Hello my ever lovely peeps!
So here we go once again! So this chapter will start off a little different then the others, as we began to see some of the repercussions of both, Xero's existence and actions. One of them we will be seeing, is the kingpin himself, Wilson Fisk. So just to give you all a heads up, this version of Fisk will be form:
Marvel's Spider Man.
The video game for ps4 and so on. I will be taking many things form the movies, games, anime's and etc to fill out the characters and what not. As some versions of the characters i like better in movies, rather then the one in anime's/cartoon's. One such being, i like Clint's "Avenger" version of him aka the movie version, rather then the cartoon version.
Also this will be the final chapter, as i decide to once again break off how the party itself will go into a series of flashbacks, simply because i know many of you wish to see the Avengers Arc, so i will go ahead and move onto the Arc itself. But before that, i will give it a trail simply because i think it will be befitting of it.
So as always i don't own Marvel or Fate.
So please read, review and "What the fuc-BOOM"
Chapter 17: A Stark Birthday Part 3
"Alright, i call this meeting of the world security council to order."
Nick Fury, despite keeping a prefect mask of appearing stoic up, sighed inwardly. He really hated council meetings, as they were both a waste of time and very much unneeded. These types of things usually ended with the members of said council tried to push their own agenda by using SHIELD and it made Fury, well furious that they would try to use HIS organizations for their own personal gain.
"Honestly Fury, i don't see SHEILD as a threat at all. All i see are the 'world security council' personal attack dogs. You, who is suppose to be the shield that protects all those who need it, don't even TRY to help people. If you really did care or even tried to do you're job, you'd be going after drug cartels, trafficking rings be they animal, criminal, sex, human or even children yet you don't? Why is it that i am the only one that's doing ANYTHING to help these people and animals? Oh and before you say anything about those task forces that are SUPPOSE to go after them, tell me what's the rate number of trafficking rings are busted every year? Hmmmm?
"Also, tell me how many members of each task force are either paid off by the leaders of those rings and or are apart of it in the first place? And don't tell me SHIELD doesn't have the time or man power to actually help them, cause iv'e seen you're ranks. You can spare at least, FIVE minutes of you're oh so precious time to do some REAL good in this world. Really Fury, you're agents have a unique position to do some real good in the world and you don't. Why is that, what acutally don't answer that, i don't care to hear any excuse's.
"At least, help the task forces that actually NEED help. You know, the ones that are ACTUALLY trying to do their jobs but are sabotaged on all sides. You're organization is suppose to be a shield for good, innocent people but all i see is a joke. 'A shield that protects all' what a fucking bad joke."
Despite how degrading and insulting it was, Fury couldn't say Stark(Or Mazoku, whatever he called himself) was wrong. In fact both Barton and Romanoff looked ashamed, after listening to the younger Stark's rant. They had all this advanced technology, equipment and many resources at their disposal and yet all SHEILD did was chasing after the real big threats, when they've could have spared a few minutes and people on helping the common folk.
Those who really, truly need help and those who are suppose to help, did nothing or abuse their power for their own gain.
Most of the time, SHIELD monitors POTENIAL THREATS, not REAL THREATS like Xero pointed out nearly two weeks ago. The only reason Fury even realized how big a problem drug cartels and human trafficking have become since 9/11 have become.
Truth be told, the only reason why nobody has taken them down, is because they have integrated themselves into society, much like HYDRA has. That's one of the main reasons why no one could bring them down, because they were protected.
"But not well enough, to be protected form Xero."
Fury barely suppressed the smile that threaten to come to his face at that thought. Xero did not care who you were, what you were or where you were, if you commit such heinous and evil crimes, you die.
Simple as that.
That was of course, not mentioning his skills in magic and those Servants of his. Fury honestly felt a little sorry, but that was quickly stomped out when he remember a certain detail.
Xero was the worst kind of potential threat. Not only was he a complete unknown, who was not only very powerful but could somehow summon legends to his side, but he had no problem with doing whatever it took to preform his own form of "justice", no matter what sacrilegious act necessary to preform it. A complete wild card with a very short but violent history against criminals and now he has the backing of one of the most powerful men in the world.
The good news is that Tony Stark, for all his faults(Which he had quite a few of them) he is a good man. He had a sort of good head on his shoulders and wouldn't do anything that would destroy the world.
At least not intentionally anyway. Now unintentionally...that's up in the air.
The bad news is that it's become quite clear to Fury:
Xero is uncontrollable. If not for the fact he hated and dismissed any kind of authority figure, as he called them "Useless and part of the problem". The fact many of them are on a payroll, Fury had very little choice but to agree with him. Many who were suppose to uphold the law and protect the common folk, use and abuse that power and no one does anything about it.
Those that did try to change it, are either forced into submission or killed off.
If it wasn't himself dismissing authority, then it was his helpers or "Servants" as he calls would do something about it. They had no problem with crushing whatever it was, that threaten their master and wouldn't hesitate to do it and in a very gory manner. Fury guessed it was a warning to all:
Mess with Xero Mazoku/Stark, you pay the price.
If he had to guess on what the matter of today was, Fury guessed it would be the younger Stark.
"The first and only topic, is the situation on how we deal with Tony Stark recently discovered son and the threat he posses."
"Called it."
Fury thought, sighing inwardly again. This was going to be a very long day indeed. He had a feeling Pierce would bring Mazoku up, as in just the few weeks he had been revealed to the world he had, in order:
Destroyed an entire underground section, in Manhattan New York. Lead on a very vicious and destructive chase throughout lower Manhattan, which resulted in several police cars being completely destroyed and a large trail of bodies being left to rot. Of course that didn't included the fact he summoned "Saber Alter" to deal with not only them, but even beat back the Winter Soldier.
Then to top it all off, he was spotted at the now destroyed Life Foundation space center. With the rocket and the entire center going up in flames, the higher ups were looking for someone to blame the entire thing on, despite Fury and SHIELD already having a cover story for it.
Then there was the fact HYDRA was not only still active, but they've dug themselves deeply into many things, SHIELD included. Having his eyes opened to the truth, Fury was suspicions of everyone, save for those he mentioned to the younger Stark before hand. This of course included the WSC, knowing what he did now and comparing some of their past actions, made Fury very suspicions.
He was suspicions before hand, but now? Now, he had a feeling just how far HYDRA made their way up the chain of command.
"Stark and Mazoku will need to be informed of this. I may not be able to figure out for certain, but Mazoku is more then capable of getting the info."
Seeing as Fury made an alliance with the younger Stark, he agreed to do everything he could to keep the politicians and the WSC off his back. That also included trying to figure out who is a HYDRA agent and who is really who they say they are. The younger Stark didn't follow the news on politics as he believed they were annoying and useless.
A sentiment Fury shared with Xero.
As much as he love to cut them out of the picture, Fury couldn't and the master knew that too. The best he could do, was rely information of people, whom he suspected weren't on the up and up(Which were a lot) and go on with it.
In return, Xero would rely all the information he collected on HYDRA and anyone else who is on SHIELD's hit list back to him. Along with taking out those SHIELD couldn't legally touch and needed to be brought down.
Seeing as these were the types of people Xero would have gone after with or without SHIELD's help, it worked for the both of them.
Fury sighed again and moved to run some damage control.
"You own me big time for this one Stark Jr."
Line Break
"...and this is all we've managed to find on Stark's son."
The Kingpin of crime in New York city, Wilson Fisk frowned at the very small report he just got. Fisk is a giant of a man, standing at a proud 6'7 foot tall with a bald head and cold brown eyes, wearing a dark business attire. Despite being twice the size of an average man and looking to be overweight it was actually pure muscle rather then fat.
Despite his size, Fisk's personality is a calculating and ruthless individual, tolerating neither failure from his employees nor inconvenience by his enemies. Which might explain why one of his grunts was getting very nervous at seeing the frown form on the crime lord's face.
"I told you to get me his complete history. Form birth, to his schooling and anything that could help me sway the child to my side or at the very least, some sort of blackmail martial. This..."
He glared at his henchmen,"...is not what i asked for."
"I'm sorry boss, but that's all we could find! This is all we could dig up form the MRD, MI6, FBI and even CIA. We can't even find his mother's name, it's like everything about her and him, have been wiped clean. As if they never existed in the first place."
Fisk's frown deepened, as he read over the headline form a newspaper clipping, with a picture of Stark's son, along with a seven more teenagers, one that looked like he hadn't bath in a month and a group of people that looked worse for wear. The headline read:
Blackwood Eight Rescue The Rescue Team And Missing Washington Son!
Form there, the article went on to explain how the teens bravely and heroically saved not only Joshua Washington, but the rescue workers as well. It also explained how Blackwood mountain was indeed cursed by an evil spirit, called a "Wendigo" and it's been killing people ever since it was unleashed in 1952 by the miners. They even told the story of the "mountain man" aka Jack.
At least, that's what the Stark boy called him.
How he's been both fighting and studying the monsters, discovering their weakness, how they hunt and how he tried to save the now declared dead twins, Hannah and Beth Washington. He even revealed how the Wendigo are created, when a person turns to cannibalism and their hunger grows to great for them to control. It went into detail about the accident at the Mines in 1952, which unleashed all kinds of hell.
To add insult to injury, they even printed articles form what Jack had discovered, during his time he hunted them and all the info he'd written down in journals he kept.
So that meant, anyone who didn't believe it or tried to deny it, couldn't. Not with such damning evidence. Since then, Blackwood mountain had been closed to all and nobody is allowed up there.
Not unless their wish is to die in a horrible and painful death.
Personally Fisk was disgusted by what he was reading. He's done a lot of bad things in his career, both legit and criminal alike. He's ordered many hits, killed both police, civilians, would be assassins, cartel members, wannabe gangbangers and even mercenaries sent to kill him. So yes, he's done a lot of bad things but it's all for the good of New York City. He'd do anything to protect her and keep her running.
But cannibalism?
THAT, that sir is a line even he wouldn't cross. The entire concept of cannibalism was born when you've reached a point beyond rock bottom and then some. A point, where you couldn't find no other way out and was forced to do something disgusting and horrific. The kinds of things you see, only in you're worst nightmares.
What made it even more disgusting was the fact, the Wendigo didn't kill you right away. It incapacitated you, drag you back to it's lair and then slowly torn you apart piece by piece. Literally tearing a person's skin off, for no other reason then it's own sick pleasure.
Fisk knew he wasn't a nice man, not even close to a prefect human being. But even he had his standards, as he killed, blackmailed, stole, screwed over and strong armed people for a reason. Not a good reason mind you but a reason none the less.
The Wendigo however...they had no reason.
Other then their own insatiable hunger for human flesh. A sicking thought.
The very idea of eating another person, no matter the reason, was all kinds of wrong. The last chapter however caught the large man's attention. If it's to be believed, was the last words Jack told the Stark boy. Even though Jack didn't ask for it, the Stark boy wanted everyone to know Jack's and his ancestors story. Their struggle against the monstrous Wendigo and their brave, selfless sacrifice to keep everyone safe form the evil spirit.
It read:
"Many years ago, my grandfather hunted those possessed by the cruse. But there was one that eluded him, the fiercest of them all: The Makkaptiew. It was a terrible thing and my grandfather could not defeat it. Sometime after the prospectors came to mine this mountain, till a cave-in trapped the men and awoke the cruse again. And there were dozens of men, no food, no light. And in that blackness, a hunger came. They were consumed by their abominable craverings and driven mad. Murders. Cannibals. Eating human flesh. And if you kill this monstrous thing, the spirit is released and swirls around the mountain like an evil wind, waiting to possess again. It is best not to kill them, but trap them and taunt them with fire. After all these years, after many moons and many hunts, the Makkaptiew still roamed free out of my grasp and beyond my reach.
"Until one night, a year ago, i was finally able to get him in my sights. But we were not alone in the woods that night. While i was tracking the Makkaptiew, it was tracking something else. The Makkaptiew forced you're friends over the mountain. There was nothing i could do. I couldn't save you're friends but i could avenge them. I hunted the Wendigo down and doused it with fire. The Makkaptiew was dead."
What surprised Fisk even more, other then a Native American monster was indeed real, the Stark boy theorized it was the Makkaptiew's spirit was the one that possessed the Washington girl. That it was Hannah, while she hunted them as a Wendigo, had enough humanity left in her to recognize her friends and helped them survive by fighting off the other Wendigo, while the Giddings girl set the lodge on fire.
Effectively killing the Wendigo inside.
It all sounded like something, straight out of a comic book to Fisk. If the fact Xero was Stark's illegitimate son hadn't gotten him attention, then his story about Blackwood mountain certainly did. Along with the fact, he discovered the truth behind the 1952 massacre at the old and what happened to the twins, Xero was practically a hero.
Heroes got attention.
Attention, be it good or bad sold papers.
A LOT of papers.
Sadly, none of this helped Fisk in gaining any type of leverage over the younger Stark. Even with little info, he knew the boy had no other family member then his recently discovered father, cause there be a trail he could follow. The only thing he could find on the boy's mother, was that her name was Lilith Mazoku and that's only because of the hospital records that anyone can get their hands on.
So, ultimately useless as well.
Now, at this point you're probably wondering why someone like Fisk, is taking an interest in Tony Stark's long lost son. Well, it's quiet simple, as the boy could prove himself to be a very powerful ally to him. Fisk had no doubt in his mind, that many others were looking to try and sway the teen to their side, as he IS the heir to both the Stark fortune and that was a Net Worth of 12.4 billion dollars alone.
There was a lot of people who were willing to make a quick buck, by either marrying into the Stark family or kidnapping his recently found son for ransom.
Then there was adding into the fact, he would more then likely inherit the company like Tony did form his father, Howard Stark. It also went without saying, he would either inherit the Iron Man armor or make his own version of the suit. Bigger, stronger, faster and better.
Something that made many both worried and eager.
Worried, cause the boy was already proving that being a hero, was in his blood. Like his father, Xero had already made his Day View by saving the last Washington child and exposing the truth about Blackwood mountain. Plus, if the rumors were true and he was indeed a genius like his father, Xero could make even more dangerous weapons then his father could ever dream of.
That's what made, many people eager.
As, unlike Tony who was used to the spotlight and uncaring of how people viewed him, his son was an entirely different matter. People couldn't blackmail Tony, as he made everything he did know and proudly showed it to anyone and everyone that would listen. His son however...he has been missing and unknown to the world for nearly two decades, so that meant their was a story there.
One that many have been trying to unearth, ever since Xero was found at the hospital.
Tony Stark, illegitimate son, one that nobody seemed to know anything about or even knew existed till he suddenly showed up in a hospital and near death. This had in turn, caused MANY heads to turn and pay very close attention, himself included. Plus, if his contacts told him right, said son had lost so much blood, he needed blood transfer form his father to save his life was certain to make many wonder just who and WHAT this kid was up to, to lose so much blood like that.
Not to mention, despite the elder Stark's best attempts at stopping the information form spreading, everyone knew the younger Stark was had a lot of scars. Battle scars, form Fisk's POV, which made the large man wonder:
Just who or what is Xero Stark?
What had he done in his short life, to gain that many scars?
Why has he been hidden form the world till now?
What caused him to end up in the hospital with life threatening injures?
So many questions and not enough answers. Now, while the boy could be a useful ally(Correction tool) to Fisk, he also had the potential to be a major threat to him and his empire. Despite having many legitimate business's and many friends in high places, Tony Stark did as well.
Quite possible even more then Fisk, as the elder Stark had been all over the world. So it's no real surprise there.
The man known as Iron Man, had a lot of political power and had no problem with using it, to protect those he loves. Not to mention, he couldn't be blackmailed as he simply didn't care what people thought of him and he did as he pleased for the most part. Fisk had learned, all those who tried to either threaten or blackmail Tony Stark into doing anything he didn't want, they would regret it.
Immediately.
It's one of the many reasons Fisk steered clear of the elder Stark. Cocky, self-centered and arrogant he may be, but there was no denying that Stark was a genius. Once he puts his mind too it, Stark would be able to find out anything about a person, in less then ten minutes and had enough money to pretty much get away with anything.
It didn't help, many of the common folk loved the man.
So yeah, while they're were many great boons to get if Fisk successfully blackmailed Stark, the man would turn it on him faster then you could say Iron Man. The point is, the risk of failure was simply too high and the cons outweigh the pros. Plus, while he may not deal in weapons anymore, Fisk knew the elder Stark more then likely had a stockpile of them somewhere and had enough firepower to start World War 3.
The effort Fisk would have to put in, just wasn't worth it. This was how Fisk stayed in the game so long and had become so successful in the past years. He learned long ago that, patience is a virtue and it has severed him well over the years, building his empire up and keeping him ahead of everyone else. Tony Stark simply wasn't a target Fisk believed he could win against, without severe repercussions.
The man's son on the other hand...
He was free game.
True, he would have to play this one very carefully but if he pulled this off, the rewards would be well worth the effort.
"He's a teenager, one that i doubt even knows about how the world works in the realm of politics. He should be more then easy to manipulate."
That was Fisk thoughts upon hearing the news, as that boy was his key, to the kingdom walls of Stark Industries. While he was confident he could easily talk his way in, it never hurt to have a plan B. Just in case and having blackmail martial is a good way to keep the boy in line.
It never hurts to have a plan B after all.
But he needed to find it first! Seriously, Fisk has had his men combing through databases by databases and have found the bare minimum, aside form the current news reports.
Which didn't help him in ANY way.
It didn't help the fact, many more were also pinning to get the Stark boy on their side. One being the recently released Justin Hammer, the elder Stark's rival and Norman Osborn of Oscorp. Both are owner's of company's that rivaled Stark industries, with Hammer taking over the weapons game(Despite his weapons not even being a second compared to Stark's) and Oscorp on the genetic industry and weapons as well.
How and why they let Hammer out was beyond Fisk's understanding. The man was at best, a buffoon and copycat with an ego that rivaled the elder Stark's. Maybe they just didn't want someone like that crowding their prisons or something, but it didn't matter.
Kinda sad really.
A man who caused so much destruction and had the potential to be so much more, wasn't even considered a danger enough to be left in prison. Common pickpockets and robbers with ski masks were considered more of a threat then that buffoon CEO of Hammer industrious.
So yeah, really sad.
The man didn't have any better chance at getting to Stark's son and even less then Norman did. Since the elder Stark had beef with both of them, Fisk had a better chance then those two. Neither he nor Stark ever really any feathers between them but they weren't really bubby bubby either, so he had a better chance then the other two. But that didn't mean he was going to idly by either, he was going to make his move and soon.
If one hesitated, even for a second, then you may as well as invite defeat. Wilson Fisk never hesitated and look at where that got him:
The Kingpin of New York City and head of a very profitable business.
Another name that came up was Darren Cross of PymTech, but that man was so far down the rug of threats, Fisk didn't even bother to read his file. He just wasn't even worth considering a threat.
Buster.
"Ummm, boss we did managed to take the interview videos form the police as well."
The thug said, hoping that would clam his boss down somewhat. Despite how well and even tempered the large man was, he wasn't above killing his own people for their constant failures. After all, he could always get new, more competent people.
The large man said nothing, as he stared at his underling for a few seconds, before saying,"Get out and leave the taps."
The nameless thug nodded, quickly giving his boss the taps and all but running out of Fisk's office. He sighed when he reached the elevator. He managed to get out alive and with his skin intact.
Which was always a very good thing.
While the goon left the office, Fisk's personal assistant, James Wesley walked in carrying a file.
"Mr. Wesley, you have something for me?"
It was phased as a question but James knew it was more of a statement then question. The well dressed man nodded, as he handed the large man the file. This file was a personnel file. One that was labeled:
Ritsuko Fujimaru
Line Break
Turns out, hiding out for a few days was a good idea.
Form what Roman and Da Vinic had told him, many Servants almost complete torn Chaldea apart, either looking for himself or Saber Lily. Xero's earlier thought had proven right, as ALL the Knights(Yes even Berserker Lancelot) were out for blood.
His blood.
On the other hand, many female Servants wanted a...chat with the youngest version of Artoria. The only reason things didn't spiral completely out of control was because of the rest of the Artroia's, Emyia, D'Eon and shocking enough Gilgamesh of all people, stepping in and clamming things down. Well more like Gil, unleashing his Noble Phantasm, Gate Of Babylon to make everyone listen.
Then, Artoria was able to make everyone see reason and the cause to WHY Saber Lily kissed their shared master. When the cause of it was explained, many Servants apologize to both master and Servant feeling a bit foolish at their own shortsightedness. However this caused them to set their sights on a new target:
Kuro.
Thankful(Or not, depending on who you're asking) Xero let Irisviel deal punishment out to the dark skinned girl. The master almost felt sorry for the Archer but with the chaos she unleashed, he felt she needed punishment. Who better to do it, then her mother?
Throughout the chaos, you're probably wondering where Gudako was the entire time. The orange haired girl was...eating popcorn and laughing at the entire thing, as if she was watching a comedy. If that wasn't annoying enough, both Da Vinic and Roman had taken up to record the entire time, laughing like a bunch of drunken high schoolers.
Naturally, Xero got back at the three with some good, old fashion pranks.
Roman and Da Vinic took the pranks with dignity, knowing they did kinda deserve it but not Gudako. She took it as a sign of war and the two master's ended up in an all out prank war against each other. Nobody was safe form the warring two masters and more then once, did they bring their Servants into it. Be it by using them as means of attack or as shields against something, the other did.
It was wild.
It was chaotic!
It was pure insanity!
It was... it was just another day in Chaldea. Not to mention, it was one of the funniest things Xero and Gudako ever did together. Never the less, Xero couldn't be in the same room with Saber Lily, without feeling the urge to just throw the girl down on the floor and claim her, right then and there. It became clear, she had the same problem as she began to get a bit more...gropey.
More needy so to speak.
However, if there are more people in the room, they can be in the same room. So long as someone else was in the room, neither master nor Servant felt the urge to runt like rabbits in heat.
Thankfully.
But still pretty odd, all things considered.
"So, what's up?"
Xero asked, as the Lily Servant kicked her feet a little, not looking him in the eye as she stared out into the city.
"Is it so wrong, to want to spend some time with my master?"
One that you wanted to jump his bones? Maybe, maybe not but it probably wasn't a good idea to be in the same room together.
All alone.
With no one around.
Somewhere no one could hear you're voice.
Or screaming.
"Not at all."
Xero said with a smile, as Saber Lily walked to stand next to him. The blonde was beaming, as she took in the beauty the city lights illuminated in the night sky. Neither one said anything, as a silence fell over the two. This always happened when they were alone together, till one couldn't stand the sexual tension between them and all but bolt out the room.
"Damnit! Do something, say something!"
Xero yelled inside his head, despite keeping a very good poker face on. He may suck at lying but he could keep a very impressive poker face. Which was great for situations like this one. But he wasn't the only one that was having a hard time.
"Go on, just tell him! I know we agreed to ask him tomorrow but i don't like hiding things form master. Plus this is pretty big and i'm certain Merlin is going to make sure everyone knows about it, before we can ask master to be our consort."
The youngest version of Artoria thought to herself, blushing so red it make a lobster jealous. To be more clear, she was thinking of a certain meeting between all the versions of Artoria, the knights of the round table and even the two Grand Caster's, Merlin and Morgan.
Flashback
"Now that everyone is present, we can began."
Spoke the original Artoria the Saber of Blue, as her green eyes casted over all those present. The were in the Saber's personal room, which resembled her own room back in her time alive. Due to the fact, Da Vinic and Xero were able to make Stark Tower like Chaldea the Servants could design their rooms however they wanted. With a little bit of magic, they could make the room bigger then it looked like form the outside and personalize it, to suit their own individual tastes.
As such, Artoria Saber modified her room, to look like the section of her old castle, where she had the meeting between her knights. All the knights were here, even Lancelot and his Berserker self where here.
Hell even Morgan and Merlin were here, as they were as much apart of the Camelot crew as any of the knights and king were.
Back to the point, Artoria Saber was not only the very first Saber class Servant their shared master ever summoned but she was the first version of Artoria he ever summoned. A fact the blonde Saber was very proud of and it irritation the other versions of herself, the Lancer Alter most of all.
But there was very little they could do, no matter how much a certain Assassin wanted to, she knew she couldn't. Seeing as her purpose was to kill all "Saber faces" be they a different version of herself or another Servant sharing HER FACE, her master wouldn't be too happy if she went about in trying to kill them.
That would be very counterproductive.
And annoying.
Not to mention, it be a bitch in a half re-summoning. Plus, as much as she'd like to kill all those damn Saber faces, it was a petty goal to her at this point. Being her master's strongest sword was a much better goal and given the situation her master found himself in, he was going to need all the swords he could get. With the world filling up with super powered people, criminals and heroes alike, she had a feeling her master was going to be in the center of it all.
"My king, why did you call us here?"
Asked a curious Gawain. The Saber class Servant takes an appearance of a tall young man with wavy dishwater blond hair and aqua eyes with long eyelashes. He wears silver armor with floral patterns over his black and dark blue overall. Due to both, his personality and inability to hold a grudge towards anyone(Even when he had ever right to hold said grudge) many see him as an airhead.
The man truly was the ideal knight and a top Servant in his own right, as he was one of Artoria's most trusted and loyal knights during her time. However, he carries a deep, seated guilt for what happened to Artoria and has done everything he could, to atone for his perceived failure. No matter how much his king and master tried to convince him otherwise.
"A couple of reasons Gawain but the first and foremost, is that Morgan has made a discovery about our master."
Artoria said, keeping up a prefect poker face, despite what she was feeling on the inside. Even though she had a few hours to confirm it was true, she was STILL having trouble believing it. She isn't called The Once and Future King for nothing, but what she learned would shake anyone up for certain.
Especially with the circumstances revolving around the topic.
Seeing that as the go ahead, Morgan stepped up and spoke, loud and clear for everyone to hear her,"As you all know, a Servant is summoned either by a master that has a relic of their past or has a strong affinity for said Servant."
"Yeah, yeah, we know that Morgan. What's you're point?"
Mordred asked, already bored with the topic and not wanting to be in the same room as the older blonde. The blonde knight had long ago, stopped considering Morgan her mother. True, she hated/loved her Artoria and referred to her as "Father" but unlike Morgan, Artoria never lied nor use her. Their was a huge difference between Morgan and Artoria.
Unlike Morgan, her Father was the king. She had many responsibilities and now that she knew that wielding Excalibur took away Artoria's emotions. She became the prefect king but was the worst human being.
So yes they shared blood and yes, she did give birth to her, but Morgan was not her mother.
A mother is someone, who nurtures, protects and guides their child to be prepared for the harsh and cruel world. A mother is someone you can turn to and know they will accept you, no matter how cruel or evil you become.
A mother is someone that chases off the demons that plague you and make you realize, everything will be alright.
Morgan never did any of that for Mordred. All she ever did, was spur Mordred on to become a knight and when she was enraged by her Father's refusing to give up the throne all Morgan did was fuel the flames. Those were the very same flames that ravaged the lands of her own kingdom and brought death to not only to Father and herself, but many other countless innocent people.
Her father's people.
Her people.
The ones she swore, as a knight to protect and she failed that in the worst way possible.
All because Morgan wanted to get back at her sister and used their daughter to do it. No, not a daughter, Morgan(At the time) only saw Mordred as a weapon, a tool to use against Artoria.
Something that scarred Mordred deeply.
If one ever wondered why Mordred was so aggressive towards just about everyone, it was simply due to the fact she didn't know how to handle it properly. Kindness most of all, as her mother never gave her such luxuries. As a result, Mordred's anger became a sort of, defense mechanism, simply because she didn't know how to respond to it other then anger and aggression.
However reconnecting with her father, has helped heal Mordred's centuries old wounds. Not completely healed yet per say, but it's a start. Scars never heal but the pain can be dulled but one has to work hard to heal them.
But it's better then nothing.
Morgan, for her part ignored her daughter remark, resisting the urge to sigh. Things between the two weren't the best, but it could be a hell lot worse then they are now. She already registered to that fact and she was going to do everything she could to make it up to not only Mordred, but many more. The time she spent alone on the Throne Of Heroes, let Morgan reflect on her past actions. All of them, she regretted deeply and how she handled Mordred was her biggest regret of all.
But that was not the here, nor the now.
Onto business.
"Yes, so has anyone wondered how master was able to summon EVERY version of my sister? Without having any kind of relic of their past and Saber here, being the very first version he ever summoned. Did any of you ever wondered how he was able to do that and don't tell me it's because of his 'devil's luck' no one is lucky enough to summon the world's strongest Saber in the world on a mere fluke?"
Her statement was met with silence. That much was true, as no one is that lucky to summon a Servant as powerful as Artoria without something. A relic, a summoning ticket, SOMETHING that would connect the master to the Servant.
But form what their master and king had told them, Artoria was his second summoning, three years after he summoned Jeanne and less then a year before he came to Chaldea. Now, with the recent revelations about their master's mother and how she ensure he'd summon the Ruler it was understandable. He had, how you say, 'Formula' to summon the extra class Servant and it was certain she'd be summoned.
But Artoria?
How did Xero pull THAT off?
"It is a bit odd..."
The four star Saber Lancelot spoke up, putting a hand under his chin in thought. He was a tall man, about 5'11 foot tall with shoulder length purple hair, fair skin and purple eyes. He, like the rest of the knights, wore armor that was very much purple, like the rest of him.
"I can answer that."
Morgan said, as all eyes went to her. The logic of her question made everyone start to mutter to themselves and her response made everyone look at her,"I myself have wondered how master was able to summon me, despite having no relic form my past too summon me. I have also wondered why he is my first master, as no one has been able to summon me before. Even with his unusual large mana pools, it shouldn't be possible to summon me unless he had a relic or..."
"Or?"
Questioned the King of Storms, complete with a raised eyebrow and annoyed expression,"Out with it Caster."
"Unless he had blood ties to not only Artoria but myself as well."
"..."
...What?
Everyone stared wide eyed, at the Grand Caster Servant, unable to believe what they were hearing. Some of the Artroia's were even mouth gaping, making very good impressions of fishes, as was Mordred.
How...how was that possible?
Did the king have even more children then Mordred herself?
Or was it Morgan?
And what were the chances of their shared master being the result of said action?
"A-are you sure?"
Asked the voice of the four star Archer Tristan. Despite being a knight, he wore a simple gray trench coat, with the collar propped up and a pair of black pants and boots. He had fair skin, long red hair that reached down his back and his eyes were closed, as if he were asleep.
Only now for a very rare time, were wide open in pure shock, revealing(As Mordred would call them) shit brown eyes.
"Hey, hold on a second! How do we know this is accurate and you're not just bullshitting us?!"
Questioned the only Foreigner class Servant among them and a four star Servant, Mysterious Heroine XX or (Double) XX as their master called her. She looked like a less stressed version of Artoria Lancer, with the same blonde hair, green eyes and fair skin. She wore very little, besides a white two piece swim suit and blue cap atop her head.
The Grand Caster Servant merely shook her head,"Blood never lies. I've checked it...ten times just to make sure. The results were the same each time, master is blood related to me and my sister."
While many of the Servants would say Morgan was being ridiculous, testing and checking it ten times, they believed it was a good idea. Hell, some thought Morgan should check it again!
Just...how?
How was it possible?
"Look, it doesn't matter how this happened or why, it doesn't change facts. Master is my descendent and makes very little difference about the next order of business."
The Saber version of Artoria said in, what Xero liked to call, the "King's voice" where her voice alone demanded the attention of all and no one would dare to disobey it's call. Then again, given who she is and her position, it came very naturally for her to command the attention of all within the room, with just a few words.
Even if half the room is made up of her alternative versions.
...Plus she had high charisma.
"And that next order of business being?"
The newest Artoria asked, crossing her arms over her small bust. The Saber Alter had already reached her level 2 stage and thus, forgo her visor and even reached a new bond level with her newly found master. Seeing as Xero had many Artoria's already, he knew exactly how to worm his way into their hearts. To put it simply, you want to get to Artoria Pendragon's heart?
You'd best go through her stomach. A very effective technique in swaying the King Of Knights to you're side.
Which did a number on Xero's non-exist wallet, but that's the price you pay for summoning a powerful Servant.
She respected her new master a lot, as unlike most masters, he fought her head on. Admittedly he was merged with a Servant, he held his ground and faced down a very powerful Servant(Aka herself of course) and come out on top.
Foolish?
Oh most certainly yes, but at least he had the guts and will to do it, unlike most Magi she has seen.
Even if he nearly died in the process, that was beside the point. Xero, her new master had proven himself worthy to be her master and watching her other selves interacting with him, Saber Alter had an idea of what the false king was going to say. Not that she minded, after all a king does not lose and a dragon most certainly does not lose when it comes to a prospective mate.
If her other self wanted to lay down all the ground work for her, along with doing all the work in getting her new master to agree, who was she to stop them? If nothing else, she helped make sure master agreed.
"This is a decision me and my others selves have had a long talk about. It is not something we have made lightly, as we are certain this is what we want to do."
The way the Saber said this, made everyone lean in, wondering where she was going with this. While the other versions of Artoria like Saber Lily blushed a bit, knowing full what Saber was going to say. Yes she agreed to do this wholeheartedly but it was still very embarrassing to actually say it.
Saber Lily blinked as she felt someone put a hand on her shoulder in a supportive manner. She looked up and saw the Lion King give her a smile and squeezed her shoulder. The Lily Servant nodded at the Lancer and stood up a little straighter.
It wouldn't do for the future king of Britain to be slouching now would it?
Saber Artoria took a deep breath and said in a firm voice,"WE want to make master our consort."
"..."
Once again, silence had fallen over the large room. The knights all looked at their king, slack jawed? Did they just hear that right? Their king wanted to make their master, their consort?!
Becoming someone's consort was the same thing, as proposing marriage to someone, back in the olden days. The one that was the most shocked was Mordred, if master became her father's consort wouldn't that mean...
"Wait! Doesn't that mean, master will become my new MOTHER?!"
That made everyone(Save for the Artoria's, Merlin and Morgan) look between the Knight Of Betrayal and King Of Knights with wide eyes, as they slowly considered Mordred's question. Becoming someone's consort would basically make that person a wife, husband, or companion, in particular the spouse of a reigning monarch. So by that logical, Xero WOULD technically become Mordred's "Mother" as she called Artoria "Father".
But if Artoria was "King" and Xero became her consort, wouldn't that also mean...
"Wouldn't that mean master would become the QUEEN?!"
Tristan all but blurted out, his closed eyes widening again in shock. Arthur, who had hanged back a little to let his female self do most of the talking, nodded and spoke up for the first time,"By all rights, you are right Sir Tristan. Believe me, i myself questioned and we all considered all the options and what would happen if we do go through with this. We don't find anything wrong with it..."
He then glared at his knights, making them all shrink under his glare. While he was more laidback and cheerful, he was STILL a king. One that would not show mercy to anyone that threaten his loved ones.
"Unless YOU have a problem with it?"
"None my king!"
They all said in union. Merlin, who also stayed silent throughout the exchanged could barely stop himself form laughing. Lilith, his previous master was certainly entertaining and fun in a lot of ways, but her son?
Definitely entertaining!
"Plus it's barely been a month and already, things are heating up with master."
Merlin grinned to himself, he couldn't wait to see what else fate had in store for Xero and them! Not to mention with Gudako back in the picture, more fun was sure to come!
"Ah mistress Lilith, if only you could see you're son now. He's become quite the ladies man and i dare say, they'res more to come!"
Oh yes, Merlin eagerly awaited for more to come.
He was brought out of his thoughts, when he heard the three star Saber, Bedivere. He was a young looking man, with very light blonde/sliver hair tied in a bun(Much like a certain King), light skin and pale green eyes. He wore stainless steel armor that covered his entire body, with his right arm exposed revealing a fake, sliver arm.
"My king, while you know i would support you no matter what, have you considered that master might...not agree?"
The sliver haired man said, not trying to be insulting but trying to protect Artoria. He had all but raised the girl as his own and after she became king, he still took care of her every need. Truthfully he's happy that Artoria had found love, as she never got to experience back when she was alive. Artoria, all of them, have been more happy and less stiff over the past years she has been with Xero.
Bedivere was happy to known Xero made Artoria happy but he didn't want to see her get hurt, either. Xero had the uncanny ability to react in ways, you would have never guessed. So there was a good chance he would not only reject Artoria, such an action could hurt the entire relationship and lead to Xero's untimely demise. However Artoria's glare/stare made the knight stop his protest.
"If he does, he does. We all know it's possible but we decide, it's better to find out then never known and let that fact drive us insane."
Artoria Saber said, confident her master would say yes. After everything they've been through together, there's no way he'd say no. Despite the entire world being reset back to the time, before humanity was destroyed by Solomon and Goetia, she and her master have been together for years now. They have shed blood, sweat and tears together.
Artoria had seen her master grow form a timid but strong and kind hearted kid, into a man with an iron will to his convictions. He didn't care if the entire world told him he was wrong, Xero did what he believed was right and if he was wrong, then he was wrong.
Or it could be that he was just as broken as many of them were. Artoria supposed that is what brought everyone closer together and thought of each other as family. Each Servant was broken in one way or another and the war for humanity's future had broken the two master's of Chaldea. Xero more then Gudako, as he tried to take everything on by himself and it broke him.
But they put themselves back together and were re-forged during the end of the Chaldea quest.
"Plus we have to make our move now, before any of the other Servants try."
The blonde King Of Knights thought to herself, her armored fist clenched at the thought of losing her master's affection to another. It didn't matter if they agreed to share master, the one thing that could NOT be shared was his virginity.
It was a silent agreement that, whoever gets his virginity would be at the top of the pecking order. A spot they all wanted and were more then willing to fight for it. It didn't help that her master had nearly been raped on several occasions form both men and woman, human, monster and even Servant!
One of those Servants being the five star Assassin, Kama the goddess of love and one of the Beast class Xero and Gudako faced down together. But that a story for another time.
Though her last words of "I will find you Xero Mazoku, you cannot escape me. You did this to me and you WILL take responsibility for what you did to me."
Before she faded completely, after being defeated by herself, Jeanne and Raikou she had said those words and it still made Artoria shutter to this day. That wasn't a threat, it was a promise and her dear master, wouldn't say what happened between the two, before she and the others busted in and saved him form getting a reverse rape.
The way she said it and the look in her eyes...made Artoria very worried. The fact Xero wouldn't say what happened between him and the goddess, rubbed Artoria the wrong way but out of respect for him, she held her tongue.
After all, she had much, MUCH bigger fish to fry, then some Assassin goddess and her ominous warning. Plus she wasn't even summoned and since most, if not ALL the would be master's were killed before the Chaldea quest could truly began, there was no fear of her coming after her master, right?
Right.
Looking at all her knights, the Saber spoke once more,"Tomorrow, i will ask master to become our consort. Whether he agrees or not, is up to him. However i will expect you all, to treat him the same as you have. It is his choice and i do not want this one decision to cause disarray among us. Regardless of what happens tomorrow he is still our master and nothing will change that. Understood?"
"Understood my king!"
FlashBack End
"Tomorrow, we will have our answer."
Saber Lily thought to herself, feeling blood rush to her cheeks once more. She watched as her master sighed and flicked his cancer stick away, while looking at her with a small smile,"Come on, it's been a long day. I think it's time for both of use to get some sleep, tomorrow's going to be hectic."
"You have no idea master."
The Lily Servant thought to herself, as she quietly followed her master back inside. With Gudako back in the picture, it meant their large family was not only back together completely, but also the rest of the Servants that had fallen for her master. Like his own Servants, some of Gudako's own had fallen and fallen hard for her master.
While Xero's female Servants had made a pack together, Gudako's...have not. They were completely unaware of the pact that had been made and given that some of Gudako's were also just as possessive as Xero's own, it would be interesting to watch the chaos unfold.
Meaning tomorrow will be more crazy and insane then Xero believes it'll be.
God help them all, cause shots will be fired and a new war will began.
Done.
And yep, i do love how Fate screws with the whole gender identification. Like how Artoria is a female but is "King" and Mordred calls her "Father" rather then "Mother". Though Xero will technically BE Mordred's new "Step-mother" and becoming Artoria's consort, will make him "Queen" in the eyes of the knights.
So, yeah that's going to be a lot of fun to write, hahaha.
So anyway, things have clammed down at work, though they are still trying to work me to death, it's going so bad that my fucking finger tips feel like someone's sticking needles in them. That's why i decide to stop the chapter here, as my fucking fingers are killing me, so hope you all like it and do please review!
Devil out!