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Ch 25 The Truth of Rashomon Pt2
I have written many stories; many works that people call me the Father of Japanese short stories. Many have loved my stories and many still read them in the Modern day, calling me a writing genius.
However, that was far from the truth. Yes, before I was a famous Author before I was known as the Father of Japanese short stories, I was a struggling writer who came from a dying Magus lineage.
A lineage that was known for making their once powerful Mystic Codes. However, that ability was lost through the generations.
By the time I was an adult, I had inherited my Mother's mental disorder. A disorder that renders me unstable, especially in my stories.
Yes, my mental health caused many hallucinations of false people's lives that inspired my writings. At the time, my popularity was growing, and many enjoy the books that I wrote.
But there was a book that I wrote I soon regret that I've written. A book that was caused by my hallucinations and anxiety crossed together, dubbed Rashomon.
What people believed to be a short story was a fabricated lie, in fact, the events from Rashomon were real.
It was nearing the deadline for my next book, many readers wanted more from me. My mental health wasn't up to the task until my publisher pressured me to start.
The anxiety that I felt was tolling, each time I wrote it didn't come to its standard. It continued, writing after writing, transcript after transcript, but none have made it to the quality of work I've set myself.
One night I had a fight with my publisher where he would cut me off if I didn't make the deadline. That set the scene for an event that could be considered supernatural.
After that fight, it attracted a lingering Spirit. A Spirit that spoke to me during my hallucinating dreams.
It spoke to me, helped me with this story, and eventually, asked me to name it. Of course, I didn't know its plan, but I did it anyway. Thus I named it after the gate from a story I read during my past time.
Rashomon,
Thus the events happened, every night Rashomon visited me telling me many things. Things I soon realize to be true,
One night I was almost finished with my writing based on what that Spirit said. I was sitting in my home when I heard some screaming from an alleyway.
I inspected where it came from, only to see the Spirit taken shape of a man raising a Sword to an innocent woman. The woman looked like she was raped and beaten.
I asked why he was doing this, only to discover that the Spirit was an evil Spirit from long ago. It told me that he wanted to take revenge on Humanity for killing it and throwing it away,
It said that he used me by giving him a name, and the stories he shared with me were recent events.
My eyes widen, realizing that I have caused the killings. I have brought evil upon this World without realizing it.
As such it is my responsibility to rectify my actions by preventing any more bloodshed. And the only way for that is to accept it into me.
"Emperor Constantine," Pope Johanna gasps, seeing her leader of the Restoration Realm standing before her.
Constantine smiles at the Holy Lady before him, "I see we've made it time," The black-haired Servant turns to the Berserker of the Eternal Empire, instantly remembering him from his army.
"You as well, Berserker." Constantine greeted his former ally in his Realm. "How are you doing since Traum?"
Akutagawa frowns upon seeing the Rider Servant, "Emperor Constantine, how dare you show your face, you hypocrite." The Berserker growls at his former Leader of the Restoration Realm, "You were once the leader of a Realm who wants to rebel against Proper Human History for giving you- no use the short end of the stick."
The Berserker growls, looking at both Johanna and Constantine as his anger grew. "And now you serve to protect Human History, not only in our World but in this World too!" Akutagawa growls, ready to attack. "I'll kill you for your hypocrisy!"
He propels his arms, as his Mystic Code hurls for the two.
"Johanna, I need your assistance!" Constantine raised his Sword, deflecting the first head.
"Of course," Johanna raised her Staff as light shines from the tip. The light manages to halt its advancement. She looks around, seeing the Enemy Programs closing in. "Master, BB, I need you to deal with the Enemy Programs. Both me and Constantine can't defend you while dealing with Berserker."
Chat nodded, hearing what his Servant is requesting of him. "Y-Yeah, of course." He drew his Baton and thrust it into an Enemy Program.
BB drew a B at a group before they exploded, "They have a large army, do you have another plan? Cause I don't think just me and a Magus could defeat them-" She dodged a slash before slashing back at the enemy. "All,"
Constantine pushed back the head before slashing at it, "Do worry, we've got a plan."
Chat raised his hand, "Cataclysm!" He touched the ground, causing the road to open up. The Enemy Programs started to fall in, causing some mayhem in the process. "Plan? What plan?" He asked, noticing that Vipers and Crixes were heading towards him.
Suddenly flames burst around the Heroes, causing a bit of confusion. "W-What's going on!?" Akutagawa questions the situation around him, clearly having his reasoning out of the window. He shook his head and focused on the two former leaders of the Restoration Realm.
"So you think that you could escape me!?" Akutagawa asked the two, getting irritated by the situation. "I have received additional power from Alter Ego. With this power, I can find you anywhere at any time!"
"Is that so!?" A flaming Sword slices through the Mystic Code.
Akutagawa leaps back, seeing a familiar Saber in front of the two Servants of Humanity. "Damnit, another Chaldean Servant!" He cursed,
Chat Noir turns around, seeing a familiar face. "Saber!" The Hero of Destruction was ecstatic to see an ally.
BB clicked her tongue upon seeing the Emperor of Roses. "Tch,"
Constantine looks at the newcomer to the Battle, "Saber, have you cleared the way?" The Emperor asked the Saber Servant.
"Umu," Nero looks over to the blonde Model watching their battle with Akutagawa. "Mr. Cat, it's great to see you alive and well," The Emperor was relieved to see Chat Noir and maybe BB alive too.
"I'm here too, you know." The Moon Cancer spoke, a bit peeved by Nero placing her second after the Human.
Nero smiles at the violet-haired Servant before swiftly turning around and deflecting the attack from Akutagawa. "Ah sneak attack, I thought you two had it handled?" The Emperor asked the two.
"M-My apologies, but we're also dealing with something." Johanna apologizes, defending from Akutagawa's Mystic Code.
Constantine slashed upwards, before thrusting the neck and ripping out his Sword. "His Mystic Code was able to regenerate after a few seconds." The Emperor stated, "Damn, so this is the power of a Servant infused with Theos Klironomia,"
Akutagawa laughs, holding his hands to create more of the dog heads to attack. "The durability that Hephaestus allows me to regenerate my Mystic Code," The Berserker informed the Chaldeans. "No matter what you do, I always have more to give!" He laughs,
Johanna steps forward, sensing a familiar presence. "If you're not willing for us to escape then by the will of God, I shall defeat you!" She held her Staff, releasing a powerful Magical Energy.
Chat gasps, staggering on his feet. He looks back at his Servant as BB steps beside him. "Ruler-"
"My apologies, master but I've been holding back my power." Johanna apologized to her Summoner as a halo appeared behind her. "But please, give me your support!"
The Hero of Destruction nodded, seeing the determination of his Servant in defeating the enemy. "Yes, I'll give you my support."
Johanna smiles before Constantine blocks an attack from Akutugawa. "Johanna! We need to neutralize Akutugawa somehow," The Rider said.
"Nothing can defeat me! I'll destroy you before you can ever defeat me!" The Berserker roars,
"Nero Claudius! By my order, use your Noble Phantasm!" Everyone looks up, seeing Ritsuka holding out his Command Seals on top of the building. A bright red light shines from his hand,
The red light went straight for Nero, imbuing her with her master's Magical Energy. "Umu! I hear your request, Praetor!" Nero responded to the order.
Beside him were Marinette and Koyanskaya, guarding him against any hidden attackers.
Chat smiles, seeing his Princess safe and sound, and with Ritsuka no less. "Ladybug!" He exclaims,
"Chat! Be careful, we're going to defeat Berserker right here and now!" Ladybug shouted to her Boyfriend.
Ritsuka leaps down to the Battle with Ladybug and Koyanskaya, joining the fray.
Akutagawa recognized the light and acted accordingly. "A Noble Phantasm!" He propels his hands at the Rose Emperor, trying to prevent her from activating it. "Like hell, I'll let you use your Noble Phantasm now!" He proclaims,
The dog heads rushed towards Nero, still preparing her Noble Phantasm.
Constantine leaps into action, impaling one head into the ground. "We will not let you get to her!" The Emperor exclaims.
Johanna followed the Rider's lead, using her scroll to wrap the other heads into it. "This scripture will hold you back," The Ruler stated,
"Damit, you think you have my Mystic Code trap!? Think agai-" A shadow appeared behind the Berserker and wraps its tendrils around him. "WHAT!?" Akutagawa exclaimed in shock.
Chat looks at BB, aiming her Baton at the Inquisitor. "Now or never, Nero! I don't know how long I can hold him back!"
Nero placed her Sword to the side, taking out a red rose in the process.
"See my talent! Hear the thundering applause!"
(Insert Nero Main Theme - Fate/Extella – Soundtrack)
The Red Saber toss the red rose into the air, bursting into many falling petals. She grabs hold of her Sword, prostrating it before her,
"Thus, praise! Golden Theater!"
The petals whirl around the group, causing the area around them to change into a golden theater with no exit. The walls of the Golden Theater separated them from the Enemy Program army from their leader, however, everyone missed the shadows coming out from the alleys,
Chat and Ladybug looked around in awe after ridding the Crixes trapped inside of Nero's Noble Phantasm, "W-What is this place?" The blonde Hero asked, looking around the Theater.
"A-A Golden Theater, it's blocking the enemies outside here!" Ladybug noticed the lack of Imperial Attack Programs around them.
"Umu, in here, the Domus Aurea, I have control over the Battle!" Nero exclaims proudly, ready to proceed with the final phase of the act.
Chat process what the Emperor called this theater's name, "The Domus Aurea, as in…THE ROMAN EMPEROR NERO CLAUDIUS'S THEATER!?" He looks at the Saber face, already knowing who this person was. "You're-"
"Ladybug, get ready with the Talisman!" Ritsuuka gazed over at the Hero of Creation.
The bluenette Hero jumped, realizing she had the Talisman Caster given them. "Right," She took out her yo-yo, opening it up to retrieve the Talisman from within. "I got it, Ritsuka!"
Chat looks at the Talisman, curious what it'll do if they used it. "What is that for, Princess?" The Hero of Destruction asked the bluenette Hero.
"Just wait and see, Chaton." Ladybug held onto the Talisman, ready to move out when she sees an opening.
Akutagawa roars, trying to break free from the Servants of Humanity's hold on him. "I'll get out of here, just wait and see!" The Berserker broke through Constantine's impalement of his Mystic Code and proceeded to attack. However, when he struggle, immense pressure was pushed down on him but not enough to stop the Mystic Code to attack.
"GAH!" Constantine was thrown to the side, however, he caught himself before he could hit the wall. "The Mystic Code is free!"
The Mystic Code rushed towards Nero Claudius, however, bullets were sent to dismantle it. Koyanskaya held her rifle before her eyes, keeping tabs on the ongoings in the Noble Phantasm. "I got it, Sugar," The Fox grins,
"Nero!" Ritsuka looks at his Servant, confirming they have to strike now.
Nero grabs hold of her flaming Sword, increasing the flame tenfold. "Let the pavilion fall!" The Saber leaps forward in a trail of rose petals.
"Laus St. Claudius!"
The Saber blazed forward, aiming for the Imperial Inquisitor.
"NO! I WON'T BE DEFEATED SO EASILY!" Akutagawa roars, still trying to break free from the black shadow BB cast, Johanna's hold over him, and Nero's pressure.
"HHHAAAAA!" Nero appeared before the Berserker of the Eternal Empire, slashing through his body.
"GGGAAAHHH!" Akutagawa gasps when the Roman Emperor slashed him. The slash burst into flames, giving him the final blow.
Nero stood behind him, her Sword still in a slashing position. "Umu, the Berserker of the Eternal Empire has been defeated." The Rose Emperor stated, (End Song)
Ryunosuke Akutagawa coughs out blood, the wound he received from the Noble Phantasm. Blood drips down from his mouth as he fell to his knees, "Heh, w-well done Chaldeans." He moved his hand to his wound as his body began to disappear. "To think you all have the capabilities to eliminate me, an Imperial Inquisitor."
Ritsuka steps forward, standing before the Berserker.
Johanna and Constantine stood before the last master of Humanity, looking down at their former ally. "Akutagawa," The Ruler Servant frowns, seeing him about to return to the Throne of Heroes.
"You're strong, Akutagawa. Even if you didn't use your Noble Phantasm, you're still able to push us to a corner." Ritsuka commented, looking at Ladybug to come.
Ladybug nodded, walking forward to the Berserker. "Ladybug, wait he might be-"
"Don't worry Chat, he's injured and can't do anything now," Ladybug assures her Boyfriend before walking towards the Servant with the Talisman at the ready.
Akutagawa scoffs, looking to the side. "I refuse to use that Noble Phantasm, even when I was an Imperial Inquisitor," He frowns, growling at the thought of using it. "I won't let that monster out,"
The Berserker chuckles, sitting on his back legs, "I'm happy that I'm disappearing before I could use that cursed Noble Phantasm by force." The black-haired Servant commented before looking up at the Chaldeans.
"For your defeat over me, I thank you." Akutagawa smiles as his eyes revert to his black coloration.
Constantine looks at his master, seeing Akutagawa's body turning into golden dust. "Master, Akutagawa's body is disappearing, his Spirit Origin is vanishing." The Emperor informed Ritsuka. "Should I finish him off? As the former Emperor of the Restoration Realm, my duty as their leader is to take care of my fallen subject."
"No, Ladybug?" Ritsuka looks over to the bluenette Hero,
Ladybug placed the Talisman on Akutagawa's wounds, "Okay, now what?" She asked, waiting for something spectacular to happen.
"Fujimaru?" Johanna asked before noticing a light blue hue appear on their former enemy.
"W-Wha-" Akutagawa looks down at his disappearing body as the wound received from Nero heals.
"Ryunosuke Akutagawa, you were sent to this World to save it but were used to destroy it." Ritsuka held out his hand to the former enemy. "But I'm offering you a chance to rewrite your wrongs and fulfill your original purpose, will you join us in saving Paris?"
The fading Berserker was at a loss, he had never expected that the master of Chaldea would offer an enemy a chance to fight with him. "B-But I killed Dazai, don't you hold any grudges against me?" Akutagawa asked, looking at Ladybug and Chat Noir.
Ladybug blinks, turning to Chat Noir before answering the Author. "To be honest here, we understand that you weren't in control of yourself like the others back at home." The Hero of Creation stated as the Domus Aurea began to disappear.
"Ladybug's right if you were in control of yourself, and if you were it's a different story." Chat continued after his Partner. "From what Ritsuka is offering, it's a chance to do what you were meant to do here,"
Ritsuka smiles, seeing the two young masters understand that Berserker is not at fault. He looks down at the former Inquisitor. "So, what about it? Do you want to join Chaldea, Akutagawa?"
The light soon forms a pentagram, severing the connection between Akutagawa and the Enteral Empire from his Spirit Origins.
Akutagawa looks at every Servant present in the fading Noble Phantasm around them. He thought for a moment before concluding, "Master of Chaldea, after some thinking…I joined your mission to save Paris from the Eternal Empire." He answered, now free from the Empire's control.
Johanna smiles, happy to have the same Berserker help out as in Traum. "That's great, Akutagawa. It's like Traum again, but we're fighting for Humanity's survival this time." She looks at Constantine, "Am I right, Emperor?"
"Yes, it's going to be some ride, Ruler." Constantine smiles, happy to have the extra help.
Ritsuka smiles, helping their newfound ally to his feet. "Then welcome to the team, Ryunosuke Akutagawa. To be honest with you, I read your books when I lived in Japan." He commented.
"That…honors me, master. However, there is one problem I must address," Akutagawa informed his new master, feeling their contract being set by the Talisman.
"Oh? If you don't mind, Mr. Akutagawa, what's the problem?" Ladybug asked the Author from a different country.
"The matter is that I have been severed from the Eternal Empire," The Berserker stated, looking at the almost gone Theater. "And the fact that my former army is right outside of the Domus Aurea ready to attack."
BB and Nero step forward, confirming what Akutagawa said was true. "Yeah, they're right outside and we totally forgot about it!" BB scolded the group for missing the most important thing.
Everyone prepared themselves for an onslaught of Enemy Programs charging in.
Nero ready her Sword, seeing the heads of the robotic enemy. "Don't worry, BB. Now that we have another Berserker on our team, our chances of victory." The Emperor commented, staying positive in their situation.
Koyanskaya loaded her rifle, putting the settings into barrage mode. "Yeah, but they have the numbers and almost go on par with Servants." The Beast of Cherishment reminds the Saber.
"Master," Ritsuka looks at his new Servant, his Mystic Code unravels and morphs into dog heads. "I, Ryunosuke Akutagawa, at this moment put my fate into your hands. Command me as you see fit,"
Ritsuka nodded, hearing Akutagawa swearing allegiance to him. "Then, by my order, show me what you got, Akutagawa-"
"Well, I didn't expect the enemy to join Humanity's side that easily." A new voice spoke to the group,
Everyone's eyes widened once the walls of the Golden Theater disappeared, revealing bodies of gunned-down Enemy Programs and other Empire forces.
There was a white-haired man with a rifle still smoking from a Battle they have missed inside Nero's Theater. The man had white hair, blue eyes, pale skin, and a black trench coat, the rifle in his hand was like something from a Sci-fi film with blue circuitry on its barrel.
"W-Wha-who are all these people?" Nero asked, sensing that the people were Humans.
"A-Are they Humans?" Chat asked, looking at their strange sense of clothing.
The Parisians were wearing black hooded coats with blue outlines around the edges. In their hands were advanced-looking rifles and other assortments of weaponry.
"No doubt about it, these must be the Resistance that's against the Eternal Empire," Ritsuka commented, seeing someone he hasn't seen in a while.
Koyanskaya chuckles, knowing those types of weapons these Lostbelt Humans were holding. "Theos Klironomia infused weaponry. Interesting that Humans were able to get a hold of these," The Fox commented.
Leading them was a familiar face to the Chaldeans, "Bunnyx!" Ladybug and Chat smile, seeing the Hero of Evolution standing among the armed people.
"Hey you two, I see that you are all together." Bunnyx smiled in relief that the Empire didn't get to them first. "I'm glad," She commented.
Constantine smiles, placing his hand on his side. "So that's where you went to Bunnyx after leaving the bar." The Rider commented.
"Like all rabbits, they tend to scurry away," Koyanskaya added, lowering her rifle.
"Bunnyx, this is no place for small talk." "This place is still crawling with Attack Programs and Watchers, take the Chaldeans to the underground Facility here."
The man looks at Ritsuka before leading a few soldiers back to the entrance to the underground.
Bunnyx nodded, "Yes, Assassin." The maroon Hero smiles, motioning her head to follow them. "Come on, I'm sure you're all tired from your fight with Berserker."
AN: How do you like it? Please leave a comment or review.