Author Note

Hello there and welcome to another chapter of Avalon Bond.

Not much else to discuss before the chapter, so please enjoy!


Avalon Bond

Part II – Fate Grand Order

Chapter 35 – Londinium Part V

Beta: Axel Emiya


The group had returned to Jekyll's apartment for some rest and recovery, while Andersen explained his findings.

The writer's focus was on the relationship between heroic spirits and servants. According to his findings, heroic spirits, being real or fictional, are records or results of human history, therefore, existing as long as humanity does. A servant was but a copy of a heroic spirit…a familiar given a container called a Class and made real, when its existence is uncertain to begin with. Shirou and Arturia listened in, saying nothing, but Arturia was perhaps the only exception to that explanation…a twice-made servant by the whims of Alaya first and Zelretch second, crossing through time and space. When Andersen asked Jekyll and Roman about the possibility of a human or mage turning a heroic spirit into a familiar, Shirou remembered about their time together, after their Grail War.

Tohsaka's genius and Avalon inside of Shirou made it possible to keep Arturia with them, until Shirou became strong enough to keep her by himself.

Though, Andersen's explanation wasn't the same…Arturia as Saber was summoned by the Holy Grail. Rin, at the time, managed to extend her bond with Arturia, after the Grail War ended. Andersen was focusing, instead, on the possibility of a mage summoning servants. Mash had knowledge of the Holy Grail ritual, similarly to what happened in Arturia and Shirou's timeline and dimension. The truth of the matter was that the Fuyuki based ritual was actually based on a distorted version of the real heroic spirit summoning ritual; instead of summoning heroic spirits against a common foe, it shifted into summoning heroic spirits as servants to battle against each other.

While the whole theoretical conversation occurred, though, Mordred didn't bother following the conversation.

"Okay, midget, first you drag us to that shit hole, saying you needed to find something important and now you go on and say something completely useless for us…"

Mordred was pumping her fist, threateningly.

"Ah Mordred, it's indeed important for us to…" The knight of treachery though, and she waved off Mash's comment.

"Save it shield girl, that's irrelevant to me." Boudica saw a vein popping from Arturia's forehead at her son's dismissive behavior and giggled. "What's important, and so far we are still due to figure out, about how to stop those damn metallic bastards, those helter-skelters from mass producing." After Mordred's pondering, Andersen stopped his focus, since he had nothing to contribute on the subject, while Shirou went back to the kitchen to fix everyone, something.

"You're right, Mordred, though you shouldn't dismiss Mash's concern about who is actually behind the Singularities." Mordred snorted at his father's lecture. "Now, I venture that Romani and Da Vinci are into that, right Mash?"

"I think so, Arturia-taichou…Doctor?"

"Miss Arturia is correct, Mash…though Da Vinci is taking rather long to give me the report analysis. Now, Mash and Ritsuka, it's imperative to take some rest for tonight. Your stamina chart is concerning." After that, Ritsuka started to yawn and Mash even rubbed her eyes, tiredly. At this precise moment that Shirou opened the door to the kitchen and brought everyone some late-night sandwiches, which of course Mordred and Arturia fought over.

Knowing the Pendragons, Shirou had made even more for everyone.


===Next day===

Soon after Ritsuka and Mash had woken up, the group now composed of Mordred and those from Chaldea had left the apartment to scout for one specific group of enemies, namely the Helter Skelters.

'Damn pieces of scrap metal,' in Mordred's words, these particular foes were still so much a mystery for the group to ponder. Still, as Romani observed the group's activity against the metallic enemies, he and his engineering staff from Chaldea worked overnight to understand just how they worked. To be truthful, they all knew how they worked…of course, knowing today's technology and history, meant that they didn't have to think hard as to how the machines worked. What had Romani miffed about was precisely the singularity's period. In essence, this type of technology wasn't supposed to exist, then. Da Vinci was next to him, as both pondered about the theory behind the metallic opponents.

"It's impressive, Romani...to see metallic contraptions seemingly operating without a nearby operator, controlling its movements."

Romani hummed in wonder, while the exuberant, at least in appearance, Da Vinci gave his thoughts.

"Indeed, it is…but it's historically inaccurate. Wireless machine control was only achievable in modern times and in the 21st century science, certainly not possible in 18th century London, Da Vinci." The historic scientist had a gleam in his eye at the beautiful conundrum, before them. Of course, it takes a genius to recognize a genius' work and Da Vinci had to rack her brain in order to understand just who could be responsible for the Helter Skelters in this singularity. For one, she doubted it was a actual mage like Mr. Jekyll.

"Of course, science alone isn't the key here, Romani. We may be referring to a servant…so far, only Paracelsus revealed himself, there are two other servants that are calling the shots in this singularity." Romani drank some coffee, before wondering about Da Vinci's explanation.

"A servant…so that means…" Da Vinci was one step ahead of the good Doctor and only nodded.

"Yes, we may be seeing the work of a noble phantasm in conjunction with the metallic contraptions."

Olga was behind the two, together with the other two Chaldea servants, namely Archer and Jeanne.

Meanwhile, back in the singularity, Mash and Ritsuka kept quiet, hearing about the explanation while Shirou, Modred, Arturia and Boudica did all the work of ridding them of the Helter Skelters. The machines attempted to attack, but the three blurs worked quickly and efficiently in ridding the singularity of the machines. Mordred and Arturia with their respective holy swords, while Shirou had traced Kanshou and Bakuya for quick and effective strikes, while keeping on the constant move.

"So, if we can find the magical energy that's controlling the skelters from afar, then we can rid this singularity of them for good." Ritsuka commented and Mash nodded.

"That's right Senpai…Da Vinci, do you know how we can trace the magical energy that's controlling them?" Da Vinci, though, negated.

"Unfortunately, Chaldea's reach is limited in that regard, Mash…" The three battle servants had approached them, waiting for the next call. "Though, it's possible for a servant to track the magical energy from the Helter Skelters. At least, to find more of them, until it's possible to find where the source comes from." The thought didn't bode well with Arturia as she found a major flaw in Da Vinci's plan, considering the sheer number of enemies so far found in this singularity.

"It's not exactly a sound plan…we could be facing hundreds, maybe thousand of those, before we find the source."

Behind Olga, Archer simply snorted, since that was an obvious conclusion.

"You're right, King of Knights. I am indeed a genius, but there is only so much I could offer to help in that regard." Then, Da Vinci turned to Romani and Olga. "Perhaps, next Singularity, Ritsuka could choose me as one of the servants, then I could be of more assistance."

"Hey father, what are you complaining? Smashing those metallic bastards is awesome…let's go, already!" Mordred's red blur vanished, while everyone just observed.

"She's going to tire herself again, isn't she?" Shirou commented, while Arturia worked hard not to rub her forehead to ease the headache.

"We need to follow her. Perhaps, we can get lucky and find the trail." The servants doubted Ritsuka's words, but that was precisely the only strategy available at this point. At one point, Mordred stopped fighting as she used Clarent to hold her tiring body, while squinting her eyes to look around. The group from Chaldea soon reached her position, while Shirou approached her and helped her replenish some of her strength, while the rest observed their surroundings. Mordred, then, turned to Shirou and Mash.

"Hey mother, you are a mage aren't you? Can't you make us a far-seeing crystal or something to help us with the low visibility, it's quite annoying." Shirou, though, responded, not bothered anymore at how Mordred addresses him.

"Unfortunately, jewelcraft is not my forte, Mordred. While I can see further ahead than a regular servant due to my Archer status, the fog is giving me trouble as well." Mordred pouted at the notion and then turned to Mash and Ritsuka. "Your court mage, Dr. Maron, was it? Couldn't he do something…this would be a piece of cake for Merlin." Back in Chaldea, Da Vinci started giggling quietly once she saw the vein popping in Romani's forehead at being compared to the Mage or Arturian legends.

"My name is Roman, Mordred! And don't you compare me to that no good mage! Also, he was the ultimate hermit wizard, while I am just a modern-day doctor!"

Mordred had concurred with Romani's comment, but Arturia thought it strange that Romani would think like that about her old court mage.

'Not like he does not deserve such moniker…'

"Whatever…that old coot is so spineless, that he can't even rush over to London's calamity. Just wasting his time doing nothing, locked in a tower at a corner of Avalon."

Arturia, while observing Mordred bad mouth about Merlin, allowed herself some time to go back to their own time. Of her talks with Merlin about the Knight of Treachery, precisely Arturia's concern about Mordred's actions, back then, to shake the foundations of her kingdom. Merlin, at the time, never once showed concern and only kept that annoying grin, while saying sage-like advice that Arturia seldom understood. Just like with every other topic that Arturia summoned for his guidance, but Merlin was indeed invaluable to the Kingdom of Camelot, as loathed as Arturia was to admit that.

What she was focusing on, however, was on Mash's downtrodden visage. Quickly approaching the shield servant, Mash noticed and looked up.

"What ails you, Mash?" Mash blushed at the intensity of Arturia's questioning gaze at her, while she thought that no one was looking.

"Ah…it's nothing…physical, Arturia-taichou. It's just that the battles are getting more and more intense and I don't feel like I had improved enough…" Arturia kept on hearing, while Mash continued. "I appreciate your and Shirou-senpai's help in training me and even the other servants from the other singularities, but…I'm still due to find out my noble phantasm and without it, I can't be complete as a servant…I can't be of complete usage to Chaldea and senpai in fixing the singularities." Arturia hummed at the notion, while everyone took in their bearings, seeing as the fights were moving towards the end of the singularity.

She knew that Sir Galahad has a plan and she trusted her knight to reveal himself to Mash when the time is right.

"Indeed, learning about your noble phantasm is important, Mash…" The shielder servant nodded, still looking down. "It does not mean, however, that your contributions towards fixing the singularities thus far is less valuable."

"But…" Before Arturia could continue explaining, Mordred butted in, having heard the conversation.

She was cheery, after receiving a bit of Avalon's energy, courtesy of Shirou.

"Don't sweat about it, Mash. Even if the Noble Phantasm is the mark of the hero's pride and existence, at the end of the day, you're you. How you think and your honor are different from that shield bas…" Mordred stopped talking, once Arturia's commanding voice echoed through her link, urging her not to mention it for now. Mash was focusing on Mordred and the Knight of Treachery opted to play through the slip with an embarrassed scratch on her hair, before changing the subject slightly. "You know, from what I've seen, you appear to be a third of the way there. I'm sure it will come to you, eventually. Now, let's proceed."

After stating her two cents, Mordred turned her back and went back to her quest of slaying the skelters, before Shirou placed a hand on her shoulder, before she could vanish.

"Hold up a bit, Mordred." The Knight of Treachery looked up in wonder. "Leave the rest of those to me, while you focus on the magical signatures and try to create a path."

"Hey, no way, mother, I want to smash those bastards to pieces." Shirou, though, placed his foot down.

"While you are limited to one sword, I do not, so I will tire less."

Mordred still looked unconvinced, before Boudica and Arturia appeared behind her, followed by Mash and Ritsuka.

Shirou then nodded at Arturia who nodded back, before fifty swords or more appeared hovering around him. Mordred clearly was pouting, but a smash at the head from Arturia made her move. Boudica had called for a carriage to carry Ritsuka, while Mash, Mordred and Arturia followed the path of destructed metallic parts.


===Westminster Area===

The group then reached the Westminster Area where the House of Parliament is located, when Mordred managed to capture the link getting stronger.

The other servants did as well, when Shirou appeared before them. The reason he stopped, was because, the machine in front of him was taller and bigger than the others he had dealt with. The other servants lined up behind him and he eyed Mash and Mordred. Arturia knew what her future husband was thinking, before he even voiced it. It was quite obvious to Boudica and the other servants from Chaldea, who were observing the interaction. Mordred seemed to understand it as well, and then turned to Mash.

"Oh mother, giving me one hell of a gift…let's go Mash…let's tear this giant metal beast into pieces."

The shield servant saw Mordred's enthusiasm, before she turned to Ritsuka for his orders.

"Go Mash…this big one may provide us a clue to the servant behind this." Mash nodded to Ritsuka and then to Mordred, who screamed in excitement.

"Alright…then let's go, shield girl!" the grownup servants just stood by, observing, while Arturia levelled her eyes on Shirou.

"Anything wrong, Arturia?" the King of Knights narrowed her eyes at him, and Shirou remembered the times when she scolded him while they were servant and master.

"Oh, it's nothing…but, for a second there, it seemed that you were coddling her, Shirou." The redhead servant took a step back and placed both hands up, to explain himself, but Boudica beat him to the punch.

"Indeed, mother Shirou…it's tough for a mother not to pamper her sons and daughters, every now and then." Shirou turned from the questioning Arturia to the giggling Boudica and tried, but failed, to deny the accusations. Ritsuka was the only one not understanding it, much, but was rather focused on Mash and Mordred's battle, before the giant Helter Skelter was blown to pieces.

While Mordred appeared next to her father and mother to collect the praises for her prowess, Mash was busy checking the debris.

The signal was plenty strong for everyone to follow, so it was just a matter of time, before they found the servant's location, but something called Mash's attention.

"What is it, Mash?" Romani's voice appeared and the shield servant quickly explained.

"This one had something engraved in it that the other did not…Doctor."

"What is it?"

"Perhaps it's the manufacturer's name? It's written in English. Charles Baggage, AD 1888."

The news came as a bomb in Chaldea as Da Vinci worked through the computer to identity the aforementioned name.

"Ah, yes, Charles Baggage…an outstanding British scientist and mathematician of the 19th century. Though, it's quite strange, Mash…considering the period of the singularity, he was supposed to be dead long before." Romani scratched his head, while releasing a sigh in dismay. Yet again, it happened. The Grail had shifted the events in other singularities as well. Orleans, Rome and Okeanos, thus far…those events were all slightly shifted and distorted. So, it makes sense.

"It appears that we had found the one responsible for the Skelters, Mash…and the servants managed to capture the trail, am I right?"

The shield servant turned to the others and ascertained.

"Yes, it appears so, Doctor. We will get to the bottom of this." Mash, then, approached everyone, before they continued their assignment.

The trail, surprisingly enough, was rather close to Jekyll's apartment and Mordred was kicking herself repeatedly for not noticing it sooner.

"Bollocks…this damn fog was hindering my senses and hiding his presence this entire time. Oh, now, I am mad as hell!"

No sooner had Mordred cursed like that, the true enemy appeared, similar in appearance to the other Helter Skelters, but significantly smaller in size.

"Listen, listen, listen! I am the King of Steam…unable to grasp the future lay within reach, I am the king of an evanescent world of fantasy. To you rabble, I am known as the mage B and the mastermind behind Project Demonic Fog, that's enveloping this city. I am Heroic Spirit emerged from the Demonic Fog of the empire's capital." Steam of all sorts escaped from the machine's joints as the opponent in front of the group rambled like crazy, in a computer-like voice, spilling everything they needed to hear and more.

"Huh, so he is like Paracelsus, the other servant behind the Fog." Mash readied her shield, as the steam roared through the machine's joints.

"Once again, I am the King of Steam. Having died once, I now dwell within a world of fantasy. My fantasies have sublimated to a Reality Marble, but it's not enough…it's not enough. It's still not enough. With steel, I seek to lead a steam-filled civilization. With ideas, I seek to lead an inconceivable civilization. But, I…truly lament the incineration of humanity and civilization, of the world and the future." Mordred was already fed up with hearing this old coot machine, but at least, like Paracelsus, it seems that Baggage is also under someone else's control, perhaps the other servant is the leader of this mess.

"Ah Mr. Baggage, sir, if you truly lament everything that's happening, perhaps we can come into an understanding!"

Mash attempted to reason with the foe, but she hadn't accounted for Mordred's lack of patience.

"Oi, listen up here, you big piece of scrap iron…settle down at once, or I shall end you by force!" Mordred used Clarent to point at Baggage, threateningly.

"No, Mordred, we don't need to fight for no reason, if he truly laments…" Mash turned to the Knight of Treachery, before Baggage kept on rambling once more.

"Ah, us scholars must uphold to the future, to civilization…to fulfill our aspirations as scholars." The old machine's metallic tone was controlled, but everyone could see his control and his sadness with what happened, until the machine started emitting more steam and blinking lights…"Gah!?" The magical energy spiked all of a sudden as everyone got ready to battle as Baggage could no longer control its functions properly. His entire body shook and steam came out, from all parts and joints. "What…is…this…is it Angrboda's interference? The Holy Grail…so M, isn't it? Even me!?" Baggage then charged at the group like a steam train, trying to run them over.

Shirou sent a barrage of arrows at the enemy, but all of them ricocheted. His body was more impenetrable than the regular Helter Skelters.

Boudica and Arturia partnered up with Boudica using her chariot and Arturia charging her Excalibur to quickly get rid of this servant. However, as soon as Arturia moved to swing her sword, she had to take evasive maneuvers, as other Helter Skelters appeared to defend the main one. That left her and Boudica trapped, having to deal with the rest, while Shirou, Mordred and Mash dealt with the original. Still, moving to strike the fool was hard, considering the amount of steam released, hindering their vision.

Also, stopping Baggage once he charges using Mash's shield was ill-advised. The inertia alone wouldn't be able to stop him long enough for a strike.

Baggage once more came at them like a uncontrolled train and Mordred sprung Clarent to life with her prana. Charging red lighting to her sword, she sent it towards Baggage and the steam, dispelling some of the fog.

"Mash, your shield shall do more damage than our swords. Focus all your prana into your limbs and smash him." The shield servant nodded at Shirou's idea, before running straight towards the King of Steam. Mordred and Shirou used their skills to back her up, before Mash jumped and used the shield as inertia to slam Baggage like a hammer from the sky. The noise, alone, echoed throughout the clearing and it made Baggage's mettalic voice scream in pain. Shirou, then, surged fire prana through two traced katanas and carved an X in Baggage's chest. The amount of heat was enough to carve a dent in Baggage's armor, though it wasn't enough for Shirou's traced weapon to hold.

"Once more, Mash, let's keep it like this." Mash grabbed her shield in full throttle, while Shirou turned to Mordred. "Mordred, one full swing from Clarent shall do it, after Mash's attack." The Knight of Treachery smirked in excitement.

"Roger, mother…by your leave, shield girl!" Mash didn't need to be told twice and ran once more, while feeling the effects of Ritsuka's command seal.

She jumped higher this time and screamed to increase the power of her attack.

Because of this, she carved a big enough hole with Baggage at the bottom, while his joints began to loosen and more steam come out.

Mordred, then, came flying and slashed the red lightning Clarent, providing the finishing move.

As soon as Mordred did so, Arturia and Boudica noticed the other machines not rising again and the other falling down. The original attempted to get up, but he didn't have the strength anymore. Now that the Grail does not have its hold on him, Baggage was free to be himself once more, despite his labored metallic breathing.

"This machine…my creation…Angrboda is located in the underground part of the city…deep, deep, deep beneath the Underground, in the depths…there lies the core…of Project Demonic Fog…the source of the Fog…covering the city…my invention Massive Steam Engine Angrboda…The Grail was used as the power source…I'm deeply sorry about everything my creation has caused on this great city I used to call home." Mash, Shirou and Mordred listened in. "I've seen glimpses of the world I dreamed of, but that world will not be realized…even so, I do not wish to see the end of your world…" The machine servant said his peace, before vanishing from the singularity.

In the end, yet another good heroic spirit used for someone else's machinations.

"…Well, looks like we have our next and possibly final destination." Mordred was surprisingly solemn after Baggage's words, but Mash could identity the sadness in her tone.

"Let's get going, then." Shirou said, before turning to Arturia and Boudica, who were now keeping Ritsuka protected.


===Deeper Underground London===

Once the group from Chaldea plus Mordred found the underground system, they had to walk a long way just to find their way towards where Baggage's machine is located. There were less-threatening foes to deal with as they went further down, until they managed to reach the place where a gigantic machine appeared. The cave, itself, reminded everyone, aside Boudica and Mordred, of the cave where they faced Black Saber in Fuyuki…the cave of the Greater Grail.

There up the hill in front of them, was Angrboda then, the machine who was responsible for summoning servants.

"So much magical energy…it's incredible." Mordred commented. "I really wish to come closer and take a look, but it appears the M servant is here."

True to Mordred's words, a man was there, with blue hair and a black trench coat. Shirou and Arturia noticed the appearance of this particular person and both wondered about the similarities with Shinji from their timeline.

"…Oddly enough, it's just as Paracelsus said…evil must be stopped by those who do good. The Massive Steam Engine, Angrboda…that's our evil embodied, but it is also our hope. I'm sorry to say but your path ends here..."

"Oh great, another one who enjoys the sound of his own voice." Mordred took a step forward and closed her fist. "You should shut up already, what is going to end here is your life, knave!"

"Heroic Spirit Mordred, son of King Arthur and the 13th Knight of the Round Table…legendary Treacherous King…I really thought you'd side with us, but it seems you're now a hero of good. Quite ironic, isn't it?" Mordred snarled at the accusation, but once more looked down, as the reputation was there, no matter what happened in her life.

"Just who are you, are you M?" Ritsuka questioned and the man had simply nodded, before bowing in respect.

"Makiri Zolgen is my name and indeed, I am the leader of Project Demonic Fog." Shirou tsked at the name, now understanding why this man resembles like Shinji so much. Makiri was Sakura's former family name. "One mage seeking the annihilation of this era – the Fourth Singularity, by releasing Demonic Fog all over England." The information, alone, gave everyone goosebumps as they were operating under the pretense that the fog had only caught London, not the entire country. "London alone wouldn't be enough…only by destroying this era completely, can I erase the Foundation of Humanity. That is my king's wishes, after all."

"King…so you're in the same group as Lev?" Mash asked, while keeping her shield ready for trouble.

"No words are needed anymore. Angrboda is shifting into overload mode, and it's about to summon the strongest servant…one that shall destroy this Era!"

"I shall stop you, fool!" Mordred vanished towards meeting Zougen, who didn't even lift a finger to stop her, uttering only words instead, before Mordred slashed his body in half. The rest, however, identified Zougen's words.

"That was an incantation, wasn't it….a heroic spirit summoning incantation and for a berserker servant!"

Arturia and Shirou both nodded at Mash, fully aware of what would come next as lightning surged all around the cave they were at, before the entire cave collapsed because of the explosion. The group from Chaldea had to move behind Mash as she used her incomplete noble phantasm Lord Chaldea to lift a protective barrier against the stones and debris. The new servant, a man with long black hair, dressed in blue pants, blue jacket, covered by a large black cape. Blue electricity danced around his body, as he looked around, while taking a casual walking, towards the cave exit and towards the surface of London.

"You all called me, did you not? Me, lightning itself. What was it that called me, the genius!? A cry? A wish? Good? Evil? Doesn't matter…I, the lightning, the genius, Nikola Tesla! Hhahaha…fascinating…truly fascinating."

The new servant left the cave, before everyone managed to get out of the pile of rocks and debris.

"Damn it, did anyone see who hit us?" Mordred's complaint fell on deaf ears as Romani informed that the servant had just left and is about to head to the surface.

Once everything was cleared, the group ran towards the energy beacon that is Nikola Tesla.


===Buckingham Palace===

Nikola Tesla smirked in full arrogance and madness, as per the class he was summoned, while observing the power of his lightning added by the fog that enveloped the city of London.

"My dear old London…once I aspired to be a full british gentleman, but tonight, my path here shall be its destruction. Some obvious evil deity is forcing me to play the role of world destroyer. Indeed, the fog is quite dense now, that a single strike of my lightning shall truly activate the Demonic Fog and swallow everything…everything, indeed. All of humanity's creation shall be wiped from this Earth as per my summoning's calling. This cancer of civilization shall be stripped from existence. With this singularity as the origin, the rest of humanity is destined to be incinerated!" Tesla chanted his old profanities, while waving his metallic arm around, observing 18th century London in its finest.

He was marching throughout the streets, straight towards Buckingham Palace, where the fog appeared to be thicker and thicker.

As soon as he stopped in front of the House of British Royalty, Tesla smirked and focused his lighting onward.

"Hahahaha, it's quite ironic! I, the myth, the pioneer of a new age, am about to destroy electric civilization and human history itself! Ironic and hilarious, indeed. Now come! I proceed to the heavens! Grant me footing, leading me to the fated spot in the sky where the Fog is densest!" As soon as Tesla called upon his enchantment, the electric current danced throughout his body, before charging forward and creating what appeared to be an endless staircase leading towards the sky onward.

Tesla cackled madly and casually began his descent towards the staircase.

Meanwhile, the group from Chaldea, now that they were back on the surface once more, managed to track down Tesla's path, before reaching the lighting staircase.

"Is it safe to climb that?" Ritsuka looked towards his servants, being the only human.

"Come on, senpai, I shall carry you. There's no time to waste here." Mash didn't even to wait for Ritsuka to object, before he was yanked off the ground. The other servants followed through and climbed the staircase.

In their path, the fog was quite dense, but at least their target was clear now, once they defeated Tesla, it was only a matter of going back to Angrboda and destroy it to possibly fix the singularity. Still, it took them some time to reach the so called electricity creator, Thomas Edison's rival for the name in history as to whom could be called father of electricity. As the climbed more and more staircases, they soon met up with the man himself, with arms crossed, while electric currents danced throughout his body.

"Oh so you made it after all…hoping to build a new legend, I see? Sadly, that's impossible. My lightning is far too strong and added by the fog, I am invincible, reaching towards the skies like the ancient gods….I am lightning itself. Lightning is a divine power from the heavens and tonight, you all shall see a glimpse of the power I command…SYSTEM KERAUNOS!" the group observed as Tesla summoned a field of electricity around him that climbed even higher in the sky, before he focused a beam of electricity in his hand…the beam extended to a disk-shaped electricity beam, before it started spinning uncontrollably.

The group observed in surprise at the amount of magical energy in one attack and Mash already positioned her shield and asked for another command seal from Ritsuka.

However, Mash's incomplete Noble Phantasm wouldn't be enough to protect them from Tesla's own Noble Phantasm.

Just as the highly charged electric beam left from Tesla's hands, that's when Boudica lifted her sword up, calling forth her own Noble Phantasm, the Chariot of Boudica. Her horses pulled up the chariot she was standing on and ran around the group of Chaldea, repeatedly, before Boudica herself jumped away from the Chariot and once more lifted her sword up the heavens. The energy of her sword lifted up a powerful energy shield that protected the group, at the same time as Tesla's electric beam hit it, diverting the energy. Tesla merely observed the action from high ground.

"Oh, quite a splendid view, indeed, Queen Boudica…history displaying before me…the protection of the Celtic gods in full display before this more modern times servant. Truly a blessing!" Tesla, then, turned to see two sword beams, one yellow and one red, climbing towards the heavens. "Oh my, what splendid honor to see it…the history of his loved country. King Arthur's Excalibur and Mordred, the Knight of Treachery's Clarent in full display. Sad to say, though, that it won't be enough against another or my attacks." Said Tesla, as he prepared for another of his Noble Phantasm, taking advantage of the fog.

"We shall see about that, you freak! Let's go father! CLARENT BLOOD ARTHUR!" Arturia nodded and focused as much prana as she could to match Tesla's attack.

Shirou had already received instructions for a follow-up assault.

"Focus on joining our attacks, Mordred. EX-CALIBUR!"

The two beams descended from the heavens, just as Tesla finished his own. The three energies clashed with each other and became a battle of attrition. Mordred snarled, while Arturia hummed in extreme concentration. Tesla did his own cackling laughter, while keeping up his attack against Arturia and Mordred's joined assault. However, the almighty genius just couldn't account for a black arrow, shaped like a sword, coming straight for his chest core, piercing it, without restraint.

Tesla stopped his attack instantly, while coughing up blood. Arturia and Mordred stopped as they observed Shirou's archer position, after releasing Hrunting.

Shirou's precise attack pierced Tesla's core and it didn't even allow for a proper goodbye from the self-proclaimed Modern Zeus.

Right there, something clicked in Mordred's mind and the alien, but surprisingly warm, feeling in her chest.

Her fighting by father's side was nothing new, despite King Arthur never fully acknowledging her back then. But now, joining forces with father and with the man she had chosen to become her partner for life, to whom Mordred called Mother, a feeling of belonging enveloped her being. Seeing father and mother working together like that, so effortlessly. It was like they were one splendid warrior, practically impossible to defeat. And she wanted to see more…as a servant in this particular singularity, Mordred knew that her time would be almost up and she would return to the Throne.

However, she wanted more…she wanted to have more experiences with father…she wished to have more of Mother's delicious food…she wanted to see the two together.

"Nikola Tesla's annihilation confirmed, great work everyone!" Romani's voice had awakened Mordred to reality, as she looked around, to see the electric staircase still active.

She blushed considerably, though, once her eyes met with Shirou's who was smiling back at her.

Father was too and Mordred right now realized that perhaps they had listened to her inner thoughts.

'Stay out of my head, damn it!' The knight of Treachery could only pout like a teenager, when she heard Shirou's warm laughter and Arturia's contained snort in derision.

"Well, the staircase is still active, but with Tesla gone, it should get unstable quickly." The group nodded. Soon came the feeling that they had managed to fix yet another singularity, thus leaving only three more for their goal.

"Ah, guys, I think we forgot something." Ritsuka called everyone at attention. "The Holy Grail is what powers Angrboda, so that means that we have to go back underground."

"Relax, with Tesla gone, all there is to it are weaker foes to defeat…nothing that we can't handle. Let's get going, already!" Mordred had placed Clarent resting on her shoulders, while moving towards the staircase's descent.

The rest appeared to follow her…

However, a sudden spike in magical energy surged and made all servants turn quickly in surprise as the skies of London had gotten alive in an endless dance of lightning.

In Chaldea, the beacon of Romani's radar was off the charts and it has gotten everyone surprised, wondering that perhaps Tesla wasn't yet finished, though the signature was quite different. Back in the singularity, the group looked around, wondering what was going on. The Fog that usually hovered around London entirely, began to gather above Buckingham Palace. Being there for longer time, it was mesmerizing for Mordred to see London getting clear all of a sudden, as the fog now seemed focused on a single point.

"Be careful, everyone! The energy reading is quite unstable."

"It doesn't matter who is it, I will introduce them to Clarent, soon enough!"

However, deep inside, Mordred feared that she knew exactly who would show up. After all, she was here in this singularity.

One large thunderbolt that fell from the sky as if Thor had finally brought upon his rage upon old London. The large thunderbolt hit the gathered fog and an immense shine light enveloped everyone, forcing them to shield their eyes.

Once they stopped to look what and whom appeared, Shino, Arturia and Mordred all gasped at the sudden appearance. Arturia, most of all, since the servant in front of her looked exactly like the Arturia Pendragon whose body she had taken over, to become human once more. Only, instead of a blackened Excalibur, she saw this Arturia holding a blackened lance, similar to her Rhongomyniad. She was also riding a horse, which looked more like it was possessed by some evil entity, with big blood red eyes and dark overall skin.

Her eyes met with Shirou's and he nodded, while conversing inside their heads about the similarities.

After all, Shirou was there along Arturia as she took over the body. At least, Shirou wasn't acting like he did in Fuyuki…though the question now remained. Is this servant the copy of the Arturia Pendragon whose body she had taken over? Was that version recorded in the Throne as a servant? Memories that she had assimilated, over the years after taking over, all passing through her mind right now…the betrayal of everyone…her own actions…the Battle of Camlann…that Mordred delivering the final blow…seeing this person in front of her once more made it harder for Arturia to know who she was at the moment.

It had taken longer, this time, but when Shirou's image crossed her mind, she managed to repress the strange memories and focus on her own, getting her back.

"What's the meaning of this…how is father in front of us, looking like that? Another one…just how many versions of you are there, in the Throne?" Arturia had ignored Mordred's questionnaire as she was focused on the spear.

"This is bad! She's absorbing the Demonic Fog as she manifests. There's too much magical energy!" Romani's words spooked Mash and Ritsuka, while the servants attempted to figure out how to deal with this version of King Arthur.

"Perhaps, we can talk to her…if she's King Arthur, then she wouldn't want to see her own country destroyed." Mordred snorted at Ritsuka's words filled with naivety.

"Talk!? That's King Arthur, ready to slay her foes. But, why are you showing up now of all times? If you're saving Londinium, then you should have appeared sooner…no, perhaps, it's different. Maybe, you are here to kill me, instead. Is the idea of me saving this city, so alien to you, father?" The real Arturia, behind her, frowned at the harsh words from her son, but then she realized that perhaps that was how she was perceived back then. Rarely, if never, displaying emotion, only focused on slaying whoever appeared in front of her as an obstacle to her goals of protecting Camelot.

Mordred, right now, may be reverting back to those days when she became the Knight of Treachery and Arturia just couldn't let that happen.

"Stand back, all of you, I shall deal with this myself."

The entire group turned abruptly as Arturia climbed the steps, resolutely, standing in all her majesty, using its commanding ability.

Mordred turned to see her and their eyes met. She had now seen the same eyes as back then…however, what surprised her, was the contained, but visible smile in reassurance.

"Arturia…" The King of Knights turned briefly to Shirou. No words needed to be exchanged between them.

Not even through their shared link…

The King of Knights once more walked towards her other version and Excalibur appeared in her hand.

The horse appeared rattled at her presence, going forward as Arturia and Arturia met eye to eye.

"I deeply apologize for what I had done to you…for my selfishness in wishing to be with my beloved…to feel his touch…to hear his heart beat and feel it matching with my own…for that reason, you didn't receive a proper burial after such a tormented life you had." Arturia's words didn't resonate much, probably because of the madness enhancement that clouded her mind, but at least, Arturia would speak her mind, while Excalibur started glowing brighter than ever before.

The blackness of Arturia Alter Lancer had become overwhelmed by the golden light of Excalibur.

Still, Lancer Alter didn't back down from a fight and Arturia didn't expect her to. However, just like before, she knew that a mere touch between weapon would be enough to make her counterpart realize, just like she back then. As such, the two Arturias ran towards each other with battle cries, as Bright Excalibur and Dark Rhongomyniad engaged.

As soon as that happened, once the weapons clashed, both Arturias were transported back to the Battle of Camlann as they had simply stared at each other, for a while.

"You don't need to apologize…" Arturia was surprised to hear her counterpart speak, but then she realized that this servant took those memories with her to the Throne, seconds before her passing. "It was indeed an act of selfishness from your part, however having the opportunity to do that, considering what happened in our lives, is something to be cherished, not condemned. Humm, it's nice to see that at least one of us had a happy ending, after all."

"One of us…wait…what do you mean?" Then, Arturia remembered Fuyuki…or rather the King Arthur that she looked like when she was Shirou's servant.

Plus, Zelretch had explained to them the different dimensions that brought about different versions of King Arthurs.

"In the Throne, there are many versions of Arturia Pendragon…versions of King Arthur…all of them had more of less the same fate, in the end."

"I see...that's quite overwhelming to make sense of." Lancer only smirked at that.

"Indeed, it is. Now, take good care of that man of yours, using my body for that." Arturia blushed at the devilish smirk from the Alter Lancer servant.

"…and take care of Mordred as well…she deserves a happy ending just as much as we do."


===Angrboda===

Once Arturia Lancer was defeated, the group then returned to the cave where Angrboda was located.

Ritsuka and Mash went together with Boudica towards the machine to collect the Grail, while Arturia stood behind them.

The King of Knights then looked back to see Shirou talking alone with Mordred.

"Well, I guess that's that, huh? With the singularity fixed, my time is up, mother." Shirou smiled with a nod at his surrogate daughter, a weird thought to have, but it truly felt like and Shirou surprised Mordred by ruffling her hair.

"Before meeting you, Mordred, I only had Arturia's memories to go by. I was glad to know that in the end, you have a good heart, deep down."

She removed his hand away, while blushing at the contact.

"Hey!" Her protests were only met with a contagious laughter and Mordred only crossed her arms, while looking away. However, she was once more surprised when Shirou embraced her. Her face turned into a heating tomato at this point and she still attempted to protest, a little, before surrendering and surprising herself at the feeling of warmth intensified, just like the times he used his mage craft to heal her. "You know, it wouldn't be the end of the world, if I could, I don't know, go back with you all." Shirou hummed at the notion, before ending the hug and looking at her eyes with a disarming smile on his face.

The Knight of Treachery felt uncomfortable at his stare, wondering if she was perhaps scared that he wouldn't want her to come…

"It's that what you want, Mordred?" She looked at him for a while and then at her father looking at them from a distance. She, then, nodded at him and Shirou turned to look at Mash, who at this point stood close to Arturia. The shield servant nodded enthusiastically at the unspoken request and approached them, while placing the shield on the ground, so that Chaldea could make the link with Mordred.

"It's done, Shirou-taichou. Welcome to Chaldea, Mordred."

The so called Knight of Treachery opened up a smile at that, relieved that not only Londinium is saved, but she also got to keep with them.

"Doctor, I guess we can come back now…right?" Ritsuka called upon the rayshift initiation.

"Right…indeed, good job everyone, three more singularities to go…rayshift in…wait…" The urgent tone in Romani spooked everyone as the man started rambling. "What is this response? It can't be? There's some kind of distortion in the underground space!" Everyone stood on edge, wondering what now. "Something is coming…an unknown phenomenon. It's not a servant manifestation. It's more similar to the Rayshift…but that's impossible! Only Chaldea has that technology!"

In the singularity, the servants all stood at attention at the high level of magical energy, higher than Arturia Lancer by miles…Mash was shivering and the others…it was the first time that Shirou and Arturia found themselves, wondering if they measured to this level. Mordred and Boudica moved to protect Mash and Ritsuka, while the Knight of Treachery looked around, meanwhile pissed that she had earned their graces, only to face possibly the strongest foe she has ever sensed before.

"Here it comes!"

"Hmmm, Demon Marshall Gilles de Rais, Imperial Founder Romulus, Hero Spy Jason and Divine Scholar Nikola Tesla…" A deep voice reached everyone's ears as this new shadow entity appeared in front of them. "I thought they would be somewhat useful…such a shame. Such stupidity! Humans really do degrade themselves with the passage of time." When the shadow made itself known, the entity revealed himself as a man with long silver hair and yellowish eyes, from ancient times, based on his clothing and few armor plates around his shoulders. Everyone sensed the immense power that kept exuding from his person.

"Who are you?" The entity revealed a sigh at Ritsuka's question.

"My identity still eludes you, all? Are you monkeys that such a thing has to be taught? But, very well, I've taken a liking to your stupidity. If you wish to know, then it's this King's privilege to educate the masses. I am the final destination you seek…the one who commands the 72 Demon Gods, and will destroy humanity from his throne." The description alone already made everyone gasping for breath…the mention of the Demon Gods…those creatures that they faced in prior singularities. "My name is Solomon. Among the Heroic Spirits, I stand above them all as one of the "Grand" seven."

Chaldea in its entirely had simply stopped at the revelation.

Da Vinci and Olga were eyeing Romani, while the Doctor was sweating profusely. Archer narrowed his eyes in suspicion and Jeanne looked in concern for the rest.

In Zelretch's dimension, the Dead Apostle Ancestor recognized his former teacher in all his glory, while Tohsaka Rin feared for his friends' safety.

"So what…you are a servant and had taken advantage of a second life, to destroy humanity?" Solomon snorted at Mordred's dismissal.

"No, Knight of Londoninium, I am indeed a heroic spirit, but no man shall ever summon me. Do not think me as the same rank as you all incompetents. After death, I revived by my own power to be a Heroic Spirit. As such, I am a Heroic Spirit and also a living being. Thus, no master commands me. I started this matter of my own will. In order to eliminate all you humans…trash who's continuing along its foolish history, you are all the sole and greatest waste of this universe." Solomon's words were laced with venom and anger and Mash found herself wondering about the content…knowing plenty of data about humankind, the wars, the betrayals, the pettiness, all of that…could be translated as humankind.

"Does most ancient kings have similar minds, then?"

Shirou's simple ponder had brought about everyone's attention and Arturia knew to whom her beloved was referring to.

"Ah, a servant from another dimension…a no-talent mage with distorted views and lack of regard for his own safety…Emiya Shirou. Though, what you said intrigued me…please elaborate." Shirou wasn't bothered by Solomon, knowing about him.

"If you know of me, then you know of one servant that I faced in the past, one that shared your views of humanity, even though both were human and both rather enjoyed causing their own share of havoc in history. In his words, back then, humanity is the name for an animal that cannot find joy in life without sacrifice…without facing its ugliness. Back then, he wanted to use the Grail to sacrifice thousands, millions of lives, leaving only those who survived with the right to exist."

Arturia snarled unconsciously at remembering that arrogant prick.

"Hmm, indeed truthful words, coming from a fellow King of Uruk, of a past even further than my own."

Shirou narrowed his eyes at such perturbed view, even if mankind is like Solomon and Gilgamesh described, it doesn't mean that they are beyond salvation or else Shirou would have allowed himself to die in the aftermath of the Forth War.

"You can't destroy the world! Like Shirou said, you were once part of humanity!" Solomon grunted at Ritsuka's words, believing them to be beneath his status.

"Ignorant fool…one who's not part of men's history, can't possible understand where I come from…humanity is rotten…this entire world is rotten to the very core. You say I can't destroy it, but I can…I have the means. You eras has been swept away already by my 72 Demon Gods that cross over time. They took physical form and were reborn. That is why they can anchor themselves in any era. The Demon Gods are wedges halting this planet's rotation. The spiraling band of light in the sky is my Noble Phantasm." Mash, then, gasped.

"Then does that mean…the ring of light we see in every era…"

"Indeed, that's my third noble phantasm…Ars Almadel Salomonis. Each ray in the band carries the same heat as a holy sword. Light equivalent to weaving together hundreds of millions of the holy sword." Arturia basked at the notion, as she held Excalibur in her hand, protectively. Solomon snorted at her, considering that he was using her sword as a comparison to his power. "Now, I won't bother bringing it all upon you, so I will just summon four of my demon gods to play with you all."

From behind Solomon, four gigantic creatures emerged from the ground and the group from Chaldea had to defend themselves to the best of their abilities.

Evading the eye beams, jumping away from the smoke blasts, even Solomon attacked them with but a wave of his wrist to send a small amount of his third noble phantasm. Shirou would summon sword after sword in his repertoire, but none of them came close to finishing one of the Demon Gods. Arturia and Mordred with their respective noble phantasms did little to pierce the protective shield that Solomon lifted, while simply crossing his arms. His focus lied on Mash, as she attempted to block the heat wave from his attacks, but failed, getting hurt in the process.

In little less than five minutes struggling, all of the Chaldea servants were on the ground, panting for breath and seeing little to no means of escaping.

"Doctor, please use the rayshift…we will be wiped out here." Mash's plea, though, couldn't be attended.

"I can't Mash…he's blocking our communication. As long as he's there, I can't do anything from here."

The tension in Romani's voice was palpable and Olga, behind him, was biting her nails in concern. Right there, was her father's own servant being behind this entire mess.

"Do you all see that I just stand in a class above your own, mere servants. Your efforts are pathetic…none of you have the strength to stop me from destroying humanity once and for all. However, I believe it's time for me to go." Everyone looked at the man, wondering what was going on now. He could have killed them right here right now, without breaking a sweat.

"Yes, feel that impotence…feel that hopelessness. I could have destroyed you all as easily as breathing."

"Huh, you're leaving…so what, you think you can simply come here, piss on us and then leave?" Solomon, this time, opened up a mad glee in reply.

"Yes, yes, that's right…that's exactly right! But you are all worth less than piss. I don't care about any of you. I could kill you all…so I'm not simply letting you go…you weren't worth looking at in the first place. However, if you can remove all seven singularities, then I shall consider a matter I must deal with. Until then, enjoy the rest of your miserable lives…cling to it desperately like all human beings. It matters not in the end, for as I shall bring judgement when the time is due. Till then, farewell."

And with that, the Grand Caster Servant King Solomon, King of Mage had left, leaving everyone a sour taste of defeat, even though they managed to recover the Fourth Grail.

"Okay, he is gone for now. I shall start the rayshift to bring everyone back…"


Author Note

Please tell me your thoughts.

It's been forever since I started this singularity and the others will be even longer.

If someone is wondering why Kintoki and Tamamo didn't appear, it's because I simply do not understand why they appeared in the first place. It just doesn't add up to see two Japanese servants simply appear all of a sudden in a 18th century London singularity. In another matter, one reader asked me about Fou, Cath Palug…well…the creature's there as I mentioned it once or twice. But, it's only more relevant to the story from Babylonia forward, so until then, I won't bother placing it in too many scenes.

Lastly, I have recently created a P-atreon account for those who wish to follow my stories more personally, sending suggestions and occasional polls to help me. Also, for those who wish to make a pledge there, it would be greatly appreciated. If not, then, it's fine as well. What's important for me to have more readers admiring my stories.

P-atreon Account: Anime-Enthusiast

Next update: Cursed Eyes