Hello once more, my ever lovely peeps!
So here we are again, ready to continue form last chapter. Also i do apologize for the late update, but to put it simply:
My work boss's have lost their little minds. They've been completely fucking both me and everyone else over, with bullshit overtime and even changing the work schedule where it makes very little sense and what's more, is the days were suppose to be "Off" they have a list of days were working overtime on said days.
So basically, where it looks like we get three days off at a time, we only get two as they just said,"Here you go, the days you don't work but really do work." It's a complete cluster fuck, with a middle finger sent our way.
Complete and utter fucking fuck.
So, while i wanted to finish this chapter, so we can get to the Avengers Arc but things aren't going to be that simple sadly. So i'm be breaking this chapter into THREE parts, where hopefully the next chapter will end this and we can move on. Hopefully anyway, so as always i don't own Fate or Mavrel.
So please read, review and "What the fuc-BOOM"
Chapter 16: A Stark Birthday Part 2
"Sometimes i wonder just how stupid people can be at times."
Xero said, mostly to himself shaking his head. He silently reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, silently lightening it up with his fire magic. A crud habit he'd picked up from Kiritsugu and he'd mostly did it when he was very stressed and or irritated. Right now, he was very irritated with the director of SHIELD, even if it had been three weeks since he'd last seen him.
Project Insight...by far one of the worst ideas Xero has ever heard in his entire life. And given his track record, with all his adventures and of course, dealing with his three little sisters form a different timeline/world? Whatever. The point is, he's heard some pretty stupid ideas but this one took the cake.
"But Project Insight has to, by far the STUPIDEST idea i have ever heard of."
In simple terms, SHIELD sending up three Helicarrie's, whatever that is, into the air and having them target everything and everyone on the planet. And calling it protection form threats to humanity as a whole by pointing a gun at everyone, both innocent and criminal.
It wasn't just a stupid idea, it was a terrible one.
One, while it was all automatic, it means it can be hacked. If it can be hacked, then all those very strong, very powerful guns would be able to kill millions in seconds, without missing a beat. Not to mention, with it being over 3'000 feet in the air, no one could reach them without being torn to shreds. While on paper it was a good idea but in reality?
It was a disaster waiting to happen.
Xero took a deep whiff and blew out the smoke, placing the cancer stick between his lips again, over looking the city.
The only good thing was the fact, Project Insight was no where near ready. So Xero had plenty of time to ensure it never even got off the ground and while Fury might not like it, he didn't care. The fact HYDRA was trying to move the project along, only made it more imperative that Xero ensure those Helicarrie's never saw the light of day.
All his Servants, in a rare show of unanimous, agreed.
Both old and new, understood that, while it had a lot of potential to do some real good in the world that worked both ways. It also had the potential to do great evil and what's worse, is that no one could stop it easily. It be nigh impossible to get up there and stop them.
The entire thing itself was just too risky and would be disaster one way or another.
Fury didn't really agree but wouldn't try to stop Xero, as he now knew that HYDRA was indeed pushing for the Project to be sped up, he was second guessing it's potential. If HYDRA wanted it built so desperately, now more then ever since the Grimm Reaper started his attacks, it made him question if SHIELD truly was helping the world or if he and everyone else was just a puppet.
Maybe he was, maybe not.
But that didn't mean, he couldn't change SHIELD back to what it was truly meant to be:
A Shield that protects any and all those who need it.
It may have been his wording, it may have been his actions, hell it may have been simply because of his charisma, but Fury did tell Xero they have found someone form his past. A man, who had given everything to stop HYDRA and save the world without a moment of hesitation. While up in the Arctic north pole, they had found the same bomber plan the Red Skull planned to use, to destroy the world.
In doing so, they found more then that. They found Xero and Bucky's old friend and what's more he was still alive, even after being frozen for over seventy years:
They found Steve Rogers aka Captain America.
Fury originally planned to put the good captain in a room, to give him the illusion, it was still 1945 but Xero disagree. The man more then likely still believed they were at war and any type of deception would not only result in Steve attacking something(Or someone) but also damage his ability to trust people. Trust was that was in very short supply and with HYDRA still alive and active, Steve would no doubt be a high profiled target.
Simply because he was THE Captain America, the man who stopped HYDRA in the first place and defeated Red Skull. No, any type of deception would only end badly and Xero wouldn't deceive his old friend like that. Steve deserved much then that and he more then well, earned the right to know.
Plus, Xero was a terrible liar.
Because of these points and no matter how much he wanted to say otherwise, Fury knew Xero was right.
But that didn't mean he had to like it and ultimately asked Xero, what HIS plan, to introduce the captain to the 21 century. The plan was very simple and turned out for a much better result.
Flashback
Beep
Beep
Beep
Beep
The sound of beeping, is the first thing Steven "Steve" Rogers heard, as his eyes slowly fluttered open. Only for him to close them just as quickly, as the blinding light nearly blinded him.
"Yeah, i wouldn't do that Han Solo. Being frozen for so long, will do that to you. Take a breath and let you're eyes adjust soldier."
That voice...he knew that voice. It was Crypto, that meant there was someone here he could trust, so he did as he was told. While he had no idea who this "Han Solo" was, he just chucked it up as one of Crypto's movie references or sassy remarks. If there was thing he knew his friend liked to do, it was make remarks about things he didn't know and be sassy as hell.
Steve, originally found it a bit annoying but it grew on him. Plus it helped steel his nerves before and during missions. If Crypto had time to be sassy, then things would be fine.
But that was just him.
Finally after his eyes finally adjusted, Steve opened his eyes and saw he was inside a hospital room. Unlike the ones he'd seen on the front lines(Which were very rare, as he's never been in one before) he could tell form a glance, the pristine condition. Complete with pure white walls and advanced medical tech, told Steve he was in a hospital room.
A very nice one at that.
He looked around and quickly found his friend, in a chair with his hood down, revealing his face. Something that Steve couldn't help but stare at, as in his mind, children nor someone Crypto's age should have been in the war. Oh he helped, no doubt about it but it felt wrong to Steve. Make no mistake, he respected Crypto choice to stand tall and proud against HYDRA, as many others wouldn't even dare to try.
He respected the teen's leadership skills, his strength and drive to do what he believed was right, no matter how high the odds were stacked against him. Or if everyone told him he was wrong, Crypto stood by what he believed.
In truth, Steve admired that about him and it only made him want to fight harder. Even Orthopox, who usual followed Crypto's lead had proven herself to be a very effective leader and fighter.
Despite this, it sadden Steve too see, the two on the front lines.
Someone that young, should be worrying about normal teenage stuff. Like dating girls(Or in Orthopox's case, boys) school work and probably playing with friends and families, that kind of thing. Not coming up with military strategies, watching countless friends and comrades alike fall to a hail or bullets and or being ripped apart by said bullets. Nor should they come across a ransacked village's, littered with the bodies of the dead.
Male, female, child, soldier and civilian alike.
The kind of sights that would make harder veteran's puck there guts out, Crypto didn't even bait an eye. It was kinda disturbing if Steve were to be honest and when he asked why Crypto didn't even flinch, the younger man simply reply:
"Now...is not the time for emotion."
Hell, even Orthopox lost her usual smile and her eyes gained a tinted of darkness to them.
Never the less, Crypto was right of course but it made Steve all the more eager to end the war. Both Crypto and Orthopox had already been sacrificed for this damn war, along with so many others that Steve couldn't even began to count the body count. Both military and non-combatant.
No one else needed to be sacrificed.
But the people they killed, bodies torn to pieces and left behind to rot haunted Steve.
Never once, in his entire life has he ever seen anyone that angry and quite frankly, blood thirsty. When Crypto and Orthopox found the HYDRA soldiers who destroyed the town, there was no warning for what came next. They were no words exchange, no sassy remark or even a cheerful yell, just the sound of metal cutting flesh, arrows(Yes, not bullets but arrows of all things) being fired, ripping through human tissue and bones being torn apart.
Piece by piece.
Steve had seen a lot of bad things, terrible things in fact during the war. But never once, before and during the war, has he ever seen such carnage in his life. At the time, Steve and the rest of his comrades felt like they were they're, merely to watch, two of the best people he's ever known become monsters before his very eyes.
HYDRA was bad and Steve would go very far, as to say they are pure evil.
But witnessing the way, those soldiers were ripped limb form limb and neither master's saying a word was...terrifying. He almost felt sorry for the HYDRA soldiers.
Almost.
Everyone had a dark side, Steve knew that for a fact. He himself had one but he didn't think it hold a candle to Crypto's or Orthopox's. But he couldn't blame them, as the two got close to the villagers and seeing them dead and gone, only flipped there murder switch on.
Despite that, Steve trusted the two with his life. They have never let him down before and vice verse. He was just glad to see a friendly face in this fancy hospital and apparently new world as well.
"Oi, you going to keep staring or you going to say something. I know i'm hot and while i may go both ways, sorry to say you're not my type Stevie."
The younger man said, lifting his arms forming an X with them over his chest,"I'm off limits and if i so much as kiss anyone else, Berserker and quite possible Avenger will smash me till i'm nothing but a puddle of goo. Assassin will also probably use her acid on me and trust me, that's not a good way to go. No offense to you, you're a great guy and all, but you're not worth the beating i'd get and or get melted."
The blonde man couldn't help but laugh a little at that. No matter what it was, no matter what kind of situation they were in, Crypto always managed to get a laugh out of Steve. Something he felt, he really needed right now.
Then his expression grew more serious, as he looked around,"As funny as that is Crypto, where are we?"
"First off, you're in a hospital. But before that, tell me what do you remember, soldier?"
Steve furrowed his brows for a second, before his eyes widen.
"PEGGY! Is she alright?! Oh god, Crypto, did we win?! Is the war over?! What happened to HYDRA?!"
"Whoa, slow down soldier, everything is fine. Peggy is...alright and HYDRA, well that's a bit more complicated."
Xero sighed, as Steve slowly lay down on the bed, after nearly jumping right out of the bed. Sighing again, running a hand through his long hair, Xero decide to make sure Steve understood the situation he was in, before giving him the real bad news.
"Steve, tell me do you remember what you did? How you stopped HYDRA's plans to destroy the world?"
The captain closed his eyes and after a few seconds, opened them again,"Yeah. I...i crushed the bomber plan into the water, was the only way to ensure they couldn't kill anyone. But not before i lost the Tesseract. It...it did, something to Red Skull and he just vanished."
Xero nodded and smiled,"That's good. Steve, there is no easy way to say this, so i'll say it. When you crushed the bomber, you unintentionally froze yourself within the ice itself. How you survived for so long, is more then likely because of the Super Soldier Serum. It did more then just enhance you, it basically made you able to survive anything and you've only been discovered within the ice not too long ago."
"Frozen?"
Steve stared at Xero in shock, his mouth hanging open,"How long?"
The younger man stayed silent for a second, making the captain's frown deepen, before he said in a more forceful tone,"Crypto, how long?"
"Seventy years."
THUMP
Steve fall back on the bed in shock, eyes nearly popping out of his skull. He's been frozen for seventy years? If that was true, then that meant...that meant everyone he knew was gone. Peggy, Howard, Dugan, Gabe, Montgomery, Jim, James, Jacques and everyone else was gone or very old. Seventy years was a long time and a whole lot can change during that time, so that meant he was in a new world.
One he more then likely wouldn't be able to recognize anymore. Just how much had changed since he's been, oh what would be the right word?
Asleep?
Yes.
That be the right word, how much had change since he's been asleep?
It took a few minutes for Steve to come back to life, as he felt his friend shook him a bit to get his attention. Once Steve came back to the land of the living, lookws T his friend as he spoke,"Hey, i know it's shocking but i'm here with you. You're not alone."
Steve looked at Crypto, before he slowly nodded, his heart beat finally slowing down form the shock he received. That's right, he wasn't alone was he?
Crypto was here with him and if he really has been frozen for seventy years, then why did he look exactly the same as he had before? How was that possible, as his friend liked to joke, he would never joke like this.
"In fact,"
Steve thought to himself, eyeing his friend with a critical eye. Crypto did change a bit but it was very difficult to see, thankful he had learned to observe his surroundings. His face was no longer completely youthful, as it had become more mature. Not to mention, his posture, despite being covered in that old ragged cloak of his, was much more relaxed.
Even his eyes, while sharp as ever, seemed to be more at peace?
Yes.
More at peace.
"Crypto's seems to be more at peace, then iv'e ever seen him. Something happened and it turned him for the better."
The good captain thought, finishing his train of thought. It was a good thing too, as he knew Crypto held his emotions inside and that wasn't healthy for him or anyone for that matter. But it seems to Steve, Crypto finally found an outlet for his emotions.
"Okay, the whole staring thing is starting to creep me out, Steve. Knock it off, otherwise i'll start calling you 'Captain Creeper'.".
"Right, sorry."
Steve shook his head, as he looked at the ceiling and thought about what he wanted to ask. He had a million of them and he wasn't sure what he wanted to ask first. So, he went with the easiest one.
"Where are we?"
"Misericordia hospital. Wanted to make sure you were fine, not have any surprise's for spending so much time as a, capsicle."
Steve just have Xero a look,"Capsicle?"
"Yep, spending so much time as an ice block, capsicle seemed to fit you better. Of course i could always call you 'Blockhead', 'Mr. Freeze' or 'Captain Cold'."
Steve couldn't stop the chuckle that escaped his lips again. Yeah, capsicle didn't seem too bad now, giving what he COULD be called instead. He had to admit, capsicle wasn't that bad of a nickname and it could have been worse. But before more could be said, a new voice yelled out.
"UUUGGGGHHHHH! I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!"
One that Steve new very well. Before Xero or Steve could even turn, the door to the room flew open and an orange blur slammed into Steve. The soldier "UGH" a bit, before smiling and wrapping his large arms around-
"Orthopox...somehow you being alive and the same age, as the last time i saw you, doesn't surprise me at all."
After all, if Crypto had somehow survived all this time and was able to stay the same age the last time Steve had saw him, why couldn't Orthopox do the same?
Said girl merely hugged him tighter, causing some of Steve's ribs to crack a little bit. Gudako had wore the same outfit, she wore during the war and like Xero, had pulled her hood back, revealing her face. The girl had a wide smile on her face, as her eyes shinned with happiness at seeing Steve awake.
"Did you miss me, didyoumissme?!"
Came the girl's rapid fired question, making Steve smile and ruffle her hair,"Yeah, i did."
He then looked over to Xero and said,"I'm guessing there is more, isn't there?"
"Sigh, it's that obvious huh?"
"Crypto it's you. Since when are things ever simple when you're around."
"Fair point and you are right, there is more."
With that Xero looked at the open door and said,"You can come in now."
Then, two people walked into the room, two that made Steve's jaw drop at the sight of and his heart to skip a beat. No way, it was impossible. Crypto and Orthopox, he could handle, those two were just plain weird and capable of achieving impossible odds. But that's what made them so reliable in a fight and Steve was damn happy, they were on his side.
"Holy shit, Steve you really are alive!"
But this...this was something he thought was beyond Crypto's and Orthopox's ability to do.
"Man and here i thought Xero couldn't pull off anymore miracles. You sure you're not doing this on purpose?"
"Trust me Bucky, it's not me. I told you this before and i'll say it again, i have the devil's luck. Plus i'm sure Lady Luck or some kind of gods have taken a shine too me. Then again, i did save human history, so it's only natural they'd pay me, my dues."
"Ahem"
"And you'res dues as well Gudako, i didn't forget."
"Good."
The orange haired girl quickly went back to hugging Steve, while said man just ignored everything and had a look on his face, that said he'd seen a pair of ghosts. Cause he has.
"James...Bucky, how...how is this possible?"
Standing before Steve, were two of his Howling Commandos. While James hasn't change very much, Bucky looked like he'd seen better days. His hair was messy and now reaching his shoulders and he was sporting the make shapes of a bread. He was also missing an arm, as he wore a simple black T-shirt, with blue jeans and boots.
But the one thing that caught Steve's attention, were his eyes. They held the "Haunted" look to them and if he wasn't mistaken, he could see dark circles beginning to form under his eyes. The signs of someone who hasn't been sleeping very well.
And Steve had a feeling, it wasn't because of his missing arm either.
As for James, he merely wore a white T-shirt with blue jeans and boots. He didn't change a bit in terms of looks as he still had those long sideburns and a well built build. But despite that, he still pulled the "Lumber Jack" look. Something Crypto made sure to remind him, every chance he got. Much to the man's annoyance and everyone else's amusement.
"Master, i need a word."
Just before Steve could try and pull it together, another person entered the room, making everyone look at them. She is a beautiful woman, with fair skin and long sliver hair tied in a pony tail with red eyes. She wore what looked like a mixture between samurai armor and kimono, one that revealed her slim shoulders. She looked at Xero with a worried anxious expression and the master knew, whatever she wanted to talk about was big.
Looking at Steve and Gudako, he said,"Do you mind?"
"No. Go ahead Crypto, er...Xero?"
Xero nodded at Steve's question, knowing he was asking if his name was either Crypto or Xero. Nodding, Xero silently moved past the two men, as they sat around Captain America's bed and Xero looked at Tomoe Gozen. A four star Archer class Servant and known as, Archer Inferno.
"What is it?"
"Master, Caster has found some footage of the event that killed you're grandfather."
Xero blinked, well that was quick wasn't it?
He had tasked Da Vinic with finding evidence of HYDRA's manipulating events for the past seventy years. With the revelation that HYDRA had been alive for so long and been pulling strings form being the scenes, he had tasked Da Vinic to find everything she could find, to use against HYDRA. So, when the time came to drag the bastards out into the light, they'll have no means to slip away or save there skins form getting what they deserve and everyone seeing them as they are:
People, who kill simply because others don't agree with them.
Howard and Maria Stark's death, while legally classified as "Death by car crash" was too cut and clean for Xero. Where was the proof, the investigation, the pictures, the police report? All the typical police protocol procedures when a car crash is involved.
Especially when the crash involved such a high profile figure. The police should have been all over it for mouths on end, just to make sure there was no foul play. But they didn't and that screamed Cover Up to Xero. Now, that he knew HYDRA was still active, it was easy to see how they would benefit form Howard's death and or just simply revenge.
Either one was possible.
"Okay, so what's the problem then?"
The Archer bit her lip, shuffling form one foot to the other, making a pit form in Xero's stomach. The normally cheerful, video game playing Oni never looked this worried, unless it's something bad.
Very bad.
The woman keep biting her lip, despite how shameful it was, the warrior-general finally said,"You'd best come and see for yourself master."
Fifteen Minutes Later
"Master, you're here."
Da Vinic tried to smile but it was very strained, which made the pit in his stomach all the more deeper. The fact she didn't have, her usual wide smile and trying to get him to agree to one of her "experiments" told him that whatever Tomoe brought him here for, was bad.
Very bad.
The fact she didn't bother to give him the usual run around in forms of riddles(Like Semiramis and Nitocris did) only spoke of the severity of the situation. So, without wasting anytime he said,"What did you find?"
Wordless, the brown haired beauty's fingers danced across her keyboard and it brought up an old video.
"Wait, isn't that road..."
Xero stayed silent, as he watched a car crash into the street light and a motorcycle rev up next to it, coming to a stop. The younger Stark could only watch in silence as his grandfather crawled out of the car and the man on the cycle was-
"Bucky?"
"Sargent Barnes?"
Howard gasped, as the Winter Soldier without uttering a word, gripped the back of his head and
BAM
BAM
BAM
The three flinched, as they could hear bones breaking and watched in horror as the Winter Soldier-BUCKY killed Howard and choked Maria Stark, his wife and Xero's grandmother to death. Without uttering a word, Barnes looked at the camera, raising his gun. Then-
BUZZZZZZ
The video went to static.
"..."
Everyone stayed silent for a while. Despite having watched the video before hand, the Servants were still shocked to see what Xero's old friend, the one they believed they had failed, had been forced to do such a horrible thing. As for Xero, he just stared at the screen for a long time and the Caster and Archer were pretty sure, their master didn't even blink.
Finally he spoke in a very soft tone.
"...What did he take?"
"Unknown, we know you're grandfa-Howard was on his way to the Pentagon. I had Danzo look into it, while she is cracking through the files we got form SHIELD."
The Caster said, trying not to set her master off in anyway. While he had nothing against Howard, he was always a friend to her master rather then a grandfather. It's simply too wired to think of him as "Grandpa". Slowly Xero nodded and moved his hands so he could make a small
Clap
"You called for me, master."
And not a second later, Danzo appeared. Her golden eyes darted to the screen and knew what her lord wanted form her. But Xero beat her to the punch,"Was Howard transporting anything when he was killed?"
"He was. Danzo had found out, he had five incomplete serums of the original Super Soldier serum used to create Captain America."
"Wait!"
Tomoe eyes widen, as she looked at the Assassin in shock,"If HYDRA were after the packs, wouldn't that mean-"
"HYDRA has not only gotten there hands on the highly sought after, Super Soldier Serum. Which means, there is a good chance they either used it on Bucky or worse, created five more Winter Soldiers."
Xero finished grimly, as his eyes harden. This wasn't good, not good at all.
"That is the most logical conclusion."
Danzo said, putting her own two cents into the discussion. The master and Archer could practically hear the gears in her head turning,"Lord Xero, i have been running the numbers and logic stands to reason, that the Serum they used create five more Winter Soldiers didn't work right."
Xero and Tomoe blinked, as the Archer said,"Please explain Danzo."
"It's quite simple, Lady Tomoe. The Serum was incomplete, as the full formal died with Doctor Erskine. The packs Mr. Stark were carrying was more or less, a by product, a abridged version if you will. Therefore, logically the Serum would have unexpected side-effects in either not working or worse, it worked to well and unlike Bucky, they could not control them."
The two stared at the cybernetic ninja with wide eyes. While yes, both options were very much plausible neither were a good outcome. Captain America and the Winter Soldier were bad enough, but five more that were even worse?
That was a terrifying thought.
"Well, one way or another we can't deal with them right now. So let's focus on the problem at hand, one thing at a time."
Xero finally said, as the three Servants nodded in agreement. The master then looked at Da Vinic and said,"So, what are we going to do about the video? Should we tell Tony?"
Xero paused as he pressed his lips together. That was a good question, should he show Tony or not? Several second passed, before he finally spoke,"Alright...here's what were going to do."
Flashback End
In the end Xero decide to tell his father about the video. It was mostly due to the simple fact:
What happens in the dark, comes to light.
Every secret, every dark thing that happens within the shadows eventually comes to light.
Always.
When Xero showed Tony the video, the man stayed silent for a long time. He didn't move, didn't twitch, didn't blink and Xero was certain the man didn't even breath. After a several seconds, going onto a few minutes Tony roughly grabbed Xero's collar and made his son look him in the eye, whispering,"Did you know?"
He didn't.
Xero answered truthfully, saying this was new to him as well and he decide it was best, he'd show his father. He was no fool, he knew Tony find out sooner or later and decide to nip it in the bud while he could. Tony just looked at him for another several seconds before nodded his head, believing his son. Tony did thank Xero for at least being honest with him and trusting him with the truth.
Rather then trying to hide the truth form him, like some people would have.
In doing so, would have destroyed whatever trust had been built between the two. The scar left behind by the betrayal would take a long, long time to heal and even then it would not completely heal. The pain wouldn't vanish, it be there, lingering in the back of the person's mind till the day they die. Along with their ability to trust people, being several damaged.
Though that didn't stop Tony form being cold at best and outright hostile at worse, towards the former Winter Soldier. One of the few memories Bucky did retrain, was killing Howard. When it first came, the man broke down so bad he actually vomited. The fact he killed his friend in such a bloody manner left him ill for a week,
This reaction, caused Tony to thaw a little around Bucky. No one, no matter how good of an actor they are, can fake that kind of physical reaction. While Tony may never forgive Bucky for what he did, he did acknowledge that the ones who truly deserved his wrath:
HYDRA.
They would pay for killing his mom.
Though, this fact only drove home to Steve's decision to help his old friend destroy HYDRA once and for all. The fact they killed Howard, was salt to the wounds and Steve wanted to be rid of his old foe, once and for all.
Bucky also wanted to join in. HYDRA used him, made him a weapon and now, that weapon wanted revenge against his 'handlers'. But due to his mental instability and the fact he all but threw out his old metal arm, the former soldier simply wasn't fit for combat. The same went for Steve, as Xero was helping the two get use to the "New World" with Logan and Gudako's help.
All Logan asked in return, was that he get to help Xero and Gudako destroy HYDRA. Unlike the other two, Xero was more then happy to let Logan get his kicks in. That is, if Gorgon didn't eat them all first.
Though admittedly Xero was a originally against letting his fellow master help. Not that he thought she was weak, despite his best efforts to try and take everything on himself in order to try and shield the girl form the horrors, Gudako had proven herself time and time again. The fact of the matter is, that Xero wanted Gudako to try and live a normal life but quickly realized something.
That was never going to happen.
He should have know better by now, Gudako will get her own pound of flesh form HYDRA. One way or another and not even her dear 'Oni-chan' would stop her. If people thought Xero could be cruel and ruthless, Gudako could be MUCH worse then him, when she wanted to be.
He blamed Vlad for that.
Speaking of her, Gudako's Servants and his own were very happy to be back together again. Throughout the Chaldea Quest, the two groups of Servants had basically become family and when the two master's parted ways, both could admit it hurt a lot to be separated. They've both grew in ways they couldn't have imaged and no matter what happened they were family.
As were they're Servants.
So, despite all that's happened and what the two have lost along the way, Xero and Gudako were happy to be reunited once more. Along with even more new friends!
In any case, Fury asked Tony to house not only Bucky and Steve but Clint and Natasha as well. The first two, well simply because HYDRA was not only on the loose but they had large targets painted on their backs. Once more, the fact HYDRA was growing within SHIELD and Fury simply didn't know who he could and couldn't trust anymore, he decide to take a gamble and leave not only those two but Hawkeye and Black Widow at Stark Tower.
More to the point, leave them under Xero's and Gudako's physical protection and Tony's political protection.
Fury knew if push come to shove, HYDRA would send there agents to try and kill their targets if they can't get to them by normal means. Official, Fury had placed Rogers and Barnes under Stark's care, slowly getting them reintegrate back into society. Given the fact Tony was not only the famous "Iron Man" but the two men were close to his father, Howard. And as a show of good faith, Fury had sent two of his best agents to 'monitor them' and protect them if needed. Given what happened not to long ago, no one could say Fury was being too paranoid.
Official.
Un-official, it was to ensure they could watch each others backs without the fear of being stabbed in said back. Despite what he said to Xero, Fury did trust him enough to know, he'd do the right thing. With his little sister, Gudako there, he knew it make HYDRA nervous and anxious. Many people they've tried to keep apart have come together and one wrong move, would spell disaster for them.
For HYDRA.
Along with every other crime syndicate out there.
Xero saw what Fury was trying to do and approved it. While yes, he was trying to protect Natasha and Clint, he was also trying to make HYDRA screw up. The more nervous HYDRA got, the more likely they are to make even more mistakes and trip over themselves in an attempt to get rid of them all. Which would end in horrible failure, like it did last time.
All the more better for them, once they make a move to take HYDRA down for good this time.
"Fou."
"There you are master."
Two voices shook Xero out of his thoughts, as he looked behind him while he dangled the cigarette between his lips, as he saw Fou and Saber Artoria Lily walking up to him. The little fur ball quickly climbed up Xero's thick hair like it was a ladder and rested himself on his shoulder, with a content "Fou."
"Just getting some air is all."
Xero said, answering the knight princess's unasked question.
"And to smoke?"
Saber Lily said, with a disapproving look on her face. Like all the other Artoria's, she had the same face, eye color and blonde hair. Only she wore a white ribbon in her hair and wore a beautiful white dress, with white stocking.
Xero merely looked at her, before he turned his head around, looking back out the city,"Nightingale says i need to find ways to reduced stress, so i am."
"By smoking?"
"Are you really hang up on that?"
"It's bad for you master."
"A lot of things are bad for you, yet i do them anyway. Why's this any different?"
The King to be, answer was to pluck the cancer stick form his lips and throw it away. This caused Xero to give the young version of Artoria a blank stare and Fou to make a noise that sounded like, he was trying to hide his laughter.
"The difference is, i can stop you."
Was her response, complete with a smile. While normally, Xero would have applauded Saber Lily's showing her back bone and becoming more assertive, he felt annoyance at having his cigarette being taken form him.
"Punk."
Was his only response, as the girl merely smiled making Xero blush a little, taking a small step back.
"Why is she here?"
The master thought to himself, eyeing Saber Lily warily. She was one of the easiest Servants to get along with, compared to many others. He helped the knight princess train everyday to try and get stronger, gave her some of his manga and introduced her to many new things she didn't know and grew to love. And, like all the others, often bent an ear for her to vent her worries and frustration on.
But one day, things between the two got...awkward.
Very awkward.
Flashback
"Master!"
Xero's head snapped up, the door to his room in Chaldea slammed open and the youngest of all the Artoria's came in, face flushed red.
"Lily, what's wrong?"
He quickly put his manga down and jumped to his feet, seeing his Servant looking panicked had him tensing. Did another singularity pop up? Was someone hurt? Were there monsters inside Chaldea?
His worried expression soon turned into an odd one, as he saw the blonde shut the door and lock it. Looking quite sheepish, Saber Lily said,"Sorry master, but i needed a place to hide form-"
"Kuro."
It was more of a statement then question. Seeing her nodded, the master sighed and pinched his nose, flopping back down on his seat as he felt a headache coming to the forefront of his skull. Ever since the little Archer came her, with Illya and Miyu came to Chaldea after the whole mess with the First Lady she was becoming one of the top ten problematic Servants. While yes, that changed regularly, depending on the day of the week and whatever mood they were in, Kuro was quickly becoming one of those top ten.
To call Kuro complex would be an understatement.
She was smart, devious and manipulative. Picking up on subtleties about people and using them to her advantage to either mess with them or use them for her own use. One might call her Illya's opposite in just about every way possible, including fighting methods and personalities. Illya was sweet, kind and a bit airhead while Kuro was a smart ass, straightforward and can be a bit cruel at times.
However, she could be kind, sweet and even timid at times and very much dependable too. Really it mostly depends on the situation and her mood.
But she was also a pervert and more then once did Xero and or another Servant have to stop the Archer form,"Taking Saber Lily's innocence". To anyone else, they would think Kuro tried to rape the blonde but in reality, she just like messing with people.
And taking there mana, via kissing.
Something Xero has more then once, protected himself form and even Gudako had to do it more then once. Damn girl was a menace at times and had no problem with taking what she wanted.
Plus, she was very persistent.
Back to the present Xero sighed again, picking up his manga and waved his hand around his room,"Well make yourself comparable then. This might take a while and-"
"Uh, master i think i might have a way to stop Kuro."
Blinking Xero looked at Saber Lily and saw her blushing so red, it make a tomato jealous. That made him quirk an eyebrow, what was she up to?
"Okay."
He said slowly, setting the manga down again,"What is it?"
The knight princess couldn't look him in the eye and was shifting form one foot to the next, while twiddling her thumbs. She was obviously very nervous and if possible, her face turned even redder.
"Well...i think Kuro will stop trying to kiss me, i-if..."
"If?"
Xero said leaning in, making the girl suck some breath in and then blurt out,"IF YOU KISS ME INSTEAD!"
"..."
Xero's brain short-circuited at that. Did he hear that right? She wanted him to what?!
"What?!"
Xero jumped back a bit, as the Servant quickly shook her head,"No! Never mind, it was a stupid idea!"
The Saber tried to leave, but the master grabbed her shoulder before she could,"Saber wait, what brought this on?"
The youngest of the Artoria's bit her lip, still unable to look her master in the eye, as she spoke,"To be honest, it's mostly due to the fact i have never kissed anyone before. You've kept me by you're side, helped me grow stronger then i ever thought possible and even let me vent my concerns and frustration even though you didn't have to. Besides i trust you and i'd rather it be with someone i...i care for. "
She was unable to say the L word. Far to embarrassing and she was sure, if she did say it her head would pop off it's shoulder form sheer embarrassment alone!
Xero, meanwhile could only stare at the blonde before him, his mind trying and failing to understand what it just heard. Was he hearing this right? Plenty of other female Servants would use this kind of excuse in an attempt to mess with him, but Saber Lily wasn't the type of person to do that. Finally he said,"Just...how will this stop Kuro, Artoria?"
"Well...since she knows i have never kissed anyone before, she's been trying to steal my first. I figured if...if you took it, she'd at least lay off me and try to find someone else to bug."
It was very weak, both master and Servant knew the Archer would never give up and him taking the girl's first and would probably make her even more determined. But never the less, Artoria came to him looking for help and he would help her.
Even if it was in a very odd and unorthodox way.
"Alright, i can see that. So..."
Xero ran a hand through his hair, blushing as well. He always liked the young Saber, she was spunky, upbeat and helpful despite being very inexperienced. So if she thought this would help, then why not? He was helping her, nothing odd or wired about it, right?
Right.
The Saber nodded and closed her eyes, as Xero stared at the girl's pink lips making him blush even more.
"I'm just trying to help her, nothing more!"
Xero shouted in his head, as he bent down and claimed the girl's lips.
"!"
Lighting shoot through both master and Servant, as he wrapped his arms around the younger girl and lifted her up, while she wrapped her slender legs around his waist. Xero didn't know what he was doing, as he knew for certain was that he wanted the girl before him, as he all but forced his tongue into Artoria's mouth and beating her own tongue into submission.
What self-control he had, had been throw right out the window the second his lips met the Saber's. The fact Artoria had been so willing, so meek and submissive towards him had set a fire off inside him and he wanted nothing more then to claim her as his.
Moving his hands up her thighs, they swiftly found Artoria's ass and gripped them.
Moan
The young Saber moaned at feeling her master's hands, folding her ass. She knew, she had always been attracted to her master and she meant it. When she said she wanted her first kiss to be with someone she cared for. Even if the fact she was doing this, so she could be rid of Kuro for a couple of hours this was turning in a muhc more different way then she thought it would. But she would be lying if she said, she didn't like it. In fact, it turned out better then she could have ever hoped for!
"Well, well now i see why you were avoiding me. You were trying to hog Oni-chan all to yourself."
The voice of Kuro broke Xero and Saber Lily out of the lust induced haze that fall over the two. Making them look towards the open door, seeing the dark skinned girl had a teasing smirk on her face.
"Can i join?"
"OUT/OUT!"
SMACK
"HHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYY!"
Before Kuro could even blink, she found herself lunched out of the room and out of Chaldea, into the frozen fields below, all the while screaming. After that, the two realized what they did and both blushed and looked away form each other, staying silent. It was a very long, draw out silence till Artoria broke it.
"I'll just...be going now."
"Right. See you later Art-Saber."
Wordless the Servant left and as soon as the door shut, Xero's head fell into his hands with a groan,"Ugh...what a mess. This is going to turn into a damn bloodbath."
Xero knew Kuro wouldn't keep quite about what she saw and he had no doubt, the second she got back to Chaldea she tell everyone who would listen, what happened between him and Saber Lily.
Then there would be those coming for blood. Be it his or Saber Lily's. The knights would probably come and kill him, while some of the more easily jealous and or yandere Servants like Kiyohime(Both versions) or Raikuo be coming to crush poor Artoria to death.
"Damnit...maybe i should ask Roman and Da Vinic if we can rayshift and hide away for a few days."
Yeah, that sounded like a good idea.
Done.
So a bit shorter then i intended, but again i wanted to get this done just cause "Why not". I want to get something done and for fuck sake, i really need a win now, as my old labtop finally died and i was lucky enough to have the one i'm using on standby, so i could use it. So, till next time everyone and be sure to stay safe out there!
Devil out.