Chapter 13: Festival

AN: The Festival Arc has begun! With all sorts of shenanigans, from girls being cute, to boys being boys, with a shocking twist to boost!

"All clear on this end".

"Everything is clear here as well".

"All clear on my end!"

"Security is in position and rotations set, but everything seems good".

Suzuki listened as all the scouts reported in. Right now, she had a certain look in her eyes, of tensity and wariness.

"Then it appears...the Red Faction are abiding to the cease fire while the Grail situation is ongoing then. Which means..."

She looked over at the rest of the students that were waiting for her word. Many of them were dressed not in normal school uniforms though, but Yukatas colored with their school colors.

"The cultural festival is on!"

"WOO HOOO!"

"YEEEAAAAAAH!"

"YOOOSH!"

"LETS DO THIS!"

Thats right, it was time for the school's cultural festival. The Cease fire came at a convienent time for the Black Faction, who was worried about any weird incidents occuring due to the red faction during the festival. But everything appeared to be just fine.

"Lets get this festival started then!"

"This is a terrible idea" Castor of Red stated to his Master, and everyone else there, as they walked down the city street like it was nothing. "This is an absolutely terrible idea".

"Their scouts will find us soon, and they will probably view us as trouble" Simon mentioned. "But, this also seems like a fun way to take advantage of the cease fire. Right, Inuzuka?"

"Indeed" he said, as the group began to approach the cultural festival. However, they were not in a state of wariness or surprise battles. No, instead, they were all dressed in civilian clothes, comfy and stuff to walk around in at a cultural festival. And as part of the festivities that would last from day to night, they were all wearing Yukatas like everyone else to blend in.

"Time to have a bunch of fun!"

"Time to play all the games!"

"Lets have a fun blast!"

Indeed, the Red Faction was officially going to the cultural festival to take advantage of it and the cease fire to scout out the campus.

At least, that was the reason for some of them. For others, it was an excuse to take a break and go to the cultural festival.

"I suppose then...if this was an anime, it would be the episode, or arc, where both sides end up casually interracting with each other, or teaming up against some threat, or just for some casual and funny banter type stuff" Rune mentioned.

"Pretty much. Even if me and my brother despite each other to the very core of our beings, even we would not try to kill each other. He wont even poison my food here".

"He wont?"

"He wouldn't want to give a student a record of serving food that causes health issues".

"Ah. I see".

"...he would do something dishonorable like claiming to have a stone boat race, but then using a wooden boat that was painted to look like a stone one though..."

"...why did you think that a stone boat would even work in the first place? You should have known that was a trick".

"Shut up, okay! We were really tense from all the various competitions and attempts to kill each other...and other things...so its only natural a small oversight might be made!"

"...that doesn't seem like a small oversight".

"Just shut up! Lets just enjoy this festival okay?"

"Too bad Terry didn't come with us. He always seems so professional".

"Its a good thing Sabre didn't though. He has an ego that would cause all sorts of trouble".

"I cant get a read on Terry myself" Rune mentioned. "From what I heard, he was apparently some hero though, saved a lot of lives during one incident, and seems to be one of the best magical investigators around. From what I heard, he even saved a bunch of children from a rampaging troll one time...but, he always seems so cold and retracted. And he was willing to have Sabre use his Noble Phantasm on not just servants, but even just students that are not Masters in the Black Faction".

"He might have seen something that traumatized him, or maybe he is just a complicated person. I hear he investigated a lot of nightmarish situations. Apparently, he was an Enforcer for the Mages Association, investigated the worst of the worst. Took down some mages that turned terrorism even, and other horrific experiments".

"Seems complicated indeed".

"Also means he must be really strong. Crap, its going to be a pain to fight him once we defeat the Black Faction".

"You do realize we are vastly outnumbered, right?"

"Maybe, but that also means that Grail will target them next. And this festival...I doubt he will miss the chance".

"And maybe...we will get the chance to take advantage of the situation. Is that what you are thinking, Inuzuka?"

Inuzuka just nodded.

"Once we take down Grail, the truce ends, and we take down the members of the Black Faction weakened from the fight, and balance the scales".

"And if that happens, until it does, we enjoy the cultural festival, right master?"

"Yes, Inuzuka. No reason we cant mix business with pleasure".

"Woo hoo!"

Marco also looked happy.

"I wonder how awesome the stuff will be anyways?"

And meanwhile, another conversation was going on.

"Its okay, Mika-chan. You can do this".

"I dont know...I just am not sure about this..."

"You will be great, Mika-chan! You are able to do this! You are great! You were able to summon me after all!"

"I just..."

"Have confidence! You will shine!"

"Al-alright then!"

With some helpful words from her servant, Mika managed to pull together the confidence and strength she needed to pull it off. Using her magic circuits, she activated her magic...and brought the fountain to life.

"B-Behold! My project for the festival, our new water fountain!" she said, leaving out the part where she used Magecraft to help make the water fountain do what it does. Water jumping around, dancing, doing amazing things. Nothing that defied physics, since normal people and family who knew nothing from the city were also here, but it was still amazing.

"See Mika-chan? Look at those faces? The adults, the children? They love it!"

"Really? Thats...thats great!"

Mika's face lit up with smiles and joy, while Billie watched with satisfaction and happiness himself. As a Servant, he was meant to serve his Master, but he was not doing this for that. It was just the kind of person he was. In his time, outlaws could be more then just criminals and cutthroats. Just because he killed people, didn't mean he couldn't help them as well.

And that was why he had a simple wish. To roam the world, and show that he was more then just an outlaw. To do what he wanted to do, and prove who he really was. And helping Mika let a crowd full of people, dressed in yukatas, and even some kimonos and such, become all happy and praising her work.

"Hey, looks great Mika-chan!" Suzuki shouted as she ran over.

"Th-thanks, Suzuki-sempai!"

"Come on, lets go enjoy the rest of the festival!" Suzuki mentioned, as she pulled Mika along to go and travel across the festival. "Its going to be a load of fun!"

"S-sure! By the way, what did you and Toko end up doing?"

"Well, Toko has been straining and risking himself way too much lately, so I punished him by making him take a shift in the dunk tank".

Given Suzuki's general nature, and carefree attitude towards things, they both had a strange feeling that...

"Oh hey look, there he is" Suzuki pointed out.

"Suzuki-neechan!" Toko cried out. He was totally soaked already, and naturally seemed to be naked. Probably. The dunk tank was opaque enough for no one to see anything specific.

Billie, who saw this, tilted his head.

"I feel like this is taking the joke a bit too far. Exactly, what did he do to warrant that?"

"Remember the fight with Berserker of Red up north? How Toko and Horus fought?"

"Yeah..."

"Well, what he failed to mention is that he used so much magic, he overloaded his magic circuits and put his health at risk. And I learned just how risky it was when I examined him while I was in charge of monitoring and assisting in the elementry boy's baths. He says its fine, and admittedly, its not like he is pushing himself that far...but, its enough that I am concerned if I dont punish him, he will just do it again".

"And this is the method you chose?"

"Its a strong impact. It doesn't require physically hurting him. Its more impactful then just grounding him. And also, it should keep him distracted from what day it is".

"From what day it is?"

"Yeah...I need to keep him distracted all day today. Scheduled the festival to make sure of it. He absolutely cant realize what today is".

Mika and Billy looked concerned. First, they looked at Toko, who was clearly embarrassed, and then back at Suzuki.

"What day is that?"

"His birthday".

"His...birthday? Why is that bad?"

For a moment, Suzuki looked a bit conflicted.

"Well...lets just say, nothing good happened that day. I am not sure you have noticed...but there is a reason you never see Toko's family, or hear him talk about them".

"...oh...its not something to bring up then".

"In that case, there is a serious flaw in your plan Suzuki".

"How so?"

"Another way to describe someone who is naked as being in their birthday suit. Also..."

Billy pointed to the dunk tank, which was suddenly filled by someone else with a red face.

"He disappeared...and, is everyone who goes in...?"

"Yep. Attracts a bigger crowd to see people wet and embarrased".

"...Suzuki-sempai is amazing for a lot of reasons..."

"...I dont think amazing is the right word to use..."

"Anyways, I have to go find him before he does something stupid" Suzuki moaned. "Where is the nearest stand selling alcohol?"

"I think one is set up in the southern region...why? Hold on, you don't think..."

"Toko is just depressed enough to try today!"

"Toko-kun?" Horus asked, chasing after the now dressed and somewhat moody Toko. Even though Suzuki made him go through that embaressment, somehow his mind seemed elsewhere. Still embarrassed, but Horus could tell since he woke up something was bothering him.

However, since they had left, no matter how much Horus spoke up, Toko seemed to be trapped in his thoughts. His way of walking was a bit stumbled too, and his body language had Horus in a mode of great concern.

"Toko!" he finally shouted, going in front of the boy and grabbing his shoulders.

"Not today Horus! I tried to play along with Suzuki's distraction, despite everything...but...its not enough. I need a drink".

"Do you even drink alcohol?!"

"Not really, but I hear if you drink enough of it and get drunk, your mind is less sharp and more easily distracted".

"Seriously, what is wrong with you? Neither of you have told me anything!"

"...its my birthday today".

"It is! Then we should celebrate! Thats great!"

"Its not something to celebrate!"

Toko seemed to get enraged when he heard that.

"Wait...what? Why? What happened? Isn't that something to be happy about?"

"You seriously dont get it? Dont you understand how many people who are no longer with us share my birthday?"

"What do you...oh..."

Horus realized it then. Toko's birthday was the same as dozens of other clones that died during the experiments done by his creators.

"I see. With dozens dead, of course you would be like that".

"...it wasn't dozens".

"What?"

"You have seen me naked several times, but...you have not seen this yet" Toko said, as he raised the hair that normally covered the back of his neck up.

Horus immediately moved around to look, but the moment he did...

"What the...no..." was all Horus said, before he felt his stomach churn and he felt sickly. He immedately ran over to the nearest trashcan, and threw up. Given that he was a spiritual being though, such a reaction normally would not be possible.

But anyone decent, even a spirit, or even those who were a little non-decent, would vomit when they heard that. After all, a number was imprinted onto his skin: 1153.

The meaning of that number, and what it meant, was obvious to Horus. It meant, there were not dozens of clones that died from the experiments, but hundreds. And there was no evidence to say Toko was the last clone created, or even remotely near the last. He could be the middle, or created from the first twenty five percent. There could have been ten thousand of them made.

However, it explained why he, why all of them, were child sized. The resource cost to produce all of them, reducing the size as much as they could would be needed to avoid breaking the bank and saving what they could.

And it was why he, and anyone else, would vomit the moment they saw it. And why Toko was in such a foul mood, and was seeking closure in the wrong places. But, it was hard to blame him.

After all, who would want to celebrate their birthday that they shared with thousands of others, who were essentially their brothers, that had died in horrible experiments?

"...Toko, I really dont have anything I can say that would help you right now, but...dont shut people out".

"...other days, I am fine...but, I need this one day..."

"I understand" Horus said, as he watched Toko walk off towards a stall that apparently had alcohol. "Just, be safe..."

Horus was about to follow just in case though, but then...someone passed across his gaze.

"You!"

"You!"

Horus and Set locked eyes with each other.

"What the hell are you doing here?!"

"What? We have a truce, and there was a festival going on, so I decided to enjoy it. Without any hostile intentions".

Set said that, however...Horus walked up and locked eyes with him.

"Why do I doubt that?"

"You dont trust me? You are the one that pulled the stunt with the boat".

"You pulled the stunt with the statue though".

"You tried to poison me, and impregnate me".

Some odd looks were given by other members of Red Faction.

"It wasn't so weird and looked upon as such back then! And you! You always stole some of my portion of the good meat!"

"No I didn't! You just made that up to get extra!"

"Did not!"

"You did so!"

The two looked like they might break out into a fight right then and there. That was, until one of the teachers running a stall looked over and saw them.

"You two, the brothers over there! Why not try to win a prize! See who can get the highest score and win first!"

The two looked over at the stall, which was one of those air rifle stalls, and then back at each other.

"Pfft. Like it would be a contest. You could never beat me".

"Says you. I am a much better shot then you".

"In your dreams!"

"I will prove it to you!"

"You are on!"

The two ran over, and put down some money.

"Load us up!"

Meanwhile, Rune just looked at the two, and shrugged.

"Well, I saw that coming. I will see the rest of you later".

"You are leaving?"

"I have my own interests" Rune said, leaving them.

Inuzuka just looked at him with curiosity though.

"Own interests huh...talking so much about how mysterious Terry is, but...who the hell are you even, Rune-kun? What is your wish?"

Malcom Lee meanwhile was doing his own thing, walking around. But he was not alone either...

"Ren-chan. Glad to see you made it back okay".

"Yes, so am I" Ren replied to him with a smile. "So I missed our debrief. Did anyone realize what you did mid battle?"

"No, no one knows yet about the errand I sent Rider on. The whole mess with the Grail is making good cover. That said...I confirmed that Toko is indeed keeping a secret".

"You did?"

"Yeah. From what Rider told me, it appears...Toko has the ability to use Artificial Noble Phantasms, and possesses abilities that let him keep up with Servants. Furthermore, he has yet to really utilize his full potential, but that might just be Rider being judgemental in his strategist ways".

"So...she was holding that sort of trump card huh? So not only do we have to worry about the Red Faction, or Grail, but also...we have to deal with the chance that she will use him on us as well".

"Indeed. Furthermore, he is gaining more and more supporters from all school levels. It seems a lot of people are interested in, or just plain mesmerized, by his wish".

"Fools" Ren said, and not out of ego or spite. Also, she was still maintaing a friendly, but also intelligent, appearance. "Toko's wish is the one we absolutely cant allow to get granted. Sure, it might fix a lot of issues. His reasoning is solid. But what about the casualties that will becaused by all those monsters? All the new threats? For the sake of everyone, we cant let Toko has his wish granted. Even if he is that tough, his wish...it will cause havoc. So we will have to try".

And that was when a thought crossed her mind.

"...of course. Grail's next target...will be Toko and Assassin then..."

"...a two for one deal. Wait, are you thinking..."

Ren looked back at Malcom, with (fake) sorrow in her eyes.

"If we dont, if either Toko or Grail win...humanity is doomed. Think about everyone who might die? Do you have another option? We will have to fight each other eventually anyways, and we are currently up on firepower..."

Malcom was not sure how to reply to this situation, but part of him...part of him was being swayed by Ren's logic.

He understood just how doomed they could all be.

"...damn my body...cant even get drunk easily..." Toko mentioned, as he sat at the counter. Dressed in a yukata made just for him, his legs dangled off of the stool while he enjoyed drinking booze. One might question why anyone was even letting him drink, but...well, he was a Master, had lots of magic, and had an aura around him that tended to make it hard for people to approach him, unlike his usual self.

The fact he was using a magic that would interfere with people's ability to think about his age also did not hurt.

As a result, Toko was currently drinking alone. He looked a bit like he was an alcoholic, even though he had not had any drinks with alcohol since...well, a year ago exactly on this day.

"I will take a bottle of whatever he is having as well" another boy said as he sat down next to Toko, wearing his own Yukata and was about Toko's size as well. Toko gave him a bit of a look.

"I would like to be alone, if you don't mind".

"Hey, hey. No need to be hostile" the boy replied, as he took a drink. "I am just here to celebrate, is all".

"Well I am not in a very celebratory mood".

"Come on now, lets be friendly" the boy said, as he extended his hand. "My name is Rune. What is your name?"

"Toko. Now please leave, Rune-kun".

"Come on now, I think its okay for us to drink together" Rune replied, as they both took another drink. "And, whoever you are mourning, I think they would prefer if you honored them by celebrating their lives, not their deaths".

"What the hell would you know about what they think?!" Toko growled at him. Meanwhile, Rune took out and revealed a special necklace he was wearing.

"You know what the nice thing about Runecraft is? Anyone can really use it, provided you have the knowledge and skills to. Its intelligence and creativity, and thinking speed, that are important".

"Wait, are you...a master of Red?"

"...I guess you are at least somewhat drunk then. Well, let me join you then".

Toko heard that, then looked back at the necklace and realized what Rune meant.

"Thats...a Rune of Disguise..."

"After all...we both are here right now to honor our brothers" Rune said, as the wind pushed past and blew his hair just enough for Toko to see something printed on the back of his neck. 0834. "Isn't that right, little bro?"

And so, the two brothers looked at each other, one with sympathy, and one with shock.

AN: Fufufufufufufufu! Bet no one saw that one coming! Also, is it me, or is the relationship between Mika and Billy becoming more and more awesome each time they show up?

Actually, in terms of appearances, they might just have the most since they participated in the fight with Berserker of Red while others did not...

Anyways, hope you enjoyed! Started out with some lighthearted silly stuff...but quite intense at the end there, huh?

And we get to learn more about Terry in addition to seeing more Mika/Billy cuteness/amazingness, and the members of Red Faction are evne here to party!

In this situation, who knows what might end up happening! :O