Chapter Six
"All the Evil in this World"
Continued from
here.
With the recent murder of Cole, revealed to be an Agent, and the revelation of Lon'qu and Donny as other Agents, the investigation would lead the Survivors to pin their votes on Cinder Fall, whom some of which would even suspect to be the very same Traitor that killed Kirby.
Meanwhile, in the other regions of the world, Rin Tohsaka would be assaulted and captured by the Unknown Man who had given Fiamma of the Right the Right Hand of the Crimson Moon. Afterwards, the Unknown Man would muse on how all the happenings seemed to be rising in Russia, where he had determined he would make his final stand.
While this was happening, as Illyasviel von Einzbern traversed through the Einzbern Forest to clear up some loose ends, she would encounter Zouken Matou, the man who had imprisoned her, Robin Tact, and Minato Arisato in the beginning. The two of them would exchange a few words together, musing on how Illya will die if she overuses the Dress of Heaven, and how much she resembled her ancestor, Justeaze Lizrich von Einzbern, before Illya would use her dress to defeat Zouken and put his soul to rest for good.
Props to @TheSpringwoodSlasher for this cool collab thing!
With your business seemingly done here, it was time to go. You couldn't waste any more time here in Academy City. It was time to head to Russia and get to the bottom of the Murder Game once and for all. With the plane still waiting, everything was all ready to go.
Having waited for you all to finish your business, Tsuchimikado was pleased, naturally, that everything seemed to be going according to plan, and for good reason. Finally, you were all getting somewhere, right? Enough of the running away, and more of the running toward. Or something to that degree, right?
Either way, even after some of you had went ahead and talked to Aleister Crowley himself, perhaps it shouldn't concern you that whatever you were doing was a part of someone else's greater scheme. As long as it didn't concern you, right? Besides, it's as they say; the enemy of your enemy was your friend.
Then again, some of you were probably not all that keen on calling Tsuchimikado a "friend," but it was of little consequence.
"Alright, I think that should be enough. Wouldn't you guys agree?" He inquired happily, adjusting his sunglasses that he still wore, even during the nighttime for some reason,
"Well, I guess that doesn't matter. We got what we came for, right? In any case, let's bounce! This is a place I'd rather not stay in for much longer. Too much stuff going on here... and, well, everywhere else for that matter-nya," he sighed, motioning for you all to follow as he would begin to walk into the jet that was awaiting you all.
However, one voice from behind would stop a number of you in your tracks.
"And just where exactly do you think you're going, hmm?"
There, Fiamma of the Right was trailing right behind you. With his ever so deceivingly graceful smile, he began to slowly walk towards you all.
Where did he come from? How did you know what you were up to?
"I believe the fun was just getting started... So don't leave so soon."
Having done what he could to help, Stubbs wasn't really feeling much better about this whole thing. More people had died and he'd gone through the brunt of it all. He'd been sliced apart by Saber, had a hole blasted straight through his torso by Caster, and then the dreaded had to go and show up.
The zombie's cigarette fell from his mouth and bounced from side to side as it fell to the ground. Even with the others, Stubbs doubted their chances of even being able to come close of matching this guy. He looked like some kinda monster! Some kinda freak! Their escape was only a staircase away.
All they had to do was get onboard and figure out where to go from there right? Stubbs had some time to think over the course of this twisted and sadistic game. The reactions he'd gotten from this crowd ranged from mixed to seemingly genuine like Gilgamesh. Yet what good had Stubbs done? He'd been looking out for himself, numero uno. Yet these people all worked together to achieve a common goal and that just struck Stubbs as unthinkable. Maybe it was the fact that instead of working together, the humans back in Punchbowl were always pulling in different directions when trying to deal with Stubbs and his ever-expanding zombie army.
As a stray breeze of wind blew through the air, Stubb's hat was knocked from his head as he spread his feet apart and a sickly green aura began to emit from the zombie. It might have gotten him into too many minced pieces to regenerate from but he wasn't gonna give this guy the satisfaction of letting them take him. The aura spread onto the ground and soon cracks would have appeared similar to what Gilgamesh, Saber, and Lon'qu saw back at the Courtyard. When there was no more room in Hell, the Dead would walk the Earth once more.
Only Stubbs's noble phantasm would have gotten half-way as Saber looked over her shoulder at the others.
"You've gotten what you came here for. The way I see it, none of you have any more reason to linger in this city. This monster is the reason you've been put through these trials. You'll face him again, I'm sure. But you'll do it on your own terms and not his. So, turn and run while you can." What came next struck a chord with Saber.
"The same goes for you Shirou."
"..But Saber! You can't fight this guy alone! You need some support!" The teen protested only for Saber to glare.
"What if he proves too much for even this support to handle? You'll end up dead when all of you have a chance to flee now while you can! I imagine I won't be able to hold him back for long. Perhaps I've afforded us an half-hour at the most if we're generous. In any case that should be more than enough for you and the others to pile onto that ship and leave!"
"..Saber."
"I won't hear anymore of it, Shirou! Use a command seal on me if you wish but I'm standing my ground!" The knight roared back to which Shirou reluctantly nodded. He hated leaving someone as close to him as Saber behind but if she was going to take on someone as powerful as this guy on by herself, she couldn't be burderened with protecting anyone who stayed behind with her.
"Lon' Qu. I know you believe you rushed in proclaiming your feelings for me. But I would just like to say this. You're probably one of the bravest warriors I've ever had the pleasure of encountering. I hope to see you again someday. Now get going!"
Provided there was no arguments and the others piled on as they went, Stubbs noticed how reluctant Shirou was in getting on the ship and grasping the boy's arm began to drag him on. It wasn't his place to say whether or not Saber's decision was a good one. But it might have been the only one that didn't leave more of them dead than there already was.
Shooting one last smile towards Lon'qu, Saber turned to face Fiamma with Excalibur raised in front of her.
"I swear on my honor as a knight that you'll not past me, fiend. I suggest you make your move and make it quick."
As Saber would prepare for battle, Fiamma of the Right would do the same. For the first time since Archer, he would allow a Servant to take a look at the weapon that he was using. The tool that he had used to fell the other Servants with relative ease. The Holy Right of God. The Third Arm. A giant claw resembling a bird's talon sticking out of the man's shoulder stood still, as small bits and pieces of it gradually disintegrated into the air, as though it appeared to have a time limit here.
"A knight, eh? I hope you know that knights bow to their kings," the magician said, running a hand through his hair as he glared at Saber,
"But I have no time to waste with you, unfortunately," He spoke apathetically in an almost deceivingly way, before the giant Holy Right would aim itself at the ship that was still attempting to take off.
Seeming to decide to direct the majority of his attention towards the ship that was now beginning to become airborne and fly off, Saber herself apparently being an afterthought to the arrogant magician, as he had downed each of the other Servants with relative ease anyway, Fiamma of the Right decided not to waste any time with what he believed to be a mere insect.
"Fall," he commanded.
With that, what appeared to be a circle of light would begin to materialize within the Holy Right that hovered above his shoulder.
Dragon's Breath.
The orb of light grew more and more, until it was roughly three times the size of an ordinary baseball.
Level 1.
And with that, he would begin to shoot it at the jet with all of you aboard. It would be able to blast away
Erik,
Daredevil, and
Elektra, instantly killing them all, but before it would be able to damage the plane very much, a worm would divert his attention unexpectedly in his folly.
"...Bastard." In a situation such as this, there was no time to use more poignant insults. Now was the time for action and watching as the blasts began to soar towards the jet, Saber sprinted in their direction before jumping up as high as she could go.
She wouldn't be able to stop
all of the blasts but the rest impacted with the knight in a massive explosion that lit up the night sky. Lon'qu would have gotten a perfect view of Saber being engulfed within the cloud of smoke.
As it began to dissipate, a figure could have been seen crashing into the ground creating a massive crater. The dust cloud it kicked up concealed the servant as Saber stabbed Excalibur in the ground and struggled to her feet. Brushing aside the remaining dust, her armor was in tatters and one of her arms had hung limply at her side with a pool of blood around her.
"As long as I'm breathing....You will not harm them.."
She then sprinted forward and raised Excalibur, intent on trying to decapitate Fiamma like the scum that he was.
Lon'qu...I will miss you.
"Tch. You're a nuisance. But it'll all be worth it if I have you work to make it up to me," the man flatly said in response to Saber's defiant nature, blocking the Servant's sword with his own sword that seemed to materialize out of nowhere. The Sword of Freyr. Experienced swordsman he was not, but a magician with the power like Fiamma of the Right didn't need such training. He had managed to take down that bothersome Executor, along with Archer and Lancer all at once. This should be no problem...
Pushing the Heroic Spirit away with his magically augmented strength, he took a step back, before extending his arm in Saber's general direction, as though preparing a spell again.
Saber's eyes widened in horror as she was pushed back as easily as brushing off a fly. She'd been able to give Lancer a fight to remember but yet this foe came and treated her as if she were nothing more than an inconvenience in the grand scheme of things.
If she hadn't expanded most of her mana enduring the blasts meant for the jet then she might have been able to use her noble phantasm. But would have, could have, should have. In battle there was no room for what-ifs. There was the situtation on the ground and you had to deal with the hand you were dealt.
"I won't run and I won't live with regrets. If I run away from you now, I can no longer call myself a warrior. Even if the situation looks bleak, I will not lower my sword! Have at you!" She yelled and charged towards the beam with the last of her energy.
"By the power of the Right Hand of the Crimson Moon, I command you! Saber, come under my control!" He exclaimed with a forceful, firm tone in his voice. The same tone that he had used when using this sort of influence upon Berserker and Caster. The influence that bent many others before Saber to his will.
With that, what appeared to be a black beam of magical energy would shoot from his hand, flying at high speeds at the Servant!
Predictably the beam engulfed the knight even as she continued to stomp forward, leaving a wide trail of dirt in her wake. Once the beam finally faded, Saber was standing near Fiamma. This was of course a testament to Saber's willpower above all else. But even so she could feel herself losing control of her body. It was apparent that it was no longer hers to do with as she wished but Fiammas.
"..I'm sorry, Lon'qu, Donny, Shirou. I wish I could have done more."
"That's right... You won't be lowering your sword. You'll keep it raised and continue to fight. But this time, for me. I could always use another pawn. Especially after Berserker's body had rotted away rather inconveniently. But that is of little consequence. I had always heard about how the Saber-class was the strongest... So surely, you won't disappoint me, right?" Fiamma of the Right inquired with a smirk, his right hand surging with the sinister red energy.
"Now... Rise. Rise for your new lord."
By the time the transformation was over, Saber was like a completely different entity. Her skin was paler, her hair was whiter, her armor was darker, and her entire existence was blackened in no time.
"... As you wish, Master."
By the time it was all over though, your ride would just barely manage to escape Fiamma's range. But even so, in the distance, you would all be able to witness the fall of Saber.
Every Servant had fallen. Now, the Dress of Heaven was complete. Everything was now falling into place.
- - -
The plane ride to Russia was surprisingly smooth and quiet, all things considered. Whatever this "energy anomaly" that was located in Russia was supposed to be, one could assume that it was the source of all this trouble. Perhaps if you would disrupt the source, the Murder Game would come to an end. Seemed a little naive and convenient, but hey, you could hope, right?
As you would eventually reach the place, perhaps predictably enough, the place would resemble that of a snowy wasteland, though you could see a few things here and there in the distance.
"Looks like there's a settlement nearby, but there seems to be some strange activity there. Activity I'd rather avoid," Tsuchimikado spoke calmly, holding his chin in thought before gesturing towards the nameless pilot,
"Land over there. We won't attract any attention if we're far away enough, right?"
As you would all eventually land some distance away from the Settlement, the radar would be able to pick up what appeared to be energy signatures in a number of other places as well. Whatever the anomaly was, it looked like there wasn't just one. If you wanted to find the "one" that you were supposed to be here for, then it looked like you'd have to all spread out.
"Tch... this all smells kinda fishy, but hey, people don't get far by playing it safe. Or smart. That's why you're all here to do the stupid stuff, right?" Tsuchimikado said with a grin, before beginning to push you all out of the plane and into the cold, snowy field,
"Call back if you find anything of any use. Do note that you may have to visit multiple places to discover everything! Something useless you might find in the first place might be the key to unlocking whatever secrets the second place holds, y'know?"
Okay?
"Good luck!" He exclaimed, before shutting the door and leaving you all out in the cold. Well, time to go exploring through the glorious land of Mother Russia.
Settlement
Clearing
Hideout
~CAST LIST~
@Bomb as
Ethel and
Karin (Fairy Fencer F)
@Gibbons as
Gunha Sogiita (Raildex)
@C.T. as
Ryuuko Matoi (Kill la Kill)
@The Silver Paladin as
Percy Jackson and
Annabeth Chase (Percy Jackson)
@Hospes as
Reece "Annabel" Duchannes and
Ryan Duchannes (Caster Chronicles)
@TheSpringwoodSlasher as
Edward "Stubbs" Stubblefield (Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without A Pulse)
@DapperDogman as
Ryner Lute (Legend of the Legendary Heroes)
@Gummi Bunnies as
Erika Furudo and
Battler Ushiromiya (Umineko no Naku Kori Ni)
@CrunchyCHEEZIT as
Deoxys (Pokemon)
@Crimson Spartan as
Lon'qu and
Donny (Fire Emblem)
@Krieg as
Maxine Caulfield (Life Is Strange)
@Kaykay as
Saiai Kinuhata (Raildex)
@Mari as
Mari Kurihara (Prison School)
@El Tigre! as
Satsuki Kiryuuin (Kill la Kill)
@CCC Kouhai as
Bee (Bee and PuppyCat)
@Josh M as
Silk (Marvel Comics)
@Thuro The Assassin Potato as
Cameron Phillips (Terminator) and
Raiden (Metal Gear)
@Atomyk as
Mikoto Misaka (Raildex) and
Sans the Skeleton (Undertale)
@coralprime as
Papyrus the Skeleton (Undertale)
@OrlandoBloomers as
Celty Sturluson (Durarara!!)
@TheColourlessRainbow as
Dark Swan (Once Upon A Time)
The Dead
@Verite as
Illyasviel von Einzbern -
DIED! INNOCENT! DEFEATED!
@Shattered♦Secrets™ as
Ermac -
DIED! INNOCENT! GUNNED DOWN!
@The Tactician as
Robin Tact and
Minato Arisato -
MURDERED! INNOCENT! BURNED TO A CRISP!
@BarrenThin as
Frank Castle -
MURDERED! INNOCENT! SKEWERED!
@ShiroKiyoshi as
Sean Grant and
Edispu -
DIED! INNOCENT! BLASTED!
@Nater Taters as
Kirby -
MURDERED! INNOCENT! SLICED 'N DICED!
@Archwar as
Jason -
DIED! INNOCENT! LEFT BEHIND!
@Saint Guillotine as
Furiosa -
DIED! INNOCENT! BLASTED AWAY!
@Gen. Gwazi Senpai as
Gilgamesh -
MURDERD! INNOCENT! PUMMELED!
@Schnee Corp Lawyer as
Cole -
MURDERED! AGENT! STABBED!
@Melon as
Erik -
DIED! INNOCENT! ENGULFED!
@Cromartie Sarkissian as
Daredevil and
Elektra -
DIED! INNOCENT! ENGULFED!
The Voted
@Wedge Antilles as
Pyro -
TRAITOR!
@Mighty Roman as
Hector Barbossa and
Mister Negative -
INNOCENT!
@Jeremi as
Borsalino "Kizaru" -
TRAITOR!
@Klutzy Ninja Kitty as
Eve and
Ilona -
TRAITOR!
@york as
Cinder Fall -
UNKNOWN!
