I do not own Fate/Apocrypha nor any other Servants depicted here.

At The Gate

"Leave."

Sagara hurried away after quickly checking out of the inn. That was clearly a warning from Assassin, so he complied. Getting in the car, he ordered the homunculus driver out of the city. As they sped down the streets, his Servant reappeared in the seat next to him.

"Traps laid in the church./ She was able to escape./ She already left."

"Left the city?" he queried. Getting a nod, he mused, "She must have sensed something outside. Is there any way we could find her?"

Without a word, the Servant of Murder thumbed outside his window. Leaning over to get a glimpse, his mouth dropped. A freaking floating city was rising and flying in the sky.

"How the... that has to be Caster of Red's... it has to be," he muttered as he returned to his seat, now worried, "Fuck, and I refused to take a phone too. Shit. I can't even warn them now."

"Ruler."

He blinked and reached over again. At the parts where the treeline thinned, he could see a cloud of dust racing just behind the flying fortress.

"Doesn't matter. She's neutral, even if we're chasing the same thing," he replied. He then turned over to the driver and yelled, "Step on it!"

He was not prepared to be thrown back into the seats as the car engine roared to a higher gear. The car raced down the road in a great effort to reach the castle before their enemies could. A race against time.

Archer's lenses glinted in the moonlight. "They have seeded the place with teeth," he said aloud, his wheelchair-bound Master beside him, "They seem to be growing into skeletons and are marching towards us."

"Seems like that," said Darnic as he jumped down from the roof, surprising the young Master.

"Uncle Darnic!" she exclaimed softly.

"Go inside, Fiore. We must leave everything to our Servants now," he advised her.

"Good words, Darnic," stated Lancer as he appeared next to them, clad in gold plated armor and black leather, "Such a thing has never been truer." Caster appeared behind them in a similar fashion while Berserker simply walked out on the balcony, Caules following behind him.

"Archer, their numbers," the Servant of the Spear requested.

"A few thousand in number, approximately," Archer reported calmly.

"I shall take my leave now. Please battle to your heart's content, my liege," said Darnic before retreating inside.

"Caster, is there enough to handle them?" Lancer asked after nodding to his Master.

The Servant in question could only chuckle and reply, "Well, let us see then, hmm?" He took a step to the front and waved at glowing green hand across his point of view, "My summons shall disrupt theirs for a time being. But they won't be able to do much when the Servants appear."

"Very well," the former replied as he mused a little before issuing his orders, "Archer, keep watch over us. Watch for enemy Servants and take them out if possible. Berserker. Take care of the homunculi squads afforded to us. Do not waste them. Where are Rider and Saber?"

"I'm surprised you didn't have me take half of Berserker's little army," quipped as the Servant of the Sword appeared.

"From the way you acted, I presumed you prefer being a lone wolf. It wouldn't do well to burden you with leadership whereas Berserker seems to have some sense of it," the lead Servant of Black reasoned.

"And what of me, my liege?" asked Rider as she appeared in the same manner.

"Hmm, I never did ask what sort of mount..."

"Wyvern. I am a wyvern knight."

"Wyvern, as in dragon?" he queried, a little surprised.

"In a sense."

"Very well, keep an eye on us from up above. There may very well be flying enemies we do not know about. Other than that, the same as Archer," he ordered.

"In that case, by your leave," she wished him as she jumped on the parapet and leaped off.

"Minerva! To me!"

A great monstrous roar sounded and Rider flew out into the night sky on a dark, dragon-like shape.

Lancer summoned his own weapon and said, "Come. Let us show the Red Faction what we can do."

"Yes, my liege," saluted Archer.

"Hmph, let's go then," replied Berserker with a smirk.

"Time to kick some ass," stated Saber, his sword materializing on his back.

Caster only nodded and stroked his beard.

The Dragon Teeth Warriors continued their shambling march across the expansive field that led up to the castle. However, one unit stopped and looked down. Another, more human-like, skeletal hand was gripping on its leg bone. It tried to shake it off but to no avail. Then, several others burst out of the ground and pulled it apart. Further in front, the earth seemed to explode outward as several large armored skeleton warriors rose up from the ground and smashed through the army of dragons teeth with large maces. As if on cue, more skeletons broke through the earth and brought swords, clubs, spears, and axes to bear on their summoner's enemies. The numbers in the surprise attack were a few hundred less than the attacking force, the surprise attack that was started by the larger skeletons evened out their numbers.

Semiramis grit her teeth as she watched what happened on the display. She was surprised at first but slowly became angered by what happened to her seeded army. Lancer could see it well on her face. The face of a commander who just realized their plan had gone off the rails. However, the assassin was quite skilled in schooling her pretty face. Even so, the outcome of the ambush was pretty clear.

"It seems we do not have an army anymore," said Caster, sounding like he had very little care for what had just happened.

"I can always create more," said Assassin a little too defensively.

Inwardly, Lancer sighed. Time to show off indeed. She nodded her head down and shook it. Then, after looking around, she sounded in surprise, "Hmm? Where's Berserker?" Everyone else in the room tore their eyes away from the display to look around. True to her words, the Servant of Madness had disappeared.

Assassin frowned and stared at the display again, the screens shifting multiple times before showing the front edge of the Hanging Gardens. There stood the Servant, looking down at the battlefield.

"What in the world is he-"

Before the Servant of Murder could complete her question, the green giant leaped off the ledge. Silence reigned the room.

"He is certainly eager."

Was that mirth in Caster's voice?

"What does that silent imbecile think he's doing?" groused the priest's Servant as she shifted the viewing once more.

It focused on the battlefield, still full of enemy undead. Then, the very center of the army blew up as something crashed into it. The whole group seemed to face inward while waiting for the dust settled. Suddenly, two skeletons got blasted apart and Berserker walked through the smoke with a shotgun. He then raced through the army, cocking and shooting it, taking out many of the skeletons in quick succession in the direction of the Hanging Gardens.

As he ran past the edge of the skeleton army, the gun in his hands warped and distorted in orange, red light, becoming a large chaingun. The barrels spun for a moment before spraying out hot lead at the approaching army. He moved his aim from left to right in front of him, very slowly, and covered every inch of the battlefield. At every turn of the barrel, hundreds of the smaller skeletons crumpled and crumbled as their bones splintered and flimsy armor got punctured by high-velocity rounds. Then, it moved from right to left, finishing off the small stragglers and wrecking the larger bone constructs. They tumbled over as their leg bones were destroyed, leaving the body vulnerable to hot metal. The entire army of bone... granted a second death.

As the barrels spun to a stop, the ground rumbled once more. It broke open and a large construct climbed out made of bone and rotten flesh; its mouth and hands seemingly stained with fresh blood. Berserker's weapon warped once more and became a double-barrelled shotgun. He took time to reload two shells as the ghoul lumbered over. He snapped the gun shut as the ghoul paused to pick up a skull that wasn't destroyed. As the ghoul tossed its horrific missile, the Servant ducked and ran at it. The large undead swiped at him with its other hand, but it was dodged as well. He unloaded one shot into its knee, blasting off its leg and causing it to fall forward. It pushed itself on its knees and tried to swipe at him again, which he shot off the offending hand with the other shell. It roared out in defiance as the shotgun transformed into a chainsaw. It tried to block it with its stump as he swung it from the top, but the rotating teeth shredded through flesh and bone. Berserker expertly carved through the arm, the skull, and the chest before pushing off the offending carcass.

Once again, silence filled the room.

"What a terrifying individual," Caster stated. Nobody disagreed.

Caster appeared next to Lancer and Berserker just outside the castle, looking a little troubled. "Berserker appeared and destroyed my summoned army after I destroyed theirs," he informed them with concern.

"Hmm? Sounds like a strong Servant," their Berserker said with a smirk as he looked towards the plains. He looked over the homunculi they had and pointed out, "You! You! Take your squads out there and try and stop Berserker of Red!" The two squads saluted and marched out.

"We shouldn't throw lives away like that," stated Lancer, "Even if they aren't human. They should have remained on defense."

"There's still plenty more back there. They'll be fine," the large Servant brushed off confidently, "I want to see how he reacts as well as get an idea of how strong he really is. No offense, but bones don't hold a candle against humans, or at least human-like things."

"We shall see."

"Hmm, see indeed," muttered Caster as he held up his hand, glowing green, "We shall see what they see. Sight beyond sight."

A viewing portal shimmered into view in front of the three, from the point of view from the homunculus at the very back of the squad. Patiently, they waited for the squads to stop marching. Slowly the homunculi spread out into a line, all facing the slowly advancing Berserker of Red.

"Halt! Advance no further!" the first leader shouted, but to no avail. The Servant kept walking.

"Charge!" the second leader shouted after a moment's silence. The first squad leaped into the air while the second squad brought up the rear for a second strike. The first wave had their weapons shatter upon impact. The startled squad crashed to the ground while he kept walking.

"I've seen enough," muttered Berserker of Black with an eager smirk, "Time I get down there to stop him myself." turning back to the other homunculi squads, he shouted, "Guard the castle with your life!" He nodded at their salute and moved on the engage the other Berserker.

As he walked on, Lancer and Caster kept watching. The second wave had their weapons broken as well. The two homunculi that were in the way were pushed aside and the Servant kept walking.

"Enough," Lancer ordered, Caster obeying and closing the display, "Let Saber know to stay clear of the both of them."

"Very well. I shall return to scrying the positions of the other enemies," the Servant of Magecraft informed as he dematerialized.

Lancer stood there still, musing his options. Then, he made his decision, "I suppose I should take to the field as well."

Rider of Black made good time in approaching the flying fortress. It looked quite intimidating and she doubted she could do anything to it. If she had to be honest with herself, it was curiosity that drew her up here. That and wondering if she could pick out any lone Servants on it. But, judging by how big it was, it felt like wasted effort.

"I suppose I can pass it off as scouting, right Minerva?" she asked as she pats the head of her wyvern, who roared in response. She giggled and replied, "Alright, if all goes well, I'll ask the kitchen if they could give you a cow for breakfast. Sounds good, doesn't it?" Another roar.

Then, a swarm of dark things flew out from all sides of the fortress and moved to surround her. Rider caught sight of headless skeletal things with wings and claws.

She sighed and said as she materialized her axe, "I suppose all good things must come to an end. Let's do this, Minerva!" With that, she rode into the thick of it, smacking the first dragon wing warrior into pieces with a great yell.

Unknown to her, a silent distortion slipped by as pieces of bones rained from the sky. At a point furthest away from the Gardens, the distortion warped away, revealing Rider, Caster, and Archer on the back of a dragon several sizes bigger than the wyvern.

"Now that was cool," cooed Archer eagerly as she turned around to look at the Servant of Black.

"Unexpected. To think the Invisibility spell would extend to cover everyone else. Truly interesting," Caster muttered, sounding a little surprised.

"Well, your class, I believe, boosts your capabilities in that area of expertise," the dragon suddenly stated.

"Wow... you can talk! Hey, what's your name?" the Servant of the Bow exclaimed and ran over to the dragon's neck.

"Hmm, I have a sense of both... either Micheal or Mikhail is fine," was the reply.

"Ooooh... sweet..."

"Enough," Rider said sternly as she stomped on its back, "No talking to the passengers, stupid dragon."

Her mount chuckled as he continued heading towards the castle and muttered amusedly, "Even now..."

Berserker of Red continued his walk towards the castle. The two squads that had tried to intercept him followed after him warily. They were inherently worried as they had failed their duty in trying to stop the Servant. Then he stopped. Right before everyone was Berserker of Black.

"Get your squads back to the castle and weapon up. You're all on defense. I'll handle this," he ordered them as he thumbed behind him. The homunculi leaders nodded and they scrambled past both Servants. The green behemoth stood there quietly as this happened.

"Your strength is impressive, Berserker of Red," said the latter as he took slow steps around the other Servant while folding his hands behind, "How about you join me? Once I win this War and get my wish, we can take over America... and then the world. A world where only the strong survive... where do you think you're going?"

A few seconds into his burgeoning speech, the armored Servant continued walking, fully ignoring the other. Berserker of Black's face darkened in anger and as the Servant began to walk past him, he grabbed the armored shoulder and said, "Did I say you could leave?" He then gripped tightly and actually threw the armor back. The armored Servant didn't topple over but instead, landed on both feet. He then raised both hands as the other Berserker crashed into him. Both of them locked fingers as they pushed against each other.

"I guess I'll have to take that as a 'no'," he sneered out as he matched the pushing power, staring eagerly into the visor with a smirk on his face, "Well then, I guess I'll have to get back to business."

Having decided to head into the area far from the clash of the two Berserkers, Lancer stopped and took stock of his surroundings. As of yet, nothing out of the ordinary. Then, a faint whistling in the air. He dashed back and avoided the blade meant for his head. With a twist, he brought to bear his own spear to block a follow-up.

"You're fast," the Servant praised as she leaped back a few steps, "Lancer of Red, at your service."

"Lancer of Black," he introduced himself, still keeping his guard up, "You aren't too bad yourself."

"Hmm, I was hoping to bump into the pretty boy, but I guess you'd do instead," she smirked as she prepared to strike.

"Aww, you'd rather settle for him?" a voice called out as Saber rushed past him and swung heavily at her, "I'm hurt."

"There you are!" she exclaimed rather relaxedly as she blocked his attack, "I thought you stood me up."

"No apologies. Now, where were we?" he taunted as both of them took to the air, weapons clashing all the way up.

Lancer sighed a little, wondering what in the world was that about. He supposed it was just an unfinished fight when a battered car swerved up to the area, stopping a few feet in front of him. The door was kicked open and out came a young girl with a strange air around her.

"Damn it, next time pick a sturdier car!" she yelled back at the car.

He caught sight of a man wearing sunglasses moving over to the driver's seat, retorting, "Maybe 'next time' you should drive a God damned tank instead of a car!"

He furrowed his brow, wondering what had just happened here. "Which Servant of Red are you?" he asked carefully.

"Yeah, I'm Saber of Red. Hi there, you're a Servant of Black, aren't you?" she asked as she waved at him.

"Yeah, that's most likely their Lancer," called out the Master as he got out of the car and leaned on the hood.

She looked over him and commented, "He certainly looks the part."

"Listen, Saber, now it's your turn," the Master told her, "I'm getting the hell outta here."

"What the-? You won't stay to see my valiant fight?" she complained as she turned to him.

"Not in the middle of the battlefield."

"Oh, yeah right," she realized. Turning around, she waved him off haughtily with, "Then just flee."

"Yup."

The magus quickly got in the car and drove off. Lancer shook his head, wondering how they could be so casual about all this.

"Good grief, starting the battle without me?" she complained again as she saw him off and looked off to the side, catching an eyeful of Berserker of Red's rampage, "Am I a joke to you?" She then scoffed with, "Whatever. The hero appearing late or the king slowly joining the fray isn't uncommon."

"You speak as if you're nobility," he commented, trying to grasp what sort of character she was. If she preferred to talk first and fight later, who was he to complain?

"Yeah! If you surrender, I'll kill you quick and easy," she offered.

"Such arrogance," he stated as he got into his stance, not taking his eye over her movements, "You must be a young king. Allow this crown prince to school you in the ways of kingship."

"Haa? A crown prince? Sounds like things are getting better," she said with a grin as she materialized her sword, "Alright, show me what you're made off, crown prince!" With a yell, she dashed straight at him.

He replied with a yell of his own.

"For Demacia!"

Commentary:-

Hello everyone. Welcome back to the next chapter of Doubtful Origin. So... not many people tried to guess their identities. Again. Both Lancers still empty. -sigh-

Red Faction

Saber - still Mordred.
Archer - Peacock from Skullgirls
Lancer -
Rider - Zero from Drakengard 3
Berserker - Doomslayer from Doom 2016
Caster - Miraak from Skyrim
Assassin - still Semiramis

Black Faction

Saber - Nero from DMC5
Archer - Mael Radec from the Killzone series
Lancer -
Rider - Cherche from Fire Emblem
Berserker - Senator Armstrong from MGS Revengeance
Caster - The Ancestor from Darkest Dungeon
Assassin - Zer0 from Borderlands 2

So, it begins. The War begins in earnest. Assassin of Black is running late. He's missing all the killing. Too bad. The War doesn't wait for a single Servant, as Mordred can attest to. Skeletons getting destroyed by skeletons, who in turn get slain by a Servant. Three thousand in number, getting wrecked by a much better equipped army, relatively. And then getting destroyed by a one-man army. Rider of Black, killing her own army of skeletons... but that may take a while. Caster, Rider, and Archer from the Red Faction going all sneaky-like. Then, clash of Berserkers. Red Lancer and Black Saber continue their fight. Then, Red Saber throwing down with Black Lancer. Now, if that doesn't clue you in to his identity, I dunno what will. Alright, folks, that's a wrap. If you're able, please leave a comment or a review after reading, would you kindly?