Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or Fate Stay Night, any resemblance to any other Fairy Tail or Fate Stay Night fan fiction is coincidental and plagiarism is not intended. No flames please, constructive criticism only.
AN: So finally here we are This chapter was going to be longer but any more and it would have been forced and been even lower quality than it is. Well I hope you enjoy it regardless.
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Erza gritted her teeth as she and her counterpart clashed swords. Her escape had been blocked when she ran into her. The fight was hard enough as her counterpart seemed to be just as skilled at the sword as she was, and it didn't help with Archer taking pot shots at her.
Quickly Erza disengaged and deflected a few arrows before quickly locking swords with Knightwalker again.
"Archer, why are you helping them?" Erza asked with a growl.
"Why it should be obvious," Archer replied with a shrug. "My own bleeding heart wouldn't allow me to let people suffer when I could save them." She then fired a couple more arrows better aimed this time.
Erza manoeuvred herself and her sword so she could deflect them without disengaging Knightwalker.
"Have you seen what the Anima does to people?" Erza asked as she disengaged and began a furious battle with Knightwalker, ducking under a slash which created a large gash in the pillar behind her, Erza responded by quickly attacking from beneath to get into her guard.
"It converts them into a giant lacrima where their essence is stored as magical power, I know," Archer responded. "Just like I know about the Holy Grail."
"If you know about it then why?"
"Because these people 'need' magic Saber, without it there will be famines, floods, disease among other calamities, and with the magic power from the lacrima we can power the Grail and make a wish to permanently solve Edolas's magic energy problem once and for all, it's best path, sacrificing the few to save the many."
"What's going on here?" A deep male voice demanded, followed by the marching of dozens of boots. "Two Knightwalkers?"
The owner had was an exceed expect this one had a tall, muscular build similar to that of a human's. He has a white muzzle, small red eyes, and a scar running down across his left eye and was he wearing a personal set of battle armour with a long cape draped around his body. Just behind him was a small army of soldiers.
"Panther Lily, it's her counterpart, she survived the anima," Archer explained narrowing her eyes and preparing to take another shot. "She's seen 'it'."
"Then we need to stop her right here." Panther Lily said dropping into a battle stance. "She has to run out of steam sometime and with us here she'll have nowhere to go."
Much as Erza hated to admit it they were correct, though evenly matched in terms of skill and power with Knightwalker, Erza knew she'd run out of energy soon. She ran up a pillar and leapt off it as Knightwalker destroyed it. She'd need a miracle to get out of this one.
Just then she heard a familiar sound and knew her prayers were answered. It was the sound of space being opened, casting a familiar golden glow.
"The Gate of Babylon, she's here already!" Archer cursed as behind Erza over twenty portals opened facing the duo, she then looking at Panther Lilly. "Move out of the way, it's about to rain Noble Phantasms in here."
"Right, retreat men now!" Panther Lily ordered, backing off along with the soldiers.
Knightwalker quickly backed up standing just behind Archer, who thrust a single hand out.
"Rho-GUH!" "YEAH, TAKE THAT I DON'T NEED MAGIC KICK YOUR ASSES!" Natsu yelled, having flown out of a portal off to the side and punched Archer in the face with a large flaming fist. This had the effect of sending her into Knightwalker which sent them both flying into Panther Lilly and his soldiers knocking them all over like bowling pins.
The flame on Natsu's hand went out, revealing a shining golden gauntlet upon it. "Erza come on we need to get out of here."
"Right." Erza nodded as a large portal opened next to Natsu.
"My head." Archer groaned rubbing her face where a large red bruise began to form, before glaring at them. "It's the dragon slayer don't let him get away!"
The soldiers all scrambled to get up but it was too late, Erza and Natsu leapt through the portal which closed behind them. All the other portal quickly followed suit, the only trace of their existence being the wrecked hallway.
"Jeeze is the same Gilgamesh we're facing," Archer asked as Knightwalker grumpily shoved her off so she could stand up forcing Archer to get to her feet on her own.
"What do you mean?" Panther Lily asked as he climbed to his feet.
"The Gilgamesh I know wouldn't even let unworthy people even look at his Noble phantasms never mind give them out like that gauntlet," Archer informed him.
"Wow, you guys sure made a mess of this place." A new voice commented. It belonged to Sugarboy the captain of the fourth Magic War Division. He was a tall man with blue eyes and blond hair in a pompadour style. He had long sideburns extending to the ends of his face and some stubble with a very defined face and a noticeable cleft chin. He was wearing a light red set of shiny armour with gold chain mail and a bronze belt, and what appeared to be black briefs. He was also wearing a white cape with the Edolas insignia on it.
"Hello, Sugarboy." Panther Lily greeted with a nod.
"The King's summoned us, all captains are to report in for the meeting now." Sugarboy informed them.
"So it's been moved up, understandable considering what's happened." Panther Lily commented.
"His majesty isn't happy, so best hurry up," Sugarboy said as he began walking away.
"Alright, men spread the word, the Dragonslayer has to be in the city somewhere spread out and find him!" Panther Lilly ordered.
"Yes, Sir!" Was the resounding respond he got from the men who all ran off to carry out their order.
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When she got through the portal Erza found herself in a relatively small but furnished room that seemed quite high up judging from the view from the window which Lucy was looking out of. There was a table with some chairs in the middle and a couple of beds and a sofa, along with some Edolasian banners but that was it.
Honestly, Erza was surprised that even in a situation like this Lucy would put up with such meagre amenities.
"Man this thing is awesome, those guys didn't stand a chance." Natsu cheered before groaning with disappointment as the gauntlet returned to the Gate of Babylon in a swirl of golden dust.
"So, what did you find out?" Carla asked from the table where she was looking at a map and drawing something on it.
"Fairy Tail can't help us." Happy informed her. "They're barely hanging on as it is. The other you even killed Gildarts!"
"I see, so we're on our own," Erza mumbled putting a hand to her chin. "Well I'll cu5t right to the chase, I found my way to the Anima device, it's under tight guard and after this, it'll only become tighter, but that's not the worst part."
"Ok, so what's the bad part?" Natsu asked.
"They have a Holy Grail," Erza stated causing Shirou to gasp and Lucy to gain an annoyed look in her eyes.
"How annoying, these Grails pop up like they're going out of fashion," Lucy grumbled.
"Wait, what's a Holy Grail?" Natsu asked.
"It's a magical wish granter." Erza informed him folding her arms. "The one who is recognised as its owner can have any wish they want to be granted even reviving the dead."
"Any Wish?" Natsu asked his eyes lighting up.
"Yeah, but the way it works, you have to summon a Servant then kill the other six servants to the power it, then you get your wish," Shirou explained crossing her arms as well,
"Wait, kill servants what do you mean?" Natsu asked more confused.
"Servants are heroic spirits, basically heroes like us in our past lives summoned in bodies made of magical energy to fight this ridiculous little ritual. They use Command Seals to keep use compliant, otherwise, some heroes would kill those mages. After six are dead they sue the Command Seal to force their own servant to commit suicide because with seven they can get to the Root." Lucy explained grumbling all the while.
"But why do that if beating six can get a wish?" Natsu asked with annoyance.
"Because seven gets them access to the Root." Erza explained, "It's the goal of Mages, they're obsessed with it, don't think too hard on it, they don't think as normal people do, even morality doesn't apply with them."
"But with all the noise you made in the palace why didn't any servants show up?" Shirou asked.
"Because this Grail is different." Erza explained, "I may not be a mage but I learnt enough from Merlin, this Grail has been modified, it doesn't summon servants or connect to the Throne of heroes at all."
"If that's the case, then they'll have to gather the magical energy for the wish the hard way, but I can see the logic in such a decision," Lucy said with a sigh as Shirou and Natsu looked at her without understanding. "Think about it, summoning servants risk enemies of the kingdom being given Command Seals and thus able to summon servants as well, it's less risky to just do away with that part, even if it does take longer to gather the energy needed."
"So let's just steal it before they use it," Natsu suggested.
"Or destroy it." Shirou also suggested.
"No, absolutely not" Erza yelled quickly causing the two to flinch.
"But what's the problem?" Happy asked.
"The Grail they have is damaged," Erza told them sternly. "If it's filled to wish granting capacity or is destroyed it will explode. As it is now it could take out a part of the city." This caused Natsu, Happy, Shirou and Carla to gasp with horror. "And if filled up the explosion could annihilate a continent at least."
"And if we steal it the army will chase us to get it back and they might damage it in the process." Carla realised.
"So, our only hope is to reverse free our friends, get back through the Anima and dispose of the Grail safety back home," Shirou said unhappily. "Still, without magic, these people will…"
"Humans are adaptive creatures." Lucy put in. "I'm sure that after a century or two of hardship they'll start adapting, after all even our own world which is abundant with magic isn't 'totally' dependent on its use."
"yeah but still-"
"Alright, enough of this how do we get our friends back to normal?" Natsu cut in loudly.
"I doubt just anyone knows, that information is most likely restricted to a few people high up in the military." Lucy pointed out.
"Hmm…" Carla went back to drawing on a map of some kind. "The king will just have to tell us that himself."
"We can just beat it out of him!" Natsu cheered raising his fist.
"Not possible," Erza said crossing her arms and shaking her head. "After this, he'll probably have a reincarnate guarding him."
"Well, we can always use Gemini," Lucy suggested with a shrug. "After all not only do they have the power to turn into the people they touch, they can also read the minds of whoever they turn into. Which means if they're able to transform into the king, then they'll also be able to tell us everything he knows. But timing will be crucial when using them because they can only transform into someone for no more than five minutes, and they can only remember a couple of people at a time."
"Then all we'd need to do is have one of you guys fight the reincarnate while the other gets the information from Gemini." Shirou realised. "But how are we gonna get back in? if we just charge in we'll get bogged down fights."
"I've come up with a plan for getting within range," Carla said holding up a map she'd drawn and then began to point to the diagram. "As with any home of a paranoid ruler, when the castle was originally constructed, there was a tunnel built as an escape route, which links up with a mine shaft just outside of the city walls."
"But how do you know about it?" Shirou asked.
Carla placed her paw on her face with a look on her face like she had a migraine. "It's just in my head, coming to me in little bits and pieces. From the moment we first set foot in Edolas, it's as though I have a mental map that's slowly being filled in."
"Well then let's go!" Natsu yelled and prepared to run off. "Aye, sir!" Happy cheered preparing to follow him.
"Not yet!" Carla yelled putting a stop to their antics before either of them can race out the door.
"Why you always stoppin' me!?" Natsu grumbled.
"We'll go under the cover of night." She told them with a sigh. "Until then, we should try to get some rest."
When night did fall and the sounds of nightlife died away the seven made their way guided by Carla through the city streets and outside the city walls, taking them over the rocky terrain that dominates the landscape. She checked her map once again for reference. "We should be arriving at the entrance to the tunnel any moment now!"
"This is it?" Shirou asked inspecting the entrance to the tunnel which came into view.
"Yes, I'm positive." Carla nods assuredly.
"In we go."
"Wait!" Carla stopped Natsu once again.
"Again with the stoppin'!?"
She heaves yet another impatient sigh. "I understand that time is of the essence, trust me. But we will need a source of light in the tunnel."
"I got this! One torch, comin' up!"
"You seem to have forgotten again. Your magic power simply doesn't work here in Edolas."
"Aw, man!" Natsu kicks a rock frustratedly down the tunnel.
"Here, we'll use this." Lucy snapped her fingers and a golden metallic orb appeared, suddenly a bright beam of light shone out of it and it began moving into the tunnel before them lightning the way.
With the light issue settled they began to traverse the tunnel with Carla continuing to consult her map.
"Put the light right out in front of us," Carla instructed, the orb responds and does as its told revealing a dead end in front of them. "That's our link."
It was clearly another part of the mine, but the passage had been filled in with rocks and held in place with wooden bars, one of which had 'KY-2c' written on it.
"It's a dead end?" Natsu said scrutinizing the wall. "Now what?"
"We'll have to find a way to get through it. I'm sure the passage leading to the castle is on the other side." Carla said shaking her head.
Suddenly a golden glow shone over Natsu and Happy upon realising both ducked out of the way as a large sword fired at the wall blowing it open.
"Well, that works," Erza said.
"So there is a passageway," Shirou said as the sword returned to the Gate of Babylon
Happy bounds over with a smile. "Like I always say, Carla's got the one-two punch of brains and beauty." Now, he's just trying to flirt with her. I really don't need to see my pet flirting.
"Whether or not this passage leads to the castle remains to be seen," Carla said sceptically.
"You've been right about everything else so far. I'm sure this is where we wanna go." Shirou said trying to reassure her.
"What's wrong, buddy?" Natsu asked seeing Happy's downcast expression.
"Hey, why do you think that I'm not getting any kinda map inside of my head mean, I'm from Edolas just like she is. And supposedly, we both got sent away on the same mission. So how come I don't know anything?"
"We agreed not to talk about that, remember?" Carla s said insistently. "I can't give you an explanation, that's just how it seems to be working out."
"For now, we keep moving forward." Lucy walks ahead, turning back for a moment.
As we continue to walk, Natsu looks around nervously. "I hope this thing doesn't cave in on us."
"This mineshaft is pretty old and rundown, isn't it?" Shirou observed
"I really hope it's not haunted."
"Let's see. Now in about fifty paces, we'll take a left." Carla said as she kept guiding everyone "We should turn here."
"This is more like a cavern than a tunnel," Erza said looking around at the glowing crystals and few skeletons which littered the cavern with broken helmets and swords nearby.
"Yes, and I believe this cavern is located directly underneath the castle."
"You're amazing, Carla." Happy complimented.
"Well, being able to find our way through here is sure to be the easy part. But what will be truly amazing will be sneaking in and out of the king's royal chambers undetected."
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In the royal meeting chambers the captains of the magic war division were all present this included; Sugarboy, Hughes, Panther Lilly, Archer and Erza Knightwalker. Also was the Chief of Staff of the Royal Army Byro and the assistant chief of staff Coco. Finally, there was King Faust himself the ruler of Edolas.
Although the meeting had been called as an emergency meeting hours ago, it had turned into a lengthy kingdom-wide status report, in other words, they had to get the status of every single province on the planet from Byro. He'd been rambling on for hours, the sun had gone down. Sugarboy was trying not to nod off in his seat as was Coco, Hughes was sleeping with his eyes open while Erza was wide awake with her arms folded as was the king while Archer rested her head on her arms. Panther Lilly had somehow managed to maintain his attention although his eyes were drooping slightly.
"…thus in conclusion, even with the withdrawal of the Queen's army to Extalia all provinces remain quiet and content," Byro concluded before looking around when he realised how quiet it was, he then banged a fist no the table to jolt everyone back to attention.
"Jeez, Byro couldn't you have found a shorter way to say, everything fine in the other provinces," Sugarboy complained rubbing his eyes.
"Indeed, this is an emergency meeting so it seems like you wasted time an awful lot of time to say something that could be summed up in a few words." Panther Lilly agreed with a yawn.
"I'd be remiss in my job if I wasn't thorough in my reports." Byro snapped annoyed at their reactions.
"Enough." Faust cut in silencing any further antics. "The point of this meeting is to inform you that due to the breach in security earlier we are accelerating our plans, Byro what do we know about the Queens plans?"
"Queen Shagotte has informed us that the recall of their military is only temporary, they will be sending troops back to the capital by the morning," Byro replied bridging his fingers.
"Good, then prepare troops and equipment for Code ETD, I want it ready for their return," Faust ordered
"Of course sire," Byro said with a bow.
"Now, Archer and Knightwalker, what do you know of the Earthland wizards?" Faust asked impatiently.
"Only that two of them are reincarnates." Archer said, "The blond one is the worst possible reincarnate, its Gilgamesh."
Though the others didn't react the King began to shake before slamming the table with his fists furiously.
"Damn it all!" he yelled furiously. "Of all heroes why Gilgamesh? Are we cursed?!"
"I take it this is bad?" Hughes asked.
"Who is Gilgamesh and why is she such a concern?" Panther Lilly asked curiously.
"Gilgamesh is the King of Heroes, also known as mankind's oldest hero." Archer began explaining. "Her Noble Phantasm is called the Gate of Babylon and it contains the prototype of just nearly every other Noble Phantasm in existence, with the only exceptions being non-physical Noble Phantasms like techniques or other abilities developed as a result of one's legend. Inside are swords, shields, guns, cannons and pretty much any other weapon you could imagine."
"Geez, she sounds like a nightmare." Hughes shuddered.
"You don't know the half of it." Archer sighed shaking her head. "She's dangerous even when she's not taking things seriously which seems to be most of the time. Even then she'll make literal mincemeat out of normal soldiers."
"Which means the rest of us won't be of much use against her." Panther Lilly observed gritting his teeth.
"Indeed, I can't defeat her, without the Blade Works I won't be able to keep up with the Gate of Babylon, but I might be able to keep her occupied if I'm lucky and she doesn't kill me right away. Plus, I'm stuck projecting noble phantasms from memory limiting me even further." Archer explained massaging her temples.
"It gets worse," Faust said suddenly.
"How much worse?" Coco asked fearfully.
"The bounded field in the secret passageway has been tripped, there are four humans two of which are dragon slayers as well as two Exceed on their way in," Faust explained.
"A night-time attack is it?" Panther Lilly sighed. "Well, who's the other reincarnate?"
"King Arthur, a counterpart to our own Knightwalker, instead of being a tyrant like she did this one tried to become the ideal king," Archer said. "But she doesn't have her Earthland magic so they should be fairly evenly matched."
"So what's our strategy?" Panther Lilly asked.
"Divide and conquer," Faust said commandingly. "Panther Lilly, you will take Archer and the others you will capture the dragon slayers while Archer deals with Gilgamesh. If I know the King of Knights as I think I do then she will go for the Holy Grail again where Knightwalker will be waiting." He looked at the woman in question. "Guard the Grail with your life the future of our kingdom depends on it."
"I will get to work on Code ETD," Byro said standing up.
"Good, and when you are finished begin moving the giant lacrima into position," Faust ordered before looking to Panther Lilly. "Panther Lilly, when the Dragonslayers are captured you are to go to the lacrima and guard it with your life until the time comes are we clear?"
"Crystal my lord." Panther Lilly said dutifully.
"Make or break, the future of kingdom shall be decided in these next few hours," Faust said gravely.
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With the meeting concluded everyone went their separate ways. Well nearly everyone. Byro, King Faust, Coco and Erza Knightwalker had gone off each to carry out their own duties. Meanwhile, Panther Lilly, Hughes, Sugarboy and Archer along with a group of soldiers were making their way down to the tunnel where the intruders were entering.
"So…..how do you feel?" Hughes asked trying to break the silence.
"Oh just perfect, certainly not like a prisoner on death row," Archer answered sarcastically.
"Well, she is about to face one of the most powerful heroes in the existence." Panther Lilly pointed out. "The plan is simple, Archer will distract Gilgamesh while the rest of us go for the dragon slayers and retreat quickly."
"I'll try leading Knightwalkers counterpart to her I guess." Hughes sighed not entirely thrilled with fighting any version of Knightwalker. "What a pain."
"Quiet," Panther Lilly held out his arm stopping everyone, his ears twitching. "They're almost here, every one into position." They all quickly followed his command with the regular soldiers all readying their equipment and concealing themselves behind pillars. Archer prepared Bakuya and Kanshou also hiding in order to ambush Gilgamesh.
Seconds began to tick by, a few soldiers swallowed trying to steel their nerves. Finally, a familiar face strolled in from the tunnel. A girl with crimson red eyes, waist-length blond hair, wearing an open black jacket, white tube top, black jeans and an unnerving smirk on her face. She looked in their direction and Archer could tell she knew they were there.
"Oh look an ambush how cute." She cooed mockingly. "Are you going to come out or do I have to turn those pillars to dust?"
Needing no further motivation, the whole group moved out of cover. Panther Lilly, Hughes and Archer stood to one side while Sugarboy lead the men on the other side effectively surrounding her.
"Well, well finally done running are we faker?" she asked Archer
"I didn't run, I performed a strategic withdrawal." Archer quipped.
"Code for running away." Lucy chuckled "Without your reality marble you are no match for me, how fortunate for you that I'm just going to be a spectator for now."
"A spectator? What does she mean? She's not going to fight?" Panther Lilly wondered aloud as three more human figures emerged from the tunnel along with a pair of Exceeds.
One of them was Knightwalkers counterpart, the other was a pink haired boy clearly Natsu Dragion's counterpart. The last a younger girl with tanned skin and white hair, in her hands, were a pair of familiar blades. When she and Archer made eye contact, both grasped their heads as a painful headache them overcame them both.
…
…
A hill of swords.
…
A land bathed in twilight from the extended horizon
A barren wasteland opaqued by a thick haze formed from embers and wisps of black smog rising from the ground.
….
An optimistic fool, chasing flawed hypocritical ideals.
A bitter cynical hero of wrought Iron, who kept following those ideals even after they betrayed him time and time again.
…
High above both, on opposite sides monolithic gears came into view but separated in half, incomplete. Blue magical energy arced between the two halves of all the gears. Slowly the halves all collided but it was not enough. They were still separate.
…
Yet despite the hypocrisy
Yet despite the betrayals.
They both would try to fulfil that dream. The last words spoken to that man under the moonlight.
…
"I'll become a Hero for you. Just leave it to me I'll make your dream come true."
…
One last step was needed for them to be made whole.
…
"You," Both said at the same time "Shirou Emiya!""Archer!"
Swords locked with each other. A contradiction was born of ones past and ones future meeting. An impossibility and yet it was so.
The two who could not accept each other no matter what.
"There he is now men restrain the pink haired one!" Panther Lilly ordered.
"IT'S SALMON!" Natsu promptly yelled furiously before his mouth and hands were encased in a strange sticky white goop.
"Natsu!" Happy and Erza cried as the boy was quickly grabbed by Sugarboy and his men.
"Now men retreat!" Sugarboy ordered prompting them all to run off with Natsu.
Erza made to give chase but was stopped as Lucy called out to her.
"Let them go, the idiot will be fine go and capture the King first." Lucy insisted. "They won't dare harm him if you capture the king."
Erza looked after Natsu but relented. "Fine, I'll come back for you Natsu."
"Not if I warn him!" Hughes suddenly shouted with maniacal laughter and began running off.
"Come here you!" Erza growled giving chase which prompted Hughes to go faster.
As this was happening paws reached out of the shadows and grabbed Happy and Carla from behind, their mouths were covered preventing them from calling out as they taken away. Even as Panther Lilly and his men slipped away leaving the Lucy to watch the battle between the two fakers with a smirk on her face.