Chapter Seventeen
[This is my warning to you that some parts of this chapter may get a little more graphic than normal.]
"Tohsaka-san wasn't kidding about the road blocks," Shirou comments as the group sneak through the tree lines. He already activated his suit as soon as they got around the police.
"Observation: It is unusual that the cult has remained undetected for so long." HK mentions as he leads the group.
"Is it though?" Shirou questions. "It's a temple with a group of people gathered there. It wouldn't be unheard of for there to be some sort of festival or religious thing going on."
Assassin answers the redhead's confusion. "I believe you are under the impression that the temple remains the same as before the Grail War. The cult has seen to it that it is fortified."
"A couple of barricades still isn't enough to warrant suspicion. It could easily be under construction."
A sigh escapes from the Servant. "Then it is best that we let you take a look at the place as it is now. Seeing tends to be believing." Shirou gives a reluctant grunt as they move closer to their target. It is only a couple of moments later that everyone then understands what the duo were talking about. The walls around the temple rivals anything they have seen before. In fact, the walls are so big that the temple isn't even visible. On top of the walls turrets, spot lights, and soldiers are seen surveying the area. They come to a stop near the clearing, but still far enough to stay hidden within the tree line. "Okay, I get what you both mean."
"While I would like to soak up how right I was, we have a slaughter to commence." HK states quite excitable.
"Ignoring the comment of the murder robot," Caster cuts in. "The plan still hasn't changed. I think it is best we split off here."
"I agree," The droid says. "You meatbags have been getting on my nerves, if I was programmed with any, and I must take out my frustrations on other meatbags. Now as the leader of Team Distraction, let's begin the slaughter!" Said team is made up of HK, Berserker, Saber, and Rider as they are all the heavy hitters of the group. As the name implies, they will go and cause as much chaos and nose to keep the cult focused on them. Team Rescue will sneak into the fortress and nab Mason then leave as fast as they can. This team is already pushing it on the amount of people involved to sneak properly. However no one on this team would budge on not being there to save Mason. Although Assassin would have been forced on Team Distraction if not for the fact that only he and HK have been inside the fortress.
Assassin takes point and leads the group around the back of the fortress and they come across a pipe big enough for an adult to crouch through.
Illya scrunches her nose, "I hate how our only option of getting in is through the rudimentary sewer."
Sakura scoffs, "What's the matter? Is the doll scared of doing dirty work?"
Illya glares daggers at the opposing vessel, "Don't speak to me about being dirty when you are the one getting filled by filth."
The red appears in Sakura's eyes, "Oh, you want to do this now?"
"Cut it out!" Caster hisses at them. "This is not the time for your alpha dominance. Shut up and focus on saving Mason or for the love of god I will leave the two of you here!" This gets a grunt from both of them as they look away from each other. Satisfied, Caster enters the pipe right behind Assassin with Shirou and the others in tow.
Assassin takes out a holocommunicator HK gave them and opens up a map. "We take a right at the fork and that will lead us towards the cells. They will most likely keep Master's equipment in the safe located in a room down the hall from the cells." He shuts it off and they continue on their path.
Along the way they hear a commotion through the walls and come across a small grate with enough visibility to see the inside of the fortress. They all take a look to see the entire base seemingly preparing for something. It is not because of the other team as they will not start their attack for another couple of minutes to allow this team to be in a position to quicking grab Mason before the guards notice. The soldiers are all dressed for combat and many of them are loading into aircrafts and armored transports. There are also some hovering vehicles and some vehicles that have legs. Both appear to be heavily armored and equipped with big canons and blasters.
"It seems like we may have caught them preparing a war," Shirou mentions.
"Seeing how the police have surrounded the temple and talks of military involvement, it is to be expected." Assassin remarks before leading them away from the grate. A few soiled pants later, they come to their destination. They have come underneath a toilet and Shirou gets in position to move it. An explosion is the signal he needs and he proceeds to push the toilet with reinforced arms. A space big enough for them to crawl through is made and Shirou locks his hands together for the others to use as a stepping stool to get up.
"At least we won't have to take that way as our exit," Illya says after breathing in fresher air in the small bathroom they are in. No one cares enough to comment on that statement as they move to leave the crowded room. Assassin takes a peak then gestures to the others to follow after confirming the coast was clear. The hallway has a few metal doors with bars to see into the room. "Which one is Mason's cell?"
"HK said it is the only metal door without bars on it," Assassin answers.
Sakura then asks, "Since you are currently contracted to Mason, can't you pinpoint where he is through the bond?"
He shakes his head, "I lose contact with him once they shut the door to his cell. The cell seems to be sealed to block anything magical. A perfect place to keep a Master or any being powerful in this world without worrying about them breaking out."
They start their way looking for the correct door and catching glimpses of the bodies wearing temple clothing in the passing cells. The cause of death between each varied between beaten to death, straggled, having their intestines spilled out, having their brains pulled out from their noses, and more creative methods that the group would have never even thought of doing. There was also the rotting smell and flies seeping out of each room. This explains to the group what had happened to the previous residents. One in particular makes Shirou's eyes widen as he goes to it and attempts to open it. It doesn't open so he projects a sword and breaks the lock. It now swings open and he rushes inside to a boy his age. "Issei!"
His best friend, covered in bruises and cuts, weakly turns to him. "S-shirou?"
"I'm here," Shirou dismisses the sword and cradles the student council president in his arms.
Issei smiles weakly as blood spills from his mouth. "I-it's good to see you. At least I won't die alone and I am able to say goodbye to you one… las… ti…"
"Issei!" Shirou pats the boy's falling head before the body gives out and hangs limply in his arms. His eyes become puffy, but he holds it in. "Goodbye," Shirou whispers as he closes the eyes of his friend.
Sakura, being the only one in the group to actually know the boy, places a hand on Shirou's shoulders. "I'm sorry Shirou."
The redhead steals himself before laying Issei down and getting up. No one is able to see his face as he leaves the cell. "Come on. We need to hurry to prevent Mason from having the same fate." Sakura gives the president a look over to pay her respects before following. Words are not said as they continue searching for Mason's cell.
It is only a minute later that they find a metal door without any bars. Shirou retrieves his 'key' and pops the door open. They immediately come upon a scene that they no doubt will remember for the rest of their life. Illya covers her mouth in vain as she walks away and spits her dinner out. Assassin in all his years has never seen such a scene that makes any of his previous assassinations look like amateur hour. Caster is frozen in place with her mouth agape. Sakura looks as if she is about to cry. The room hits the hardest for Shirou as he is internally dying.
Mason hangs limply as a pool of blood lay beneath him. Whole chunks of his skin and muscle are missing throughout his body. Parts of his hair have been scalped and what remained of his damaged eye has been removed out of its socket, Bruises and burned marks litter his body and it is hard to see any color of what his skin looked like. His body is also noticeably skinnier. However despite his current condition, it's the other person residing in this room that is garnering such reactions.
On a dolly facing Mason, is what appears to be Taiga. Shirou is barely able to stand looking at his guardian's state. Like Mason, she too supports the same injuries. What sets her apart from him is the fact that she is missing her fingers and toes, a fair amount of teeth, and a tongue. Not only that, but her arms have been twisted and bones protrude from her legs. Her body also has various degrees of burns, one of which has melted her skin down her shin. Her eyes are also hollowed out with nothing but darkness to fill and no eyelids to cover it. The flies have been buzzing around in joy for having a rich environment to spawn maggots in. Judging from the screaming expression left on her face, she did not leave this plane peacefully.
Assassin is no longer able to see such a thing and grabs a sheet to drape over the body of Taiga. Caster comes too and moves towards Mason to check his status. A hollowed chuckle escapes as she feels a pulse from his neck. "He's still alive." She calls to the others. Shirou and Sakura slowly enter the room as they try to regain themselves. Caster looks at the sheet that hides Taiga's body and places a hand on it. The body is still warm and the blood is soaking through the sheet leading Caster to believe that the time of death was only a couple of hours ago. If they had come earlier then perhaps they could have saved her and Issei. A magic circle appears under the body before it takes it in. Caster knows the worth the boys place on her, so she has ensured that they are able to take the body back to have a proper burial.
Mason stirs hearing a commotion and his first instinct is to brace himself for another 'lesson'. If there is one thing that Skorr ensured remained intact is Mason's pain receptors. He trembles at a touch of a hand on his shoulder. He waits for the pain, but the hand is soft and doesn't give him what he thought. Instead, the hand feels somewhat soothing. It's a trick, he thinks to himself. They only mean to have me lower my guard again. Never again I'll I fall for that. Mason then feels the chains loosening around his arms and legs. He opens his eyes and is astounded to see it was not Skorr or Valia, but his friends and brother 'freeing' him.
"Hey, he's waking up!" 'Shirou' calls to the others.
'Illya' finishes emptying herself and comes in a rush. "Thank god. You had me worried little brother."
That can't be right. They can't be here. And where is Taiga? He quickly surveys the room and comes to a conclusion. This must be an illusion made by the Sith. No doubt to make me think I'm safe and say something that will be used against me.
He watches as 'Shirou' then looks over the Force suppressant collar around Mason's neck. "What do you suppose this is?"
'Caster' comes over and examines it, "From the look of it, it seems to be suppressing his powers. That would explain why he hadn't attempted to escape until HK came along."
"Well no wonder he looks like a fish out of water. From what he told me, the Force is something that comes natural to a Jedi and they will always feel it around them. He'll most likely start feeling better once it's off." Shirou then begins to remove it.
Skorr must think that I am of no threat to him, but I'll be sure to prove how wrong he is! Shirou is surprised when the moment removes the collar, Mason jumps at him. Not only that, but Mason is moving unlike any of them have seen from someone in his condition. What they don't yet know is the current mental state of him. He currently isn't thinking and acting on instinct, which is resulting in Mason relying on his emotions. With Taiga's torture and death so fresh in Mason's mind, it's no wonder as to why the area in his lone eye has darken and his eye itself is showing a shade of yellow. Mason begins to beat on Shirou who is now beginning to understand the situation and tries to defend himself. Assassin, Caster, and Illya all try to pull Mason off Shirou.
"Master! You need to calm yourself." Assassin tries to reason. "You are among friends!"
"Lies!" Mason roars as he pushes all of them off with the Force.
Shirou takes the moment of distraction to shove his brother off him and stand back up. "Mason, please listen! I'm your brother, remember? I'm Shirou!"
"More lies!" Mason gets on all fours before pouncing once again. Shirou reinforces his body and stops the attack and throws Mason once again. "I will not fall for your tricks Skorr! I will kill you for Taiga!" He prepares to attack again, but he is grabbed by a red and black tendril and pulled away.
Mason then finds himself between Sakura's arms as she holds him tight. "Mason, you got to snap out of it!"
"So they even went as far as to make an illusion of you too!" Mason protests as he struggles to break out of her grasp, but a number of tendrils wrap themselves to him preventing any escape.
"If I am an illusion, then would an illusion be able to do this?!" She pulls his face to hers and catches his lips. Mason is caught off guard and his mind goes blank unsure of what to make of what is happening. Is this not an illusion? It doesn't taste as one and he is damn sure that Valia, despite how devious she can be, wouldn't dare kiss anyone but Skorr. It is the one thing Mason has learned about her ever since being captured. So if it isn't an illusion, could it be real? Does he dare give into hope? Is it really worth risking even more brutal torture for just a small moment of happiness? Yes, even if this all turns out to be an illusion, he will endure any and all pain he will receive just for this one moment of bliss.
Sakura, even though she cannot read thoughts like Mason can, can tell his every thought process from his reaction with the kiss. Shock, confusion, denial, questioning, bargaining, and finally accepting. She wasn't fully sure how Mason would actually take the kiss, but it was the only thing she could think of to get him to snap out of his mindset to finally focus and think. It wasn't the first kiss she dreamt of, but they will have plenty of other first for her to look forward to. Mason returning the kiss has sealed the deal of him finally becoming hers. Now no one will question her protectiveness over him, not even his homewrecker of a sister.
"Sakura?" The words he speaks make the tendrils then begin to recede and go back into her shadow. Mason's emotions are in a state of confusion that even he can't make sense of, except for the one in front of him. The Jedi code may ban attachments, but he has long since abandoned the order. In fact, he has been breaking that code ever since coming to his world. Kiritsugu, Shirou, and Taiga were the first people he formed an attachment towards and he has since formed more ever since. It was hypocritical of him to worry about such a thing when he ate lunch with Sakura on his first day back in school. Hell, his entire ancestry has been about forming attachments and loving others. If the bloodline of Raven has lasted this long doing such things, then it will be fine for him to follow in their footsteps.
"I'm here Mason," She assures him with a hand on his cheek. "I'm sorry I couldn't have come sooner. You must have suffered a lot." He doesn't say a word as he leans into the comforting hand. The yellow glow in his eye begins to dim, however it doesn't fade. Much like the red in her own eyes, the yellow in his merely scurries into becoming not noticeable at a glance, but something you can easily see if someone were to look into his eye. Sakura also notices that the energy around him is not as it once was. It has darkened much like her own, but she can tell he hasn't fully succumbed to it. That is fine as if he had fully embraced his darkness, then he would have been unrecognizable to her. This way, if he keeps falling towards the darkness, she'd have more control over how to shape said darkness to her desires.
"We're here too," Illya calls out after standing from being flung backwards. "You're lucky you're my brother and Berserker weren't here otherwise you would be dead by now."
Mason then notices the rest as being real rather than an illusion. "So you all are here as well. It is good to see you."
"Likewise," Shirou says as he places a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Come on, we need to get going before the guards come check on you. First let's head to where they stashed your things so you aren't running around all naked." Mason nods but he falls after taking a step having the adrenaline leave his body and his injuries pulsing in pain once again. Sakura and Shirou catch him before he hits the ground. "Well I expected there was a possibility I'd have to carry you, but I didn't expect you to be this hurt."
Caster comes over and takes the shoulder Shirou is holding to wrap around her. "Let me take over holding him up. I still am limited in my mana and will be better suited to heal Mason as we go. You go take point with Assassin and Illya will be enough magic support until we escape since the majority of the cult is dealing with the other team."
Shirou wants to protest, but knows she is right. He also knows that if things do get rough then she can summon some dragon tooth warriors for backup or Sakura can step in herself. Although the latter is being very possessive over Mason and Shirou harbors a little doubt that she will willingly give him up. "Alright, let's get going. The faster we get out, the faster we can figure out our next move." Assassin sticks his head out and flicks a couple dirks at the incoming guards. They go down with little fuss and they all head out into the hallway. The door where the cult is keeping Mason's belongings isn't far and doesn't take too much effort to break open. "This room is more of a mini armory than a simple room," Shirou comments observing the numerous blasters and vibro weapons scattered within the room. He takes the moment to quickly trace any and all melee weapons for any possible future use. Never know when a highly advanced sword would come in handy. Although seeing as how he possesses a couple of Noble Phantasms, the need for these weapons are lessened.
He is broken out of these thoughts as Assassin finds the safe that holds Mason's stuff and lays them out on a table. It isn't much, just his mystic code suit, the clothes he wore before he was captured, and the Thompson Contender. The last one strikes odd for Shirou as he wonders why the cult didn't keep the pistol with what it can do. Though he doesn't dwell on it as it returns back into the hands of them. He looks at Mason and sees that Caster has been busy in her attempt to heal him. The smaller cuts and bruises have healed, and the bleeding has stopped on the larger injuries. Though saying Mason is alright is too much of a stretch, he at least can walk on his own now, albeit with a limp. They help cover Mason with the clothes quickly.
"Now that we have him and his things, we better head to the escape-" Shirou begins before getting cut off by Mason's hand.
"No, we are not leaving yet. Not until I avenge Taiga!" The yellow in his eye comes to life once again.
"But Master, our purpose here was only to get you out, not to go on a revenge quest." Caster protests. "Weren't you the one who told me not to go head on with revenge for no reason other than to die? You can't possibly think you are in any condition to enact any sort of revenge in your state!"
Mason glares at her, but it softens after a moment. "Caster, I was naive when I told you that and haven't experienced watching someone kill someone I loved right before my eye." A younger Mason would have said Master Rissa, but the hate he has for her blinds him of that fact. "I still believed in good and evil back then, but now I realize it isn't as black and white. Even if my current state isn't the best, this is our best chance of stopping them right now before they enact their operation tonight."
"Their operation?" Illya asks.
"Yes, Skorr often bragged about what they would do knowing I could not do anything to stop them. They plan on assuming control over the city to prevent anyone from stopping the ritual of reviving Nihilus. If we are to stop them, it's now!" Mason explains with fury in his eyes.
Caster turns to Shirou, "Speak to your brother and talk him out of this."
Despite Shirou's outwardly emotionless expression, he too was seething in anger about what the cult has done to Taiga. How can he be a hero of justice if he can't even save his loved ones? What he has felt now would have made Shirou smack the hell out of his younger self for such a thought. It is with that thought that he finally understood a little of how Archer must view him. Perhaps hating himself is forever destined to happen. He powers up his suit and projects Archer's favored swords into his own hands. Shirou has to admit that Archer knew what he was doing using these. They felt right. "I agree with Mason. No more should they be able to kill people without consequence. It stops with Fuji-nee."
A dark smile spreads across Sakura's face as she shifts into her own dark form. "I too think they must die. I have to repay them for dropping a bomb on me and avenge what they did to Mason and Fujimaru-sensei." Mason is briefly surprised at Sakura's reveal, but the dark energy around her just fuels the Dark Side residing within him.
"No, we are only here to grab Mason and get him out. We are in no way prepared to assault this fortress fully," Illya tries to reason to no avail.
"I will simply follow my Master and his pursuits as his guard." Assassin comes into the conversation. "I will not put in my own thoughts on the matter."
Caster isn't happy about it, but she can't disagree at the moment. "Fine, we will do it your way for now, however when it comes to saving our asses or dying in vain then I will drag you out even if I have to pull you by the hairs of your teeth. Got it?" Mason nods. "Good, now let's hurry and form a contract between each other again. If I am to follow along with this, it will be with you as my Master and me in greater power."
The sounds of battle can be heard as Rin and the other four with her draw near to the temple. She has already suited up and has her gems in order for the coming battles. Though Archer still carries her as it is the quickest way for them to get to the temple. What surprises her is the speed at which Kirei is moving. While he is trailing behind, he is moving almost as fast as a Servant. She can only imagine the difficulty of someone attempting to fight him. Perhaps that is why the Emiya brothers said that their dad, the Magus Killer, was more concerned about him than any other mages in the last war. "Let's keep up the pace. If they die, then we have no chance by ourselves."
"Way to brush me off for the younger version of me," Archer teases.
"I'm not brushing you off. You are worth more to me than them!" She then realizes what she said and blushes after the statement. "I mean, you have been very useful so far and prove to be an irreplaceable pawn."
"Alright alright," Archer says with a smirk.
Lancer then chimes in, "You know you make it sound as if the two of you are together and him bridal carrying you isn't helping the matter."
Rin blushes more before protesting, "Archer and I are just, uh… We're just Servant and Master, nothing more!"
Lancer then gets smug and looks at you, "Wow. Are you guys seeing this?"
"Don't involve the audience in this!" She shouts as a beeping noise catches her attention and she pulls out a holocommunicator out of her pocket. She was also given one so that they all can stay in contact with each other in case something goes wrong. Rin accepts the call and sees Illya on the projector. "What's the problem, Einzbern?"
"The plans have changed. Mason has somehow convinced the others to stay and fight rather than leave." The grumble in Illya's voice is heard.
"Of course he would." Archer comments as if it wasn't a surprise. "Even if he isn't Shirou, they grew up together and both took on their father's views. Mason trying to put an end here and now is something we should have planned for."
Rin sighs, "As right as you are, there is no use fighting over spoiled milk. I was successful on my end and already heading your way. Try not to let them kill themselves."
"Easier said than done seeing as how I'm the minority," Illya sighs.
"So what did Mason say that made them stay?" Rin asks.
The albino looks sheepishly off to the side, "Well it wasn't what he said, more of what we saw and now we are off on a revenge quest."
"Revenge quest? That doesn't sound like something I would have done in the war." Archer mentions being quite confused.
"It's about the Taiga woman." Rin feels Archer nearly stumbling only for a split second.
Rin asks Illya, "Fujimaru-sensei?"
"What about her?" The Servant asks, hoping his worries are not true. "We kind of had a guess she was taken too. Are you guys going to retrieve her as well or is she hurt?"
"Worse," Rin then feels his arms slightly tighten around her. "We found what was left of her-" This is all that was heard before she loses the communicator because Archer picks up even more speed that Rin can't even see blurs.
"Archer…" Rin tries to say, but her voice can't find any words. She may have not known her school teacher as long as everyone else, but the death of someone you know isn't easy even in a magus world where the saying goes: 'To be a magus is to walk with Death'.
"Don't," He denies as his face steels itself from giving anything away. "There is nothing you can say for the moment. Even if she wasn't from my time, Fuji-nee's story isn't supposed to end here! That is supposed to be the one constant in every timeline!" Lancer, despite hating Archer's guts to the core, doesn't attempt to kick the hornet's nest by mocking this loss.
Team Rescue runs through the halls as they look for the Sith. Mason has activated his suit, but its appearance has changed from its white clone trooper look. The armor for the most part remains but is now black and now has a cloak along with it. This surprised the group, but Caster explained how she made it to shape the wearer mentally. Shirou can't help but compare how similar Mason and Sakura have changed over the war. Both used to be full of brightness, but now their inner darkness has taken over them. It was something he would have to address to them, but the time is not in an enemy fortress.
A squad of troopers are waiting around a T corner and fires the moment the group appears. They all hide back to the hallway they were in except Mason. He tears out a metal plate from the wall as a shield with the Force. As the blaster bolts hit the plate, Mason Force grabs each one of them and smash them against each other. Another squad comes from the opposite side of the T corner. He turns the metal flatly and hurls it at them which slices right through the whole group. The yellow in his eye burns brighter with every kill. "Come on, we have no time to waste." Mason calls to the others as he pulls two blasters from the ground into his hands. The injuries start to bleed again and some go right through his cloak, but that only serves to feed his power. He has never felt power like this before. Sure, Mason has tasted the Dark Side a few times, but this high was unlike anything he has felt before. It felt good and he wants, no he needs more.
Everyone watching is put off by how Mason is acting. He is so unlike he has ever been. They come to the conclusion that this is what Mason meant by trying to avoid the Dark Side for so long as it seems to change a person. Although Dark Sakura is the current exception, for all she can see is a mirror to what she is. If it wasn't for the situation they were in, she'd ditch her soaked panties and relieve the itch she is feeling. But they will have plenty of time for that when they are done since he has already accepted being hers earlier. A cult member is trying to be sneaky by hiding in one of the passing rooms and jumps out behind her with a knife only to get wrapped up by a tendril and pulled into her shadow. She licks her lips from the free meal.
Shirou brings the twin swords down and makes an X shaped wound in a trooper in his path. Assassin utilizes his unique movement to bounce all over the walls and driving dirks into anything that wasn't the group. Illya and Caster are mostly hanging back and using familiars to do their work as any other spells risk hitting their allies.
It isn't long until they come to an open door that contains a big room with only one door on the other side. Mason has been allowing the Force to guide them to their destination and it is right behind said door. He places a hand on the door as the others prepare for a fight, but the door is flung open from the other side and a Force pushes them across the room. They groan, but find the strength to stand and look at their attacker. Mason recognizes the mechanical body of Valia and Skorr. With them is who Sakura recognizes as her adopted Grandfather. However the latter of which is different from what she remembers. His moment is almost zombie-like and his eyes are covered by a green glow. With the two are two squads of red armored troopers armed with Force pikes and blaster pistols at their sides and Commander Miller leading them.
"Ah, so it was Kohai being the one making all this fuss," Valia's mechanical voice says, not in the least bit surprised by this fact. "I was beginning to doubt this 'power in friendship' saying I've heard so much about and figured they left you here to your fate. I am happy I was wrong as I was wanting a fight." The opened door Team Rescue came into the big room shut with a lock sound right afterwards. The red troopers have also surrounded the group and a personal energy shield emits around each of them.
Skorr then says, "I hope you don't mind that I also brought a couple of friends along. Elite Imperial Guards from the best the remnants of the Sith Empire has to offer. Specially trained in anti-magus operations and equipped with armor that can take hits from weaker Servants. Also the patriarch of the Matou family, brought under our full control. It's amazing what those witches from Dathomir can do with the Dark Side. As you can see, we are fully prepared for this specific engagement. You will not prevent the ritual of which I am close to completing here tonight that will guarantee our goal is inevitable." Mason aims the blasters at the Sith Lord and fires as he runs at him. Skorr ignites one of his lightsabers and deflects the bolts back at him which knocks the blasters out of his hands. Mason then pulls the spare lightsaber off of Skorr's belt and ignites the crimson blade. The Sith locks sabers with Mason, "I see your hatred is fueling your attacks. This is good. You are on the right path of the Sith. However my time is short and I can't afford to give you the attention you seek." He pulls his saber back and then swats Mason's next attack away before catching the boy with the Force and throwing him back at the others. Skorr says to Valia after deactivating his lightsaber, "None of them makes it into the room."
"Yes Master," She bows as he goes back into the mystery room and locks the doors behind him. Valia then addresses her guest. "I hope you at least make this fun for me."
Sakura scoffs, "This is nothing. I managed to beat you last time when you had four times this number. Having special soldiers or bug freak won't change anything."
A vicious grin forms, "Is that so?" Zouken raises an arm towards Sakura and she drops to her knees holding her chest in pain.
Mason recovers from being thrown and huddles with Sakura. "What did you do to her?!"
"I am merely taking out the biggest threat." She states as she delights in Sakura's agony. "Despite her removing most of those worms, the one in her heart is the only one I need."
Mason stands and points the lightsaber at her, "Let her go!"
"Or what?" Valia tests his bluff. "You aim to kill me regardless of whichever option I choose. I may enjoy watching her being a mini me, but I will absolutely take out anything that rivals the Sith. It seems like I need to step in as a senpai and show him how low of the Sith totem poll he is. Commander, kill them all except for the white haired girls. I want at least one of the vessels in our possession since they came to us." She ignites her double bladed lightsaber and charges at Mason. They clash as red sparks fly from each of them.
Caster calls to Illya and Shirou, "Get your Servants in here!"
Illya shakes her head, "I am unable to call him even with a command seal. I think they are blocking us out mentally."
Shirou blocks a pike and kicks the guard away. "I can't get through either. You have the communicator so try that!"
"Oh right," She reaches into her pocket and fumbles to turn it on. HK's face briefly appears, but a blaster bolt hits it and sends it away.
"There will be no help for you here!" Miller says as he starts taking shots at her. Illya brings up a magic shield to block the bolts. She then pulls out a strand of hair and it morphs into a white bird familiar. It then takes flight and heads straight for the commander. He sees it and jumps out of the way of it as it hits the ground with an explosion. "I am getting too old for this shit."
Mason strikes with a fury that is almost animalistic. "I'LL KILL YOU!" Any and all practice he poured into Soresu is thrown out the window as he swings without a thought.
Valia glees at this, "Yes, give into your anger! Only your hatred can destroy me!" While she will never admit it, the mechanical suit gives her a much faster movement and reaction time than her old body could. Though the way Mason is fighting gives her little reason to have to rely on it as he is already a poor offensive fighter and even with the Dark Side fueling him, he has yet to control it and is only doing apprentice level combat.
Shirou throws the blades in the air and they curve around his opponent and catch him in the back. It only serves to dent the armor as the guard still has the pike trained on the redhead. A light emits from the tip of it and it lifts Shirou into the air. The guard then hurls him into the ceiling and lets gravity pull him back down to the ground. Shirou rolls himself up and wipes the blood from his nose. They weren't kidding about the armor. Kanshou and Bakuya are strong enough to pierce it. A plan of attack isn't offered as another guard comes in behind him and stabs him in the side. Shirou grunts in pain as the pike extends through him. The first guard then charges at the immobilized redhead. Shirou grabs the pike that is sticking out of him and pulls it through him more to bring the one behind him closer. Right before the charging guard is able to run him through, Shirou shifts his body enough to move out of the path and having the incoming pike pierce the one behind him. He then reaches forwards and grabs hold of the helmet of the guard in front of him. He imperfectly adds strengthening to the helmet which causes it to break. Bakuya forms in his hand and is dug deep into the guard's skull. Both guards fall lifeless and he finishes pulling the pike out of his side to let Avalon start healing the wound.
Caster is not having a good time. The personal shields on the guards are working as intended for her lower spells, but even in a bigger room there isn't enough space to cast more powerful spells without endangering the others. All the knowledge and wisdom from the age of gods and the best she can offer at the moment is nothing more than a distraction. How low mage craft has come. Several dragon tooth warriors are summoned in front of her to hold off the guards and she uses spells to rip pieces of the floor up and hurling it at the guards. It works to little avail as the Force pikes can also use telekinetic abilities and stop the incoming debris. She shifts ideas and casts a gravity enhancer spell right underneath a group of four. They all fall to their knees at the sudden shift in force. The skeleton familiars start attempting to kill the guards with their weapons, but are unable to penetrate their armor. However the guards also shift their strategies as they grab their blaster pistols and fire at Caster from their positions. She is forced to shift to defense and the gravity spell is released. The guards stand back up and start to rid themselves of the familiars as if they were nothing but a nat. Assassin comes from above and pounces on one of them. The dirks have no effect, so he resorts to grabbing the guard by the button of the helmet and the base of her neck and pulls. The guard yells as the Servant utilities his rank B strength to rip her head from her body and tosses it aside. He bounces back to Caster, dirk in hand. "We drew the short straw didn't we?"
She is unable to refute it, "Seeing as we were here only for a rescue mission and placed all of our heavy hitters on the other team, then yes we did."
"It seems in my inability to disagree with our Master, I threw us out of the kettle and into the fire."
"We can place blame for when we get out alive," She tells him as the other three guards make their way towards them.
Mason ducks under the opposing red saber before sending a swing of his own. It is easily blocked by her second blade coming around. Valia takes a hand off her lightsaber and throws a punch at a wound on his thigh that she has placed on him during one of his 'lessons'. He stumbles from the pain a mechanical arm can cause. "Use that pain, it will fuel your anger and it will make you stronger." Mason grits his teeth and lunges at her which she just side steps from and it causes him to fall. "However, remember to not let anger control you. You must bend it to your will and focus it! Only then will the power prove beneficial." He glares at her and stands himself up. He Force lifts a pike from behind her and hurls it at her. Valia doesn't even look behind her to effortlessly deflect it and bring her lightsaber back around in time to block his next jab. "Good, you are finally using your head. Use the unorthodox in your battles. Fight dirty, for honor has no place in a fight against your life." Mason ducks under her blade once again, but this time he headbutts her in the chin. She is caught off guard by the change of tactics and falls backwards with him following and face planting on her chest. Valia shoves him off with a bolt of Force Lightning and he is sent into the wall with blood leaking from his scalp wound. She spits out blood and wipes her mouth with a grin. "You cheeky bastard of a kohai! That was a very dirty move, but you seem to have done more damage to yourself than to me so I won't retaliate too much about it. However if you ever touch my breast again whether it be on purpose or accident, I'll remove your other testicle and shove it down your empty eye socket!" Mason falls to the ground as the lightsaber rolls away from him. He attempts to move, but falls to the ground after attempting to stand. "Aw, is the little kohai tired already? A pity, I haven't finished having fun yet."
"Then maybe you should play with me!" A Force pike flies at her with great speed and Valia manages to react in time to swat it away. A lightsaber ignites from the right side of her and she looks to see Shirou coming at her with the red blade. She raises an arm and locks sabers with the redhead.
"I must say I haven't had the pleasure of dealing with you yet. Perhaps you can serve the same role as the woman in turning your adoptive brother to the Dark Side," Valia says with excitement in her voice.
"I won't let that happen!"
"And what will you do?" The Sith probs. "You are nothing more than an inferior version of Archer!"
Shirou frees a hand off the lightsaber and points it at her. "Aero!" A wind current streams from his hands and hits Valia which tears at her chest and sends her flying backwards. "Unlike that asshole, I actually have someone from the Age of Gods to teach me mage craft!"
She sits herself up with her mechanical parts now exposed from having her armor destroyed. "So you have a few tricks up your sleeve, not bad. However, this battle is far from over."
Valia jumps at him with her double ended lightsaber twirling in the air. Shirou projects the cortosis blade in his other hand and meets both ends of her saber. He has already put the necessary reinforcements on his body to be able to keep up with her as many spars with his brother have shown him that Force users will enhance themselves in battle. Having the same amount of blades as the Sith, Shirou is able to react to her attempting to use the other end of her lightsaber for follow ups or fake outs. However the one downside of using a weapon in each hand is keeping a good grip, which Valia doesn't need to worry about as regardless of which end she uses she will always be able to maintain both hands on her lightsaber. She takes advantage of the heavier cortosis blade on Shirou's non-dominant hand and knocks it off. Shirou is caught off guard by it as she swings at his new opening. Not being able to block it with the lightsaber in time, Shirou shifts everything he has within him to reinforce his left hand. The Sith's eyes widen as a hand wraps around her crimson blade and halts her attack. Shirou grits his teeth as the blade burns his hand, but he bears with it as he swings down his own blade and cuts the blade in two. Valia tumbles backwards as she is attempting to pull the lightsaber out of his grip. The blade that Shirou was holding goes out as the tip of the lightsaber clangs to the ground.
The Sith takes a look at her half broken lightsaber, "Out of everything I expected in a world filled with magic, making skin be able to touch the blade of a lightsaber is not one of them." She then feels heat right before her throat. Valia's lips slightly turn upwards as her master gives her a message through the Force and looks at Shirou who points the saber at her. "Do you think you won? Why you poor pathetic Earthbrat, the fun hasn't even begun to start." Shirou then feels a surge of energy push him in the air.
Blaster fire lights up the interior walls of the fortress. HK chucks a thermal detonator at a group of troopers trying to open a large door. It explodes and covers that area in smoke. It was about to move on to find another meatbag to kill when it heard the sounds of machinery and heavy footsteps coming from behind the smoke. It trains its blaster towards the sound ready to kill whatever comes out. A large mechanical leg emerges and lands on the ground in such a force that it clears the smoke. The vehicle is a two legged walker supporting a large head like cockpit with heavy blaster cannons and stands over eight meters tall. It quickly runs looking for cover as the walker looks down and starts to fire on the droid. One blaster bolt lands near it and sends HK flying into the air before hitting the ground. The walker aims its cannons at the droid and prepares to fire. "Caladbolg!" A projectile flies and strikes the walker through the cockpit's window and explodes the walker. HK looks to who sent the shot and sees Archer with his bow out. It says nothing as it picks itself up and grabs its blaster to find more meatbags. "You're welcome by the way," Archer snidely comments.
HK looks at him, "Were you expecting me to worship the ground you walk all because you seemed to have prevented my termination?" Its voice changes into a high pitched girl voice. "Mockery: Oh thank you oh merciful meatbag for saving my poor damned circuits from being blasted to pieces."
He furrows his brows, "I never thought I'd find something I hate more than Shirou Emiya."
"Archer, can it!" Rin tells him before sending a Gandr spell at a trooper near them. "HK, where are Shirou and the others? Last we heard they went to try and stop the cult leaders from attempting something tonight."
HK effortlessly shoots down another trooper, "Answer: I do not completely know. The small white meatbag attempted to hail me on the communicator but the connection was lost."
"What a useless scrap of metal," Archer mutters while firing a normal arrow from his bow.
"Retort: If you wish meatbag, I have no issue killing you now and then continue on with this wonderful slaughter."
"Enough!" She scowls them. The Second Owner then scans the area and is surprised by the small number of cult members there are within the fortress. "Hey droid, didn't you say that this fortress was supposed to be crawling with soldiers?"
"Answer: That was correct. At the time of which the dark meatbag and I escaped, we could hardly move an inch without encountering them." HK takes a quick glance around the place. "My calculations would be that they were relocated before this world's government could trap them in a siege. It must mean that they have begun the operation."
Before Rin could ask any more, they all felt a wave of power come from one of the larger buildings and have a hole explode in the wall. From the wall, many figures are sent flying outwards and it is little guess to them that those figures are from the other team. Saber, Rider, and Berserker all see their respective Masters in the air and all rush to save them. They each catch the Masters mid air and land with little trouble. Assassin used his cursed arm to reach Mason and push him to Caster who made a small teleportation spell to land themselves onto the ground safely as he shifts in the air to land in a roll. Both teams quickly form a large group to prepare for what may be coming yet and to check on each other.
"Are you guys alright?" Rin asks frantically.
"Peachy," Shirou grumbles as he remains in Saber's arms. "Although I can't speak for Mason." Rin quickly finds the silver haired boy that has blood covering his face from his open scalp wound along with many others that are either uncovered from his suit or bleeding through it. Caster has already begun to heal what she can as Assassin has already come to help hold him.
"Jeez, he looks pretty fucked up." Lancer can't help but comment over her shoulder.
"Lancer?!" Saber is startled to see the Irish Servant. "Am I to assume you are here to help?"
He gives a cheeky grin, "Of course. I was told there is a battle being fought and I knew I had to get involved."
She takes him for his word and sets her Master down. However she is both relieved and confused to not see Kirei with them, "And where is your Master?"
"Huh?" The blue Servant looks around to not see him either. A quick telepathic communication tells him what he needs to know. "It seems he would rather stay out of the spotlight and preferred to enter the fort in a more 'subtle' way. I don't know what that entails, but it seems he is fine with me here."
"What's this?" A voice calls out to the entire group. This manages to get Mason to open his eyes again as it is Skorr speaking and appearing from the same building he was in a moment ago. Valia is standing with him along with Zouken, Miller, and the rest of the elite guards. "All of our biggest nuisance in one place for us to easily get rid of? Why it must be… What is that holiday you Earthlings celebrate... Ah, Christmas."
"As if he couldn't get any more of a cartoon alien calling us 'earthlings'," Shirou mutters under his breath. Mason glares at the Sith with hatred still in his system. He stands himself up, ignoring any pain he is feeling, and rips the lightsaber from Shirou's grip.
"Ah, my newest apprentice. Don't think I haven't forgotten about you in all of my excitement. In fact, I was just thinking about how much relief that guardian of yours provided the other cult members while she was here." This sends the boy over the edge as he ignites the lightsaber and charges at him once again.
"Mason, don't!" Shirou cries out to no avail. Mason is currently lost in his rage and hears no one. Skorr ignites his lightsaber and gives the boy what he wants. It is painfully obvious to everyone watching that while Mason has certainly gained more power compared to the last time they saw him, however his battle sense has gone missing as a result. The boy pushes the offensive as Skorr blocks every attempt with little effort.
"I must say apprentice, I am disappointed. The Jedi have failed you immensely when it comes to lightsaber combat. You are currently no better than a youngling!" Skorr then starts his offensive and some of Mason's Soresu reflexes kick in to defend himself. The Sith swings heavily which Mason stumbles to block. The boy then desperately attempts to duck under a swing and rise up to strike from below. He manages the first part fine, but a knee from Skorr to his face stops any hope of it working. Mason falls backwards as his arms flail for something to hold onto. Skorr takes advantage of this and Mason feels a burning sensation go right through his left shoulder and left hand. When he hits the ground, the boy realizes he can no longer feel his left arm. An arm with half a hand falls to the ground near him with some fingers and a broken lightsaber. This is when Mason realizes that it is his arm that he sees and all he has left is a cauterized numb at the shoulder. The pain receptors in Mason kick into overdrive and overrides his anger enough to make him pass out from it. "You still have much to learn, my very young apprentice."
Saber then steps out in front of the group, "You bastard! Step away from Mason and cease further injuring him."
Skorr sneers, "Why don't you come over here and make me?" Against her better judgment, The King of Knights is unable to resist this challenge as winning it could mean the end of the cult. With Excalibur still cloaked in invisible wind, Saber changes the Sith Lord and prepares to anticipate a counter attack. To the shock of her and the rest of the group, Darth Skorr makes no move to defend himself other than the grin on his face. She raises Excalibur upwards and swings it downwards, but it is stopped before it could reach its mark. The defender is not Skorr, nor is it Valia, Zouken, Miller, or the guards with them. No, this defender wields a lance with red spikes on it. The defender is also wearing black armor and is on top of a skeletal horse. This knight then pushes against Saber and flings her back towards the group.
Shirou helps up a shocked Saber after she lands near them and notices Archer is carrying a worried expression. The redhead then looks at the black rider and traces the lance. Rhongomyniad, a Holy Lance Divine Construct armament that is wielded by Artoria Pendragon, the 'King of Storms'. To say he is in shock and in disbelief is an understatement.
Serenity notices the shocked faces and asks the question that is on the other's mind, "What is it? Who is that?"
Saber then gulps and stands properly, "That is me." The helmet on the knight across from them disappears to reveal an older version of Saber, but with paler skin and hair.
"Um, excuse me but what the fuck?!" Lancer exclaims.
A sudden source of power appears above them with a voice similar to his. "Do not worry about wrapping your mind around it, you'll be dead before you get the chance!" Lancer looks up and brings his spear to meet the similar spear about to impale him. It is blocked before it could meet its mark and the blue Servant redirects the attacker away from him. The attacker lands and jumps to the cult with his back turned from them. The man's black and red armor only covers his lower half and only has a hood over his head and shoulders. Lancer sees that the spear this man is holding is almost the exact same as his except the other spear has a mix of black in it and has an ominous aura overflowing from it. He then reveals his face to be Lancer's but his skin is tanned and has a huge red chest tattoo. What most noticeably separates him from Lancer, is the spiked tail he has.
"Oh for fucks sake," Lancer cries out. "There's an evil me?!"
The Sith Lord is loving the reactions, "Evil is a point of view. When my apprentice brought the broken Grail piece to me, it opened up new possibilities for us to influence." Another figure bearing a resemblance to Archer steps out with large makeshift pistols that have the blades of Kanshou and Bakuya attached to the under barrels in each hand. His skin is incredibly darker than even Archer's tanned skin. He wears similar pants, but has no top and has gold markings all over his back. He also has a white buzz cut. "Which includes summoning alternate versions of some of you." The building where the cult came out bursts open from the roof by a large figure. This figure bears an older face of Rider. The body is over ten meters tall and has a snake tail over thirty meters long which she can use to raise her body up higher. She also has snake scales all throughout her body with only her stomach, chest, and head being skin and human. The hands and feet both have claws and talons. She also has dark feathered wings from her back. Lastly, she more accurately portrays the legend of Medusa as her hair comes together to form snake-like heads.
Caster is awed by horror with the last newcomer, "The greater Gorgon…" The power radiating from Gorgon fills the area almost to the point of gagging. Berserker is even hesitant to face the foe immediately.
"As the saying goes, you are your own worst enemy. What will you do now?" Skorr asks as he places a foot on Mason's body with his arms spread.
Unbenounced to everyone, a new figure moves from the shadows behind the cult and pins Zouken to the ground. "I will kill. I will let live. I will harm and heal. None will escape me. None will escape my sight. Be crushed. I welcome those who have grown old and those who have lost. Devote yourself to me, learn from me, and obey me. Rest. Do not forget song, do not forget prayer, and do not forget me." A column of holy light surrounds the pinned Zouken as Kirei continues the chant. "I am light and relieve you of all your burdens. Do not pretend. Retribution for forgiveness, betrayal for trust, despair for hope, darkness for light, dark death for the living." Zouken's body starts to disintegrate as the spell goes on and Rider notices Sakura being rid of the pain in her chest. "Relief is in my hands. I will add oil to your sins and leave a mark. Eternal life is given through death." Miller attempts to stop the spell, but Kirei calls forth three black keys and pins the cult commander to the wall. Zouken's head is now all that is left as the priest holds it up. "Ask for forgiveness here. I, the incarnation, will swear. Kyrie Eleison!" The last specks of Zouken turn to ash and fly into the air.
Valia ignites her lightsaber and moves to kill the priest. Kirei sidesteps the attack and produces another batch of black keys between his fingers and impales them through her cybernetic body. The keys strike the vital joints of her legs and she falls limpless onto the ground. She attempts to sweep his legs with her lightsaber however he throws another set of keys which two pins her arm to the ground and the third finishes destroying the broken lightsaber. Skorr then has had enough of Kirei and Force chokes him in the air then throws him into the broken building. With outstretched arms, Skorr wills what is left of the building to come crashing down on top of the priest.
During this, Sakura has been regaining herself after being released from the hold. "That's it, I am tired of his shit!" To the horror of everyone around her, she impales her hand right into her heart. Sakura grabs hold of the worm inside her and rips it out of her with pieces of her heart still wrapped around it. "Goodbye 'Grandfather'!" She crushes her hand and squashes the anchor like a bug. The blood from her wound gushes out, but she pays little mind to it. A tendril leaps from her shadow and drags the body of a dead trooper back into her shadow. A sounding crunch is heard and the wound then begins to heal itself. Sakura then looks up to see the faces of everyone around her. "What? Shirou can heal himself you don't bat an eye but when I do it you look down on it? What have I missed…" She trails off seeing the form of Mason near the distracted cult members. The ends of her black and red dress begin to wiggle rapidly and a dark aura forms around her. "What have they done to my Mason?!" Sakura then begins making her way towards him with a mixture of anger and worry. The guards attempt to halt her action, but they only serve to be pulled apart by her tendrils. Archer Alter aims his guns at her and fires a shot from each. They both strike her hard with one of them taking off her arm. Sakura stops momentarily as the arm flies through the air until it hits the ground. Once it lands, a black shadow forms underneath it and swallows it. Sakura then appears as distortion for a brief second only for the arm to have been reattached as if nothing happened. Then a red and black cocoon comes from the ground next to her and bursts open. Within is Lancelot who has suffered the same fate as Iskandar and Giles before him. Arondight forms in his hands as he doesn't need a verbal command to charge at the gunner. She reaches Mason and cradles him in her arms.
After Skorr has dealt with Kirei, he turns to see his prize being taken away. He orders the other two alters next to him to stop her. The red and black dress she is wearing slides off her and it reverts her to her usual state. The dress then forms into the Shadow and attacks the two alters, preventing them from getting to Sakura. A tendril wraps around Artoria Alter's arm, but she is unaffected by any curse it could place on her. "You cannot defile that of which has already been distorted!" Instead, she grabs the tendril and tears it apart. The Shadow then attempts the same for Cu Alter, but ends with the same result. This angers it and it shifts from trying to corrupt and control into killing outright as many tendrils now come from it.
When the group thought the situation couldn't get any worse, they heard a massive roaring sound coming from above. Skorr smirks as a triangle shaped starcruiser flies overhead and comes to a stop above the city. "Let this be the day that the Cult of Nihilus reveals itself to the world! Witness as we bring your city falls!" Below the S-class cruiser, a great number of fighters and transport ships exit the hangers and descend into the city. The fighters quickly start sweeping the city in turbo-lasers, softening it up for the transports to unload troops, walkers, and armored hovercrafts.
Rider quickly swoops in behind Sakura in her pegasus and pulls the two onto it before flying to the group. "I believe it is time to take our leave." Caster doesn't argue as she quickly casts a teleportation spell around the group before the cult are able to pull anything else out of their hats.
Both Lancelot and the Shadow are both recalled once Sakura is far enough away. Skorr deactivates his lightsaber and assesses the damage. He hears a loud click of a tongue as Gorgon grumbles. "They escaped Master."
"It is of little concern." The Sith Lord waves off. "With you all summoned, we can finally start the resurrection with your powers as our guards."
Archer Alter arches a brow, "How so? You need a Grail Vessel and you just let two of them escape. Not to mention the Grail also needs to be filled and not one of those Servants have died."
"Normally that is the case," Skorr confers. "However the Grail doesn't necessarily need to be filled by the initial seven Servants. The formerly living bug corpse had been gracious enough to inform us of the many backdoor dealings when it comes to the Grail. All it needs is magical energy and luckily for us every human in this world is able to provide it. I'm told that magus can also get extra mana from normal humans either by blood or by sexual methods. It's the former that we are interested in though admittedly it takes more. However if any of you happen to see any of those Servants then feel free to try and kill them. Whether they die or you die, it will still fill the Grail regardless. As for a vessel, we already have a couple plans in motion to fix that issue."
The group all appear in a street after the teleportation and what they see is something that gives everyone who were present during the aftermath of the last war flashbacks. Fire and smoke is everywhere as the cult invades the city. Gun fire and blaster fire is heard all around. The sounds of screaming being swiftly cut off is also a recurring thing. A squad of fighters fly overhead and rain down fire onto a distant skyscraper which topples over. Fuyuki City has now become Area Zero of the Cult of Nihilus invasion. The street they are on is also the street of which the currently burning Emiya house resides with the clashing of metal can be heard before the figures of two maids are thrown out the window. "Leysritt, Sella!" Illya cries out as she rushes to them.
"Nee-san, wait!" Shirou calls out as he runs after her. He is able to tackle her down which he unknowingly is able to save both their lives as a stream of bullets from inside the house fly just inches above them. Wait, that gunfire sounded like Dad's Calico. But wasn't that destroyed a few days ago? Shirou isn't left with any time to place more thought on it as an eagle made of white wires swoops at them. Illya is old enough to recognize the magic of someone she knew that died ten years ago when she was only eight. It grabs Illya by the arm and attempts to fly away with her. Shirou reaches up to grab her, but the same sound of gunfire echoes behind him as he feels a couple bullets hit him. Saber quickly rushes to him as Rin fires a couple of her gems towards the shooter, but they all get destroyed midair by similar magic. Berserker however isn't going to allow someone to take off with his Master and leaps into the air with his sword-axe to destroy the eagle familiar. HK has had it with no being able to see the cowardly meatbags and throws a handful of thermal imploders inside the house. Three figures escape from the house before the imploders go off and blow the entire front of the house into a ball of fire. Shirou, Illya, Rin, Sakura, Saber, Archer, (and Mason if he was conscious) each recognizes at least one of their attackers.
Sakura fumes with anger as she glares daggers into one of them, "Father…"
Tokiomi Tohsaka, the father of Rin and Sakura, begrudgingly looks at the latter. The other two with him are Kiritsugu Emiya and Irisviel von Einzbern, the biological parents of Illya with the former being the adopted parent of Shirou and Mason. "Who are you calling father? Last time I checked, you were a Matou. Sakura Tohsaka doesn't exist and if she did, she would have black hair and blue eyes which are Tohsaka traits. You on the other hand have purple hair and purple eyes which are a Matou trait. You are no daughter of mine."
Rin furrows her brows, "What are you talking about?! You sell her off and deny any indication that she is your daughter?!"
He gives her a disappointed look, "I would have thought I taught you better about the life of a magus. We only pass down our teachings and magical crests to the eldest. Any other children afterwards are backups and extras, they only serve to be either sold off to other families or used as parts for the eldest. She is not your sister! Not after I received my payment from Zouken."
Irisviel gives the man a disgusted look, "You sold your daughter like livestock to a family like Matou? Have you no love for your family?"
"I do have love for my family," He tells her. "I love my daughter and wife very much. However we are a magus family and as such love takes a backseat for it." A finger points to Sakura. "I may have produced her, but any love I had for her I had to throw away when Zouken approached me with his deal."
A dark and foul aura surrounds the place and trails to Sakura as darkness takes over her. Tokiomi is surprised by the new power as Irisviel is shocked by how connected to the Grail the girl is. "Backup, extra, parts, livestock. I knew you were low, but you managed to dig yourself even lower. Tell me Tokiomi, did you sell me off knowing what is to happen to me? Were you unaware of how the Matou family passed down their 'crest'? Did you sell me with the knowledge of how I would be thrown into a pit of crest worm only to be violated, raped, and totured? Did it humor you to know how it would feel to lose my virginity to multiple crest worms violently crawling up my vagina, ass, and down my throat at the same time? Did you imagine the pain I would feel having my entire body reshaped from the inside out and having my genetics rewritten? How I would have screamed for a week before accepting my fate of constantly being raped for ten years by the worms and the 'family' you sold me to?"
The former Tohsaka head gulps from everyone staring at him for an answer. "Maybe not to that much detail, but from what Aoi had told me about Kariya-" He raised his staff for a shield as a tendril stabbed at him and a gemstone shot at him. By now, everyone present looks at the man in disgust.
Instead of feeling shameful as everyone thought he would be, Tokiomi is instead angry. "You cannot judge me for what any true magus would do!"
"Except you aren't a magus," Caster yells at him. "I thought the Gods were cruel, but you intentionally condemning Sakura to that fate makes them seem more favorable. At least I would know what I would get from working with Zeus, that sex deviant bastard. As the Witch of Colchis, I denounce you any title of magus, magi, or even spellcaster! You are nothing more than a man with magic tricks."
During all of this, the Magus Killer has been working his way around in the shadows towards Illya. However it is Archer the one who stops him by landing an arrow at his feet. "You may make no attempt to take her while I am here."
He clicks his tongue as he jumps back to the other two he is with. "Figures it wouldn't be that easy with so many Servants."
Irisviel gives a disapproving look, "At least pretend to be a caring father when going after our daughter."
"I know however, the matter of which we have returned doesn't yield such an opportunity." Kiritsugu agrees before then talking to his enemies. "As you may have figured out, we are not here for a touching family reunion. Like Servants, we are merely familiars with the mind, body, and skills of the real us. We are not revived as you would be able to dig up our graves and see our real bodies still inside. For the sake of your lives, come at us with the intent to kill as we are forced to do the same. I shouldn't have to mention who commands us."
Irisviel then notices his Thompson Contender on the hip of Mason. "Darling, who is the boy that has your gun?"
He looks to where she is talking about and sees the state of his adopted son. "Mason! What happened to him?"
"He was captured and tortured by the cult Dad." Shirou answers as Saber has elected to carry him again for his injuries.
"Dad?" Irisviel questions.
Kiritsugu rubs his eyes with his fingers, "They are who I adopted after the war."
She beams in excitement, "We have sons?! Oh, if our circumstances were different I'd hug and kiss you both right now to welcome you in the family. I know it must have been hard growing up as an Emiya, but at least you have your big sister Illya with you."
"As heartwarming as this is," Tokiomi cuts in rudely. "This doesn't change our standings and as we lost the element of surprise, we are no longer in a favorable position to continue capturing the Grail vessel. Even if we all have gotten increased strength and power as familiars, we cannot best eight Servants. We're retreating."
"You think you can just leave that easily?!" A shadow familiar rises next to Sakura and lifts its hand up ready to pound the ground he stands on.
"Mama!" Illya calls out from her Servant's shoulder as her mother gives a sad smile before the three disappear right before the familiar creates a new crater.
"Tsk," Sakura snaps angrily as the man who sent her to her misery vanishes.
"Come on," Rin tells the group. "A lot has happened tonight and standing in the streets of a warzone is a bad idea. We can use my house as it is the only place we have that hasn't been destroyed by the cult yet. And someone please check if the maids are still alive as well. We need everyone we can get."
Author's Note: So... I'm fairly sure that a lot of you may not approve of the fate of Taiga. Killing off characters that are loved by the fans of said fandom is one thing, but I went and did it in the worse way possible. Some of you may even stop reading because of it, and I won't blame you if that is the case for you. Could I have went a different way to make Mason give into his anger, perhaps. However I did say in the story summary that this HGW is in store for a darker side of the Force, which in this case is more ways than one. Moving on from questionable choices are the other three big things in this chapter. One of them is the invasion. This will of course shake up the worlds of both magical and non-magical people as there is no way to cover this up. Though I will say that just because the cult brought themselves into the open doesn't mean that the Moonlight world has as well. To the eyes of normal people, this is just an alien invasion. Now for the second, the Alters. As you know I haven't shied away from having other Servants being summoned and no, there are no other hidden Servant other than the one from the previous chapter. For why I only had an alter for Artoria, Archer, Cu, and Medusa is because the other Servants don't really have any alters; well other than Berserker and Caster. As of the time of writing this (December 28th, 2022), Fate/Strange Fake is currently still ongoing so what all Alcides (Hercules Alter) can fully do or all his Noble Phantasms is unknown to me. Also there is the fact that Alcides is insanely overpowered and could probably solo the Servants of FSN by himself. On the other hand there is Medea Lily, which as stated is Medea but younger. FGO star ranking aside, Lily wouldn't pose much of a threat to Medea as the other Alters and Gorgon. Lastly, the parents. When deciding who would provide the Masters with a challenging fight, who better than their predecessors? Now I considered using FGO Kiritsugu and Irisviel Servants for this, but since we currently don't have a Tokiomi Servant I went another way. Okay this note is getting way too long, so let's wrap this up.
Keybladelight: Seems we actually had the some of the same ideas for Mason as I said I had already written this chapter beforehand. I also had Shirou use it as well remembering a suggestion you had a few chapters ago. For Serenity, she will have something done for her other than me wanting to add her for a pretty face. (Obviously her being here isn't because she's my chocolate waifu and I have her grailed to 100 on FGO. Why DW hasn't there been a summer version for her yet?!) But joking aside, Serenity will be helpful for the fight against the cult. As for the rest... Well giving an answer would only spoil what will happen. (As if I am good at that as I'm sure a few things have already been spoiled in my author's note.)
Fudo Ayakashi: Um, I'm not sure how to respond to that, so I'll just say thanks for checking out this story.
Well that is it for me. I hoped you guys had a Merry Christmas and to have a happy new year! As always, thank you for reading and I'll talk at y'all next year! (lol)