- Inevitability -
Bazett stood in the Shinto District of Fuyuki City with her hands behind her back, a defeated expression on her face as she took in the sight before her.
A week or two had passed and as an Enforcer of the Mage's Association, she'd been summoned by HQ to report on the copious amounts of destruction that this war had brought with it and while the general populace had already been convinced it had been a chain of unfortunate gas leaks that had caused it, she still had to answer.
Fortunately for her though, none of the destruction could be traced back to her seeing as Aston wasn't even her servant when he'd run wild, changing the landscape around Fuyuki.
".... How are these people going to fit in, ever?"
It was even the fact that they were supernaturally attractive, it was that they had no damned common sense. Aston was smart enough to avoid looking dumb but recalling how he'd thought that female attendant on the train was giving him food because she was nice, his future didn't look too bright..
Then there was Artoria, who behaved like a chivalrous knight with a newly made history of jealous streaks where she attempted to hoard Aston's attention while remaining completely oblivious of her own actions.
She pensively observed the crowd that had gathered around the servants who'd come to see her off, some taking pictures while others simply admired from a distance and again, it wasn't for their appearances.
It was because of the massive billboard behind them featuring the Lancer servant in a niche attire that admittedly, looked quite good on him, even with the scar.
She couldn't help but smile in amusement as she saw Artoria steal nervous glances at Aston, like a child who was afraid of his friend being taken away.
Though, even through that, her servant smiled gently and waved at her, mouthing what she could only perceive as a silent, "Thank you."
And as Bazett turned to leave, she couldn't help but worry for the two old timers she'd brought into this modern age even when she knew they wouldn't lack in finances,
"Good luck."
And sorry.
She'd made him suffer quite a bit in their short yet memorable time together.
..
.
Would it be alright if she came to visit a good friend after all was said and done?
*
"Shirou, thank you for allowing us to be your guests." Aston bowed politely, a hand over his chest. Artoria mimicked his actions, thanking her previous Master for his generous hospitality.
Shirou scratched the back of his neck with a nervous smile, "Don't worry about it." He glanced back at Sakura in the kitchen and once again concluded that this was the right decision, "We have too much space anyway."
The pale haired man thanking him had saved Sakura from suffering he wasn't even aware of and as much as he regretted his ignorance to her situation, he knew to be grateful to the one who had put an end to it, even if he was yet to accept the methods through which he'd accomplished it.
"As a thank you, how about I train you with the spear, young man?" Aston raised a finger, and looked at Shirou with a gaze that was a little too expectant for the teenager to consider saying no.
Unfortunately or fortunately, Sakura chose that time to join in the conversation, "Senpai is more interested in swords so.." She trailed off, smiling with closed eyes as Artoria's head shot up, and she looked at Aston with an alarmed gaze.
She'd seen this happen before, one time and..
"You ignor-mmph!!"
Artoria quickly covered Aston's mouth, confused as to how she would explain her actions to the two very confused teenagers before them, "Excuse him." It was her duty to advise her significant other where he was wrong, and help him with his temper when necessary.
And to stop him from going on a six hour long rant regarding how spears were the superior choice over a sword.
Her knight was a calm man most of the time but there were certain things that he simply refused to accept and/or tolerate.
"S-Saber, don't you use a sword?" Shirou inquired 'calmly', avoiding the Lancer's gaze.
"It is different in her case, her skill with the blade is simply dazzling, you believe you might be able to compare to the King of Knights? Preposterous." It almost seemed like the knight was ready to fight him over that, "None can replicate her beauty!" He declared to the world, shamelessly.
"A-Aston..." Saber looked down ashamed, blushing crimson at the bluntness of his words, "Y-You are splendid as well.." She tried to return the compliment but only embarrassed herself further.
Unable to hide her amusement, Sakura covered her mouth, "Oh my."
Was this what people were like in the Dark Ages?
Shirou could only ponder over whether his peaceful days were going to continue or finally end now that these two were here.
And then, as if the world had decided to fuck with him more than usual that day, the doorbell rang.
He slowly walked over to the door and cautiously opened it only to slam it shut when he realised who was on the other side.
"What the hell?! Why would you do that?!"
"....."
"Good luck, young man."
Aston gave him a thumbs up, a little too used to predicaments the likes of which the auburn haired magus was in.
*
The Sun peeked down at the world, hidden behind grey clouds and a gentle breeze wafted through the park, accompanied by the scent of wet earth, making for weather that most would find pleasant and yet, Rin Tohsaka was in a grumpy mood.
Sitting there in the park, cradling her knees with both arms as she stared at the slowly dancing blades of lush grass, Rin Tohsaka pondered over what had transpired in the prior few weeks.
Somehow, losing an asshole that got on her nerves most of the time had left her feeling like she'd lost a part of herself and somehow, she felt she couldn't fault his killer either.
They'd been mortal enemies.
Archer had made numerous, unfounded attempts on Lancer's life and the latter finally got fed up, getting rid of his tormentor once and for all.
And Shirou, she didn't know how to feel about the young man.
She'd perceived him as a hardworking idiot and he WAS an idiot, Rin stood by that but how could that idiot be so brave as to risk his life to protect another?
Rin Tohsaka shook her head.
She already knew the answer to that.
She pondered over what Caster had done to deserve being torn in half as she despaired over the corpse of her Master.
But she knew the answer to that too.
She'd used innocent children to force Lancer into servitude, committed soul eating, and doing that to a Knight renowned for slaughter was practically asking for such a fate.
Rin grimaced.
What she'd seen in the Emiya Compound was the complete antithesis of his legend, Lancer was a gentle man who liked to joke around, enjoyed cooking and did his best to live as he wanted while helping those in need without asking for anything in return.
Most of the time the people he helped didn't even know he'd done something for them.
A knight, no, person who sought no reward, glory or prestige was a strange sight.
Before she could ponder further, Rin was brought out of her thoughts by a droplet of rain falling on her forehead and raised her gaze to spot the very people she was thinking about sitting on a bench some distance away.
And as she crept closer, disregarding her appearance in favour of sating her curiosity, Rin could make out some of their conversation.
"Wa.. Worth it? Do you find me...adequate?"
Saber and Lancer rested against one another, the former's head on the latter's shoulder as he held up an umbrella to cover them both, "Very."
Rin realised another truth.
There was no grand wish Lancer had fought for, it was just the ordinary happiness of being by the side of the one he treasured.
What right did someone like her, who lived a lie, have to deny that?
Some distance away, a young girl, younger than Rin herself, with straight white hair that fell down to her back and golden eyes that carried a glint of cruelty, observed the scene with her hands to either side, her face devoid of any and all traces of emotion.
The small cross clenched in her small hand however, told another story.
* * *
There, done.
Tommorrow, we start the FGO arc with mostly regular updates. For real this time, no distractions.