Fate/Kyon's Order: Alter Egos in Chaldea
A Haruhi Suzumiya & Fate/Grand Order Crossover
by Derald Snyder
Part 6: Kingprotea (Part 2)
"Why does this always happen? All I want is to love my children... why do they always reject me?" Tiamat's head was bowed as she stood in the water just beyond the shore, looking quite despondent...
Haruhi usually wasn't one to rely on telepathy, but seeing as the woman before her had trouble speaking in anything but 'Oooohs' and 'aaahs'... "Well, the kids usually don't mind you hugging them, it's just that you don't know when to let go. In a general sense, that's kinda always been your problem... you can't tell the difference between letting go and rejection."
"But I want to love them..."
"There's ways of loving others without being all smothering like you are," Haruhi pointed out. "Take me for instance. I love Kyon, more than anyone I've ever met, but I also know that I need to step away sometimes and let him interact with others... It's not always easy for me, though. I used to have a huge jealous streak whenever he interacted with a female that wasn't me, especially if they were really cute... Of course, nowadays, I know that he's not going to leave me... this ring on my finger is proof of our mutual promise." She held up her right hand, showing off her engagement ring.
"I see... so you were like myself at some point?"
"Kind of, yeah. Which reminds me, I haven't really done much with Kyon lately... hopefully things calm down soon, so we can spend some time together. But getting back to you... For now, you should limit how long you hug kids, like about 5-10 seconds..."
"...What are 'seconds'?"
"...um, okay... do you know how to count to ten?"
"Count?"
"Ooookay, time to teach you some basic math..."
*The next day...*
"Hello!" Haruhi peeked her head into the Alter Ego's current shared room. "How's Protea doing today?"
"Hi, Haruhi!" Passionlip lifted up a claw. "Um, Protea's doing better today... we watched some Kaiju movies last night. She really enjoyed them!"
"So where is she now?"
"Oh, Vio took her in a wheelchair to the cafeteria for some breakfast. She told me to stay behind in case someone came by to check on us..."
"Good thinking," Haruhi nodded. "How have people been treating you, by the way?"
"Umm... most of the humans seem to just avoid me, some of them kinda stare at me strangely... But at least Mr. Sisigou says 'hi' to me..."
"But none of them have called you a monster or anything?"
"Um, there was this one person in a suit who did, but Saber- I mean, Nero scolded them fiercely, and he just walked away," Lip sighed. "I'm kind of surprised she of all people treats me so well, given that we used to be enemies..."
"Yeah, well, she knows that you helped us out immensely in the SERAPH singularity, so that's probably part of the reason why," Haruhi mused. "I'm sure she knows you better than most people here, too... Anyway, I'm going to the cafeteria for breakfast myself. You want anything?"
Passionlip shook her head with a smile. "I'm fine... but thank you for asking, Miss Haruhi."
"You don't have to call me 'miss'. Makes me feel like an old lady," Haruhi said facetiously, winking at the Alter Ego as she departed.
*Cafeteria*
"Morning, Violet, Protea! How are you feeling?" Haruhi asked the latter as she sat down next to them with a tray of food.
"I feel better today," Kingprotea responded. "I could probably walk now, but that scary red nurse yelled at me when I tried to get up..."
"Well, she is a Berserker-class, so keep that in mind," Haruhi pointed out as she took a bite.
"That would explain why she's so strict about health and well-being," Violet nodded.
"Um, how is Tiamat doing?" Protea queried.
"She's kinda sad that she hurt you... I tried to tell her to be more careful in the future," Haruhi sighed. "She doesn't really mean any harm, but it's hard for her to understand humans, even though she loves them..."
"I'm not good at understanding humans either," Protea shrugged. "I know there's good and bad ones, and that you and Master, er, Ritsuka are good ones..."
"Don't forget Gudako-chan," Haruhi appended.
"Yes, we talked with her earlier," Vio nodded. "She's quite friendly, but she doesn't seem quite right in the head..."
"She got critically injured in a bomb blast, and was near braindead before Yuki revived her," Haruhi explained. "But, at least she didn't go into a psychotic breakdown like she feared might happen..."
"Um, I don't understand," Protea said, perplexed.
"I'll explain it to you later," Violet told her.
Just then, the intercom clicked on. "Attention, would Masters Ritsuka, Gudako, and Haruhi please report to Mission Control? I repeat, Masters, Ritsuka, Gudako, and Haruhi to Mission Control. Thank you~!" *click*
"What's going on?" Kingprotea asked.
"Must be a singularity," Haruhi muttered as she quickly finished her breakfast. "I wonder if they found one of the demon god pillars..."
"Can I come?" Protea asked.
"Well... okay, but keep your mouth shut, don't speak unless you're spoken to. Okay?"
"Okay," the Alter Ego nodded as Haruhi took the handles of her wheelchair...
*Mission Control*
"What going on? Did you find a demon god pillar?" Ritsuka asked as he and the others entered.
"Not yet," Da Vinci shook her head. "But this singularity won't be a walk in the park, either. It's set in Tokyo in the mid-1950's, and we've detected several patterns consistent with large monsters, like dragons, hydras, and demon boars..."
"You mean like kaiju?!" Kingprotea gasped excitedly, only to cover her mouth as she remembered what Haruhi told her.
"Well, not quite, but close enough," Da Vinci chuckled. "Are you volunteering for deployment?"
"Can I? Please?" Protea pleaded.
"No! Absolutely not!" Nightingale voice echoed through the chamber as she ran up. "You are not fully recovered! I will not allow a patient to-" It was at this point that Haruhi reached over and pinched the back of the nurse's neck, causing her to go rigid before collapsing in a heap, unconscious.
"Take a nap, Florence. Doctor's orders," Haruhi quipped. "How about we have BB take a look and see if she's ready? If so, I'll take charge of both when we rayshift."
"Good thinking, Suzumiya," Da Vinci nodded. "Gudako, I would recommend taking Semiramis. Her Hanging Gardens will work nicely for airstrikes..."
"Okay!" Gudako saluted. "I shall summon Her Majesty right away!" She promptly ran off.
"As for you, Ritsuka, I'd recommend bringing a servant that can deal with giant monsters easily," the genius instructed.
"Sure... I think I know who to take," the young Master nodded.
"I really wish I could go with you, Senpai," Mash sighed. "If only to shield you from getting stomped on..."
"Don't worry, no one will step on Master! I'll squish them before they even get close!" Protea exclaimed.
"Um, thanks..." Ritsuka stammered, ducking his head. "Just remember, only squish who we tell you to, okay...?"
"Okay!"
*Tokyo, Japan, 1956*
"Kaiju!" A civilian screamed, several people running from a red-colored hydra that chased them with intent to feast. Many other giant monsters were also prowling through the streets, causing untold destruction in their wake!
(Your Majesty! Are you in position?) Gudako called telepathically.
(I am indeed. Stand clear, Master! I'm targeting the green dragon!) Semiramis replied.
(Yep, far away from that one! Let 'er rip!) With that, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon de-cloaked, a massive laser firing from it's underside, obliterating the green dragon's chest and torso! What was left promptly collapsed before dissipating into black smoke.
"Sakura Beam!" BB intoned, blasting the red hydra from behind, getting it's attention and allowing the civilians to escape! She easily dodged as the snake heads tried to chomp on her in retaliation, only to be backed into an alley! "Oh, no, whatever shall I do~?"
The hydra prepared to strike, only to be grabbed from behind by a giant woman with moss covering most of her body, save her lower chest and belly, a pair of horns growing from her head, as well as a king protea bud! "Gaoooo~!" the Alter Ego roared as she slammed the hydra into the pavement, easily standing twice its height! "I'm the king of Kaiju! Gojira has nothing on me!" She grabbed the main head in her hands, crushing it like a grape, before ripping the rest of the monster apart with her bare hands!
"Nice job, Protea! Just like we planned!" BB praised her 'daughter' with a wide grin. "Let's go find another monster to squash!"
"Yay!" Kingprotea cried happily. "Crushing big monsters is so much fun!" She promptly went off, being careful not to step on any fleeing civilians... only to stop as a massive gaggle of spectral disembodied skulls confronted her! "Ahhhhh! A g-g-g-gh-ghoooost! Someone save meeeee!" she yelled, stumbling back in terror, falling on her rear.
"Never fear, my lady!" a male voice called out. "Ex... calibur!" The massive ghost screeched in agony as it was annihilated by a shining pillar of light shooting into the sky!
"Phew...! Thank you, mister King Arthur!" Protea sighed in relief.
"Tis my duty to save damsels in distress, madam!" the male King of Knights waved up at her.
"Good work, Arthur," Ritsuka said from nearby. "I just got a call from Da Vinci, there's some spriggans wreaking havoc a couple blocks down!"
"Yay! I get to smash statues to rubble!" Kingprotea cried, getting to her feet and running off.
"Wait, Protea! We can't go as fast as you!" BB called after her. "Honestly, that girl...!"
"I'm starting to see why you had trouble controlling her..." Ritsuka noted. "By the way, where's Haruhi?"
"How should I-" BB winced as the Hanging Gardens fired again, blasting another massive dragon into oblivion. "How should I know?! I'm not her keeper! I'm sure she can handle herself anyway!"
"Well, let's hope you're right," Arthur nodded grimly. "Let's go!"
*Speaking of Haruhi...*
(This is what I get for going off on my own to find the mastermind,) the reality warper sighed internally, wrapped up to her chest in snake coils as a familiar face glared down at her. "So, are you a rogue servant, or do you have a Master?"
"My Master is a fool. I would never obey someone like him!" Gorgon hissed. As her tail was currently in use, the avenger was standing on her scaled legs, her snake hair poised to strike at any moment. "Any last words before I devour you, human?"
Haruhi hid a smirk. She could easily erase this servant with a thought, but she decided to try a different tack first. "Well, let me say this... what would Sakura Matou think if she saw you like this, Medusa?" The avenger's eyes went wide, Haruhi then crying out in pain as two snake heads bit into her shoulders!
"You... HOW do you know that name?!" Gorgon hissed, getting in Haruhi's face. "Who are you?!"
"I work for a place called Chaldea," Haruhi gasped out. "We already... summoned a version of you there... from before you became the famous monster of legend. And there's also a kind, loving goddess... that we just recently summoned... and she took Sakura as a vessel... to manifest as a Lancer-class."
Gorgon's eyes narrowed at this. "You lie."
"Why would I...? You've got me dead to rights here," Haruhi grunted in response. "This really hurts, you know... but lying would mean an even more painful death, right...?"
"It would indeed," Gorgon nodded. "But against all better judgement..." the snakes promptly released, her tail uncoiling from Haruhi a moment later. "Take me to this Chaldea. Now."
"Just a moment..." Haruhi groaned as she stood up, rubbing one of her shoulders. "Da Vinci, I need to rayshift back ASAP!"
"There you are! We've been trying to reach you!" Da Vinci's voice came over the comm-link. "What's going on?"
"I've got a servant here that wants to meet Parvati, and she'll kill me if I don't comply!" Haruhi replied. "And don't worry about BB and Protea! I've already made sure they've got enough mana to last a while!"
"I don't like this... but as you wish. Commencing rayshift." With that, Haruhi and Gorgon vanished...
*Back with the others...*
"Ah-ha! There you are, villain!" Gudako pointed at the middle-aged man holding the Holy Grail. "Give up the Grail and make the monsters go away, or we'll kick your butt!"
"You and what army? Come forth, sphinxes!" A group of about ten or so winged Egyptian beasts flew up from behind the mage!
"Oh dear, Ozymandias wouldn't be happy about seeing this," Arthur mused.
"Don't you have a servant to fight for you?" Ritsuka asked fairly.
"She wouldn't listen to me! At least these know how to follow orders!" the man retorted. "Now, destroy these fools before me!"
"Protea, you're up!" BB shouted, her giant 'daughter' suddenly stepping out from behind a high-rise!
"What in the name of-?!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" Protea put her hands to her mouth and screamed, unleashing a sonic wave that disoriented the sphinxes mid-flight! She then grabbed a chunk of destroyed building and hurled it, crushing one sphinx and knocking another from the sky! Arthur quickly leapt and impaled the sphinx that crashed through the head, finishing it!
"Fly, sphinxes, fly!" the mage cried out, despite having to cover his ears. The group of monsters promptly soared higher, only to get blasted out of the sky by Semiramis' Hanging Gardens! "Where did that come from...?!"
"You bad man! Imma stomp you!" Kingprotea said, lifting up her foot, BB and the others getting the heck out of dodge! All the mage could do was scream in terror as said foot came down, a dull 'splat' marking his end! With his death, the remaining monsters faded into nothingness, an eerie silence settling over the cityscape. "Aww, they all went away! I wanted to squash more!"
"It's all right, you've squashed enough for today!" Ritsuka called up to her. "Good work, Kingprotea!"
"Yeah, now lift your foot so we can grab the Grail!" BB ordered, the giant Alter Ego promptly doing so...
"EWWWW!" Gudako retched upon seeing what was left of the mage. "I think I'm gonna be sick...!"
"Don't look at him, think of cute things, kittens and puppies," Ritsuka promptly turned his fellow Master away from the grisly sight. "I know how you feel, believe me..."
"Ew, ew, eww! Puppies and kitties, puppies and kitties!" Gudako chanted, her eyes tightly shut.
"Okay, I think we're done here," BB sighed, grail in hand. "Back to small size with you~!" Kingprotea gasped as she was consumed in a data spiral, reappearing in her 'core' form.
"Ah, right, commencing rayshift now!" Mash's voice answered.
*Rayshift Chamber*
Ritsuka couldn't help but gape at the unexpected sight before him... namely the avenger Gorgon wrapped in an affectionate embrace by Parvati, Rider Medusa standing off to the side, an unreadable expression on her face... "G-Gorgon?!" he blurted out in surprise.
"Hmm?" Gorgon pulled away a bit from the goddess at sound of her name, looking over at the party. "Hmph, you must be that woman's allies. Be fortunate that Sakura is amongst your ranks, or that girl would no longer draw breath..."
"Haruhi? What happened?!"
"Apparently Gorgon got the jump on her," Da Vinci explained, "and she only got out of it by promising to reunite her with her former Master..."
"Ugh, just knowing about my monstrous self in Babylonia was bad enough," Medusa grumbled. "I have no idea how to feel about this..."
"What, are you afraid I'll steal Sakura from you?" Gorgon smirked. "Please, you and I are the same, no matter how much you deny it. But I'm sure we can work something out..."
"No you won't!" cried a new arrival, Ishtar flying in and grabbing Parvati protectively. "This goddess' vessel is my vessel's sister by blood! You have no right to her, Gorgon, former Master or not!"
"Tohsaka...?" the avenger's face contorted in confusion. "Wait, no... Ishtar. You're Ishtar. But how did I know that...?"
"Perhaps you vaguely recall Babylonia after all," Medusa mused. "Anyway, let's take this somewhere else. That Gudako looks like she needs medical attention..."
"I'm fine..." Gudako grunted, looking queasy. "Just a little sick to my stomach... Blarrrrghh!" She abruptly doubled over, expelling what was left of her breakfast.
"Ewww!" Parvati cried in distress. "S-somebody help her!"
"I shall take her to Medical," Arthur proposed, wiping the redhead's mouth with his sleeve before lifting her in a bridal carry. "I'm surprised that Nightingale hasn't shown her face..."
"That's because she already carried off Suzumiya," Da Vinci deadpanned. "She had a couple of snake bite injuries, courtesy of you-know-who..."
"I do not apologize," Gorgon grumbled, "but given that she kept her word, I will not assault her like that again..."
"Well, that's good to hear~," BB smirked. "Okay, Gudako to Medical while Senpai and I debrief Miss Acting Director here!"
"Hakuno should be your senpai..." Protea sighed, drawing an annoyed glare from the moon cancer.
*Later, in the Medical Bay...*
"You've got nerves of steel, facing down Gorgon like that," Kyon muttered as he sat by Haruhi's bedside, gently holding her hand. "I remember hearing about how freaked out you were when facing her in Babylonia..."
"Well, one, that was my *ahem* ancestor ruler-self," Haruhi pointed out, "and Gorgon, who had Tiamat's power at the time, had a conceptual advantage over her. "I, on the other hand, knew exactly what to say to take the edge off her wrath..."
"You didn't get out of it unscathed, though," Kyon gestured to her bandaged shoulders.
"True, but thanks to my quick thinking, we have a new tentative ally," Haruhi smugly retorted. "Besides, a little pain helps to keep my ego in check, remind me that I'm not invincible..."
"Can't argue with that..." Kyon said with a slight smile. "Well, maybe once you get discharged, we can have a late-night date at Club Cove..."
"Fancy dinner by the moonlight?" Haruhi teased. "Sure, I'm up for that. You want the shiny brown dress?"
"Um, yeah... and don't forget-"
"The ponytail, of course. Just remember to keep it in your pants until bedtime."
"Yes, chief." Kyon rolled his eyes at this.
*Alter Egos' Room*
"So did you have fun, Protea?" Passionlip inquired as she and her sisters sat around a small coffee table.
"It was fun, yeah, but... it was kinda over too soon. I wanted to have more fun!" Kingprotea lamented.
"Well, I doubt there's going to be another Kaiju singularity anytime soon," Violet pointed out. "That being said, I do have an idea... How about we go talk to Koizumi-san, see if he's not too tired to speak with us..."
"Huh? Mr. Koizumi? But why?" Protea tilted her head curiously.
*Closed Space*
The giant Celestials roared incoherently as they wreaked havoc over the replicated Antarctic landscape, one or two smashing into the empty Chaldea complex...
"So all I gotta do is help you beat them up?" Kingprotea asked in her giant form.
"More or less," Koizumi floated beside her in a sphere of red energy. "Just get them to focus their attention on you, and I shall handle the rest."
"Okay then! Gaooooo~!" She roared, charging the white giants, tackling one to the ground and ripping its arms off, before using said limbs to beat on another nearby Celestial! "Take that, you meanies!" Another giant swung at her, but she managed to block it with one arm, before retaliating with a megaton punch! Koizumi then took advantage, flying in and chopping the downed Celestials to pieces! It didn't take long for all of them to be dispatched, the sky beginning to show cracks...
"Oh!" Protea gasped as she stood just outside the facility, back to human size. "Wh-what happened?"
"The closed space collapsed on itself, so we were ejected back to reality," Koizumi replied, standing next to her. "I have to say, that went far more smoothly compared to handling them myself last time. I'll be sure to call upon your assistance next time a closed space forms."
"Yay! Thank you, Mr. Koizumi!" Protea cheered, before shivering as the wind blew. "L-let's get inside ! It's f-freezing out here!"
"Certainly. After you," Koizumi went and opened the door, gesturing the Alter Ego inside.
*To be continued...*