"Archer? What's wrong?"
Archer looked down to see his wide-eyed master gaze at him in worry. His jaw was tight with tension and his eyes were sharp as steel. He had a feeling it would come to this, yet it didn't make the tight coil in his chest go loose.
"It would appear that Lancer has found the servant we are looking for." Archer said grimly as he turned his eyes towards the stage. Both Father and Son were just standing there looking at each other with slightly tense postures. As if they are afraid that one of them would start a conflict.
"Then what are we waiting for? Take us to where they are." Rin said as she began walking to where her servant was only to be stopped by Archer's firm grip. Rin was about to demand what Archer was doing until she saw the stern expression the bowman had in his face.
It was at that moment that she realised that maybe sticking with Shirou without Lancer by her side was a bad idea. She involuntarily gulped in apprehension as Archer started speaking.
"Listen, You're allied to my master. That is for sure. But do not even think that it would mean that you have the freedom to tell me what to do. Because if there is one thing that is certain with you: what you plan on doing - whatever that may be - will bring harm to both you and my master." Archer reprimanded. He then let go of Rin and began to head to where Lancer was.
"You two are better off leaving this area. Head back to the Emiya residence and wait for us there. This is a battle between servants, and I would not have you two running about once it happens." Archer then started walking to where Lancer was. Inside, he was preparing himself for confrontation with the servant. But if things go really well - which never happens - then Lancer and Archer would leave the area without ever having to lift their weapons.
"Argh… who does that servant think he is? Acting as if he's the boss around here." Archer heard Rin grumble as Shirou ushered her out of the park. Archer could only chuckle before being swallowed by the sea of people who were then leaving the event.
"The kind of servant who knows that you're nothing but deadweight at the moment. If anything, you're a magnet for trouble." Archer muttered out. To his surprise, Rin heard it judging from the fact that she exclaimed and was about to retort back before she was cut off by the redheaded girl beside her.
"Be safe, Archer!" Archer heard from Shirou. Without meaning to, the bowman turned around to where Shirou was and found her smiling at him encouragingly before turning around to placate the fuming Tohsaka master.
"...hm." Archer hummed as he continued towards his destination. Consciously trying to stamp out the weird butterflies in his chest.
—-
"Come on, Tohsaka. He really isn't that bad of a guy if you get to really know him."
"Excuses, Emiya-chan! Look at him, isn't he the most evil looking person ever? See how he looked at me? He was definitely trying to kill me by glaring at me." Rin huffed. She
"He wasn't trying to do anything like that. He was just looking out for us. You know, trying to get out of harm's way and all that." Shirou explained.
"Sigh… He sounds like a jerk most of the time, and condescending if not that. I just don't know what you see in that man for you to like him so much, Emiya-chan." Rin said as she and Shirou took a turn towards the Emiya residence.
"Wha-what? I-i don't like him. Not at all!" Shirou exclaimed as she waved her hands in rejection towards Rin. Who did not miss the fact that Shirou's cheeks were as red as her hair.
"Right. And the sky is green. Listen, Emiya-chan. You can't lie about what you feel about that man. I've seen the way you looked at him when he visited you in school to give you your -purposefully if I may add- forgotten lunch. I can see how your eyes brighten up whenever you look at him. I can even tell you really care for him because of how much you're defending him right now. You're not convincing anyone with that display." Rin said as she smirked at the tomato faced redhead.
"Haaahhh… was it that obvious?" Shirou asked as she palmed her forehead in exasperation.
"Very. Much. Issei kept talking about how Archer 'tainted such a wonderful and innocent rose' and how have 'fallen into the throes of desire and passion.'" Rin said this with an over the top impression of the Student Council President. So much so that it made Shirou giggle a bit.
"Hahahahaa… well. I can't help it, you know? He's kind, considerate, he always cooks, and he doesn't find me annoying or a pushover. He takes care of me in a way I never thought anyone could. He-" Shirou was then cut off by an exasperated Rin who pushed a finger towards the redhead's lips.
"Nonononono. Let's not go there. You can go do your confession of love to someone else. I don't need to hear that right now." Rin then sighed as she bemoaned what she was going to do with this lovesick girl beside her.
Suddenly, Someone appeared in front of them.
"!"
Rin did not need to think twice as she grabbed Shirou and ran in the opposite direction. Archer was right.
"ROOOAAARRRR!"
She was a magnet for trouble.
—-
Meanwhile….
Archer's Struggle against Saber(s) 5
"Mother?" Mordred whispered.
Arturia clamped her jaw shut. Her mind whirling with theories and ideas as to why Mordred called her anything but 'Father'. Morgan had already cemented herself as the maternal figure in the Knight of Treachery's psyche. So, to call Lancer 'that' means something isn't right here. She doesn't have a high rank in Instinct for no reason, after all.
"I never got to meet you before..." Arturia heard from Mordred as she shook herself from her reverie. What did Mordred mean by that?
"Pardon?" Arturia asked. Her guard is still up even with her curiosity getting the better of her.
Mordred meanwhile, looked bashful. As if she doesn't know how to say what she wants to say. The Knight started to scratch the back of her head as she looked down. She didn't have the confidence to look at her 'mom', it seems. It was at this point that Arturia realised that she could take advantage of this strange pause and get straight to the point.
"Mordred... Tell me... who do you think I am to you?" Arturia calmly asked. She didn't want to do this. This was not the mission. She was meant to find and kill the servant she and Archer in this place - whoever it may be. But with how... odd Mordred was acting, it felt like she needed to know.
"Well... You died before I could remember. I only found out about you when I dug through your notes in Cornwall castle." Mordred briefly answered as she dug through her memories.
Arturia meanwhile, realised that everything made sense now. First of all, this isn't her Mordred. Rather an alternate version of the one she knew. This Mordred before her never met Morgan and only found out about the witch through her writings. That explains why Mordred thought she was her mother; simply because Mordred didn't know what she looked like. Second, the reason why Mordred isn't jumping in rage at her was because the Knight only knows of her Arthur Pendragon. An Arthur who was significantly different from her. Maybe it was a male version of her? Who knows? What matters now is that, finally.
There is a chance that Arturia could recruit Mordred and her master to make a triumvirate in this Grail war.
Speaking of Mordred's master, Arturia had forgotten about the presence of Ali and Ricky who had stopped fighting and was just looking at the mother - daughter pair like they had no idea what was going on. Well, for Ricky's case at least. Ali however.
"Oi, Big Mo. Care to introduce us to this very fine looking lady friend of yours." Ali asked as he snickered lecherously. He walked towards and was openly checking out Arturia's 'assets' without a single ounce of shame. Ricky was about to pull him away from Arturia before Mordred did him in with a crotch shot.
"That's my mother, you asshole!" Mordred shouted in anger at the now bent over Ali. He had now experienced what it felt like to have a period as his little friend started bleeding into his pants. He will never have any children in the future, it seems.
"Mordred… I'm not your-" Arturia was suddenly cut off before she could explain.
"You have parents?! What's she doing over here while you were in Staines after all this time?" Ricky asked as he helped Ali up from the ground. The oscar winning producer totally thought that Ali deserved it, so he did not rise up to complain about the nutcracker kick.
"And you are?" Arturia asked Ricky and Ali. Mordred then spoke up for the duo and redirected the attention back to her.
"They're my friends. The one who hit on you is my master. Unfortunately, I couldn't kill him when I had the chance since he bound me with that damn command seal. But let's not focus on him, how are you here?" the Knight asked. Her instinct was screaming at her because it was telling her she did something horribly wrong there. But what?
"The Holy Grail War." Arturia bluntly answered. And it caused Mordred to blanch.
"Then that means..." Mordred started. Her gut started to drop as panic flooded her systems. She darted her eyes towards the wide eyed Ricky and the groaning Ali. Both of them were in danger!
"We have to kill you." Archer finished for Mordred. Having watched the whole thing, he figured out what Arturia had discovered while he did his own thing behind the scenes.
"Archer." Arturia greeted dully. "It took you long enough."
"The ushers had a hard time evacuating the people. I just did my part and made sure that they all could leave the area on time. What would your master think if you started destroying the park with all these innocents running about?" Archer said. Not even thinking twice to add in a snide remark as he spoke.
"Hmph. Then I urge you to stand aside and let me handle this situation." Arturia huffed while being a bit peeved at that side comment.
"Whatever you say. Just make sure you don't go soft on her just because you're her parent." Archer said as he changed his attire to his battle attire. Knowingly making things worse since he thought that Arturia's course of action was open conflict. Causing Ricky to speak up.
"Uh, Big M. Is that supposed to happen? Or am I seeing things now?" Ricky asked as he looked at the bowman disbelievingly. It was like the guy just did a magic thing there. But magic is not real, is it?
"Stand back Ricky! This ain't time to fuck around. Take Ali and get the hell away from here." Mordred then summoned her battle armour and weapons. Her helmet was still off of her head though. On her right was Clarent and with left was Prydwen. The shield was not left unnoticed by Arturia, but she set that thought aside because the situation was more or less starting to fall out of her control.
"Mordred, listen to me. Heed my words: we are not here to fight you." Arturia started. Her voice had that same regal authority she used back in Camelot and it did wonders to the Knight, who straightened up unconsciously and froze at the commanding aura of it all.
Archer could only look towards Arturia with a questioning gaze. This was not what they sought out to do. And the bowman knew that she knew that. What is her plan here? Archer then saw Arturia sharp eyes flit towards him as if she was telling him that now was not the time to be suspicious of her. The Lancer servant was asking him to trust her on this one.
"You heard her. I'm just a spectator at the moment." Archer said as he crossed his arms and relaxed his stance. Openly showing that he had no clear intention of attacking. He then smirked at Arturia as if telling her that whatever the Lancer servant had in mind, it better be worth it.
What he got was a small smile from Arturia; thanking him for the chance.
Looks like it was worth it after all.
"Don't bother trying to escape, by the way." Archer said to Ricky, who had silently been slithering out of the scene thinking that now was the best time to escape from this madness.
"Uh-uhm… sorry? Did you say something?" Ricky asked shakily. His eyes darted about like he was a trapped animal about to be slaughtered.
"I said that you can't escape us. And don't try. You and your friend over there have involved yourselves in something far more dangerous and cruel than whatever I could do to you." Archer said menacingly. He then guided Ricky towards where Ali was - who had all but ran towards the backstage by now thereby leaving Ricky to his own devices. He figured that letting Arturia do the talking was better than just standing there doing nothing.
"Is this about the Holy Grail War thing Big M was on about?" Ricky asked nervously. He racked his head trying to figure out what 'dangerous and cruel' thing the bowman was referring to and the only thing that was on the forefront of his mind was the War.
"Did someone say Whory Gal War?" Ali asked as he peaked his head out of the door that leads to the backstage. He was holding an ice pack towards his groin section. Looks like the pain hasn't gone away yet.
"Yes, you are right." Archer said to Ricky. "Now tell me, what do you know about the Grail War?" Archer asked seriously.
He figured out that the Saber class servant's master was exactly like Shirou Emiya: a civilian who had no right being part of it. How did he know? Well, look at the two. Ali had the audacity to flirt with a servant while Ricky was stupefied about the part where he changed his attire magically. It would help Arturia's cause if he at least told them the basics of what they are participating in.
Meanwhile, as Archer was talking to the two Englishmen. Arturia was there sitting beside Mordred at the stage. The midnight sky illuminates the now empty park. They had conversed in a calm and collected manner. Exactly what Arturia had wished for. Mordred was less agitated around her because of the Knight's misconception that she was her mom and not dad. And it had taken a while for the Lancer servant to tell the Knight that without having to meet the business end of Mordred's sword.
"So you're telling me… that you are actually my father and not my mother? But that's impossible! My father's a man." Mordred exclaimed. Her mental picture of who King Arthur was suddenly shoved itself at the forefront of her brain. She was trying to merge the Arthur she knew and the Arturia before her. And all she could think of at the moment was that something isn't right.
"That is true… However, what I am telling you is not a lie. You are merely seeing another version of King Arthur, in your perspective at least. For you are surely not the Mordred that I knew." Arturia answered as she placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder. Mordred froze at the contact but didn't shrug it off.
"Right. That explains why you aren't hell bent on trying to kill me then. If you were my father… he would've stabbed me without a second thought." Mordred said sullenly as her eyes went down towards her chest. She knew that Archer was expecting an open conflict, but it didn't matter to her in the end because Arturia still pushed with the diplomatic route.
"..." Arturia meanwhile couldn't say a single word as she pursed her lips in dismay. She had the very same intent Mordred just described as she went into the park. She really did want to kill Mordred. But things are different now. With this Mordred beside her now - at the very least - not hostile to her. Arturia could discard her original plan and go for the alliance route. A better alternative than another enemy in the War.
But then a thought struck her from out of nowhere. Why was she doing this? Why, out of all the times to do so, was she offering an olive branch to the very Knight of Treachery who tore her kingdom asunder? Why would she risk all she aspires to restore and save via the Holy Grail, for a measly alliance doomed to fail once the triumvirate (Archer, Lancer, Saber) were the only ones left. Who knows where Mordred stands? Who knows what she will wish for? Whatever it may be - and Arturia knows this - it would not bring back Camelot like she had intended from the very beginning.
"Mother? Uh- I mean, Father?" Mordred stuttered as she looked up at her parent with expectant eyes. Arturia looked down to see her own emerald hue in her eyes. And what she saw was her answer.
Arturia cared for the girl.
There was no mistake. This course of action was not born out of a rational plan that had hours put into it. No, it was a hasty plan that involved Arturia's heart of hearts making all the decisions for her. And her heart was telling her the story of its pain, its agony, its guilt and shame. A story of how it let her child down. Of how she had the chance to have something special. Something wonderful in her hands. And how all Arturia did with it was throw it aside.
Maybe it was a bad idea. Maybe this is stupid. Sure. Arturia thought it was - that's a guarantee. But it didn't matter to her. For once in her life. She wasn't thinking about her duty to restore Camelot. It's the least she could do. For she couldn't do so with the Mordred she knew.
Arturia wanted to make things right with the girl before her.
"Feel free to call me whatever is easiest for you, Mordred." Arturia said with a small smile. A smile that grew as the child like light in the Knight's eyes burned bright.
"Okay then, Mother. So, what will happen now?" Mordred asked. She tried hiding her apprehension from Arturia, but it didn't work. Parents have this wonderful power of knowing what their children are feeling.
"We'll let our masters decide what to do next. But for the time being, we are at peace with one another." Arturia replied. Suddenly, a spark of confused amusement appeared when Mordred's face became sour.
"Bah! My master's nothing but a moron. He doesn't know shit about the war. Hell, without me. I guarantee that he would find himself in trouble - if he isn't dead already." Mordred said. As she pouted angrily at the thought of Ali getting his ass handed to him like that time the East Staines gang jumped him while he was flirting with the gang boss' sister.
"Do not worry, Archer is with him. You and your friends are in safe hands-"
CRASH!
"Bloody hell man… was that President Bush nuking the fuck out of us, or did we just get hit by a bus?" Ali groaned as he rolled away from a now downed Archer who had protected him and Ricky from the fatal hit.
"What the hell was that thing… he was so huge…" Ricky groaned as he suddenly lurched and vomited his dinner.
"Archer!" Arturia exclaimed as she and Mordred ran towards the now fallen servant. His battle attire was torn up. His entire upper body and thighs were either pierced by glass shards or had metal fragments lodged into them. Overall, he was a wreck. But all of a sudden, he got up and started tearing the fragments off of his body and shook off the shards.
"Don't look at me. Look at them." Archer said as he glared at the ones who made him like this. Arturia and Mordred followed the bowman's gaze and saw a large grey behemoth of a man with an albino girl on her shoulder. In the man's right hand was the remains of what looked to be a public bus from somewhere. And on the man's left hand was…
"Master!" Arturia cried out. In the grey beast's hands were both Rin and Shirou. Both of whom were tied up and gagged. The former was actively trying to get the restraints off of her by moving about while the latter was almost close to tears at the sight of Archer's battered body.
Suddenly, a purple haired woman with a mask that only covers her eyes appeared from the shadows. She then landed on the shoulder of the beast opposite of the girl. In her arms was a blue haired boy wearing normal civilian clothes. But his eyes were anything but ordinary. They spelled tension and fear albeit it was masked by haughty confidence only a teenager could have. The boy looked towards the now betrayed looking Shirou and the tempestuous Rin who was burning him with her death glare. He could care less of Rin, but Shirou on the other hand.
"The deal was only Rin! Why is Emiya with you!" Shinji exclaimed at the albino kid on the other shoulder of the large man. Okay, he may be an asshole. But Shirou is kind of like the only person he considered a real friend. He wanted her to stay out of this War more than he wanted to get revenge on Rin. So why on earth is the redhead there!?
"I did not break out of the deal, Matou-san. I did agree to hand Rin over to you. Alive of course. But Onee-chan is mine." Illya replied without even leaving her eyes off of the servant triumvirate who had taken this time to regroup and strategize.
"The hell are they on about?" Mordred asked as she readied her sword and shield.
"It seems that those two children are the masters of who I presume is Rider and Berserker. Rin and I already confirmed the presence of the Caster servant, and Assassin is nowhere to be found. If what I'm hearing is correct, they intend to keep our masters alive. " Archer answered as he removed the last fragment on his body. With Rin's close proximity to him, the bow man could do this without any second thought because the mana he needed from his master was evidently flowing through his wounds. Not a single open wound was left after Archer was done.
"But not for long." Arturia said as she summoned Rhongomyniad. "Sir Mordred. I need you to get your master and his friend away from this place. Return once you have done so. Archer and I will handle our enemy.
"Yes, my King." Mordred said subconsciously. Having been so used to being the King's knight, it would take a while to break the habit of calling his father (or was it mother now? Ugh, it's exhausting to keep up with this - Mordred) anything else. With graceful swiftness, Ali and Ricky were swept up by Mordred and found themselves on Mordred's shoulders as she ran away from the park.
The echoes of warfare were immediately heard from behind her.