King of Beasts Productions Presents:
Fate/Grand Blunder: A Fate Multicrossover
Chapter 18: Dear Princess Celestia.
"Well, this is a surprise. What is your reasoning for turning me down, Miss Twilight? I believe I have much to teach these young minds."
"W-Well..." Normally Twilight Sparkle, an Alicorn who would become Ruler of Celestia and Servant Caster, would be able to explain fluently and concisely why she turned down a prospective teacher in her future school. That being said, it was hard to stand firm in the face of an imposing figure such as Scathach, especially when she's sitting across you and looking you straight in the eyes with those mystifying yet scary red orbs of hers.
"I-It's not that I don't believe in your capabilities..." She paused to consider her words very carefully. "It's just that your credentials have made you overqualified for this position. Not to mention, your teaching methods might not be suitable for the kids." Scathach had a thoughtful expression as she pondered those words, then shrugged as she conceded that point.
"I suppose you're right. These children, Servants they may be, might not have the same mental fortitude Sentata had in their age." She sighed as she stood up from her seat. "A shame, really. But I supposed it can't be helped."
"Still, I really thank you for taking your time to be here today." Twilight rose from her seat and offered her hand to shake, which Scathach took.
"The pleasure is all mine." The Witch of Dun Scaith nodded before turning to leave. "If you wish for me to assist you in other ways, let me know."
"Of course!" Twilight nodded as she watched the Lancer leave, then breathed a sigh of relief after she was gone.
"Yes, Miss Scathach does have that effect on people, doesn't she?" The Caster turned to see a blonde elf with long flowing hair clad in a white blouse and a black knee-high skirt. She had clear blue eyes, a clear complexion, and a mirthful smile on her face as she entered the office with a cup of coffee in each hand.
"That she does." The Alicorn smiled gratefully as she took the cup the elf offered after she had walked closer. "Thanks for helping me out, Saren. You didn't have to, and I appreciate it."
"Of course I did." The Saber shook her head firmly. "After hearing about your school, how could I as a parent not want to help?"
At that, Twilight smiled fondly. Saren became one of her first friends in Chaldea after bonding over taking care of children in their past lives. Granted, their circumstances were different, but that didn't stop the head of the Sarendia Orphanage to offer her help all the same. In fact, Twilight had to admit that floating the proposal to open a school to Acting Director Archaman went as smoothly as it did thanks to her help.
"You're right." Twilight admitted before raising her arms to stretch. "Do we have any more applicants?"
"Let me check..." Saren pulled up her tablet to see if there was anyone else. "She was the last one, so I think it's safe to say we can call it a day."
"That's a relief." Twilight sighed. "There were so many..."
"Any prospects?" Saren asked.
"A few stood out." Twilight answered. "Which says a lot considering that a lot of Heroic Spirits consider themselves protectors of children. Speaking of, why didn't you apply, Saren? You know how to handle children, and they seem to like you."
"That's flattering of you to say, Twilight." The elf shook her head with a smile. "I don't think teaching would suit me well, though. That's more your department."
"Kind of you to say." Twilight replied.
"Well, it's the truth." Saren nodded as she put the tablet away. "Say, would you like to grab a bite to eat? I'd say 'my treat', but Tifa insists we don't pay for anything we buy."
"I'd like that, actually." Twilight nodded. "Just give me a few minutes to pack up."
"Sure thing!"
Seventh Heaven, Later that day...
"Honestly, that Yuuki. It wouldn't kill him to consider that the people he's protecting would feel bad if he got hurt!"
"Hehe, that does sound familiar..." Twilight laughed sheepishly as she listened to Saren rant about the young Princess Knight, who recently got sent on a trip to the sick bay after taking a hit from a golem that was about to attack Pecorine from behind. Naturally, the perpetually peckish Saber was beside herself with worry, as was the rest of the Gourmet Guild and the girls he knew from his timeline.
"It's annoying how that gallant spirit of his is what I both hate AND love about him." Saren added after a long sigh before taking a sip of her drink. "I'm sure Miss Pecorine, the rest of the guild, and many others feel the same. I'm sure it's true for you and Shirou, yes?"
"Y-Yeah..." Twilight agreed, though she was reminded of the lingering tension between her, him, and Artoria as the latter two had been dating before she arrived in Chaldea. Seeing her mood change caused the blonde elf to frown.
"Oh...I'm so sorry." Saren apologized. "It was inconsiderate of me to that up, considering my own hang ups..."
"It's fine. Really." Twilight shook her head. "I know you didn't mean anything by it. It's just that..." She let out a soft sigh. "I know they went through a lot together in multiple timelines, and that they make each other really happy. I want that for them, and I would've been okay to stand aside, but..."
"You'll have to excuse me," They both turned to see Nightingale sitting at the bar, helping herself to a glass of water. "But I cannot help but overhear your conversation. While my expertise lies in medicine, I have recently gained some experience in matters of the heart. Is it alright if I join you two?"
Twilight turned to Saren, who nodded back at her as if in agreement.
"Sure, you can join us." Twilight gave her answer.
"Thank you." Nightingale got off her stool and walked over to their table. As she watched her take her seat, Twilight couldn't help but find the Angel of Crimea intimidating. Not many could blame her, as the Chaldea's current Head Nurse had her reputation as a somewhat intense person when at work. Of course, she figured that this was from both the Madness Enhancement Nightingale had as a Berserker as well as her own experiences as a field medic in one of the countless battlefields in World War I.
"Now, as I was saying," Nightingale continued, crossing her legs the moment she got seated. "While my expertise lies in medicine, I know a thing or two about romantic encounters." She took a pause before leveling her gaze at Twilight in particular. "Especially regarding the matter of past relationships you or your significant other may have had."
"How so?" Saren asked.
"Because Steve and I have spoken on the subject." Nightingale answered, drawing the interested glances of the other two girls. "He came clean with me of the many romantic encounters he has had over his storied life. Some of them he has gotten over, as well as some he hasn't."
Twilight and Saren were listening intently as Nightingale continued to tell her tale.
"Now, don't get me wrong; I wish nothing but happiness for Steve." Nightingale had a small, fond smile on her face, a rare sight for the ever stoic Berserker. "Who am I to stop him from following his heart? If another person is best for him, then I can live with that. That being said," The smile disappeared, the cold exterior she became infamous for coming to the fore. "As long as I'm the one he has chosen, I will fight tooth and nail for my place at his side. After all, I too have made memories with him. Memories far too precious for me to let go just because a past fling returned to his life."
Twilight turned to Saren, whose furrowed expression was a sign that she was giving what the Berserker said some thought. She knew the score between her and the Princess Knight; she cared about him just as much as the other girls in his life did, that connection stemming from their past as childhood friends. She also knew that while the blonde elf would be happy no matter what Yuuki chose, she was also afraid that she wouldn't be that choice.
Judging from the now determined expression Saren had, Twilight concluded that this fear held it's grip on her no longer.
"Thank you, Miss Nightingale." They both turned to see the blonde bolt to her feet with fire in her eyes. "For the longest time, I was unsure how to handle my relationship with Yuuki. Thanks to your words, I know EXACTLY what I have to do." She then turned to Twilight with a smile. "I'll see you first thing tomorrow, Twilight. For now, I need to do something I should've done a long time ago."
And with that, the Head of Sarendia Orphanage marched out out with purpose in each step.
"Good for her." Twilight smiled sadly before looking back at her cup. "I don't know if I have that kind of nerve."
"Yes, I suppose not everyone will have the strength to make the decisions I and Miss Saren have." Nightingale nodded sympathetically. "In the end, it's your choice on what you want to do, but if I may offer one last bit of unsolicited advice?"
"Sure." Twilight nodded as Nightingale got to her feet.
"I'd make that decision soon." Nightingale answered just as she was turning to leave. "For your sake, as well as Shirou and Artoria's."
With those final words, The Angel of Crimea left Twilight to ponder those words, the alicorn-turned human gazing deeply into her cup.
"For our sakes, huh...?"
"And that's it for today's lesson. Remember to turn in your homework before the week is over."
"Yes, Miss Pela!"
Twilight, her hair in a prim bun and wearing a teacher's uniform, was observing from outside one of the spare lecture halls Director Archaman agreed to lend her as a classroom with a smile on her face. To say that she was happy with her final picks was apropos. Pela Sergeyevna, in particular, knew how to handle kids, even the ones with rambunctious personalities such as Klee and Jack.
"You did great." Twilight greeted Pela as she and the kids filed out of the classroom.
"It's nothing, really. I'm just used to handling kids, is all." Was the petite Caster's reply. "Still, it's impressive that you managed to get an operation like this running smoothly."
"I have Saren to thank for that." Twilight nodded. As it had been a week since that fateful conversation with Nightingale, the Former Vice-Captain of Nightmare approached her work with renewed drive as well as a bounce in her step. She would have to ask her friend how that conversation with the Princess Knight went. "So, how are you and the other teachers doing?"
"We couldn't be better." Pela nodded with a smile of approval. "This isn't your first rodeo, and it shows. We all agree that you run a tight ship, and we're happy to work with you. If you need any help with logistics, I can be of assistance."
"Means a lot to hear you say that, Pela." Twilight nodded back with a smile. It was at the corner of her eye that she saw a small white haired girl make a beeline towards her with a thousand watt smile.
"MOMMY!"
"KYAH!"
Pela blinked in mild confusion as the little ball of energy known as Jack the Ripper tackled Twilight to the ground.
"J-Jackie...!" Twilight was squirming as the Assassin nuzzled against her chest. Granted, she was happy that the girl she adopted as a daughter in one timeline still regarded her as such, things were awkward between them right now for a few reasons.
"I missed you, Mommy." Jackie looked up with big googly eyes. "I've been waiting for you all this time, but you never visited. Don't you wanna be with me any more?"
"No, it's not that-" Twilight was about to start when Pela gently tugged Jack off her.
"Jack, you know better than to behave like this." Pela scolded her.
"Sorry, Miss Pela..." Jack pouted.
"It's fine, Pela. Really." Twilight waved her off before turning her attention to Jack, kneeling so that she was level with young Servant. "It's not that I don't want to be with you. I want that more than anything. It's just that...Mommy's got some things she has to deal with right now. Just know that she loves you very much, okay?"
"Okay..." Jack murmured, but ultimately nodded. "I trust you, Mommy. I hope you finish those things, okay?"
"I will in due time, Jackie. I promise." Twilight smiled as she pat her child's head. "Now run along. I'm sure your friends are looking for you."
"Okay~!" And with that, the Assassin bounded off after the rest of the class.
"Sorry you had to see that." Twilight turned to Pela, who shook her head with a tender smile.
"It's fine. In fact, it's good to see that Jack has parents who love her dearly." Twilight noted that Pela's smile took a nostalgic tone, as if remember a sad but fond memory. "You should cherish that bond with her, just as I'm sure she cherishes it too."
"You're right." Twilight sighed. "It's just that...her and Atalanta are already..."
"Ah, so that's what it is." Pela nodded in understanding. "Well, it's not my place to butt into family matters, but as I'm sure you just experienced, she hasn't forgotten her bond with you." The smaller girl placed a hand on Twilight's back to pat it. "So don't lost heart, alright?"
"Thanks, Pela." Twilight took a breath before turning to her colleague with a smile. "It helps."
"Glad to hear it." Pela nodded before consulting her tablet. "I think you have an appointment with Qiqi today."
"Yup." Twilight nodded before turning to leave. "Shall we, Pela?"
"Let's!"
After a long day of running the school, Twilight made a beeline for the library to indulge her current hobby; looking up tomes and grimoires to learn about the many other schools of magic from across other worlds
"Twilight! Over here!"
She turned to see her blue-haired friend Levy McGarden, a mage from Fairy Tail and Servant Caster, wave at her with a smile on her face.
"Hey, Levy!" Twilight smiled back as she walked over to the table, noting the book the mage had in her hands. "What are you reading up on this time?"
"This? A comprehensive guide to Rune Magic." Levy explained, her reading glasses on as she bored into its pages. "I'm hoping that I can get some pointers for my Script Magic by reading up on them."
"Rune Magic, eh?" Twilight's interest was piqued, as learning magic was one of her major passions outside of teaching the younger generation, especially those outside her reality. And with accomplished mages like Medea, Helena Blavatsky, and many others, there was no shortage of potential mentors to learn from. "We've got a lot of practitioners of it in Chaldea."
"And I hope to learn from them too!" Levy nodded fervently. "Think Scathach can give me a few tips?"
"Why don't ya ask her, pipsqueak? Doesn't hurt to try, right?" Both Twilight and Levy turned to the third person on the table, the Iron Dragon Slayer Gajeel Redfox, who looked bored out of his mind.
"I mean, I can! It's just that she intimidates me a little..." Levy admitted sheepishly.
"You're preaching to the choir here, sister." Twilight added with a sigh, remembering how she was inwardly shaking in her boots during her interview with the Lancer. "Makes me wonder how Rachelle is able to deal with her on a daily basis..."
"What're you guys talking about?" They all turned to see Lucy approach with Natsu in tow, the latter looking more bored than the Iron Dragon Slayer.
"Hey Lucy!" Twilight greeted her with a wave, then gestured to the empty seat. "Come on and join us! We were just talking about consulting Scathach about rune magic and seeing if we can get some pointers."
"Yeah, but as I was telling Twi just now," Levy interjected. "Scathach's pretty scary..."
"I hear you." Lucy agreed, shuddering slightly at the thought of the Lancer's cold glare. "She's not the most approachable person."
"Heard a lot about her fight during that Festival of Roses." Natsu spoke up, firing himself up. "Man, I wish I was summoned that time! I wanna fight her for myself!"
"Get in line, Salamander." Gajeel grinned. "'Sides, someone as smart as me has a much better chance against her anyway!"
"Smart?! You?! Get real!" Natsu retorted just as Lucy was shushing him in a panic.
"Quiet! We're in the library, remember?!" Twilight sighed sadly as she watched her friend's plea fall on deaf ears.
"I am." Gajeel grinned while Levy facepalmed, as if she knew that it would be futile to try and calm her boyfriend down. "Been reading a lot lately, so that makes me smarter. Smarter than you for sure, Salamander!"
"If you're so smart, then how about we go right now?!" Natsu slammed his foot on the table, prompting Gajeel to do the same.
"Fine by me!" Gajeel roared back. "We'll settle this once and for all!"
"Guys, we're in the library!" Twilight took her turn to try and calm the two down. "This ain't the place to do this!"
"I would listen to her, gentlemen. This is a place of learning, and it would do you both no good to disrupt this atmosphere." They all turned to the source of the taciturn yet imposing voice. The first thing Twilight noticed about the man was his tall stature and his long, flowing gray hair striped with blue highlights. He wore a dapper dark blue long coat with a draconic motif, giving it splashes of blue and teal. Looking up from the book he was reading, the Alicorn noticed the man's eyes were of amethyst hue, his pupils shaped like slits you'd find in a reptile's eyes rather than in a humans. All of them could tell he carried himself with an air of dignity and authority.
"Hey, I know you!" Lucy was the first to speak. "You're that Ruler who recently got summoned. Monsieur Neuvilette, right?"
"Indeed, I am." Neuvilette chuckled. "I'm honored to be recognized so quickly. But that's besides the point." He then turned to the would-be troublemakers. "Now, if you two insist on continuing your squabble, I suggest you take this outside so that others can read in peace. If you insist on doing so here, I may have to intervene."
It was brief, Twilight and everyone present felt a large mana spike come from this man. For the briefest of moments, Twilight felt overwhelmed by the sheer power he emanated, her breath literally taken away by the weight it had. She recognized this brand of magical energy almost immediately, and for good reason; not only has she met beings like him, her best friend was one such being. From the looks of things, the other Fairy Tail mages recognized it too.
"You're..." Twilight was the first to find her voice. "You're a dragon, aren't you?"
"Chaldea truly is a gathering of the greatest heroes." Neuvilette mustered a small smile. "It is as you say. To be precise, I am the Dragon Sovereign who held the authority over all my world's waters."
"Like the Dragon Gods of our world." Lucy said in a hushed voice. Twilight could only stare in awe as such a powerful being was in their midst. No disrespect to Spike, as he had grown up to become an imposing dragon in his own right, but the Neuvilette was just on a completely different level.
While the others were still reeling, Natsu was the first to recover, an eager grin on his face.
"This is getting me all fired up!" The Fire Dragon Slayer boisterously declared while Lucy was facepalming. "Wanna fight me some time?"
"You're quite straightforward, Monsieur Dragneel. I can respect that." Neuvilette had a small smile on his face. "Perhaps, once we can set a date for it."
"Alright!" Natsu cheered as Gajeel seethed and the girls watched with puzzled expressions on their faces.
"He accepted quite quickly..." Twilight noted.
"I'm surprised too, honestly." Lucy added.
"AHEM." They all turned to see an irate Andersen standing across their table, his hands on his hips as he tapped his foot impatiently. "Your noise and your showboating are disturbing others who wish to use the library for it's ORIGINAL purpose."
"My apologies, Monseur Andersen." Neuvilette spoke on everyone's behalf. "I can assure you we mean no disrespect for this place of learning."
Andersen gave a curt nod, then left the group to their devices.
"By the way," Twilight noticed the book Neuvilette was holding, which was one of law. "What brings you to the library today? Judging from the book in your hand, does it have something to do with laws."
"Quite astute, Miss Twilight." Neuvilette nodded. "You see, I noticed that Chaldea is lacking a Legal Department. It may sound frivolous to some, but I understand that there are dispute that a battle between Heroic Spirits will not so easily resolve, and not everyone will accept the Peacekeepers coming in between said disputes."
"That's true." Levy nodded in agreement.
"Which is why I'm here. I intend to read up the laws of the various lands our fellow Servants have come from, then present a proposition to Director Archaman to open up a Court House of sorts. As for it's judge, I believe myself to be most logical candidate, seeing as I have experience on the field."
"Sounds amazing, honestly." Twilight smiled in response. She saw the sincerity in his words and, as someone who also proposed a way to improve Chaldea's quality of life, she respected his drive. "I hope it all goes well for you! Though I'm sure the Director will have some peace of mind if Servants aren't at each other's throats, so I think you'll do fine!"
"You have my thanks, Miss Twilight." Neuvilette gave a small smile of his own, with Levy and Lucy giving their own approvals too. "And should you need any legal advice, my door will always be open to you."
"Hope it doesn't come to that..." Twilight laughed sheepishly at the thought. If he was around when she opened her first school, things would've gone more smoothly.
Afterwards...
"Oh, you're here, Twi."
Upon exiting the library, Twilight turned to hear that familiar voice that made her heart skip a beat. She turned around to see Shirou Emiya, the boy she fell in love with in one timeline, walking up to her with a smile on his face.
"H-Hey, Shirou." The Caster tried to play it cool. "Fancy meeting you here, huh?"
"Just came from a supply run, actually." The red-head, dressed in his familiar white and blue shirt and jeans instead of his garb when he's fighting with Muramasa's powers, replied with a smile. "Been busy?"
"Just came from the library." Twilight replied. "Just had a reading session with Lucy and the others."
Levy and Lucy saw this, and unlike their companions, were able to read the room, or corridor as it were, and drag their dense partners by the arm to leave the two alone.
"Luce?!"
"What the hell, shortie?!"
"We'll leave you two alone now!" Lucy laughed sheepishly as she and Levy hightailed it out of there with their Dragon Slayers in tow. This left the two alone, an uncomfortable silence hanging in the air.
"I-It's okay, Twi. Relax." The Caster told herself mentally as she fidgeted where she stood as Shirou scratched the back of his head. "This is just a casual conversation. Nothing out of the ordinary, like talking about our current relationship! No sir, nothing like that!"
"So..." It was Shirou who broke the silence. "Have you been well?"
"I'm fine." Twilight answered. "Chaldea's pretty amazing, you know?" She folded her hands behind her back, a genuine smile on her face. "In this place, we don't have to fight and kill over a wish granting cup. Here, Servants all have a common goal, something to strive towards. It's honestly refreshing."
"Glad you're enjoying being here." Shirou flashed her a smile. "Sounds like you're enjoying yourself."
"I am." Twilight nodded. "The school keeps me busy, and they're all good kids, if not handfuls at times."
"I can imagine." Shirou chuckled, remembering how rambunctious the child Servants can be, before he asked next. "So, uhm, if you're not busy one night, how about you join me and Artoria for dinner one time? Just like we did back then. I can even introduce you to the others we've met in other Wars who-"
Twilight held up her hand, gently stopping him then and there.
"Thanks for the invite, but I'll have to pass for now." She said this with a sad smile. "It's not that I don't want to. More than anything! It's just that..."
"Ah, there you are, Shirou! How was the supply run?"
They both turned to see the King of Knights walking towards them.
"Hey, Saber." Shirou called to the blonde out of old habits. "It went well. We now have more than beef to feed an army."
"Splendid. Hunger is the enemy, after all!" Artoria salivated at the thought of a well-stocked pantry before noticing Twilight. "Oh, Twilight! Good to see you! Did Shirou already invite you to dinner?"
"He did, but I already declined." Twilight shook her head.
"A shame." Artoria sighed as she crossed her arms. "We haven't spoken since you were summoned. We really miss your company."
"There there. I'm sure she has her reasons." Shirou smiled as he pat the shorter blonde's head.
"I suppose so." Artoria smiled as she took it one step further and gave him warm embrace, burying her head on his chest. "Welcome home, Shirou."
"Good to be home, Saber."
This sight caused Twilight's chest to grow tight, as if a python squeezed at her heart tighter and tighter. She wanted to be happy for them, but even at this very moment, she remembered when she was the one in his arms.
"Y-Yeah, maybe next time." Twilight abruptly turned on her heel to leave.
"Twilight-!"
"It was good seeing you, Shirou! You too, Artoria!" If Twilight had stopped to turn around, she'd have seen that both Sabers had worried frowns on their faces.
"...You know I'm not apologizing, right?"
The day after had been a one for Twilight so far, one she needed to take her mind off things. It was another productive day at the school, and she had just come out of the library fresh with new spells in her repertoire. Her mood soured when she ran into another individual who was in the Grail War with her, Jack, Shirou, and Artoria: The Counter Guardian EMIYA, Shirou's future self.
"That actually would be a good place to start though," Twilight crossed her arms. "I'd understand if it was just because it was a Grail War, but then you began to single Shirou out."
"I had my reasons. You should know that by now." EMIYA sighed. "The path that boy walked only ends in suffering."
"Perhaps," Twilight said, "Being a hero isn't easy but it's the right thing to do."
"You're certainly stubborn. A bit like Rin in that aspect." He nodded. "Speaking of that kid...you still haven't talked to him yet, have you?"
Twilight balled her fists, "I talk to him a lot."
"But not about that particular issue, I bet." EMIYA shot back.
"I don't know what you are implying."
"I'm sure you do." He sighed, then turned around while beckoning her to follow. "Seventh Heaven shouldn't have that many people at this time. We can continue this conversation there."
"You're lucky I'm the forgiving type," Twilight huffed as she followed.
Once they got there, EMIYA made a beeline for the counter. "Mind if I use the kitchen?" He asked Tifa, who nodded. "Go right ahead."
"What do are you planning, Archer?" Twilight asked with a skeptical expression on her face, her body language one who's raised her guard around an enemy.
"Relax." He sighed as he put on an apron. "These kinds of conversations are best done over a meal, no?"
"True," Twilight sat down, "I've sat down with former enemies before. Just try and keep it civil then."
"Dont worry." He gestured to the bartender. "Tifa's here for that situation." He quickly got to work cooking. Within minutes, he whipped up a plate of omurice for Twilight. "Here you go." He said as he slid it to her along the counter. "Except for the omelet itself, everything else is vegetarian."
"Thank you," Twilight took it, opened her chopsticks, and partook of the meal. As expected of the man who was the red-head once upon a time, the meal was simple, but tasted exquisite.
"So," EMIYA asked as he watched her, waiting for her to get comfortable before he went for the shot. "What's with you and the boy right now? Does it have to do with Artoria being in the picture?"
Twilight glanced away, "Everything's fine, Emiya. We're fine."
"Yeah, I'm not buying that." Emiya shook his head with a smile. "Has anyone told you that you're a bad liar?"
Twilight pouted and took a sip of her drink, "A lot of people actually."
"Then let me get to the point; Why havent you talked to either of them yet?"
"Well... that's not an easy question to answer." Twilight said as she fidgeted in place.
"Try me." He chuckled. "In case you've forgotten, I WAS that boy once upon a time. It'll be good practice for when you finally get around to talking to him about it."
Twilight sighed and tapped her glass, "As you already know, I'm in love with him."
"Indeed, just like water is wet." Emiya nodded. "Still doesn't explain why you haven't broached the subject."
"Well it's not that I don't want to be near him or them," Twilight said, "It's just that... I never thought I would have to share him or his feelings."
"So, you're jealous of Artoria, then?"
Twilight huffed at Emiya's accusation, though she didn't deny it. "Kinda? It's just... okay, polygamy is legal in Equestria. It doesn't happen too often but it's perfectly fine and no one has a problem with it. I shouldn't but... I kinda... wanted him to myself."
"And that's natural as well." Emiya nodded. "If what you had in your timeline was real, the natural thing to do is fight for it, no matter who it's against. Even against a friend."
"But I don't want to fight Artoria," Twilight said, conflicted despite remember Nightingale's words to her about this very topic. "She's my friend and I really respect her."
"Then you should tell them that." Emiya sighed before taking another scoop of omurice in her mouth. "Or did you forget how stupidly good-hearted those two are?"
"I know but... it's just never the right time. It doesn't help what is happening with Jack..."
"Ah, the other thing that's on your mind." Emiya nodded. "You really took being her mother seriously, huh?"
"Yes I did," Twilight narrowed her eyes, "I summoned her. I brought her into the world, in my timeline. She was my responsibility and I loved her. Which is why I'm still annoyed with you with how you treated her in the war."
"Okay, I'll say sorry for THAT." Emiya groaned while Tifa chuckled in the background. She knew that such brutality was commonplace in Holy Grail Wars, but she wasn't going to let him off for going out of his way to harm the people she loved. "For what it's worth, Atalanta is a good mother to her and Nursery Rhyme, which is amazing considering how things ended between them during their Grail War together."
"I know and she's a good person as well," Twilight sulked, "I just don't stand a chance compared to them."
"So there it is." Emiya nodded as he went for the proverbial kill. "You see that both Artoria and Atalanta are doing a good job with the people you care for, i.e Shirou and Jack, and you feel inadequate as a result."
She nodded, "Yes, that's about it."
"And you're afraid." He continued. "Afraid that because of that, you feel as if you no longer have a place with them. That you no longer belong. Am I wrong?"
"You're correct." Twilight was silent for a moment, but spoke as she was unable to deny the truth his words.
"Well, if you believe that, then something tells me that you don't believe in the bonds of friendship like you say you do."
"Emiya!" Tifa interjected, feeling that he crossed the line.
"Sorry, but this needs to be said!" The Archer stood his ground.
Twilight's eyes widened, "What?"
"'Friendship is magic?' Don't give me that crap!" Emiya grunted. "If you truly believed in the bonds you have, then this shouldn't come between you!" The Archer hammered on. "Even if you feel that you don't belong, you can bet that they believe that you do!"
Twilight had enough, slamming her hands onto the table in indignation, "I know they do! They care and I love them for it! Don't dare think I don't know that!"
"Then why haven't you acted on it?" Emiya did not back down. "Do you know how worried they are about you?"
Twilight looked away, her shoulders slumped. "I don't know what to do. I know they're worried but... I don't know..."
"Talking to them would be a good start." He sighed as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know for a fact that the boy's been struggling on how to bring up the subject. Hell, Jack's been asking me and Tifa if you're okay whenever she and Nursery show up for ice cream."
"Its true." Tifa affirmed with a smile.
Twilight eyes started to water, "Jack's been asking... She's worried and it's my fault..." She whimpered and put her face in her hands, the damn she erected to keep her emotions in bursting open. "I'm a terrible mother."
"Ah, damn it." Emiya groaned when he saw Tifa give him a look of disapproval. He got some napkins and offered them to Twilight. "Here. Take these."
Twilight sniffed and took them, wiping her tears. "And I'm a terrible lover. I don't deserve Shirou and Jack."
"And you're the one to decide that?" Emiya chuckled. "I'm sure both of them think differently on the matter."
"Probably," Twilight nodded as tears still fell, "But I'm just so confused. I've never been in love before. I've never been a mother. It's just happening so fast that I feel like I'm ruining it all."
"Trust me, you're doing a lot better than I did back then." Tifa giggled.
"Any guy would be lucky to have you, Tifa." Twilight answered back, causing the bartender to shake her head.
"Yeah, but looking back, I didnt make things easy for Cloud." Tifa sighed. "You, on the other hand, sounds like had a wonderful life with Shirou and Jack in your timeline."
"From what I remember, she certainly fell for my younger self's charm." Emiya chuckled.
Twilight blushed, "He's a kind man."
"I swear..." Emiya shook his head as he remembered his younger self. "Earnest, young Masters are quite terrifying. Ritsuka is just as bad as he is."
"Don't get me started on that clueless young man." Tifa shook her head. "He'll leave a trail of broken hearts if he doesn't address that elephant in the room soon."
"Shirou isn't clueless," Twilight muttered under her breath.
"I was that boy, once upon a time." Emiya chuckled as he heard what she said. "Trust me, I was pretty clueless at times in my younger years."
Twilight chuckled, "Yeah but that is one of the things I love about him."
"Then you know what you have to do." Emiya sighed. "Talk to them. Let them know your true feelings."
Twilight hung her head, "I know. I know. I just... don't know the right time."
"That will be up to you." Emiya replied. "Just try not to take too long. I'm NOT going to do this again, you hear?"
Twilight nodded, remembering that Nightingale also told her as much. "Alright. I'll tell them soon. I promise you that."
"Good girl." Emiya sighed. "Maybe finally I'll get some peace and quiet." "You know you're not fooling anyone." Tifa giggled. "You did this because you care deep down, huh?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Was the Archer's retort.
Twilight giggled, "You may be an alternate Shirou, but you're still the same person deep down." She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and stood up, 'Thanks for the advice. I needed to hear that."
"...Honestly, you're just as much trouble as he is." Emiya said with a slight blush on his face, though it was more out of embarrassment.
"Maybe," Twilight started to walk out of the room, "But he loves me because of that."
"You did good today, Emiya." Tifa smiled teasingly. "Is this practice for when 'Rin' comes here some day?" Now this caused the Archer to blush even harder, a sight Twilight witnessed with a grin before walking away, hearing him mumble to himself just before she stepped out the door of 7th Heaven.
"There's no guarantee of that happening..."
"That should do it for today."
Twilight, dressed in a lavender night gown and her hair undone, closed the journal she had been using as a proxy to writing to Princess Celestia. Of course, there was no guarantee that the Ruler of Equestria was going to read it, but it was an old habit that didn't quite die out.
As the alicorn-turned-human put her journal away, climbed into bed, and pulled the covers, her mind was wandering, processing all that had happened to her up to this point. On the plus side, her school is running like a well-oiled machine, helped by the reliable staff of Servants and personnel who volunteered to impart their wisdom. She had also been making new friends from all over, even unlikely ones like Monseur Neuvilette and Miss Nightingale.
That being said, it wasn't all peaches and cream, as her unresolved tensions between Shirou and Artoria, as well as her situation with Jack, still hung in the air.
Even so, her heart felt lighter upon getting some much needed advice from the most unlikely person. Fate had a funny way of working, I suppose.
"One day." Twilight promised to herself as she drifted to slumber. "One day, I'll set the record straight."
End Chapter 18
A/N: Your eyes don't deceive you! Grand Blunder's back!
I'll confess, this one was a little difficult to write because I haven't watched My Little Pony other than a few clips here and there. That's part of the reason why this took so long to write, and I thank EvoWizard25 and XtheReaper for guiding me through those waters, even helping me with some of the dialogue. I hope I did Twilight's character justice with the limited knowledge I have.
Speaking of her, if you're all wondering what the deal with her and Shirou and Jack is, you can refer to EvoWizard's fanfic "The Fifth Holy Grail War: A Pony's Perspective". I didn't expect it to hook me in as much as it did, but it did. Evo even has a tie-in fic to Grand Blunder being written called "Equestrian Singularity", so I encourage you guys to check that out!
As for the guys wanting Honkai Impact 3rd characters, I'm getting there! As you all saw with, Star Rail characters like Pela aren't off the table, and you'll see a certain red-head alcholic soon, so be patient, my readers!
That's all I have today. I'll post Twilight's Servant Sheet when I'm done with it at a later date. If you enjoyed this, please leave a review and let me know your feedback.
Until next time, this is the King of Beasts, signing off!