Ashlin's breath came in short gasps as she struggled against the aura emanating from the activated Grail. The air was stale, and the smells of ash and putrid smoke assaulted her while she ran. Her body felt heavy, like gravity itself had been altered. Peering up, Ashlin could see a pillar in the distance adorned with a glowing demonic orb. The satanic sphere ripped open the sky and was currently spewing curses down the pillar like thick black lava. The noxious material gathered at the pillar's base creating a large pool of poison and plague, and Ashlin watched in alarm as scores of nameless, faceless creatures crawled from the black sludge onto land.

"This is never ending," she heard Shirou yell in frustration as he and Rin struggled to keep the horde's numbers manageable. The two mages in addition to Archer's firing support had proven very effective at eliminating the monsters before they could disperse into the city to spread death and disease. However, they couldn't hold them back forever.

"This isn't good," Archer muttered to himself while moving quickly to snipe a particularly agile monster who managed to creep away. The beasts were growing stronger and spawning faster the longer the Grail remained active. Soon they would overrun the city. Glancing to his left he could see Lancer and Ashlin engaged in a ferocious battle with Gilgamesh while Saber battled Assassin. Archer felt like grinding his teeth in frustration. Gilgamesh needed to die. Soon.

Ashlin snarled when a particularly large monster equipped with claws and a large tail knocked her away from Lancer and Gilgamesh. The horde seemed intent on separating them as the demon spawn came over and over again, always targeting her. It didn't matter how many heads she cleaved off or chests she split open; the beasts just kept interfering. A fact that amused Gilgamesh greatly.

"They sure have taken a liking to you," the god-king observed with a snicker while sending a few of his weapons sailing her way, trying to pierce through the beast to skewer her. Lancer knocked the majority of the blades away before landing at her side. He was panting a little.

"We are getting nowhere," he observed with a grunt as he sliced through another beast.

"We need to kill him."

"I know, but I can't get close enough to land a blow and the second I stop moving to use my noble phantasm he will strike with damn near a hundred blades!" Ashlin didn't have time to comment as the pair leaped backward to avoid the assortment of weapons hurled their way by Gilgamesh. She felt a monster explode near her after Archer shot it. Adrenaline burned through her veins like acid as she took to the sky and sent a blast of fire magic at the smirking god-king, decimating much of the temple he was currently standing on. The sound of Gilgamesh's hysterical laughter filled her ears after that.

"Valiant effort my dear! Very amusing!" He applauded with enthusiasm, looking quite entertained as he raised one of his hands. Ashlin paled when golden portals suddenly opened in every direction, encircling her while she hovered in mid-air. Reacting instantly, she curled into a tight ball and requipped into adamantine armor. The explosion drowned out her scream as Gilgamesh's enchanted blades shattered parts of the armor and sliced into her skin, sending her plummeting toward the ground. White hot pain consumed her senses.

"Ash! Ash you need to breathe!" Lancer's panicked voice ripped through her subconscious, prompting her to inhale deeply. Ashlin immediately regretted it when agonizing pain rushed into her chest and flooded into her neck and skull, causing her to nearly black out. "Again," he ordered forcefully. Ashlin complied, coughing and gasping as her lungs stretched her injured ribcage. Life seemed to rush back into her body with the oxygen and her eyes flew open. Lancer was supporting her weight with one arm while the other defended against Gilgamesh's relentless assault.

"Shit," Ashlin grunted as razor-like pain racked her system. She was a bloody mess but nothing vital seemed to be damaged.

"You alright?" Her servant asked sharply, his eyes remaining fixed on Gilgamesh.

"Yes, I think so-" Ashlin's reply was cut short as a heavy weight slammed into them from behind, sending her hurling forward to smash through the only remaining temple wall. Her vision went white while a new wave of pain swept through her nervous system. She could feel panic rise up in her chest as thunderous footsteps approached. Despite the agony threatening to consume her, Ashlin bolted out of the rubble to scarcely avoid the crushing blow of a rather enormous creature. It was faceless like the others. Onyx scales decorated the beast and a long reptilian tail trailed behind its clawed feet. The monster tilted its head to the side for a moment, as if considering her. Then it lunged.

Ashlin jumped backward with a start, narrowly escaping the creature's monstrous grasp. Its speed was uncanny, and it was clearly much stronger than the previous demon spawn. Glancing around, Ashlin felt her stomach drop when she spotted more creatures like the one she was fighting start to emerge from the noxious lake. She could feel her Fairy Glitter tattoo pulsing urgently as she dodged another attack from the beast. Damn it, I need to destroy the Grail! She thought, frustration beginning to evolve into panic. She needed to remain stationary while reciting the incantation for Fairy Glitter and clearly the Grail did not intend to allow that. Sensing more creatures approaching, Ashlin requipped into flight armor and swiftly decapitated the nearest beast. Disgust filled her for a moment as she observed the dead creature. These monsters don't even bleed… A flash of light suddenly caught her attention.

"Ah, so the legends are true. You are indeed half god, son of Lugh," Gilgamesh declared, sounding like he just made a great discovery. Ashlin felt her stomach drop after turning towards his voice. Lancer was completely immobilized in a web of golden chains that protruded through several Babylonian gates. The chains coiled and tighten around him, much like an enormous snake. "Well that certainly is unfortunate… You see, these chains are very special. The Chains of Heaven, as they are known, are my anti-divine noble phantasm. The more godly my target the stronger the binding becomes."

"Heh, so you fear my spear so much you would seek to incapacitate me with a cheap trick," Lancer taunted, wincing a bit when the chains suddenly tightened around his neck.

"You forget your place, spearman," Gilgamesh hissed, clearly not amused. "For that I am going to separate each of your limbs one by one. But first I think I'll have you kneel." Lancer grunted and tensed, trying to resist as the chains forced him onto his knees, pulling him into a bow. "Don't bother struggling, only a heavenly weapon can break these chains. Now, submit to your fate you insignificant dog!"

Everything happened at once. Acting on pure instinct, feeling more than knowing what needed to be done, Ashlin requipped into Heaven's Wheel Armor. Time seemed to freeze as the two heavenly objects resonated loudly with one another, causing Gilgamesh to pause in surprise. The opportunity was not lost on Archer, who took full advantage of the situation by hammering the god-king with a bombardment of arrows as Ashlin used her circle swords to cleave through the golden chains. Archer was relentless in his assault and once Lancer was free Ashlin joined him, countering Gilgamesh's weapons with her own. She couldn't help but smirk wickedly when a familiar demonic aura surged from behind her. Determined to give Lancer his opening, she flashed within striking range of Gilgamesh. As expected, he took the bait. The golden spirit turned all his attention to her as hundreds of Babylonian gates flew open around him.

"Mongrels! I will kill you all!" He roared as a barrage of weapons tore through the gates and hurdled toward her. They disintegrated in mid-air when Lancer's noble phantasm hit its mark.

"It's over, Gilgamesh. You lost."

"No, no this can't be happening," the god-king choked while blood poured from his mouth. His hands gripped the shaft of Gae Bolg shakily, as if he did not believe the object was real. The demonic spear was lodged in his chest and emanated a satisfied glow as it consumed the remnants of his heart. "I- I am a king! King of Heroes," Gilgamesh continued to rasp as his grip on Gae Bolg tightened and he abruptly pulled the spear from his chest. "I cannot be beaten," he insisted weakly while stumbling toward Ashlin. "You cannot defeat me, you have not…" his voice trailed off before he subsequently crumbled to the ground, eyes finally glazing over. Soon after, his body completely dematerialized.

"Ashlin, do it NOW!" Archer roared, quickly snapping Ashlin out of her trance. She stumbled a bit when a blast wave from Saber's noble phantasm rocked the earth. Strong hands grasped her shoulders, stabilizing her.

"It's now or never, Ash," Lancer spoke, his eyes betraying his emotions as he gripped her tighter. She stared at him for a brief moment.

"Do you trust me?" She asked urgently. A brief nod was all Ashlin needed before she immediately plunged Rule Breaker into his chest. Lancer felt his eyes widen and the air leave his lungs as every ounce of mana seemed to instantly drain from his body. He felt suddenly cold as the bond connecting them shattered. He was vaguely aware of Ashlin supporting his weight.

"Why?" Lancer gasped, watching through blurred vision as the command seals decorating her right hand vanished.

"It's going to be okay," she replied, tears rolling down her face, before she began the incantation for Fairy Glitter. The ground underneath them promptly erupted into a giant magic circle and golden light surged toward the sky, just as it had while fighting Berserker. However, Lancer was astounded to discover that this time the energy felt alive. It danced and sang, laughed and cried. Cú Chulainn could feel it rushing into him, mending his wounds and breathing life into his formless soul. With every syllable Ashlin spoke the energy grew louder and louder until its warmth and radiance were almost overwhelming. And then the magic peaked.

"Shine your light! So that I may vanquish the fangs of wickedness! Fairy Glitter!" The spell was blinding and Lancer quickly found himself being swept away in the cascade. He wondered vaguely if this was what heaven felt like before all consciousness was lost to him.

As the dust cleared, Archer couldn't help but grin. The Grail was completely and thoroughly destroyed along with all traces of the demon horde. Rin and Shirou were cheering like fools and dancing around the clearing while Saber rested peacefully against what was left of a demolished tree. "Well, that certainly went better than I expected," he murmured while stretching toward the sky. He could tell his time was coming to a close. In fact, his body had already begun to flicker in and out of existence. Saber appeared to feel it as well. She called Shirou over and after a brief conversation he appeared to be crying. Archer rolled his eyes before noticing Rin staring pointedly in his direction. It never failed to amaze him how the small mage could be bossy without actually speaking. He chuckled a bit before making his way to her. Truthfully, Archer was going to miss Rin terribly and he planned to keep a close eye on her at every opportunity he got as a Guardian. Not that he would tell her that though… Glancing over at Lancer's unconscious form he couldn't help but feel a little jealous. You lucky bastard. She actually managed to save you.

Ashlin watched with sad eyes as Saber and Archer slowly faded from earth's plane. She longed to say goodbye but found herself unwilling to leave Lancer's side, fearing that he may vanish as well. His body did not appear to be receding, and she dared to hope that the magic instilled within the Fairy Tail emblem was strong enough to keep him anchored. Ashlin was no longer supplying him with mana. The mana exchange process was instantly destroyed when she used Rule Breaker. The jagged dagger obliterated Lancer's connection to the Holy Grail, thereby severing his connection to Ashlin's command seals and mana as well. While dangerous, this was the only way to completely break the Grail's hold. In the absence of the Grail's magic, the sole connection remaining between the two of them was the Fairy Tail emblem she placed on his arm. The emblem was imbued with ancient properties that protected its bearers from sickness and death, and Ashlin prayed the magic of the Fairy Tail crest combined with the energy from Fairy Glitter would be enough. A heavy sigh left her lips.

"You better wake up," Ashlin mumbled as she settled herself on the ground next to him, exhaustion finally catching up with her. She sat with her knees to her chest and grabbed one of his hands, tightly squeezing it. Come on, Sétanta. I know you're in there.

Ashlin almost jumped when the servant in question stirred. Lancer's movements were slow and groggy, as if he'd just woken from a long slumber but nevertheless his fingers curled tightly around her hand. His eyes opened slowly to stare up at the blue sky before moving downwards to settle on Ashlin. Her face was tired, bloody and battle worn, but her eyes shone like embers in the dark; brimming with emotion. Never before had someone looked at him with such affection. Without a word, Cú Chulainn instantly pulled her down for a kiss. Ashlin jumped in surprise but responded quickly when his hands buried themselves in her disheveled hair. Her heart raced as his lips claimed hers fervently, almost insistently. Lancer didn't stop until she was thoroughly kissed, leaving her flushed and a little dizzy when he pulled back.

"So, did we win?" Ashlin stared at him incredulously for a moment before bursting into a hysterical fit of laughter. She gripped her sides tightly and gasped for air, causing Lancer to fix her with a look of bewilderment. She finally nodded her head. "The Grail was destroyed?" He pressed.

"Yes," Ashlin replied, wiping tears from her eyes while her laughter subsided.

"And I'm still here…" Lancer's voice trailed off as realization dawned on him. His eyes widened and he sat bolt upright, taking Ashlin with him. "Ash, I'm still here!"

"I know," she replied with a chuckle, finding his astonished look quite funny. "What? You doubted me?" She teased.

"Eh, I gave it like a 50/50 chance," Lancer replied with a toothy grin, earning him a swift smack in the arm. He was going to complain but stopped mid-sentence when Ashlin's eyes suddenly widened and she moved to stare at something behind him. Lancer glanced over his shoulder curiously.

"Well, I'll be damned," he breathed in disbelief. There was Archer with his hands tangled in Rin's hair and his lips pressed firmly against hers. Rin's hands rested on his chest and despite her startled look Cú Chulainn took notice of how she was not pushing him away. "You have got to be kidding me," Lancer growled as he stood up, feeling surprisingly protective of the little mage. He made to stalk over to Archer but stopped when Ashlin caught his arm in a vice grip.

"Don't you dare ruin this for them," she hissed.

"Me ruin it? She's practically a child and he's like a million years older than her!"

"So what? Lancer, you're almost a thousand years older than me."

"That's different!" He insisted fiercely, causing Ashlin to roll her eyes.

"You just don't like him."

"Damn right I don't like him! He's a bastard," Lancer asserted before violently turning his head and roaring, "Archer, what the fuck do you think you're doing?!" The crimson bowman broke the kiss for a moment to fix him with a smug look before Rin grabbed his collar to pull him back down. Archer couldn't help but snicker a bit into the kiss at the sound of Lancer getting tackled to the ground by Ashlin.

"Was that really necessary?" Rin mumbled against his lips, her eyes still closed.

"Sorry, couldn't help myself. He just makes it too easy," Archer replied with a chuckle as his master moved to rest her head on his chest, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. Rin let out an exasperated sigh, feigning irritation while attempting to cover up the pit of sadness growing inside her. A choked gasped left her lips when his body flickered out of existence for a moment.

"Rin, listen to me," Archer spoke, his voice surprisingly gentle as he draped his arms around her small shoulders and kissed away a stray tear running down her cheek. "It's going to be fine," he continued softly before dipping his head.

Ashlin watched curiously from her place atop a struggling Lancer as Archer leaned down to whisper something to Rin. Whatever it was, it definitely had a calming effect on the younger mage. Rin's shoulders visibly relaxed and her eyes lit up like a child's on Christmas. Archer smiled fondly at her before allowing his body to completely dematerialize and vanish. Rin wiped the remainder of her tears away before peering in Ashlin's direction.

"You can let him go now," she spoke, sounding a little amused. Her older sister laughed a bit before climbing off the now very agitated blue spearman. It took Lancer mere seconds to cross the distance over to Rin. He stopped directly in front of her and stared at her for a moment, seemingly at a loss. Rin cocked her head to the side and Lancer noticed how a light blush was still painted on her cheeks.

"Listen you can't- Archer is such a… God damn it," he finally grumbled. Cú Chulainn let out an aggravated sigh before plopping a large hand on her head and ruffling her hair.

"Thanks, Lancer," Rin spoke quietly, a small smile present on her face.

"Yeah, yeah," he muttered, clearly not at all thrilled with the new development.

"So, are we ready to go home yet?" Ashlin's merry voice wafted over.

"Sure. At least I never have to see that damned Archer again- Ow!" Lancer shouted as Ashlin punched him, hard.

"Geez, could you feel at least a little empathetic for Rin?!"

"It's ok. Archer is actually a guardian and can manifest a physical form whenever he wants to. I'm sure he'll be back to visit real soon!"

"WHAT?!"

Epilogue

The quaint little streets of Magnolia were bustling with excitement as Ashlin made her way across town. The townspeople had certainly taken notice of her long absence; she was finding it difficult to reach her destination as they flocked to her. And the three mysterious companions accompanying her only served to attract more attention.

"Hey Ash! Where ya been, honey?"

"Yeah, you were gone forever."

"We were all worried!"

"I'm sorry, I took a job that lasted quite a bit longer than I expected," she explained, scratching the back of her head in embarrassment while the Baker, Barber, and Shopkeeper all took turns interrogating her.

"Oh, are these new friends of yours?" The plump, cheerful shopkeeper squealed in delight.

"Oh, uh yes! This is Illya, Kuzuki, and-"

"Lancer, ma'am," Cú Chulainn spoke up, offering the small woman a rather charming smile as he swooped down to kiss her hand.

"Oh my!" She squealed giddily. "You certainly found yourself quite the catch, pumpkin!" Ashlin cringed at the nickname and discreetly kicked her servant in the shin when he started to snicker at her expense.

"Indeed! A fine young man!"

"Hear, hear!"

"Oh my god, this isn't happening," Ashlin groaned as the townspeople started to cheer. Illya reveled in all the attention while Kuzuki seemed to shrink backwards, clearly not use to such blatant displays of enthusiasm. Lancer laughed jollily, shaking the hands of many villagers before a small voice caught his attention.

"Hey mister," Lancer glanced down curiously to find a small boy peering out from behind the shopkeeper's skirt. "Is it true that you and Ashlin are- umm-" the boy looked at all the people surrounding him before mouthing "together", using his fingers as quotation marks. A dark blush stained his little cheeks.

"It is," Lancer replied, looking amused. A disappointed look flitted across the child's face for a moment before he took a deep breath. He was shaking as he stepped out from behind his mother's skirt and Lancer couldn't help but notice the determination burning in his big blue eyes.

"Ok, then you have to make her happy. Ashy is my favorite person in the whole world so you have to make her happy no matter what!" The tiny boy asserted, standing his ground when Lancer took a step toward him.

"Laddie," Cú Chulainn spoke with a grin as he placed a hand on the child's head, "I promise to do my very best." Ashlin felt her cheeks heat up a bit at his words. Lancer ruffled the boy's hair before standing and asking, "So where's this guild hall that you talk so much about?"

"Right this way!" Ashlin declared loudly, quickly steering her companions away from the growing mob and down a side street.

She could hear the small boy shouting after them, "If she breaks up with you I get first dibs!" As they rounded the corner, Illya stopped dead in her tracks and Ashlin watched while her eyes filled with wonder.

"It's like a castle!" She gushed before making a mad dash towards the front door of the Guild hall. Ashlin chuckled before following her inside, keeping Lancer and Kuzuki in tow. The familiar smell of beer and home cooked food quickly filled her senses and she paused in the doorway, letting the sights and sounds of Fairy Tail wash over her. Ashlin was home.