Hi guys Azza here!
So first off just want to let you guys know I'm starting the new Tales Of The Tale Verse because what will follow requires me to reread stuff and at the moment I simply don't have the time so since it is at a point where it could be headed off I'm going to leave it as it is. I have a new thing I'm putting there called Chance Encounters In My Room which if you've played Grand Order you'll know My Room is a place where you can find out more about Servants and stuff who talk to your character about themselves. It will be structured exactly like that though you'll see it when you get to it. Feedback or potential Servants to have featured within it would be great! The first current featured one is Servant Natsu just to give you guys a good idea how its going to be laid out.
And again sorry guys it takes me so long to get these out at the moment but I'm just flat out at work and usually come home and die but even so I'm trying to write when I can!
Anyway on with the story!
I do not own Fairy Tail, One Piece or the Nasuverse.
A Dozen Worst Case Scenarios
/Abigail's POV/
The shockwaves had finally ceased, the waves produced possessing enough force to slightly move the Thousand Sunny even with the Gravity Seals holding it firmly in place. The substance that had latched onto the ship had vanished alongside the conclusion of the colossal battle the two sole occupants of the ship had witnessed which meant only one thing.
"There's no way in hell Natsu wasn't involved with that, flashy battles might as well have a picture of his dumb face on them," Liz growled as she dispelled her lance that she had used to pin herself into place lest she be flung overboard. "And yet ..."
"Master Natsu is hurt, what should I do Liz?"
"Why are you asking me, aren't you your own Servant!?"
"Master asked me to stay here and guard the ship with you but now he's out there hurt, it feels like Seilah is fighting someone else really strong and Miss Mordred is halfway across the island so I don't know what to do!"
"You really are dumb aren't you," Liz sighed with a shake of her head as she walked over toward the barely attached plank attached to the dock. "If he didn't order you with a Command Seal then just do what you think is best."
Jumping onto the dock Abby ran over toward the railing and looked at the pinkette with wide eyes.
"M-Miss Liz!"
"Sorry to just up and run but I've got some business to settle here, personal business. I was thinking quite a bit as we waited for those shockwaves to die down and-and I think I've decided what I'm gonna do now."
"W-wait," Abby gasped as she went to jump off of the ship only to pause. "What are you going to do!?"
"My mind is my own again now that Uncle Vlad has been defeated," Elizabeth replied with her entire demeanour shifting into a much more serious one than her laid back and carefree one she'd had up until that point. "There are powerful Servants on this island Abigail and two of them ... are my fault."
"How?"
"I don't have time to explain it but I'm going to confront them and their Master," Liz replied with grit teeth. "They cast me out like trash because I wouldn't submit to that bastard Moria! The Master I wholly expected it from but from those two ...!"
Liz spun around on her heel and resummoned her lance and pointed it toward the half collapsed castle in the distance, her heard lowering for a brief moment before she looked back toward the stunned Abigail.
"If I'm right then I know where Natsu will be taken-."
"TAKEN!"
"Uncle Vlad was Moria's ultimate trump card against anyone more powerful than himself, he wouldn't have sent out Uncle Vlad this early without some kind of ulterior motive. No, Moria likely already has exactly what he wants now so we need to help Natsu get back on his feet immediately!"
"I don't understand Miss Liz, what does Gekko Moria have that surpasses Count Dracula himself?"
"The shadow of Natsu Dragneel."
/Luffy And Robin's POV/
"Do ya think they've finally stopped," Luffy asked in a surprisingly shaky voice.
"I-I believe so," Robin replied quietly as her eyes moved to look at the outline of Luffy's form in the darkness. "We should be alright to proceed further now."
Crossing her arms together the darkness was peeled away as a giant necrotic hand was raised up from the ground before shattering into countless wilted leaves. The pair both rose to their feet only to gape at the carnage surrounding them.
"We'd have been crushed if I hadn't given us that shelter ..."
"I can't believe how strong Natsu is, and that other guy too! Robin, do you know who that guy was?"
"Only that Natsu seems to know him," Robin replied with a shake of her head. "I see now why Natsu told us to run."
"We should go see if the others are alright, not all of them have super strong Demon powers like yours to protect them," Luffy said with a slight grin prompting Robin to blush in embarrassment. "I'm serious Robin you totally saved my ass from being flattened!"
"I think you underestimate your own abilities and level of endurance Luffy," Robin sighed with a tired smile. "However I agree that we should find the others and regroup."
The pair both began to walk through the ruins until they reached the section of the castle that hadn't collapsed. Luffy jumped up first and was about to extend a hand to Robin when the wall behind him exploded and to the shock of both Seilah smashed into the opposing wall.
"S-Seilah!?"
Luffy's shocked call went unheeded as said Demoness merely narrowed her eyes and with a clenched fist wiped away a blood trail coming from her mouth before spitting a glob of it out on the carpet next to her. Ripping herself free right as her opponent landed in the opening of the hole in the wall she rose to her full height as two orbs of Darkness began to form in her palms.
"Luffy we need to find another way to get through the castle, this way is clearly far too dangerous for us as well!"
"B-but Seilah might need our help!?"
"I will deal with this bitch myself," Seilah snarled in what was the most venomous and hate filled tone either Straw Hat had ever heard come from the usually calm and reserved Demoness. "The others are about to walk into a trap so go help them but stay away from my prey!"
"Prey," the other woman parroted before cackling loudly. "Tainted trash such as yourself couldn't even entertain the thought of beating a common whore at her trade let alone contend with royalty such as myself! I shall strip you bare, flay that used rag you refer to as a body before forcing you to prostrate yourself before me as I drain that sullied blood from your veins and serve it to my familiars!"
Both vanished and reappeared in the centre of the hallway, hands locked with one another as their heads smashed together, as a powerful tremor shook the entire area. Luffy immediately jumped away seeing he clearly had no part of that fight and ran back to where Robin had retreated.
"What the hell is going on with Seilah!?"
"I'm not sure, Sister Seilah has always been so gentle and kind I-I didn't even think she could get angry!"
"Well as much as I wanna see Seilah kick that mean woman's ass we still have our other friends to help!"
"R-right," Robin replied as the pair began to run toward another opening in the castle though her eyes never once left the sight of the two powerful beings struggling against one another equally.
"Come on Robin!"
Shaking her head Robin leapt into action as the pair punched a larger hole into the wall before taking off down a side corridor as the immense pressure began to fade ever so slightly.
'Could I become that powerful now as a Demon of Etherious?'
/Mordred's POV/
"God damn it this entire island is a fucking warzone," Mordred hissed as she fired off another aerial slash attack that ripped apart a wave of undead. "What the hell are Master and Seilah doing!?"
"I-I know this sounds selfish but I'm glad I'm fighting these guys and not whatever they're fighting!"
"Yeah look I'm gonna let that one slide this time round but don't think you're getting out of why we charged on ahead!"
"Of course not!"
"Good," Mordred grinned as she spun around on the spot just in time to deflect a set of knives infused with an all too familiar element. "Shit ..."
"Wh-what the hell was that!?"
"Fosfosfosfos! I must say I am rather surprised to see two lively specimens carve such a destructive path just to see me!"
Chopper froze as Mordred pointed her blade toward the darker section of the corridor as their target emerged with an ear to ear grin.
One Of The Mysterious Four
Member Of The Thriller Bark Pirates
Former World Renowned Doctor
Doctor Hogback
"It's you," Chopper gasped before clenching his fists. "I-I'm not gonna let you get away with what you're doing here any longer!"
"Ho? Brave words for a rather simple beast such as yourself," Hogback replied with a grin as Mordred made to charge only for more blades to come flying out from the darkness forcing her backward instead. "Now wait just a moment there little brat I'm not done speaking yet."
"We don't give a shit what you've got to say Hogback," Mordred growled in response. "You think playing with the dead is perfectly ok so that already means your life is forfeit!"
"Fosfosfosfos! My life is forfeit you say," Hogback repeated as his grin seemed to only widen, a familiar glowing symbol appearing on his right hand as a strange light green hue began to emanate from his upper body. "I think you'll find that happened a LONG time ago little brat."
"Stay back Chopper," Mordred growled as she slowly moved to stand in front of the stunned reindeer. "He's a Master!"
""Fosfosfos! Oh yes indeed I am a Master and to a most ironic set of Servants!"
"You have more than one!?"
"Master Moria has been most busy preparing us for our foray back into the New World so naturally when Servants began to appear across the land we knew we needed as many strong ones as we could find! Fortunately for me the two in my possession whilst nowhere near as powerful as Master Moria's Archer are still more than enough to destroy the two of you!"
Mordred instantly raised her blade to defend Chopper as a bolt of lightning smashed through several sets of walls in order to strike him. The attack was deflected off toward Hogback who simply grinned as the bolt was again redirected back through the wall from whence it came as a loud clanging sound resounded through the smoke.
"Uh ..."
"No," Mordred whispered, her grip on Clarent tightening to the point that her entire body began to shake. "Not you ..."
Another loud banging sound followed the emergence of a massive mace that cracked the ground in front of the hole, lightning surging from its base as a figure clad in white stumbled forward.
"A ... girl," Chopper asked confused only to look at Mordred's utterly horrified expression in shock. "O-oi Mordred-?"
The girl in question looked up, her posture shifting to that of shock as she took a slight step backward whilst shaking her head frantically, a low groaning sound quickly accompanying her reaction as Hogback's smirk vanished.
"You WILL fight her or else I'll strip you of what little free will you have left!"
"Uh!"
"That's right," Hogback said as his grin returned full force. "You know I won't hesitate to do it!"
"How dare you ..."
"Mordred?"
"How DARE YOU," Mordred roared as raw power exploded from her form firing out large concentrated bursts of flame and lightning in all directions.
"Fosfosfosfos! Oh my, it seems you care for this failed zombie somewhat!"
"Failed zombie ... SHE'S NOT A FAILURE, SHE'S PERFECTLY FINE THE WAY SHE IS!"
"U-uh ..."
"I-I'm so sorry about this but don't worry Natsu is my Master and he'll free you just like he did for Hessian Lobo, just you wait!"
The girl looked up sharply the moment Natsu's name was mentioned, a reaction Hogback clearly didn't like as he raised his right fist upward which seemed to cow her back into her submissive state.
"There is no hope for this failure just like there is no hope for the two of you," Hogback hissed as the girl suddenly began walking toward them, dragging her mace along the ground as she went. "KILL THEM, BERSERKER!"
The First True Homunculus
The Lonely Wandering Bride
The Berserker Of Black
Frankenstein's Monster (Berserker)
Bounty – 290,000,000 Berries
"Fran," Mordred called out with a shaky voice. "Please don't hold this against me!"
"Uh," was the girl's only response though a small understanding smile could be seen faintly peeking out from beyond her covered veil.
"I-I may not know the story between those two but it's all the more reason to justify why I have to defeat you Hogback," Chopper growled as he moved to take several steps forward only for the blades to fire out from the darkness and impale themselves at his feet.
"Sacrifices must be made in the name of research little reindeer brat and the two of you will soon serve me as willing test subjects! I know full well alone I stand no chance but my other Servant all but assures me victory!"
"You're talking about the bastard who keeps hurling those Holy blades from the shadows aren't you," Mordred growled in response as Hogback cackled with sadistic glee.
"Uh," Fran growled whilst shaking her head furiously, slamming her mace into the ground repeatedly in order to convey her obvious response to the deteriorating situation.
I will fight Saber, keep that monster out of it!
"Who said you had any say in the matter Berserker! In order to assure Master Moria victory and my own survival I shall do whatever I want against this trash!"
"UH!"
"Did your pathetic creator forget to install a brain into that frail, pathetic form of yours," Hogback sneered as Fran suddenly froze in place as her own lightning seemed to turn against her, zapping her insides as she collapsed to the ground in a spasming heap.
"Oi, what the fuck are you doing to her," Mordred roared as her own power exploded around her. "She's supposed to be your own ally, stop torturing her like that!"
"This THING barely even qualifies as a Servant," Hogback spat as he kicked Fran in the side eliciting a strained growl from Mordred in response. "A failure of a Homunculi that for some reason was given the chance to possibly gain herself a wish from a Holy Grail War! Not even the power of a Holy Grail could fix what a pathetic disaster this broken tool is, not even my own power could!"
"She's not a THING," Mordred snarled as she took another step forward, swinging her blade with enough force to send the blades coming from the darkness flying back at their user. "Like so many of us Heroic Spirits her life wasn't what she deserved and her death was one of tragedy! I won't let you sit there and trample over what little shred of her kind and pure soul she has left Hogback, you're dead!"
"You're welcome to try Servant but I'm over dealing with you," Hogback snapped angrily as he moved away from Fran's still downed form and moved over toward the shadows. "The King Of Vampires might have fallen but he did his job perfectly! With this Servant we still have more than enough power to destroy the likes of you Saber! DESTROY THEM ... ARCHER!"
"I am the Servant of God, messenger of his Divine Justices. I am his instrument forged in the name of his Divine wrath upon all those who dare defy his iron will. I am called upon to cleanse his kingdoms, bringing ash from the flesh of the Demonic hordes who dare stain his Eden; his New Babylon. Praise be to our Lord Father in Heaven and let my Divine blades strike fair and true in his beloved name ... amen."
Before them stood a monster of a man that towered over Mordred. A middle aged man with short spiky gold hair with a rather defining scar on his left cheek grinned as he removed both his hands from his cassock pockets. Said cassock was white with purple trimmings along its edge, light grey pants with a pair of black combat boots and a pair of white gloves with inscriptions neither Mordred nor Chopper could make out across their surface. Around his neck was a silver cross that almost appeared to be gold thanks to the faint glint of light reflecting from its surface as Mordred's eyes moved to meet the green eyes boring into her own form.
"This ... could be a problem," Mordred said quietly to Chopper who had now moved back to her side.
"Why's that?"
"I think I know who this guy is, the resemblance to the guy I've been told about is identical."
"So he told you all about me; that blasted Devil spawn? Good to see Dragneel took him out before I had to abuse me own Independent Action Skill to try it myself!"
Former Member Of The Iscariot Order
Arch Rival To The King Of Vampires
The Fabled Hand Of The Lord
Alexander Anderson (Archer)
Bounty – 840,000,000 Berries
"You," Anderson growled as he turned his gaze toward Chopper, the light glinting off of his glasses as he seemed to summon two more of his blades from nowhere. "I can smell the taint of the Devil upon your abominable form!"
"Wh-what!?"
"An animal that can speak the tongue of mortal men is the Devil's work, so says the word of the Lord! I shall render swift judgement upon you in his name and burn the taint of your soul from the mortal coil!"
Anderson vanished as a loud screeching sound had both Chopper and Hogback covering their ears, cringing as they moved to identify the source. Mordred had moved just in time to block Anderson from slitting Chopper's throat, one of his blades slowly moving up the flat of her blade as the Archer grinned sadistically.
"One of the Holy Blades of legend, Clarent I believe! That must mean that you are Mordred Pendragon, bastard child of King Arthur and a product of the Devilry of Morgana Le Fay!"
"Who my parents are doesn't matter," Mordred said through grit teeth as she pushed Anderson back before firing off several swift aerial slash attacks in his direction. "All that matters is that you and I are fighting here and now!"
"HA! You are a fool Mordred Pendragon, far more foolish than your Father ever was," Anderson grinned as he vanished once again in an astonishing display of speed for one so large.
Chopper didn't even have the time to turn to face Mordred instead only finding her being shot out of the window having blocked a powerful strike as the enraged Archer chased after her. Running to the window he was shocked to see Mordred land on her back deliberately, use the force to perform a mid air flip that allowed her to avoid having her head severed, and fire off a single large aerial slash attack that was hurdling right toward his position.
"Damn it Archer I didn't ask you to direct the attacks MY WAY," Hogback roared before looking down at Fran's still downed form. "And what are you doing you useless hunk of scrap!?"
"Uh ..."
"Pathetic! Kill that thing over there and then destroy Saber!"
Chopper froze as he watched Hogback book it down the hallway, the shaky form of Berserker slowly rising to her feet whilst shaking her head rapidly. In that moment Chopper realized just why Natsu freeing Hessian Lobo back in Enies Lobby was something the trio had celebrated so much.
"You ... you really don't want to do this, do you?"
"Uh," Fran replied whilst increasing the shaking of her head as lightning began to surge from her form.
Please run, I beg of you!
Turning back around he saw the battle between Mordred and Anderson and took a deep breath. On the count of three he jumped out of the same window and into the chaos below hoping that somehow the perilous scenario they'd found themselves in would be sorted out.
As Berserker charged toward the window and jumped out of it she was unable to hear the footsteps echoing down the hallway, a tattered black coat and a glint of gold the only sign of another person before they faded into the darkness once more.
/Seilah's POV/
When Seilah was created she started off as all beings do, childlike and innocent. A young Seilah was often referred to as a brat by Lady Irene as she caused no end of chaos amidst the beginnings of the Alvarez Empire.
As she entered her teens she became what Lady Irene would refer to as an edgy Seilah, filled to the brim with all the usual teen angst combined with the monstrous power of an experimental Etherious and a touch of horniness that couldn't be satiated because her beloved was still yet to become the great Demon Lord he was always destined to be.
The phase after this as Seilah entered what would be described as her young adulthood, Lady Irene referred to her as a bitch.
Of course like all stages she inevitably blossomed into the calm and collected flower everyone bore witness to these days. Years of having her more vulgar side smashed out by Irene's less than gentle hand had formed her into the perfect lady, albeit with one ever so slight exception.
From birth Seilah loved her Master; it was how Lord Zeref and Lord Ahnkseram programmed her. She was to be his in every last conceivable way possible, designed to quite literally match him ... complete him. Therefore it only made sense that over time and exposure with her beloved Master she would continue to evolve to suit him, a foreseen effect by the legendary Dark Mages.
In addition to this little titbit was the fact that again Seilah was entirely devoted to her Master, her being yearned to be his beyond even eternity itself. However the largest, greatest sore point for her was what she was forced to do in order to ensure her Master would ultimately reach the point where he would dominate all other Etherious and rise to become the true Demon Lord E.N.D.
Forced to submit herself to Tartaros in mind, soul ... and body.
The thought that her beloved Master wasn't her first was the one sore point the Demoness had. You could call her any name under the sun, belittle her performance in anything from battle to the everyday mundane or even threaten her and she would remain composed without issue.
When the topic of sex and her loyalty is brought into question however it brings up the one singular sore spot the Demoness had. The one thing that, even despite her Master assuring her he'd understood and that there was nothing to forgive, she personally could never forgive herself for.
Well if you insult that then it opens up the veritable floodgates then doesn't it?
Locked away within her were all the emotions she masked out in the open as she maintained her mask of indifference. Her rage at not only Tartaros but the sheer act itself was like a raging fire comparable to those her Master could produce and it often spent long burning silently within her.
And unfortunately Carmilla had decided to unleash that fire upon herself.
"RAAAAARGH!"
"Foolish," Carmilla sneered as she narrowly dodged a wave of darkness that sliced open a rather large fissure into the ground below them. "Your attacks lack direction, a natural thing for common trash such as yourself-!"
"SHUT UP," Seilah roared as Carmilla just barely managed to raise her weapon in time to block, still being sent flying into the ruins of the castle regardless as the entire section began to collapse on top of her.
With a deep sigh Seilah moved to massage her temples as she felt the not so subtle beginnings of a headache beginning to form. It wasn't all that surprising since she usually always had one after losing her temper.
"Stupid, shameless, scarlet faced bloodsucking bitch ... thinks she can accuse me of being so shameless as she parades around in such revealing clothing."
"Sounds like someone has serious insecurities regarding their body now doesn't it?"
"I have nothing to be insecure about," Seilah replied bluntly as Carmilla tossed aside large chunks of concrete as if it were no heavier than a ball of paper. "There is only one opinion that ultimately matters and he approves of it."
"Perhaps he does," Carmilla responded with a sadistic smirk that showed off her elongated fangs. "However as we both know Natsu would of course take pity on anyone of ... lesser quality in order to avoid scarring their feeble emotions."
"You really don't like me do you?"
Carmilla was about to continue her taunting but paused at Seilah's rather blunt question, not having expected it out of the sizeable amount anyone could have easily come up with by this point.
"What of it?"
"Did I perhaps wrong you in the future? Did it involve my Master in some way?"
Clenching her fists as she barred her teeth toward Seilah, Carmilla dispelled her weapon indicating that she was now prepared to fight Seilah bare handed. To most it would seem like utter suicide since Seilah, whilst not as physically powerful as Natsu, could still outperform the majority of mortals and could even compete against some Gods and Devils.
"I think it is your turn to SHUT UP!"
The words had barely left Carmilla's lips as Seilah felt herself lurching forward, a fist firmly entrenched in her gut as the wind was literally knocked out of her. A second blow struck the back of her head, smashing her face into the ground only for a brutal kick to its side to send her skidding along the ground as multiple wounds made themselves known across her body.
'How-.'
Focusing her Aura solely into her eyes Seilah was shocked to see the speed at which Carmilla had begun moving. The blood that she had been using before seemed to be entering her skin as she moved indicating that what she was experiencing was some kind of enhanced form Carmilla could undertake.
A kick to her right side sent her flying once again however this time Seilah was able to right herself just before Carmilla could land another to her back. Mid flight she flipped around and, with Darkness coating her left leg, spun around and aimed to kick the Vampiress in the face only to find her gone.
"You are adapting quickly however it will not be enough!"
A blow to her own face sent Seilah crashing into the collapsed section of the castle she'd sent Carmilla into earlier with blood now streaming down her face from her broken nose. Gritting her teeth as she wiped the blood away Seilah rose to a kneeling position and looked over at the smug Carmilla who was inspecting her nails in an aloof manner.
'How can this be ... she's just a Servant! How has she managed to gain this much power? Enough power to eclipse my own gifted to me by Lord Zeref himself!'
Granted, Seilah hadn't had a chance to try and enter any of her forms yet however from the force behind the blows and the speed at which her foe moved she already knew she was outclassed. Speed on the level of Carmilla's was closer to her Master, a power level she would never likely achieve without decades of vigorous training and aid from said Master.
"I find myself growing bored with you, whore. Time I eliminated you and moved to destroy the other whore who is obviously clinging to Natsu like a lost puppy!"
"No ... I won't let you go after Robin to get to Master, I won't allow it!"
"You think you have a say little brat," Carmilla cackled as she began to advance toward her. "A King of Natsu's stature must not be weighed down by such ... waste."
Vanishing from Seilah's line of sight she felt her entire body sustain grievous damage from all directions, her form jerking wildly around as blood began to splatter the entire area and large gashes beginning to appear across her now mostly exposed form.
"Like I said," Carmilla huffed, ceasing her attack to appear before Seilah who collapsed face first onto the ground. "Such waste is unbefitting of a true King. This shall be your final reward for your service!"
Despite her mostly unconscious state Seilah could still feel the rumblings beneath the surface as Carmilla's power spiked drastically. The Vampiress was going to finish her off with her Noble Phantasm and she couldn't even move so much as an inch to try and save herself.
'I see ... so that's how it is.'
"Prepare yourself for the end," Carmilla said softly as a loud screeching sound overtook her senses and she felt herself being scooped up into something undoubtedly cold. "No girl who enters this shall ever leave alive!"
'I'm sorry Master but ... I have failed you.'
"Devil's Aura: Noble Phantasm Release – Phantom Maiden!"
Ripped back to full consciousness Seilah felt thousands of spikes impale her body from all directions as her blood began to drain down toward a sizeable cup at the bottom. Her form quickly grew pale as the spikes seemed to twist and grind into her flesh before her gaze began to lose its light.
'It was ... a good life.'
Darkness overtook Seilah however there was one small light that remained and despite her resignation to her situation she decided to try and see what it was. She wasn't sure why she decided it however upon later reflection she didn't regret it.
/?/
"Is this truly how you wish to die?"
"H-how-!?"
"Come now Seilah, Irene taught you better than this did she not? You know you are one of the first creations and hold such untapped power and potential just like Natsu does. So why, why hold back?"
"I-I don't know of this power you speak of!"
"But you do Seilah for you have wielded its like once before."
"You mean ... The Gentle Darkness?"
"It gave Madara a run for his money for the brief time you were able to use it did it not?"
"But I don't know how to access it let alone wield its power properly!"
"I thought you were smart Seilah, remember what I taught you about Darkness?"
"That there was a True Darkness that hadn't been utilized upon our home world for centuries? That it was, in essence, the final terror all mortals would inevitably bear witness to?"
"Precisely! Though you have forgotten all the details from your fight with Madara there is one important point that should be made perfectly clear ..."
"What's that?"
"That through our work YOU are its new host and will ultimately become an Arch Demon in your own right. Who better to serve Natsu than the ultimate shadow?"
"I-I have that much potential ...?"
"It will affect you Seilah, physically and perhaps even mentally you will change however you will always be you. Which in turn brings you to a crossroads ..."
Next to ##### appeared an altered version of herself, one that made her look like nothing more than a child in comparison. Dark skin, long flowing black hair that almost appeared to be part of the black background. Razor sharp teeth grinned in her direction as the eyes of the alternate version of her went from a deep black to Blood Red as she watched her own form trace a finger over various scars on her exposed body.
"Of course you won't be entirely alone should you choose to transition into this form Seilah for the one who aided you last time will be there to teach you everything you need to know."
"You know the choice is clear, my vessel," a semi disembodied voice purred as she moved Seilah's other form closer to her original. "We were born to serve Lord Zeref's Brother in all things, death must not claim us. With this power no longer will you ever need to rely on our Master's power, we will become a Demon Lord in our own right!"
"But not as strong as our Master ..."
The other Seilah's almost maniacal grin vanished and in its place was a rather small one of understanding as she traced a single finger across the currently real Seilah's bloodied one.
"We will never reach his level of power, he is a Hybrid. His ability to grow stronger far eclipses that of the Gods and Devils however that does not mean we will be useless or burdens to his cause. Our role is not to fight his battles Seilah but to lend aid, assist our Lord in any way he deems fit."
"You have a point," Seilah conceded softly as she met the glowing eyes of The Gentle Darkness as she studied all the minute differences in the face of her other self. "To deny the chance to be at Master's side would be foolishness but ..."
"You are afraid?"
"You fear I will ultimately corrupt you, don't you? You fear I will turn you into an enemy our Master and force him to fight one of his precious loves."
"Do not fear it Seilah, The Gentle Darkness isn't the same as The Darkness you knew back on Earthland. Have I ever lied to you Seilah?"
"No," Seilah replied as the entire area violently distorted causing the looks on both those opposite her to become grim. "We don't have much time left Seilah, I have done what I could to keep you alive so we could try and break this to you gently however your life is about to end for real."
"You must decide Seilah," The Gentle Darkness sighed as she took Seilah's hand into her own. "Allow me to help you just as Lord E.N.D once helped Lord Natsu! Don't let us fade when our Lord needs us!"
"I ..."
Looking over at the other figure who sent her that all too familiar smile was enough to convince her as her memory flashed back to her childhood, of better times before the constant war and strife she'd so often found herself in.
"I accept."
"Then let us truly accept our merging Seilah," The Gentle Darkness said as she cupped Seilah's cheeks with her hands and pressed their foreheads together. "Together we shall grow beyond Etherious and into what Lord Zeref always intended for us to be."
"And what was that," Seilah asked as the light that illuminated the few within the black began to fade, the other figure simply smiling as he mouthed the reply.
Whole
As Seilah felt her entire being seemingly die her mind instead focused on the answer. Wasn't she already whole? Why has she never felt empty before aside from when her Master wasn't present?
"Answers we shall discover together," was the reply as the other form of herself that The Gentle Darkness held began to break down, the black particles of which moved onto her true form before she again lost consciousness.
Tales From The Tale Verse
Chance Encounters In My Room I
Natsu Dragneel
Initial Summoning:
"Hm? Well I guess it worked ... OH, sorry I didn't even notice you there! Guess you're my Master eh? Servant ... well you've got my stats so let's not spoil too much eh! Happy to help kick the shit out of Solomon with you so let's get to it, Master!"
Dialogue 1:
"You know I'm honestly surprised Chaldea is still here after my death, could've sworn I heard some of those old relics at the Clock Tower talking about trying to take it for themselves."
"Apparently the Animusphere name kept them away," Ritsuka replied with a strained smile."
"I can already tell that isn't the full reason."
"Ok so maybe they feared you'd manifest yourself in revenge for anything they'd do to Chaldea and her staff."
"That's the Clock Tower I know," Natsu sighed shaking his head. "Bunch of weak old relics. So glad Zel bullies them."
Dialogue 2: (If you have Mash Kyrielight – Shielder)
"..."
"Are you alright Natsu?"
"..."
"You've been staring at Mash from across the cafeteria all morning I'm starting to get a little concerned ..."
"Tell me something."
"Huh?"
"Is she ... happy?"
"Well I mean she's as cheerful as she can be considering we're all that remains of humanity but-."
"Protect her."
"N-Natsu, what brought this o-?"
"JUST ... look after her."
Dialogue 3: (If you have Erza Scarlett – Any Class)
"So that's your first Wife Natsu?"
"Yeah," Natsu smiled softly as he watched her taking her tenth slice of cake from EMIYA.
"If she's your Wife then why aren't the two of you all ... y'know?"
"What? Lovey dovey with each other?"
"Y-yeah ..."
"Well aside from the fact that all of creation is on the brink and we have our jobs to do Erza and I aren't exactly a bunch of horny teenagers. Sure we often find time for one another but we both know we're nothing more than Servants, destined to return to the Throne once all this is over."
"So ... you still love her then?"
"She gave me her heart and I broke it once," Natsu sighed shaking his head. "But I still do love her and the time we shared together. Plus our child is pretty awesome too!"
"So-?"
"Enough, I'm not talking about this anymore," Natsu coughed before walking away. "Talk to Erza if you want the full story."
Dialogue 4: If you have Zeref Dragneel – Any Class)
"Leave me alone Zeref!"
"But Natsu I cannot do that, not when we have so much bonding time to catch up on," Zeref whined as he tried to drag Natsu out of Master's room.
"Master tell Zeref to leave me alone!"
"What are you doing to Natsu?"
"Nothing more than a bit of sibling bonding Master," Zeref replied with a sly grin.
"He's being all clingy Master!"
"But Natsu I just want to show you some Brotherly love-!"
"GET THE HELL AWAY FROM ME! ARGH I LIKED IT BETTER WHEN YOU WERE A VOICE DAMN IT!"
"N-no ... I've been ... REJECTED," Zeref cried before fleeing the room in an overly dramatic fashion.
"Oh great ..."
"What's wrong now Natsu?"
"I'm gonna get torn a new one later for that ..."
"By who?"
"Don't worry about it."
Dialogue 5: (If you have Minamoto No Raikou – Berserker)
"Ah ... so you've been tending to Master I see."
"Raikou? Did you need me for something?"
"Is it so wrong for the Mother to seek out the Father," Raikou asked gently as she sat down and laid her head on his left shoulder. "You know as well as I that tending to so many children is a rather tiring endeavour."
"You always call me the Father Raikou," Natsu sighed though he made no move to remove Raikou from his person. "All I'm doing is looking after everyone as I always do."
"Yes I am aware but that is all too similar to being a Father isn't it?"
"I wouldn't know because I'm a pretty bad example-."
"Oh hush," Raikou replied as she lightly slapped the back of his head before moving up to nuzzle his cheek with her own. "You always did the best you could for your children and even now you fight to save them from incineration."
"Mhm."
"Of course good Fathers are often rewarded for their work," Raikou whispered prompting Natsu to go stiff as a board as he felt one of Raikou's arms slither around his waist. "And if I'm honest ... Mommy wants to get her own personal time with Daddy."
"U-uh ... could you two like go do that somewhere else," Ritsuka squeaked snapping the pair out of their little bubble as Raikou began to tear up.
"Oh goodness I-I almost exposed my little one to such indecency!"
"Come on Raikou don't cry!"
Dialogue 6: (If you have Merlin – Caster)
"Look I'm not apologizing!"
"You will!"
"Nope."
"Damn it Natsu!"
"Damn it Merlin!"
"Huh?"
"Sorry I was just copying you because y'know, you're annoying."
"I hate you."
"Stop whining."
"I didn't want to leave my tower Natsu, not yet anyway!"
"Oh woe is me! I, Merlin, a mage capable of becoming the Grand Caster is being forced to do some actual work!"
"You really are annoying!"
"Oh yeah well I have your one weakness Merlin so if you don't do what Master says I'll-!"
"N-no! You wouldn't!"
"Are you going to cooperate?"
"I don't want to-!"
"Alright you asked for it! Get em Fou!"
"FOUUUUDIEMERLINFOUUU!"
"AAAAARRRGH!"
"Was that really necessary Natsu?"
"Oh yeah," Natsu replied with a shrug. "Merlin is lazy by nature so he always requires a little motivation. Fou will sort him out well enough just give it half an hour or so."
Dialogue 7: (If you have Kaguya Otsutsuki – Foreigner)
"Shouldnt the two of you be trying to kill each other right now?"
"Why would we do that," Kaguya replied confusedly. "Are we not allies?"
"W-well yes but-!"
"He's talking about the time we fought to the death in the Elemental Nations and why we aren't attacking each other on sight."
"Oh ..."
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"Why aren't the two of you fighting?"
"Well Ritsuka there is a long story behind that," Natsu began. "It all began just after Kaguya was first summoned and-!"
"Iputthemintoatrainingsimulationtheyfoughtfortwodaysbeforefuckinglikeanimalsforasolidweek!"
"ROMANI," Natsu roared, vanishing from the room as he moved to chase down the rapidly fleeing, and laughing, Acting Director.
"K-K-Kaguya ... is that true!?"
Ritsuka almost fainted when a faint tinge of pink entered the cheeks of the Goddess before she promptly opened up a thin line in the air and vanished.
Dialogue 8: (If you have Scathach – Any Class)
"You seem rather cheerful today Natsu?"
"Yep."
"Why is that?"
"Well you did summon Scathach so need I say more?"
"OH! That's right I totally forgot that Miss Scathach was-!"
"Natsu!"
"Yes Dear?"
"I require your assistance on a mission of most import!"
"A mission? Where exactly is this mission taking place?"
"Do I need to spell it out for you?"
Ritsuka looked between the pair and blushed at the insinuation as Scathach continued to speak.
"That newly summoned Cu Alter thinks he can pick fights with the other Cu's around here so I demand you flog him until he learns the error of his ways! Also I demand you accompany me to the cafeteria afterward!"
"I don't understand," Ritsuka sighed as he watched the pair leave.
Dialogue 9: (If you have Cynthia Dragneel – Arbitrator)
"Yeah that's my girl," Natsu laughed as he watched Cynthia leave the room. "Only my kid could end up in an unheard of Class. Mind you once she mentioned that she was an Arbitrator Class Servant I got chucked in there too, so did King Hassan funnily enough."
"You seem different again Natsu now that Cynthia is here."
"Well I've got to act the part of the not retarded Dad now don't I!"
"..."
"For real though she took care of me alongside her Brother for a long time. Both watched me as I wasted away without any hope of a cure so the least I can do is dote on her a little. I think she understands that though she's too prideful to admit it."
"Do you think she's scared to lose you again?"
"She won't."
"But-!"
"Trust me Ritsuka," Natsu said in a darker tone as he leant forward in his chair, his gaze looking beyond his Master as if looking at something else entirely. "I'm not going anywhere until I've seen this thing through to the end ..."
Dialogue 10: (After Clearing Camelot)
"You look worn Master."
"That obvious?"
"We are on the verge of royally pissing off Solomon you know, he will flex his hand once we take the final Holy Grail and many will die."
"There has to be a way to stop him though! You're strong, Gilgamesh is too! W-we also have Lancer Arthuria and Altera and-!"
"ENOUGH! The fate of all rests upon your shoulders Master so do not deny the inevitability of that which you ultimately must face!"
"What, like you did!?"
"Ritsuka!"
"D-Doctor!"
"I understand that what you endured within the Camelot Singularity was harsh and what is to come will be even more so but don't insult Natsu's life choices! If it weren't for him then it is highly likely Solomon would've won already, his sacrifice bought all of us precious time!"
"..."
"I do not blame you for lashing out Ritsuka," Natsu sighed as he moved past the Doctor, ignoring the pleading look from his Master to return. "But I never truly had peace in my life, brief moments perhaps but forever fleeting. I was a founder of Chaldea because I KNEW my own strength would ultimately not be enough to defeat Solomon and in time you will come to see that."
"W-wait-!"
"Let him go Ritsuka," Romani sighed. "Let things cool down a little."
"I ..."
Dialogue 11: (After Clearing Babylonia)
"Do you understand now, Ritsuka?"
"How ..."
"Solomon is stronger than even her Ritsuka, the Primordial Mother was nothing more than one of his pawns. All the scenarios you have endured are all by his design and in the end you will either sever the strings ... or succumb fully."
"But you, King Hassan and Gilgamesh were able to kill Beast II so why can't you-!?"
"Solomon is an entirely different beast to tackle Ritsuka, he has Eight of the Ten Rings Of Solomon and control over the Grand Temple Of Time. By my own power I keep his gaze over Chaldea obscured however as you shall soon learn ... it wanes."
"What do you mean?"
"Have you ever wondered why I can do as I please around here like Da Vinci? Why all the Servants listen to me if I explicitly order them to do something?"
"I always thought that it was because you were just a really well respected mediator?"
"HA! I punched more than I talked in life," Natsu laughed bitterly before rising to his feet. "Before we endure the final battle I want you to see the darkest secret I've hidden from both yourself and Mash about Chaldea."
"Secret?"
"Come."
Likes:
"What do I like? Well I'd have to say I like being able to relax with my girls, I also love my children too and would obliterate a star system if they asked me to. Um ... oh yeah and I really do like messing with Lorelei with Zel!"
Dislikes:
"What a shitty topic ... but since you asked I'll oblige you. I hate rapists, people who abuse kids, traitors, optimists and feasts with no meat!"
"You hate optimists?"
"Looking at something as if there will always be a light at the end of the rainbow is foolish," Natsu replied coldly. "In the real world not everything will work out and it is high time people came to accept that."
"Uh ..."
"Don't ask."
Wish For The Holy Grail:
"What would I wish for? Honestly I'd wish I'd gotten to spend more time with my kids in a healthy state rather than being a sick old cripple. Wasn't fair on them."
"So you wouldn't wish for a new life?"
"Why? I had my time, lived way longer than I honestly had any right to. Don't get me wrong if I did somehow come back alive tomorrow I wouldn't complain but as things stand I'm content for the most part."
Master's Birthday:
"Oi Master I heard it's your birthday today! Haven't celebrated mine in centuries so lets go have one together, I'll get EMIYA and Boudica to whip up the best cake you've ever had and we'll share it with everyone!"
"I-I don't know Natsu ... it'll be embarrassing."
"Ah come on Ritsuka! What's life without a bit of embarrassment eh so come on and have some fun!"
Bond 1:
"HAHAHAHA! Man you're funny! Eh ... why are you looking so down in the dumps? Oh I get it you thought I was laughing about being your friend didn't you!? I laughed because I thought we were already friends!"
"R-really!"
"Of course! You don't go saving the world with your enemy now do you?"
Bond 2:
"I'm surprised you wanted to just hang out with me all day Master, I'm not all that hip anymore."
"I wanted to hang out because you're you."
"Really? Well then ... guess I've still got the charm eh!"
"Shut up ..."
Bond 3: (Male Ritsuka)
"So listen I heard that your eighteenth is coming up soon Ritsuka and ... well I wanted to be the one to ... share your first drink with."
"Are you ... are you embarrassed?"
"Look I'm not all that good at this kind of thing alright! I'm good at punching shit or being a ladies' man but with other dudes it's like ... what's the word-?"
"Awkward?"
"That'll do. Look I really have come to like you Ritsuka and I'm honestly not just looking at you as the Master Of Chaldea anymore I-!"
"Go on ..."
"Conversation over."
"Aww come on!"
"Nope I'm out!"
Bond 3: (Female Ritsuka)
"You seem awfully clingy lately Ritsuka?"
"Am I?"
"Something wrong?"
"N-no it's just that I've been worried about you ..."
"Worried about me? Why?"
"Y-you always take such brutal hits from enemies because I'm too useless to get out of their line of fire in time! I'm worried that one day you'll take a hit that'll-!"
"Hey," Natsu said softly as he spun around and cupped Ritsuka's cheek gently. "I'm not going anywhere, you know I'm strong enough to take the hits."
"B-but because of me you-!"
"I would take all the hits and more if it meant you didn't need to endure more of these," Natsu sighed as he traced his own finger across the scars marring the girl's cheek until he reached the base of her neck. "Seeing you hurt Ritsuka hurts me more ... trust me on that."
Ritsuka blushed and looked away before bolting out of the door leaving Natsu with little more than a raised eyebrow in response.
"I see ..."
Bond 4:
"I won't fail in protecting you Ritsuka, I refuse to lose you to Solomon. The bastard has taken so much from me in my life and to gaze upon such an innocent mortal ..."
"Natsu?"
"If you desire someone or something destroyed Ritsuka don't hesitate to ask."
"Huh?"
"Don't worry about it."
Bond 5: (Male Ritsuka)
"I think it's time I said this to your face Ritsuka because I'm not one for beating round the bush. I don't see you as a mere Master anymore."
"Wait what," Ritsuka gasped. "Have I done something wrong!?"
"No, no you've done everything right and more," Natsu smiled as he ruffled the young man's hair. "I know your family cast you out Ritsuka and you believe yourself inferior but I want you to know this."
Moving his hand from the top of the young man's head to the back of it he pulled him in for a hug, shocking the young Magus who simply remained within his grasp wide eyed.
"I would be proud if YOU were one of my children, Ritsuka."
"I-I-I-!"
"Shh. You don't need to say anything, not in this moment. Just embrace it."
Bond 5: (Female Ritsuka)
R-Ritsuka I'm flattered but-!"
"Y-you don't like it," the girl asked shyly as she twirled around in her recently crafted lingere that left little to the imagination.
"W-well it isn't that I don't its just that ... are you sure? You know I sleep with lots of women right?"
"Only those who you love though ..."
"Ritsuka ..."
"Am I not attractive enough ... I know I'm not as physically strong as Erza, Scathach, Raikou or-!"
"Ritsuka," Natsu sighed as he moved over and pulled the girl in for a hug. "You are beautiful it's just that I don't want you to think you need to do things like this to turn my head. I appreciate you'd be willing to go so far but I don't want you to rush into something you aren't emotionally prepared for."
"B-but would you ..."
"Well I won't lie that you have definitely caught my eye however I've been keeping my distance because of all the shit we've been dealing with so-mphf!"
Taking Natsu's lips into her own Ritsuka moaned rather cutely before abruptly cutting it off, a small trail of saliva linking the pair as she licked her lips and her usually cheerful and innocent gaze became that of a predator.
"Good. From today I expect you to treat me like you treat them."
"R-Ritsuka are you ... jealous?"
"Of course not!"
"You know I always found that pout of yours adorable."
"I hate you!"
Hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one!