AN: Please enjoy the chapter,

Ch 14 Back into Action

"I see…so that's what's going on here." Moriarty held his chin, hearing what his master and the others have to say. "To say the least, I'm impressed that you made it so long without dematerializing, your Highness."

Charlie gave a light chuckle, "Hey, at least I'm hanging in there." He smiles, "Thanks to Charles's body, I'm still able to stay in this World." He stated, thanking his master's Grandfather for letting him use his body as his host.

"Umu, though Charlie isn't any help with combat. He can at least help with formulating strategies." Nero looks over to Moriarty, encountering his other self within Chaldea before. "Knowing you, Ruler. I'd say we have a better chance than before."

Xu Fu was at the corner, feeling left out of the conversation. "Um…(They really are giving praises to a Crime Lord…)" The Alchemist stated, feeling nervousness all of a sudden.

"Alter Ego, are you alright?" Ritsuka asked, seeing her uncomfortableness from where he was sitting.

The Alter Ego jumps, looking at her master. "Y-Yes, I'm perfectly fine, master!" Xu Fu stated before turning her head to the former Servant. "Though to say the least, I'm surprised the Eternal Empire would leave a Chaldean Servant still alive despite them killing almost every Servant in their yard."

Many of the Servants gathered have noticed that they all laid eyes on Charlie who felt like there was a spotlight hovering above him. "H-He now, what's with those stares?" Charlie asked.

"It's nothing, just curious why the Empire would leave you alive." Archer of Kosla stated, trying to figure out their plan. "From what you all have told us, and what we have witnessed here…the Eternal Empire should just kill you on the spot, but they haven't…"

Moriarty was curious as well, "There might be a relation between our dear Charlie and the Empire's Emperor…" He closes his eyes, thinking of all the possibilities.

"Well, I did sense something familiar about the Emperor when he first appeared…" The former King of the Franks stated,

Ritsuka nodded, remembering what he had just said before. "Yeah, but I believe thinking right now it's best to have this topic at the back of our minds." He informed the others, knowing that their time was limited.

"Indeed, right now we have pressing matters to attend to." Archer of Kosla stated, understanding why his master moved on.

"The matter of the missing Heroes from the Present right?" Sita asked, seeing that was the main topic of their mission.

Nero looks at everyone in the theater, "By now, I can only assume that our allies who split with them got to a safe hiding spot." The Emperor of Roses stated, "We know that the other Servants are with Foreigner."

"Yes, I believe leaving those with the allies you made here is for later." Moriarty stated, "We can worry about them when we find those people." The Crime Lord added, wanting to focus on the young Heroes.

Ritsuka sighs, knowing the streets are being surveyed closely for any signs of them. "The only option we have is to distract the Servants while the others go and find the others." The master folded his hands, not liking the idea. Especially when the Servants of the Eternal Empire are infused with Theos Klironomia.

"I'm afraid that's what we have to do," Charlie got up from the chair, stretching a bit. "Even if we haven't found them yet, we can make do by gathering much intel about the City." The former Saber explains, not wanting to leave empty-handed.

Pretty much every Servant agreed with the plan, however, Ritsuka was still unsure. But this was the only move they can make.

"If all said is and done, I believe we should take our leave right away." Archer of Kosla stood up, ready prepped for the new mission.

"Hold on a moment, Archer." Sita held out her hand to her ally. "We still need to figure out on who's on the distraction and who's going on the search."

Nero held her hand on her chest, volunteering to be the first. "I shall be the one leading the distraction. Preator, Charlie, you're the vulnerable ones here, so you two should stick together." The Emperor of Roses stated, "Moriarty, I'm sure you want to be the one doing the distraction."

The young Crime Lord gave a smirk at the Emperor,

"But I can't just-"

Xu Fu nodded, "I-I can stay with master and Charlie, ensuring they're close." The Alter Ego looks around for anyone to join, more on the fighting aspect.

Sita stands up, volunteering to protect Xu Fu and their master. "I will go, I may not be the best in terms of combat, but I can hold off the enemy in the meantime." The Archer stated, seeing there were no objections except for the unsure expression on the Archer of Kosla's face,

"Then let's head out, I recommend discretion as we step out." Charlie got up as did everyone, ready to depart for their mission.

Somewhere else in the Cybernetic City, a certain blue-haired Hero finished with her breakfast reserve provided by Chaldea. "Tikki, I know it's not anything sweet but…" Marinette handed a piece of rations.

"It's fine, Marinette." Tikki bites down on the ration, and though not as delicious as a cookie, it's still good.

Marinette looks at Lancelot, looking out the window for the perfect moment to head out.

"Berserker," Lancelot turned to Marinette approaching him. "Are the streets safe for us to head out?" Marinette asked the Mad Dog of the Roundtable.

Lancelot nodded, pointing to the leaving patrols and Moby Dicks outside.

Tikki floated near the window, seeing what the Servant from Chaldea saw. "Seems like something else has caught their attention-"

Suddenly a loud explosion echoed throughout the City. From the starry skies, a Moby Dick was falling towards the ground as a figure leaps from it to the next.

Nero leaps on the top of the building after destroying the Moby Dick. "Umu, seems like our plan is working," The Emperor rushed forward with her flaming Sword in hand. "HA!"

The Emperor of Roses leaps off the building and slashed down at another Moby Dick in the center of its head. "How's it going, Archer?" She looks at the side where the red-haired Archer stood.

"Surprisingly, well." Archer of Kosla turned his head and saw Crixes and Enemy Programs heading towards them. "Crixes at three-o-clock." He pulled back his bow, materializing some arrows then released them at the swarm.

The arrows reached for the Crixes and burst into flames. "Ruler, it's up to you," Archer shouted.

Moriarty walks forward with a calm demeanor over to the incoming Enemy Programs. "Well, that's some impressive automatons," The young Crime Lord commented, he twirls his staff and proceeds with his attack. "As much I want to study your components, I have an obligation to withhold."

The Ruler swung his Staff at the platoon, and a wave of light rushed towards them. The wave was able to destroy the frontal section of the platoon.

"Sei," Moriarty rushed forward, slashing through the enemies with ease.

With the other team, three arrows were shot at three Vipers.

Sita sighs, seeing that was all the enemies currently at their location. "Master we've taken care of the enemies in the area." The Queen of Kosla informed her master.

Ritsuka approaches the Archer with Xu Fu and Charlie right behind him. "Thank you, Archer." He looks over to the Servant and Grandfather behind him. "Alter Ego, it's your turn."

"R-Right," Xu Fu steps forward to the wall, placing her hands on the wall. Using Sage Arts, the Alchemist placed a special beacon for any Servants of Chaldea around.

Xu Fu steps back, smiling at her finished work. "Okay, we're done here." She stated.

"Uh…what exactly did you do, Alter Ego?" Charlie asked, curious about what the Alchemist did to the wall.

The Alter Ego turned to the former Servant, answering his question. "I-I have placed a beacon that only Chaldean Servants can detect." Xu Fu explains to the King of Franks. "When we return to base, I can place another beacon so they can trace it back to us."

Charlie was impressed, "That's an interesting plan. But how do we know that the Empire won't find it?"

"We don't. It's a risky plan, but I tried my best to cover our tracks." Xu Fu explains the best plan they have. "Our only option is to wait and see."

"Thank you for doing your best, Alter Ego." Ritsuka smiles at his former teammate in Traum.

Xu Fu blushed, turning her head away from her master. "O-Of course, I-I'm just doing my part as a Servant of Humanity." The Alchemist cleared her throat,

Soon a large explosion appeared on the other side, indicating that their time was up. "That's the signal, we better head back." Sita saw the explosions behind the buildings.

"Right, everyone move out!"

The group rushed back to the sewers, planning to meet up with the distraction team.

With the other team, they caused a big mess in the streets. There are many pieces of the army scattered everywhere, large amounts from the Moby Dicks crashed into the deserted buildings and flames from Nero's attacks.

Moriarty stood before the scattered mechanical bodies of the Attack Programs. "What a shame, I would love to study how these mechanical soldiers." He sighs, hearing the clicks of Nero's golden heels coming over to them.

"Ruler, times up. We need to leave," Nero informed the Crime Lord.

"Of course, your Excellency. Now, where is our Archer friend?" Moriarty asked as the red-haired Archer leaps from down from the top of the buildings.

The two looked at the Archer, showing a hint of panic. "We need to leave, immediately." He stated.

Nero looked confused with the panicked Servant. "What's with you? You were all calm before when we were doing our part of the mission." The Red Saber asked.

"It's an Inquisitor of the Empire," Archer of Kosla informed the two. "We're not ready to face one of the Empire's Servants."

Moriarty and Nero looked at the path leading to the Imperial Palace. There was a black figure leaping on the roofs and a few green versions of the Cluster Horns and Enemy Programs heading for them. "Alright, let's go."

The Servants quickly retreated to one of the escape routes located in the area. They entered the sewers once more, evading the Servant coming.

The Inquisitor arrived at the wreaked area, a black-haired Servant wearing a black trench and red eyes walked forward.

"Berserker of the Eternal Empire, this is where the disturbance was reported." The Enemy Program reported to the Inquisitor.

Akutagawa looks around the area, assessing the damage from the Chaldeans. "Curious, this attack is unlike the Chaldeans from the data." The Berserker stated,

He turned to the troops behind him, surveying the area for any signs of where the Chaldeans are. "Search the areas well, we must find the Chaldeans in the name of the Empire."

Akutagawa's trench coat begins to morph into canine-like heads and began to sniff the area for any Chaldeans.

After searching for at least forty-five minutes the trail went dark. The Berserker of the Eternal Empire looked at the platoon he was leading. "Have anyone found them yet?" Akutagawa asked.

An Enemy Program approached the Berserker, reporting their progress. "No sir, we did not find anything yet. We're still searching," He reported.

"Then interview the citizens of this area, I know there's a few living here," Akutagawa ordered the Enemy Program on what to do next. "It doesn't matter how you all do it, just find any whereabouts on the Chaldeans. I'll be doing my own investigations."

"Sir!"

Akutagawa turned around and headed off to a different location where the enemy could be hiding.

Back within the abandoned theater, Ritsuka's group and the others regrouped. He sat in the chairs, hearing the reports from both sides,

"So Berserker of the Eternal Empire or Ryunosuke Akutagawa is on the hunt for us then." Ritsuka nodded, having a feeling this might happen.

Moriarty chuckles, placing his hand over his chain. "Impressive, master. You have already identified one out of four Inquisitors of the Eternal Empire," The young Crime Lord commented.

Charlie looks over to the Ruler Servant, "It's the help of our ally, Osamu Dazai. Not only that, but we have uncovered another Servant's True Name in the Empire's ranks." The former Servant informed him.

"Umu, Elizabeth Bathory or Elizabeth Bathory Void," Nero informed the group of the Berserker of the Void's identity. "Having been around Liz for so long, you can tell it's when there's a different variant of her laying around."

"If I remember correctly, Elizabeth Bathory was the one with the red hair in Alcatraz Prison, right?" Sita asked, remembering the time when she was imprisoned there by the Celts.

Ritsuka nodded, confirming what the Archer said. "Yes, but back to the topic at hand." He turns to the Alter Ego who was sitting idly by. "Xu Fu, are you ready to set up the beacon?" He asked the Alchemist.

Xu Fu flinched, nodding to her master's request. "Y-Yes, I'm ready master."

Archer of Kosla stood up along with Nero and Moriarty. "Then we'll be waiting in case any enemies were to detect Alter Ego's Sage Craft." The red-haired Archer stated,

"Yes, please do be careful. This is the only base we got in the entire Empire you know." Moriarty jokes with the Servants around them.

Nero chuckles, materializing her Sword. "Try not to joke too much, Moriarty. We're still not in the clear yet," She commented on his joke.

"Please don't. I still not have recovered from all that running before." Charlie added,

Ritsuka chuckles, happy to have a light mood despite everything.

Ritsuka and Sita follow Xu Fu at the backstage wall, watching her carefully as she placed a Taoist Seal on the wall. A couple of seconds later a red Taoist symbol appeared where the seal was.

The Alter Ego steps back, finishing her work. "O-Okay, now any Chaldean Servants can find us easily." Xu Fu stated, turning around for the approval of her master.

"Great work, Xu Fu; let's hope Adrien and Marinette along with the Servants accompany them to detect the beacon." The director of Chaldea smiles,

"Let's just hope that the other way around isn't the case," Sita stated, hoping this plan works in their favor.

Back in the streets, Ladybug and Lancelot snuck around the alleyways. "(This is where the explosion happened.)" The bluenette Hero said to the Berserker.

Lancelot grunted, agreeing with the Hero of Creation. He peeks from behind the building and surveys the area,

"(Do you see anything out there?)" Ladybug looks at the Knight of the Lake.

The Berserker points to the streets, Attack Programs, and other Empire machinery searching the area.

Ladybug poked her head out, slightly below Lancelot's, and saw what he saw. Attack Programs were interrogating the Parisians roughly, those who didn't comply got eliminated easily.

One instance is that a man refused to cooperate with the Programs. As such, they deemed him unnecessary to their investigation,

They pushed him to the ground; their arms became blades and approached him. The man panicked, seeing their weapons, and backed away promptly. "N-No, stop, I didn't mean it!" He tried to reason with the machines, "I-I have a family to look after, please forgive me."

"Uncooperative Citizens are unwanted in the Eternal Empire. Due punishment must be brought," Raising it's hands, the Enemy Program slashed the Parisian on the chest.

Ladybug tried to help the man but was held back by Lancelot. "(W-What are you doing? We must help those people!)" She hissed at the Knight of the Lake.

"Aaaarrrrttthhhuuurrr…)" Lancelot growled softly, not wanting the young Hero to do something foolish.

The bluenette Hero paused, understanding his actions. She looks back at the streets as more Attack Programs kill more people. "Tch," She looked away, feeling guilty for leaving them in that state.

Both Lancelot and Ladybug move further into the alley, avoiding being sighted by the Attack Programs.

Lancelot approaches the Hero of Creation, seeing her holding herself. He gave a low growl, unsure what she was feeling.

"I-I'm fine, just…I'm just feeling guilty that we can't save those people." Ladybug sighs heavily, holding herself at the guilt eating away at her.

The Berserker approaches the Hero, trying to comfort her until he felt something. A familiar feeling that he'd recognize

Ladybug turns to Lancelot, sensing that he walked past her. "Berserker?" She watches him approach a strange marking on the wall,

Lancelot held his hand to the wall, feeling the Mana of his master here. "Berserker, what is it?" Ladybug asked the Hero of Proper Human History.

"Mmmaaasssttteeerrr…." Lancelot lowly growls, sensing his master's presence.

"Master? You mean you know that Ritsuka was here?" Ladybug asked the Berserker before her.

Lancelot nodded, motioning his head to the east. "Over there?" Ladybug looks at where the Knight was motioning to.

If the Eternal Empire's City layout is of Paris, then in that direction is… "The theater!" Ladybug pieced the layout of Paris in her mind, "That means Ritsuka is hiding out at the theater,"

The Berserker nodded, confirming what Ladybug suspects.

"Alright, let's head to the movie theater and meet up with Ritsuka." Ladybug stated as the two heads off in the direction of the movie theater.

Eternal Palace

Footsteps echoed in the grand Palace of the Eternal Empire. A blonde boy dressed respectfully gazed at the starry night sky outside. On his left hand were Command Seals, three arrows being held together by crescent moons pointing upwards and one at the bottom.

He smiles softly, sensing a familiar presence in the halls with him. "I know you are here, Foreigner, you can come out." The boy turned to face one of the four Servants of the True master of the Anomalies.

Foreigner of London materialized from his Spirit form, now standing behind his true master. "Greetings, master. I hope today is good to you." The blonde Servant gave a bow to him.

Felix de Graham Vanily turned to face his Servant, "It is, my day is going well. I got the bloodstains off my favorite vest and jacket." He stated, placing his arms behind him.

"Even if the Chaldeans and the Modern Heroes escape? You're still happy?" The blonde Servant asked his master, curious of his mindset.

Felix gave a light chuckle before answering his Servant. "Even if the Chaldeans managed to escape, they're still no match for our army." The blonde stated, "No matter what, they're no match for Servants infused with a God's essence." He smirks evilly.

"Speaking of the Chaldeans," Felix turned to the blonde Servant next to him. "How're the ones we've captured? Are they holding up well?"

Foreigner smiles, "Considering there are no attempts to rescue them, I'd say they're doing well." The Servant combined with an Outer God commented on their confinement.

The blonde master chuckles, crossing his arms. "The master of Chaldea and the Heroes of Paris will eventually get their chance to rescue their allies." Felix commented, "They are Heroes after all; that's their biggest flaw they have. I'll have Machiavelli and D'Artagnan take point in the prison where the Chaldean Servants are held,"

Felix walks forward, staring down at the Digitalize City that he controls. "Once the Chaldean master and the Heroes eventually save their allies, those two will hold them there once an Inquisitor arrives."

"I have forgotten how conniving I was; I like it." Foreigner chuckles, seeing that his master still retains the virtue of a villain. "I'm glad that we met before the whole plan…my other self. I shall take my leave,"

"Do what you do best, Foreigner. I know you'll be working behind the scenes," Felix bid his other self adieu, returning his attention back to the City. "After all, all of this is for getting back at the person we hate the most."

AN: How do you like it? Please leave a comment or review.