Now things are heating up. We might see a real fight by the end of this chapter. And as per Canon, everyone meets everyone else. Well, almost everyone.
Once more, I don't own anything. The characters and franchises belong to their respective owners. I'm not making any money from this.
Chapter 3: And So, We Shall Go To War
(xXx)
(10:00pm Thursday, Fuyuki Church)
"My servant has been lost." Kirei said to the church overseer. "I have forfeited my right as Master and cannot continue in the Holy Grail War. In accordance to the treaty, I, Kirei Kotomine, ask that the church shelters and protect me."
The overseer, Risei, nodded. "Your request is granted. In my role as judge, I, Risei Kotomine, will guarantee your safety. Enter." They both turned and entered the doors of the local church they were staying in during the war.
"Father, is the church being watched?" Kirei asked, remembering the amount of familiars watching the Tohsaka Mansion.
"No, my son. The church has been declared neutral ground. Any masters who have their familiars get close enough will be penalised for their behaviour."
"No one is watching. /Familiars are long gone. /I have seen to that." Assassin said as he materialised at a bench, alive and unharmed.
Kirei and Tokiomi were surprised when they learned of his main Noble Phantasm. Creating a strange illusion that could be directed would definitely be a useful skill for an Assassin. They had Archer use an explosive weapon to attack, making it seem that Assassin had been completely destroyed when his illusion vanished. As far as the other teams were concerned, Assassin was no more, allowing them to spy on them with impunity.
All they needed to do was wait for the first battle.
(xXx)
(12:00pm Friday, Fuyuki Airport)
As the plane finally landed Iri was fit to bursting with excitement. Finally she was leaving the castle and seeing Kiri's homeland! When she exited the private jet she actually gave a twirl on the runway. Her winter clothes were starting to get hot, but she needed them whenever she was with Saber.
And speak of the Devil; he too was just exiting, keeping a close eye on Iri. Frost formed when he touched the railing and steps, only to melt in the sun's light. Though he would never admit it, he enjoyed seeing Irisviel looking so happy. It reminded him so much of Jaina's smiles when they had been together.
Shaking his head out of the past, Saber and Irisviel headed through the airport, grabbing their bags and passing through customs. As they did so, Iri decided to engage Saber in conversation.
"Given your armour, I imagine that was your first time flying too, right Saber." She said
Saber shook his head. "The goblins in my world have always made airships, though they were merely zeppelins and not as fast as that. Furthermore, I actually had a resurrected dragon as a mount, and saw much of the lands with ease on her back."
"Oh. It must've been exciting flying around on a dragon." Iri replied as Saber grabbed her bags.
"…It was." Saber said after a while. They walked in silence until they reached their vehicle. Fortunately for them, Saber had enough Riding Skill to drive the car like he's been doing it all his life. Iri asked if they could head into town to see the sights. Saber complied, knowing that it would be a good way to learn the layout of his latest battlegrounds.
They were actually quite a pair, her prancing around in a winter coat and him glowering in a suit. Saber had a gut feeling that they were being watched by something, but he did not react. All servants knew that the War was to remain secret. Whoever was watching couldn't take action until night had fallen. Still, let loose a pulse of necromancy that killed the insects in the immediate area, and the feeling faded.
They ended their tour on a beach, the moon high above them and reflecting off the sea. While other would say it was beautiful, Saber merely saw it as a body of water. Irisviel was standing in the water, her boots and socks abandoned nearby. She looked up at the moon and smiled.
"The sea looks so beautiful." She said. "If only we could've come here during the day."
"I'll put it on my list of things to do, right after 'survive the night' and 'crack a few skulls'." Saber snarked. They were about to leave, when Saber sensed a pulse of mana from the docks.
An invitation for a battle.
Saber looked at Irisviel, who merely nodded. She too felt the pulse. Putting her boots back on, Saber headed back to the car and plotted the fastest way to their opponent.
He was not missing out on the first fight.
(xXx)
(8:00pm Friday, Fuyuki Docks)
"Finally. Thought no one was gonna show." Lancer said as she watched Saber and Irisviel. She didn't look all that tough, even with her large lance resting on her shoulder. But Saber knew he couldn't underestimate her. You don't become a Heroic Spirit without being very dangerous.
"So. Which servant are you Pretty Boy?"
Pretty Boy? That was her insult? Saber had heard much better. He formed his armour over his suit, feeling more at ease with the heavy plate covering everything. He stabbed Frostmourne into the ground so that Lancer could see its form and power.
"So you're a Saber then? Probably from a place where ya can't go to the bathroom without fighting of a few monsters." She smiled some more. "I think we're gonna get along just fine."
"Enough talk Lancer." Saber said as he pulled his blade from the ground. "Prepare for battle."
They both just stood there, staring and with weapons at the ready, waiting for the other to act. Iri felt intimidated by the raw power coming from those two. She took a step back and her foot went crunch on some gravel. At that sound the two combatants charged at each other, the weapons clashing with immense force. Again and again their blades clashed against each other, neither yet harming the other. Then, Lancer jumped away to gain some room.
"Paradigm Shift: Saboteur" She shouted, a grey circle glowing at her feet for a moment. Placing her hand against her white tattoo, she threw small orbs of magic at Saber. The orbs struck him despite his dodging, but they had no effect on him. Cursing, Lancer blocked a strike before jumping away again. "Paradigm Shift: Ravager" A blue circle appeared at her feet. She charged in and struck with her lance, though it was enveloped by fire, ice, wind and lightning. Though Saber's armour blocked all but the worst, he could tell these strikes were causing some staggering.
"Drudge Ghouls" He chanted, causing three shambling undead to rise around Lancer. While he knew they wouldn't be a threat, it would give him some time to think. As he charged his next spell, Lancer knocked the ghouls down with a swing of her lance. She placed her hand against the tattoo again as she too charged a spell.
"Windga!" she yelled as she threw the spell. A massive tornado rose from it, pulling in the ghouls and tearing them apart. Only by moving away did Saber avoid being caught. But his spell was ready.
"Infest!" He yelled.
"Paradigm Shift: Sentinel" She said at the exact same time, a yellow circle appearing. She guarded as Saber's spell slammed into her. Shadows rose up and lashed at her for several seconds before dissipating. She was wounded, not as much as he hoped but wounded nonetheless. "Paradigm Shift: Medic" she said as a green circle appeared.
Cursing, Saber rushed in, hoping to stop her from healing herself. Jumping away from Saber's strikes, Lancer managed to use some spells on herself.
"Paradigm Shift: Ravager" she said again, moving back in with her infused strikes. After trading a few blows with her, Saber was knocked about by an even stronger blow that left him reeling. "Paradigm Shift: Synergist" a purple circle now appeared and she casted a couple of powerful spells on herself that left her glowing. "Paradigm Shift: Commando" A red circle appeared as she moved in for the kill.
Saber barely got his blade up in time to block her strikes, but his body was still getting pounded by the force. Those last spells must've empowered her, since she was faster and stronger than before. She shouted out "Highwind" before jumping into the air and slamming lance-first into Saber, leaving him in a crater.
Lancer chuckled as Saber got out of the crater, his temper being frayed. "It seems that I still underestimated you, Lancer."
"You're pretty tough yourself, Saber. Few can withstand that kind of blow."
"I'm touched." He said dryly.
"Lancer." A new voice echoed through the docks. "Stop talking to Saber and kill him already."
"Alright, alright. Don't get your knickers in a twist." Lancer said as the voice snarled. Saber had climbed out and held his sword in front of him. They charged again, but Saber was ready this time.
"Frostmourne Hungers" He said as they clashed. His sword let out a burst of energy, causing Lancer's lance to freeze over and drawing energy from her. As she grew weaker, she jumped back, letting Frostmourne strike the ground and forming a small sheet of ice where she stood. As she shook the ice of her lance, she saw that Saber was standing more upright than before.
She raised her lance as they stared down one another. "Well now. Things just got interesting." And they charged one another.
Kiritsugu looked at the battle through his scope. It was amazing, gazing at the power these servants wield. Looking at all the damage they wrought with the shockwaves of the strikes. It was like watching gods, or forces of nature.
It needed to be ended quickly.
"Maiya, I have located Lancer's master. Can you see him from your location?"
"Negative." Maiya Hisau said over the headset. Emiya found her on a battlefield when they were both younger. The men around her used her like trash, before he rescued her. She swore to devote her life Emiya and his causes. They both knew she would give her life for his goals if he asked her to.
"Right. Lining up the shot." He said. He'd finish this fight here and now, with a single bullet to the head.
"Wait." Maiya interrupted. "Have spotted Assassin on the crane."
Emiya swivelled round, his scope pointed at the top of the crane. Sure enough, there was Assassin in all his glory. "How did he survive?"
"Unknown. Shall we continue?"
"No Maiya." As soon as he took the strike, Assassin would kill him. Looking at his hands, he noticed Assassin was also carrying a sniper rifle. "We'll just have to wait and see what happens."
(xXx)
(Same time, Forward unto Dawn)
Meanwhile, high above, Waver and Rider were watching the fight through a satellite Cortana had 'borrowed'. Waver was amazed by the sheer power of the two servants. It was even more amazing than the fact they were actually behind the moon. Rider, however, was more interested in logistics.
"Cortana. Strategies?" He asked the A.I.
"Well, I can tell from just looking that you'll be best focused attacking from range and on the move." She replied, stepping over the image. "They both appear to be from times or worlds of magic. And Saber seems to be an almost perfect combination of tin warrior and spellcaster."
"Are we going in now?" Waver asked as he watched the two servants slice apart a container of flour.
Rider thought about it. On one hand the two servants were heavily armoured and very skilled. Even with moving and fighting at range he might not win. He remembered how easily The Diadact beat him with psudomagic. On the other hand more servants might appear if they waited, and if he could kill one of these two it would make this easier in the long run.
"Wait. What's that?" Waver asked, pointing at something on top of the crane. Zooming in, the three noticed that it was Assassin.
"I knew his 'death' was suspicious, Cortana said smirking at being right. Rider mentally groaned. None of them knew whether the Dawn would stay here if Rider left it, and until they did he couldn't leave Waver alone on board.
"Sir. Get ready." Rider said as he headed for the armoury. "Grab a pistol and head to the Machine Bay. We're moving out."
(xXx)
(Fuyuki Docks)
As the flour dissipated, Saber and Lancer looked at one another again. Both had managed to land many blows against one another, but both had a way to heal the damage either inflicted. It seemed to merely be a battle of endurance and both tried to land finishing blows.
"You are highly skilled Lancer." Saber said as he acknowledged her skill. "You would've made a fine warrior in my army."
"You too." She said. "I wouldn't mind fighting alongside you any day."
They were about to charge again when the ground started quaking. Large parts of the docks actually rose and fell like pistons. Everyone fought to keep their balance.
"Please stop fighting!" A young voice called through the night. Looking over at it, they noticed a young boy in strange armour standing before them. He was clearly a servant, even without the large golden blade on his back.
Of course, the strange glowing creatures gave it away too.
"I am Caster." He said. "And I wish for us to settle our differences with words, not weapons. They should always be a last resort."
He was about to continue when the roar of a car echoed through the air. Suddenly, an olive jeep with a turret crashed through some containers. Driving the jeep was a tall, armoured man. Next to him was a small boy wearing ill-fitting armour, cowering as the jeep flew. And in the back holding the turret was another soldier in better-fitting armour, turning the turret to aim at the servants.
Everyone jumped into action as hundreds of bullets flew through the air. Saber grabbed Irisviel and guarded her with his plated body as they ran for cover. Lancer jumped high, moving from crate to crate. Caster cast some kind of barrier that the bullets bounced off. As the jeep landed, it moved back to try again. But the gunner exploded as a bang echoed. The jeep swerved so that the passenger side was covered by the wall of crates.
"Sorry about your gunner." Another young voice apologised. Everyone looked from behind cover to see another servant on a shipping crate. Covered in black-and-red armour, this was clearly not human. In his hand was a crossbow/gun hybrid.
"Archer." Rider said as he stared at the servant.
"Yep" He said as he shrugged. "Sorry Caster, but while I agree with you, this is a war. And in war, people fight and die. This isn't something to be won with words."
"Is it over?" Rider's passenger said as he got back up. "Is it safe?"
"So you were the one who did it." Lancer's master said. "I've been wondering what twisted madness had invaded your psyche and compelled you to steal my relic."
Waver gulped, shaking. "Lord El-Melloi." He squeaked.
"I never even imagined that you yourself have been planning to enter the Holy Grail War. Waver Velvet."
Waver gulped in fear.
"Now I know you're not experienced in these matters." He continued. "How would you like me to offer you a private lesson? What it really means for mages to kill one another. I'll teach you all about the fear and pain involved in such noble endeavours. You should feel honoured."
Rider's response was to pull out his rifle and start shooting at Lancer's Master. Instantly, Lancer was in front of him, a yellow circle at her feet and her arms crossed, blocking every bullet.
"There's my answer." Rider simply said.
El-Melloi looked ready to retort, when squawking was heard. A murder of crows fluttered through the air, before landing in the shape of a standing person. Black-and-red tendrils travelled up the person as a man took their place. He looked less dangerous than Lancer, decked in only jeans and a hoodie, but everyone could sense an aura of power coming from him. The man looked up at Archer with glowing red eyes.
"So. You're Archer then." He said in a gravelly voice, like he had smoked a lot. He smirked. "Name's Berserker. Just wanted you to know that this is nothing personal, but my master despises your master." And with that tendrils swirled again and the man was covered in armour.
It looked completely organic, like the shell of a beetle. Spikes jutted out at the ankles and elbows, and his face was covered by a pockmarked black mask. One hand had spikes instead of fingers and the over was bulked out in muscles. Without warning, the spiked hand fired at Archer, trailing a cord back to his arm, and only Archer's quick movement saved him. His crossbow vanished, replaced by a large blue underslung rifle. Bullets fire in dozens at Berserker. Berserker dashed quickly, but not enough to dodge all the bullets. He grunted as the bullets hit and released an acidic liquid, which ate away at his armour like paper. The damage healed over, and Berserker grabbed a crate with the other hand, throwing it at Archer like a toy. Archer pulled out a large gun with two tall barrels side by side. It fired with a loud boom, and the crate was sheared in half. As fragments of DVDs landed around him, Berserker prepared to fire again. But Caster intervened.
"Ragnarok" he shouted, and a massive fiery sword pinned Berserker to the ground. He screamed as it burned him, before his top half split in two and he jumped away from the blade. Reforming, he turned to face Caster.
"You want to kill him, you'll have to go through me and my friends." Caster said as the glowing creatures surrounded him. Berserker weighed his options before his hands shifted back to normal.
"You won't be so lucky next time, furball." He growled as he jumped away, easily clearing several stories. Massive wings grew from his back, and he flapped away. Once they were certain he wasn't coming back, Caster sighed with relief.
"Thanks for that kid." Archer said as he put away his gun. "But remember. Next time we meet we'll most likely be enemies." A roar sounded as Rider pulled away. Everyone watched him as he drove off, a massive glowing platform appearing from a hole in the sky. It pulled up on pistons and faded. Taking his cue, Archer's jetpack extended its wings and he jumped and flew away.
"Looks like we'll have to finish this another time Saber." Lancer said as she picked up her master and jumped away.
"I will enjoy taking your soul Lancer." Saber said in return as he dissipated his armour. He and Irisviel headed back to the car, amazingly still untouched given everything that had happened. Emiya looked back at the crane, and noticed that Assassin had vanished at some point during the fight.
And unnoticed by anyone, another had been watching. Decked in black-and-gold robes with a hooded mask, Avenger had watched the whole thing. By sheer luck and a teleport dash she had only received a bruise on her head when the quake started. She rubbed her head as she thought. The servants were much stronger than she imagined. She doubted she could win against such powerful numbers.
She needed an ally.
Well, there's my first action scene. I hope it's alright. I might've skipped a few parts, but that because I'm worried I might bore people with overly long fights of shouting out attack names.
And as promised, here is a Servant Stat Sheet. I chose to use Lancer because we mainly saw her powers during this fight. I've based them mainly on her progression during her game. This is also my first time writing Servant Stats, so they might seem out of balance. If they are, I'm keeping them for this fan fic, but I might change for later fics.
Lancer
Name: Fang
Series: Final Fantasy XIII
Master: Kayneth El-Melloi
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Strength: A++
Endurance: A
Agility: B++
Magical Power: B
Good Luck: C
Noble Phantasm: A
Class Skills:
Mad Enhancement (B)
Mad Enhancement raises basic parameters in exchange of hindering mental capacities. In some cases, also seals away Personal Skills. At B rank, it ranks up all parameters, but takes away most sanity. Activated when using Come O Day of Wrath
Fang was driven mad with rage whenever she became Ragnarok.
Riding Skill (A+)
Creatures on the level of Phantasmal Beast and Divine Beast can be used as mounts. At such a high level, it applies to members of the Dragon Kind.
Fang learned to ride all kinds of creatures, but excels when on Bahamut.
Personal Skills:
Guardian Knight (B)
Guardian Knight temporarily raises defensive power when protecting others.
Fang did nearly everything to protect her friends.
High-Speed Divine Words (A)
High-Speed Divine Words is the power to activate Thaumaturgy without the use of Magic Circuits. The language of the Age of Gods, back when words played a heavy role in spellcasting. As such, it is power long lost by modern magi. At this level High-Thaumaturgy-level Magecraft can be cast at the speed of Single-Action spells.
High-Speed Incantation (A)
High-Speed Incantation is the capacity to recite spells at high speeds.
Fang can cast powerful spells without a word.
Instinct (B)
Instinct is the power to "feel" the most favourable developments for oneself during battle.
On Gran Pulse, one needed to develop instincts to survive.
Knowledge of Respect and Harmony (B)
Knowledge of Respect and Harmony prevents any decrease in the effectiveness of a technique, regardless of how many times it is used against the same opponent. At that level attacks cannot be perceived by the enemy.
Fang's fighting style and paradigm shifts mean that attacks are still effective no matter how long.
Monstrous Strength (B)
Monstrous Strength is an ability possessed by monsters and beasts, temporary boost of the Strength parameter by one rank for a time limit determined by the ranking of this skill. Only applicable when using Come O Day of Wrath.
Fang becomes stronger when she is Ragnarok.
Nature of a Rebellious Spirit (A)
Nature of a Rebellious Spirit is the temperament to never remain at one location and never embrace a lord. A wandering star that does not have the capacity to be king nor is capable of finding his own king. Negates the effects of Charisma with the same rank.
Fang was not very good at obeying her leaders and had only disdain for the Fal'Cie.
Pioneer of the Stars (EX)
Pioneer of the Stars is the unique Skill given to heroes that became turning points in the human history. All difficult voyages and challenges which are considered "impossible" turn into "events that can be realized".
Fang and her friends changed the way of life on Cocoon by killing Orphan.
Noble Phantasms:
Paradigm Shift (Anti-Unit)
Lancer changes her paradigm, allowing her to specialise in a particular fighting style. Styles include Commando the melee fighter; Ravager the mage; Sentinel the shield; Synergist the buffer; Saboteur the curser; and Medic the healer.
Come Forth, Master of the Rift (Anti-Group)
Lancer summons Bahamut to her side, where he unleashes immense power. Can change between his dragon form and human form.
Come O Day of Wrath (Anti-Army)
Lancer becomes Ragnarok at the cost of sanity. Like the Berserker class, but at higher levels.
So there you have it. Is she too overpowered to you? Anyone with experience writing Servant stats let me know.
See you lot next week.