Tags:

Taiga. Young Taiga. Zero-chan.

Everything is funnier with Taiga.

Lull period.

Chapter 17 – Tempering a Blade/A Hope's Fulfillment

Day 5

"Guh…" The girl stirred. Her body felt refreshed, but she kept feeling phantom pain everywhere. Opening her eyes, she sees a ceiling she has never seen before.

She woke up with a start. Tearing the blankets off herself, she looked at her body. The clothes were the same as always and—

'No injuries…? Was it all a dream? But it felt so real…' After confirming her status, she finally started to look around the place she was in.

"Waaaaahhhh!" She exclaimed loudly, because on the bed beside her was an assortment of firearms, grenades, and briefcases. "I-I got kidnapped?!"

It was obvious in hindsight, a place she has never seen before, illegal items, and her probably hallucinations induced by drugs.

Kicking off the bed, she leaps into the only exit—

Only to come face to face with her kidnapper as they opened the door. Seeing that she was already caught, she decided a brilliant course of action, namely—

"TASUKETEEEEEEE!" Screaming at the top of her lungs, hoping that someone would hear her.

"…" Her kidnapper blankly looked at her who was now sporting a relived expression. Surely, help would come?

Their stare off continued for a few minutes, in which she realized that nobody came to help. She started to slowly back off, maybe if she gets one of those guns, she could make them release her?

The kidnapper took a step forward, she exploded into action, leaping behind the bed and lifting a large gun, which was surprisingly light.

"D-d-d-don't come any closer!" She spluttered. "I will shoot!" She bluffed, after all, she didn't want to kill anyone.

"That is impossible, the guns there don't have magazines inside it, and the safety is still on." The woman responded.

"Eh?!" Curious, she pointed it to the ground and gave an experimental pull.

*Click*

"…" There really was no bullet. "Ummm, ahahahaha…"

Looking at the woman, she could tell that she was a fighter, and a good one at that. She was probably armed too. Recognizing that she was cornered, she made her brain work in overdrive.

'Uuuu, why did I go to the mountains to train? It was such a bad idea! Since oji-chan and his men weren't around, I was kidnapped so easily! What are they going to do to me? Are they going to ransom me? Use me as leverage? Sell me? O-or even…' Her imagination ran wild.

Maiya watched the girl tremble and curl up in the bed. Strange, she didn't do anything bad to her, so why was she reacting like that?

"Are your injuries gone now?" She inquired.

"I-injuries?" The girl seemed to be confused at her question, before her face lit up in realization. "Wait, you mean those things were…" She trailed off.

"The pitch black beasts with red eyes?" Maiya asked for confirmation. Seeing the girl nod hesitantly, she answered. "We don't know the exact their exact nature, but they are hostile to humans. If they see one, they attack with reckless abandon. According to Kiritsugu, during your battle with them, you ran out of Magical Energy near the end of the fight."

"S-so they were real after all…" Wait a minute. "Is Kiritsugu-san the one who saved me?"

"That is what he said." Maiya reported. "He should be arriving soon enough."

As if it was planned, a series of knocks resounded in the room. Confirming the pattern, Maiya opens the door.

Kiritsugu hurriedly went in and assessed the surrounding.

"What is your name?" He asked directly.

"U-u-u-ummm, m-my name is, F-Fujimura Taiga." She stammered. 'Ah, my heart is…?' She felt her face light up and her heart beating faster.

"Fujimura… could you be related to one Fujimura Raiga?" He inquired.

"Eh? You know oji-chan?"

"Yes, the Fujimura Group and I have done a few deals in the past." He states casually. Taiga slumps down in relief, so they were friendly. Now she felt stupid for pulling all those stunts.

"Then, can you explain to me what is happening?" She suppressed her other emotions and focused on the matter at hand, the beasts, her own powers, and a bunch of other stuff. 'Wait, isn't this like an anime?'

Kiritsugu has been subtly trying to [Hypnotize] Taiga to make her forget about what happened, but it seems like his efforts were being neutralized. 'She's not actively putting up a defensive barrier, it's more like the moment I try using it on her, it gets nullified.' He suspected that it was a natural constitution, he also had Maiya check her body if she somehow got her hands on a Class Card, but it seems that there weren't any. Strange, he swore that she was using one when fighting those beasts. Since he can't erase her memories, and she seems to be strong enough…

"Listen properly then." And so Kiritsugu began introducing Taiga into the Moonlit World.

After all, that would be better than keeping her ignorant. She might decide to do something stupid.

The Emiya estate, empty.

The Tohsaka mansion has Rin and her mother.

The Matou mansion has some guy he didn't know.

The Church has Kotomine and another priest.

Most of the places where the three world travelers would likely end up in didn't have them.

"That fire is really terrible… they say that more than 800 people died in it." He overheard. "And the recent murders too… what is happening to Fuyuki?"

The Fuyuki Fire… oh, so that's it. He now knows where the people he is trying to find are.

Archer starts moving. The hospitals are the most likely place they would end up on.

"…" Everything was set. The killzones and traps to eliminate those beasts were finished. The bounded field that drives people away and blocks out the noises and lights were also ready.

Archer is still trying to find allies for the mission, and he was here to check on the enemy's movements.

So far, it seems that they weren't planning on doing anything in the day. That was fine with him, if the Master so as much pokes out her head from the barrier, he would shoot her down without mercy.

And so he waits, for an opportunity, and to monitor the enemy.

"—And that's about the basics, any questions?" Kiritsugu finished.

"W-wait a moment, you're telling me that a secret organization is hiding magic—"

"Magecraft." He corrected.

"—from the people, and anyone who finds out gets killed?!" Taiga panicked, after all, she saw the Moonlit World. 'D-does that mean that…'

"Rest assured." He interrupted her line of thought. "You have magical potential, and even if you didn't, I wouldn't have killed you. We have other peaceful methods like [Hypnosis] to make people forget about it." That was just him though, most Magi probably won't have a second thought before killing the witness.

"I see… wait, I have magical potential?!" Feeling the dread dissipate, she focuses on other parts of his words.

"You have a large amount of it in fact. Are your ancestors Magi perhaps?" He throws a suggestion. It was either that, or she was really lucky to have such an amount of power while being a first generation.

Taiga's brain turned, trying to remember her family tree. A Magi was someone who did supernatural things using Magic…

"Nope, as far as I remember, we never had magicians, witches, miko, priests, or onmyoji in our family." She concluded.

"I see, I misunderstood since the power you showed when fighting the beasts was exceptional." He praised honestly.

"I-is that so?" Her heart fluttered at his remark.

"Yes." He asserted. "Although I don't know your exact level, the amount of Magical Energy you burned in your fight shows that you have a lot of it, possibly even higher than some families with long lineages…"

"Uooohhhhh!" She fist pumps in joy. "Oh right, I haven't asked this before but…" She falters.

"Go ahead."

"What are you actually doing here? I know you don't actually live here since, not to brag or anything, but I know most of the people in Fuyuki." She had a proud smile at her accomplishment. "Is it because of those beasts?"

"Sorry, but do not get involved any further." He states. "Those beasts were nothing more than foot soldiers. Compared to their actual fighters, they are nothing more than ants." Recalling the power of those two Servants and Justeaze made wrinkles in his forehead.

"B-but I want to help! Fuyuki is my home… I want to protect it!" She argued passionately.

"No." He shot her down. "This will only take at least a week at most, not enough time for you to train your abilities. Besides, one of our companions have already started steps to secure the safety of the city from those beasts. You should just leave it to us professionals kid."

'Hold on, things are going just like in an anime!' Taiga had a revelation. 'Shadowy organizations, unknown threats, and me somehow gaining an amazing superpower… a-am I the main character?!'

"I can fight though!" She declared confidently. "After all, I'm the mai— I mean, I have that magic—"

"Magecraft." He corrected again.

"—that you said was amazing right?" Taiga concentrated. The feeling of power that she felt back then… the transformation that gave her the armor and the sword…

A gentle wind billows in the room. Slowly, Taiga's armor and weapon forms, knowledge of their usage was assimilated in her mind. Skills that weren't her own felt as if they were natural to her. Just like that, she finished transforming.

"I-I did it!" She actually had a few doubts at first, but now they were cleared up. She really IS a magical girl! She looked at Kiritsugu-san who seems to be mildly disturbed by what he just witnessed.

"…Maiya, does that happen every time I use the card?" He questions the other person, who she completely forgot about.

"No, unlike the slow change you saw, in your case, there is simply a flash of light before your attire changes." Maiya reported. Wait, slow change?

Her face slowly turns red as she realized what she just did. A transformation sequence, right in front of a man.

"Awawawawa!" She covers her body as if to shield it from prying eyes. "D-did you see?!"

"Do you mean your body? Then yes." Maiya answered. "Your clothes suddenly disappeared before your current attire slowly formed over it."

Taiga didn't know, but Magecraft uses the imagination of the user, when she was transforming, she subconsciously used the transformation sequence of a certain anime she watched.

"Uwaaaahhhh!" Taiga curled and rolled around in embarrassment. "I-I can't be a bride anymore…" She said with teary eyes.

Kiritsugu rubbed his forehead, this was certainly not what he expected to happen.

Archer was having difficulty finding them. The hospitals were at full capacity, in fact, this was already the third hospital he has visited. 'E-rank luck…'

He went around the hospitals he visited multiple times to make sure they weren't there too. From bottom to top, visiting every room one by one and repeating it at least thrice. Not to mention checking the hallways to see the patients being transferred…

Archer felt it, a strong magical presence lurking in the hospital. It seems that it was the one he was trying to find. He quickly rises to the appropriate floor, hopefully, they weren't going to jump to conclusions…

{Servant!} Rider suddenly blasted as he was eating. Thankfully, it seems that there weren't many people around, maybe they were already finished with this section and they needed all hands on deck.

Shirou jumped out of his bed and [Reinforced] his body. His mind already formulating plans. His body was too weak right now, so most weapons were already out. That leaves him with Rho Aias, Rule Breaker, and Rin's knockoff Jeweled Sword.

He bursts into the room, ready to fight, but the sight inside calms him. Holding up his arms, was Archer, showing his unwillingness to fight.

"Excellent, I would like to have a talk with you all." Archer says.

Judging from the look in his face, they weren't going to like it.

Somehow, they managed to get Taiga to calm down. Although her face was still red from embarrassment.

"Are you calm now?" Kiritsugu asked.

"Y-yes." Taiga squeaked.

"Seeing what just happened." That caused Taiga to cover her face. "I would like you to ask a few questions I have."

"Alright…"

"First of all, did you pick up a card similar to this?" Kiritsugu showed her his Assassin card.

"Not really…" She didn't notice the card falling at her from above and giving her its powers.

"Hmmm, when did you obtain your powers? Do you know how they work?" He asked.

"Just when I was about to be struck, I suddenly felt a rush of power." She recalls. "Somehow, I knew how to use my powers, but I have this nagging feeling that I haven't been using all of it yet."

Kiritsugu cupped his chin in a contemplative pose.

"I'm sorry, but may I perform an inspection of your body?" He requested.

"Eh? Eeeehhhh?!" Like a frightened rabbit, she backs off to the wall. "W-what for?" She asks.

"I want to check your Magic Circuits and any abnormalities." He says, confused at her reaction.

"O-oh…" Taiga returns to her original position. "What do you need me to do?"

"Give me one of your hands, and don't move too much." He presented his own hand to her, waiting for her to reach out to it.

As Taiga places her right hand at his palm, Kiritsugu envelops it and began concentrating.

A shy demeanor unlike how she usually is. If anyone from her family saw her like that, their jaw would probably drop to the ground and rub their eyes. After recovering from their shock, they would find the guy who made her like this and give them the shovel speech.

Taiga was embarrassed, a cool looking man who saved her was holding her hand. While it was true that she held her fair share of adult hands like her oji-chan or father, somehow, this one felt different. Just as she was about to hit the limit of her embarrassment (shyness), she felt a slight heat at the hand being held.

She exclaims loudly as a card suddenly comes out of her body.

"Saber?" Kiritsugu mutters in confusion. "[Install]"

The card glowed before it lost its shine. He attempts another [Install] only to receive the same result.

"Umm, can I ask what that is?" Taiga fidgeted.

He took a look at her, even if the card was already removed, it seems that it didn't undo the transformation. Considering that he couldn't [Install] the card, it was safe to assume that the Heroic Spirit in the card is no longer there, rather—

"This card is supposed to contain the powers of Arthur Pendragon." He explains. Archer already informed him of their opponents. "But it seems that your body obtained them instead."

"Arthur Pendragon? That sounds kind of familiar…" She ponders.

"He is the wielder of the most powerful Holy Sword, Excalibur, Sword of Promised Victory." He informed her.

As if a gong has gone off her head, the knowledge regarding Excalibur flowed through her.

Excalibur: Sword of Promised Victory. It is not a man-made weapon, but rather a divine construct tempered by the planet. It is the Noble Phantasm standing at the very pinnacle of holy swords, a sword that amplifies, converting its user's magical energy into offensive power and releasing it. The strongest illusion (Last Phantasm), crystallized and refined from the wishes of humanity stored in the planet.

She instinctively knew its output, how to use it, and its history. She felt shivers run down her spine as she discovered how powerful it was.

Suddenly, the weight of the sword seems to be incredibly heavy to her.

"This… changes things." Kiritsugu amended. Placing his hand over his chest, he pulls out Avalon from within him.

Avalon: The Everdistant Utopia. It bequeaths limited immortality through constant regeneration, as well as preventing physical deterioration caused by aging. Its function as a Noble Phantasm is an absolute defense that completely shields its user in the domain of the fairies, Avalon, the unreachable utopia. It is the greatest protection in the world that goes beyond defending or reflecting, completely isolating its user in a world completely separate from the regular world.

Taiga gasps at the information she received.

"You should know what this is right?" Kiritsugu hands it over to her.

Taiga handled it with care, she held it to her chest as it broke into golden dust and entered her body.

"…Does this mean that I can join you?" She asked hopefully.

"…Yes." He sighs as Taiga cheered. "Be careful, just because you have it doesn't mean that you're invincible."

"Roger that!" Taiga knew that. After all, if she dropped her transformation, it would stop working, or so the info she got said so. She definitely didn't want a repeat of her near-death experience with those beasts.

"But first, I have to teach you some things."

Kiritsugu certainly wasn't the best teacher, but it was better than nothing, right? Besides, if he made mistakes, it can't be helped, he can't be expected to teach someone how to use a Magic Core.

"That is the current situation." Archer finishes.

Shirou was focused on one thing in Archer's long explanation.

"Illya… is she really here?" He asks.

"Yes, she is waiting for you and her sister-in-law at Einzbern Castle." Archer looks straight into his eyes. Shirou saw no dishonesty in them.

"I see…" The tears built up and had no way of stopping.

"You said an older brother protects his younger sister, right? Yeah. I'm the older sister. So I have to protect my younger brother.

"Illya—Illya, Illya, Illya, Illya, Illya, Illya, Illya, Illya—!"

To think that he would be able to see her again…

"Unfortunately, Sakura won't be able to participate." Rider said. "She is currently indisposed as you can see."

Archer saw Sakura lying down there peacefully with no injuries.

"…I see, a new body huh. The soul needs time to adjust." He turned to look at Shirou. "Your soul is probably already used to it, so you had no problems." He assumed.

Shirou nodded.

"Archer, I will join you in this fight." He was determined to do what must be done. "I want to protect this world where Sakura can be happy. Please give me the card."

"Here you go." He hands over his card. "Be careful in using it. If possible, just use it to boost your physical abilities and use your own skills, not mine."

"I understand." He listened carefully to the explanation after all.

"It's too bad though, we have a single unused card. That means one less fighter on our side." He would need to find a replacement for their chances to succeed become higher.

"Rider, I'm counting on you." Shirou [Installs] the card.

"I will protect Sakura." She declared.

Casting a spell to divert attention away from him, she sends him off.

Shirou opens the windows and leapt towards the roof. He follows Archer in his spirit form, leading him to Einzbern Castle.

Kiritsugu was surprised that his suggestions were effective.

Using the excellent output of the Magic Core to use high speed movement, empowering of the strikes, and reinforcing herself.

Uses of Invisible Air such as catapulting herself, wrapping herself in a barrier, and a wider strike more suitable for masses of enemies.

'Rather than learning, it's more like she is retraining what she already knows.' He observes.

Taiga was getting used to this. Her growth was rapid, compared to how she was before, she sees massive improvements. The kendo skills she was determined to master seems so irrelevant now that she has become this skilled. She couldn't help but feel that she was cheating.

"Thank you, Kiritsugu-san. Your lessons are really good!" His practical lessons with magic were really creative and enjoyable. "This might sound arrogant of me, but… I want to try sparring with you!"

She wanted to see how far she could go, how strong others were, and show her teacher how much she has learned. Thankfully, they had something called a Bounded Field that prevents normal people from noticing them, and they were in the forest too.

"Alright." Kiritsugu already [Installed] his card. He has been watching Taiga train all this time. His assessment is glowing to say the least. Rapid growth and learning, excellent physical skills, a bit airheaded, but sharp in training. "Put the lessons to good use." The only thing left was to test her in a fight.

"Hai!" She psyched herself up and looked straight at her opponent. Without warning, she charged with a burst from [Invisible Air]

With his agility and seeing the signs of Taiga's movement, Kiritsugu dodged the attack. He was pleasantly surprised to see that she didn't have qualms in using dishonorable tactics.

Unfortunately, she made it too obvious, she holds her weapon in front of her when she was going to fight someone, and takes a different stance when she was doing something like this. It may be effective on others, but he already saw her using it in training.

With a sharp turn, Taiga swung her sword. The gale battered against Kiritsugu, but she made the wrong choice. Allowing the attack to fling him away, he activates [Presence Concealment]

"Wha—" Taiga lost sight of her opponent. She chased after him, going deeper into the woods. While keeping a vigilant observation of the area, her [Instinct] blared to life. She brought up her sword just in time to block a sudden impact. Looking at what hit her—

"Eh? A bullet? That's unfair!" All she got in response was another bullet that she blocked once again. They were surprisingly heavy attacks.

Checking the trajectory, she rushed down the path that led to her opponent. A spray of bullets greeted her, which made her roll to the side behind a tree.

That didn't stop Kiritsugu from estimating her position and putting a bullet through the tree she was leaning on.

Taiga felt herself get hit. A sharp pain clouded her concentration. Fortunately, the wound healed almost immediately and the bullet disappeared in motes of Mana. She let her guard down, she realized. This was a magic battle, not a normal battle. Attacks that could go through trees and stuff like that is probably normal. She was also somewhat prepared for some pain.

Abandoning her shelter, she raises the barrier in front of her. The spray of bullets was deflected by [Invisible Air]

'Good.' Kiritsugu approved of the way she used her Noble Phantasm. Though she would need more experience to truly be a good fighter.

"I got you now!" Now that Kiritsugu-san was within her striking range, she was at an advantageous position, she has no illusion of succeeding immediately, but she would be damned if she wouldn't try to pressure him at least.

All of a sudden, Kiritsugu-san sped up, grabbed her wrist, tripped her foot, and threw her to the ground behind him.

"Ack?!" After a momentary bout of confusion, Taiga discovered that a knife was held at her throat and that the hand holding the sword was pinned down. She has lost the match.

"You did better than I expected." Kiritsugu commended her. "Most people would cower when they realized that they've been hurt, but you kept going. Your tactics, while mostly orthodox, are effective." He removed the knife and lifted Taiga up her feet.

"Ehehehe." Taiga was happily wriggling from praise.

"Now then, once more." Kiritsugu leaps back and puts some distance between them.

Taiga point her weapon straight at Kiritsugu.

"[Strike Air]" Once again, she takes the initiative.

He was training her as much as possible to improve her chances of survival and to increase her chances of helping them out. He just hopes that she won't be placed in too much danger.

"We're here." Archer stopped moving. Looking at where he was pointing, he saw the familiar castle.

Shirou took deep breaths to calm himself. Preparing both his mind and heart, he steps forward to their reunion.

"Emiya Shirou." Archer calls out from behind. "Do you regret it?"

"No." He replied instantly. "Our crimes… they may never be forgiven, but… I would never regret saving Sakura, even if it killed the hero of justice known as Emiya Shirou." He never stopped moving, entering the doors that lead to someone that was beloved.

'To think that it was possible for myself to pursue such a path…' Archer reflects.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of peace.

He opened the door. With hope in his heart, he raises his head.

His gaze met with hers, a white dress lined with gold and red. A head bearing a crown of the same motif. White hair, ruby eyes, and pale skin.

His breath got caught in his throat. Tears flowed, and his heart sang in joy.

"Welcome to my home, onii-chan." She curtsied with a smile.

"Illya!" He makes his way up the stairs, all the while shouting her name, over and over.

And thus in this world, a miraculous reunion occurred.

AN:

Is it going too fast?

Taiga is so precious, gotta wreck her dreams later on though, maybe. After all, he has a kid and a wife.

Just kidding, I'm gonna make it work out between them so I can form the Emiya harem as I have rolled. But if I can't picture it, then it's out.

Taiga is pretty compatible with Saber, so her progress is smooth. Against Saber though? 10/10 she would lose alone.

A reunion with Illya and Shirou.