure the growling Magus screaming at them was using another Command Seal at this point, but the deed was done. As his 'magic' suppressed the connection she had with her Master and neutered the effects of the Command Seal, her own magic reached out to redirect the 'support' to sustain her body from Atrum back to her newest Master and… that's where she realized how lucky she truly was. The moment the Seals were rewritten on the masked man's hand, Medea had a glimpse of the individual that she bound herself too and… she giggled.

"You are indeed a most bizarre man, Master."

"I hope it's not too much," The man commented politely and she smiled brightly.

"Not as much as dealing with the Argonauts, Master."

Arlecchino turned to stare at Atrum, looking ready to move against him as the Magus had fallen on the ground due to the shock of feeling their connection abruptly cut. "Now, Mr. Galliastra. I believe it's your turn to-"

Before her new Master could have finished that sentence, a large explosion ripped a building nearby, drawing attention to the matter and… allowing the panicking Magus to make a hasty retreat through the nearby alleys. Arlecchino looked back to try and not allow Atrum to leave, but at this point it was too late and… he sighed.

"A shame."

"Indeed, but… what was that explosion?" The Caster Servant inquired about the mysterious warrior she had tied herself to merely 'smiled' under his mask.

"Someone is having a tiresome day."

That… sounded like an understatement. And yet, also the truth.

Arcueid Brunestud was having fun.

Yes, her body was suffering incredible damage through the ferocious clashes she was taking part in, but she didn't mind. These exchanges with her current opponent- it would be a lie to say that those weren't fun. It was just something novel, it was intense, and it was that kind of struggle that lacked the sense of deadliness in its truest sense. The most mortal spar possible, and yet it made her blood boil in delight rather than irritate her.

She ached, but so did her opponent. Sakura Kujo wasn't exactly a powerful warrior beyond her shadow. And while it was striking her fast and enduring a lot of damage, it wasn't reacting fast enough to prevent some of that damage from passing through the plum-haired girl. Yet, the pain didn't seem to deter her foe. The opposite was true, with Sakura roaring at the challenge and showing no care for the cuts starting to appear over her body and clothes. Her ferocity matched Arcueid's, which meant a lot considering a Vampire's anger was said to be legendary if fully unleashed, and while the blonde wasn't furious, she was still raging through the battle as her instinct called her to. There was just something mesmerizing with her opponent's attacks. So precise and strong, and yet also clumsy at times.

And that was ignoring the unusual 'battle cry' the shadow had.

"ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA!"

It was just so unexpected and yet it fit with the rapid barrage of punches that tried to get her. Most managed to get to her, but they were cushioned by her resilient arms. The shadow was strong but Arcueid was nonetheless stronger than it.

"Why did you attack me?" Sakura finally asked, growing impatient with the lack of progress on her end.

"I saw you," The blonde answered curtly. "Your strength, your vigor- you are an incredible fighter."

She frowned at what felt like compliments. Which in truth was that, but meant more to Arcueid and the girl could tell that. "And?"

"And I want you to give me purpose! Through a serious battle that will give me sense and hope!"

Foolish, idealist- that's what Arcueid had called Zelretch. She ignored how that would have changed 'overnight'. The wonder, the boredom, the interest and… the emptiness. What comes after this? What's the point of going forward? As an inhuman entity, Arcueid knew that, without a purpose, it's futile to keep existing. And yet, there was something that latched dearly onto her that told her to wait. Wait and hope. But why? Hope for what? What was she trying to achieve through this? She didn't know.

Soon she had her full focus on the fight and she managed to hit Sakura's stomach with her claws. It wasn't a deep cut, but three lines of red formed through her clothes and onto her belly. The plum-haired girl groaned in true irritation and soon something seemed to happen. It was getting too far, both could tell this much, and Sakura was ready to pull a risky move to deal with her. Arcueid could tell this much, but she had yet to see what she had in mind. Something more brutal with her attacks? Some faster punching? First, the vampire got struck with an uppercut that forced her in the hair. Then the shadow, now glowing a pure white and red, seized her with its fists and… then something didn't feel right.

"｢One Vision: EX – The World｣!"

A strange sentence, but it seemed tied to what soon ensued. She was moving her arms to block the assault, but for some reason, her limbs felt heavier. A quick glance down and she felt shock before the battered look both arms were stuck in. Same for her dress as it looked tattered and her whole body suddenly bruised and wrapped in a thin layer of pain. The blonde had just a moment to understand how screwed she was, just one. A blink, then two- finally the punch connected and she felt her consciousness recoiling at that hit. She was sent flying, the wind broken by the impact as the air quake exploded and sent her soaring back on the ground. Concrete shattered, bricks crumbled and Arcueid felt her own injuries finally take her out of commission.

She fell down, her body refused to make a stand anymore. She was too tired, and her foe too strong as Sakura finally approached her. She snorted. Was it how she died? That sounded like an oddly satisfying demise. It made her feel some 'purpose' rather than just accept she didn't have a reason to exist beyond giving Zelretch a reason to not feel outright ashamed for what he did with her parent. Her eyes closed, Arcueid slipping into unconsciousness for what felt like the last time, but unaware of the fact her life was far from over. Quite the contrary in fact, the path was still quite long and filled with new emotions.

She just had to open her eyes to know that, as destiny was indeed quite unpredictable.

AN

Arlecchino has dropped two strong clues on who he is, but only a couple of readers will recognize him now. Please restrain from spoiling the fun reveal for the rest. I bet a couple of new readers will be surprised by who it is.

Also, Sakura had gone for the big guns to handle Mini-Arcueid. What will happen next? Is this the origin story of the Chibi Neco-Arc? Only one way to know that for sure… in the next chapter of this bold story!

Lastly, someone asked about Sakura's appearance. The closest resemblance is with Mori Calliope's rapper outfit (the one with the baseball cap), but with her shirt drawing down and covering her midriff.

REVIEW Q&A!

Darkscythe Drake:
1) No. I would say it's more conservative. It's like Mori Calliope's rapper outfit (the one with the baseball cap) except the shirt doesn't show the midriff;
2) Neither. This Arcueid is from the Nasuverse and, canonically/technically is still slumbering due to Roa having been killed by Dantes.

Guest (Chapter 17):
1) I would say no since they may have appeared a bit after her 'disappearance'. They were around the late Greek/early Roman civilization, so I can't say for sure;
2) Gudao? I would see a resemblance with Jonathan and Josuke- but Gudako is Joseph's ancestor, no doubts there!