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Chapter Text

Prologue

Guilt of Captain Price

-Unknown Place-

Where am I? Captain Price silently opened his eyes. The sky above him was orange, and he felt coldness on his skin as a cold wind whooshed passed him. Its sounds filled his ear, both calming and somehow eerie to him.

The man slowly raised his head and his blue eyes blinked as he adjusted his sight. He found himself standing on a hill filled with grass. The grass was swaying, rustling loudly but softly, as the wind blew passed the surface again. He observed more and saw nothing but miles and miles of plain green field. He recognized this place.

Herefordshire, what am I doing—?

"Captain?" Captain Price heard a voice to his left. The voice was that of a man, but his eyes widened as he recognized the voice. He slowly turned to the direction and stopped in his tracks.

There was a man standing not far from him. The setting sun was behind him making his face shrouded by his own shadow. However, despite the shade, he knew who that man was.

"Soap?"

"Yes, sir, it's me."

A gladdened smile formed on his face as he began to approach the man. Soap – John 'Soap' Mctavish – was one of his teammates from before and a friend of his. To see him standing here right now made him happy.

"How did you get here?" He called, but suddenly, a memory flashed in his mind and it made him stop. Wait…the last time I saw you. The memory played inside his mind and it brought a harsh pain to him as he finally recalled an event from the past.

"Captain, what's the matter?"

Captain Price glanced up and his eyes widened again, this time in fear. He finally saw his friend's face. However…it was all drenched in blood.

"S-Soap…the last time that I saw you—you were—"

"Dead. Yeah. And it was all because of you."

The happiness inside Captain Price immediately disappeared and in its place was horror, terror…and guilt.

"No, I-! Soap, I never-"

"Why did I follow you!?"

Captain Price gasped in fright and took a step back as he watched his 'friend' raise an object that he was very familiar with.

A gun. And it wasn't just a gun. It was the same gun that he put on Soap's chest right after he died.

"Soap, I'm so-"

*BANG!*

A single shot echoed throughout the hill. It soon rang hollow and disappeared into the afternoon sky.

-London-

-Langdom Street Apartment – No.9-

"AAH!" Price let out a terrified scream as he woke up from his night terror. His eyes quickly darted around, looking for the familiar bloody face of his fallen friend. He quickly recognized the dimly lit room he was in. He saw a sturdy desk on the foot of his bed, and a cabinet on the far corner of his room, sitting beside a blackish brown door. The walls were pale brown and it told him that he was in his own room, inside his cheap townhouse apartment in the middle of the suburbs of London.

"I-I'm at my house, at my home. I'm no longer…on the battlefield," he recited between his haggard breaths as he slowly calmed himself down.

"I-I'm at my house, at my home. I'm no longer at the battlefield...I'm safe." Price repeated and slowly sat on the edge of his bed. He glanced towards his bedside table where a small mirror was standing. He looked into his bearded face, riddled with beads of sweat that slowly trailed his cheeks. Heavy eyebags also showed below his eyes, which he had gained from his lack of sleep.

"It's only five in the morning." I don't want to sleep. Price thought with dread as he pulled the drawer of his nightstand and took out his favorite cigar – Villa Clara – and a lighter. He didn't have the courage to go back to sleep. He might dream of other horrible things. The man stood up and walked towards his window. A calm, cool wind caressed his face as he opened the window and lit up one of his cigar sticks. The sun still had yet to rise and the city of London was still silent and serene. The scenery had completely calmed Price, but a frown of sadness was still on his face.

"Thirteen years after I killed Makarov. Thirteen years after I said good bye to all of you…Why do you all still appear in my dreams?" Price muttered, lowly.

The faces of his teammates started haunting him in his dreams several years ago. The first was Roach. He was standing on the same grassy field and then his 'friend' charged at him, a knife in his hand while he was screaming the same words that he always heard, the ones that always scared him.

"WHY DID I FOLLOW YOU!?"

The second was Simon 'Ghost' Riley. His sniper 'friend' charged and choked him. And while he was doing so, he was howling the old man's name and saying the same accursed words.

"WHY DID I FOLLOW YOU!?"

And then, John Mactavish, the last of his friends and the one who saved him from Russia's Gulag.

That was only a dream, and yet he felt the bullet was real.

Price moved his left hand and rubbed his chest where his heart was. "I'm so sorry, son…I'm so sorry, everyone." He muttered under his breath. His tone was filled with regret as he took a breath of his cigarette and blew smoke to the purple dawning sky.

-Dr. Samantha –

-Consultation and Therapy Clinic-

-London-

Ever since he started having those nightmares, Captain John Price had been jumping from one mental and psychiatric clinic to another. The dreams were negatively affecting his life and so he wanted it to stop. However, much to his dismay, most of the therapy that he had undergone was ineffective.

A lot of the therapists that he met either gave up on him or asked him to confine himself to a local mental hospital.

Ok, again with my dream. Right now, he was lying down on sofa bed, blue eyes up to the boring white ceiling. Across from him, sitting with a disappointed frown, was a dark-skinned woman with a notebook in her hand.

Dr. Samantha, the psychiatrist of the clinic, fixed her glasses as she stared at the former soldier with a sympathetic look.

"You've been my patient for ten months, am I right, Mister Price?"

"Yes." Price weakly answered. Based on her tone, the man knew that this doctor had already given up on him.

"And…I'm the seventh psychiatrist that you've consulted."

"And the longest one who treated me."

The doctor took deep breaths and put her notebook on the table beside her. "You've done all I asked of you to do?"

"I meditated. I've also filled up my journal, and nothing happened. The dreams keep appearing." Price glanced at her and added. "My friends keep coming back and all of them were trying to kill me."

The woman rested her back on the chair, her frown still displaying a dissatisfied expression. "Price, I keep telling you that those are your regrets, manifesting as your former comrades at arms. You need to let it go. What happened is beyond your control." Price looked away as the woman continued. "You already avenged your friends. You are no longer in a battlefield. You are living in peace."

Peace? Yes, I am… "But do I deserve this peace? I was the leader of my team. I should lead them properly. They should live in peace just like me…and yet they are all dead…"

The woman let out a heavy sigh. It was very clear to her that no matter what she said, it would be ineffective. The man was depressed and clearly needed help that she, unfortunately, could no longer provide. "If you do not want to let go of the past, what do you want to do then, Mister Price? You have already filed your resignation to the military. You are now a civilian and an upstanding citizen." The woman paused and leaned forward to the man. "What is your plan?"

Ever since he was a kid, Price always wanted to be a soldier, but now that dream was gone, together with his beloved team. The doctor's question had him feel lost and he could not form a good answer for her.

"My mother owns a flower shop back in my hometown while my father has a bookstore. Both wanted me to take up the job from their stores before, and both were dismayed when I chose to be a soldier." A small reminiscing smirk formed on the soldier's face as he continued. "My parents told me that my violent job will ruin me in the end, but I did not heed it. And it turns out that they were right. I am fucking ruined right now." A low, belittling chuckle escaped Price's lips as he closed his eyes. The psychiatrist, on the other hand, changed her disappointed frown into a disapproving one.

"Maybe going back to your hometown would be a good idea. Even though you already know the place, you might discover new things within it."

"Why would I go back in my hometown? My mother and father are already dead. All I have in there was a house that is probably all dirty and run down." Price glanced at her and the woman merely smiled.

"I'm saying that going back to the place where you spent your childhood might help you connect with yourself, and in turn, give you hope to move forward and live a normal life again."

But there's really nothing there…and I don't really know what I'm looking for. Price wanted to retort the woman, but he could not. The words of the woman had resounded in him, even though he didn't fully believe it, he couldn't help but to try to follow her advice.

After all, what could he lose if he went back. Maybe, just maybe, he would find get his will to move forward.

-The Wishing Chalice-

-London-

Ever since he moved in London, several years ago, and every time he finished from his therapy, Price went to his favorite pub, the Wishing Chalice.

The Wishing Chalice was an old-style pub built around a renovated Victorian home. The first floor was for customers who wanted to have a good time with their peers and friends, which made it usually loud and jampacked. The second floor, however, was for customers who preferred to drink their spirits alone or for those preferred to have privacy. It was seldom filled with people. Other than the lively people, however, the food and liquor were both good and it was also near his apartment. The pub was ideal for the former Captain, which was why it was his favorite place to stop by and unwind before he went home.

"Good thing my favorite booth is empty." Price said in a gladdened manner as he carried his order of fish and chips towards his usual favorite booth. It was beside a large window that overlooked a small, but busy intersection. He sat down and began to eat his comfort food, glancing at the window and replaying the memory of his session from earlier.

"I'm saying that going back to the place where you spent your childhood might help you connect with yourself, and in turn, give you hope to move forward and live a normal life again."

Maybe going back to my hometown might give me a reason to move forward again. "I can't stay like this forever. I have to move. I am sure they wouldn't want me to be brooding forever." Price muttered with resolution as he remembered his team, who were always there for him and would always rely on him.

If they were all alive, they would be scolding him for being such a sad sourpuss, and they would try to bring his spirit back.

If only they were alive right now…

"-xcuse me."

"Hmm?"

"Excuse me, may I sit with you?"

Price heard the voice of a man and glanced to his left. A tall man was standing a couple of meters away from his table. He looked like he was in his mid-forties, and was clothed in an all-black coat. It was attire that made him look like a priest. However, the most noticeable feature was his face. The man bore a very heavy and depressive look that made Price sharpen his blue eyes at him.

"Can I help you with something?" He asked as the man responded with a plain voice.

"Can I sit with you?"

The soldier glanced around and noticed that there were many vacant chairs around the pub, which made the man's request incredibly strange. Why would he want to sit with him in the first place?

What's with you? "There are other places to sit, sir." Price said with seriousness in his voice. He had a rough day, so he wanted to enjoy a peaceful meal. However, the presence of the man made his plan to relax disappear.

"I insist." The man, however, persisted and smoothly sat down on the opposite chair, earning him a dark glare from the former soldier.

Why do you want to sit with me…? Unless— Price began to analyze the man's bizarre and rude action. The depressing man was too strange for him. He could be a homeless hobo that snuck into the pub, or a damaged man with sever mental disorder. However, the former soldier also thought of something else and it made him sharpen his blue eyes, this time from danger.

Could it be that this man is one of Makarov's men?

Makarov, the man whom he killed before and the reason that his teammates met their demise. He was a general and a terrorist, so it was natural that he had lots of men in his hands.

The war terrorist general was already gone. However, Price was not sure if Makarov's men were still around.

And the man in front of him could be one of them.

Shit, if he's one of his men, then I'm in serious trouble! Price cursed himself for letting his guard down. This man might have a weapon underneath his black coat. The soldier slowly moved his hand below the table and into his jacket pocket, where his small revolver was. It was for his protection and enough to defend himself against this person.

"—Araya."

"I'm sorry?"

"My name is Souren Araya." The man named Souren Araya shifted his head a little, moving a lock of his black hair as he introduced himself to the soldier.

Souren Araya? "I'm Jonathan Price, and you, Souren, are rude for invading my space."

"I know and I apologize. I actually know you and was looking for you." Souren said with a matter-of-fact tone in his voice. The former soldier, however, responded by gripping and slowly aiming his revolver underneath the table, not changing his disturbed expression.

The man looked dangerous to him.

"Oh, really?" This person, I don't like him.

"Yes. I'm the type of a person who loves to looked up to heroes, modern ones, and you're one of them." The man in black stated as he put both of his hands on the table. The action made Price frown in alert. This man, Souren, had just shown both of his hands to him, which told the former Captain that the stranger was unarmed, but that didn't deter him.

"Let me guess, you're here for my autograph, and some pictures for your Facebook or something." Price played along, his blue eyes remaining observant as Souren lightly shook his head.

"No. In fact, I am here to offer you an opportunity of a lifetime."

"What are you talking about?" The soldier felt bothered by the man's words, but before he could react, the man in black moved his index finger and pointed at the former Captain's half-full glass of beer.

And then a miracle happened.

"Wh-what the fuck-!?" Price gasped as he the beer, which he drank earlier, began to refill to its brim.

Price couldn't believe what just happened. His glass of beer was refilled and cold. He had watched everything from the start and he knew that he didn't see any trick at all. Souren had completely refilled it, but how? He didn't know and it put him off guard.

"Y-You-! What are you-?"

"Calm yourself, Sir Price." Souren said to the soldier with a calm tone. The man immediately followed his request, but his blue eyes were still screaming in fright from the magic that he had done.

"Like I said before, I am Souren Araya and I'm interested in modern heroes because they are very hard to find in this decadent age of modern men," Souren introduced himself again, but he quickly added, "and I am a Mage. For the sake of saving time, yes, magic does exist."

The man in black observed the stricken face of the former Captain whose back was completely pressed on his chair, leaning away from him. "Do you understand, Sir Price?"

Price could not understand what Souren was saying.

Magic? Mages? He had read about them when he was a child. The man was amazed by them before, but he outgrew it. After all, fantasy only existed in fiction. Magic? Mages? Wh-what the fuck!? Price trembled in fear. Even though he had outgrown fantasy and thought magic didn't exist, he began to doubt all of it.

Because if he followed the logic of what had happened tonight, then he would only arrive at new truths.

Magic existed and it refilled his fucking beer. Mages were also real because one was sitting in front of him.

Price knew that he was sitting completely still and had been silent for at least forty-five minutes. However, it already felt like an hour for him. The fact that magic existed and that Souren, the man across from him, was a Mage made him feel nervous. This night should have been a normal and boring one, like every other night he had before, but the event tonight had completely shock him, and had changed his perception of the world forever.

"Price, are you calm now?" The former Captain snapped back to reality and darted his panic-stricken blue eyes at Souren.

"What are you really doing here? What do you want from me?" he asked. His voice slightly shook.

Souren stared at him for a moment, his hollow, black eyes observing the decorated soldier more before he answered. "I came here to give you an opportunity."

"Opportunity to what?"

"To change the world."

To change the world? Price was startled again by what the man had said. What could this man offer him that could change the world? The question lingered in his mind as the man spoke again.

"Mister Jonathan Price. You are the hero of Task Force 141, am I right? I have heard of your exploits and heroic actions. You are a good soldier. In fact, I dare say a perfect one. You always followed the orders of your superiors and always prioritized the mission that was given to you. And above all, you are an amazing leader." The man paused as he flicked his index finger, summoning a black glass of red wine and earning another startled grunt from Price. "Which is why…its so sad that your friends, your precious teammates, all of them died."

At the mention of the deaths of his friends, a heavy feeling began to make home inside of the former Captain's chest. He could see where the conversation was heading and he did not like it.

His fear from the shock of seeing magic earlier disappeared, and in its place was a rising anger.

"What opportunity is this? Are you going to recruit me to Hogwarts or something?" the man snarled at the Mage, founding his bravery through anger.

"No, such a trifle thing doesn't exist." Souren bluntly said as he moved his index finger, dipped it into his drink, and drew a circle with a star on the table.

And then the whole pub suddenly went quiet.

The sudden absence of noise made Price stand up and look around. He finally knew the reason why the pub went quiet. The remaining people on the floor had gone still. Some were in the middle of chatting with their peers, with smiles stuck on their faces. Others were in the middle of eating their food, but they could no longer continue what they were doing because whatever the man had drawn on the table made them all stop.

In fact, whatever the man had cast made time inside the pub stop completely.

"Wh-what?"

"It's getting noisy. I don't want anyone to disturb us as I present you the opportunity to change the world, Mister Price."

Price glanced down at Souren. His anger had completely disappeared as he trembled again to the magic that the man had casted. Fear arrived in his insides again, and it made the poor man sit down on his chair.

"What opportunity is that?" Fuck it, you win this round, magic man. Price had completely given up resisting the man. He had encountered lots of dangerous and deranged men before, and had killed all of them. But none of them used magic, and most certainly, none of them were Mages. He decided to go all along with it. He knew that Souren might cast another spell that could be more dangerous than this time stopping one.

For the first time since they met, Souren cast a light smile, which Price found weird since it was completely depressing. The magic man leaned closer and said to him. "Captain Jonathan Price, let me tell you a story – a story about a mystical war." The man paused as he took a sip of the wine from his glass before he continued with a heavy deep voice.

"'THE HOLY GRAIL WAR'."

Price sat still as Souren continued telling him a story about a mystical war called 'The Holy Grail War.' However, deep down, he was confused and very bothered.

The Holy Grail War was a war that involved seven Heroic Spirits Servants. These Heroic Spirits were heroes from the past, present, or future. They existed either from legends or myths and they were all summoned through magic. And right after they were summoned, they would then engage in a battle royale, like a war. The heroes would kill each other until there was only one left.

Then the said Hero Servant, and together with its Master, would then be rewarded by an object called 'The Holy Grail.'

The Holy Grail, according to Souren, was an omnipotent and all-powerful object and the prize of this bloody war. It was the most powerful object in the history of man for it could grant any kind of wish. However, the object could only by used once. But even so, whatever the Master or Servant wished would certainly happen without any cost.

"Now…do you understand?" Souren asked as he finished his story and the soldier snorted, resting his back on his chair.

"Understand? This is all new to me. Do you expect me to believe you with that?"

"No… I'm telling you that this is real and you are free to take the opportunity or not. If you don't, then you'll miss your chance to do the right thing in this world."

The right thing in this world? Price lowered his head in thoughtfulness before he asked him again. "Why did you tell me this?"

"Because it is unfair that you suffered so much when you're just a soldier who was trying to do the right thing, serving your country at that." Price's heart began to beat fast again as the man continued with a dull tone. "Your friends, your teammates, John 'Soap' Mctavish, Simon 'Ghost' Riley and Gary 'Roach' Sanderson – they knew that they were going to die in the line of duty, but they didn't deserve it, am I right?"

Yes…they don't. Memories of his comrades flashed before him and it made him clench his fists. Thirteen years after he killed Makarov and avenged his friends, he still felt that the death of his comrades was unfair and was somehow in vain. Although he knew that their deaths were not in his control, he knew that he could have done better.

I could have done better that time!

I could have saved them that time!

I should've because I am their leader, and they are my responsibility!

Price widened his eyes as the feeling that he had been trying to keep inside of him for thirteen years was now finally rising to his chest. He was familiar with this feeling. He had always felt it, although he always ignored it.

But now he could no longer ignore it. Instead, he quickly grabbed it and pulled it up.

The feeling was regret.

Souren sat in silence and observed the man. He was waiting for Price's response, wondering what it would be. But he didn't have to wait any longer. He noticed a change in the man's expression. When he met Captain Jonathan Price, he noticed that the man had the pathetic look of a kicked puppy. However, right now, it had changed. The sad look of the man was now gone, and in its place, was a serious look of determination.

The Mage made a small smile. He had won over the man.

"Based on your look, it seems you've decided." Souren began as Price leaned on the table, both of his hands clasped and his blue eyes looking straight at him.

"Yes. I'll bite whatever you said to me. I'll join this war."

Souren shifted in his seat as he took a sip of his red wine and asked the man. "Then I'm assuming that your wish is the resurrection of your former comrades."

"Wrong." Price bluntly said and it made Souren shift his black eyes at him. If he was shocked by the soldier's answer, then he only showed it by making his downcast black eyes blink. He thought that the former Captain would wish for the resurrection of his friends. It was clear as day that he still felt guilty about their deaths.

But Price said otherwise. If that was so…what was his wish then?

"Can I ask why?"

"Do you know the reason why I became a soldier?" Price began as he took over the conversation and took out a single cigarette stick. He flicked his lighter, lighting up the tip, and blew smoke to the air. "When I was a child, I read lots of books of heroes and knights that always saved the princess from burning towers and crazed dragons. These heroes always saved the innocents and protected the fragile peace of their land. I want to become like them. I want to protect the normal and peaceful lives of innocent people. That's why I became a soldier." He paused and showed a determined smile. "I want to be the protector of peace."

Souren stared at him as he absorbed the words of the former soldier. "Interesting, you have a very good dream, Sir Price." The Mage praised the man, although in a monotonous way, before he added. "But what is your wish, Captain Price?"

Price glanced at him. His heart was beating fast, but no longer from regret, rather from a new feeling that had formed after a determination to accept the Mage's opportunity came.

The feeling was burning him and it was something that he had longed to feel once again for a very long time.

A strong and resolute will to move forward.

"I don't want to wish for the resurrection of my friends. If I do so, they will scold me for wasting such a miraculous object when it could grant something much better. That wish would disservice their sacrifices." Price chuckled as he imagined his team and their reaction if he chose to resurrect them.

The Holy Grail sounded like a very powerful object. It could likely resurrect the dead. However, it did not feel right for him to wish something like that. Instead, he felt that he could achieve something more.

Something much grander than resurrection.

Something that could make him let go the guilt that was gnawing at his heart.

Something that could make his comrades happy.

Soap, Ghost, and Roach – I'm so sorry that I couldn't save you all. Don't worry, I know how to make amends to all of you. "My comrades and I swore to each other that we, as soldiers, should fight for what is right, regardless of how the deed was done or what its results would be. As long as it was for the greater good, then we must be steadfast and make it happen, without any reserve or regret."

Price drank from his beer and finally said his wish to the Mage.

"My wish is what made me choose to be a solider. My wish…is for mankind to stop waging wars with each other and achieve world peace!"

Souren stared at Price's determined face. If he was shocked, or had any emotion at all, he only showed it by making the same small, but gloomy smile. The man's enthusiasm to the Holy Grail War was very satisfying for him.

He got him.

"Well then, all I need to do is to tell you how to join the war."

"Shoot."

Souren moved his hand and fished something from deep within his black coat pocket. "The first thing that you'll need is a Servant. You need to summon a 'Servant' in order to participate in this battle."

Summon a servant. Shit, I couldn't even change the ringtone of my smartphone. "Can you speak English, because I'm only a muggle?" Price said jokingly. The Mage only made a single blink.

"Need not to worry. You are compatible enough to summon a Servant. You have a rich, natural, but untapped magic circuit within your body and that's enough." The Mage finally took out an object from his coat pocket and put it in front of the soldier. It was a medium sized box, enough only to contain a single thick book, wrapped in a black cloth with strange symbols on it.

The object emitted a strange aura and it made the former Captain gulp in nervousness. "What's that?"

"The catalyst for summoning your Servant. It also contains simple instructions." Souren said and cast a half solemn smile. He stood up from his seat and fixed his black coat. "And that's all. I wish you good luck, Captain Jonathan Price."

Price blinked. It was now his turn to be surprised. The Holy Grail War sounded so sophisticated, and yet he received little instructions.

"Wait, that's it?"

"Not quite. The war will start two days from now and its location will be…New York City, New York, USA."

At a city, but this is war!? "What about civilian casualties?"

"This is war, Captain Price, and in war, civilian casualty is very normal."

Price widened his blue eyes for a moment, surprised by the man's uncaring tone, but he asked more questions. "What should I do to summon my Servant?"

Souren glanced at him and then spoke. "Everything you need to know is inside that box. Follow the instructions and you will, certainly, succeed in summoning your Servant." He turned around, but stopped halfway before he added with a loud, but welcoming deep voice.

"Captain Jonathan Price. Welcome…to the Seventh Holy Grail War. Good luck, and may your wish come true."

Just as the Mage said that, he disappeared into thin air and the time inside the pub quickly unfroze. The startled former Captain darted his eyes everywhere, looking for a sign of the Mage, but the mysterious man was truly gone. The man had left him, feeling a bit lost, and it somehow irritated him.

I swear that man has an attitude problem. Not all was lost to the former soldier, however. Captain Price went back to his table and looked at the black clothed box in front of him.

Tonight was indeed a strange night, but he gained a lot of things. The offer of the magic man had ignited his will to move forward and he had made a wish that could make the world a better place.

And he was sure that his wish would make his departed teammates happy in the afterlife.

"Not yet. My wish isn't complete." Price took a mouthful of his food and chewed it hurriedly. "I need to join this Holy Grail War and win it. And then…they will be happy…and I will be in peace."

The man looked down at the box again with light in his eyes. He was excited to open it and summon his Servant.

For the longest time since he ever lived in London, this was the first time that he was excited to go home.

Chapter Text

Chapter 1

The Foreigner-class

-London-

-Mage's Association-

-Classroom of Modern Magecraft-

In a dimly lit classroom, a man stood by the blackboard and was crouching over his desk. The man donned a smartly black and blue coat over his white shirt and brown distressed pants. He had long hair that he momentarily brushed away from his face, which was currently in a distressed frown. The man was grunting and making several clicking sounds with his tongue. He was clearly under duress as he darted his black eyes onto his watch.

"10:45. She should be here. Where is she?"

"I'm here, Lord El-Melloi II." The voice of an older woman reverberated through his class room.

The man, named Lord El-Melloi II, quickly darted up and headed towards the other end of the class room. He saw a tall woman. The woman was wearing a brown blazer over her white crisp shirt, her black pants rustled as she stepped along the aisle of empty seats and approached him in a slow manner. Her red hair was tied into a low ponytail. She moved her black glasses over her red eyes, which focused on the man.

"You're late, I specifically said that our meeting would be at 8:45." The man begrudgingly reminded before he added to nail his complaint. "Ms. Touko, Aozaki."

The woman, named Touko Aozaki, merely smirked at him mischievously and answered the man in an unapologetic manner. "I'm so sorry, Lord El-Mellio. I just renewed my license, you see."

"Let me guess, your car got pounded, and your license had just been released from the coppers."

"No!" Touko said, but she sighed and gave up. "…Yes. I almost got DUI too."

"May I remind you that you're one of Mage Association's most powerful?" The man reminded the woman of her own status. Her stance was completely contrast to her title. Touko's brazen look made her seem like an ordinary woman that everyone could meet along the streets, but in truth, she was a very powerful mage whose power completely belittled a lot of mages within the Mage's Association, including Lord El-Melloi II.

"And may I remind that I don't really care." Touko plainly answered, making the man curse. She ignored the outcry and asked him as she sat down on one of the chairs in the front row, "So, what's this meeting all about?"

At the mention of the meeting, the man took a deep breath and his frown disappeared. In its place was a down casted, but calm expression. At last, the woman asked about the purpose of the meeting.

"Well, where should I start…" Lord El-Melloi II began and the woman's gaze became serious as she focused her attention at the man.

As the meeting progressed, Touko's cool headed persona slowly diminished. The topic of today's meeting was very strange and bothered her in many ways. She had never thought that she would hear such things tonight.

"Wait, let me get this straight," she called out the man, making him pause his discussion. "Thirteen days ago, a man ransacked the Animupshere Library of Artifacts, which was on an island called 'Isla Sorna', near the coast of Costa Rica. Said man then stole four artifacts that were all catalysts to summoning Servants. But wasn't the island protected by Animusphere crests and sigils? Did they all fail?"

"Possibly. However, the man is named Souren Araya, and if I remember correctly, he is a powerful Mage equal to you, Ms. Aozaki."

Yes, that's right. Touko grumbled in silence. Her mind played the memory of meeting Souren Araya a long time ago. The man was indeed powerful and was equal to her in terms of strength in magic. To hear his name today, she couldn't help but feel nothing but eeriness.

However, the presence of the man was all wrong.

"That's impossible. You know that too, El-Melloi II." She said adamantly and the man only made a deep sigh in agreement.

"Yes. It's impossible to see him moving around that island, let alone attacking and disabling the protection sigils that defend the library. However, it's the truth, Touko, and you must accept it."

Tch, he's right. Touko couldn't help but accept the man's words. No matter how much she denied it, she couldn't change the fact that the man had raided the infamous Library of Artifacts of the Animiusphere and stole four catalysts for summoning Servants. It all happened seven days ago and that was the truth.

"What else did he steal? Stolen catalysts aren't enough reason to call me here and I couldn't care less about that man…even if he could still move."

"He also stole something else: The Einzbern Codex."

The Einzbern Codex!? At the mention of the object's name, Touko couldn't help but make a gasp. "The Einzbern Family are a powerful family of Mages that uses alchemy and that codex contains all of their works and spells." That book is powerful, the woman thought hard in shock as she put her hand on her chin.

And then she gasped again after she remembered a memory about the book. "That book contains the blue prints of the Holy Grail War system, the same one that was dismantled in Fuyuki." She paused, glanced at the man, and asked him. "He's going to start a Holy Grail war, isn't he?"

"Actually…he already started it. Three Servants were summoned two days ago."

"What?!" Touko almost jumped in her seat. She didn't expect that the man had already made a move. "To start a Holy Grail War, seven heroic Spirits are needed to be summoned. He had already summoned three Servants, which means he already created a working Grail. Is this going to be like the infamous Sixth Holy Grail War from thirteen years ago?"

"Correct." Lord El-Melloi II said bluntly. Touko rested her back on the chair again. She couldn't believe what the meeting was all about. The Holy Grail War – a mystical battle royale-like war between seven Servants and Masters. The last war, the Sixth one, which happened thirteen years ago, had almost ended in disaster. Many people had died and the Mages Association had to work relentlessly to repair the damages that the war had done.

It should have spelled the end of such a ritual. Or so she thought.

She didn't expect that she would witness the start of another one and that brought her to this meeting. Having discussed such a heavy topic, that she had less knowledge of, the woman figured out the reason why the man had called her here.

"You want me to join the war, don't you? You want me to defeat him?" Touko asked as she cast an irate frown at Lord El-Melloi II. The man gulped down in nervousness. The woman's stare felt like daggers stabbing him in the chest.

"It wasn't my decision. It was the Lords of the Clocktower. They zeroed in on the fact that you and Souren Araya were collogues."

"Ha! Those old chums." Touko cursed under her breath. She didn't want to join any way because she found it completely stupid, absurd, and a waste of magical resources. Only a desperate Mage who wanted to achieve cheap glory would ever want to join such a ritual. However, since that man was involved, she could not help but feel curious and somehow, a need to see him again.

"Fine then, I'll bite this one." Touko's answer made the man smile. "However, I get to choose my catalyst and Servant, got it?"

"Yes, Ma'am." Lord El-Melloi II said as he walked away to get a catalyst for the woman to use in summoning her Servant.

-London-

-Langdom Street Apartment – No.9-

-Rooftop-

After arriving at his apartment, Captain Price immediately put his stuff down and took the box to the rooftop of his apartment. He opened it and immediately checked the contents. True to the Mage's words, he found a set of instructions, written in a dirty white paper that looked like it was made hundreds of years ago.

I can't believe I'm doing this. All right, what is the first step? "First step…draw the circle below." Price looked below the first page and saw a drawing of a circle and a six-pointed star within. There were also several lines along the insides of the circle, making the diagram look so sophisticated and hard to draw for a man like him.

"Fuck…I should've paid more attention to Blues Clues's drawing segment." Price cursed and glanced at the dirty rooftop floor, analyzing how he would draw the circle. He was not good at drawing, but that should not hinder him from achieving what he wanted:

Summon his Servant and win the Holy Grail War.

After an hour of making several grunts and curses, Price stood up and exhaled sharply out of exhaustion. The soldier's blue eyes concentrated on the ritual magic circle that he had drawn. The lines were identical to the instruction, words that he could not understand were written along the sides, finishing the circle's elaborate design.

The Ritual Magic Circle looked good and it made him smirk in anticipation. However, the positive reaction was short lived when a cold wind suddenly blew passed him. It created hollow sounds that sent a slight shiver down his spine. The full moon above, and the diming city lights from afar, were his only source of light on the rooftop, making the whole scene like a B-grade horror movie.

Why does it feel like I'm about to walk into hell itself? Price thought hesitantly, but then he remembered his friends and his wish. He brushed the remaining doubts out of his mind and declared. "No, I'm doing this for them. For Price, for Ghost…for Roach."

He closed his eyes and muttered under his voice with a hint of desperation. "A world without war, a world of peace – it will happen soon."

The man then glanced down and began to read the second part of the instructions.

"Second step: Put the catalyst in the middle of the circle." Price glanced down to the box and saw a thick dark brown book wedged inside. The book looked so old that it seemed time itself must have forgotten its existence. But despite the decrepit look, the soldier couldn't help but feel a strange aura surrounding it.

Price took the book out and blew the cover, sending some of the dust to the air. Words on the surface appeared and it looked like it was the title of the book.

'TRIGUN'

"Trigun, what the hell is Trigun?" Price asked to no one and shrugged his curiosity away before he put the book in the middle of the circle. It sounds powerful. He then moved back to the side and quickly read the third instruction. "Third and final step: Raise your right hand to the circle. Chant the words below at the strike of twelve…midnight?" The man glanced to his watch and read the time.

'11:59:10'

"Ten seconds." Price said in alertness as he readied himself. The time now was ten seconds to midnight and yet the man felt time was moving slowly. He felt a bit agitated. He really wanted to summon his Servant now. And then after ten seconds, his watch chimed as it welcomed him to midnight. Just as his watch sang, the man raised his right hand and began to chant.

"I call forth into time.

To heroes of legend.

Through wishes crystallized

One of the individuals

One of the collective

And one of civilization

These are the final wishes of humanity."

"Huh?!" The summoning circle suddenly lit up in blue and myriads of colorful orbs started to dance along the side, startling the man, making him stop mid-sentence. However, he quickly regained his focus and resumed his chant.

"As I stand upon the infallible boundary, before the brink of its destruction,

Take form from legend, armed to fight once more.

From the collapse, we will forge a path.

And from that path, we will carve a future."

The wind suddenly rushed past him and began to blow hard. Price felt an enormous pressure of air coming out of the circle in the form of a cold whirlpool.

This is it…I can feel it! A tense smile formed on his bearded face. This was the first time that he felt such an enormous pressure and he wasn't scared of it. Because the reaction that he was seeing right now told him that what he was doing had a strong effect to the ritual.

"Through you, I embody change.

And through me, you embody will.

To those written into legend, of Heroes and Villains,

from Men and Women, from Kings and Queens, from Emperors and Empresses, from Gods and Goddesses.

To those who hail to heed the call

Come forth in duty, from desire, under will!"

"Wha-?!" For a split second, Price saw the back of his right hand flash red, but before he could observe more, the ritual magic circle exploded into blue light, making him step back and shield his face with his left hand. "What happened, what's wrong, did I made a mistake?!" he screamed the question between his grunts. The man hit the exit door of the rooftop with his back, the harsh wind pinning him there.

And then, as fast as it happened, everything went silent.

Is it over? Price lowered his hand and looked at the scene before him. The floor of his apartment's rooftop was a mess. The ritual magic circle was half erased, large cracks webbing along the floor. Soot and the smell of something burnt filled the air and the man's nostrils, making him cough a little.

But then he noticed something. A figure was now standing in the middle of the ruined summoning circle. He could tell that it was a man due to his build.

The man was clothed in a long, red coat that almost covered his black shirt, pants and boots. His hair was blonde and styled in a tomahawk-like style. He also possessed a large pair of orange glasses over his closed eyes that reflected back the awe-struck face of the soldier who began to move closer to him.

"Whoa…I summoned this?" Price said as he observed him more. His mouth was half-open, still shocked and amazed by what he had summoned. His observation, however, was cut when his eyes landed on the man's left upper limb. He caught a glint of blue-green teal and noticed something strange. The man's left hand and forearm didn't match with the human skin. In fact, it was made of metal.

Artificial limb? Price thought vigilantly. He had seen many artificial limbs before, but none of them looked futuristic like this one. The man's left hand radiated blue-green colors and the soldier could tell that it was inhumanely, or out of this world, strong.

"Hello there."

Price quickly jumped back and saw that the man had opened his eyes, looking at him. His eyes were blue, just like the former captain, but its hue was mystifying. It had the color of a pristine ocean and was devoid of any malice or danger.

"Ah, sorry if I startled you," the man spoke again, but Price did not react. His voice was gentle, the soldier took note, as if he was a person that would not harm a soul.

Is this my Servant…If that is so, then he looks lanky. Price judged the man who was most definitely his Servant. He thought that he would summon something big and strong, not an average-looking and lanky. The former captain felt a bit disappointed, but he knew that he should not be too quick to judge the man.

He might not know, but he could be hiding his true strength underneath that ridiculous red coat of his.

"Um…hello, sir?" Price blinked. The man was smiling in an awkward way at him. Based on his attitude, Price's Servant looked like he was a goofy or comical one. He didn't have any problems with that, but he had hoped it wouldn't hinder him from doing his task.

"Yes?" the soldier finally answered him and the man stood straight and asked him once more.

"Are you the one who summoned me, sir?"

"Yes. I am the one who summoned you." Price said plainly. With that, the man widened his smile into an excited one, showing his pair of small fangs. He quickly moved closer to the soldier and dropped down to his knees as he kneeled in front of him.

"I am Vash the Stampede and I'm a Foreigner-class."

Foreigner-class—hm? Price was puzzled by the term. It must be a magical term and he took note of it, but then his eyes noticed a metallic glint on the man's thigh. A leather holster was wrapped around it, and within it was a huge silver gun. A lanky man with red overcoat, a silver gun on his thigh – Price pieced together a conclusion about Vash the Stampede's identity. "Are you a gunman?"

Vash slightly flinched, but he didn't look at the captain while he answered him. "Yes, sir, I am."

Hoh…So he was a soldier like me, only a bit more futuristic. Price smirked as he introduced himself. "I am Jonathan Price, the man who summoned you."

"Very well. You are now my Master and I am your Servant. My fate is in your hands. My will is for you to control. The contract is now complete. Please command me well, sir." Vash said in a very humble way. He looked up and smiled at his new Master.

This looks easy. The former captain made a satisfied grin. He had a Servant now, which made him a legit contestant to the Holy Grail War. Now all that he needed to do…was go through the war and win the mystical object. Soap, Roach, and Ghost, don't worry…I'll make amends with all of you. What we were fighting for will soon come true. Price moved his right hand and stopped after he noticed something. A tattoo was now on the back of his hand. Three triangles, spread out across the surface of his skin, making it look like the fully bloomed petals of a flower. The tattoo looked like a normal tattoo, but what set it aside from a normal one was that it was glowing in crimson red.

"What is this?"

"Command Spells, sir Price. It shows our contract." Vash answered as he stood up from the floor.

"I see." Price said as he continued to stare at the tattoo with a very eager look. Its red colors drowned out the blue of his eyes.

-The Regents Park-

-London-

The Regents Park was one of the best parks in London. During the day, the place was brimming with many different activities, such as play fairs or a small carnival. People flocked along the sidewalk to either feel relaxed and be close to nature or to get away from the bustling life of London City. The park, however, told a different story during nighttime.

The trees that lined up along the sidewalk darkened the path further, despite the lamps that were burning bright. The only sound that could be heard was the creepy sound of the wind whooshing passed the tree lines. The place was deserted every night and it was the perfect place to conduct some illegal activities.

But for Touko, who was now walking along the dark path, this place was perfect for something else. "To summon a Heroic Spirit, one needs a large place to draw the circle..." The woman muttered under her breath as she blew smoke from her mouth.

The mage reached an intersection where she stopped. She glanced around, watching the trees that were softly swaying by the wind, trying to feel any movement around her. And then, after a minute of silently standing in the middle of the four forked pathways, she made a wild grin.

"This place is perfect." She declared and flicked her right hand to the air. All the lights around the park switched off and then she took out a piece of chalk, which she threw to the ground.

The chalk, instead of shattering, stood still on the ground before it began to move in a rapid manner as it drew a summoning circle.

Touko stood, her cigarette half burnt as she exhaled a puff of smoke while she watched the chalk dance along the ground until it finished what it was doing.

"That's okay." She said and the chalk exploded into a small puff of white. The woman stood to the side and took out an object from her brown coat's pocket. It was a thick book wrapped in a white cloth with a seal in the middle and words inscribed along the sides.

"CHALDEA-CATALYST NO. 67"

"Alright…let see what I can summon with this one." Touko said as she threw the white cloth away, revealing the title of the book that she was holding.

"INVINCIBLE: COMPENDIUM AND GLOSSARY OF CHARACTERS"

"BY ROBERT KIRKMAN"

"FIRST MANUSCRIPT VERSION - NOT FOR SALE"

The mage woman put the book in the middle of the circle, and just as she did that, her phone chimed and welcomed her to the midnight hour.

"Now, now, now, all in good time." Touko calmly switched her phone off and raised her left hand to the circle.

"I call forth into time.

To heroes of legend.

Through wishes crystallized

One of the individual

One of the collective

And one of civilization

These are the final wishes of humanity.

As I stand upon the infallible boundary, before the brink of its destruction,

Take form from legend, armed to fight once more.

From the collapse, we will forge a path.

And from that path, we will carve a future.

Through you, I embody change.

And through me, you embody will.

To those written into legend, of Heroes and Villains,

from Men and Women, from Subjugators and Conquerors, from Kings and Queens, from Emperors and Empresses, from Gods and Goddesses.

To those who hail to heed the call

Come forth in duty, from desire, under will!"

The circle suddenly radiated in rainbow colors that danced around the intersection. The woman stood by as she watched her left-hand flash in red. A tattoo began to form on the back of her hand, and it was in the shape of a raging fire. It made the mage smirked in anticipation.

"Heh, this looks interesting." Touko muttered under her breath and the dancing light show suddenly disappeared.

The woman looked in front of her and her red eyes focused on the figure that was standing a couple of meters away.

The figure was that of a large man, but he wasn't human. It was a humanoid lion with fur white as snow and it donned dark blue and black armor. He was tall and towering over the mage. His left hand was holding a futuristic like axe weapon. The sight of the alien creature made Touko's grin widen in amazement. The Servant before her looked very strong and she was very pleased.

The Servant's eyes suddenly opened, revealing a pair of black eyes with a predatory gaze, which was now directed at Touko.

"You," he muttered with a heavy, grave voice, "Are you the worthless insect who summoned me."

Worthless insect? Wow, belittling much? Touko snorted at her Servant's hardcore bravado before she responded. "I am no mere insect, sir. I am the one who summoned you."

The Servant stared back at her. His gaze became even more dangerous. If looks could devour a person then he had already devoured the mage a long time ago.

"HA! Pathetic! To be summoned by a mere human mage, and a lanky one, is truly a comedy for me!" The lion man laughed loudly in a degrading way. His laughter echoed throughout the park and it was enough to make a normal person pee their pants. But Touko remained standing in her place, her confident smirk never disappearing despite her Servant throwing insults at her.

"Yes. I am indeed a lanky human mage. And yet I am the one who summoned you…which kind of speaks on what your level truly is, sir."

The lion man stopped his laugh and shot a glare at the woman. A growl escaped from his large and sharp teeth as he realized that she had insulted him back. He roared and swiftly moved his axe, slamming it on the ground in anger, missing the woman's left elbow by an inch.

"You dare insult me, puny human!?"

"Yes, because you have no power over me, just as I have no power over you." Touko explained while she fixed her glasses. She then tilted her head and cast a wonderful smile at him. "So why don't we start over again. Let's introduce ourselves, so we can finally seal the contract and have power on each other."

This woman….! The lion man shifted his axe away and took a step back. It was now his turn to be amazed, impressed that the woman didn't show any hint of fear at all. Was not she afraid of him? She should be. She was just a mere human and humans tended to get scared by aliens like him.

"Heh, I'll let you go this time." The lion man smirked, begrudgingly, and moved his axe behind him. And then he introduced himself with a loud, booming voice.

"I am Thokk, the Battle Beast and I'm an Avenger-class." He then glanced down at her and added with a mocking tone. "You should be lucky that I'm your Servant. I care not for the Holy Grail…I only want to fight and be on top."

Suave, Battle Beast. You're one of Invincible's greatest foes. "I am Touko Aozaki, your Master. With this, our contract is sealed." Touko said and cast her unwavering grin at her Servant, Battle Beast. The Servant, in turn, growled in a low tone – not out of animosity, but out of acceptance. He accepted her as his master for she had shown bravery earlier, which startled him. He hadn't expected that at all.

The two stood in the middle of the intersection as the moon above them waned. The darkness of the night continued to deepen.

Chapter Text

Chapter 2

Calm before the storm

-Unknown Place-

Where am I? Price slowly opened his blue eyes. A calm blue sky greeted him and there was a faint rumbling noise that filled his ears. He moved his hand only to feel the familiar surface of grass and the coldness of earth. The soldier, confused, slowly sat straight up, and began to look around. He was in some sort of garden. There were tall walls that encircled around, luscious green grass and tall trees were all over the place. Price found himself sitting underneath a tree and the soldier drew a confused look.

Wait, when did I get in a garden? He thought as he observed more. "Am I dreaming?"

His eyes wandered more and then stopped at the opposite tree. He was not alone in the garden. Across from him, and sitting under the shade of a large oak tree, were three people. One was a woman clothed in a white space suit, whose eyes were closed and wore a kind smile. On her lap were two boys, who were both identical twins.

"Those people…" The group was sleeping soundly underneath the tree. With the combination of silence and the tranquil blue sky above, the scene in front of Price was very peaceful – heaven-like even.

The woman then opened her eyes and looked down to the two boys. She brushed their hair in a gentle manner like a mother would do to their sons. "Vash, Nai, time to wake up, I need to prepare dinner."

"Vash, my Servant?" Price darted to the twins. A startled look formed on his face. As far as he knew, Vash was his Servant. He was tall, lanky, and has a silly hair style. The blonde twins that he was seeing right now – he couldn't believe that one of them was Vash as a child.

If this is Vash… "I must be dreaming his childhood memory." Price thought as he followed the three towards the door that moved softly. The soldier trailed them and walked passed the door.

And then the scenery changed.

"What the-?" Price's blue eyes widened in shock as the next scene unfolded in front of him. He was now in a wide room with a large window. He stood below the window and right outside of it, as far as he could see, were countless stars. The soldier blinked several times just to make sure that what he was seeing was right, but it did not change.

"Am I on a spaceship? That could be it." The soldier chuckled in delight. Price had only seen space from his science books, so he did not know what it really looked like. Now that he was seeing it in real time, although through his Servant's dream, he could not contain his happiness.

"Come on, Nai, it's time for us to make a wish!"

"Let me guess, you're going to wish on a 'shooting star'…typical Vash."

Price glanced behind him and saw the twins again. The first ran up beside the man. His face beamed nothing but pure energetic joy, while his twin's face showed a complete contrast – a dull and unsympathetic look.

"We just celebrated our birthday. It's time for us to make a wish, Nai."

"Vash, it's just a star. They're not wish granters or anything."

So this one is Vash and that sourpuss is Nai. Price watched as Vash made a chuckle and slung his arm around his other's twin's shoulders. "Come on, brother, just make a wish with me."

"Oh, so they really were brothers." Well, they look like twins. What did I expect? So he has a family? Price thought in wonderment. He had discovered another thing about his Servant.

"Fine, I'll bite." Nai, after his brother continuously nagging him, finally bit his offer. The twins closed their eyes while a bright asteroid slowly ran across the window, its bright light illuminating the two who both giggled as they said their wishes.

"I wish the humans will live happily ever after in No Man's Land."

The brothers stated their wish in perfect unison at the passing asteroid. The scene was too sweet and gentle for the former soldier, who made a happy smile. Price felt the warm closeness of the twin brothers. The two showed their love of each other and somehow, it made Price's chest feel a very familiar sensation.

Why does this remind me of my team? Price shifted his smile into a reminiscing one. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, feeling the memories of his comrades as the scene before him slowly disappeared.

-A plane near America-

Price opened his eyes and saw the first-class ceiling cabin of the plane that he was currently riding. He was now back to reality and the dream was over. The man turned and blinked after he saw his Servant, sitting across from him.

Vash, the Foreigner-class, was sitting in a crude way while his face was sticking right on the pressurized window. The former soldier could tell that the man was extremely happy looking at the view outside.

Before they boarded, the estranged Servant was making many amazed remarks after he saw the airplane. Next his smile widened like a ten-year-old child after the former Captain served him a large burger meal in the Airport restaurant lounge. It was as if this was the first time that he had seen such cuisine. And when they are boarding, his Servant kept calling the stewardess and asking how the plane was powered or if its 'Plant' was well maintained. Whatever the term was, Price butted in and told the stewardess that he was his cousin and he had been recently been released from North Korea's prison cell after five years of serving.

The lie earned him some sympathy, so they were left alone. And now, the man could not help but think about Vash.

He's weird, too weird. It's as if he'd never seen much technology before, despite him living in a spaceship. Price looked down and turned on his tablet. Right after he summoned Vash, he took the catalyst and saw that the book, TRIGUN, wasn't actually a normal book. It was a Manga, a term for Japanese comic books, and it was about a gunman named Vash and his adventures as a gentleman cowboy. He had read most of the early volumes through his tablet, and the more he read, the more he found the weirdness of his Servant to be too much.

A gunman that does not kill…Heh, what kind of a gunman is that? It is just like a cowboy that does not tend a herd of cows. Price chuckled at the contradicting idea of Vash's profession. He was a gunman indeed, but he was not scary. He did not kill people unless he needed to. However, despite all that, it was not those things that made him super weird.

It was his unfaltering kindness.

At first, Price found it to be overbearing and annoying, but the more he progressed in the story, he began to like it. The former captain could not help but admire his Servant's attitude. Vash's Love and Peace ideal made Price's heart feel warm.

"Master?" Price looked at his Servant and saw him beaming his usual innocent, soft smile. "You seem to be deep in thought, what are you thinking?" Vash asked in a curious manner.

Price looked at him inquisitively, remembering the dream that he had seen. "I dreamt your life, by the way. I don't know how I did it, but I saw you with a woman and a twin brother."

Vash shifted his smile into a reminiscing one. He shifted in his seat and lightly exhale. "You've read the first chapters of the manga, am I right?"

"Yes. Her name was Rem, your foster mother, and your twin brother is named Nai." Price paused and added more. "And he was also the reason why your fleet of colony space ships crashed on the planet, killing many of the last of humanity."

Vash sat in silence as his blue eyes stared at his Master's interrogating face. And then after a minute, he made a heavy sigh. "You are right, Nai did kill those people, but if you continue to read my story…you'll understand as to why he did that, and why I continue to love him despite all of that."

I guess you're right. "What do I know? I have not read the part where you confront him. I should not be too quick to judge, unless it's for the sake of my survival." Price snorted softly before he threw a question again to his Servant.

"But does that involve your species, Vash? I mean, in the manga, you and Nai looked like humans…but not humans at all. You two are an alien species called 'Plants' because your DNA is very close to a plant like species."

The Servant slowly formed a calm smile again and nodded at his answer. "The Plants give pure energy that can power many things. It is a very important commodity in No Man's Land. Nai and I are different from those species. We were called 'Independent Plants' because we have consciousness. Plus, we can talk to them."

Whoa, I wonder what your true power is, Vash? Price wondered in bewilderment. The manga gave him some information regarding his Servant's powers. However, he also thought that, since he was now in the real world, would he still have those same insane abilities?

"I wonder what your abilities are, Vash. You sound powerful."

The compliments of the former Captain made Vash blush a little. He smiled like a child being praised by his parents. His smile, however, had an effect on Price, who gulped down as he felt his heart skip a beat. The man must have perfected the art of smiling. Price found Vash's smile completely perfect in its own way.

"T-thanks, Master," Vash stammered, and scratched the back of his head with his gloved hand. "Say, Master, there's something I have to tell you regarding Servants and their abilities." He suddenly said and it made Price snap to reality.

"What is that?"

"You should refrain from saying my true name, Vash the Stampede, because if another Servant knows my name, they might figure out my 'Noble Phantasm'."

Noble—what? "I'm sorry, this is my first time joining this kind of war. What are you even talking about?" Price asked with a lost look on his face, making the Servant giggled a little. Vash found his Master's reaction cute, but since he was honest, he answered him in a humble way.

"That's okay. This is also my first time and I have absolutely no experience in this war. I only have a little bit of knowledge about this Holy Grail War, which is granted by the Holy Grail itself." Price leaned on his seat, getting closer to Vash, who then began to explain. "Standard Servants usually participate in the Holy Grail War: Saber, heroes who wields swords. Archer, who wields bows; Lancer, experts in lance; Caster, masters of casting spells; Rider, great at riding animals or machines; Assassin, those who perfected concealment and taking out their targets in the dark; and lastly, Berserkers, a class of heroes that are mad and have monstrous strength…"

Vash made a side-glance at Price. The soldier was looking straight at him, but he could see the seriousness in his look, meaning he was focused on what was being said. He smiled and continued his discussion. "Now each of these heroes have Noble Phantasm, and it is their secret weapon that can make them win over other heroes. These Noble Phantasms are usually associated with the Hero's true name and identity. For example, Saber – King Arthur and Excalibur, Lancer – Poseidon and his trident, or Archer – Arash and his bow, Estella." He glanced at Price and asked him in a reminding way. "Do you get it?"

"Yeah, I did. So Noble Phantasms are basically objects or abilities that is associated with their identity."

"Correct." Vash nodded and explained more. "Noble Phantasms have pros and cons, and this is where the read of battle comes in. If King Arthur's Excalibur can make him a winner in sword battles, he can be killed by assassins, whose battle preferences are in close-quarter combat. The same can be said with Archers, who can be defeated by the mid-range attacks of Lancers. This also applies to other Standard Classes. Do you understand, Master?"

"Yeah," So I should be careful when saying his name because other Servants might know him and his weakness. Price thought and took his Servant's words to heart. "So how should I address you, Vash?"

"Just call me, Foreigner, and that will hide my true name…for a while, that is."

Bugger, I have to watch my steps from now on. Price reminded himself of the new nickname that he would call Vash from now on. If he really wanted to win this war, then he must be cautious. The last thing that he needed was their demise and continuing to live with heavy guilt in his heart.

Speaking of which, the soldier noticed something odd about the discussion.

"You keep said 'Standard Classes,' but among those Standard Classes, your class, the Foreigner-Class, isn't there. So…what kind of class is the Foreigner Class?"

Vash blinked at him before he exclaimed. "Good question, that's a very good question!" he let out a soft chuckle of amusement before he proceeded to answer him. "The Holy Grail War wasn't always held with the usual Standard Classes. Sometimes it deviates and summons other classes. And these classes are reserved for heroes who didn't fit with the Standard criteria of the war." The Servant paused as he took a sip of his water from a water bottle on his tray, before he continued.

"These heroes are called…the Unconventional Heroes."

Unconventional Heroes. "That's you, isn't it?"

Vash shook his head. "Not quite." He unwrapped a small chocolate from his tray and ate it immediately before he explained more. "There are many of them, but the famous ones are: Ruler, Avenger, MoonCancer, Pretender, Watcher, Saver, and last but not the least…Foreigner."

Oh God…There are so many. "Heh, it feels like we're playing DND and shit." Price commented in a ridiculing manner, finding the existence of the extra classes completely overbearing and overloading his brain.

"What's DND?"

"An awesome roleplaying boardgame in the past. Now it's a heaping pile of shit filled with neo-liberal, woke nonsense." The soldier answered with heavy disappointment and pointed at Foreigner. "Don't play that shit."

"Copy that, Master." Vash, now Foreigner, took note of his Master's orders as the man made another question.

"So, do you know some of the weaknesses of those Extra-Classes?"

"I'm sorry, Master, but I'm afraid I don't have information about them."

Eh? "Wait, Va- I mean, Foreigner, what do you mean you don't have information? We're basically entering this war blind. You must at least know some of those class's weaknesses." Price complained to his Servant. The plane then suddenly shook a little and the soldier felt lightness which could only mean that they were descending.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE ARE NOW APPROACHING NEW YORK." The PA chimed in and the cabin lights turned on, waking most of the passengers up. As for Price, he suddenly felt nervous.

His Servant provided him information regarding the Holy Grail War, but it was insufficient. The former Captain had been to missions where his intel was vague, and those missions always ended in disaster. If Vash's did not know the weaknesses of the other Extra classes, how would he fight them? How would Price lead Vash to victory?

How will I win this war when I'm walking blind? The thought ran hard inside his mind and it made his heart beat faster than before. His nervousness was rising fast and he knew he was about to have an uncontrollable panic attack episode.

"Master, please." Suddenly, he felt a touch on his shoulder. Price looked to his left and was startled to see Foreigner's face inches away from him. Vash's hypnotic, tranquil blue eyes stared into the former soldier's. Price gulped down in extreme uneasiness, but soon, he fell for the man's hypnotic look, which must have had a soothing effect for he felt his heartbeat decrease.

"Master," Vash called again. His voice felt very solemn to Price, who didn't react and only listened to him. "I may not have information about the Extra classes and their weaknesses…but please, do trust me on this. I will help you get that Grail because you're my Master and I'm your Servant. Fate has led me to be bound to you. I am yours to use."

"Vash…" Price whispered, but he lost his words. He didn't know if it was one of Vash's powers that could calm anyone who looked into his eyes, but it was very effective. The Servant's promise was good and kind. It made Price regain his will to fight and move forward to the Holy Grail War.

Price felt safe with Vash's words and he wanted to be with him more.

The moment between the two was cut after the plane jolted mildly. They both snapped back to reality and moved away from each other. Price's face was calm. He regained his composure all thanks to Vash and that calm-inducive ability. Price glanced at him and saw the Foreigner-class's face, all red like a ripe tomato. His lips formed an embarrassed smile, which the former Captain found a bit hilarious.

"Say, Foreigner,"

"Yeah?" Vash slowly glanced at him, still hiding his flustered cheeks.

"Stop calling me 'Master,' will you? I don't feel ok with it. It makes you look like a lesser being than me."

"Then, what should I call you?" Vash asked in a confused manner as the former soldier cast a smile at him.

"Just John, my friends used to call me that…and you're my friend now, not a Servant." Vash smile widened into a jovial one. He didn't expect this kind of response from his Master who now wanted to be addressed by his first name. Most of all, however, he didn't expect Price to consider him a friend.

"I-uh-thanks, Ma- I mean, John." He said and stammered a little, earning a short but hearty chuckle from the former Captain.

The two then sat still in their chairs as the plane continued its descent towards the great city of New York. Both had renewed their vows as Master and Servant. Both were ready for the Holy Grail War that would soon take place.

-New York, USA-

-New York, International Airport-

Touko Aozaki silently walked along the busily packed airport, dragging her crimson traveling luggage behind her. The woman glanced behind her and saw a man trailing her closely, clothed in a dark blue muscle shirt, and black pants and boots. His hair was white and long, a complete contrast to his Caucasian skin. The man shifted and looked at her, reflecting the face of the woman with his black shades.

"You look good in human hide…Thokk."

"Walk. Faster. Puny. Human." Thokk, or Battllebeast, snarled lowly at the woman, showing his current feelings. The Master only smiled at him, despite the warning tone that he gave.

"You need not worry. You can get rid of your hide magic after we've checked in to my hotel." Touko said as she adjusted her glasses and walked along the crowd with the Servant following behind her.

-Golden Wish – Hotel-

After an hour on the road, the woman and her Servant arrived at their hotel, a five star luxury one in the heart of the city. She walked right into the lobby and told her name to the concierge. Afterwards, she was guided by the hotel's service bellboy up to top where the penthouse suite was waiting.

The room that she entered was extravagant. She walked inside and began to inspect every wall of her suite with observant eyes underneath her glasses.

"Would that be all, Ma'am?"

"Yes, thank you." Touko said as the bellboy left and as soon the door clicked shut, Battlebeast made a short, irritated roar. He removed his glasses, disabling the hide spell and revealing his humanoid lion form to the world. He plumped down on the white sofa and cast an angry glare at Touko.

"I hate that. I don't want to disguise myself with you inferior species!"

"I'm sorry, Battlebeast. You have to be patient. You might scare a lot of people." Touko calmly explained as she walked to a wall, and traced her finger on the surface. A shape zapped for a second before she walked across the room.

"What are you doing?" Battlebeast asked without removing his black eyes from his Master.

"Putting up a defensive barrier, so that this room is protected against any magecraft attacks."

"Ha! All barriers exist just to be taken down. You are wasting your time." He commented rudely as he leaned forward. "What? Are you afraid of getting killed by one of your fellow Masters in the dark of night? That would explain how pathetic you are."

Touko's right eyebrow twitch in irate. She knew that her Servant had a large and uncontrollable mouth. His rudeness was also something that she must tolerate. And the reason for that was because this was Battlebeast's attitude. In the comics, he was one of Invincible's foes, the one that he didn't truly defeat. He was an alien and the leader of a civilization that conquered planets through brute force. So him looking down at her all the time was something that the Mage expected. Not to mention he was also a very strong Servant with a unique Noble Phantasm.

"Why yes, Battlebeast. I'm afraid of getting killed and being the first one to die in this bloody Holy Grail War." She said as she cast one of her usual, uncaring smiles at her Servant before she added. "By the way, you're not going to stay here for the night. You're going to scout the city later."

Battlebeast glanced at her and his snout slowly drew a predatory grin. At last, he would experience some action. He really couldn't stay in one place for long. "So that means I get to kill a Servant tonight?"

"You may, but I doubt you'll find one." Touko said as she took out her cigarette and lit one of her sticks up before she added. "Because as far as I know, the Servants aren't complete yet."

Battlebeast clicked his tongue and stood up from his seat. He walked towards the window and looked down to the ground below. His eyes looked and watched every movement of the people below with a belittling and uncaring look on his face. "Heh, I can't wait for the Holy Grail to start tomorrow, Touko." He spread both of his hands as if he was presenting himself to the world. "I can't wait to kill every heroic spirit out there and come out on top. I care not for the Grail. I only care about the amount of blood I will spill, and the honor of being the last one standing in this battle royale."

"Do you promise that, Thokk?" Touko said as she walked beside the lion man and stood still as she blew smoke from her mouth, her voice becoming serious. "Do you swear that you'll fight with all of your might and strength?"

"There's no need for me to swear to the things that I will obviously do." Battlebeast said and walk away from her, but then he stopped and half-turned towards the woman, asking with a grave tone in his voice. "Will you be a hindrance to my glory, Touko?"

"No. As a matter of fact, I want to make sure that you'll be on the top," Touko flicked her cigarette and then slowly turn her head towards her Servant, casting a new look at him, "Because the person that I want to meet, the one behind this Grail war, is currently the one sitting at the top. I want to see him…so I can finally kill him."

Battlebeast lightly reacted by making a short gasp as he saw his master's face change. Touko was displaying a dark and foreboding frown, one that he never expected his Master would show him. However, despite all that, he only made a crooked smirk. He liked her reaction.

"Heh, sure. You can walk on the bloody trail I'll create. Make sure you kill him though." Battlebeast let out a dark chuckle and walked towards the kitchen to fetch a can of beer.

-New York City-

-Old City Hall Subway station-

The Old City Hall subway station was once the grandest subway station in New York. It served as the personal subway station for the Manhattan City Hall on the surface grounds. It was said that its primary customers were the Hall's employees and even the mayor of the city. However, as time progressed, technology evolved to have trains that were wide and could cater to more passengers, making the station's railway outdated.

And because of that, the station was abandoned and left to rot. The tiles, that were once shining in brown and gold, were now dirty and blackened by the soot and dust that had accumulated over a hundred years. Right now, its current patrons were rats that enjoyed the decaying structure, but other than that, there was no soul in sight.

*BRRR*

Suddenly, the ground began to shook, spooking the rats into action. The rodents all scrammed as the station rattled, cracks snaking around the crumbling wall. After a couple of seconds, the walls bounced due to the deafening sound of a roaring train.

The train blew its whistle after it blasted through the abandoned station's entrance tunnel. The lights coming from its window illuminated the place as it began to slow down. Once it released its last hiss, the engine let out another roar, announcing that it had completely stopped.

The doors on the side of the train suddenly popped open and a person walked out to the platform. The person was a tall woman clothed in a black satin coat over a black blazer skirt and cropped up white shirt. A conductor's cap was on her head, which she sightly fixed before she made a loud booming announcement.

"MANHATTAN, OLD CITY HALL! MANHATTAN, OLD CITY HALL! WE'VE ARRIVED AT OLD MANHATTAN, CITY HALL STATION. IS ANYONE GOING DOWN!?"

"Right here!" The woman smirked as she moved away from the door. Just then, a Japanese man walked out of the train. He was tall with jet-black hair, wearing a green trench coat and jeans. His aqua eyes looked around the abandoned station and frowned as he grimaced at the dilapidated state of the place.

"This isn't my ideal train station." He commented in a hushed tone and turned around. "Are you coming down?"

Just as he called, another person walked out of the train. It was another man, but he was larger, taller and more muscular than the other. He possessed a clean-cut haircut, black hair and a thick mustache to match it. The man was clothed in an all-white trench coat and pants that poorly hid his well-toned muscles. His black eyes looked around, drawing the same reaction as the previous one, before he looked at the other man.

"Master, it seems we've…arrived."

"Indeed." The other man said with a hint of disappointment before he turned to the lady conductor. "Thank you, CHALDEA will personally send you the payment."

"That is no problem, Mister Ritsuka Fujimaru. The Rail Zeppelin already received the payment." The conductor tipped her hat before she added. "And good luck to you and to your Ruler-Class Servant. May you both win in this strange Holy Grail War." She climbed up and closed the door on the two men. Seconds later, the train let out an explosive roar before the station was filled with the sounds of its tugging engine as it began to leave.

-Great Apple Hotel-

-Manhattan, New York City-

After getting out of the crude station and riding a taxi, Ritsuka and his Servant arrived at their hotel. They walked into the lobby and to the concierge. While they walked, the Master's eyes glanced everywhere in a cautious manner, checking if there was already an enemy trailing behind them.

"Good afternoon, sir."

"Good afternoon, I have a reservation in this hotel. It's under Fujimaru."

The concierge man looked below and saw the name that the man had said to him. "Welcome to Great Apple Hotel, Mr. Ritsuka Fujimaru… and Mr. Thragg Argyle Grayson." Shirou smiled as the man handed him the keys of his suite. Ritsuka took it and walked away with his Servant trailing closely behind him.

Ritsuka opened the door of his suite and immediately walked around. His Servant was the one who closed the door behind him and just as the locks set in, he quickly looked at his hand and removed the ring on his ring finger, deactivating his camouflage magic.

The servant's clothes changed into a futuristic latex suite of white and red. A strange symbol of three lines enclosed on a circle adorned his chest together with a front and back skirt cape on his waist. He calmly breathed and looked at his Master.

"So far, there's no enemy nearby, Master."

"I know, but Viltrumites do not have a sixth sense, only heightened ones. A servant could already be pointing his or her weapon at us and you wouldn't know it immediately unless you saw their movement first." The man deducted as he walked over to a curtain and pulled it apart. A wide bay window overlooking New York Bay greeted the two. The scene was supposed to be calming, but it has no effect on the two.

The Servant frowned in disappointment and agreed with his Master's deduction. "Well, if that is so, I should keep my sight sharp all the time then." He suggested.

Ritsuka smiled at him. "That's great, Thragg. Let's contact CHALDEA first. We should tell them we've arrived safely."

"Agreed, Master."

After a couple of minutes of settling down in their suite, the two were sitting in the living room. They were leaning forward and focused on a strange contraption that was standing in the middle of the coffee table. The strange contraption was that of a gramophone with a crystal on the center, instead of a disc player. A long line of paper trailed from the gramophone and onto the floor. On its surface was the written report made by Ritsuka.

"The reply is here." Ritsuka said as the machine whirled to life, the crystal began to hover and words started to appear on the parchment.

"Alright, here's our order." The Master ripped the parchment and began to read the message. "Unknown signatures were detected. Cannot be verified. Suggested course of action: keep low profile, watch for other Servants to fight, engage only in battle when cornered. That's all – Goredolf Musik."

The Master ended the message with a thoughtful look. The order was very simple and effective. They did not know the Servants that were participating in this war after all.

"What now, Master?" Ritsuka glanced to his left and saw Thragg with an attentive look.

"Seven days ago, four relics were stolen from Animusphere Library of Artifacts on Isla Sorna. The one who stole them was Souren Araya, a Mage from the Clocktower. And not only that, he also stole the Einzbern Codex, which contains blueprints of the Holy Grail War Summoning System and the construction of the Holy Grail itself." Ritsuka stood up and walked to the window, looking down to the city below. The Servant also followed him and stood beside him. "Three days ago, CHALDEA's supercomputer, the Lens of Sheba, detected a massive quantity of Mana being redirected in New York City." The man paused and glanced at Thragg before he said. "It was concluded that it was the Holy Grail functioning. And since it's working, it's possible that Souren has already summoned a couple heroic spirits, starting the war."

The larger man made a bothered side-glance to his left, not knowing what to ask his Master next, so he went with the same question again. "What now, Master?"

"You'll do nothing but survey for tonight, Thragg. Let's not engage in a battle with a Servant. We are walking blind here."

"I will do so, Master. But…I am a Ruler Class and our class tends to stick out. My purpose was to oversee the Holy Grail War." Ritsuka smiled kindly to his Servant's honest assumption about his own class.

"I know, but who wants to fight you. Only a fool would fight a Viltumite, Thragg." The man remarked in a reminding way. It earned him, however, a saddened frown from his Servant.

"Master, regarding the method of my fighting stance…may I request something from you?"

"What?"

"Can I not use my Noble Phantasm?"

Ritsuka blinked, surprised by the request of his Servant. A Servant's Noble Phantasm was his or her trump card. If he or she didn't want to use it, then the Servant would find difficulty winning the battle, and would most likely die. "Why is that?"

Thragg shifted his frown into a solemn one as he unearthed a dark memory form within him. "You do know why, Master. I hated my history – my character, to be exact. I was made as a conqueror and I have many sins." The man paused and looked at his own reflection in the window. "I realized I was wrong and that I acted foolishly – in the comic book, I mean. I do not want to be a villain anymore. I do not want to go back to that dreadful past, Master. Therefore, I will not use my Noble Phantasm at all."

Ritsuka stared at him for a moment with a thoughtful gaze. He was thinking of Thragg's resolute words. He knew what his Servant was pertaining to. The man was the main Villain from the infamous comic book, 'Invincible'. And in there, he committed many dreadful deeds.

Thragg was a conqueror and subjugator in the story. He ruled with nothing but power and he expressed it through violence and brutality. The regime of the Viltrumites, after all, was based on might makes right and his Servant was the personification of that notion.

"When did you realize you were wrong, Thragg?" Ritsuka asked as he walked towards the kitchen and opened the mini fridge. He took out two small chocolate milk cartons.

"It was back when I was summoned in CHALDEA, thirteen years ago. Back then, I was so shocked. I rebelled and tried to escape, but I was always stopped by that purple-haired Servant." He made a reminiscing, sad smirk as he remembered the scene very well. "She told me to stay put and try to rethink my life. And you know what, I did, which leads me to you, Master."

Ritsuka made an understanding hum. He opened his drink before he asked his Servant another question. "So, you want to be forgiven?"

Thragg blinked at him, confused by his question. "Master, I think I am beyond forgiveness. All I want is to atone for my sin by living in the shadows, and not minding anyone's business."

The Master slurped his drink, his eyes contemplative as he absorbed his Servant's words. "You're right. You are unforgivable to many." Thragg lowered his head as his frown shifted into a shameful one. "But you don't need forgiveness to live, Thragg. You only need your determination to have a better life." The Servant made a soft gasp. He did not expect his Master would respond to him in this kind of way. "It is all right that you feel ashamed with what you have done and I am glad that you feel this way, but if you really want to atone for your sin, then you should live a life where you are happy and not a brooding sourpuss. Surround yourself with friends that love you and accept you for being who you are." Ritsuka paused as he handed him the extra carton. "Do you understand, Thragg?"

Thragg could not help but make a soft smile. This was the first time that someone said something nice to him. "No one has ever told me that, Master."

Thragg took the drink and opened it. Ritsuka smiled and added. "Thragg, from now on, call me Ritsuka, not Master. CHALDEA is now your home…and I am your friend."

The former Regent silently drank his chocolate milk, but deep inside he was gladdened that he had gained a friend in this new world he was living in now.

After his heartwarming talk with his Servant, Ritsuka had decided to take a rest. The battle would occur tomorrow, so if he wanted to prepare himself, he must at least catch some sleep. He opened the door to his room and closed it immediately.

"Thanks for your loyalty, Thragg." The man said in a gladdened manner as he stood by the mirror and unfolded his right sleeve. He held his right hand up, looking at his Command Spell in the mirror. The Ruler Class's Command Spell was that of a weighing scale. It glowed red as the man felt the mana flowing inside of it.

"Don't worry Thragg, I promise to you that I won't command you to use your Noble Phantasm." He paused as he deepened his smile. "However, I doubt you can fulfill your side of your promise. Who knows what will happen in this war? You might use it in the end." He lowered his right hand and sleeves.

And then he raised his left hand, revealing another Command Spell. It was in the shape of an eye and it glowed crimson red as Ritsuka activated it, shading the colors of his aqua eyes with crimson red.

'Watcher Class, are you in there?' The man spoke in his mind. After a second, he received a telepathic response. 'My order to you is simple: continue watching from above,' Ritsuka commanded and walked towards his window, looking outside. The sky was already deep in afternoon and it would soon be night. His brown eyes looked around and then he stopped after he noticed something. There was another star beside Venus, the first star that always appeared in the afternoon sky, and the man knew that it wasn't a heavenly body.

It was the second Servant that he contracted with.

'Watcher Class, this is my second command to you. If me and Thragg are in a pinch, I want you to unleash your Noble Phantasm, whether you like it or not, even if we are still in the line of fire.' He paused as his smile disappeared and in its place was a foreboding frown as he declared to his Second Servant.

'I have a feeling that this war…might endanger the whole world.'

Chapter Text

Chapter 3

The First Round

(Part 1)

-Time Square-

-New York City-

Whoa…Vash couldn't help but feel amazed as he stood in the middle of the intersection of Times Square. Billboards lit up in his eyes. Jubilant sounds of thousands of people and machinery filled his ears. He couldn't help but feel elated and excited by the scene. "This is…This city is much better than all the other cities in my world." He whispered to himself with happiness.

Unbeknownst to the Servant, however, his Master was watching him. John could not help but put a smile on his face as he watched his Servant react to his surroundings. Seeing Vash smile innocently like a ten-year-old seeing the outside world for the first time was very funny to Price, and he understood why.

No Man's Land is a desert planet. It does not have a city this grand, so I guess it's natural for him to react like this. Price cleared his throat. However, he realized that the two of them had been standing in the middle of the sidewalk for a minute. He called his Servant over, cutting Vash's amusement as the focus was shifted back to business. "Vash, let's go now. Stay close to me, so that you don't get lost."

Vash followed suit and the two walked along the crowd. "Mas- I mean, John, this city is truly is a city!" he remarked, earning a soft chuckle from the former Captain.

"Well, it IS a city, New York is one the world's largest city, and it serves as the identity of America." The soldier said and looked at the other side of the street. "This city serves as a beacon to the notion of the true American people, and that is a young nation that welcomes all sorts of people regardless of their race, culture, and religion."

"You're right." Vash said and looked around, smiling happily. The people were alive and well, walking in a peaceful manner. Price glanced at Vash in a curious way. He was curious as to why Vash felt so happy whenever he saw people doing normal things.

"I take it that the people from your Manga are not nice, Vash. You look happy seeing something that is completely normal."

"Ha, No Man's Land is a dangerous place, John. People there need to live and rely on the sharpness of their blade every day." Vash said as he and Price stopped in front of a pedestrian lane. "So, after seeing this city and the people within it, I can't help but feel glad that I was summoned to this world." He paused and turned to Price, casting a gladdened smile. "I guess, I should really say, thank you for summoning me here, John. I love this world."

That smile. John's face reddened as a weird feeling filled his. It made his heart beat in a strange way. He shifted his focus back to reality after he noticed the stop light turn red. "I-I guess you're welcome, Vash. Now stay close to me. You might get lost in the crowd." He reminded his Servant, moving his right hand to hold the left prosthetic hand.

Vash's eyes widened as the man pulled him close before they started crossing the street. He felt his blood rushing to his face. He nodded to the man. "I-I'll be close." He stammered and lowered his head, hiding his blush from the man. It was a good thing that he was walking behind him because if Price saw his face, the old man would certainly make fun of him.

"Say, John, where are we going?" he threw a question just so he could distract himself from his reaction.

"To Chinatown. I have a colleague in there who's keeping some important things for me."

"Oh, a friend?"

"No…just a colleague that I met when I was a soldier." Price said as the two dived into the crowd and walked towards their destination with both of their hands tagging along each other.

-Chinatown-

Vash eyes were filled with admiration as he and Price walked below a red gate archway. He could see shops on the sides, all open and welcoming people from the streets. Various knickknacks were also displayed from the windows and table on the side. The air around him was thick, and yet it was not sickening or bad. In fact, the Servant could detect perfumes with beautiful scents and burnt cooking oil coming from the restaurants nearby.

"We are here." Price said. They stopped in front of a dingy-looking restaurant, looking up to read the hanging sign above them.

'THE ANGRY PANDA'

"Why is it angry? How saddening. He must need friends."

"Dunno, but the Panda is better off without one." Price answered his Servant in puzzling way before he opened the door and they let themselves inside.

Unlike the lively road outside, the insides of the restaurant were dead silent. The restaurant was completely empty. The tables were neat and clean. The lights above them emitted yellow and red, creating a vibrant, yet heavy atmosphere around the room. The place did not seem to be a good restaurant.

Price looked around for a minute before he walked forward to the counter and rang the bell. Vash glanced in front and watched as a large woman, wearing Chinese red clothes and a black and white apron, appeared behind a red curtain. Her face, stuck in a dark frown, was old but plump and heavily riddled with thick white make up to hide the wrinkles underneath. The Servant couldn't help but gulp down tensely at the appearance of the woman. However, he couldn't help but compare her to a panda.

An angry-looking one at that.

"Hello, Michelle. It's me, Price." Price gave her a friendly smile, only for it be returned with a grunt.

"Jonathan Price," she began. Her voice was high pitched, but the tone was heavy, making her more look formidable, "Are you here for your stuff? You should've called me earlier so I could prepare it."

"No need. I can wait. My friend and I are going to eat here, by the way." Price said as he moved towards the table. Vash remained in his spot as he observed the restaurant more, only to feel a stern gaze looking at him. He looked in front and was shocked to see the woman looking at him. Her gaze, more like a glare, looked straight at him as if she was already dissecting him.

He let out a small chuckle and quickly followed Price, sitting across from him.

"Um…John, who's she?" he quickly asked as he watched the woman retreat to the curtains.

"Ah, she's Michelle Panda. She was once a CIA sleeper agent. She helped me and my comrades when I was a Captain."

"Oh." Vash remarked as he stared at his Master. Before he was a Master, Price said that he was a soldier, a Captain even, of a certain team. His curiosity zeroed in on that and he couldn't help but feel compelled to ask. "Say Joh—"

"Your orders are here." Vash almost jumped as the woman reappeared beside their table. She was carrying two plates in both of her hands. She put down the food and the two looked at it. The food was Spicy Mapo Tofu and rice, its colour a brightly red. The two could tell that it was extremely spicy.

"Thanks, Michelle." Price smiled as he began to eat the food. Vash followed suit, but he gagged after he tasted the Mapo Tofu. "Oh—my god—" he blurted out, but he glanced in front and stopped after he saw his Master smiling at him with both of his cheeks going redder by the second.

"J-John, are you alright-?"

"The food tastes good, Vash. You need not to worry." Price said with assurance, but despite that, a single tear trailed his eye. The Servant made a disagreeing frown, but he understood that Price was just forcing himself to eat the food, because it would be a waste and rude to the woman who must have worked hard creating the dish.

After an hour of enduring the Spicy Mapo Tofu, the two were now relaxing over a cup of green tea. Price watched Vash rub his stomach while drawing a forced smile that hid his discomfort.

That food isn't good- "Oh!" Suddenly, a black thing jumped onto the table. His eyes widened for a moment as he recognized a furry black cat. "Hey there, little kitty." Vash stroked the cat and began to play with it. Price only watched with a startled expression. The scene in front of him, Vash playing with a random black cat, made him gulp in stress. It was too cute for him.

His attention, however, was cut when he felt a tap on his shoulder, making him glance up and see the woman again. She eyed the counter and walked away.

The man followed her and she placed herself behind the counter. "I already prepared it. These are the last of your weapons here, and some equipment." She said and pulled out a huge red box from below. Price took it and swung the strap on his back, carrying it behind him. Just as the man fixed his strap, the woman made an inquisitive side-glance towards the other man at the table.

"Say, who's the greeny twinkie over there? Your boyfriend?"

Price almost dropped the box, startled by the woman's description.

"He is not my boyfriend. He is a friend." he blatantly corrected the woman who only smirked at his reaction.

"That's a shame, you two are perfect for each other."

"Thank you, Michelle. I think I'm done here." Price said to the woman, followed by a defeated sigh. "Vash, let's go now." He called his Servant, who smiled and bid farewell to the cat. Vash walked towards the exit as the former soldier opened the door for him. Price was about to step out, but before he could do so, he looked back at the woman and said to her. "Michelle, thank you. I should warn you, something bad might happened tomorrow in this city, so it would be best for you to get out while you can." There's going to be a war and I don't want you in it. Price was worried after he had learned that the war would take place in New York. He knew that people might get caught in the crossfires of battle between the Servants. So, as much as possible, he would like to warn most of his remaining allies and that included the former CIA sleeper agent.

"Need not to worry," Michelle, however, scoffed the warning off, "I know you, Jonathan, you can stop any threat. You are a good soldier. I'm sure you and your husband can pull this mysterious danger off."

He's not my husband either, Price grunted in disagreement, but he only replied with a weak smile and left.

-Sunny Smiles Motel-

-Outskirts of New York City-

When it came to battle, Jonathan Price knew that a perfect place to have a temporary headquarters would be far from the expected warzone's epicenter and that was why he and his Servant were now standing in front of a desolate looking building, standing right beside a highway.

This place is good as our headquarters. Price thought while his eyes gazed around the building, inspecting its blackened walls. As for Vash, however, he only stared at it for a moment before he shifted his focus to the signboard standing beside him, shining in bright yellow neon colors. He looked further down the road and noticed that most of the buildings and houses along the block were either abandoned or already in ruins.

This must be the city's ghetto? He thought in mild curiosity before he looked back and noticed a brightly lit diner to the left of the building.

"At least there's a diner." Vash commented in an uplift manner.

"This will be our temporary headquarters. We'll move to the next one as we progress in the war, so that we won't be detected."

He's already planning everything. Vash hid his amazement with a startled smile. Just as he expected, his Master had already formed a plan.

-Room 805-

Price looked around the room after he opened the door. The room that he got contained two beds and a single television. The walls were painted in a dull light green color. A door stood opened at the other end of the room that led to a bathroom. The place looked gloomy like the outside of the building. Regardless, this place was perfect for him and Vash to hide for a while during the war.

"Not much, but this will do."

"Yup, I agree." Vash said as he closed the door to the room and calmly breathed in the air, only for him to sneeze after his nose caught some dust. "Very good, indeed." He forced a smile to the Captain who returned it with a small smirk.

Price walked to farthest bed and put down the huge box from his back. Vash noticed the box and his curiosity kicked in. "What's in that box, John?"

"Weapons. My last remaining, that is." Price opened the box, revealing the guns, grenades, automatic and sniper rifles. Vash eyes flashed a concerned look as the captain took out a bulletproof vest.

Vash only sat on the bed and observed his Master, unpacking his weapons. Now I've a time to ask him questions. The Servant thought with serious eyes. Ever since he met John, Vash could not help but think about the soldier's life. Their contract allowed Vash to see the memories of the man and through that, he couldn't help but feel awe, and at the same time, sadness.

Price had been through a lot, which was why he understood his wish.

"Um…John?"

"Yes?" Price answered without turning his back at him. The soldier was busy loading his handgun, which he put on the bed.

Vash hesitated for a moment, inhaling air and building up courage, before he spoke to him. "There's another thing that I need to tell you regarding the Command Seal in your hand."

Price paused what he was doing and glanced at his right hand. His flower Command Seal tattoo was still there and was faintly glowing red. "What about it?"

"John, if you cast one of it to me, I will do whatever you command me to do, regardless of my free will. However, you can only cast it three times. If you run out of Command Seals, then my contract will end with you. I will disappear."

Eh? If that happens, then I will lose this war! Price thought in alertness as he sat on the bed and looked at the Command Seal. The tattoo was indeed magical and one that he must take care of during the war. "Then that means I should be careful when I command or order you, huh." Price said out loud and looked at his Servant. Vash stared at him with a sad frown on his face, startling the soldier.

"What's wrong?"

"John…remember when you said that you saw my life in your dreams. Well, that's the side effect of the Command Seal. It lets you view your Servant's memories," Vash paused and made a downcast side-glance, "while also letting me view my Master's."

Oh. So he saw my memories. Price lowered his shoulders as he finally understood why Vash suddenly looked sad. The Servant had seen his Master's memories, which meant he had seen his struggles as a Captain of Task Force 141, his friends and their bonds with him…and their deaths and his guilt.

"I have no secrets, Vash. It's my memories." Price began and made a low snort. A reminiscing smirk spread on his lips as he lay his back on his bed, taking out one of his cigars and lighting it up. "Sorry for ruining your happiness with my sad sob stories."

"Oh, no. It didn't bother me at all. It's just that…I finally understand why you want such a wish." Vash said before he stood up and walked towards the window, lightly parting the curtains. The sky outside was dark and the night was already deep. The bright full moon above reflected some of its light on his orange shades. He admired the moon and its tranquil light.

"John," he called his Master again, and turned his head to him. "You want to achieve world peace, am I right? If that is so, how do you want to make it happen?"

"Hmm…" Price didn't answer at first and watched the glowing embers burning away his cigar. Vash's question was a good one. He never thought about how his wish would work, how achieving world peace would come to be. However, he came up with something.

"Vash, when I was a kid, I always dreamed of protecting the fragile peace. It's the only thing that normal folks have, you see. Everyone wants to live in a world where they can wake up normally and do their lives in a normal way. That's the reason why I became a soldier – to protect the normal lives of innocent people." He took a breath of his cigar and blew it to the air before he continued. "We soldiers exist, not for the world to remember us, but to have a world to remembered. We are meant to sacrifice our lives to preserve the status quo of the majority and to continuously draw the line between good and evil. Do you understand, Vash?"

Vash nodded as Price snorted lightly in amusement. He looked to the white, dusty ceiling above, shifting his look to a determined one. "Now that I've had the opportunity to give this world a legit world peace, I want to achieve it in a very peaceful way." He glanced at Vash and smiled at him. "There would be no more wars, no more soldiers who'll lay down their lives just because some group of self-entitled individuals ordered to them do so. People will no longer squander their resources. Everyone will have the same chance to better their lives. They will live harmoniously with each other regardless of their differences in many aspects. And that's my ideal world peace." Price looked up to Vash once again and asked. "Do you understand that, Vash?"

Vash's blue eyes widened. Price's answer made his heart feel warm and mellow. The soldier's way of achieving world peace, despite all of the hardships that he had endured, was very kind and truly eye opening. The man before him was ideal and selfless just like him. Vash felt lucky that Price was his Master. "I-I believe your dreams, John. You're a kind man. I'm glad that you are my Master." The Servant cast a happy smile at Price before he continued. "I know that humanity isn't all good, but as long as they are capable of being good, then your dream is very possible." He paused as he raised his left metallic fist. "John, do not worry! We will win this war. Although, I would like to do so by not shedding much blood."

Price chuckled at his Servant's answer. A gunman who didn't kill was contradicting, a paradox if he analyzed it more.

"You do you, Vash, I'll fight with you along the way."

Thank you, Price you are truly a kind person- Vash's thoughts were cut after he felt something. A sudden dread befell him. This feeling was familiar to him. He quickly partially pulled the curtains to see the outside.

"Hm? Vash, what-?"

"GET DOWN!" Price quickly reacted, but Vash was faster than him as he quickly leapt, pulled the man by his bulletproof vest, and rolled him out of the bed and onto to the floor.

And then, just in time, the walls of the room exploded into a fiery inferno.

"Augh…" Price groaned in pain as he threw a piece of heavy concrete off his chest. His vision swayed for a moment, but as it stabilized, he saw Vash looking at him with a panic-stricken face.

"John, don't move." He said in a terrified manner and it puzzled Price.

Did a bomb hit us? If that's so…then that means… Price, wide eyed and alert, slowly stood up. Vash helped him, but as soon he faced in front, he froze. The soldier was puzzled by his sudden stillness and looked in front of him.

"What the-?" The man's eyes widened as he saw a figure floating in the night sky. It was a hovering blonde man blocking the moon, but what was stranger was his clothes. He was wearing an all-blue spandex suit and red boots. A pair of eagle heads acted as the shoulder pads and a cape, styled in American Flag, rustled softly behind him.

Price stared at him and couldn't help but feel familiar with the man. His bizarre outfit, his blonde hair and stoic face – he swore that he had seen this man somewhere before.

"V-Vash."

"John…it's a Servant." Vash said in a terrified voice as he moved his right hand on his gun, and as soon as he did that, the man let out a dark chuckle.

"Hello, little Servant." He began. His voice was deep and menacing, almost as if he was a deranged person wearing a superhero-like costume.

"I am HOMELANDER, A PRETENDER-CLASS Servant…and you're going to die tonight."

"Homelander…Wait…Is that from 'the Boys'?" Shit, if that is him…then we are fucking screwed! Price remembered the name very well. The Boys was one of Soap's favorite comics. Soap usually read during his past time back when he was still alive and talked about at times. No wonder Price felt that he had seen the man before. Soap always complained about how stupid the character was, but somehow, he liked him for his craziness and wittiness.

He was the main antagonist in that story…and he was a terrifying villain.

"Well, it looks like someone knows me." The man, named Homelander, let out a soft gladdened chuckle before he added. "I'll kill you last, you insignificant Master." His eyes suddenly began to glow red, and during that time, Vash pointed his gun and shouted two words at Price.

"John, run!"

A pair of red laser beams shoot out of the man's eyes and the room was rocked by another explosion that echoed throughout the ghetto.

The war for the Holy Grail had finally started and the first round had just begun.

First Round:

Pretender-Class: Homelander vs. Foreigner-Class: Vash the Stampede:

Name: Homelander (True Name: John)

Class: Pretender

Parameters:

Strength - A+++

Endurance – A++

Agility – A

Magical Power – C+

Good Luck – E++

Noble Phantasm – (Unknown – EX)

Name: Vash the Stampede (True Name: Vash Saverem)

Class: Foreigner

Parameters:

Strength – B+++

Endurance – A++

Agility – A+++

Magical Power – (Unknown)

Good Luck – EX

Noble Phantasm – (Unknown – EX)

Status:

Ongoing

Chapter Text

Chapter 4

The First Round

(Part 2)

-Outskirts of New York City-

Price blinked as he tried to see his surroundings as a violent force pushed him towards the wall, which broke under his weight. The Servant named, Homelander, had just blasted him with red lasers coming out of his eyes. But it did not hit him. Instead, he saw a faint but familiar image of his Servant's red coat that blocked the attack.

He was screaming as he fell. He suddenly stopped after he felt a light thud and his sight was restored. He was now lying on the road, inside a small crater that he created from his impact.

"Vash! Vash!" Price looked down and finally discovered as to why he was not hurt from the fall. Vash was lying behind him, the man was buried in the crater that he had created. He had protected him from the fall.

"Are you alright, son?" Price asked in a worried manner, but before he could ask more, Vash's blue eyes widened and quickly pushed him away.

"John, watch out!"

"There you are!" Price rolled to the left side of the road in a nick of time, avoiding Homelander's kick. Vash blocked with his prosthetic arm and slid down the road.

The Servant stood up and drew his Colt Revolver, aimed it at the superhero and fired six rounds. The bullets traveled fast. However, the superhero's eyes were much faster. Homelander watched the bullets and quickly moved his hand. He parried each of the bullets as fast as he could, with his forearm. Sparks lit up the road as bullets flew in every direction.

"Tch, not even one bullet!" Vash growled as Homelander made a belittling chuckle.

"You do realize that my character was a parody of the greatest superhero of all time – Superman. And Superman is invincible against human projectile attacks." The man said, charging towards the lanky man and making a right hook.

Vash gasped as he avoided each of the barrage of fists, only to yelp as Homelander kicked him between his legs and throwing him up to the night sky. But the man was not finished with him yet. He flew up and whipped his leg up, pushing Vash further and further away towards the sky.

The Foreigner Servant screamed in his mind. Pain crawled all over his body as the man continuously kicked him higher and higher until he felt nothing but coldness all over his body. He looked to his side and saw the light of New York below him.

"Ouch…ack!" Vash cried again and saw Homelander's face, inches away from him. The man held him by his neck as he plastered a crazed grin on his face.

"Heh, wanna know how I found you so easy, little bimbo shrimp?" Homelander snarled in a degrading manner while he tightened his hand around Vash's neck, making the man choke his words out.

"H-How-?"

"Because your left arm emits such high quantity of Mana and I detected it while I patrolling. I thought you are a stronger Servant. Turns out you're a wimp like Hughey back from my comic book."

Shit…I can't die like this. Vash thought in terror and tried to fight the man. His left limb flashed a light of green. He raised it up and made a left hook at the man. A soft thud echoed between them and Homelander merely blinked. He glanced to his cheek, noticing Vash's left prosthetic limb buried within it.

"Ha, that's your Noble Phantasm? Pathetic." The superhero said before he widened his crazy grin. "Let me show you mine!" He let go of the Foreigner-Servant and let him free fall.

"I am…a fraud of a Superhero." Then Homelander began to chant, his American cape glowing a deep red. "I have fooled millions of innocent people, turning them into sheep that worship my selfish cause." The man positioned himself downward, his eyes locked on Vash who was still falling below. "But I don't care and will never regret what I've done. And that I scream!" Homelander's eyes flashed a sharp red. The red aura surrounding him glowed more as his power surged, turning him into a red star-like.

"NOBLE PHANTASM: PRIDE OF VOUGHT!"

And then the Pretender-Class screamed and shoot down at a staggering speed.

"Shit…!" Vash screamed in terror as Homelander slammed both of his fists on his stomach. He howled in agony for a moment, a burning pain crawling all over him, making him unable to move. He looked down and his eyes widened in horror as the man ripped him apart by his waist.

No…No! He cried again and tears of despair flowed out of his cheeks, but before he could do more, his vision blackened out.

"What the hell happened, Vash!?" Price said and looked at the sky with terror on his eyes. He was running along the streets, watching his Servant fight in the sky, only to see a bright flash of red. Now, he was currently running along the empty ghetto streets.

Please, survive, Vash! Survive! The former soldier thought in frustration. He and Vash were just relaxing earlier inside their room and their temporary headquarters. And now, that place was a fiery inferno, ruined by a Servant named Homelander. He cursed his luck. He couldn't believe that he was now witnessing the first round of the Holy Grail War, and for all of the enemies that he could faced, his destiny had led him to battle with one of Superman's parody characters.

A character that was stronger as the Man of Steel himself in a quasi-level.

"Fuck, fuck!" Price cursed more as he turned around a corner and entered a derelict-looking park.

After passing an empty entrance booth and walking through a short path, Price reached a clearing. Based on what he saw, the trail of red fire should have ended somewhere here. He stopped and tried to catch his breath. Vash, where are you, son—? However, he stopped as his eyes widened after he saw a crater on the middle of the clearing…and right on the middle of it, still burning in red, was his Servant or what remained of Vash the Stampede.

"No…Vash!" Price walked slowly and got a better view of the burning carcass of his Servant. The gunman's face was completely unrecognizable, nothing but charred flesh that was slowly turning into ashes. Both his lower and upper body were completely shattered. The only thing that the soldier could identify was his left prosthetic arm that was still glowing in blue-green hue.

"Vash…" No, not again! I-I failed another one of my teammates! Price's chest tightened in horror and despair as he kneeled to the ground. History had repeated once more on the befallen captain. Another one of his men had died under his watch and it crushed the man's spirits. Tears trailed his cheeks. He gasped for air as he felt his sadness clawing its way out of him.

"Well, that was easy."

His despair, however, was cut when he heard the familiar, uncaring voice of Homelander. He turned around and saw the man hovering beside him, his lips arched in a toothy grin as he marveled at soldier's burning Servant.

Price quickly leaped back and pointed his M-16 rifle at the Servant. "You! What did you do to him?! What did you do to my Servant?!"

Homelander glanced at him, forming a ridiculing frown. "Uh…I killed him? Seriously, do you have eyes?"

"AAH!" Price could no longer contain his anger. This man, this Homelander, had just belittled his Servant. Vash, the gunman who didn't want to kill, whose smiles were brighter than the sun and gentler than the wanes of the moon, had been killed by a low-lying scum in a superhero costume. He had died a humiliating death. Price wouldn't let anyone degrade him further, not even this, poor, shoddy, fake Superman.

He pointed his gun and fired a barrage of bullets. The bullets travelled and hit Homelander in his chest, but he didn't even budge. "Ugh, do I need to explain my powers to you too?" the Servant sneered as the soldier's gun ran out of ammo.

Price threw his rifle away and swung his grenade launcher. He pointed it and launched a barrage of grenades. Explosions rocked the park and dirt flew to the air, covering the Servant.

Did I get him? Price thought as he lowered his weapon, his eyes remained sharp, looking for the familiar American cape of the deranged hero.

"Boo."

The soldier darted to his right, but before he could react, he yelped and found himself flying for a short moment before his back hit a tree after the man punched him in his chest. Price shouted as a burning pain erupted in his back. He felt his spine shake while his ears caught the sharp sound of his ribs cracking inside of him.

"Oh man, it seems you like your Servant very much." Homelander hovered above the downed soldier who was coughing up blood. Price felt his insides being stabbed by his broken ribs, but that didn't deter him from throwing a dark look at the Servant.

"But don't worry, lover boy." The Servant squatted and looked down at him. "Didn't I promise you that I would you kill you last?" He formed a kind, yet sinister smile before he closed his hand around the soldier's neck and lifted him up from the ground.

Price gagged and threw up more blood from his mouth as he choked under the vice-like grip of the crazed superhero. Is this it? Is this where I die? On the first round of this stupid war!? The soldier's mind began to play the memories before this unfortunate event – the opportunity that he got form the Mage, and then summoning Vash the Stampede, who was so kind, caring, and innocent. He began to wonder if those events were nothing right now.

No matter how much he tried to deny it, the truth was so clear to him. Vash the Stampede, his Servant and his teammate, was dead and so would he soon.

"Augh-!" Price vomited more blood and grabbed the man's forearm with his right hand. His eyes caught the sight of his command spells, the magical tattoo still emitting a bright red hue.

And then he remembered what his Servant said to him.

'John, if you cast one of it to me, I will do whatever you command me to do, regardless of my free will. However, you can only cast it three times. If you run out of Command Seals, then our contract will end. I will disappear.'

Maybe…Vash isn't dead yet. No, Vash shouldn't die like this. Vash deserves more than this…I deserve more than this! Price, with the last of his strength, moved his right hand and raised it to the air. And then, while still gagging under his own blood, he shouted a command. "By my order: Kill this man, Foreigner!" A flash of red filled Homelander's eyes as one of Price's command spells, one of the flower tattoo's petals, disappeared.

"Fool! You just wasted a command seal on a dead Servant!" Homelander laughed darkly, ridiculing what the soldier had done. Price struggled more as he coughed more blood before the man focused his eyes at him again. "You are ridiculous…I'll kill you now-" Homelander tightened his hand again, making the Master's eyes widened in doom.

*SQUELCH!*

And then Price's vision turned red. Blood? Wait, it's not mine. The soldier thought in confusion, but before he could think, he suddenly fell to the ground and then his ears were filled with a scream coming from the Servant.

"Fuck-!" Homelander cursed as he held his left forearm where blood was pouring out. His left hand was nowhere in sight. "How—the hell-!?"

He darted behind him and froze. His crazed smile had disappeared and in its place was a horrified expression. Standing in the crater of flames, with his body regenerating at a ridiculous pace, was the Foreigner-Class Servant. His red coat had turned black while silvery white wings spread behind his back. However, what was truly frightening to the superhero was his skin.

Vash's skin was filled with vein-like lines, glowing in ephemeral and holy blue. With his metallic wings and his plant-like veins, the sight made Homelander gasped in shock.

"You…Homelander," Suddenly, Vash spoke and opened his eyes, flashing the same hue of blue, just like his skin, at the man, "Stay away from my Master. Your battle is with me!"

"F—Fuck…What the fuck are you!?" Homelander screeched in terror and took a step back. For the first time, in his longest time, he felt fear beyond his comprehension.

Vash…? Price, who was currently in the ground, was startled to see his Servant standing again. Confusion set in as he tried to see more, but his vision swayed and his head felt very heavy. The blood loss was taking a toll on him, but one thing for sure: his Servant was back in action and he could not help but form his bloody lips into a smile of relief.

Meanwhile, Homelander was panicking while his feet were glued to the ground. He had killed the Servant before. He was sure of it. The Noble Phantasm had hit him and ripped him apart. So why was this Foreigner-Class Servant still standing, transformed into something else?

Something completely terrifying and beyond his comprehension.

He is emitting so much mana! This isn't the same lanky man that I killed earlier. He's much stronger than me! The superhero growled in anger. This man, this Vash, had become more powerful than before. However, he insulted him by cutting of his left hand and that fueled his fury more than his apprehension.

"I'll kill you…" Homelander said as the same familiar red aura enveloped his cape again. "PRIDE OF VOUGHT!" He charged his Noble Phantasm again and shot forward. "I'll destroy you once again-!"

The superhero pointed his remaining hand. His fist was inches away from Vash's chest. However, the Foreigner-Class moved his wings. The wings quickly covered his upper body and Homelander's fist only made a resounding thud. The feathers were made of an unknown organic material that was stronger than ordinary metal. Its strength dampened the Pretender's power. The superhero screamed as he pushed the man with his ultimate attack, but the Foreigner-Class remained standing, grunting at the force that eventually died down.

"No—No!" Homelander, terrified that his Noble Phantasm had eventually run out, looked up and saw the glaring eyes of Vash who bared his small fangs at him.

"My turn," he simply said before he moved his metal arm and made a left hook with tremendous force, sending the man up. He then moved his wings and shoot upwards, performing a high kick, hitting the man again – this time, in his groin.

Homelander grunted in pain as the man continuously kicked him up and up, just like what the Pretender did to the Foreigner before. The Servant was in so much agony as he got higher and higher. He wanted to escape from his attack, but before he could do so, he felt a cold metallic hand grab the collar of his costume.

"Homelander, I don't want to kill you," Vash leveled his eyes on the scarred, yet malevolent look of Homelander, who let out a labored breath. "You are a superhero, aren't you? I am here to negotiate with you. My Master's wish is for the goodness of this world. Everyone will benefit from it. So please…give up your claim to the Holy Grail and let us win. The world will be at peace if my Master wins."

I do not want to kill anyone in this war. Vash thought as he shifted his serious frown into a pitying one. Homelander may have killed him and almost killed his Master, but he could not help pitying this man. Despite his crazed look, Vash could sense that this man was not just a villain, but something else.

"Give up?" Homelander, however, let out a dark chuckle before he spit on the Foreigner's face, making him flinch. And then he whipped the man's hand away and hovered in front of him. "Why would I give up the wish granting device when it could fulfill my wish – my wish to have a family – to have someone love me and accept me for who I am!?" Homelander's clenched his fist, his cape glowing a menacing red aura again as he declared more. "I do not care about your Master's wish. I can do whatever I want and that includes killing you!" He let out a deafening roar, like that of an animal, before he charged at the man at full power again.

I tried my best…I am so sorry that I have to kill you. Vash was saddened with the decision of the man. He closed his eyes and moved his wings again, shielding him from the man's Noble Phantasm. "I'm very sorry, Homelander." He muttered with soft voice before he opened his eyes and flashed the same tranquil blue light.

" SECOND NOBLE PHANTASM: THE PUNISHER'S CROSS."

I'm sorry, my friend, Wolfwood, I'm going to use you. He looked down to his gun, which began to change. His gun began to grow, its barrel extended more while its handle widened into something huge. In a matter of seconds, his gun had turned into a big, metallic, silvery cross. He held it on the center with his right arm. Its nozzle began to emit a blue-green color and just as the Pretender-Class's attack ran out, he quickly unfolded his wings again and pressed the trigger.

A loud bang thundered throughout the sky as a bright beam of blue-green teal, shot out of the Foreigner's new gun. Homelander, whose eyes widened in shock after he saw the incoming beam, didn't have time to react. The laser hit him right in his chest and burst out of his back. The attack was so immediate that the Pretender-Class didn't have time to scream, the only reaction that he showed was his anguished frown turning into a horrified and doomed one.

And then just as fast as the attack happened, Vash's gun whirled down. The beam was gone and all that was left was the Pretender-Class Servant with a gaping hole in his chest.

The man stared at him for a couple of seconds with a look of denial, before the Servant began to fall. The Foreigner-class followed, his eyes locked on the unmoving Servant and just as he flew down, Vash's sad frown arched downward more.

"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…" he muttered in a despairful tone just as he caught Homelander before the two hit the ground. Vash held the man's head by his shoulder as he landed on a large flower bed filled with white poppies.

"Please, rest easy now. Homelander." Vash said as he gently put down the Servant, the white poppies below slowly turning red as some of Homelander's blood dropped onto the petals, before he stood up. He watched as the Servant's face, displaying a grief-stricken look, slowly shifted his frown into a sorrowful defeat.

Homelander had finally accepted his defeat and just as he did, golden lights started to emit from his body as he slowly disintegrated.

And just as fast as he appeared, the Pretender-class was gone.

The first round had ended and the Holy Grail claimed its first fallen contestant.

"Aughh!" Price coughed up more blood as he lay down on the grass and stared at the night sky above. His ears were filled with the sounds of the Servants clashing, the earth beneath him rocked as each of them exchanged their attacks and power. But then everything went silent and he couldn't help but worry again. Did Vash get him?

"Vash…I'm gonna die." Price said as he began to heave his chest and tried to take more air. He knew that he was dying. His ribs must have punctured some parts of his lungs. The blood was preventing him from breathing. He did not want to die. He still had to make up for his mistakes with his fallen comrades. However, his situation was dire and he knew that his time was up.

Shit…First round…and I die. Fuck. Tears began to flow out his eyes, a regretful frown on his face. "Vash…go find a new master." He said, even though his Servant was not around. "Go find a new master…and win this war for me."

The soldier raised his right hand. His command seals began to glow again. Price knew that he was going to die. However, Vash was still standing. His Servant could win for him if he found a new master.

"That's not necessary!" the voice of man, deep yet gentle, spoke to him. Price blinked as he felt a hand enclosed around his right hand, dimming his command seals. "I'll help you. Just relax." He called again and the soldier could only moan in agony.

And then he felt a warm liquid being wiped on his forehead. Price was confused as to what was happening right now. Who was this man and what did he mean that he was helping him? He wanted to know, but his mind was burning and he kept fading into black.

However, he did see something. The silhouette of the man beside him was large and muscular. He seemed to be wearing white and red clothes.

"By my authority as the Regent of the Empire of Viltrum, I declare this man… a Viltrumite temporarily. He will have the same healing capabilities as my people had for five minutes." Price heard the man's voice, but before he could react, his vision faded completely as he fell into the darkness.

"John!" Price quickly opened his eyes and saw the face of his Servant inches away from him. Vash's face held a frown, and right after he saw his Master open his eyes, the Servant couldn't help but burst into tears of joy. "Oh, John, I thought you were dead! How are you healed? Who healed you?!" Vash hugged Price tightly and buried his face on the soldier's shoulder. Price grunted at the weight.

"Vash…you are alive. I'm alive." Price said in disbelief. He remembered everything – how he was dying and the voice of a strange man stopped him from casting his Command Seals again. The soldier glanced down to his right hand. His tattoo seals were still there, two of them glowing their red hue. And then his memory played again. He remembered how Vash resurrected from the dead and how his clothes changed into something black, his skin glowing with those strange marks.

"Wait. Help me stand up."

"Oh, sorry." Vash quickly moved away and helped the man stand up. The soldier stepped back a bit and summed him up. The Foreigner-Class was back to normal. His coat was red like always and his skin was Caucasian. The marks were already gone.

"I-I could've sworn that you had strange marks." Price began in thoughtfulness and noticed that Vash's mood changed. His happy face shifted into a disturbed one and it puzzled him more. What's with him?

"In any case, we have to move now. I don't know if there are other Servant's nearby." Vash quickly suggested, changing the topic, and flashed a worried frown as he looked around the park. Price agreed and didn't press him further. He looked down at his bulletproof vest and noticed that it was already bent out of shape.

"Great. I know a place we can hide." The soldier said as he removed his bulletproof vest. Suddenly, he remembered something else. "Vash, did you see someone other than me? Another man healed me, you see."

"Um, no. I only saw you lying there. There's no one else here."

Odd. Price thought in puzzlement, but he quickly shrugged it off as he called his Servant again. The two victors quickly ran out of the park and to the dead of the night.

-The sky above the New York Ghetto-

Fujimaru's orders were very simple to Thragg. 'Scout the night sky for tonight', it was a very simple task and one that he could do perfectly. He thought that this night would be peaceful, so he only flew high above the atmosphere and observed the city below. After all, the Holy Grail War wouldn't start until tomorrow.

And yet it seemed fate had other plans for him. The Ruler-Class paused when his sensed a familiar feeling of dread and electricity crawled underneath his skin. A large abundance of mana had been released just below him and it was followed by another and another in rapid succession. His senses detected all of it. He was confused at first. Who could release such a high rate of mana. However, he soon got an answer. It must be Servants battling each other.

And if that was so, then the Holy Grail War had officially started.

Thragg immediately went to the location of the first round and when he got there, he was startled. He quickly hid behind a rusty water tower and watched as two Servants flew up into the sky. One was a man clothed in a dark coat with silvery wings behind him and the other one was a man in a superhero costume with a cape of the flag of America.

"Homelander from the Boys and…who's the other one—?" His thoughts were cut when a flash of red enveloped the superhero. The man hit the other with his Noble Phantasm, but his attack was an utter failure. And then the winged man opened his wings and a bright blue-teal green lit up the night sky. The last thing he saw was Homelander dropping from the sky and out of the view.

"Well, that ended quickly." Thragg said in a bothered tone and was about to take off when his eyes caught something. He glanced to his towards the park. Below a tree, a man was lying down. He was coughing up blood and with one look, the Servant knew that the human was going to die.

"Civilian casualty? No, a Master." Should I help him? What if he's in league with Souren? The Ruler-Class felt pity to the man, though he stayed cautious about him. He froze as he heard a cough coming from the human. The man then raised his right hand, his command seal glowing and indicating that he was about to cast one.

The man clearly needed help and Thragg knew that the human could die even before he could cast a command. Instinct kicked in and betrayed his logic. The former regent quickly dove in and caught the man by his right hand.

"That's not necessary." I hope what I'm doing is right. Thragg thought as he got a clear view of the man. His blue eyes were out of focus and his mouth was filled with blood. "I'll help you. Just relax." I know what I can do. The Ruler Servant thought as he licked his left thumb and wiped his saliva on the man's forehead.

A part of my body is with this man. This man is connected to me temporarily. He chanted in his head before he cast a skill. "By my authority as Regent of the Empire of Viltrum, I declare this man… a Viltrumite temporarily. He will have the same healing capabilities as my people had for five minutes." I can make anyone a Viltrumite through my Authority, but only for a limited time.

The Ruler-Class watched as the man's chest returned to its normal shape, blood began to disintegrate out of his mouth and in a matter of seconds, he was saved from danger. Thragg stood up and observed the man. Half of him was glad that he had saved a life while the other half was doubting the man's identity.

"If he's one of Souren's lacky's, then I have to kill him in the end…But if he's not…then he is in a much worse situation." He stared at the Master for a moment before he turned around and quickly flew up.

I hope I did the right thing. But saving someone feels good. He thought hard again as he flew away. He had lot of things to report to his Master, including this strange Master he had saved.

-Golden Wish Hotel-

Touko Aozaki was sitting in a chair in her hotel room's open veranda. Her eyes were staring at a glass of red wine, standing on the table in front of her. The surface was playing a scene between two Servants, a Pretender-Class named Homelander and an unknown Foreigner-Class in red coat.

"Oh…nice shot, huh. This Foreigner-Class is an absolute unit." Touko said before she shifted her eyes to her Servant. Battle Beast, the Avenger-class, was sitting inside a jacuzzi tub. The Servant had arrived from his patrol and was now taking some time resting.

"Che, there's nothing to gain from watching a simple 'slap-fight' between two lowly worms." Battle Beast said degradingly before he added. "You just wasted a magic familiar to monitor them."

"Now, now. Even though they are weak, we still need to study them, so that we can know who the real enemy is, the enemy's lackey is and possibly our potential allies." Touko explained in a nice way as she took a sip of her wine.

"Allies? You mean a heavy bag that could drag me down? Heh, I don't need those. They'll get in the way of my glory."

Touko let out an exhausted sigh. Battle Beast was strong and could win this war, but he was an absolute asshole and hard to reason with. Her Servant was an absolute musclehead and a personification of toxic masculinity. Hmph…Battle Beast, you musclehead fool. Touko eyed him, sternly, watching the Servant in the jacuzzi. The Avenger, however, noticed her gaze and it made him smirk.

"Like what you seeing, Touko? So you want me to breed you right here, right now?"

Touko's brow twitched in irate as her Servant misunderstood her serious look. Battle Beast may be strong, but if she ran out of patience, she might kill him…as many times as she wanted.

"No, I'm-"

"Unlucky for you, I only bed with stronger people," Battle Beast stood up, showing his well-chiseled chest muscles and abs underneath his white fur. His proud 'manhood jewels' were large and hanging between his legs. "I accept and fuck everyone – women and even men – as long as they are stronger than me, that is. My sex techniques will make them beg me for more." He crossed his arms over his chest and proudly declared. "You maybe strong, Touko…but you are not 'there' yet. So…better luck next time."

This lion man! A vein popped in Touko's mind. She could have sworn that she had already cast a spell to rip her Servant apart, but alas, she only imagined it. The Mage made a tired sigh and shrugged her shoulders. "I'm so sorry, Battle Beast, that I'm not enough for you. But you shouldn't worry." She paused as she fixed her glasses and turned her grin into a maniacal one. "You are not enough to me too, especially where it really counts."

Battle Beast widened his eyes as a flush of red enveloped his face, brightened by his already white cheeks. He slowly sunk down in the jacuzzi and grumbled. "You're lucky that you impressed me before…bitch."

Touko snorted smugly, and walked away to retire to her bed.

-New York Port-

In a dimly-lit port, surrounded by multiple stories high containers, stood a man on top of a crane. Souren Araya stared at the far side of the city, at the ghetto part. His darkened eyes had just finished watching a battle between two Servants. His black cloak rustled behind him as a harsh wind swept passed him, but the mage didn't mind.

"Foolish, Homelander." He spoke. His voice was bitter and filled with disappointment. "You are my Servant. I kept telling you to act with cautiousness, but you kept disobeying me." He shifted his head down slightly, fixing his long hair out of his face. "Hmph, no matter. I had no expectations to him anyways. I predicted that you'd be the first Servant to die and I was right."

"So why bother summoning him then?" Souren didn't reply and only glanced over his shoulder towards the person who spoke to him. Behind him, hovering closely, was a handsome man with black hair. He was tall, muscular and was wearing a costume of white and black. A large and long white cape bellowed on his back while his chest adorned a huge letter 'S' in the middle.

The harsh wind blew harder as the man watched the Mage half-turn to him. "He's nothing but a buffer…to my Holy Grail." Souren said simply and walked forward. His feet stepped on the thin railings effortlessly before he stopped beside the man.

"I do hope you won't end up like Homelander." The Mage paused and cast his depressing yet sharp glare at the man. "Do not disappoint me…Saver-Class, Lord Superman."

The superhero, whose name was Lord Superman, stared at him. His blue eyes glared down on the Mage, as if he had asked him something that was very offensive. "I won't…if you fulfill the end of your bargain…Souren Araya." Lord Superman said before he pointed at the left hand of the Mage. "And what are you going to do with Homelander's Command Seals?"

"I'll added it to yours." Souren said before he resumed his walking again. "Let's go now. Our job here is done…The Holy Grail awaits." The Mage said before he lifted his right hand. A Victorian cross glowed on the surface of his hand, the symbol of Saver-class. The Mage stared at it before he made a small smile.

Very soon…my Holy Grail will be born and when that happens, a world where no one 'dies' will be born. He thought as he continued walking with his Servant following him behind. Eventually, the two disappeared within the darkness of the pier.

Chapter Text

Chapter 5

The Gunman's Resolute

-Unknown Place-

Where am I? Price thought as his senses came to life. His ears filled the harsh roar of the wind. Sharp and tiny bits of fragments hit his skin, irritating him, and making him finally opened his eyes. He finally saw the world around him and all that he could see were tall dunes of sands and structures of enormous heights, protruding on the surface. And those structures were on fire. The soldier looked around and saw that he was surrounded by tall structures that looked like parts of a large spaceship that had crashed landed hard. The embers colored the night-sky with red-orange and sounds of cackling and metal groaning began to fill his ears.

"What the hell…am I dreaming?" Price said to no one. The place he was in – he knew that it was not of Earth. That could only mean one thing: he was dreaming of his Servant's past again.

"NAI!" The soldier almost jumped after a child's voice screamed. He darted his blue eyes towards the source of the voice. A child was standing on the sand, and it was Vash, his Servant. His gaze flashed with rage and sorrow, and it was locked on to someone in front of him.

Price followed his look and it ended at a boy standing on top of a structure. It was Vash's twin, Nai…and he was laughing maniacally. Nai then turned to Vash slowly, showing a wide Cheshire cat-like smile while flames behind him provided little illumination to him. The whole scene was so eerie that it made the soldier gulp in nervousness.

"Why did you do it?! You crashed the whole fleet!"

"I only crashed the human's ships. The plant ships are fine, Vash. No need to worry."

"You killed Rem! You killed all our friends!"

Ah…I remember this scene. And then the soldier recalled the manga that he had read earlier. This scene was where the colony ships had crashed and it was caused by Nai, Vash's demonic twin brother.

"Yeah, I killed all of them," Nai said with a giggle before he added, "but you are in this crime too, brother. You are the one who provided me with the main passcode to change the course of the whole fleet. In other words, you are my accomplice!" He flashed his deranged eyes at Vash again, his smile widening more as he called to Vash. "Am I right…Vash~?"

The scenery suddenly changed and Price found himself standing on top of a hill. The new place that he was in was a wide field of grass and very picturesque like. And then Price realized where he was. "No, no! My dream-"

"Captain Price?" Price suddenly heard a familiar voice calling his name behind him. Oh no…The soldier knew what was happening right now, and he also knew what would happen next. He slowly turned around and faced the person who called him. The phantoms of his dream were standing in front of him. Soap's bloody face looked back at him with blood shot eyes. And then he jumped on the man and began to strangle him. "WHY DID I FOLLOW YOU!?"

The phantom Soap screamed his devilish words. His hands tightened more, but Price only lay still.

I'm used to this. It's okay. Soap, you have every right to strangle me. I deserve this…The man only closed his eyes as he accepted the words of his former friend. Sorrow and regret swirled inside of him. After all, he caused their deaths. He was not good enough to lead them.

"Let go of him! Leave him alone!" Suddenly, another voice called out, and this voice was very familiar to Price. The man opened his eyes and before he knew it, he had woken up from his nightmare.

-Sunset Motel – Room 007-

-Three days after the first round-

"Ah!" Price gasped from his bed as he opened his blue eyes. He was now staring at the dusty, beige-colored ceiling of a room that he had booked with his Servant. The soldier slowly sat straight up and looked to his left. His gaze fell upon on his Servant, who was sitting on the chair. A box of donuts was opened in front of him on the table. He must have bought it from the diner at the other side of the road.

"John, you were murmuring." Vash began. His look of worry deepened as the soldier's face reflected on his orange shades. "You were having a nightmare."

"Yeah…I did." He glanced to his nightstand for his cigarette, but he could not find it.

"Here." Vash took it out from his coat and the soldier glanced at it. His cigarette case was in the prosthetic palm of his Servant. His memory of the first round flashed in his mind, making him wonder as he took his cigarette.

It had been three days every since the first round finished and during that time, Price and Vash jumped from one motel to other. One thing that they had learned from the previous round was that they mustn't stay in one place for too long. The soldier knew that real and proper soldiers should not be like a sitting duck. It would be easy for the enemy to find them if they did so.

And so, right after the first round and his miraculous recovery, he and the Foreigner-Servant began to run to every place that they thought was safe to become an HQ. However, after three days of running, he eventually arrived in this dingy-looking motel.

Moving all the time is better than being sitting duck…but that tactic only works for normal soldiers. Price glanced up. His brows furrowed. We are fighting Servants with magical powers…What's worse is these Servant's have Masters, who might be more powerful than me. The soldier thought and lit his cigarette. He stood up and moved to the window. He scanned the surroundings through the tiny slits of the curtains, checking if there was a Servant nearby.

"I wonder who healed you that night." Vash began and observed the soldier, who glanced down at his black shirt.

"I don't know. All I know is that it was a man in white and red clothes." Price touched his chest. The faint phantom pain still lingered inside of him. "It might be someone who has a good heart or something."

"Or a Servant." Vash added, making the soldier look at him strangely.

"Why would a Servant do that, Vash? Shouldn't Servants kill each other…or in this Holy Grail War's best scenario, kill the Masters?"

"Maybe the Master of the Servant saw your sorry state and wants to help you." Vash reasoned out again. Price almost made his brow twitch at Vash's optimistic reasons, but he stopped himself from doing so. It was, after all, in the gunman's personality to see the best in everyone and everything. However, the Servant's reason also gave him an idea.

"If that's so…then that Servant's Master could be our ally…" But can Masters in this war be allies? The Holy Grail can only grant one wish, which means it can only work with one Master or Servant. Price thought hard and took a whiff of his smoke, blowing thick fog into the air. The soldier vehemently sighed and sat on his bed again.

Just then, Vash made a soft giggle, a very innocent one and it was enough for the soldier to glance at him. The man was puzzled by his reaction. "What's with the laughter?"

"Sorry, it's out of place." Vash paused and made a reminiscing innocent smile. "You just remind me of my friend, Nicholas Wolfwood."

Nicholas…oh. Price had read the name before. It was in the manga where his Servant had come from. Nicholas D. Wolfwood was Vash's friend and also a gunman. However, the difference between him and his Servant was that the man could kill while the latter didn't. "Are we somehow…the same?"

"A little bit. He's a grumpy sourpuss like you. And he smokes cigars like you, while brooding and displaying a heavy look-"

"Okay, I get it." Price stopped his Servant from speaking more. He was quite surprised that Vash found so many similarities from the character of the manga. Price sighed and glanced at Vash again, who was now eating a chocolate-flavored donut. As he watched him, Price began to wonder about the current state of his Servant right now.

"Say, Vash…do you miss your world?" Price asked with a soft hint of curiosity. The Foreigner-Class came from No Man's Land, which existed in a manga. And since Price summoned him into his world, then that could mean Vash had left his. The man must have friends in his world and the soldier didn't want to be guilty of separating the gunman from his loved ones.

"Kinda. Even though this world is cool, I can't help but miss No Man's Land. My friends and family are in there. Meryll and Millie…and Nicholas and Nai – I kinda miss them all." Vash answered with a reminiscing tone in his voice while his blue eyes shifted into a remembering gaze underneath his orange shades. He glanced at Price and saw the soldier drawing a bothered look.

"Hehe, there's no need for you to feel worried about me. Although I'm here, I'm still back in my world."

The soldier blinked and looked at Vash again, his brows furrowed to the center. "What do you mean by that?"

"Do you know where Heroic Spirits reside?"

Heroic Spirits? Now that Vash had brought it up, Price couldn't help but wonder. He had only heard of it from Souren Araya about how these Heroic Spirits turned into Servants, but he didn't know where they actually came from.

"Where?"

"From the Throne of Heroes."

Price hummed as if he understood what Vash had said to him. "And where's that?"

"Outside of the Universe…To be frank, it is in another dimension that this world is connected to." Vash explained before he picked up one of his chocolate donuts. "You see, there is a place called the Root. It is where everything and everyone came from and will eventually return to after they die, but for the sake of your understanding, it's where all the universes are connected to one another. The Throne of Heroes is located on that part, and that's where I came from."

"Whoa…that's a lot." Price said with an amused hum. "But…what is the 'Root's' true purpose? It seems like this 'Root' is God himself."

"It is indeed God, one that you normal folks praised." Vash smiled and looked at his donut with wonderment before he explained more. "Other than creating universes, the Root also records the past and creates futures for every world. And through these records, the Heroic Spirits are born. Their deeds that helped shape the world or history – these are the Root's criteria on making an individual's soul a hero. Not only that, it also records the myths and legends that mankind has made. So, with my manga existing in this world, 'I' was recorded by the Root, and therefore, it is the reason why I exist here and my book at the same time."

"Huh…I get it. So basically, it records the human soul and their deeds and mankind's cultural progression." Price said and glanced at the ceiling above him, a forlorn look forming on his face. "I wonder…if my friends were recorded by this Root? If that is so, are their deeds enough for them to become a heroic spirit?" He asked a question, but it seemed that he redirected it to himself. "If that so, I do hope they become heroic spirits."

Vash glanced at him and stared at the soldier's look. He couldn't help but feel the man's longingness for his fallen comrades. The sadness in his eyes clearly showed how strong his bond to them was.

"John, you really love your friends, don't you?" Price glanced at Vash. The Servant formed a radiant, soft smile again before he ate his donut hole.

"Then it's decided. I may have said it before, but I'll repeat it again." The Servant said and shifted his look to a determined one. "John, I thank you for treating me like a human being, but at the end of the day, I am your Servant and you are my Master. And as a Master, it's your job to use me in this war, so that you can get the Holy Grail and get your wish." Vash said and moved closer to Price. The Servant leveled his blue eyes at the man, reflecting the Master's startled look from his orange shades. "John, for the second time…please use me. I am your weapon in this war."

"Vash…" Price felt the intensity of the Servant's determination through his words. He wanted to continue treating him as his equal, as a human being, but alas, the Servant was right. The soldier arched his lips, frowning into agreement, and gave him an order. "Okay then. Let's get ready to move, son."

-Great Apple Hotel-

Ritsuka was sitting on a sofa with a thoughtful look. A coffee, already lukewarm, stood on the coffee table in front of him. It shone brightly as the sun from the morning sky reflected on its surface. He was silent as his blue eyes focused on Thragg. His Servant was delivering a report about the patrol that he had done last night.

"So, you felt a strong surge of magic being siphoned through a ley line?"

"Yes." Thragg said as the master took out a tablet from beside him and pressed a button. The coffee table lit up and displayed a huge holographic map of New York City. The city glimmered in front of the two men.

"Display Ley Lines." Ritsuka commanded and the map changed slightly. This time it was displaying a gold-colored line that ran all over the city.

"Yesterday, at least three hundred people fainted within their homes in the northeastern part of the city. The officials ruled it as a gas leak, but we both know the truth was far from it." Ritsuka said as he swiped his tablet, and looked into a video news report.

"Indeed, it is not gas leak. I detected a huge amount of mana being siphoned from the area." Thragg paused and took a bite from his vanilla madeleine before he continued. "The lifeforce was sucked out of those people, thus why they fainted."

"Did you attempt to follow the mana?"

"I tried. I lost my track before I crossed on Hudson River."

So, its going through Manhattan Island. Ritsuka trailed the lines along the map with a stern look. He looked through the buildings and narrow roadways of the Manhattan, thinking about the potential place where the huge abundant of Mana could go.

"Say, Ritsuka-san." Thragg called him. "Do you think this is Souren's fault too, draining the life force of the people?"

Ritsuka glanced up to him and only nodded. "Yes, but it could also be the fault of the Holy Grail itself." The man explained and moved his hand on the holographic map. The map changed into a replica version of the Holy Grail that hovered in front of the Servant. "The Holy Grail War was only supposed to last for seven days. The reason for that was because of the Holy Grail itself. The object, once it activated, needed lots of Mana to manifest and operate its proper function. Supposedly, its sustenance was Servants. And the Servants that were defeated by others were converted into mana and stored inside of it."

"But…there's only one Servant that had been defeated, and that was Homelander."

"Yes, and he is not enough. It has been three days since its activation and since there hasn't been any Servants that were killed yet, it has begun to siphon mana." Ritsuka glanced down at the image and swiped it back to the map. "Thus, the three hundred people that fainted last night."

That object is dangerous. Thragg thought in alertness. The Holy Grail, the so-called omnipotent wish granting device, was the cause of the illness that had befallen on the three hundred people last night. He did not like it and he wished he could destroy it.

"What is the plan, Ristuka-san? Where do you think I should patrol tonight?"

Ritsuka glanced down on the map. His mind began to work and think of the possible place where the mana had gone. "The Holy Grail ritual is very delicate. It needs a huge space with rich ley lines beneath it." The man glided his finger along the narrow streets and buildings, trekking the ley lines. "And I can only pinpoint one place within Manhattan Island."

"Where?" Thragg glanced down and read the point where his Master's finger had stopped.

"CENTRAL PARK. That's the place, isn't it?" The Viltrumite asked. Ritsuka only nodded and looked at him.

"Thragg, tonight we will investigate this place. The Holy Grail could be in here…and so is Souren Araya." The man said with a determined look.

The Holy Grail War would finally be over. The Servant thought with determination. By finding the Holy Grail, they could end this war and prevent more innocent people from being hurt. "I shall prepare, Ristuka-san."

"That's good." Ritsuka picked up his coffee and frowned a bit after he felt the bitter coldness biting through his tongue. "By the way, I commend you for saving the Master of the Foreigner-Class Servant. It was a good call."

Thragg looked up to his Master again. He remembered the man that he had saved three days ago. A curious look formed on his face. "Thank you, Ristuka-san. I only did what was right."

Right? The man blinked in wonderment from his Servant's words. "Why do you think it's the right thing to do? To help that man despite him being a stranger to you?"

Thragg glanced at him. He didn't speak for a moment. He took out his tablet and showed his Master a video. "That girl, Ms. Mash, told me to watch 'My Adventures with Superman'. She told me that if I want to be a good person, I should watch Superman and his heroic antics."

Mash, huh. Ritsuka sighed in resignation after he heard the name of his longtime companion. "Oh well. I'm giving up on finding the reason for your down-to-earth attitude." He made a sympathetic look before he made another swipe on his tablet. The map disappeared and in its place was the photo of a man with a closed beard.

"CHALDEA had already identified the strange master. The man that you saved was Jonathan Price, aka John Price. He was a soldier and a former captain of task force 141. He is a considered a modern-day hero because he prevented the Third World War by killing a war terrorist general named Makarov, thirteen years ago." The man paused and looked back at Thragg. The Servant's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the face of the man.

"So, he's a good guy? I mean, he prevented a World War."

"Yes, but he could be conspiring with Souren Araya. Despite being a decorative soldier, war still ruined him. He has been in therapy for a long time. He could be plotting to use the grail for something that could endanger mankind."

No…it's too early to think that. Thragg thought otherwise. Ritsuka might be correct regarding the man. However, deep down, a feeling was telling Thragg the opposite. "It's too early to assume that he's our enemy. He could be our ally, you know."

Now it was Ritsuka's turn to be surprised. He knew that Thragg had changed, but he never expected him to have changed into a very kind man. "You know what, you're right. Maybe he's friendly." he paused and took a sip of his drink before he added. "Which is why, it's very unfortunate for him to be dragged into this kind of war."

"Indeed." Thragg looked at the image of the infamous soldier once again. A saddened frown formed on his face. "I can't imagine the horror and despair he will feel after he discovers the truth about the Holy Grail."

-Golden Wish Hotel-

Touko silently watched the setting sun from the balcony of her hotel room. Her eyes looked into the horizon while her mind was in deep thought. The first round of the war was three days ago, and since then, everything has been silent.

Strange. This Holy Grail War is too tranquil, just like the fifth one, thirty years ago. The mage thought and let out a deep and tired sigh. Although the battle was bloody and dangerous, she couldn't help but feel bored. "What are you up to, Souren? Why can you still move?" she whispered in a forlorn tone as her mind went back to the past.

"Oi, Touko." Touko's brow twitched in irate as she heard her Servant's loud mouth. "I'm getting bored, I'm heading out." Battle Beast yawned and swung his axe over his shoulder as he walked beside her.

"Not yet, Battle Beast. Let's wait for the night." The woman said before she looked down at her blouse and pulled out her fountain pen. She uncapped it and threw it on the ground. The floor lit up into a map of New York City and the ley lines that ran underground.

"Do you know where you'll patrol tonight?" She asked as the lion man only shrugged. "Did you even hear what I said to you earlier this morning?" the woman asked again, only to be met with a low warning growl.

"Tales of human incompetency doesn't interest me. So what if three hundred people collapse from exhaustion? It only shows how weak they are."

I swear…Touko's veins boiled as her irritation slowly turned into fury. However, she calmed herself by forming a kind, understanding smile. "Well, I would like to tell you that those three hundred people collapsed because their life force was sucked out of their bodies. The reason, the Holy Grail is now siphoning mana is so it can anchor itself into this reality."

"And?"

"The mana travelled through the ley lines beneath our feet – one of my familiars had trailed it and it ended up in Central Park."

"So?" Why do I need to listen to this again!? Battle Beast wasn't having it. He already knew what Touko was saying. The Holy Grail siphoned the lives of some three hundred people, but why on earth would he give a damn for some insignificant number of individuals? It was now the Servant's turn to be irate.

"And now, we've come to your favorite part. We will patrol Central Park tonight. The Holy Grail might be in there…and so were other Servants."

Right after Touko said the words 'other servants', Battle Beast glanced at her and his fury vanished. Of course, why didn't he realize it? With the Grail snatching mana up, it had revealed itself to everyone. And with the Grail's unintentional revelation, other Servants would have noticed the object too.

Which meant he would get to meet other Servants.

Servants that he could defeat and kill.

"Amazing, Touko! You are a perfect master!" Battle Beast boomed his praise at the woman, who only made a smug smirked. "Now then, I presumed we have to wait until tonight?"

"Yes." Touko simply said and fixed her glasses before she added. "So please…use your remaining time to prepare for tonight's potential battle."

"That I shall do." Battle Beast obeyed her words and looked towards the city below as the sun slowly set on the horizon.

-Central Park-

After the sunsets and the full moon reaches its peak, Ritsuka and his Viltrumite Servant immediately flew towards the place where the large amount of mana had gone. The park was deathly silent as the two arrived. The rustling of the wind reverberated in their ears before they landed in the middle of a large clearing.

"No one's here."

"That's good." Ritsuka said. His blue eyes glanced around the place as he climbed down from his Servant's back. The trees around them were tall and big. The leaves were thick enough to cover the city lights across from the park. The dark shade had given the place a creepy ambience, despite being a public park.

"I'll begin checking." The Master kneeled and touched the grass. He chanted a spell with his soft voice and his senses came to life. "What-?"

"What is it, Ritsuka-san?" Thragg asked after he heard his Master gasp in shocked.

"I found the large quantity of mana that the grail took."

"Where is it, sir?"

"Right beneath our feet."

What? Now it was the Servant's turn to be confused. "Sir…are you saying that the mana that the grail had taken from the three hundred people…is right here?" But there is no grail in sight! He thought in confusion as he darted his eyes everywhere, looking for the familiar golden glint of the omnipotent wish granting device.

"Impossible…Why is it here…? Unless-" And then it struck Ritsuka. The mana that was snatched from the three hundred people – If the grail was really the one behind it, then there should be traces of the object, but he found none. However, it didn't cross his mind that the accursed wish granting object wasn't the only one that could suck the lifeforce of other people.

No…this is a trap-!

"Ristuka-san, get down!" Before the master could react, Thragg quickly made a sidestep and raised both of his hands. An axe with a futuristic design suddenly flew out of the tree and hurled towards the Master, but the Viltrumite was much faster. The man stopped it with the palms of his hands.

"An axe? Wait, I know this design-" Thragg's eyes sharpened in recognition after he saw the axe, but before he could process more, a voice spoke from above him.

"I can't believe it!"

This voice…I know this voice! The Ruler-Class Servant looked at the trees above him, searching for the owner of the voice that he strongly recognized.

"I've never expected that you would be summoned as a Servant in this stupid world too…but here you are!"

The axe in the man's hands suddenly trembled and flew out of his grasp. Thragg followed the weapon as it cleanly cut a huge oak tree. The tree groaned under its weight and collapsed with a loud thud, sending leaves into the air, and revealing the figure standing behind it.

"No…You were summoned here too!"

"Why not? It's our destiny to meet once again, Thragg – the greatest, legendary and unbeatable subjugator of all the galaxies!" Thragg eyes widened in shock as the figure emerged from the dark. The figure was that of a humanoid lion man – one that he was very familiar with.

"Thokk, the Battle Beast." The Viltrumite Servant said as the Battle Beast grabbed his axe and swung it to his shoulders.

"It's so nice to see you again, Thragg. I still…remember how you killed me and turned my skin into your hide!" A dark and vengeful chuckle escaped the lion man's lips as he pointed his axe and continued. "It's an honor being killed by you, and now I shall return the favor!"

Chapter Text

Chapter 6

Battle of the Tyrants

&

The Iron Giant

-Central Park-

The wind howled calmly along the central park's trees, creating a soft, humming-like sound surrounding the three people standing in the clearing. The night was calm and serene. However, the same cannot be said for the CHALDEAN Master and his Servant. The two faced another Servant, a humanoid lionman whose eyes were locked on them.

"Heh, to see you alive here…makes my blood boil!" Battle Beast said as he licked his lips, baring his fangs at the former Viltrumite Regent.

Thragg, on the other hand, felt disturbed. He knew this person very well. He was the one who killed the lionman and defiled his body afterwards. To see Thokk alive sent shivers down his spine. Guilt and shame made a home inside his guts.

Thokk, this is all wrong. "Ritsuka-san," The Ruler-Class called his master, who glanced at him nervously.

"What is it?"

"I don't want to fight him. I don't have that violent anger anymore."

"Well…I understand what you mean," Ritsuka paused and observed the lionman's bloodshot eyes, "but that Servant means business, Thragg. How exactly are you going to stop him from attacking you?"

The Servant deepened his frown while he absorbed the question. "There's no other choice. I've got to try." Thragg internally trembled and took a step forward.

"Battle Beast, I know you're angry with what I've done to you. I beat you up mercilessly, and I defiled your body afterwards." The man clenched both of his fists. His heart raced as he poured all his hope into the words he would say to his former enemy. "I'm truly sorry. I don't want to fight you. I don't want to go back to my violent side."

The grass and trees around the two Servants rustled softly as the wind picked up. The sound was calm and filled the ears of Thokk, whose brutal smile slowly disappeared and was replaced by a plain look. His black eyes made several blinks at the former regent, absorbing the words. And then, after a minute, he let out a soft chuckle. The chuckle then grew louder until it became a ridiculing cackle.

"What the fuck is this? Did you—did you seriously say that you don't want to fight me?" Battle Beast couldn't contain it anymore. He burst into more degrading laughter. "You're the greatest conqueror of all time! You subjugated many people, turned them into slaves or killed them on sight! You killed me in an honourable battle, turning my skin into your coat hide!" He paused and bared his fangs once again at him. "And now you are telling me you are sorry for what you have done?! You're so pathetic!" Thragg stood silently as the lionman snorted and calmed down. "Forget it! I'll ensure we have another round of that battle again…This time, I'll kill you!"

No, no more blood. I'm no longer that man. "Enough, Battle Beast. I don't want to fight you. I'm no longer that kind of man…I changed." Thragg said again, this time with more sincerity in his voice.

It was enough for Battle Beast to stop his smile and blink again at him, startled by his words. This man…The Avenger-Servant glanced up and down on the former regent. A confused frown formed on his lips. Thragg was a conqueror and a brutal one at that. He was a legendary conqueror, and the lionman had been killed by his hands. And now that he saw him tonight, this attitude and refusal to fight him made Thokk feel irate.

And then his irate sparked a vengeful feeling inside him, which eventually exploded.

"You sly cow! If you think you can run away from what you'd done to me, from your sins…think again!" Thokk raised his axe and stood in a battle stance as Thragg gasped at his action before he declared. "If you changed into a weak, meek man, I'll drag back to your old self right now!"

No! Thragg's diplomacy failed. The Ruler-Class Servant quickly turned to his Master and shouted. "Ritsuka-san, stay back! He's going to attack!" The man shouted as the lionman leaped into the air and made a barrel roll against the moon's light before plummeting toward him.

"Ah!" Ritsuka yelped after Thragg pushed him away. He landed behind a bush as the Servant leaped back and avoided the axe of the lion-man. Thokk then charged and swung his axe again, but Thragg pivoted, dodging the blows rapidly.

"Ritsuka-san! Stay there! I'll find a way to stop Bat—"

"FIGHT ME, LEGENDARY THRAGG! FIGHT ME!" Thragg crossed his arms over his abdomen, blocking a right kick from the Avenger-Class Servant. The Ruler-Class Servant slid on the ground.

I'm at a disadvantage on the ground! Thragg thought and quickly flew up. "Thokk, listen to me! I don't want to fight you! I am a changed man! I no longer want unnecessary violence!"

Thokk stopped for a moment, and then he growled. "You've no right to change! I will defeat you to become the greatest conqueror of all time!" Thokk pivoted and kicked the tree beside him, sending it toward the Viltrumite regent.

Thragg swung his forearm, hitting the tree away, only to meet the Avenger-Class's face inches from him. The tree was a distraction. The Ruler-Class grunted as Battle Beast kicked him on his abdomen, slamming him into the wall of an apartment building across the park.

The building groaned and began to collapse. Bricks, metals, and glasses fell to the ground where busy crowds walked by.

The Viltrumite groaned and opened his eyes. His vision swayed. The impact that the lion tyrant threw on him was still in effect. His senses slowly came back, and his ears caught the familiar screams of humans.

Still stuck on the wall, Thragg peered down and saw the pedestrians below. Most of them were running amok, like spooked hens. Some were lying on the ground, dead and not moving. Others were crying and howling while holding their bloody injuries.

The sight was alarming to the former regent. "Oh no…" he exclaimed, moving and hovering over the road below. He gulped down in fear. The damage of his impact was too devastating and disastrous. This isn't good. He observed more as the crowd below him gathered and was now taking pictures of him, only to part again as the Battle Beast jumped down the road.

"Look at you," A frown of disbelief formed on Thokk's snout as he pointed his axe at Thragg, "you let yourself get hit by me. The old you would not fall for such tricks!"

Thragg glanced down. He showed a look of terror at his former enemy. It was clear that Battle Beast would never stop chasing Thragg down. And the reason for that, the pain of Thokk's pride being sullied, was still evident, even though the alien lionman hid it underneath his so-called 'excited' brutal smile.

He will never stop. The former regent thought as he darted his eyes to the people below. I must…get him away from these people. I don't want any of these innocents to die! The man quickly turned his back and flew away.

"Where are you going!?" The Battle Beast let out a roar before he bent his knees, quickly jumped to the walls of the building, and began to run. Thragg glanced behind him and saw the animal tyrant tailing him as expected.

"No innocent people will die tonight!" The former regent spoke before he turned and zoomed towards the city's center.

-Football Stadium-

Thragg looked down, entering a large, unlit football stadium. The place was deserted, and not a single soul was in sight. His eyes lit up in relief as he hovered above the stadium. He found the perfect place to face Battle Beast one more time.

"Finally, you stop!" The former regent looked behind him and saw the Avenger-Class standing on the edge of the bleachers. The Servant grinned at him before he leaped again and landed on the ground below.

'I've got to try one more time, "Ritsuka-san."' Thragg called his Master, who responded immediately.

'Thragg, what's happening? I'm coming to your location.'

'I'm at a stadium. I must get Battle Beast as far away as possible from the people. I don't want any innocent lives to be wasted because of our fight.' He paused momentarily, his eyes locked on Battle Beast before adding, 'I'll try to talk him down again. I don't want to kill him.'

Thragg remembered how he killed Battle Beast back in the comic books. The fight was supposedly an honorable one. He was injured then, and only one of his upper limbs worked. The lionman broke his other arm before they fought. The reason was that Thokk wanted to fight Thragg on an even level.

However, Thragg hid a trick in his sleeves. The regent cheated and defeated his rival.

Thragg thought his sin wouldn't catch him in this world, but he was wrong.

'I'll pursue him. We don't need to fight.' "Thokk, listen to me." Thragg slowly landed on the ground and stood in front of his adversary. "I'm sorry for what I've done to you. I tricked you into letting your guard down."

A puzzled look formed on Thokk's face, and he grunted. "Our fight was legendary! I know that you are hiding something. And since you mentioned that, what makes you think I will believe your antics now?" The alien warlord pointed his axe and formed a sinister smile.

But then his eyes widened in shock as the Viltrumite regent kneeled to the ground and lowered his head, exposing his neck. And then the man said, "I do not lie. I am no longer that violent man. I changed for the better. If you don't believe me…then I implore you to cut off my head with your axe. I will not move."

What the hell…? Thokk couldn't believe what was happening. The Thragg that he knew wouldn't be this kind, nor would he ever care about some low-lying alien creatures. He would also never show this kind of weakness to anyone, most of all to him.

The actions of the man were too bizarre, and it irritated Thokk.

The old Thragg wouldn't be humble but prideful and brutal, just like him.

But this Thragg didn't resemble his older self. So, Thokk's mind concluded.

Thragg had truly changed.

"DON'T TOY WITH ME ANYMORE!" Battle Beast kicked the man with tremendous force. Thragg shot towards the moat of the stadium. His back created a thundering thud while he let out a pained grunt.

Battle Beast quickly jumped forward and closed the gap between him and Thragg. He grabbed him by his neck and lifted him. "If you are going to act like a weak man, then there's no value in killing you now!" He snarled and tightened his grip around the man's neck, making him choke. "If you aren't gonna take me seriously, then I'll kill you now," the Avenger-Class Servant growled and levelled his axe on the Viltrumite's stomach, "and then…I'll kill your Master so that you won't be summoned again to this world."

What? At the mention of his Master, Thragg's eyes opened. The man knew his sins had caught up to him, but his Master told him it was all right to continue living. His Master, Ritsuka, who was very kind and had given him hope, was the one who believed in his redemption and his choice to change to a better person.

Ritsuka was innocent of Thragg's crime, yet this man threatened him.

For what, just to hurt him? If that was so, then Thokk was wrong. Ritsuka should never be involved in his sorry, sinful past.

"NO!" Thragg eyes lit up as a feeling suddenly surged from his insides. The feeling that wrapped around his heart and burned his guts was compelling yet familiar to him.

Yes, he recognized this feeling.

It was the source of his brutality.

It was…rage.

It was now Thokk's turn to be thrown away after the former Viltrumite Regent kicked him squarely on his chest. The lion alien hit the goalpost and crashed into the wall. A disgruntled grunt escaped his lips as he felt a bone in his back crack.

Keep Ritsuka-san out of this! "Why do we have to involve him? Your battle is with me. I won't let you hurt my Master!" Thragg declared as he hovered and looked down on the downed creature.

Thragg…The Avenger-Class looked up at him and saw those familiar bloodshot eyes. "So you have feelings for your Master, eh?" A small degrading chuckle escaped him as he walked out of the crater and raised his axe. The Thragg he knew wouldn't love anyone except himself, but to see him reacting like this, over a human nonetheless, made him look ridiculous. But Thokk didn't mind it because what he was looking for was back: the rage of the former regent.

"Heh, it is nice to see you back, Thragg. But I will not backtrack what I said. I will kill your Master after I kill you."

"I've been kind to you, and I was hoping we could find a middle ground," Thragg replied as the innocence on his face shifted into a frown that he had worn back in the comics, "but since you won't back down, then the only thing I can say to you… I already killed you once, and I can kill you again!"

The two stared down at each other with nothing but violence in their minds. The tyrants who had conquered and subjugated other weak alien creatures would defeat each other.

The wind howled along the stadium, pushing the structure's metal pillars and making it groan under its weight. The orchestra of the superstructures was eerie for an average human, but the two just ignored it.

And then, the two let out a blood-curdling scream as they charged towards each other.

Thragg made the first move. He raised his fist towards the lionman's face, but the alien quickly arched his back before he swung his axe upward. The Ruler-Class parried it with the back of his left hand and rapidly positioned his hand down, blocking the knee of Thokk, which was aimed at his abdomen.

The Viltrumite then pivoted, creating a perfect roundhouse kick, and hit the Avenger-Class on the head. Thokk flew and landed hard on the ground. However, the Viltrumite wasn't finished yet. The man passed speedily and, using all his weight, slammed his elbow on the alien's chest.

Thokk gasped as he felt his chest cave in. However, the man yanked him by his neck and threw him again, this time to the night sky.

I'm not done yet! Thragg thought with nothing but brutality in his mind as he shot upward and caught the Avenger Servant by his neck. The two were high up in the sky. Battle Beast let out strained breaths as blood coloured his fur red while Thragg stared at him with a calm yet stoic face.

"This is your last chance, Thokk. Will you take back what you said, or will you still kill my Master?" The question was straightforward, and yet it felt cumbersome for Thokk. Battle Beast knew what could hurt Thragg now and wanted to inflict pain on the man. His urge to defeat him still fired his insides and dulled the pain gnawing his whole body.

"Heh—" Thokk coughed up blood as he made a menacing grin, "I will not take back what I said! I'll kill your beloved Master, and I will ruin your redemption! YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO REDEEM YOURSELF!"

I don't have the right? The words of Thokk rang inside of Thragg. The regent knew that he had committed many sins. He had waged war on countless cities and worlds, enslaving many innocent people as a regent. He was unforgivable.

'I don't think you are a bad person, Thragg. You're just lost.'

'You only need your determination to have a better life.'

The voices of his Master and a woman he was familiar with echoed in his head. The voices were saying otherwise, and they rebuked what Thokk had declared.

"You're wrong, Thokk," Thragg said with fire before he declared. "I choose to redeem myself, and I don't give a damn what others say about me. I want to have a good life in this world. That is my dream…my wish…and I will protect it even if I must stain my hands again!" The Viltrumite regent moved up and locked the lion alien's head between his thighs before he spun and burst towards the ground. Thokk struggled out of the man's thighs, but Thragg squeezed his head more, locking him in place. The two were almost near the bottom, and as they passed the last line of clouds, the Ruler-Class shouted to him. "You lose, Battle Beast!"

Thragg quickly spun his whole body again, and then, with a whip of his hips, he threw Thokk on the ground. A seismic force thundered around the stadium, and the whole ground around the vicinity of New York's center rocked for a second as tremors crawled all over the surface.

-Sunset Motel-

-Room 007-

Price was lying in his bed. His eyes were closed, and his chest rose softly as he breathed. Despite his calm expression, he wasn't sleeping. His senses worked to the extreme while his guard was up.

On the other hand, Vash was sitting on his bed, staring at Price with a thoughtful look. He remembered his words, and he couldn't help but make a tranquil smile. The gunman was determined to help him.

And then his senses perked up.

*BOOM!*

"What's that?" Price jolted from his bed as he felt the ground shake a little. He glanced around and saw Vash standing by the window. The Servant partially pushed the curtains and looked outside.

The city's lights flickered on and off, and loud blaring sounds from the cars filled the streets, disturbing the peaceful night.

This force, this amount of power. Vash's senses picked up everything. There were two forces, and both were too strong for him.

They were Servants, and they were both locked in a battle with each other.

"Servants are fighting, John." The Foreigner-Class said as Price's eyes widened a bit.

"So there's another round, huh," the soldier stood up and looked out the window. "Did another Servant die, Vash?"

"Yes."

"Damn, now there's only five remaining Servants left. We should move in an hour. The other Servants might find us."

"Agreed—" Vash was about to withdraw from the window when he felt something again. "Wait!"

"What is it?" Price glanced at him with alertness.

"The downed Servant from earlier…he released a Noble Phantasm just now. The Servant is alive again."

-Football Stadium-

"What the-!" Ritsuka grabbed the stair railings as he felt the structure shake violently. He had just arrived at the football stadium and quickly resumed his chase. Thragg and the other Servant had landed here, and the tremor from earlier, Ritsuka knew that it came from those two.

He grunted in nervousness. The source of the tremor was a Servant's attack, and he didn't know which one of the two had done it.

Thragg, you better be alive! Ritsuka jumped from the stairs landing and entered the bleachers area, peering down to the playing pit below. However, his eyes couldn't see anything. The whole area was enveloped in a thick fog of debris. Fallen stadium structures surrounded him, all broken and bent.

"Thragg!" Ritsuka called out and received nothing but silence. His eyes darted as he walked down the aisle for a more suitable look at the playing pit.

Where are you, Thragg?!

And then his ears caught the sound of footsteps. He saw a silhouette along the dust, walking towards him. Ritsuka's eyes widened in recognition as the figure came to light. Thragg, whose clothes were tattered and torn, looked up to Ritsuka weakly. His white clothes were now red from killing the other Servant.

"Ritsuka-san," Thragg called softly as he smiled kindly at his Master. Ritsuka took a breath of relief. His Servant was all right and wasn't hurt very much.

"Thragg, come up now. We must get out of here. Other Servants might attack us right now." He called as the Viltrumite regent hovered up.

"Yes-"

"And where do you think you are going!?" A voice suddenly called from the dust. The Master-Servant pair froze. Then, a bright electric light of gold parted the dust as a gush of wind slammed into the two.

"What…the hell!?" Thragg exclaimed as he saw the charred body of Thokk slowly rising from the crater. Lights exploded from his dismembered limbs and headless body while his missing parts regenerated at a ridiculous speed.

"NOBLE PHANTASM: ABSOLUTE RESURRECTION!" The Avenger-Class screamed as his Noble Phantasm revived him. The Servant laughed as he pointed his axe at Thragg. "My Noble Phantasm can always revive me as long as I die on the earth. Pretty neat for me, don't you think?"

Thragg widened his eyes in terror before he complained. "Absolute Resurrection? Impossible. How could you get such a powerful Noble Phantasm?! It's not even accurate to your character!"

"My desire to kill you made the Holy Grail grant me such power!" he said and locked his eyes on the Master of Thragg. A wild grin spread across his lips. He grunted, pulling his arm back and throwing his axe forward.

The axe spun wildly, aimed true at Ritsuka, who gasped.

"Ritsuka-san!" Ritsuka tried to take a step back, but before he could do so, Thragg quickly flew in front of him. The sound of flesh being cut echoed in his ears, followed by a splash of warm liquid gluing to his cheek.

"Thragg!" Ritsuka called as he looked down and saw Thragg's arm fly away from his body. Blood gushed out from his cut wound as he dodged the axe with his body. The Ruler-Class Servant grunted in pain, but before he could react, the axe returned and hit him again. This time, it sliced off his other arm.

The Ruler-Class screamed, but it was cut short as Thokk jumped up and punched him in his abdomen. Thragg crashed to the ground, and the Avenger-Class pinned him by landing on his chest. The former regent coughed up blood as the lion alien finally cornered him.

"Got you right where I want you!" Thokk sneered as Thragg heaved his chest. He breathed more air, but the alien above prevented him.

"Thragg!" Ritsuka screamed as he extended his hand, attempting to reach his Servant. The scene was devastating. His Servant was one of the most robust characters from the comic book 'Invincible' and was almost undefeatable. To see him in such a dire state was very horrifying.

To Battle Beast, however, he was enjoying the tortured frown of his once enemy. The tables had turned, and Thokk relished every second of it.

"Any last words, Thragg?"

Thragg didn't say anything, only letting out some grunts. Thokk savoured the scene before he raised his axe.

"Finally, I get to kill you-"

Suddenly, the ground shook just as Thokk was about to bring his axe down on the Viltrumite's neck. Dust and debris flew again as a harsh, warm wind blew across the field.

"Who disturbs my glorious moment!?" The Avenger-Class roared in fury, having his precious tortured moment ruined by whoever had cast the warm wind. And then, as if to answer him, the gust stopped, and the cause of it finally showed up.

"Wha—what?" Thragg squinted his eyes and saw a pair of substantial bright white lights beaming down on him. He wanted to look more, but he heard a significant movement before he could do so. Something large and grey hit Thokk with tremendous force, dislodging him from Thragg's chest.

Thokk screamed and hit the playing field wall again as Thragg looked up. Finally, he got to see the newly arrived figure. The figure was a gigantic fifty-foot-tall robot. Its body was large, and its surface glimmered in grey-silver light. But the most distinguished thing about it was the pair of large bright white lights acting as its eyes.

The robot amazed Thragg. However, he immediately recognized it.

"Holy fuck, Iron Giant!"

At the mention of its name, the Iron Giant looked down and slightly lifted its hinges around its face, forming what seemed to be a smile. The action proved the being's identity. It was Iron Giant's signature smile.

"I know you. I watched you in that movie. Ritsuka-san, is he your other Servant?!" Thragg darted at Ritsuka. His Master smiled sheepishly as the light on his left tattoo died out, having cast one of his command spells.

"Thragg, sorry for keeping you out of the loop. I have a second Servant named 'Iron Giant,' he's a Watcher-Class."

"I didn't know that you summoned him! Wait! Watcher-Class, a Servant class that specializes in observation?"

"Yup, and that's Iron Giant," Ritsuka said as the Giant looked down and opened his mouth.

"THRAGG…IS…FRIEND."

"What…?" the Ruler-Class felt his heart move a bit after he heard what the Giant said.

Iron Giant was the main Protagonist of the hit movie of the same name. He was a giant who landed on Earth and gained a friend named Hogarth. It was a sweet anti-war film and one of the greatest movies for children.

And now he was here in this world. Having him considered a friend, it was too wholesome for the former regent. Thragg couldn't help but shed a tear.

"Thank you, Giant, for helping me."

The giant only made his toothy grin again as he extended his massive hand. Thragg climbed on board before the giant lifted him to his face so he could look at him more.

"Damn you!" Thokk's voice echoed out of the rubble as he walked forward haphazardly. His fur was all bloody again. His eyes were bloodshot and locked on the Thragg and Iron Giant.

"Give me, Thragg! I'll kill him!" he demanded, and the Giant glanced down at him. Thragg looked at the Giant and watched as his eyes slowly changed their hue into deep red.

Giant? The mood around the Giant changed, and Thragg felt a surging power building up from him, making the man guess what would happen next.

"Oh no…" Right after the Viltrumite said it, a pair of green beams shot out of its eyes and hit the Avenger-Class Servant, turning him into ashes immediately.

Thragg stood in shock as he stared down the pile of ashes on the ground. He couldn't believe Thokk had just died so quickly from a straightforward attack.

That attack was more potent than me…and wasn't even his Noble Phantasm! The man glanced back at Giant and saw him draw the same toothy grin. "I'm not going to be on your bad side." He said with caution.

"SUPERMAN."

Superman? Thragg glanced behind him and saw the back of the red skirt cape. Did he think I was Superman? Realizing his cloak resembled the famous superhero, he quickly denied what the Servant said. "No, I'm not Superman, and I won't be." He smiled friendly at the Giant, who titled his head, possibly puzzled by his response.

"FUCKKKKK!" Golden lights exploded from the ashes as Thokk activated his Noble Phantasm again. The lionman growled at Iron Giant, his murderous eyes locked on Thragg.

He still hasn't given up his anger towards me!? Thragg only hung his mouth open in shock. Thokk had been killed many times tonight, yet he kept returning with his anger still intact. His Noble Phantasm was tricky, yet it was not very practical to the likes of the Watcher-Class.

"Thragg…! Thragg…! Thragg-!"

'Thokk, return to me.' Suddenly, a voice echoed inside Thokk's mind and interrupted his fury.

'Touko, don't you dare interrupt my battle! I can take this Watcher-Class Servant myself!' The Avenger-Class retorted to his Master, Touko, who contacted him through telepathy. He heard the woman's heavy and downed sigh before she spoke again.

'I'm so sorry, but you will lose against the Watcher-Class. You already had your way with Thragg. At least you've cornered him once tonight, right?'

'Fuck off, you insolent woman, or do you wanna die next after I ravage my enemy's body!?' Thokk screamed back and raised his axe above his shoulders. The woman was right. He had his archnemesis in his sights, so why would he let him go? His life was in his hands earlier, but thanks to this stupid-looking cereal cartoon-type robot, he lost his grip on him.

"First, I just need to-! Huh?" Before Thokk could take more action, however, he felt a force suddenly envelop him as the voice of Touko echoed telepathically in his mind.

'By my command, and per my command seal, I order you, Thokk the Battle Beast, to return to my side this instant!'

'Touko, how dare you! DEFILED SCARLET RED BITCH!' "Fuck! We'll see each other again, Thragg. This time…I swear to the thousand stars above me, I'll kill you and rape your corpse afterwards, and then I'll forcefully bang your-" Before Thokk could finish his threats, he disappeared into golden dust, leaving the others with a very puzzled look, confused to what had just happened.

After the Avenger-Class Servant disappeared, Thragg was the first to break the silence around the silent stadium. "Ritsuka-san…the Servant has disappeared."

"His master must've called him via command seals," Ritsuka said before looking alarmed at Thragg. "In any case, Giant, would you kindly bring him down here? My friend Thragg is bleeding to death."

Iron Giant glanced down at his newly found friend, slightly shifting his metallic mouth upwards in an inquisitive expression before he complied. He gently brought his hand down to the bleachers, and Thragg climbed down.

"I'm back…Ritsuka-san." Thragg said with a defeated smile as Ritsuka only vehemently sighed.

"I'm glad you're safe and sound, Thragg." The Master said, reaching for the Viltrumite's head and gently petting him. The action made the man blush at the gesture. He stood in silence as he felt more of the effect of being pet by Ritsuka.