Disclaimer: See previous chapters.
KingofBeasts Productions Present:
Fate/Zero Hour: A Fate/Zero Multi-Crossover Fanfiction
Chapter 7: When Devils Cry and Angels Rise
Einzbern Castle has become a battleground of epic proportions as the clanging of steel and roar of explosions filled the air, Masters and Servants alike fighting both outside and in with their lives hanging at the very balance, all for the reputed Holy Grail said to grant any wish the heart desires.
For Assassin, she felt very much at home.
"If you're here, then it looks like Archer-kun failed to keep you at bay, Saber-chan." She said as she kept a firm grip on her Scissor Blade, dusting the debris from smacking into the wall off her dress "But it's okay. Now I can play for realsies~!"
"Stay back, Lady Irisviel." The ever stoic knight warned her "Master" as she braced for the inevitable clash "The fact that she was able to get to her feet after such a blow would mean that she is no easy opponent."
She nodded, not needing to say anything further and instead decided to tend to Maiya, who has sustained more grievous injuries.
"Aww...you care about those who are clearly lesser than you are~!" Assassin's sweet tone, along with the smile that came with it, would not match her next words "It's so sickening that I want to vomit!"
"And pray tell, what would you know about the tenets of chivalry?!" Saber shot back, her composed demeanor ruffled as she bared her sword "Of honor and duty to you fellow man?!"
"Only that they all get you killed in the end." The Servant's inane giggling only served to infuriate the Once and Future King "But I digress. How about we stop all this talking..."
Saber would find that, once again, Assassin had snuck up behind her the entire time they were talking, her purple blade raised for the kill.
"And have a little fun?"
The Grand Couturier brought her blade down, only to find that Saber was ready for a surprise attack this time. She spun on her heel and, using the momentum to augment the turn, swatted her opponent's weapon aside with her own. She made use of this opening and slammed her hilt at Assassin's gut, the blunt force causing her to stagger before swinging Invisible Air upwards.
Assassin, however, was able to recover on time and leaned back to narrow avoid getting cleaved in half. "Whew, that was close!" She giggled as she stood upright in time for Saber to go for another swing, only this time she answered it with her own as steel met steel "I can see why Archer-kun was so jealous!"
Saber responded with a grunt, swiftly attacking her opponent with a series of broad strokes, each one tempered by the discipline she had been reared with for most of her life. Assassin was able to meet each blow in kind, her weapon a purple blur as both combatant's arms were operating at speeds no mere man can emulate.
"I did not expect Assassin, the class meant to kill Masters from the shadows, to be this formidable in combat." Saber thought as parried a blow meant for her neck and replied with a thrust that narrowly missed her target's waist "Then again, I did not expect Archer to be proficient with the sword either. To think I would be facing such unusual Servants."
She was forced to snap out of her thoughts when she and Assassin managed to create a deadlock with the latest collision of their blades.
"I haven't had this much fun since my battles with Ryuko-chan~!" The knight noticed that the other girl had one hand on her weapon to keep her at bay while the other reached for something in her dress "However, you didn't expect me to play fair, did you?"
"Tch!" Saber instinctively pushed Assassin back with all her might before crouching. That move would save her life, as the measuring tape would have surely cleaved her head off had she not dodged it.
"Aww, I missed~!" The pink-clad Servant giggled as the tape snapped back into it's holder and flashed Saber an eerie grin "Don't worry, though. We've got all night to play!"
"Then come, witch!" Saber returned with a confident smirk while holding her weapon with both hands, standing tall like the knight she was "This game will be short!"
Einzbern Forest
Elsewhere, another battle was being waged. Two blue blurs were whizzing through the trees, the clanging of steel sounding every time they stuck each other until the reached a clearing that was bathed in the moonlight. It was there the two combatants stayed; one was a woman clad in armor, panting heavily and looking worse for wear while leaning on a spear with a blue crystalline tip whilst the other was a being that can only be described as a demon with blue, scaly skin and wielding a katana in his right hand, looking comparatively unbothered by the strenuous battle.
Despite the valiant effort, Lancer was having difficulty keeping up with Archer, the latter having been empowered by his Noble Phantasm.
"Earlier, I have been able to match his speed," She thought as she took time to catch her breath "But now, I'm doing all I can to barely keep up..."
"I am impressed, Lancer." The warped voice of the Son of Sparda said as he casually swung Yamato with one stroke "Not many have fought me in Devil Trigger for a full minute and lived to tell the tale."
"That is the name of your Noble Phantasm?"
"It is." Archer confirmed with a nod "It is proof that my father's blood runs in my veins, that I am worthy of his legacy. But why am I telling you all this? You won't be for this world much longer!"
Before she could even blink, Archer charged once more, delivering several strokes aimed to slice his opponent into ribbons. Lancer, however, would prove that she would not be overcome so easily. Every time Yamato would dive in for her flesh, her spear would be there to deflect it, be it a block or parry.
"Your tenacity is admirable, Lancer!" The devil growled as pushed her back with a mighty swing and followed it up by conjuring several swords that hovered in mid-air "But for how long can you hold?!"
With a single gesture, the swords burst forth like a hail. The spearwoman's response was just as swift, knocking as many swords as she could out of the air with almost inhuman accuracy while those she failed to catch left several cuts on her arms and legs. Even when Archer burst forth like a bullet she stood firm, raising her spear to defend against his blade.
"I will fight for as long as it takes, Archer!" Odin's Witch declared defiantly as his demonic visage bared down on her, laughing as he did so.
"And why so?" The half-demon leered at her, keeping up his relentless assault to break her guard as well as her spirit "Your Master is naught but a fool! A spiteful human whose pride will be his undoing!"
When Lancer said nothing, he continued amidst the din of warfare "Yes, my Master has done research on Kayneth Archibald, and I personally found him wanting! He is but a man whose arrogance will be his downfall. A man who only fights for his own hubris and one who treats Heroic Spirits such as you and I with nothing but disdain! And yet you still serve such a lowly human?"
"...Yes." Lancer's answer honestly surprised the Son of Sparda, so much that his last slash lost power, allowing her to engage in a deadlock. Taking note of his shocked expression, she locked her eyes into his own without faltering "My Master may be self-righteous and prideful, but he certainly does not fight for himself!"
As she said this, the images of how he and Sola-Ui interact emerged refreshed in her mind. It was no secret that she held immense disdain for the man, and many would have expected him to subjugate her through force. But nay, he treated her with kindness and respect. Even though they did not speak much, Lancer could easily tell that he sincerely loved her.
While it wasn't much, it was enough reason for her to believe that he was worth serving.
With a grunt, she pushed him back with all her might, causing a momentary pause in the conflict.
"Such conviction is worth respect." The demonic Servant declared as the earth began to tremble at his very presence, his person literally pulsating with mana "'Tis a shame I will have to crush it."
Even in the face of this great foe, Lancer's answer was the same she gave her future husband's: She pointed her spear at Archer, standing proud like the Valkyrie she was.
"I fear you not, demon. Not when I have slain the Queen of the Underworld."
In another part of Einzbern Castle.
The sounds of gunfire echoed in the empty halls as Emiya Kiritsugu was engaged in a veritable free-for-all with an Executor and the Head of the Department of Spiritual Evocation. Again, such is the chaos that is the Holy Grail War.
His expression remained impassive as he took aim at Kayneth, locking on before firing at his foe with his Calico. Almost immediately, it's autonomous defense activated and raised a wall of mercury that shielded him.
"Such tactics are beneath me." The blonde Magus sneered as the attack subsided. He was surprised when Kirei dashed from his back, Black Keys in hand, in an attempt to take advantage of this opening. The Executor attempted to swing his weapons down, only for them to shatter upon impact against the hardened mercury.
"A lesser man would have been felled by what you have attempted, rat. Do not make such lofty assumptions with me!" Kayneth smirked as he wordlessly commanded his Mystic Code to lash out against the priest. Fortunately, years of dealing with magi kicked in as Kirei jumped back just as the whip-like blade was inches from his neck. He threw the set on his left hand at Kayneth, only for the silver blob to react accordingly in defense of it's master.
"I see." The Magus Killer watched that earlier clash impassively, taking measure of both opponents "Kayneth's Mystic Code acts as an extension of the Master's will, making it almost perfect for attack and defending. A daunting task, but not impossible. However-" He was forced to end that line of thought quickly when he, in turn, had to duck an attack from Kayneth that would've taken his head off. He looked up to see a certain stoic Executor leap at him, swinging his Black Keys in swift arcs that would have ended a normal man long ago.
"Time Alter Double Accel!"
This, of course, said much about Kiritsugu's ability as he managed to keep up with the experienced Executor. Utilizing this particular magecraft accelerated the time flow within his body, he bobbed and weaved in between Kotomine's attacks, astonishing both the priest and Kayneth as well.
"I must admit, the concept of creating a Reality Marble inside the body to alter the time flow is quite impressive." The magus mused as he briefly watched his rivals clash "The toll it takes on the body must be strenuous, though. No matter, I shall take great care to keep his corpse intact for my fellows in the Clock Tower to study!"
Volumen Hydrargum lashed out upon his command, the blob shooting out spikes meant to impale his two opponents who immediately jumped back.
"Out of the two, Kotomine Kirei will be the hardest to handle. It will be much easier to deal with Lancer's Master first. For all his skill, his pride as a Magus makes him too predictable." Kiritsugu began spraying bullets at both his opponents. The aforementioned priest responding by ducking for cover behind the columns. Kayneth, however, willed his Mystic Code to form a protective wall around him. As it was earlier, the bullets did little to no damage to the mercury barrier, bouncing off the surface harmlessly.
"His efforts are proving futile." Kirei thought as he watched the battle impassively, his posture coiled to spring into action at any given moment "He should already know that his bullets won't penetrate the Mystic Code."
However, that was what the Magus Killer was counting on. He flung the Calico to the side as he pulled his Thompson Contender out of his right pocket. He took a second to aim and, once he had his target in his sights, pressed down on the trigger.
As the bullet took flight, Kayneth scoffed at the idea of a mere man-made weapon breaking through his impregnable defense. He designed Volumen Hydrargum to withstand many forms of magecraft and, as such, prided it as his trump card.
This just made his shocked expression all the more priceless as the sheer stopping power of the Contender propelled the bullet with such force that it ripped through the defense the magus prided himself in. The steel projectile lodged itself on his left shoulder blade, the impact the area it hit to jerk significantly as an audible growl of agony escaped his lips.
"Vermin!" Kayneth, livid with rage, responded to Kiritsugu's attack with a relentless barrage of mercury-laced tendrils aiming to pulverize both the Magus Killer and the priest, both of them ducking and swerving to avoid a gruesome fate. He made sure to pick up his Calico and began to spray bullets that both Kirei and Kayneth defended against. While he provided cover fire, he darted into one of the many corridors around the castle for a quick escape.
"That pest..." The blue-clad magus grimaced, panting heavily while he clenched his shoulder, his coat now stained with red splotches of blood from his wound. "...Heh, I was caught off guard, is all. Certainly not because his skills were in any way superior." He grunted as he followed after Kiritsugu at a haggardly pace "I will make sure to pour all my efforts into defense should he try that again!"
It was at that point he had become obsessed with the man that wounded him that he forgot about Kotomine Kirei, the third opponent in this fracas who watched with an intent, yet impassive, expression.
"There should be no reason for Emiya Kiritsugu to turn tail after he had landed such a blow." The priest thought "Unless, of course, he would do so to lead him into a trap."
At any rate, he knew that it would not be wise to follow the other two, not without help anyway. In the end, he went the other way with the intention of regrouping with Assassin. Surely she should have taken care of the Einzbern wench by then.
Kirei was wrong; Irisviel was alive and well, watching from the safety of her spot while tending to Maiya's wounds. It wasn't entirely her fault though as Saber was still engaging with Assassin in a vicious fight for her life.
The halls echoed with the singsong, childish laughter of Assassin as well as the clashing of their blades, each wielding them with unparalleled mastery. Saber saw her opponent flick her left hand and instinctively ducked as the measuring tape sailed over her head and sliced one of the columns in two. From her crouched position, she propelled herself forward and began hammering away at her opponent mercilessly.
"Ooh, didn't know you felt so strongly for me, Saber-chan~!" The Grand Couturier giggled as she effortlessly matched her opponent blow for blow "But sorry, you're just not my type."
"Cease your inane prattling, fiend!" The King of Knight growled as she pushed her offense in an attempt to break through her guard. Alas, her pink-clad opponent met her at every turn, her Scissor Blade holding up against the holy sword.
"This is bad." Irisviel had a grim look on her face as she watched the two duel "Though they are both evenly matched, Assassin's unorthodox style might be too much for Saber to handle. If only there was something I can do..."
In the course of the battle Assassin managed to swing her Scissor Blade upward just as Saber would bring her own weapon down from above, successfully parrying the attack while the impact caused dust to fly all over the battlefield and forced Irisviel to avert her eyes for a few seconds. Assassin would use this to her advantage and jumped back few steps before lashing out her measuring tape once more, seemingly aimed for her opponent's neck.
"Saber look out!" Irisviel yelled from the debris. Fortunately, Saber was able to raise her blade before the tape could even touch her bare skin.
Unfortunately, that was what Assassin was counting on. As soon as the tape collided with Saber's weapon, it wrapped itself around the holy sword, constricting it in the process.
"Damn it! I've been had!" The King of Knights cursed as she attempted to yank her weapon free, but to no avail; underneath Assassin's petite frame was a strength that could very well match hers.
"Oopsie! Looks like this is the end for you, Saber-chan!" Assassin smirked as she pulled back in an attempt draw Saber closer, her Scissor Blade's keen edge hungering for flesh as she slowly pulled the knight closer "A pity; you were proving to be quite a match too!"
"Heh, if you believe that this would impede me, then you are sorely mistaken!" Saber would respond by charging straight at her opponent, her sword raised just as Assassin was about to raise her own.
This would have been the decisive encounter had two things not happen; one, Assassin would find herself distracted by a hail of bullets that struck her across the back. It did little to hurt her, but she was annoyed nonetheless.
"...I thought Kirei-kun would have taken care of you by now." She turned to see the one who had fired: Emiya Kiritsugu. Her expression darkened at the sight of him and, as a result, her attention was diverted to the Magus Killer. Unfortunately, this created a small opening Saber chose to exploit.
"My thanks, Kiritsugu." While Saber held disdain for such a tactic, she had no choice but to set that aside. She was in a war, after all and was grateful for the assist.
The knight would have taken advantage of this opening had the second thing not happen. That event would be that the ceiling collapsed above the combatants. Acting quickly, Saber yanked her sword free and scooped Irisviel and Maiya up before they could be buried by the debris. Assassin was not so fortunate and got buried beneath the rubble.
What emerged from the ceiling, you ask? It was Lancer, covered in cuts all over, having been sent crashing after attempting to block a forceful blow from her opponent. Even now she was leaning on her spear, blood flowing from her head due to the concussive force of the crash, struggling to stand as Archer in all his demonic glory landed in front of her on the rubble, though he was not unscathed as the wound on his shoulder was still bothering him. Saber, Irisviel and Kiritsugu could not help but stare in awe at the Son of Sparda as he walked in a slow, calculated pace towards Lancer, his person oozing with killing intent.
"You have my respect, Lancer. Not many have forced me to use my Noble Phantasm." The demon spoke as he stopped in front of Odin's Witch and raised his katana "Unfortunately, it all ends here."
Even in the face of death, Lancer remained defiant. If she were to cower now, it would dishonor his memory, everything he and her husband had fought for. If she died in such a fearful state, how could she face him in the afterlife?
Fortunately, she did not have to answer such questions. Archer's katana would be met by rush of wind and and slash that forced him to block. Saber followed it up with an upward swing that the blue-clad half-demon was forced to evade.
"Can you stand?"
Lancer looked up to see the Servant of the Sword offering her a hand, smiling warmly at her. The Crownless Lord could only nod as she accepted and allowed Saber to pull her up.
"Why?" asked the bewildered Servant of the Lance.
"You have allowed me to aid my Master," Saber answered "And I cannot allow this debt to go unpaid-"
Her eyes widened in shock as Lancer quickly thrust her spear at her. The girlish squeal from behind shook her out of it, revealing that Assassin had attempted to stab Saber in the back literally before the spearwoman caught her in the act.
Assassin staggered back a few steps, joining Archer as she clutched her wounded side. To Kiritsugu and Irisviel's surprise, the wound closed right up almost instantly. "That hurt, you know..." Assassin pouted while Archer shook his head.
"You disappoint me, Saber." Lancer stood at Saber's side with a teasing smirk "I would not have thought of you as one whose guard was let down so easily."
"Aye, I admit that it was a shortcoming on my part. One that will not happen again." Saber shook her head with a smile as she stood at ready "Shall we enact a truce until we deal with these foes? We can settle our differences then."
"Let's!"
With that answer, both Saber and Lancer rushed at Archer and Assassin respectively, wordlessly agreeing that changing opponents would prove prudent for both of them.
"Come then!" Archer bellowed as a challenge, Yamato crashing against Excalibur as the battle was rejoined "We shall see who shall triumph come the night's end!"
"Iri!"
In the background of this massive Servant brawl, Emiya Kiritsugu rushed to his wife's side "Are you alright?"
Irisviel nodded, then motioned to Maiya's unconscious form "Maiya was badly hurt. I was able to heal the worst of it, but she still requires bed rest."
"Good." The Magus Killer nodded as he looked around at the chaotic clash happening in front of them; Saber and Archer were engaged in a contest of swordsmanship, picking up from where there fight left off while Lancer thrust her spear rapidly at Assassin while the deranged Servant giggled while blocking and parrying all of them. "We have to move before-"
"Found you, rat."
Both husband and wife turned to see Kayneth emerged from the shadows. The Master of Lancer looked haggard, pale due to the blood loss while clutching his bleeding shoulder. He wore a manic expression, enraged by the fact that this lowly rat would dare touch one as noble as he.
"Iri, stay back."
She nodded as Kiritsugu went forward, Thompson Contender in one hand while he had the Calico in the other. He had Kayneth right where he wanted him. All he needed was an opening.
"Just so you know, your success in landing a blow was not due to any clever scheme you have in that little head of yours. It was pure luck, and I will make sure you see the difference." The noble-born instructor of the Watch Tower began to rant "Oh, I will make sure you do not die so easily. With healing magic, I shall regenerate your heart and lungs as I tear your flesh bit by bit. As you die in agony and despair, may you curse the name of those who hired you. MAY YOU CURSE THE EINZBERNS FOR DISGRACING THIS HOLY GRAIL WAR!"
With almost practiced timing, Kiritsugu locked his Calico on him and began firing. And as he predicted...
"Fervor, mei sanguis!"
Volumen Hydrargum responded to his command and formed a wall that the bullets bounced off from. With a smirk, Kiritsugu set his Calico aside and raised his Contender.
"So you're using the same trick? You fool!" Kayneth was all but confident that he would block that attack. Little did he know that the Magus Killer was about to demonstrate why he bore his moniker.
Yes, his overconfidence was about to become his downfall. However, it will not be by the Magus Killer's hand.
"Urk!"
Kayneth gasped in untold agony as a reinforced fist planted itself at the back of his spine. Kiritsugu was surprised at this and, as the wall immediately dispersed, he immediately understood why; While Kayneth was busy dealing with Kiritsugu, Kotomine Kirei had entered from his blind spot. As his erratic state would make the magus less aware of his surroundings, the Executor entered through his blind spot and was free to land the crippling blow.
"Y-You..."
"Hmph."
With a smirk did Kirei finish and sent the hapless Magus flying past a shocked Kiritsugu and Iri like a ragdoll until he skidded helplessly to a stop.
"Master!" Lancer saw what had occurred from the corner of her eye and, as soon as she swatted Assassin to the side, immediately rushed to Kayneth's side. Her heart broke at his broken state, despite how he had treated her "Master! Master, can you hear me?!
"Lancer..." The man coughed up blood as Lancer let him rest on her lap "I...I can't feel my legs..."
"Wow, you got him good, Kirei-kun." Assassin giggled as she manifested beside the priest "He's nothing but damaged goods now~!"
"Indeed. Now that he is out of the way, we can fulfill our objective." Kirei nodded before turning his attention to where his opponents stood. Kiritsugu and Irisviel were helpless in this situation; with Saber engaged in heavy combat with Archer, they knew that Assassin would just make short work of them then and there.
"I will stand with you."
Both turned to see Lancer with them, standing strong despite the wounds she had gained from her earlier fight with Archer "It is in our best interests that we fight together in this situation. After all, it would not do if Saber's Master were to eliminated now. Also...I will not forgive what he has done to my Master."
"So you're all that eager to die, then?" Assassin grinned as she bore her weapons, Kirei doing the same "In that case, I won't stop you~"
At that same time, Saber matching Archer furiously blow for blow. Each time their swords struck, earth beneath them trembled. Archer, for one, was enjoying his fight immensely. Perhaps it was a quirk of his bloodline to enjoy formidable opponents?
"Well done, Saber!" The half-demon grinned in exhilaration "You and Lancer have certainly lived up to my expectations!"
"The same can be said for you, demon!" Saber grinned as she pushed him back. Despite her innate disdain, she could not help but respect his prowess. He was, no doubt, one of the most formidable swordsmen she had face in her life. He was certainly more agreeable than Assassin at any rate, though that wasn't much.
"Archer."
Both Servants were about to charge when the blue-clad Servant stopped in his tracks upon hearing his Master's voice "What is it?"
"Fall back for now. We have a situation. Father Risei will explain everything once you return."
"...Yes, Master."
With a sigh, Archer dispelled his Devil Trigger form, returning to the silver-haired visage he usually wore. "It seems we have to cut our duel short, Saber." He said as he sheathed his sword "It seems my Master has deemed that we have other matters to attend to."
"Don't think I will let you off so easily, not after you have attacked our stronghold!" Saber growled as dashed towards Archer and swung at him, only to find that her blade had only hit thin air. She looked around to see that he had rejoined Assassin and Kirei, both of whom were about to engage Lancer and Kiritsugu.
"Aww, it's over already?" Assassin pouted as she kept her Scissor Blade "Oh well, looks like we have to go now! Au revoir, mon ami!"
With a nod, the three who were affiliated to Tohsaka Tokiomi ran the other direction in an attempt to escape.
"Don't you dare!" Both Saber and Lancer roared as they both rushed past their Masters and launched their attacks simultaneously.
"Strike Air!"
"Cyclone!"
"Mon mignon pret-a-porter!"
Both attack that severely damaged the corridor were met by a wall of clones courtesy of Assassin. While they were obliterated instantly, it served it's purpose and allowed Assassin, Archer and Kirei to make their escape.
"Damn!" Saber growled as she slammed her fist on the wall in frustration.
"It cannot be helped." Lancer sighed as she walked over to Kayneth and helped him onto his shoulder "I trust that you will allow me and my Master safe passage?"
As much as Saber and Iri wanted to say yes, they knew that the decision was ultimately in Kiritsugu's hands. They looked to the Magus Killer as he took out a cig and a lighter from his coat pocket, igniting the stick before putting it into his mouth.
"Seeing as neither of us are in the capacity to continue, I'll allow it." He finally decided "Don't expect me to be so lenient next time, though."
"You have my thanks, Master of Saber." Lancer nodded in gratitude before turning to the King of Knights "Tonight was a most interesting one. I look forward to the day we resolve our duel."
"As do I." Saber nodded as she returned the smile "Until then, farewell."
With one last bow towards the three, Lancer flew into the night while carrying Kayneth, thus ending this battle of the Holy Grail War. As the three looked around at the devastation the battle caused, Kiritsugu could only sigh.
"Old Acht better hope that this castle's insured."
End Chapter 7
Omake Time!: Lancer
"You...You are not Diarmuid!"
"I know not this Diarmuid, but rest assured, I am indeed your Servant."
Kayneth Archibald El-Melloi could not believe that the summoning went wrong. Unfortunately, it did. What stood before him was a woman with a statuesque figure and a well-endowed chest. Her pale skin, silver hair and red-eyes gave her an otherworldly aura. She was clad in black military garb with red and gold trimmings. In her gloved right hand she held a most peculiar lance; it's head was shaped like a drill that was about almost her height. Her left hand held a shield with a similar design.
As Kayneth and his bride-to-be Sola-Ui gawked, they could not help but sense a certain fire behind this woman's gaze. The Servant knelt before Kayneth with all the grace of a general.
"Regardless, I, Servant Lancer, pledge my spear to your cause."
"You are indeed a formidable foe, Archer."
Lancer smirked as the half-demon stood before her, the bloodline of Sparda awakened in all it's glory "Perhaps I was fortunate to have fought you in Saber's stead. As such, allow me to respond to this show of power with my own!"
As she spoke, her body pulsated with power not unlike the Son of Sparda's own. Her body was wreathed in blue flames, a manifestation of a bloodline she too was proud of.
"I am Selvaria Bles, Lancer of the 4th Grail War!" The mighty general of the Empire roared in challenge "And allow me to show you the power of the Valkyria!"
End Omake
A/N: Ladies and gentlemen! This chapter is finally finished! Sorry that I took so long. Between real life and copious amounts of playing Persona 3 (will get to four in a bit), I've been preeeetty busy and distracted as of late.
Before I continue, Saber would like to say a few words.
Saber: Thank you. As you all know, Naruto has finally ended. I would like to say thank you to Naruto Uzumaki and his compatriots for defining an era. Thanks for paving the way for anime such my own and many others. Rest assured, those who will follow will carry the torch you bore. That is all.
Good speech, Saber. Anyways, we finally finished the Battle of Einzbern Castle and boy, it was a doozy! What will happen to Kayneth now? What called Team Tohsaka back? That and many more questions will be answered next chapter!
Selvaria: At any rate, this won't be the last you see of me.
Ragna: What's that supposed to mean?
Hush. Anyways, Rider's stat sheet will be posted here next (even though he didn't appear this chapter). That's it for this chapter, so kindly leave a review when you're done reading! I'm the King of Beasts, and I'll see you next time!
Selvaria: Next time on Fate/Zero Hour: Decrescendo!
Servant: Rider
True Identity: Jim Raynor (Starcraft)
Title: Commander of the Raiders, "Jimmy"
Master: Waver Velvet
Alignment: Neutral Good
Strength - D+ (C+*)
Endurance - C (B*)
Agility - D (C*)
Mana - C
Luck: B
Noble Phantasm - A+
*When wearing the CMC Marine Power Suit
Class Skills
Riding - A
Rider spent much of his youth learning how to ride multiple vehicles, among his favorite the Vulture.
Personal Skills
Charisma - B
Rider was a leader of a rebellion against the Terran Dominion known as the Raiders. His rebellion succeeded as he toppled the oppressive regime of Arcturus Mengsk...with some help from Kerrigan, of course.
Pioneer of the Stars: A+
Rider was a man who stood at the forefront of his universe's history; He was the first Terran the Protoss called friend, he brought Mengsk's war crimes to light, and he was the only man to give a damn about Sarah Kerrigan, even when the Queen of Blades was thought to be beyond redemption. In short, he would be one of those who would unite all three races against the looming threat of the Xel'Naga.
Military Tactics: B
As a talented military commander with many tactical victories under his belt, Rider knows his way around the battlefield.
Noble Phantasms
Vulture: Hoverbike of the Future - Anti-Unit - C+
As the title implies, this hoverbike is how Rider is known for his class. It is a vehicle with high mobility, perfect for scouting battle fields and high-speed pursuits. It's armaments include an AGP 2 Grenade Launcher as well as Spider-Mines.
Hyperion: Flagship of the Rebellion - A+
Whenever the situation becomes dire, Rider has the ability to summon the Behemoth-class Battlecruiser he commanded in life he managed into the battlefield at any given moment along with the crewmates he fought alongside with into the battlefield via "drop pods", each of them a Heroic Spirit in their own right. It also houses various armaments Rider has in his disposal, among which is his Marine Power-Armor.
The battlecruiser itself is armed with ATS and ATA laser batteries, allowing it to engage in ground and aerial combat respectively. It's most dangerous weapon is the Yamato Cannon, an Anti-Fortress weapon capable of leveling strongholds.