"Feels funny, but not in a bad way". Cu commented as he and Sonic had just finished making their contract, having ignored doing it earlier and only getting around to it now. A simple touch of skin and will to make the contract was all that was needed, the hedgehog having chosen a fist pump. "So this is that Chaos Energy stuff... Certainly can see how it gave Shieldy the power to take on Archer".
"I... Don't know how I did it, all I could think about was needing to be faster to reach Archer". Mash added, a frown on her face.
The group had temporally set up camp outside a cave, the entrance to where King Arthur and the Grail awaited. The food and drink they had managed to gather up was being shared freely, even if it was just crackers, dried fruit, and some bottled water.
"That sounds about right, Chaos Energy does whatever you need it to". Sonic paused to take a gulp from his water, staring at the sky covered in black clouds. Before his expression turned to a teasing grin. "So Olga, still think we should've waited until you could get a new team from Chaldea?".
"Just because we're doing well doesn't mean we couldn't have taken a less risky approach". The Director glared, trying not to shiver from the cold that none of her current allies seemed to have notice.
"Reducing risks is good and all, but sometimes charging ahead is the best move. I could've been dead by the time you got ready, and that would let Saber make whatever wish she wanted on the Grail". Cu reminded, his gaze shifting to the cave they were soon to enter. "You lot feel ready?".
"Tch, we've come this far, we don't have a choice in stopping". Olga commented, standing up and dusting off her clothes.
"Born ready". Sonic grinned, performing some light stretches.
"If... If Senpai and the Director are ready, so am I!". Mash still looked nervous, but this time she felt more ready to fight. Managing to defeat Archer did wonders for the girl's confidence.
"Well then, lets get going!".
With that, the group began to enter the cave. For better or worst, it was time to end this Singularity.
Sonic observed the walls of the cave, they looked... Off in a way that reminded him of something he couldn't name. Both natural and manmade.
"So this is where the Greater Grail resides, these caves must have been here already, with the Founding Families helping to expand them". Olga ran a hand along the walls, flinching back as dark, vile mana came back with her hand. Waving it a bit however caused it to fade away. "Careful where you step! The walls are filled with mana!".
"Sheer, this is reminding me of the cracked planet incident all over again... Less darker though". Sonic quipped, completely unbothered by the dark mana in the air. Compared to Dark Gaia? This was a light itch.
"...Why is it the more you speak, the more questions I have?". The Director asked, her eye twitching. Before she let out a sigh, and focused on something else. "Before we approach Saber, we should discuss a battle strategy".
"I'd challenge her to a duel, but I don't have a sword". Sonic mused, him about to face King Arthur and without Caliburn.
"You can wield a sword, Senpai?". Mash asked, curious.
"Throwing around a sword is completely different from wielding it properly". Olga however was dismissive.
"Oh? Looks like I've got a doubter! I can assure you, dear Olga, that I, the great Sonic the Hedgehog, am unrivalled in swordsmanship!". The hedgehog gloated, sure he hadn't wielded a sword in a while, but Caliburn's lessons hadn't left his head. "Lets just hope I still know how to dodge a sword".
"Doubt any sword skills you've got would matter, every blow from Saber's basically a rocket, trying to clash with her equally in strength is suicide". Cu warned, sure Sonic was a tough little bastard, but clashing blades with a living missile wasn't a smart idea. "Our best bet is making sure she never hits us, although, Shieldy could take a few hits with that absurdly high defense of her's".
"S-so, I'll be playing defense then?". Mash asked, trying to keep her breathing steady. She had beat Archer, she couldn't coward away at this point!
"If you feel you can't fight, back away". The Caster stared down the Shielder, his voice completely serious. "Someone who can't stop shaking has no place on the battlefield, leave it up to me and the hedgehog".
Mash winced, she... She could fight, she had to fight, she couldn't leave Senpai-
"Mash, remember what I said earlier?". Sonic interrupted that line of thought, placing his hand on her arm. "If your scared, you don't have to fight".
"I-i...".
She gulped, nodding slowly. Trying to ignore the bitterness in her stomach. Again, she was useless...
"And...". The unexpected voice of her Senpai spoke up again. "Its alright to be scared".
With that, Sonic walked forward, leading the charge alongside Cu Chulainn. Olga only gave a glance to Mash before rushing after them.
"Its... Alright to be scared?". Mash asked herself, that couldn't be right. Fear was a bad thing, wasn't it?
"You're not very good at motivating speeches, are you?". Olga asked Sonic, who only shrugged. "Seriously! What were you thinking, pushing her down when she's already so uncertain!".
"Eh, its better she doesn't fight if she's to scared". Sonic looked completely free. "Me and Cu can handle it".
"You...! Are you really that arrogant!?". She glared at him, just because he was strong, did he really think-
"I don't want to see her get hurt".
!
Olga's argument faded in her throat, meeting the hedgehog's eyes, gentleness radiating from them.
"Mash's strong, but she's not someone used to fighting". Sonic knelt down, picking up a stone from the ground, tossing it up and down. "She's gentle, really gentle".
Spinning the stone around, blue electricity sparked off his fingers and into the stone. Olga's eyes were drawn to it, gulping at the sheer energy she could feel coming off that simple act.
"...You're a far better person then me, hedgehog". She admitted, and it wasn't a hard thing to admit.
"Nah, I think you care to". Sonic gave her a grin, before turning around. "Now lets go! We have a final boss to beat!".
Somehow, seeing him so calm and confident, it inspired Olga to.
Maybe... Maybe this would all end alright.
The sheer energy in the air was overwhelming, it reminded Sonic of his past foes, Time Eater, Perfect Chaos, and so many others...
And all that magical energy was radiating from a small human, not even an adult, but more a teenager.
She wore a black dress, with blackened armor over it. Thick steel gauntlets covered her hands, and from what Sonic could see of her feet she seemed to be wearing armored high heels. Her eyes and nose were hidden by a strange mask that seemed to just... Float there.
Her skin was unnaturally pale, almost corpse-like. Her hair was equally strange, a blond that almost seemed white... But it was the sword in her hands that drew his attention, a part of him instinctively recognizing the corrupted blade and red blade.
"Excalibur...". Sonic spoke aloud, his voice echoing through the large cave.
Saber, Servant of the Sword. She is the Artoria Pendragon of a world where she ruled not as the just king of Camelot, but as a tyrant.
She wields the Sword of the Planet, Excalibur, now corrupted and bearing the name 'Excalibur Morgan'. Her mana comes off her in massive waves, a dragon in human form.
She now stands against Sonic and friends as their final challenge in this Singularity.
"So that's the Greater Grail... An ultra-superior magical reactor, but this corruption coming off it...". Olga gulped, and it was only now that Sonic actually looked behind Saber, to the pillar of pure negative energy, taking the shape of a red and black pillar of energy into the air, piercing through the cave to the skies above.
"I-i can't believe it! This amount of magical energy is ridiculous!". Romani's voice echoed over the communicator, Sonic had honestly forgotten he could communicate with them still.
"Time for chitchat's over, she's focused on us". Cu warned-
A dragon, towering over them, its wings large enough to blot out the sun, its limbs strong enough to lift mountains, or shred through entire kingdoms. Its presence spoke of an undeniable truth, a titanic tyrant that could not be stopped, would not fall.
The magical energy of Saber fell down on them like a hammer, Olga fell to her knees, soaked in sweat and gasping for breath. Mash was shaking, her eyes wide in fear, and even Cu was struggling to stand straight.
Fling!
Shatter!
"That's a pretty neat trick you've got there!". Sonic grinned, the stone he had just thrown falling to the ground, shattered from contact with Saber's cheek.
"...Your arrogance reaches the point of stupidity, do you not fear death, knave?". The tyrant spoke her first words to them, her voice completely cold.
"Been a while since anyone called me that. And arrogance? Funny of you to say that, Miss King of Knights! I mean, just waiting for us to attack you?". The hedgehog grinned, taking a couple steps forward and-
Saber slashed out with her sword, a fierce wave of wind shooting forward at such speeds it'd easily anhilate anything it'd hit. Sonic only kept his grin, blue electricity sparking off him as he kicked out with his left leg, sending out his own blade of wind that clashed and dispelled Saber's own.
"What? No quips? No taunts? You are a capital B boring!". Sonic taunted, but Saber only remained cold, showing no surprise at her attack being stopped.
"U-unbelievable! She did that with only a slash of her sword!". Mash however seemed more shocked at what the Servant had done.
"Tch, aren't you watching her? Don't be fooled by her appearance, she's a monster. Her power isn't from physical strength, but a ridiculous amount of mana!". Cu had raised his staff, Runes beginning to burn to life around her. "Blue! Don't get cocky from blocking a half-hearted strike! If you're not paying attention, you'll blow you away!".
"Don't worry about it!".
(Play "Fight the Knight").
"Because the fight's starting here!". Sonic shot forward, lashing out with a kick that was blocked by Saber's left arm, but she was unprepared for a punch to the skull, not that it seemed to do any good against her! She attempted to headbutt him, but the Blue Blur had already, shaking the hand he had just used to punch. "Owch! What are you made of, solid rock!?".
"Is there no end to your quips?". Saber knelt down, before blasting at the hedgehog! She brought her sword down, with Sonic barely avoiding it, his eyes widened as the ground around them completely shattered and he had to move back to avoid being tripped over. "In battle, those who bark loudest are the first to die".
"Barking? Oh lady you did not just compare me to a dog!".
"Thurisaz!".
A blast of lightning shot across the battlefield, Saber avoiding the blast and glaring at Cu from behind her mask, but the Hound of Ireland only grinned.
"Made you look". Was his only taunt, what in the world-
Saber Alter was hit face first with a spikey ball of pure hedgehog.
Mash held her breath as the fight continued, the very air was alive with energy. For every massive strike Saber sent out, Cu and Sonic managed to ether avoid it or neutralize it.
She watched as Saber tried to cut Sonic down, only for him to evade at the last second. She watched as Cu drew a series of Runes in the air, sending fire, ice, electricity and blades of wind at Saber, only for her to repel it with a burst of mana.
However...
Not every attack was stopped, and despite easily out speeding Saber, Senpai's attack weren't dealing any noticeable damage. Elemental blasts were blocked by her thick aura of mana, and the physical attacks from Sonic weren't even forcing the Servant to budge.
It made her scared, the fight seemed so hopeless, how were they meant to beat the King of Knights herself? A legendary figure, untouchable, unbeatable, it was hopeless.
"Sheesh, you are a tough nut to crack!". Sonic suddenly paused, stretching out his arms despite the tension of the battlefield. "Feels like I'm trying to knock Knuckles down!".
"What do you expect? She's a monster, and with the mana she's receiving from the Grail, she doesn't have to worry about running out of energy". Cu added, breathing heavily.
Saber stayed quiet, simply keeping a combat stance, black mana appearing as smoke coming off her form.
Mash felt despair, even Sonic and Cu couldn't bring down their opponent. Even if she somehow managed to stop the shaking of her legs, how could could she, a failure of a Servant, do anything? It was hopeless, completely hopeless-
"So how about we get to round two? Feels like we've had enough of a warm up". Sonic grinned, standing tall and staring the corrupt Tyrant down. "You ready for part two of this butt kicking?".
"Tch, words are worthless without the force to back it up". Saber glared, but the hedgehog only kept his grin-
And ran.
One moment he was standing still, the next he was already delivering a kick to Saber's face and sent her flying back. Slamming into the walls, rocks flying everywhere.
"Not going down that easy are ya, Saber?". Sonic taunted, but the slight tension in his limbs gave away his combat ready nature. "It'd be disappointing if ya fell after all that!".
!
An explosion of mana burst out from where Saber had fell, the Servant lifting herself up, blood leaking from her lips and her mask shattered, falling to the ground. Her now revealed yellow eyes glaring at the hedgehog.
"You... Are aggravating". She growled out.
"What can I say? Its all apart of the charm!". Sonic teased, but inwardly he wasn't as calm. 'She's REALLY durable, I know I don't hit as hard as Knuckles, but all those hits for just a drop of blood?'.
He took a moment to observe his opponent, but more specifically, the thick aura of magical energy coming off her, energy that seemed to be linked to that pillar...
'Its that aura, its dulling all my attacks. Even if I hit her, only a bit of force is getting through. I need to pierce it... Pierce...'. His eyes traveled to Excalibur, would it even work for him? Even if he could get it out of Saber's absurdly tight grip, it wasn't Caliburn. 'Still, its my best shot'.
"Whatever your planning, its worthless. As long as I have the Holy Grail, my victory is assured". Saber spoke without arrogance, a simple statement of fact in her eyes. "Cease struggling and I will at least give you a quick death".
A glance to the side, a smirk from Cu.
"Hmmmm... How about... No?!". Sonic shot forward, sliding under an attempted beheading and kicking at her legs, but Saber refused to fall and brought her sword down. Instead of trying to dodge, he let it fall before using the palms of his hands to stop the blade. With the small moment of time he had before Saber pushed down again and overwhelmed him with her superior strength, he surged Chaos Energy down the blade-
BOOM!
And was blasted back by the sudden burst of energy, his vision flickering black and-
"A king must not be human".
"By taking that sword, you will no longer be considered human".
"For Britannia, I will become a tyrant".
"Ugh, what just hit me?". Sonic struggled to his feet, rubbing at his eyes. What were those visions?
Artoria didn't think much of her opponents, even with the knowledge they had defeated Archer and allied with Lancer-turned-Caster, she knew she could not afford to fail here. She had to stand strong, she could not let this Singularity fade, no matter the cost.
And then she had seen the Round Table, wielded by a girl who was shaking in her boots. Artoria pitied her, the girl was no knight, no experienced warrior like Caster...
Or the strange Phantasmal, if he was even a Phantasmal. He had drawn her eye, something about him striking her as familiar despite being certain she had never met him. She didn't know why she had referred to him as a knave ether, he was no knight... Was he?
But it wasn't until he had touched Excalibur and blown them both back, that she realized something far more was going on. Visions assaulted her, of things she had never seen.
"What's good in a world that goes on forever? That sounds pretty lame". A shining golden sword in hand, staring down a monstrous dark titan.
"Merlina... Every world has its end. I know that's kinda sad, but...". A girl, with red hair and pointed ears. A hand covered in a gauntlet reaching down to pick up a flower. "That's why we gotta live life to the fullest in the time we have".
'What were those visions? Who was that woman? Merlina? Who in the world would name a child after Merlin of all people!?'. Artoria was confused, and winced as she felt pain in her hands, glancing down to see blue sparks of electricity emitting from Excalibur. With a growl she surged her mana into the sword, expelling whatever the hedgehog had tried to do. But to her surprise, it was stubborn and she wasn't able to completely purge it. "What did you just do, knave?!".
"Honestly? No idea myself. Usually swords don't explode when I try to do that". The hedgehog blew on his hands, dust flying into the air. "But I'd be paying more attention to myself if I were you".
"Myself, what are you-".
"ALGIZ!". The victorious shout of Cu Chulainn filled the cave, and Saber could only widen her eyes as a green aura spread from the Caster, to eventually reach her and the hedgehog and-
"W-what... Did you just do?!". She growled, stabbing Excalibur to steady herself, her connection to the Grail... "I'm not receiving mana!".
"Of course, Algiz is the Rune of divine protection and sanctuary, and that Grail of yours is giving off an absurd amount of evil energy. Stopping the whole thing is beyond me, but making this protective sphere is certainly within my abilities". Cu grinned wildly, before turning to the hedgehog. "Sorry for the lack of support, setting this up took a while".
"Its alright, we're on fair ground now". The hedgehog punched his fists together, smirking. "How you feeling about your chances now, Saber?".
"If you think I'll fall because of a lack of mana, you are sorely mistaken!". Artoria growled, ripping Excalibur out of the ground and launching herself at the hedgehog with a Mana Burst.
Sonic avoided the attempt to impale him on Excalibur, and quickly spun into a ball, spin dashing into Saber's chest. The Servant let out a grunt of pain, no longer able to ignore his attacks as she could before. And she wasn't able to avoid a fireball slamming into her from the side.
Saber covered her blade in black mana, slashing and sending it at Cu Chulainn, who slammed his staff into the ground, summoning a wall of greenery to take the blow.
The Blue Blur shot forward, running around Saber, the knight tried to cut him down or stop him with her blade, but he avoided it and as wind began to pick up, Artoria slammed her blade into the ground, releasing a shockwave that sent Sonic back.
"Anzuz!". A stream of fire rushed at Saber, who had to leap into the air to avoid it. Only for Sonic to homing attack her into the fire.
Emerging from the flames, burned and injured but still alive, Saber glared at her opponents. This... This had gone on for long enough!
"Sink into the mountain of corpses...". She began to chant, her magical energy surging around Excalibur.
"SHIT! She's unleashing her Noble Phantasm!". Cu cursed, dammit, he didn't have enough time to prepare his won as a counter! And as he glanced behind him, the Shielder was to stunned to do anything. "Dammit! Timber giant, eaten away by fire-".
"EXCALIBUR-".
"CHAOS CONTROL!".
CRACK!
"UGH!". Saber Alter was sent flying, slamming into the walls again, Excalibur flipping through the air before stabbing into the ground. The magical energy she had been building up dispersed, and her armor was cracked all over. "What just...?".
"How... Do you like that?". A panting Sonic asked, he looked like he was barely standing. 'Dammit... Chaos Control without an Emerald is just to much, but desperate times call for desperate measures'.
"Its perfect! Now, I'll finish this!". Cu thrust his staff into the ground, long, thick roots rapidly emerging and heading towards Saber Alter. The corrupted Servant's eyes widened, and she tried to fight them off, but with her mana so long and without Excalibur, it was pointless as she quickly found herself bound. "Be imprisoned in a cage of flames! WICKER MAN!".
Saber desperately tried to fight her way out of the roots as flames consumed them, but it was far, far to late. The ancient magic of the druids would not be denied its prey.
In an explosion of heat, smoke, and flames, she was consumed.
"Did... Did that get her...?". Sonic managed to push himself up fully, but it didn't take any special eyes to see he was standing purely from willpower then any actual energy.
"I-impressive...". The voice of Saber had everyone tense up, but as the smoke cleared, it become obvious which side had won.
Missing an arm and most of your chest wasn't exactly good fighting conditions after all.
"Ugh... I underestimated you, and it seems I've paid the price for it". Saber looked bitter over her lose. "Losing to a mere Caster and some unknown Phantasmal, how humiliating".
"Hey! I'm not a 'Phantasmal', whatever that is, I'm a hedgehog! Sonic the Hedgehog!". Sonic grinned, approaching her with no fear.
"What are you doing idiot!? Finish her off!". Olga shouted, but the hedgehog ignored her as he stood in front of his beaten foe.
"If your expecting some last minute prize, I have nothing to give you". Saber glared, keeping her breathing steady to focus on her flow of mana. Her Spirit Origin had been shattered, there was no way to survive at this point, but she had things to do before fading. "Sonic... That is your name then?".
"That's the name and adventure's the game". He grinned, giving a light bow.
"So confident even now... Tch, if you knew what's coming, would you carry the same confidence?". Saber was beginning to fade away into golden dust, starting with her legs. "The battles to come will be like nothing else, the Grand Order to reclaim humanity has just begun...".
With that, she fully faded away, and like with Medusa and Archer before her, the gold dust was absorbed into Chip's Bracelet.
"Grand... Order? How did she know that name?". Olga, who had approached after realizing Saber was truly defeated, asked. Her features a mess of confusion and concern, looking over Sonic. "Hedgehog, you need to rest, after we return to Chaldea-".
"Oi oi! Isn't this a bit to early?!". Eyes were quickly drawn to Cu, who had also started turning to golden sparks. "Dammit, looks like this is it for me".
"W-wait! With Saber defeated, shouldn't you be the winner of the Holy Grail War?". Mash asked, confused on why the Caster was fading away.
"If this was a normal war, sure, but honestly I've been running on fumes for a while now, the contract helped but...". Cu shrugged, even as more of him turned into golden particles. "Looks like the next part we'll be up to you guys".
"It was great having you, Cu". Sonic held out his hand for a fist bump, which Cu returned with a grin.
"It was a real crazy ride".
With that, the Child of Light fully faded away, golden dust like those before him entering Chip's Bracelet.
"It seems... Everything is over. Hedgehog, the Lesser Grail vessel should be around here, your the fastest so find it". Olga went straight back to work, and despite his exhaustion Sonic nodded. Faster this was over, faster he could rest for a couple hours.
"I'll help you look, Senpai". Mash looked around, noticing the massive pillar of corrupted magical energy had faded with Saber's defeat. "Senpai, that area there is the most likely to-".
Clap, clap, clap.
The slow, mocking clap echoed through the cave, as a man stepped out of the shadows of where the Grail once stood, pale hands picking up a shining golden cup.
"Well, I certainly didn't expect this when I set the bombs". Lev Lainur spoke coldly, frustration in his voice. "You certainly made a mess of things, didn't you, Sonic the Hedgehog?".
"P-professor Lev?! You're alive!?". Mash seemed shocked to see the professor.
"Lev! Oh thank god your okay, we thought you had- Hedgehog?". Olga was about to rush over, when Sonic's hand got in the way.
"Did you not just hear a word he said!?". Sonic asked, his entire body tense. This was bad, he hadn't had enough time to regain energy.
And now they were facing the traitor who had bombed Chaldea.
So, the battle with Saber Alter is over, and we're already seeing many changes. For those who feel Mash hasn't really been the badass Shielder we expect...
That's exactly the point.
She may have been given some training from Chaldea, and instincts from Galahad. But that doesn't mean she's suddenly ready to fight. In canon she HAD to fight as Ritsuka was powerless, but with Sonic here, I'm taking the time to develop her. She WILL become the badass we know, but I want to show her journey to that status.