Immortal: Merry Christmas everybody! I went straight to work on this after I posted the previous chapter and in gratitude for the reviews, favs, and follows, I just HAD to get this story out as a Christmas present to you all! There must've been Christmas magic lingering because I felt the fires of inspiration burn in me like an inferno! Additionally, Avenger013 was kind enough to give me some of their time to put in their input as well. So I hope you enjoy this chapter and have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Gudako: Take this time to enjoy this story and leave a review as a Christmas present! This Mordred simp rolled for me and got me Artemis for Christmas, so you know what, Christmas miracles are real! Pats Immortal's head.

Immortal: Awww... thanks! Well, onto the Christmas Interlude!

Disclaimer: This story is fan-based writing. All characters and locations are owned by their respective copyright holders for the Nasuverse as well as Arthurian mythology. I do not own them in any way, shape, form, or concept to include Reality Marbles, Singularities, or Lostbelts/Lostworlds. Please support the official release, but don't too crazy spending your money on the Fate/Grand Order gacha!

Interlude: A Christmas miracle

The Sumerian fever in Chaldea had at last been cured thanks to Ritsuka and this year's Santa Claus, Altera after descending through the Sumerian Underwold. In spite of the events, all but the worst-tempered servants held no animosity to Ereshkigal. Ishtar of course gave her sister a lengthy scolding and talking-to, but that was merely her way of expressing her worry and relief that she was okay. For the Master of Chaldea and her servants, this was as good a chance as any to finally enjoy the last Christmas before they would all have to return to the throne of heroes.

It was for this reason that a certain Saber was in a less-than-festive mood.

It was while they were walking to her room that Ritsuka and Mash Kyrielight found Mordred was pacing in front of the door looking a bit more irritated than usual. Standing off to the side with her hands clutching her dress was Frankenstein, or better known by her other nickname, "Fran". Curious as to why Mordred was looking both angry and stressed, Mash called out to her as soon as they got close.

Fran noticed them before the Saber did and grunted, "Uuu…! Uh!".

Catching Mordred's attention, she turned and said quickly covered her worry up with a smirk, "Hey Master! Mash!"

"Merry Christmas to you Mordred and Fran!", greeted Ritsuka cheerfully as she adjusted her Santa Claus hat. The Last Master had donned a festive female Santa Claus outfit that resembled a dress along with shiny black knee-high boots. The Shielder beside her wore a similar outfit except that she was wearing a festive green and red ribbon on the front of her dress. Ritsuka's smile and obvious pleasure at seeing any of her Servants was genuine, but for her and Mash both, there was something more about her Saber that made her happiness more heartfelt.

The Berserker nodded and gave a rare smile at the greeting while Mordred crossed her arms over her armored chest before she said, "Yeah, yeah, Happy Christmas and all that I guess."

"Is something on your mind Mordred? Senpai and I missed seeing you at the cafeteria.", said Mash, who had known the Saber well enough by this point that she had an appetite that nearly matched her father's.

"I… uh didn't feel like eating. Got too much on my mind.", replied Mordred and she couldn't hide the worry that she had weighing on her, yet there was a hesitation to still say what was fully on her mind. She glanced at the other homunculus who nodded at her and urged her with some more grunts for her to speak. Aside from Jekyll, Fran was the only other person who Mordred regarded as a friend or somebody who she felt she could talk to when her Master wasn't around and if she couldn't talk to her Father.

Ritsuka knew her friend well enough at this point that the only person who could make her this way was her father, Artoria.

Their relationship had gotten better as time had gone on. Artoria learned and spoke with other Servants who were parents, finally getting better and better advice on how to build her relationship with Mordred. The Knight of Rebellion herself had to reign in her natural urge to be rebellious to her father in her effort to help bridge the gap between the two. It was not easy and sometimes got frustrating with an occasional fight breaking out. But with patience and occasional counseling sessions from Kiara Sessyoin, the two had finally gotten to a point where they both began to learn and enjoy each other's company.

They had finally started to see each other as people with their own wants, hopes, dreams, failings, and vulnerabilities. In short, they saw each other as humans more than just symbols.

"Is it concerning your father, the King?", asked Ritsuka, knowing that Mordred disliked it when she referred to other "kings" in Chaldea.

"Well… yeah. Not just that, but the fact that I heard that soon you're gonna go back to your old life pretty soon Master, and once that happens…"

"…!", Mash's eyes went wide as she picked up right away the implication that Mordred was leading up to. Fran let out a glum, "Uuu…" as if voicing what her friend had already told her. Ritsuka nodded in understanding at what Mordred was wordlessly implying.

All the Heroic Spirits would go back to the Throne of Heroes and once that happened, it would be as if nothing had changed at all between Artoria and Mordred. Heroic Spirits who were affiliated with each other such as Achilles and Hektor would recognize each other immediately. Others who were tied to each other by extraordinary circumstances such as Holy Grail Wars like Atalante and Jeanne d'Arc would also know each other. Even greater was the rarity in which a summoning would leave a memory. Solomon ibn Gabriol, better known as Avicebron, distinctly remembered something terrible he had done in a previous Grail War as a Heroic Spirit.

"Mordred, are you worried about Senpai's departure will cause you and your father…"

"To forget the relationship you built up?"

Had it been anybody else, Mordred would've vehemently denied such a notion, but Ritsuka had long since earned her loyalty and her trust, so the Saber only hesitated before giving an almost imperceptible nod.

Ritsuka felt a pang of guilt as she considered this. Though she had been warned by the Servants themselves and by others many times, Ritsuka Fujimaru could not help but think of the Heroic Spirits as people instead of just tools. It just wasn't in her to consider them anything but comrades and friends, people who were dear to her heart, who she could say that she loved as well like family.

"Sorry to bring down the mood Master when it's supposed to be Christmas.", said Mordred as Fran pat her friend on the shoulder to give her some form of comfort. But then as she turned to start leaving, regretting the fact that she came at all the four of them heard the bleating of a sheep in a spectrum of the colors of the rainbow came none other than Attila the San(ta) herself astride her sheep Zerco.

"Ho. Ho. Ho!', she chortled as she floated above them, brushing the fake beard and mustache she wore, "My instincts as Santa Claus told me that somebody was lacking in the holiday cheer. That their hearts were troubled and at a loss of what to do."

"Wait, she's this year's Santa?", asked Mordred incredulously and blushing a bit, "What the heck is with that outfit? Ain't it a bit too scanty?"

Mash and Ritsuka exchanged looks as Fran shook her head as if to say, "You are the LAST person I want to hear that from!".

Altera ignored the question and instead said, "I am Santa Claus and I know that you were at a loss because of the inevitability of what is to come. Rest assured I am quite aware of the situation and have devised a way to grant the unconscious Christmas wish you had in your heart."

"Eh!? What the hell are you-, erk!", Mordred choked on her last words as she blushed even more than before, causing Fran to grunt in surprise as well before Ritsuska curiously asked what Altera meant.

"Ah, that is something that I must have Fluffy Master, Mash, and Fran bear witness to! For you see, as Santa Claus I always will know what those with a pure and honest wish will want most. So please, close your eyes and then we shall all be off!"

She waved her Candy Cane of the War God and once more a rainbow of light shone down on the trio below her.

/~/

The light faded and the four of them were no longer in the halls of Chaldea and all four had their eyes obscured by darkness. But then before them a large door opened to spill light in and they weren't even in Chaldea itself! They were in an elegant throne room decorated with all the decorative flair fit for Christmas, lined with a red carpet and above them floated Atilla the San(ta) as she finished up her work in decorating the throne room.

Music began to play courtesy of Mozart performing music in a corner, waving his conductor's baton as a swelling, triumphant theme was playing. Standing in a staggered formation along the carpet were the Knights of the Round Table. They all had their swords drawn, planted tip down and standing with solemn faces.

They heard Astolfo's cheering voice as the trio walked in and they saw he, Sieg, Jeanne D'Arc, Siegfried, Vlad III, Avicebron, and Chiron were standing on one side of the throne room with Dr. Jekyll standing amongst them. On the other side were Achilles, Atalante, Spartacus, William Shakespeare, Karna, Queen Semiramis (who looked like she wanted to be anywhere else), and Amakusa Shirou (who convinced her to come) were on the other. Leonardo Da Vinci was also present along with several of Chaldea's staff who were applauding. The kid Servants were sitting on the rafters and throwing flower petals from baskets to rain down on the ceremony that was taking place (much to Atalante's worry).

At the throne stood all of Artoria's other selves, standing next to the throne where Artoria Pendragon herself was seated, wearing her crown and ermine cape. They were all dressed in a similar manner to the Lancer Artoria, with various colors to match them in shades of blue, white, or black. It was then that Ritsuka looked over themselves and saw that instead of wearing Christmas attire, they were all dressed in formal clothing.

Mordred was wearing a handsome red frockcoat with gold-colored shoulder epaulets with her hair tied in a low ponytail held by a red silk ribbon. Her pants were black obsidian tucked into boots polished to the point that she could see her reflection on it. She wore white gloves similar to the ones she wore in her other formal attire and her buttons were glistening silver. Though she never recalled wearing such fine clothing even at Camelot, Mordred cut a very regal and handsome figure in her own right.

From the group of Artoria's, came the Lily version with perfect poise as she walked down the red carpet. She smiled brightly and Mordred gulped in sudden nervousness before Lily whispered for Fran to join Dr. Jekyll and for Mash and Ritsuka to follow along behind them and that everything would be made clear soon. The music began to reach a thrilling crescendo as Mordred, confused and surprisingly with more increasing nervousness walked with Artoria Lily to the throne. With nothing else for it, Ritsuka looked at Mash and smiled as she adjusted the tie on her Royal Brand suit, "Shall we my lady?"

Mash blushed at the playful tease before she nodded and said, "O-okay Senpai!" before she looped her arm hesitatingly through Ritsuka's arm, who began to chide herself mentally for doing something so embarrassing, unaware that Mash, while also a little bit embarrassed was happy to be on her Senpai's arm.

The two followed after Mordred and Artoria Lily up the carpet to the throne. The flowers descended on them as Gawain, Lancelot, Bedivere, and Tristan lifted their swords in a salute as they passed by.

Lily let go of Mordred's arm once they reached the threshold of the throne and joined her other selves. Mash and Ritsuka stood behind Mordred as they watched curiously as to what was going to unfold. Artoria rose from her throne and began to descend the steps towards her Knight of Londinium.

A memory of the past rose in Mordred's mind of another time, when she was still a young knight. She had completed her trial to be accepted as a member of the Round Table and be seated amongst those whom King Arthur called his closest companions. King Arthur was practically blinding in the majesty of his radiance and Mordred had been filled with even more fear and awe than ever before. The pinnacle of perfection was approaching her and Mordred had instinctively knelt in the face of such overwhelming pressure.

But here, there was no crushing weight as if a god was descending from heaven to a mortal. Here, Artoria's face was not one of grim and stoic majesty, but a gentle and wise countenance. Mordred felt the urge to kneel as well as the urge to snatch the crown off her father's head. Rebellion welled up in the Saber, but she clenched her gloved hands in fists as she mentally wrestled down the urge to speak or make demands of what was going on.

Finally, Artoria stood before Mordred and rest her hand on her shoulder and then she smiled, causing Mordred's heart to skip a few beats. Her father was smiling at her! She was genuinely smiling at her! Mordred felt herself heat up and she imagined she was making a very foolish expression, but Artoria removed her hand and spoke aloud for everybody to hear as the music was silenced.

"In the short time that I have been recalled from the Throne of Heroes, I have witnessed valor, courage, and feats beyond the imagination in the reclamation of Humanity's future. The recent undoing of the Sumerian Flu and the advent of Christmas day, though we come from all faiths, creeds, and paths, is a day meant for celebration."

She looked over at the left and right, to the many Heroic Spirits who stood in the throne room before returning to face Mordred.

"All you who stand here have heard tell of the legend of King Arthur. In life I had given all of myself to be the perfect king. But in doing so it had garnered a cost that caused many tragedies as well as many triumphs. Camelot has long since faded from the world, I am no longer a king save by the consent and belief of those who still hold to their oaths of loyalty and bonds of fellowship. Moreover, I am only here because of our Master, Ritsuka Fujimaru, for whom I find myself having faith in when things were at their darkest. Her belief in us all and her endless courage, strength of will, heart, and soul enabled us all to stand where we are today."

Ritsuka blushed a little and scratched her cheek a little at the praise, but she still was deeply touched by Artoria's words. Then the King of Knights refocused her attention back onto Mordred who tried to not fidget at the full formal weight of her father's attention.

"Our time here will be soon cut short, for all things must end however hard it will be. But… there is one thing I feel it is my solemn duty and obligation, not as a king, but as a parent to do.", continued Artoria to those present, "Though we departed as bitter enemies, it was thanks to our Master that I found myself reunited with Mordred. It was perhaps the greatest miracle that despite our history and destiny of rebel and king to clash, we were at long last able to reconcile. Therefore, I wish to make a proclamation so that even when we return to the Throne of Heroes it may never fade."

The King of Knights summoned Excalibur to her hands and planted it tip down between her feet and the burst of mana caused her to shine more brightly than ever and her ermine cape to flutter as if a breeze picked up.

"Sir Mordred the Silent, Knight of Londinium, I ask of you… Will you accept my formal proclamation to dub you as my lawful son and heir, Mordred Pendragon, the Prince of Camelot?"

"…!"

The green eyes of Mordred widened in disbelief at what she was being asked. Part of her was angry and embarrassed at her father for airing out their laundry in front of so many people like this. Part of her wanted to say, "no" for so many reasons that she couldn't think of any, from "Camelot is gone thanks to me!" to "we're gonna vanish soon" to "this makes no difference to us"!

Mordred hesitated and her mouth moved as she tried to find the words to say, but nothing came out and suddenly she felt an urge to run like hell or to draw Clarent and strike everybody down so they couldn't see her embarrassment. She had simply no idea just what to say in the face of this moment, but then she heard her Master speak.

"Mordred."

The Knight of Rebellion turned her head and Ritsuka smiled at her, before she said, "It's okay. You can say it however you want."

All her fears and anxiety vanished as Mordred stood straight and tall before looking her father in the eye and clenched her right hand in a tight fist.

"YES FATHER! YES, GOD DAMN IT I ACCEPT IT!"

then she drew back a fist even as her happiness burst forth from her eyes. Artoria's instincts as a warrior was still as potent as ever and instead of bring Excalibur up to bear, she too drew back a fist.

Then in front of the Round Table, the other Artoria's, Ritsuka Fujimaru, Mash Kyrielight, and everybody else present, Mordred and Artoria's fists collided with each other's face.

A burst of mana erupted from the blow and the shockwave blew the flower petals all over the throne room. All the Round Table Knights turned and were in utter disbelief at what transpired, eyes wide and mouths agape. The Artoria's all had varying expressions, but most were bemused by the situation.

Artoria and Mordred slowly withdrew their fists from each other's face and although Artoria had a reproachful look on her face at first at Mordred's unwanted punch. But then Mordred spat out a tooth and with a bloody smile and swelling cheek, she told her King a heartfelt, "Merry Christmas, Father."

With a sigh and a shake of her head, Artoria's smile returned as well. This was just who Mordred was and even as she felt her son's fist collide with her face, there was not an ounce of hate in the blow. This was a fist of love and she too replied, "Merry Christmas to you as well, Mordred Pendragon, Prince of Camelot."

Ritsuka and Mash led the hall in applause as the pair embraced and Atilla the San(ta) gave a jolly laugh befitting Santa Claus at the Christmas miracle below her. But she was not yet done with her role. She waved her Candy Cane of the War God and a golden brilliant light shone over the assembly as they all saw floating above them was a familiar sheep with that blank face and golden fleece.

"Hello, everybody. Hello, wife.". said Dumuzid as he looked at them all, before addressing Altera. It seemed the sheep god still decided to stick around even after helping out with the Sumerian Flu incident. He floated down to them alongside Chaldea's latest Santa Claus.

"Hey Dumuzid, what brings you here?", asked Ritsuka as Dumuzid walked over to them, his pointed feet clicking on the floor.

"Santa Claus asked for me to help with a child's Christmas wish."

Thankfully he continued before Mordred could slash him in two with Clarent when he clarified, "Like with Ereshkigal, I can use my Authority to help with memories. In short, I can make it so that this memory can stay even when all of you return to the Throne of Heroes."

"You mean, Father and I will remember this?"

"Of course.", answered Santa Altera, "Even when our time comes to depart, whether or not you and King Arthur reunite in this or the next life, you shall both remember the reformed bond between you two forevermore."

Mordred Pendragon felt warmth and happiness spread through as Fran, Jekyll, the Round Table Knights, Mash, and her Master applaud her once more.

"Th…thanks Santa.", Mordred finally managed to say as she struggled to not cry. She was Camelot's Prince and crying wasn't manly!

"Ho, ho, ho!", replied Atilla the San(ta) as she raised her Candy Cane. She and Dumuzid began to glow a brilliant kaleidoscope of rainbow and gold respectively before it filled the entire throne room. The joy that Mordred felt was shared with everybody and she turned to face her Master she held out her fist and bumped against it against hers.

/~/

As she connected her fist, there seemed to be somebody else standing in her Master's place. It was a tall, tan-skinned man wearing dark wraparound sunglasses with three scars on his face. He wore an orange shirt and a black leather jacket, with a messy mane of brown hair and pointed goatee. Mordred felt that this man was very familiar, very dear to her heart in some way. But it was odd, she couldn't remember his name for some reason. It made her a little sad, but the proud and cocky smile on his face brought out an equally proud smile on Mordred's face.

When she blinked, the man had faded from her vision and in her place was Ritsuka, smiling as broadly as the man in her vision did.

/~/

"Congratulations Mordred! This went off without a hitch!", said the Master of Chaldea and suddenly Mordred threw an arm around her shoulder, practically grabbing her in a headlock. Unfortunately for the orange-haired girl, she had let a crucial detail slip and was now paying for it.

"You planned this didn't ya Master?"

"N-not exactly... Ack!", Mordred tightened her grip just slightly and Ritsuka's arms flailed as she said, "I brought this up to the King and then it just went from there!", gagged Ritsuka as Mash frantically waved her arms to get Mordred to release her Senpai. Thankfully Mordred let go of her, slapping her back in appreciation (there were hand-sized marks on her afterwards), and as the light faded, Atilla the San(ta) and floated back up on her sheep before she declared for the Christmas celebrations to continue in full earnest.

Mozart began to play music again as Atilla the San(ta) flew over them, joined by the kid Servants as they hopped down from the rafters onto Zerco. Christmas presents began to fall out of the sheep's fluffy wool onto everybody.

Meunire in particular whooped at getting a small scale statue of Astolfo in the outfit he wore during his adventures in Argatha.

Everybody received a gift courtesy of Atilla the San(ta) and the Christmas celebrations continued anew. Mordred danced with her father as Mash danced with Ritsuka with surprising grace.

Nothing else mattered at that point as Chaldea celebrated its best Christmas ever. Not the fact that Chaldea would soon be bought out, not that the Mage's Association would interrogate them, nor even the inevitability that all the Heroic Spirits would be forced to return to the Throne of Heroes.

In another time, in another place...

The celebrations of the Birth of Christ at Tintagel Castle were wrapping up and the feast was nearly over. It was altogether a pleasant affair as nobles and knights sworn to King Mark attended the Christmas feast. Sir Bertilak had gifted her with a lute, a musical instrument that he had made himself.

Mordred had given her mother a black and blue cloth with a design that included pictures of her tattooed body for her, courtesy of Queen Iseult ordering the materials for her and helping the newly christened knight with the sewing.

Morgan however had given nothing to Mordred and instead bid her to follow. Mordred couldn't help but dejected and a little angry that her mother had shown no sign of gratitude for the heartfelt gift Mordred had made for her. It took her hours to learn how to sew even with the Queen's help and she pricked her finger multiple times.

But soon they arrived to her mother's private room and with a wave of her hands, the candles all ignited, bathing the room in a warm glow. Morgan le Faye moved to her table and picked up a small box wrapped shut with a beautiful green and red ribbon, adorned with holly before she presented it to Mordred.

After her knighting, Mordred had grown even more and was nearly shoulder-height to her mother despite only being 5 years old. But under the Green Knight's continued tutelage, she had grown ever stronger and taller. Briefly Morgan mused on what awaited them in Orkney when they arrived.

Mordred opened the box and inside was a two slips of parchment. Curiously, Mordred looked at her mother before asking what this was supposed to be.

"Look and see.", replied Morgan curtly.

The knight picked up the first paper and her eyes lit up in awe as the box slipped out of her hand. What she held in her hand was a drawing of a figure in thick armor with tracings of red and a horned helmet. Something about this armor gave off the aura of strength and intimidation.

"Look well Mordred.", said Morgan le Faye as she circled around and placed her hands on her child's shoulder's, "Your future armor and "The Secret of Pedigree". The Helm of Hidden Infidelity. This... is what you shall wear when the time comes for you to take what is rightfully yours. When you defeat King Arthur and take his place."

Her hands tightened on Mordred's shoulders and a cruel smile manifested as Mordred stared down at her future armor.

"Merry Christmas... my child."

Immortal: YES I AM AWARE THAT CHRISTMAS WAS NOT CELEBRATED IN THAT WAY DURING THE REIGN OF KING ARTHUR AND MERRY CHRISTMAS WAS NOT USED IN THAT WAY! Also I am aware that lutes were not invented at this point in time in the 5th or so century, but hey Mordred deserves something nice!

But for real, we can just take this as it is and I know you all can enjoy this as it is. For real though, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a very Happy New Year to you all!

Gudako: Happy Holidays! Hey Immortal, help me finish this bucket of KFC chicken!

Reviewers Corner:

Misaka Phenex- Good? I'm glad you think so! Hopefully I can keep getting better and you will like this even more!

The Keeper of Worlds- Oh yes, this definitely can grow and I hope to have you still around to see this to grow to the pinnacle!

TheHolyBlade- You are very welcome! Thank you for leaving a review as well and seeing this as great!

Tf2sniper326- Sorry to make you worried, but trust me I am NOT going to give up on this and ghost you all when there's still so much to tell! Thank you for the encouragement and Happy Holidays to you!