AN: Enjoy the Chapter.
Ch 34 Prison Break Pt 1
"Saber! Pretender!" Ritsuka held out his hand, ordering the two Servants to attack,
"Umu!" Nero dashed forward; her blade burst into flames as she slashed through the Enemy Programs.
Tlaloc transforms into her Aztec outfit, bringing out her whip. "SEI!" She swung her whip, slashing through the enemies. The Pretender then spots more Enemy Forces coming from the corner.
The Lostbelt Servant turns to her master and their allies. "Master, more Enemies are coming this way!" Tlaloc informed the master of Chaldea of the incoming Enemy Programs.
Ritsuka saw what the Lostbelt Servant was seeing, "Ngh, since when did the Eternal Empire start pulling out all their forces on us?" He asked, seeing the small army.
"Ruler, help us assist Saber and Pretender!" Chat Noir dashed forward with his Baton in hand and Ladybug beside him.
Ladybug toss her yo-yo at an abandoned car, wrapping it for her to toss at the army. "HA!"
"Ladybug, allow me!" Johanna raised her Staff, generating light to further propel the vehicle at the Enemy Programs.
The car hurls towards the Enemy, causing slight destruction to the street. "My apologies, I didn't intend to put so much force to damage the City streets." Johanna apologizes to Viperion standing behind them.
"No, don't be. Collateral damage will happen when rebelling against the Empire." Viperion said, not worrying about the damage to the City.
"There seems to be a lot of Enemy Programs in this area of the Empire." The bluenette Hero asked, taking note of the many encounters they had while heading to the Base near the Prison. "Is it because we're in the district where the Prison is?" She asked, reeling in her yo-yo.
Assassin managed to get a few shots in before answering the Hero of Creation's question. "That's most likely it, Ladybug. Since you all defeated Berserker of the Void and have Akutagawa join the Resistance, the Empire has increased patrols near essential areas." The Servant explains.
"Of course, with us interfering in events then the only response increase security," Machiavelli commented, as she supports the fighters with Support Spells.
Ritsuka went to the former Enemy's side, looking at her with concern. "Machiavelli, are you sure helping us get to the Base is all right with you?" The Magus from Chaldea asked the purple-haired Servant. "The Watchers and other Machines watching us will instantly record your involvement with us."
Machiavelli turns to Ritsuka, assuring him that she's fine with it. "It doesn't matter if I aid you and Chaldea now. Since I left my post, my former master will suspect that I defected to your side." She explains to her new master. "I was supposed to report thirty minutes ago; however that meeting took longer than I suspected. So either way, I'll pay the price for my betrayal."
"Machiavelli…." Ritsuka felt bad for the Caster Servant, now he needs to defeat the Empire more than ever because of that.
Louis looks over to the Crime Lord, curious about what he was doing. "Ruler, why aren't helping the others fighting?" The blonde master asked,
Morarity looks over to the young Boy, smiling at him. "Oh, I am, Mr. Agreste. I may not be combat oriented, but I serve as a strategist for master and the others." The former Apostle for the Alien World explains. "For example…" He points to the small numbers on the left side of the street.
"Right there on the left, there are few Enemy Programs for a powerful attack to pave the way." The Ruler explains to Louis how he's helping the group.
Louis looked over to where Morarity was pointing and saw what he saw. "I see, I think I understand." The blonde boy looks over to Ritsuka, overseeing Tlaloc and Nero destroying the Enemies. "Ritsuka, over to your left!"
The Magus eyes Louis, shouting from the back. He then shifts his attention to the left of the street. In an instant, he could tell that was the weak point in the formation. He smirks at Louis telling him, "Thanks Lou,"
Ritsuka held his hand to the left, "Pretender, break through those Enemy Programs there." He ordered the black-haired Servant.
"As you wish master!" Tlaloc raised her whip, transforming it into a Staff. "Revere me!" She points her Staff at the Enemy as Aztec structures fall from the sky, crashing into the weak area in their formation.
The structure cleared the path on the left, allowing the group to quickly head to the path. "The path is clear, let's get going before more of those Machines appear!" Chat Noir shouted as everyone headed in the left direction.
The Servants continued pressuring their attack on the Enemy army.
Soon the group made it through without any major casualties. Though Ladybug, Chat Noir, Louis, and Ritsuka were getting tired from facing that large army.
"V-Viperion, how long until we get to the base?" Chat Noir asked the Hero of Intuition.
Viperion huffs, also exhausted by the number of Enemies they encountered. He looks at the bluenette Hero, "Not too long, it's just past those buildings over there." He points to the buildings far off,
Ritsuka looks at where the teal-haired Hero was pointing, taking note that they were near the Wax Museum they went to in the past. "I know this street," He looks at allies, speaking to them. "We're near that Wax Museum that we went to."
"Wax Museum?" Louis asked, never hearing about a wax museum around these parts of the City.
Chat Noir nodded, remembering this area now. "I see what you mean, Musee Grevin should be around here." He smiles,
"Ah, you mean the Wax Museum you all went to with the French Servants?" Nero asked with a smile, crossing her arms. "Umu, I do wish I was able to go with you all."
Assassin sighs, looking at the Emperor of Roses. "Saber, it isn't the time to wish for things to happen in the Past." The white-haired Servant stated. "We're in the Present, focus on our current situation."
Nero gave a cheerful laugh at the Assassin Servant; she patted his back ignoring his words. "HAHAHAHA! You're so stiff, Assassin!" The Saber laughs, "Try to lighten up just for a moment."
The Servant groans at the Saber-face trying to get comfortable with him. "If you haven't gotten it yet. We are literally in a hot zone; the Enemy might pop out at any given moment." Assassin of the Resistance scolded Nero for being so lax.
Nero laughs it off like Assassin's words phase through her. "Don't be such a stick in the mud, Assassin." The Chaldean Servant looks at the three young masters with them. "Your master and the other two are still Children and don't need to be pressured by the spoils of Resisting an Empire."
"Besides, I'm just making some small talk with them." Nero looks at the three masters with a smile. "Umu, while we have time, do you have any questions regarding the Museum?"
The bluenette Hero blinks at the Roman Emperor attempting to lighten the mood. "W-Well, I'm just wondering if it is still open. I'm aware we're in the Future, but I can't help but wonder." Ladybug asked the group, curious about the Future.
Louis looks at his Mother, answering her question. "Um…I'm not sure what Wax Museum you were talking about, Mom, Dad, but I can tell you that this place was where Uncle Nino performs his DJ Parties." The blonde Boy told his Parents what this area was used for in this Era.
Chat chuckles before smiling at what his Best Friend was doing something he likes to do. "So Nino actually pursue a Music Career." He commented on Nino's success. "I'm happy to hear that Nino was able to enjoy his hobby as a job."
Louis nodded, smiling softly at the memory of his Uncle playing Music at his Parties. "Uncle Nino's Parties are the best, pretty much it's like a block party." He said in a sad tone.
Ritsuka looks at the three Family members interacting with each other, "Do you miss your Family, master?" Tlaloc asked the black-haired Magus.
"Yeah, with the Empire tracking communications on the surface and only having a few instances with the Storm Border; I don't have much time for my Family, unlike the Eden Anomaly," Ritsuka said to the Pretender Servant next to him.
Tlaloc nodded, remembering Mashu was always with her master during the South American Lostbelt, never leaving his side once, even with ORT. "I may not fully understand the concept of Family, but I do understand you want to be with your Family during your New Order."
The black-haired Servant looks at her master, confident that he'll have time for them. "But I know that there will be an instance when your Family will be with you during this time," Tlaloc stated. "After all, they are one Rayshift away."
"For someone who just recently join the Team, you sure know how to cheer up someone Tlaloc," Ritsuka commented,
"It's only the natural response to your dilemma, master," Tlaloc stated, walking to the edge of the alley. She scans the area to see if there are any Enemy Programs around. "Seems like there are a few Enemies lurking on the streets." The Pretender informed the group.
"Really?" Ladybug looks at what the Pretender was looking at, seeing that the streets were cleared. "Ah, you're right, we should go while we have the opportunity." The bluenette stated.
Viperion nodded, "All right, let's go!"
Everyone quickly ran into the open, ensuring that they don't draw too much attention from the Watchers and Enforcers above them.
The group was heading near the Prison, passing the DJ area where Nino hosted. Soon they arrived at an abandoned building with walls tattered and windows shattered.
The doors hung open, indicating it was damaged by something, probably from the first attack by the Eternal Empire.
"I-Is this it? The other Base that Mr. Agreste and everyone else are talking about?" Johanna asked, looking around the abandoned building.
Chat looks around, trying to get a feel of this place. "I don't remember anything monumental about this building." The Hero of Destruction commented before looking at Ladybug, "Ladybug, you?"
Ladybug shook her head. "No, this is just an ordinary building. There's nothing that speaks important about it," The bluenette Hero stated.
"That's the reason, there's nothing important about it." Viperion stated, "We have to make most bases inconspicuous for the Eternal Empire to notice." The Hero of Intuition explains to the young Heroes.
"Umu, considering that your Bases are near Major Monuments and notable places the Parisians know. It's best to set up a Base where your Enemy least suspects." Nero added, walking over to a ripped portrait,
Ladybug looks around before asking something she should've asked before. "How is it that Caster was able to conceal the Bases from the Empire's scans? I can't seem to find where the entrance is." She states before looking at Viperion, Assassin, and Louis. "Since we're a part of the Resistance, shouldn't we have special authority to know where the entrance is?" She asked the Leaders.
Ritsuka steps forward, having the answer to Ladybug's question. "I didn't tell you two, didn't I, right?" He asked the Parisian Heroes.
"Tell us what, Ritsuka?" Chat turns around, hearing what he said.
"Caster normally cannot be Summoned but considering we're in an Anomaly-er Lostbelt, things work differently," Ritsuka explains to the two.
"Normally? What do you mean?" Ladybug asked, giving the master of Chaldea her full attention.
Louis is also intrigued by Ritsuka's explanation. He turns to the Magus, curious about why their protector was impossible to be Summoned. "Why is Caster impossible to be Summoned?" The blonde Boy asked their ally.
Ritsuka crossed his arms, "Well since everyone heard Caster's True Name then I suppose I can tell you who he is." He stated, looking at the white-haired Assassin for his permission to reveal the truth.
Assassin of the Resistance nodded, approving the Chaldean master's request.
"Well, for starters Caster's True Name is Prometheus," Ritsuka informed the masters in front of who the Caster was.
"Prometheus…Prometheus…" Chat ponders on the name, being sure he has heard that name before. Then it hits him like a truck, his eyes widen before looking at Ritsuka. "You don't mean THAT Prometheus!?"
Ritsuka nodded, confirming what Chat Noir asked. "Yes, Prometheus, the Titian of Fire that gave Humanity fire from the Gods and got punished by Zeus." He gave the background on the Collaborator.
"So Caster-or Prometheus is a God or Titian from Greek Mythology!" Ladybug stated before realizing something was off with the God of Fire. "W-Wait, isn't Prometheus a God? Then why is he liking a Machine?"
Louis was confused regarding Prometheus, "Prometheus was like this when we first moved into the Base." The young master stated, "I always thought that Prometheus is an AI that came with the Eternal Empire."
"You're not wrong, currently Prometheus is an AI for the Resistance Base. But he wasn't always like that," The Magus explains before getting into the Lore behind the God of Fire. "Prometheus was always a Machine just like all Olympians Gods."
"Are you saying that the Olympian Gods are originally Machines!?" Chat asked, getting the gist rather quickly.
Ladybug shook her head, receiving the information Ritsuka gave to them. "S-So what you're saying Prometheus and all other Greek Gods were all Machines!?" The bluenette Hero asked, wanting to make sure they were hearing him right.
Ritsuka nodded in response to their questions. "Yeah, the major Olympian Gods were once Machines that travels through the Sea of Stars to this Earth and establish a contract with the Planet to make it their home." The Magus of Chaldea explains,
"Olympian Gods are Alien Machines or Spaceships…now that explains everything." Louis blinks, now placing the pieces explaining why Caster acts like a Machine and yet Humanish at the same time. "Prometheus said he was a Divine Spirit, but I didn't think that he means he was an Alien Spaceship that became a God and…AGH! This is all too confusing!"
Louis scratches his head in frustration at the information he received.
Chat Noir nodded, agreeing with his Future Son. "You and me both, Louie."
"So how did Prometheus exactly go from a Machine to the one in the History books?" Ladybug asked the Chaldean master.
"Simple, the Mural we saw at the Louvre," Ritsuka answers the question that the three masters share.
The blonde Hero looks up, realizing what the Mural depicts. "The White Titian, that's Titian is the reason why Prometheus is the one in Greek Mythology!?" Chat Noir places the pieces together, now making sense of Prometheus's History,
"Now that's something you don't hear every day," Ladybug commented on her Boyfriend's statement.
A cough caught the attention of the masters. They all turn around, looking at Assassin of the Resistance and Viperion standing near the stairwell. "Now that your History lesson about our Collaborator is finished; shall we continue our way to the Base?"
Viperion nodded, "Assassin's right, we're not out of the woods just yet." The Hero of Intuition stated.
"So, where is this Base of yours?" Moriarity asked the Superhero before them. "If I remember correctly, Archer or Johann lead a few chosen Servants for this mission and Bunnyx too." The Ruler stated,
"You are correct, Ruler. To answer your first question; the Base is close by." Viperion walks over to the back wall, pressing a button.
The floor started to rumble before a stairwell formed beneath the groups' feet. Soon lights turned on, leading the way for whoever was standing at the entrance.
Ritsuka and the others looked at the entrance, "This is like the last two Bases we've been to." He commented, stating the similar hallways to the Base.
"You're right, must be Prometheus's work then," Ladybug commented,
Tlaloc opens her eyes, sensing something coming towards them at great speed. "Master, everyone, get down!" The Pretender swiftly got in front of the masters.
A blur came rushing out of the hallway, crashing into Tlaloc. "T-Tlaloc!" Ritsuka exclaims, seeing his Servant quickly shift to her Aztec form, blocking the attack.
"W-What's going on?" Ladybug asked, seeing things going much more quickly.
"This aura, it's another Divine Spirit; a strong one at that!" Nero sensed a powerful Divine presence from whoever is attacking them.
Tlaloc swung her Staff, pushing back the Servant who attack them. "Why have you attacked us? State your reason!" The Pretender demanded.
Everyone looks at the Servant, standing above the entrance to the Base. The Servant has dark skin, violet hair, and eyes, and a small black bindi on her forehead. She wore a magenta India-style dress that reach above her knees,
She also wore a golden hair dress with a single long hair stretching down to her waste. On her feet were golden sandals that warp around her legs. The Divine Spirit also wore much golden jewelry on her wrist and ankles.
In her hands were two Khara, sharpened for Battle.
The Divine Servant glared at the Servants before her. "I am Berserker of the Resistance; I will judge your strength if you're worthy to join us!" The Berserker exclaims.
"W-What the-I thought we're allies!? Why are we fighting a potential ally?" Chat Noir asked, not getting why they were fighting the Berserker. "Louis, can you speak- Louis?" He looks for his Son, being nowhere to be seen.
Ladybug looks around, seeing Louis at the corner. "L-Louis? What are you doing there?" She asked.
Louis gave a nervous chuckle, standing with Viperion and Assassin of the Resistance at the corner. "Sorry, Mom, Dad, but you need to convince Berserker there that you're an ally!" The young blonde master explains to their allies.
"EEEEHHHH!?" Everyone exclaims at the condition to make Berserker of the Resistance stop attacking.
"Berserker was always like this even when Caster found her within the City," Assassin informed their Chaldean allies. "She's basically the definition of a Berserker."
Viperion waves over to the Chaldeans and the Heroes from the Present, smiling at them. "Just beat her in this fight but don't beat her too much that she disappears!" The Hero of Intuition told the black-haired Magus.
Ladybug stamps her foot, unsure how to hold back and defend against a Berserker Class Servant. "HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO THAT!?" She asked with a loud tone.
"What you're asking is impossible!" Chat Noir stated, looking at the People of the Lostbelt.
Ritsuka sighs, having a Déjà vu from meeting Atalante Alter in the Russian Lostbelt. He stretches his arms forward, "All right, I've dealt with a situation just like this before." The Magus smiles, turning to Tlaloc, Nero, and Moriarity. "You three are ready?"
"Yes, master!" They all responded,
Chat sighs, looking at his own Servant he Summoned. "Ruler, can you, do it?"
The Pope nodded, prepping for Battle. "Of course, nothing is impossible if you have faith." Johanna smiles, stepping forward.
Just as the Servants were about to take position against Berserker of the Resistance, she stomped her foot. "Only two Servants shall fight me," Berserker of the Resistance stated. "This fight shall be between masters and their Servants!" She stated.
The violet-haired Berserker turns to Ladybug, hearing about her being Servantless. "Since you don't have a Servant, then you shall not participate." The Divine Spirit stated.
Ladybug felt left out from the test, she felt like Berserker didn't recognize her as a master for Paris. "I can still fight, even if I don't have a Servant of my own!" She stated her resolve,
Berserker of the Resistance was about to answer the bluenette Hero until someone spoke up.
"Um, if I may intrude, I can make an official contract with Ladybug." Machiavelli steps forward, joining the formation. "Though I'm currently in a contract with master over there, I'm still considered a Free Servant in nature." The Caster explains to the Berserker, turning to Ritsuka for his approval.
Ritsuka blinks at his new Servant ally; he knew that Ladybug was feeling left out because she didn't Summon a Servant since entering the Lostbelt. "It's fine with me,"
Everyone turns to the Berserker for her approval. The violet-haired Berserker nodded, approving the arrangement. "Very well, I shall allow it." She stated.
"Umu, sounds good to me," Nero stated, turning to the young Ruler beside her. "Both me and Tlaloc had our moment to shine, I believe this is the first time you were in an official fight, eh Ruler?" The Roman Emperor asked the Crime Lord.
Tlaloc nodded, agreeing with the Saber Servant. "I concur, please show us what you can do, Ruler."
Moriarty sighs, joining both Johanna and Machiavelli. "Since we're facing a Divine Spirit and a Berserker, then I suppose I can play my part as a Servant of Chaldea." The Crime Lord adjusts his gloves, "Very well, I shall fight for my master in this trial!"
"You two are ready?" Ritsuka steps forward, standing behind Moriarity.
Chat Noir rolled his shoulders, "Well, this reminds me of the time when we fought you, Machiavelli, at the Crystal Palace." The Hero of Destruction commented.
"Please, Chat not now." Ladybug sighs, looking at Machiavelli. "Machiavelli, are you really okay with me being your master?" The bluenette Hero asked her former Enemy.
"Indeed, it'll be an honor in fighting alongside you, Ladybug." The violet-haired Servant smiles softly at her new master.
The blonde-haired Hero looks at Johanna, "Ready Ruler? I know this is not how I fight, but I'll be counting on you," Chat stated with a grin.
Johanna nodded to her master, "I shall do my best, let's go, everyone!" The Ruler exclaims, pepping the attackers.
Berserker of the Resistance ready her Kharas in her hands. She raised her head, placing her right foot forward on fallen debris. "I am Berserker of the Resistance; a mouthful so I shall introduce myself by my vessel's name." She announced to the Chaldean master and his allies.
"Servant, Berserker; you shall address me by Rani VIII!" The violet-haired Pseudo-Servant announced.
"Rani VIII? As in that Rani!?" Ritsuka asked, knowing that name.
Rani looks at the familiar face, however she can't recall where she's seen it. "Looks like we've met before. But for some reason I can place my tongue on it."
"So this must mea-"
"No matter, you should only concern about yourself in our fight!" Rani leaps forward, attacking first.
AN: How do you like it? Please leave a comment or review.