Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
King of Beasts Productions Presents:
Fate/Zero Hour: A Fate/Zero Multicrossover Fanfiction
Chapter 11: Extending the Olive Branch
Sajyou Ayaka sat, enjoying her meal whilst watching Waver-niichan and Rider-ji discuss important adult stuff with two strangers. She didn't really understand what they were talking about, although she managed to catch small bits and portions of "Blood Ritual", "Dark Magics" and the like.
Those parts she understood.
Little did Waver know that the little girl he had rescued was actually part of that dangerous world of magi he lived in. The Sajyous didn't catch the eye of the Clocktower and the Overseers of Fuyuki, but they were a magus family all the same with aspirations to hone their craft.
Unfortunately, that seemed to be the reason why that scary purple man took her family away. Her mother, her father, her onee-chan...All of them gone. With everyone of her family dying before her in the most grotesque matter possible, it would be understandable if the girl's mind was broken beyond repair.
Which is why it was a wonder that she can still function. Yes, the entire experience forever left a traumatic mark in her very being, but she was able to resolutely move forward despite her loss.
Perhaps it was because of those two nice strangers who came and saved her. If Waver and Rider did not come to the sewers that night, she might have met the same fate. For that she would be forever grateful.
As soon as she finished pondering, Ayaka looked around to see that, save for the four who have gathered, there was only an old man with an eye-patch, a trenchcoat and a scraggly gray beard left in the Ahnenerbe. Said old man had just stood up and was about to leave, walking past where Ayaka sat while giving the young girl a warm smile.
At least, it was supposed to be a warm smile. For a brief moment, the young girl felt an unsettling aura behind that smile. It was the kind of unsettling that made chills run up and down your spine, the kind that makes you so afraid that you are rooted to your spot. Unable to move, unable to act as the fear consumes you body and soul. She could immediately tell that behind the old man's grin was a being far more monstrous than the one that took her family.
She was thankful that it was only a brief moment, as the old man quickly made his exit.
"That...that was scary..." Ayaka murmured as she tried to shake it off.
"You alright, kid? You look like you've seen a ghost."
She looked up to see Rider beaming down on her with a grin while Waver followed behind him. Whatever they were discussing with the lady and that grumpy chef, they had just finished.
"I-I'm fine!" Ayaka shook her head as if to clear the webs that were ensnaring her. "A creepy old guy just passed me, that's all."
"My, that doesn't sound good." The man's expression became stern "Tell you what, kid: Next time you see him, just tell Good Ol' Uncle Jim or your Big Brother Waver here. We'll make sure he doesn't bother ya again!"
"Why'd you have to drag me into this, Rider?!"
Ayaka couldn't help but laugh at the two clowns she began to look up to. Since they were so nice to her, she figured she'll have to tell them of her heritage sooner or later. Maybe Waver-nii can teach her a thing or two!
"But still..." She couldn't help but wonder about that one thing that was bothering her presently. "Who was that old man?"
Outside the Ahnenerbe.
The old man had taken a few steps out of the restaurant did he make a sharp turn into a nearby alley.
"Well, well, well...They're all a pretty interesting bunch, providing a boredom buster for lil' ol' me!"
As he spoke, his gruff voice instantly changed into a squeaky, high pitched one. At the same time, strings of red thread had begun to unravel. Beneath the crimson curtain was a petite blonde in a pink frilly dress.
"That was pretty juicy stuff, this alliance against Caster!" Servant Assassin giggled as she began skipping to the darkest part of the alley until she became one with the shadows. "Kirei-kun and I are gonna have sooo much fun~!"
"Wanna go over the plan one more time with me, Waver?"
"Yes." Said boy nodded as he clung on to Rider while they drove his Vulture towards their intended destination. Of course, that was already after they had dropped Ayaka off back at the Mackenzie's "Lancer will go to Saber's base of operations to convince both Master and Servant to come to the meeting place, while we do the same for Assassin and her Master?"
"Correct on both points." Rider nodded as they made a sharp left turn that caused Waver to yelp a little. "Hopefully by that time, Berserker will have everything ready for us by tonight. Kinda nice of him to provide a place for this little gathering."
"He seems pretty abrasive, though."
"Well, at least he's sane." Rider shrugged while Waver nodded in agreement. "Also, I can tell that he's a genuinely good guy under that gruff exterior. Makes you kinda wonder what kinda hero he was, and why he wants the Grail."
"Makes you wonder about all the other Servants, I guess." Waver mentioned and to this, Rider agreed.
"Who knows? Maybe we'll find out tonight." The Servant of the Steed commented as Kotomine Church was in sight. "We're here."
The pair pulled up near the curb, dismounted and began walking through the door. As they opened the door, they found that the church was mostly empty. To add to that, both Kotomines and Assassin were standing near the altar, as if they knew they were coming.
"Greetings, Waver Velvet and Servant Rider." Risei would be the first to speak. "We have been expecting you."
"Well, the cat got of the bag rather quickly." Rider sighed before turning to Assassin with a brow raised. "I bet you had something to do with this?"
"Yesiree!" The Servant of the Shadows giggled in that chirpy voice of hers. "I was at that restaurant the entire time~! You even got yourselves a cute lil' tag-along too! It was fun to ruffle her feathers a little!"
"So that was you then." Rider narrowed his eyes at Assassin in a dangerous glare. While his tone was calm and collected, there was venom beneath his words. "You scared a little girl who had been through hell for shits and giggles. You try that kinda stunt on her again, and I'll make sure you regret it."
"Ooh, that sounds soooo scary!" Assassin met his glare with an arrogant smirk "Wanna put your money where your mouth is, cowboy~?"
"That is enough!" Risei's voice boomed as he attempted to quell the developing quarrel. "This church is neutral ground, and I will not have you two violate it's sanctity!"
"Rider, stand down." The Servant felt a hand on his shoulder, then turned to see Waver giving him a stern look. "I understand where you're coming from. Really, I do. However, it's like you said: If we are to stop Caster, we need all the other Servants on the same page."
For a moment, no one moved. Every human present feared that the Servants just might escalate this stand-off into a full-on brawl.
"...You've grown wise, kid. I'm impressed." Rider let out a small smile as he relaxed his tense frame. "All right, I'll behave myself. Don't think I'm letting this slide, Assassin."
"Aww, I really wanted to fight you too." Assassin pouted as the killing intent in the atmosphere faded. "You're all no fun."
"Quiet." Kirei finally spoke as he silenced his unstable Servant.
"Anyway," Risei cleared his throat before returning to the matter at hand. "As your Master has stated earlier, I take it you are here to form a coalition against Caster?"
"Yep, and I'll need you to forward this to Archer and his Master too, since your son's chummy with him and all." Rider chuckled as he took a seat in the front pew. "And considering that SOMEONE was stalking us earlier, explaining the specifics will not take so long."
Fuyuki Hyatt Hotel.
"So, an alliance against Caster, was it?"
"Yes. As we speak, Servant Rider is meeting with the Tohsaka's faction to invite them to tonight's discussion." Lancer stood upright as she explained all this to her Master. "I, on the other hand, will travel to the Einzbern's to convince of Saber and her Master to come as well."
"And to think that boy and his Servant are the ones orchestrating everything." Kayneth, confined to a wheelchair due to his injury from Einzbern Castle, put a hand on his chin while mulling this over. "However, I find it difficult to trust our potential allies, since it was their fault that I am in my current state."
"I do not disagree. I still do not forgive Assassin's Master for his heinous deed." Lancer stood her ground despite her Master's misgivings. "However, I believe that Caster presents the greatest threat. Should he be allowed to have his way, more innocents will be perish at his hands. As a Valkyrie of Ragnanival, I cannot allow this to slide."
"Also," Sola-Ui thoughtfully added. "Leaving Caster alone would eventually expose Magecraft to the world. If that happens, not only is the Grail War stopped, the Clocktower may decide to step in. You of all people should know that they are not so lenient to those who expose our secrets."
"Please, Master." Lancer implored him. "I believe that this alliance will be beneficial for us all."
Having heard what the two women had to say, Kayneth gave the matter some thought. While he didn't really care much about the loss of the bystanders (such was the Grail War, after all), he did agree that having Caster on the loose will bring more harm than good. Not to mention, the sanctions the Clocktower might have for those who let this get out of hand were brutal.
"Very well." Kayneth made his decision. "You can go ahead and forge this alliance. To leave him be would prove to be our downfall."
"You have my thanks, Master. I shall head out at once!" Lancer bowed before turning on her heel to leave.
"But before you do so, I wish to speak with you alone." Kayneth spoke before she could head out. "There's something I wish to know."
Sola-Ui and Lancer raised a brow at this, but they decided to listen any way. The former, on her part, decided to head towards the other room. She hoped that it was nothing serious.
"Alright, we are alone now, Master." Lancer sighed as she watched the red-head exit. "What is it you wish to discuss?"
"I have seen visions of your past and in them, you scorned the knight you were betrothed to at first, believing that it was a spell that forced you to give your love to him." Kayneth's voice, which was usually so haughty and arrogant, was now quiet and contemplative. "In time, you found that no spell was involved. By then, you have come to truly love him as a husband."
"I understand that she and you share the same situation, which is why I'm asking you this in the first place." After a moment of thought, Kayneth put forward his question: "What I want to know is this: How did he win you over?"
At first, Lancer was taken aback by his query, mostly due to the fact that he saw her past. After a few seconds of composing herself, Odin's Witch gave her Master a fond smile.
"It seems I was right about you, Master. Even for all your haughtiness, you still care for Lady Sola-Ui." Lancer gave herself some time to think before continuing. "To answer your question, I believe you should continue what you are doing."
"And that is?"
"Showing consideration of Lady Sola-Ui's circumstances. Letting her know that you do not objectify her in any way." Lancer let out a knowing smile to a baffled Kayneth. "Who knows, maybe your efforts will pay off soon."
The Servant then dissipated into spirit form, intent on heading towards their destination. Little did she and the baffled Kayneth realized that Sola-ui had her ear pressed in the other room. As a result, she had heard the entire conversation and, for some reason, felt a small blush on her cheeks.
"...Stupid, goodhearted Servant." She mumbled to herself.
Ahnenerbe Kitchen, Closing Time.
"All right, Ragna-kun! I'mma leave the rest to you!"
Mr. Katsuragi was kind enough to let Berserker have the restaurant to himself after closing time. As fate would have it, the man who hired him was going out with his daughter Chikagi. Upon meeting the green-haired girl, he was instantly reminded of a younger Rachel Alucard.
Which explained why she got on his nerves rather quickly.
"I hope she grows out of it." He sighed as he immediately paced himself before his work station. Seeing as Lancer and Rider were out spreading the word, it was his job to make sure everything was ready by tonight. Which totally meant he was in-charge of the food.
Considering that Saber would be among the guests, he would have to cook a feast literally fit for a king.
"Alright." The Servant of Madness grunted as he tied his apron. "Time to get to work."
End Chapter 11
Omake Time!: Berserker
Kariya was sure he had done everything right, from the summon circle to the catalyst. Which did not explain why there was no Servant to be had.
"Well that's a shame." Matou Zouken sighed as he shook his head. "Once a failure, always a-"
He wasn't able to finish that sentence as a blast of energy literally ripped his head off. Kariya quickly turned to see that his Servant appeared after all. He was a well-built man of short stature. His black hair was incredibly spiky to the point that it was just one large spike. He was clad in a blue tank top and trousers with white gloves and boots.
Oh, and he had a constant frown on his face.
"Well..." He grimaced as he watched Zouken's current body decompose into bugs. "THIS tops walking in on Frieza while in the shower." Finishing that piece of business, he then turned to Kariya. "Now that I've tended to the elderly, I take it that your my Master."
With that nod, Berserker groaned. "Well, at least this beats working with Nappa again..."
"Minemineminemineminemine..."
"Do you hear that?" Archer and Caster stopped mid-duel upon hearing that strange sound.
"Mineminemineminemine..."
"It's getting closer." Saber and Irisviel noted and, sure enough, a blue blur collided with Archer head on. The Servant in question got socked in the face and was sent flying into the crates. Caster attempted to attack the newcomer, only to get blasted in the stomach and sent soaring as well.
"Mine." Berserker had a satisfied smirk on his face before turning to the rest of the Servants with disdain. "So, you're all considered great 'heroes of legend'? Well, if the best you guys had was that pretty boy and that freak of nature, then you have no chance in hell!"
"So I take it you're Berserker then?" Rider asked with a smile on his face.
"Yes, I am indeed Servant Berserker." The man grinned as he let loose a powerful surge of energy that caused the earth to tremble. "However, since I find keeping our names secret stupid and you'll all die anyway, I'll tell you all who I am!"
"I am the Prince of all Saiyans! The Bringer of Death! Destroyer of Worlds! AND WRECKER OF YOUR SHIT!" As he continued to speak, his eyes turned green and his hair turned blonde. Every Servant present immediately knew that he would be the one to beat if they wanted to win this War.
"I am Vegeta." He smirked as he regarded all his opponents, his hand challenging them to come at him. "And I'm going to rock all of you like a hurricane!"
End Omake
A/N: Yes, that was Abridged!Vegeta. Gotta love Team Four Star
Anyways, I'm back with another chapter of Fate/Zero Hour! Just to clarify, the Banquet of Kings is still being set up and will be featured next chapter! That's the one part of the canon I'm a little nervous emulating. I really hope I do it justice.
So, this chapter we have Rider and Assassin almost going at it, Waver showing that he's grown up a little, Lancer the matchmaker and Berserker preparing to cook for his life!
Ragna: Considering that I have to feed SABER, I'm gonna need a lotta luck to pull this off.
You have our support, Ragna the Bloodedge! Anyways, if you like this or not please leave a review and tell me what you thought! That's it for me, so this is the King of Beasts signing off! See ya next chapter!
Next time on Fate/Zero Hour: Banquet of Heroes!