Ici il y a des dragons Chapter 13
The Dragon's Fall
The two Masters and Jeanne stopped in their tracks as they saw the large door leading to the throne room. This was the moment of truth, once they opened those doors, there was no going back, and they would finally confront the Dragon Witch.
"Are you nervous?" Tatsuko asked.
Jeanne shook her head. "I'll be fine. There is something I have to ask her before we fight though."
"Do you want to share what it is?" Roman asked.
"No, I would rather keep it to myself until we face her." Jeanne replied.
"I understand." Roman replied. "Just be careful going in, I get the feeling she's expecting you."
"Yeah, I'm getting goosebumps just by standing near the door." Ritsuka answered.
"Fou, fou….."
Ritsuka rubbed Fou's chin softly to try and get himself under control. He was glad that Mashu suggested that Fou went with him and the others, but he couldn't help but feel nervous.
Roman stared at the black haired Master and rubbed his chin. He wanted to help the young teen in calming his nerves, but how to do it…
The doctor snapped his fingers in an epiphany and smiled at Ritsuka and Tatsuko. "I have an idea. Why don't you two make a salute?"
The three companions looked at the doctor with raised eyebrows.
"A…..salute?" Tatsuko asked. "Why would we need one?"
"Think of it as a way to plan out your victory." Roman said.
Ritsuka thought for a moment, and then nodded at the red haired doctor. "Okay, what kind of salute did you have in mind?"
Roman chuckled. "Raise your right hand into the air, and then clench it into a fist. It'll be as if you're trying to grab the sun, and say 'we can do the impossible.'"
The three companions and Fou slowly but surely did as Roman suggested and raised their right hands, or paw in Fou's case, in the air, and clenched them into a fist, albeit with confused looks on their faces. A few seconds later, however, their faces expressed absolute confidence. Roman smiled and gave them a thumbs up.
"You guys got this. I believe in you."
Ritsuka and Tatsuko took a look at each other before smiling and nodding. They were ready to fight against the Dragon Witch. After that, they looked at Jeanne as the Ruler started to walk forwards, stopping right in front of the door.
"This is how it ends." With those words, she opened the entrance to the Dragon Witch's throne.
Dark Jeanne looked at them in her throne as they moved forward.
"So you finally made it here, huh?" She said. The Dragon Witch stared at the three companions and raised an eyebrow, she knew some of their Servants stayed behind on their orders, but the group seemed smaller than she remembered.
"Where's the rest of your sorry band of idiots?"
"Fighting off your forces." Ritsuka answered. "We're now the only ones here to face you."
Dark Jeanne looked at him in disbelief for a few moments, before letting out a loud laugh.
"Is this all you got!?" She asked. "Oh, I thought this would be hard, but it looks like it'll be easier than I expected."
The Dragon Witch got off of her throne and grinned at her opponents. "Now you three will know to fear my power!"
Tatsuko raised her hand. "I hate to be THAT girl, but I have a question."
Dark Jeanne raised an eyebrow. "You can't be serious."
"Oh I'm dead serious." Tatsuko replied.
The Dragon Witch exhaled in irritation. "Fine, but be snappy about it!"
Tatsuko nodded.
"Why SHOULD we fear you?"
Everyone stared at her with blank expressions, especially the Dragon Witch. Her expression soon turned to tranquil irritation as she gripped her standard.
"What did you just say?"
"It's just like I asked." Tatsuko replied. "I mean sure back when we first met you had us on the ropes, but then Marie bailed us out. Then you sent only your Servants to do your dirty work until we arrived in Lyons and you appeared with Fafnir. Then you turned around and ran with your tail between your legs when the French Army survived Fafnir's flames with our aid. After that you really didn't do much to warrant any sort of fear from us. So why SHOULD we be afraid of you?"
Everyone remained silent as they continued to stare at the female Master. The Dragon Witch seethed in anger, gripping her standard tightly as flames started to form behind her. She glared at Tatsuko through gritted teeth and pointed her flag at her.
"I'M GOING TO KILL THEM FIRST, AND SAVE YOU FOR LAST! I AM GOING TO MAKE SURE YOUR DEATH IS NICE, SLOW AND PAINFUL, BITCH!"
Dark Jeanne roared in fury as she directed the flames at the Chaldeans, only for Jeanne to get in the way, and twirl her flag to dissipate the flames. The two Masters were ready to use their second Command Spells, but Jeanne gave them a knowing look.
"Don't use them yet." Jeanne said. "I have a feeling you're going to need those later."
The two Masters looked at her, and nodded reluctantly. The moment the flames dissipated, Jeanne looked at Dark Jeanne with a calm gaze.
"I have something to ask of you as well." The Ruler said.
"It's too late for talking!" Dark Jeanne roared.
"It's a very simple question." Jeanne countered.
Dark Jeanne snarled, but relented. "Fine, what is it?"
Jeanne took a deep breath.
"Do you remember your family?"
The Dragon Witch stared at her in confusion. "What?"
"No matter how vivid my memories of battle are, I remember far more of my life as a simple country girl." Jeanne replied. "Even my dark side should remember those peaceful days. No, it's precisely because she remembers them that the hatred and betrayal brought her such pain.
Dark Jeanne froze. "I... I…"
Jeanne exhaled sharply. It would seem the answer was obvious. "You don't remember, do you?"
"What... What does it matter?" Dark Jeanne asked. "Whether I remember or not, I'm still Jeanne d'Arc!"
"That's right. It doesn't matter whether you remember." Jeanne said. "But this settles it. I shall defeat the "Dragon Witch" with sadness, not anger."
The Dragon Witch growled. "Finally, the time for talking is over. Let's see if you can surpass me Jeanne d'Arc!"
The two Servants charged at each other, their flags clashing sent shockwaves throughout the throne room. Dark Jeanne grinned, and swept her flag from under Jeanne's, and used it to smack the Ruler across the face. Jeanne stumbled for a bit in a daze, but regained her bearings in time to see a pillar of fire shooting at her. The Ruler dodged, only to block an incoming strike from the Dragon Witch. Jeanne was prepared, however, and used her flag to strike her counterpart in the gut, knocking the wind out of her.
Jeanne was about to land another strike, but the smirk on the Dragon Witch's face told her to escape. Her instinct was rewarded as she leapt out of the way from a strike from above. The Ruler stared in shock as she saw black pikes buried into the ground. Dark Jeanne continued to grin as she summoned more spectral pikes to her side and launched them at the Ruler.
Jeanne set up a small barrier to deflect them, but it would not save her from a frontal attack from the Dragon Witch. Dark Jeanne saw this, and charged at the Ruler. The moment the pikes were gone, Jeanne lowered the barrier, and countered Dark Jeanne's strike with her flag. But the Ruler was pushed back significantly. That strike had much more power behind it than the previous ones. But why?
She had to bury those thoughts as she stepped out from another strike, and backhanded her dark counterpart, sending her flying into her very own throne. The Dragon Witch slowly got up and turned around to check the damage, only to find that the throne wasn't damaged at all. Dark Jeanne then leapt out of the way as Jeanne jumped into the air to slam her flag down upon her. The Ruler left herself open, giving Dark Jeanne the opportunity to fill her fist with prana, and punch Jeanne in the gut.
The Ruler flew into the air, and hit the ground towards the two Masters. The moment she was close, Ritsuka and Tatsuko immediately used the most basic healing spells they knew to heal her. The Ruler got up as she watched the Dragon Witch stare at them with a calm glare of contempt. The two Servants readied their weapons as they stared at each other.
They were done with their warm up. The REAL battle was about to begin.
Siegfried ducked as Fafnir swung one of its forearms at him. The Saber continued to cut into the dragon's skin, giving it some fresh wounds, but the dragon was still not injured enough for the battle to be over quite yet. Fafnir began to shoot fire at him, but Siegfried flew out of the way with his own wings, and dove right for the dragon's neck.
SWOOSH
Siegfried had to change his trajectory as Fafnir lunged its head at him to swallow the Saber whole. The Dragon Slayer took this opportunity to stab Fafnir's right eye, causing the dragon to roar in pain. On the ground, Mata Hari and Mozart continued to perform in order to give their allies the strength and vigor needed to continue the fight. However, that didn't mean they had endless stamina, especially for one in particular. Mata Hari turned around, and gasped as she saw Mozart getting paler and paler as he continued to play the piano with great passion.
That was, until a lone arrow pierced his shoulder.
"Mozart!" She shouted.
"I'll be fine!" Mozart shouted. He saw Medusa and Emiya rush towards him, but he shook his head and gestured towards Mata Hari.
"Keep protecting Mata Hari!" He shouted.
"But what about you?" Medusa asked.
Mozart merely smiled. "My Spirit Core was already deteriorating before I got shot. I don't know how much longer I have, but I'll continue to play until I die!"
The Servants looked at him as he continued to play with a look of eerie calmness, before nodding reluctantly. They then prepared themselves for another wave of skeletons and wyverns coming their way. Emiya shot two wyverns down with his projectiles while Medusa shattered the skulls of two skeletons with her kicks. The Rider then wrapped five more in her chains, and yanked their heads off before stomping on their skulls.
As that was happening Saint George continued to slay multiple dragons and wyverns with the aid of Kojiro, who held onto him with one hand, while killing the reptilian beasts with his sword. The Assassin noticed the three surviving royal wyverns making their way towards the others. He tapped Saint George on the shoulder with his free hand.
"I'll be right back!" He said loudly. The moment the two Servants were in range, the Assassin crouched on Bayard, and leapt into the air towards the three wyverns. The Azure one noticed him first, and tried to shoot him with fire, but the Assassin cut through the flames, and cut the wyvern down from neck to gut. He landed on the dead wyvern and, using its body as a platform, launched himself at the golden female. The golden royal wyvern turned her head and screeched. She turned to face him, but it was already too late, Kojiro swiftly cut her head off in one clean motion, and used her body to kill the last remaining royal wyvern, the silver one. The male wyvern roared in anger as Kojiro raised his blade high, and swung at the creature.
The silver royal wyvern moved to the side, sparing itself a killing blow, but in the process, Kojiro sliced its right wing. The wyvern screeched in pain as it fell closer to the ground. Saint George saw it falling, and immediately sprang into action. He called Bayard to move towards the falling creature, which the horse did without a hint of fear. The Rider then saw a spear on the ground, and grabbed it in his right hand as he and his mount reached closer and closer to the royal wyvern. The moment he was in striking distance, Saint George thrusted the spear into the wyvern's mouth, and into its gullet, causing the monster to shriek in pain until it went silent, and died.
Kojiro then landed on the dead wyvern and panted heavily. The Assassin was still ready to fight but the overall battle was starting to exhaust everyone. They then looked at the hill where the music continued to play, and saw Emiya and Medusa trying to protect Mata Hari and Mozart, but it looked like they would need help, their concern grew even more as they saw more arrows pierce into Mozart, but the Caster kept on playing his instrument ferociously. They saw Artoria and Cú helping the French Army with as many skeletons and wyverns as possible, so they knew they had to fall back to help protect their comrades. Kojiro merely hopped back onto Bayard, and rode with Saint George back towards their allies.
As that was happening, Siegfried continued to battle Fafnir with utmost ferocity. Neither combatant was going to back down, and they knew it could only end one way.
Siegfried rolled out of the way as Fafnir dove its head to crush him with its jaws. The Saber retaliated by slicing into its cheek and chin, causing the dragon to roar angrily at him. Siegfried took this opportunity to fly into the air again and try to cut its wings off, but the dragon anticipated this, and used its forearm to swipe at him. The hit landed, causing the Saber to hit the ground with a loud thud. As he slowly got up, Siegfried had to dive out of the way in order to get away from the attack. He rolled on the ground in discomfort as he escaped the dragon's onslaught. The Saber got up quickly and stared at Fafnir with a calm gaze.
He had to think of how he beat him last time, otherwise this fight would drag on until he was too exhausted to fight back. He needed to find out where the dragon's weakness was, but where could it be, and how would he-
His eyes widened as he saw the glowing marks on Fafnir's chest.
"Ah, so that's where his weak point is." Siegfried said under his breath. "It's a big target, but getting to it is going to be difficult."
The Saber gripped Balmung tightly and took a deep breath. He would need someone to distract Fafnir in order to bring out his Noble Phantasm, but after watching everyone, he knew that was going to be a difficult task. They were all too busy either helping the French or protecting Mata Hari and Mozart, who continued to play despite his injuries. There was no one to help him…..
That was, until a blood curdling roar shook the battlefield.
Everyone stopped fighting as soon as they heard that. Loud footsteps boomed across the field, and continued to get closer and closer, causing the Chaldean Servants to smirk.
Everyone barring the Chaldean Servants watched in complete shock as Heracles leapt out of the trees, and grabbed two wyverns by the neck, snapping them like twigs, and threw them at Fafnir at full force.
As that was happening, a volley of arrows appeared from the tree line, killing only the skeletal warriors that got too close to the French army. Suddenly, dragon tooth warriors appeared out of thin air, and attacked the skeletons to aid the French troops. The Chaldeans then were shocked as they saw familiar blue flames shoot out and attack more skeletons, burning them all to ash. Their eyes widened further as Medea and Kiyohime came out of the treeline, and attacked the enemy skeletons.
"Looks like the cavalry's here." Georgios said as he killed another skeleton. "Siegfried!"
The Saber Dragonslayer looked at their new allies destroying the skeleton warriors as Heracles launched more wyvern corpses against Fafnir. The very action did not really hurt the dragon, but it did distract, and irritate it to no end. The moment Heracles was done throwing the corpses, he launched himself at the dragon, roaring along with it, and punched its snout.
The dragon roared in pain as it staggered. Siegfried gripped Balmung with both hands, sensing the opportunity to Saber was surrounded by blue flames as he took a deep breath.
"The Evil Dragon shall fall, and the world will reach its sunset."
Balmung was surrounded by blue flames, the weight of which forced Siegfried to step back a bit and raise his blade over his head.
"I will bring you down."
Fafnir looked back at Siegfried and roared as the Saber swung his blade.
"Balmung!"
A pillar of blue flames shot at the dragon's chest. Fafnir had no time to fly away, nor to protect itself.
All it could do was watch as the Noble Phantasm struck its chest. The dragon roared in pain as the flames engulfed him. Siegfried merely watched as the dragon howled out in pain, until, there was only silence, signifying the mighty dragon was no more. This caused all the wyverns to screech and cry out in fear. Soon enough, the wyverns started flying away, causing cheers in the French Army before resuming their battle with the skeletons.
The Dragon slayer turned away and looked at his Chaldean allies, and rushed to their side. He watched as Medea teleported herself, Kiyohime, Cú and Artoria close to the others with concern on their faces. The group crowded around Mozart as he took shallow breaths. The Caster finally stopped playing, but it was obvious that he wasn't going to last much longer.
"My my, I'm glad I lasted long enough to see you slay Fafnir." Mozart said.
"Mozart, what did you do?" Medea asked.
"I overclocked my Noble Phantasm." He answered. "I poured everything I had into it, and because of the extended time I was playing, I was burning out my Spirit Core."
"You knew that this would happen, didn't you?" Kiyohime asked.
Mozart nodded. "I'm terribly sorry for not saying anything, but I didn't want our Masters or Mashu to worry. Besides, it was the only thing I could think of in order to give you all that little boost."
A golden glow surrounded Mozart, signifying he didn't have enough time. The Caster looked at the Chaldean Servants with a smile.
"I have one small request for you folks." He said. "Please apologize to the Chaldean Trio for me, especially to Mashu. I actually feel a little bad for not telling them that I was sacrificing myself to ensure victory."
"We will." Artoria said. Mozart nodded at the Saber, and took a few deep breaths as he began to feel himself return to the Throne of Heroes. He looked at the Chaldean Servants and their allies with a wide smile.
"Viva la France!"
And with that, Mozart faded away, returning to the Throne of Heroes. Everyone remained silent for a few moments out of respect for the Caster, and his sacrifice. Afterwards, Medusa turned to Medea and Kiyohime.
"I assume Liz is okay?" She asked.
Kiyohime nodded. "We ran into Medea not ten minutes after we got into the forest. Liz is still recovering, so she won't be ready to fight anytime soon."
Medusa sighed a breath of relief. "I'm glad she's okay."
"In anycase, what took you so long, Medea?" Artoria asked. "Was Atalante that tough?"
Medea nodded. "Yes, but there's another reason. She and I had a conversation, and she gave me some disturbing news."
"What kind?" Emiya asked.
"There are more Servants under Dark Jeanne's command, and one of them is a Berserker." Medea answered.
"I already took care of Lancelot with Mashu's help." Artoria replied. "She has returned inside the castle as we speak, so that leaves only the Dragon Witch."
Medea shook her head. "No, there is also a Caster Servant. One that never leaves Dark Jeanne's side."
A chill went up everyone's spine. If Mashu was making her trek inside the castle, then that meant that the two Masters and Jeanne were all alone to face the Dragon Witch, and Caster!
"Medea, can you get a teleportation spell ready?" Artoria asked.
The blue haired Caster nodded. "Give me a bit, I can only take so many of us at one time."
"Then take only the ones from Chaldea." Saint George suggested. "Is that to your abilities?"
Medea nodded.
"Okay, then Kiyohime, Siegfried, Saint George and I will stay here and help the French Army finish off the undead." Mata Hari said.
The Chaldeans nodded and formed up close to Medea. The blue haired Caster closed her eyes and focused on the spell. She just hoped they would not be too late.
Jeanne leapt out of the way of another attack. The Ruler tried to retaliate, but the Dragon Witch would not relent. Dark Jeanne summoned more black pikes above Jeanne, and shot them down towards her. The blonde Ruler blocked two pikes and deflected three more before the final two cut into her skin. She hissed in pain as Dark Jeanne lunged at her with her flag, intending to pierce her Spirit Core. Jeanne parried the attack and kicked Dark Jeanne away to disorient her. Jeanne then swung her flag downward, but the Dragon Witch anticipated this and shot a wave of fire at Jeanne, forcing the Ruler to return on the defensive, and spin her flag around to dissipate the flames. Dark Jeanne appeared behind Jeanne with a smirk, and summoned spectral pikes above her head, and shot them down at her while summoning forth another pillar of flames.
Jeanne jumped out of the way of both attacks and let them clash with one another.
The ensuing clash caused a dust cloud to form, letting Tatsuko grin. "Hey Twig Boy, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Ritsuka nodded. "Do it."
Tatsuko activated her Magic Circuits and sent the dust cloud over to Dark Jeanne, who tried to dissipate it with her flames, but Jeanne sensed the opportunity given to her, and immediately went on the offensive. The Ruler slammed her flag into Dark Jeanne's back, and then retreated out of the dust cloud for another assault.
"I must say, I am kind of surprised that this trick worked again." Ritsuka said.
"I know what you mean." Tatsuko replied. "But hey, the Dragon Witch created that opportunity, so she has herself to blame."
"That is true." Ritsuka said.
Dark Jeanne growled in frustration. The Dragon Witch finally had the chance to use her flames and dissipated the dust cloud, and caused Jeanne to fly into a wall due to the aftershock. The Dragon Witch took the opportunity to lunge at her with her flag. The blonde Ruler saw this coming and deflected the strike and kicked Dark Jeanne away.
The two Servants panted heavily. The two of them were more or less on even ground, and it frustrated the Dragon Witch. How was this possible? She had the Holy Grail, so she should be much stronger than this, and that was why she ordered Gilles to leave the room and not interfere, despite his many protests. And yet the woman in front of her is able to fight her to a standstill.
The Dragon Witch buried those thoughts from her mind and attacked Jeanne with renewed rage. Dark Jeanne swung her flag at Jeanne, who countered the strike, and attempted one of her own, but the Dragon Witch anticipated this, and side stepped. She slammed the butt of her flag into Jeanne's gut, knocking the wind out of her.
The Dragon Witch took the opportunity to kick Jeanne away, sending the Ruler directly into the throne, and slamming into the chair. Dark Jeanne stared at the two Masters with a sinister smirk. She unsheathed her sword and chuckled.
"All evil is here."
Flames surrounded the Dragon Witch, causing everyone's eyes to widen in shock.
"The time for revenge has come! This is the roar of my soul that was polished by hatred..."
The Dragon Witch then locked eyes with Ritsuka, and pointed her sword at the male Master, intending to take him out first.
"La Grondement Du Haine!"
Time slowed down as the flames shot towards the male Master. Jeanne tried to reach him as fast as she could, but she'd be too late. Ritsuka could only stand there as the flames got closer and closer…
"Lord Chaldeas!"
Everyone's eyes widened as Mashu leapt in front of Ritsuka and activated her Noble Phantasm. The energy field surrounded the Chaldean Trio, taking the brunt of the attack. Mashu nearly buckled at the weight, but she needed to hold on. Ritsuka snapped out of his trance, and put a hand on the Shielder's shoulder, and activated his second Command Spell, giving her the extra strength to push the flames of the Dragon Witch back.
Dark Jeanne stared at the scene in absolute shock. How was someone beating back her flames like this? It shouldn't be possible to do so!
Tatsuko noted the Dragon Witch's distraction, and activated her second Command Seal, giving Jeanne the strength needed to attack the Dragon Witch. The Ruler slammed her flag into Dark Jeanne's side, causing the Dragon Witch to hit the pillar next to her. Dark Jeanne immediately recovered, and launched herself at Jeanne. The Dragon Witch then shoulder checked Jeanne, staggering the Ruler before slicing her blade into Jeanne's thigh. The Ruler winced in pain, but had to bury it in the back of her mind. Jeanne then countered all of Dark Jeanne's attacks, but only barely. The Dragon Witch then shot a stake at Jeanne. The Ruler caught it with her hand, but the sheer force still allowed the projectile to pierce her chest. The wound wasn't as deep as it was intended, but it was a danger nonetheless.
Jeanne felt white hot pain surge through her, but through that pain, she also saw an opening to strike the Dragon Witch down. The Ruler took the stake out of her chest, and immediately plunged it into Dark Jeanne's chest.
The Dragon Witch gasped in surprise as the stake pierced her. Jeanne let go of the cursed object, and knelt down in pain as Dark Jeanne stumbled back, and fell on the steps to the throne.
The Chaldean Trio stood there silently for a moment, before breathing a sigh of relief.
"Jeanne, you did it!" Tatsuko shouted. "You stopped the Dragon Witch!"
"Fou, Fou!"
Jeanne nodded as she took shallow breaths. The pain in her body wasn't going away, no doubt there was a curse placed on it, but there was nothing she could do about it now.
A thunderous sound brought her back to attention. She turned her head and saw the seven Chaldean Servants standing between her and the Chaldean Trio.
"Looks like Jeanne took care of things here." Cú said.
"This can't be happening. It's a lie." Dark Jeanne said through laborious breaths. "Because I have the Holy Grail. The owner of the Holy Grail knows no defeat. That's how it should be!"
Jeanne looked at the Dragon Witch and sighed.
"That's not true, there are other factors to why you lost." She said. "You were too filled with hatred in your heart, and it clouded your judgment. THAT is why you lost."
"I understand the importance of imparting this piece of wisdom upon the Dragon Witch," Medea said calmly. "But we have a problem, she has a Caster Servant still under her command."
The Chaldean Trio and Jeanne widened their eyes. If that was the case, then where-
"Oh, Jeanne! Jeanne! What a pitiful sight you are!"
The entire room watched in shock as Berserk Caster ran from the door behind the throne room, and rushed to Dark Jeanne's side. Artoria's eyes widened in anger at seeing him as he knelt down to Dark Jeanne.
"Gilles…"
Jeanne's eyes widened. "Gilles?...No, no it can't be….."
The Caster paid the Saint no mind, opting to soothe the Dragon Witch instead. "It's okay, you can rest now, sleep in peace."
"But…I still haven't...I haven't destroyed France…"
Gilles shook his head and took Dark Jeanne's hand. "I will take care of that. Leave everything to me."
"But I don't….."
"Don't worry. You will never die." Gilles said. "You're just a little...a little tired. Close your eyes, and rest. When you awake, I'll have finished everything."
Dark Jeanne took deep shallow breaths, each one becoming shallower and shallower. She couldn't see it due to her foggy eyes, but she started to turn to golden dust. The Dragon Witch gave one last weak smile and nodded.
"Yes, yes you're right. Gilles... If you'll fight for me, I can rest, and…"
The Dragon Witch sighed for the last time, and faded into golden dust. Gilles stared at the floating dust with tears in his eyes, but he soon wiped them away as he turned to face the Chaldeans and Jeanne.
"You…."
Everyone stared at Artoria in shock as she walked closer to Jeanne, glaring at the Caster before her. A chill ran up everyone's spines as she stopped her advance and stood at Jeanne's side.
Artoria's hands gripped around the handle of her sword tightly and glared hard at the Servant before her. "You... I should have known you would be here... monster! Caster from the Fourth Holy Grail War.. Gilles de Rais!"
OC: Well damn, looks like Artoria is just having a real blast to the past in this Singularity, isn't she?
CV: Oh of course, she saw her crazy knight and now tentacle hentai maker.
OC: Yeah, and we've seen enough of those to know where that is going.
CV: Watch out readers, next chapter is 18+ XD.
OC: To quote the words of George Takei; "Oh My!"
CV: Lmao. Oh, before we do anything else, I'd like to mention godzillahero3, the last line with Artoria talking about Gilles? That was his.
OC: Vlad showed me that quote a few months ago, and I had that saved on my computer in order to MAKE SURE I didn't forget it. I have been waiting for this moment for a very long time, because personally I think that is a great quote, and an even more badass way to end a chapter. So thank you godzillahero3, you made this chapter even more badass!
CV: Gotta love how epic it sounds.
OC: Too true. Oh speaking of epic, I think it's time we introduce this week's special guest!
CV: Everyone, please give a warm welcome to…!
Both: TATSUKO TACHIBANA!
Tatsuko: Heya!
CV: Hi there Tatsuko.
Tatsuko: So you're the guys that spoke to Ritsuka about how he came to Chaldea, and about his love life.
OC: He told you?
Tatsuko: Yep, especially about that weird guy over there (Points to Vlad).
OC: Ouch, looks like you came on a little too strong after all Vlad.
CV: Owen, next time, remember to erase their memories after we send them back. On a completely unrelated side note, where is Ritsuka right now? I have a little hydrogen bomb I would like to test with someone.
OC: DON'T ANSWER THAT!
Tatsuko: Yeah, sorry, I'm not gonna snitch. That's how bitches get stitches.
OC: Okay, now THAT is original.
Tatsuko: I try.
OC: Well in any case, I'm gonna be completely honest, I think that you practically killed Dark Jeanne before the fight even began when you asked her why you should fear her. Seriously, that woman roasts people, and you just INCINERATED HER.
Tatsuko: Oh I wasn't trying too, though it is hilarious now that I think about it. I was asking a genuine question.
CV: …. Alright, are you being serious right now Tatsuko?
Tatsuko: Yeah, why wouldn't I be?
OC:...Holy shit, she IS serious!
Tatsuko: Well you guys have to admit, I was right in asking that.
CV: You can't just ask people why you should fear them, especially not to the BBEG. That's how you get yourself killed.
Tatsuko: I don't know, Dark Jeanne looks more like a mid-boss who doubles as a tsundere to me.
OC: She's got you there Vlad. I mean the tsundere part, not the mid-boss part. Jalter's totally final boss material (trying to soothe level 90 grailed Jalter).
CV: Tatsuko you really should learn to keep your mouth shut or you're just going to end up getting yourself killed by trash talking another enemy.
Tatsuko: Sorry, it's just when I'm stressed I just run my mouth instead of being smart.
OC: Hey, I can be the same way. In fact you and I have quite a bit in common now that I think about it.
Tatsuko: Really?
OC: Well, it's not exactly the same, but I have ADD while you have ADHD. We both run our mouths when we're stressed, we tend to be hot headed sometimes…..
Tatsuko: Holy shit dude, FINALLY someone who understands!
OC: I know right!
(High fives!)
CV: Alright you two, stop leaving me out of the conversation. Now, for Tatsuko, I have a question, how do you feel about Chaldea?
Tatsuko: I've only been there for a month so I can't give any true opinions yet, but I will say that it's definitely lively, and therefore it's a lot of fun when we have down time. That, and Fou is really fun to play with. Just seeing his tail wag as you throw a ball or a toy, I just can't help but squeal at how ADORABLE he is!
CV: Interesting, but on a more concentrated note, how do you feel about Ritsuka and Mashu?
Tatsuko: Well regarding Mashu… She's a really sweet girl, but I feel like she doesn't really have much self worth. She seems a little sheltered, but I'm not really judging. I will say I do enjoy her company. I just hope we become even better friends as time goes on. As for Twig Boy; He's really nice, and I appreciate that about him. He doesn't judge you based on superficial things, but on one's character, so I know I can trust him with almost anything. But there is also the fact that, and I DO NOT fault him for this, he doesn't seem open about talking about himself, and it makes me worried.
OC: How so?
Tatsuko: I get the feeling there's more to his past than he lets on, and it scares me to know there could be something worse in there that he isn't telling us…
CV: He'll do it, but you can't force him. It will probably take him some time.
Tatsuko: I know. I know I haven't told him everything about myself either….but I still worry about him.
OC: It's good to know he has people watching out for him. But overall, what are your opinions on them?
Tatsuko: I'm really glad I met them. I really love hanging out with both of them, and I hope we can continue being friends throughout this journey.
CV: Aww, that's adorable. Oh, also, quick unrelated question, what do you think of swords?
Tatsuko: Ritsuka and I share the same opinion. We like them and think some look cool. Why?
CV: Oh I don't know, you seem like someone who'd really like them.
Tatsuko: Well you definitely hit the mark on that one.
CV: Well would you look at that. Oh, I think we've hit our time limit, thanks for joining us tonight Tatsuko, and please let Ritsuka know that if he says anything again I will be inside his walls.
Tatsuko: I doubt that'll scare him, but I'll give him the message. See ya guys! Hope we can talk again.
(Tatsuko leaves)
OC: Jesus man, just let it go already.
CV: Never.
OC: (Facepalms) Okay, okay let's talk about something else before we lose both our minds. So for starters, for those of you that are confused as to why Jalter didn't let Gilles help her, it's quite simple; She wanted to prove herself superior to Jeanne, and she felt the best way to do that was by taking her, and the other Servants she thought would show up, on by herself as a show of strength. Unfortunately that did not work in her favor, and ended up being her downfall.
CV: Jalter when dying is like "Well well well, if it isn't the consequences of my own actions." because yeah, girl fucked up big time. Has she learnt nothing from the power of friendship?
OC: Considering this isn't Fairy Tail (Still love that series lol) I doubt that logic applies. Though speaking of friendship, I will like to add that I liked how everyone became concerned for Mozart as he was dying. It shows that despite being an ass in Marie's and his opinion, he was still respected and well liked by the others.
CV: You gotta give it to the man, he has a lot of talent. Hell, I would want to learn from him if possible.
OC: He would most likely be an EXCELLENT teacher. As for his death, I know he didn't die in Orleans in game, but we couldn't just let this be a lopsided affair where the good guys steamrolled Jalter's forces. Sure there will be times where we have battles like that (and I REALLY look forward to those), but I felt that in order to raise the stakes, and to give Jalter more credibility as an awesome start to Fate Grand Order, we had to have another death on the heroes side. So when I told Vlad my idea of Mozart's death, and considering how much he LOVES high stakes, he absolutely jumped on board.
CV: I mean yeah, I'm the kind of dude that likes to put the heroes in unwinnable situations where sacrifices are required… Or maybe I just like to torture my characters, who knows?
OC: No comment on that (lol). But I do like the fact that his final words were the same as Marie's. It gives meaning to her sacrifice, and it's only fitting he goes out saying it as well.
CV: True.
OC: And as for some eagle eyed readers, you might have noticed something about the scene with Saint George and the silver royal wyvern. While writing that scene, I was actually looking at one of the most famous paintings depicting him slaying the dragon in his legend, and decided to base that scene as an inspiration from that painting as a little nod to one of the most famous dragon slayers of all time. I must say, it felt really nice doing that for him.
CV: He's such a badass dragon slayer, but he unfortunately doesn't get as much screen time as Sigurd or Siegfried.
OC: Well you win some you lose some. Just like how I kinda feel about the fight with Jalter…. I just feel that for one of my favorite characters, and one of the most memorable characters from the early game, her fight with Jeanne didn't really seem as satisfying. Don't get me wrong, the final part was good, but I feel like I didn't do her or Jeanne justice here.
CV: I think it was a great fight.
OC: I just hope our readers have your optimism on this..,...
CV: Don't worry, you did well, and never let others tell you otherwise.
OC: I guess you're right. But enough of that. We hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and I am proud to announce that the next chapter is the end of the Ici il y a des dragons arc of Chaldean Chronicles. Please stay tuned in next week for the final battle of Orleans, and the aftermath!