Seek and Destroy
"Wait, you just said attacking Kotomine Church was suicide. Have you lost your mind?" Shirou challenged.
"That is true but we're not going to attack Kotomine Church or more accurately we're not going to fight inside." Rin agreed.
"You mean lure her out and fight her there." Arturia realized.
"Exactly. Glad to see we're on the same page." Rin triumphed.
"Rin, aren't you forgetting something? How exactly do you propose to lure Mordred out? I'm going to be very surprised if she decides to attack two Magi and their servants, unprepared or not, in full daylight head on." Archer retorted, "She would have to be an idiot to make a mistake of that magnitude and we still have to find the bait that would make her want to do so."
"There must be some mistake, the bait is right in front of us." Rin said, looking right at Arturia and Shirou.
"WHAT!?" They cried in unison.
"I can't think of a better bait for our little trap. No offense Arturia but I think we can safely assume that Mordred hates your guts and just in case that isn't enough we can throw Shirou in for good measure since she has already stated that she wants to kill him." Rin responded deviously.
"Rin, I refuse to put Shirou in that kind of danger. The risk is far too high, especially this soon after recovering from ordinarily fatal injuries!" Arturia protested quite loudly.
"I'm sorry, Arturia but I have to go with Rin on this one. We won't have any guarantees that she'll come out and we need to tip the scales in our favor as much as we can. We can't leave her to her own devices and, if her summoner is any indication, she won't have any qualms about using humans to increase her powers." Shirou argued.
"Well, that's true but…" Arturia acquiesced.
"I think then we've settled that debate now we just need to decide how to deal with the church itself once we finish with Mordred." Rin said, moving on, "We need to figure out a way to make sure that the church is unusable to Kotomine as a safe haven. Any ideas?"
"I have one. Before I came here for the Holy Grail Wars my grandfather made me study the library at the Einzbern castle and I know exactly how we can accomplish this." Illya offered.
"I'm listening, do continue." Rin said, giving the floor to Illya.
"Well, in one of the books I studied there was this old spell that was typically used by Magi of old to protect their laboratories. Since the spell was designed to protect against Magi it may work in this case or at the very least make Kotomine reconsider whether it's worth the trouble of reclaiming the Church after we're done with it." Illya continued.
"Ok, but what exactly is this spell you speak of?" Rin prodded.
"Well, it works by essentially destabilizing all the magic energy that is sent into it. That said, I probably don't need to tell you that spell casting inside or at the area protected by the spell would be quite fruitless. This would make it impossible to perform any magic regardless of source, and so it was only used when the Magus was unable to protect the laboratory in person. Since it would dismantle mana and magical energy it would prevent servants from entering it, lest they be ripped apart, only Kotomine himself would be able to get rid of it." Illya explained.
"And it would be doubtful he would take that kind of risk in exposing himself to reclaim such a poor hiding place." Rin finished, "Ok, that should work, are you sure you'll be able to pull it off?"
"Did you forget who you are dealing with, I did manage to summon Hercules after all." Illya bragged.
"Ok, good point. I think we've got a good plan. Let's go." Rin announced.
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The group arrived at the church to find the surrounding area surprising quiet.
"Uh, Rin. Doesn't it seem to be a bit too quiet?" Shirou mused.
"Well, Mordred did take up residence and she doesn't strike me as a particularly social person." Rin said, half joking.
"You know what I mean. It seems far too quiet outside as well, don't you think?" Shirou elaborated.
"I know, I get the feeling that we're expected." Rin concluded.
"Greetings Saber." A figure in black armor intoned, "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"Yes, it has." Arturia responded, all business.
"I see you haven't changed a bit." The figure remarked before looking behind Arturia, "Or have you? And who might this be?"
"Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this an enemy servant? Why does it feel like we're about to be invited in for tea?" Archer asked sarcastically.
"You are correct on one point, I am a servant but I'm not your enemy. I'm not here because I chose to be; I was forced here against my will. Unfortunately that means I'm going to have fight you. My orders were to ambush you and be done with it but my honor as a Knight forbids me from doing so. Under normal circumstances I could be compelled to do so using a command seal but since I technically have no master I am no longer bound by those rules. Instead, I choose challenge you to a duel, Arturia." The Black Knight clarified, "And you needn't worry about him, I give you my word as a Knight no harm will come to him."
At that point there was a loud scream of rage as a second figure in black armor charged the group.
"YOU TRAITOR! I'LL HAVE YOUR HEAD FOR THIS! DIE!" Mordred screamed, charging the Black Knight.
The Black Knight merely gave an exasperated sigh as he parried Mordred's well-telegraphed attack. But before Mordred had a chance to recover he summoned a lance and impaled her sword arm through a nearby tree. He thrust with so much force that it went all the way through the tree, leaving Mordred effectively immobilized.
"YOU FIEND! I DEMAND THAT YOU FREE ME THIS INSTANT!" Mordred raged.
"Why? Unlike some people I don't merely pretend to follow the Knight's Code. Consider this insurance, don't worry, you'll be freed quite quickly should I fall and you'll be free to exact your revenge." The Black Knight assured her.
Mordred continued her struggled but was subsequently ignored by everyone and they focused their attention on the duel that was forming up between Arturia and the Black Knight.
The two summoned their respective weapons and circled each other looking for an opening they could take advantage. Suddenly, the Black Knight charged forward and attempted to pierce Arturia's heart but she deftly dodged. She ducked under the Knight's and delivered a slash to his unprotected side, drawing a groan of pain from him. This went back and forth for a few minutes with each one matching the other's successful strikes.
"Come on, surely this isn't all you have. You're more powerful than this and you know it. There's no one here, you can fight me with no fear of harming any innocents, I say to that myself." The Black Knight chided her.
Arturia said nothing but immediately increased the intensity of her attacks scoring a number of severe blows on the Black Knight.
"That's more like it, what say we turn up the heat?" The Knight asked before raising his voice to an ominous level.
Come Forth, Arondight! I have need of your aid!
Slayer of Dragons! Light of the Lake! Sword of the Broken Oath!
You are all of these and yet you are none!
I summon thee for battle has been joined and only by your light can it be won!
Unbreakable Light of the Lake! Let us be one!
At this there was a large rush of force, not unlike a strong wind when the sword in his hand grew and started to glow from within. At this everyone except Arturia gasped as the Black Knight's helm shattered before their eyes. With this Arturia followed suit, summoning Excalibur and holding it up in a defensive stance waiting to see what the Black Knight would do.
"ARONDIGHT!" The Knight screamed as he swung the sword towards Arturia.
"EXCALIBUR!" Arturia screamed, following suit.
The two beams of light streamed towards each other until they collided and paused for a moment until Excalibur's light started to force Arondight's back. It continued in this fashion and slowly started gathering speed until the light from Arondight's had been completely engulfed and careened towards the Knight. There was a blinding pillar of light as the Knight was stuck by the glowing mass. When the light dissipated the Knight stood as he was until his armor shatter forcing him to his knees.
"Lancelot!" Arturia cried, her voice full of concern.
Lancelot slowly fell to the ground as Arturia guided his head into her lap.
"I see. Even after so long, my blade is still no match for the Sword of the True King. Forgive me, my Queen. It seems once again I have failed to earn penitence for my sins against you." Lancelot whispered.
"Lancelot, you simply followed your heart. The fault is mine for failing to see it and instead causing you untold pain and anguish." Arturia pleaded.
"My Queen, you have truly changed, haven't you?" Lancelot asked.
"Yes, I have. Yet here you are unchanged from the day we parted ways." Arturia acknowledged.
"Is it because of the man over there? Have you finally accepted the truth? Have you given up on trying to change the result of the Selection of the King?" Lancelot asked.
"Yes, it is. He clearly saw what I had been to blind to see all these years. I truly had no need for the Grail for there was no mistake to correct. For the first time in my life, I am truly happy." Arturia revealed.
"That truly makes my heart glad. Perhaps now I can finally find that peace that has eluded me all these centuries. But before I go may I please meet the man who has finally allowed you to find happiness?" Lancelot asked.
Arturia granted his request and beckoned to Shirou who has been keeping his distance to allow Arturia to talk in privacy. Shirou took a seat next to Arturia and wrapped an arm around her.
"I see, so this is him. I understand now, he is truly a rare soul. It gives me untold comfort to see you gain the happiness you were forced to abandon in life." Lancelot smiled.
"Thank you for allowing my queen to find the peace that had so long eluded her in life. I can see why she loves you with all her soul now. Let no one accuse you of being undeserving of her, you are the same as her, thinking of others before yourself. It makes my heart glad to finally see my queen rewarded for her selflessness. Love her with all your heart and be happy, you two deserve no less." Lancelot whispered as tears of joy slid down his face.
"I will. Thank you, Lancelot." Shirou replied.
"My lady, what is your punishment for my transgressions? Please pronounce your punishment so that I can atone for my failures." Lancelot requested of Arturia.
"Very well. Your punishment is death." Arturia said with authority.
"Thank you, my Queen. I go now to my eternal rest and to Guinevere, who has been patiently waiting for me all this time. It would be wicked of me to make her wait any longer." Lancelot said peacefully.
"Rest in peace, my most loyal and faithful knight. May you finally be freed from your needless guilt." Arturia whispered.
"I will obey your final order, my Queen. May you never want for happiness ever again." Lancelot responded as he faded away to nothing.
Arturia sat there for a second and finally gave in to her sadness crying into Shirou's shoulder.
"Hey, assholes! Did you forget about me for some reason? I'm here to get my revenge now that traitorous knight isn't here to stop me." Mordred screamed.
At this Arturia forgot all about her sorrow and wrathfully stomped her way towards Mordred.
"Enough! I will not have my finest Knight spoke of in that manner! I will have your tongue for that, as well as your head." Arturia raged.
As she was about to close the distance a dark portal opened and a dark voice boomed forth.
"That's enough, Mordred! You are needed elsewhere! Leave them for now!" The voice said in a displeased tone.
"Shove off! You can't make me do anything, you lack the command seals to enforce my obedience." Mordred shot back.
"Perhaps not, but I don't recall saying anything about your obedience being necessary. You will come kicking and screaming if need be." The voice retorted.
At that point a dark hand emerged and grasped Mordred pulling her back into the portal against her will. Mordred made on final scream before the portal closed behind her.
"Don't think this is over. Mark my words, I will have my revenge!" Mordred threatened.
At that the portal closed leaving no trace that it has ever been there.
"Well, that's one servant down, only six to go. Let's get to work locking this place down. Archer, if you would retrieve Illya now that it's safe." Rin sighed.
Archer left without a word to do as Rin had asked.
"Are you going to be ok?" Shirou asked Arturia.
"Yes, I just wasn't expecting it to be him again. I'm just glad I was able to say I'm sorry and allow him to find peace at last." Arturia said wiping her eyes.
At that moment, Archer returned with Illya and disappeared into the church.
"We should probably leave now that she's casting the spell." Rin voiced.
Shirou and Arturia voiced their agreement by following Rin silently. After about ten minutes Illya and Archer emerged from the church.
"Is it done?" Rin asked.
"Yep, but we should probably test it anyway to be safe. If you would do the honors?" Illya replied.
Rin silently grabbed a wind gem from her pocket and charged it with mana and threw it at the church unleashing a gale of wind. The wind was released but immediately dissipated upon reaching the edge of the church.
"There that should do it. I think we can leave this place alone for a while." Illya said, satisfied.
"Good, let's go home. I'm hungry." Arturia complained.
"What is it with you and food?" Shirou asked in mock surprise.
"But I thought that was part of my charm." Arturia replied, playing along.
"Now, now kids. Play nice. We'll be home soon enough and you'll have all the food you could possibly want." Rin chided.
At that Arturia simply smiled and gave Shirou a kiss on the cheek, which he promptly returned before continuing down the road to the mansion.
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My apologies for the long wait for this chapter; I hope I made it worth the wait. A note about the Black Knight's identity: the Black Knight was the Berserker in the 4th Grail War and was subsequently defeated by Arturia where his identity was revealed to be that of Sir Lancelot of the Lake. Do please leave your thoughts and suggestions as long as they are constructive and not simply flaming the story.