Unlimited Food Porn (Fate/Stay Night, Mai Hime, Sailor Moon) (HAS NO ACTUAL PORN ) - Page 6

JohnWBiles · Jan 31st 2010, 9:44pm

The Dark Red Counter-Guardian and Eudial faced off. She levelled her Gae Bolg-Thrower.

He levelled...a giant nerf hammer.

She began laughing. "If you go easy on me, baby, you'll die! Here it comes!"

He laughed and snapped his fingers and her gun evaporated and he leaped at her, whacking her in the head over and over until she dissolved into light and was eaten by the grail.

"You should have known better than to try to fight me with a weapon I made myself," he said, then ambled off to find something useful to do while he waited for the Grail to give him Dark Eudial to work with him.

**************

Lancer, Sakura, Suguira-sensei, and Shirou confronted Dark Lancer 4 (Dark Alexander the Great), his master Kayneth Archibald El-Melloi, Dark Berserker 4 (Dark Lancelot), his master Matou Kariya, Dark Fumi, her master Matou Zouken, and Dark Cyber-Shinji. By virtue of his status as a high ranking member of the Mages' association (or maybe due to vanity from wearing the mantle once worn by Alexander the Great), Kayneth had taken command of his side of this fight about to erupt. "By virtue of the authority invested in me by the Mages' Association, I hereby arrest Matou Sakura and Shirou Emiya for illegal entry into the Grail War without being members in good standing of the Mages' Association. Further..."

Dark Alexander the Great plucked the mantle off Kayneth's shoulders, then now proceeded to run over Kayneth with his chariot as it spewed lightning, then backed up over him, then did it three more times. He then stabbed Kayneth in the head with his long spear. Kayneth dissolved away and he announced, "As the mightiest of Kings, I CLAIM THIS WORLD FOR ME! Shirou, Sakura, the fact that this BASTARD hated you is enough for me to conclude you must be wonderful people! I invite you to become the first of my companions!"

"We can be a family again!" Matou Kariya said to Sakura. He had entered the fourth Grail War hoping to win her freedom from his own house, for he loved his little niece. He had died in front of her at the end of the war, telling her she was going to be safe and how he loved her.

It was very, very tempting. Like Shirou, she knew he really did love her. He'd given his life trying to win her freedom. His failure had made her give up on herself for many years, blame herself for being unable to help him.

If he hadn't been glowing with dark energy, she probably would have said yes and tried to convince Shirou. He and Berserker had tried so hard to save her before that bitch Saber...Arturia...killed them.

Now Arturia was here, on her side, but she didn't like Arturia and never would. If she joined her uncle, she could help him defeat Arturia before she...

Shirou said, "Shinji, WHY?" He said, agonized.

"You can't imagine what it's like! I was a man without powers in a family of magi! I was so inadequate, they BOUGHT ME A SISTER to carry on the family name because my blood would never do!" Dark Cyber-Shinji shouted. "But she wouldn't obey, so I had to break her! She's a cheap whore, only good for fucking! Nothing but a BREEDING SOW sold to us by the Tohsakas! BUT SHE HAD POWER AND I DID NOT. So I had to get power by stripping her of hers! YOU WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME THING!" Dark Cyber-Shinji raved.

Shirou felt sick in his gut. Shinji was beyond hope. He didn't want to kill anyone, but he didn't have a choice. Though maybe they could take him alive and eventually... But they would have to fight.

"Alexander, she is an evil willful child. You can see how she betrays our family by sleeping around! Look at how she is dressed!" Dark Zouken said to Alexander. "She must be taught her place!"

"No, wait!" Matou Kariya said. "Please, Sakura...don't make us fight you."

"Grandfather and my brother VIOLATED ME," Sakura said angrily. "There can be no forgiveness and NO MERCY for them! If you side with them, I cannot forgive you."

Dark Alexander was about to speak and then something spoke through him. "THEN SO BE IT! SLAY THEM ALL AND I WILL SORT THEM OUT AND BRING THEM BACK TO SERVE YOU, ALEXANDER."

Shirou REALLY didn't like the odds here, AND all his friends were pinned down elsewhere on the battlefield. He turned his giant spatula into a giant two-pronged grilling fork and Reinforced it. "Suguira-sensei, you have to fight Dark Fumi. I will deal with Zouken-san and Shinji."

"You think you can take them both at once?" Suguira-sensei asked, worried.

"I have to try." He prayed to any gods who might be listening for strength. Father, guide me.

Dark Sakura reached into the Avalon within her heart and brought forth a magnificent huge plum purple Clydesdale wearing barding. Shiny barding with pretty pictures on it, with ribbons and bows in its mane and tail. Lancer vaulted into the saddle, levelling her naginata like a lance as Dark Lancelot turned to face her, levelling his lance.

Sakura cracked her whip and faced off with her uncle. "I'm so sorry, Uncle Kariya," she said, nearly crying. "Please surrender, I don't want to fight."

"I don't want to fight you either," he confessed and they stood there, telling each other this over and over as the battle commenced.

Dark Alexander did not immediately enter the battle; he wished to observe his foes and learn their strengths and weaknesses. He also felt pity for Sakura and Kariya, hoping Kariya would win Sakura over, which would bring in Lancer and make this easy.

Matou Zouken called forth two of his worms, turning them into long crimson whips and charged at Shirou, moving them in complex patterns. Shirou had to dodge blasts of fire and ice from Shinji's cyber-hand, though it was less potent due to him lacking the jewel, now in the hands of Mai elsewhere on the battlefield. This left him unable to contest Matou Zouken's advance; worse, it greatly hampered his ability to defend himself and he got snared by the worm-whips, one of which took his weapon and the other of which tried to bore into his flesh on his side. He called upon Avalon the Scabbard, however and his flesh healed as fast as the worm could bore, blocking it. But the pain was intense and he could hardly do anything else. But now, Shinji stalked forwards, claws extended.

Meanwhile, Lancer and Dark Lancelot charged at each other. He had huge speed and great potence, but tapping the Violet Gem of Power enabled her to move at blazing speed. She gutted his horse, passing to one side of him and he fell, pole-vaulting himself into the air. He sank into the snow like a rock, and out of the hole came Dark Natsuki, armed with twin pistols and riding a motorcycle.

Lancer stared, mouth wide. "Natsuki?"

"I'm sorry, my love," Dark Natsuki said. "It seems like we're always having to kill each other." Then she charged, firing at high speed at Lancer.

Lancer evaded the shots, but didn't want to kill Natsuki again. Unless this was just a trick...had this been Natsuki all along disguised as Lancelot or was Lancelot somehow disguised as Natsuki? Surely you couldn't kill Lancelot with one pole-vault into snow.

But she wasn't sure as she knew little of Lancelot.

"That's not Natsuki, it's Lancelot in disguise! He can become any Servant in form!" Sakura said, who knew all about him from him fighting for her and her uncle during the Fourth War.

Lancer's eyes flared and now she was angry. "KIYOHIME!" she shouted and Kiyohime came forth, moving at blazing speed to snatch up and devour 'Dark Natsuki', who went right down the giant eight-headed squid-serpent-dragon's throat.

Unfortunately, Dark Lancelot now drew his sword Arondight, which had the power to slay Dragons. He sliced his way out and Kiyohime evaporated. The disadvantage for him, however, was that he could no longer disguise himself as anyone else, neutralizing one of his noble phantasms until he fought someone new and put away Arondight. But he could live with that.

Lancer clutched her head and screamed and fell off her charger into the snow. A portion of her soul had just been sliced out by Arondight. Her link to the primal rage and envy of Kiyohime had driven her mad with jealousy and envy and spite during the Fuuka Grail War. Now that madness had been cut out of her, but with it, the power it had given her as well.

This meant Shizuru was still very fast, but now the strength of her strikes, once fuelled by battle-madness, was now much less. That was going to make this much harder, especially since her third Noble Phantasm, Elegant Lesbian, would not work with any significant strength on Dark Lancelot, who could not be seduced by anyone but Arthur or Guenevere.

He charged her like the crack of doom.

"You fight well, my servants!" Dark Alexander proclaimed. "I go to deal with the mightiest of our foes, Saber! Once she falls, all else will be driven before us! Slay them all and the Grail will make them serve me!" He roared off in his chariot, secure in the delusion he would soon rule this world as the Grail's subordinate, then overthrow it and rule in his own right, for was he not the son of Zeus?

Shinji now drove his blades into Shirou. "DIE! And then I will reclaim Sakura for myself!"

Shirou couldn't stop the worms and the blades. Blood flew everywhere and he howled in pain.

Dark Fumi was on Gakutenou, dueling with Suguira-sensei, scythe against axe as Gakutenou zoomed around over the fight in the air. She wanted to help Shirou but she was locked in combat. But she had to do something.

Sakura howled like the death of hope and shouted, "Uncle! If you don't help us, the man I love will die!"

Matou Kiriya did not have much darkness within him; even corrupted by the Grail, he was a man who had been a decent soul at heart, who only entered the war out of his love for his little niece and his hatred of her father who sold her into slavery, then entered the war. The Grail had used that hatred and his anger from dying at Saber's hands to control him, but faced with Sakura's pain, that control snapped.

White light exploded out of him as his true self exerted itself. "Lancelot! KILL SHINJI AND ZOUKEN!"

Shinji tried to run and Dark Lancelot cut him down, slicing him in half with Arondight. Then he and Lancer turned as one and rushed at Zouken. Zouken released Shirou, turning and trying to tangle Dark Lancelot with his whips. Unused to fighting whips, he actually snagged him briefly, then Shirou rushed him and drove a giant grilling fork into his chest. "This is for what you did to Sakura!" And then he focused and the grilling fork became a blender and ripped Zouken into pieces as it rotated. Shizuru now sliced up all the worms that tried to escape and he dissolved as Shirou collapsed, his wounds closing but now he was knocked out.

Sakura took him into her arms and Dark Lancelot bowed to him. "Your sacrifice was valiant and your blow was mighty, Sir Shirou," he said. "Your father would be proud of you."

"Don't die," Sakura said desperately to Shirou.

"He won't die," her uncle said. "His wounds have already closed, but he will need some time to rest and recover, time I don't know if we're going to GET."

Shizuru looked up at the battle high above, with Fumi fighting against Suguira-sensei. "I can't reach that high. Anyone here have a ranged attack or a way to get up?"

"I have nothing that will do anything but very mildly annoy a Servant-class spirit," Kariya said.

"My blasts of anger don't reach that far," Sakura said.

This was going to require some thought, Shizuru said, producing a cup of tea and sipping. At least she thought more clearly now.

*****************

Dark Akbar appeared silently in the chaotic energies behind Pluto; he'd slipped in when she opened the gates and concealed himself. He raised his sphere and hurled the strongest blast he had.

Caught by surprise, Pluto dropped dead.

Dark Akbar stared in surprise and then began trying to figure out how to actually operate the Gates of Time so he wouldn't be trapped in here.

A bright lightshow corruscated around Pluto; unknown to Dark Akbar, she was part of the race of the Time Lords, now mostly sealed inside a time loop. Unfortunately for Dark Akbar, Time Lords had thirteen lives and she had only been on life number 2.

In most places, the light show would have drawn his attention, but this area was one HUGE light show.

Eventually, she rose; she was now much shorter, though built roughly the same otherwise, with long brown hair and brown eyes and pale skin. Her staff had become a bow and she had a horn at her waist. Her dress had become hunting clothes, complete with a jaunty green hat. She raised her bow and charged an arrow.

Dark Akbar's danger sense went off. "IT'S A TRAP!" he announced, turned, and took an arrow to the throat, followed by two more. Then she shattered his sphere and he tried to flee, but there was nowhere to flee too.

Pretty soon, he dissolved away into black sparkles. However, she still couldn't get the gates open, but at least that would keep the Dark Grail from sending Dark Akbar back. She was in no mood to keep having to regenerate.

"I suppose I can use Susan as a name again now, though," she said, studying herself. She transformed to Sailor garb, just to be sure she would be recognized, then waited.

*****************

"Kill them both," Dark Illyasviel said to Dark Berserker. "I can't turn my brother into a doll while they're in the way!"

Taiga-sensei did NOT want to fight a nine-year old. However, this is what the force is for. She reached out with the Force, Shiny Magic Rock glowing brightly, and flung Dark Illyasviel far, far away into another fight. Though now she felt a little tired and hungry.

"YOU KILLED HER!" Dark Berserker shouted. "ENEMIES ARE FOR KILLING." She went to kill-frenzy mode and rushed at Taiga-sensei. Even kill-crazed Dark Berserker didn't want to hurt Mai, but Taiga-sensei? Nothing but a mostly naked maniac with a glowing rock and a glowing stick-sword to her.

Dark Berserker rushed at Taiga-sensei, but Mai dove down, grabbed her, and rose up into the air out of Dark Berserker's reach. Without Miroku, Dark Berserker could not fly, so she ran off into the general chaos, shouting about killing and Mai flew after her, trying to think of some way to stop her without killing her.

****************

Dark Endymion gave ground quickly as Saber came on, determined to defeat him and free his soul. Unfortunately, while she was a better fighter, he was very strong on defense and supremely agile. Even with Shiho and Sailor Star Mars trying to provide support fire, they couldn't get him to stop bouncing about and perching on anything perchable. Katsumi circled overhead, trying to figure out how best to leverage her powers. She'd tried creating a wall to hem him in but he'd just jumped up and perched on the top, then threw a rose at her.

"Snap out of it," she said. "This isn't like you at all! You are a good and noble prince!"

"And that always gets me murdered! Do you know how many times I've sacrificed myself for others?" he said bitterly, flipping out of the way of yet another thrust. "I died for you and now you're trying to kill me!"

"You! You ruled a kingdom whose legend is still not forgotten, did you not?" Dark Alexander shouted at Saber, now riding up in his chariot. "The army of knights I see fighting demons everywhere answers to you? One of the mightiest armies of history? We did battle in the Fourth War, neither of us emerging fully victorious?"

"Alexander!" Saber said, gladdened and worried at once. "Yes, I am she and yes we did, and your wisdom helped me to undo a great evil in my kingdom and end the bane of many a good knight! Long did I live my life thinking every choice was binary, either one thing or another, but you taught me to find more creative solutions! To cut through my dilemnas with other actions, as you did at Gordius to secure your chariot!"

This seemed to make him a VERY happy man. "You flatter me, fair lady! You are both a woman and a warrior and I need that! Marry me and we will rule this world together!"

Dark Endymion's face darkened at that, though he didn't say anything and indeed now slipped away from Saber and struck Shiho in the face with his extended cane, knocking her for a loop. He then parried a flame arrow from Sailor Star Mars with a rose and threw three more at Katsumi, who countered them with roses of her own.

"I am sorry, Alexander, my heart belongs to another!" Saber said. "Though you flatter me greatly!" She touched her rose and Dark Alexander understood.

"Then when you are reborn by the power of the Grail after I slay you, I will preside over your wedding to him myself! In honor of your glory and skill! Now, let us resolve as we failed to last time, which of us is truly the greatest Monarch of all time!"

And then he came at Saber like the falling of an avalanche.

It pained Sailor Star Mars deeply to see Dark Prince Endymion once again enslaved. It had happened too many times; his good nature was exploited so often. She hoped she and Shiho could purify him if they could weaken him enough to work, but he was a master of defense, and he now fended off her and Katsumi with ease, blocking every shot they took at him.

Alexander did not repeat his mistake from the last war. He knew that for all his skill, Saber would probably wreck his chariot AGAIN as she had in the last war. This time, though, he deployed all his aces at once. He called upon his Noble Phantasm, Ionioi Hetairoi, which summoned up a horde of well armed and armored Macedonian cavalry with longspears, his faithful Companions, who had accompanied him to the very end of the world. Or India, anyway. He turned them loose to swarm down on her so she had to fight all of them AND him at the same time. And instead of relying on simply trampling her, he poured mana into his spear, the Thunderbolt of Zeus, his father, and it crackled with lightning. Even if you dodged it, the lightning would jump the gap to anything metal, such as Saber's sword, her armor, etc. The disadvantage was that he was burning mana like crazy.

Rei saw all this coming at Saber at once. Even with twin Excaliburs, it was too much. The Companions would hamper her motion, the spear would try to stun or injure her, and then she would be run over.

Katsumi tried to think of something she could create which would tip the balance. Without the gem Mai had, she couldn't create very much of things; it handled bulk but simple creation, she made the complex but smaller scale things.

And then it struck her as the bull-pulled chariot charged, throwing off lightning bolts and the Companions moved to encircle Saber and cut off her escape, there was something she could do. She swept down, grabbed Saber and hurled her at Dark Endymion, shouting to Sailor Star Mars, "BURN UP THE ICE AROUND ALEXANDER AND HIS COMPANIONS."

Mars shot at the ground with a "STAR FIRE SOUL", a bigger version of her normal Fire Soul attack, and Alexander was not used to attacks shooting the ground under him. Which was made of ice. Which quick boiled to steam. Which conducted electricity. Which caused the chariot as it moved to electrocute the Companions, eliminating them, though the Thunderbolt shielded Alexander himself from harm by his own lightning.

Saber and Dark Endymion alike were NOT ready for her to suddenly be airborne and they collided and fell to the ground with her kneeling over him, an Excalibur in each hand.

She dropped his Excalibur, pulled the rose from behind her ear and poured every drop of mana into it she could cram into it. Then she shoved it behind his ear and activated it. "BE FREE!" she shouted, pouring her will into it. "GOD, FREE THIS MAN WHO I RESPECT AND LOVE!"

He looked stunned and then pained and then he howled and darkness boiled out of him, and the shadow around him cleared. Then he seized her in his arms, along with plucking his Excalibur from the snow, and leaped up onto a convenient fifth story balcony as Dark Alexander tried to run them down and kill them.

"I...Saber...," he said, stunned. Then he hugged her tightly and they both laughed and cried at once.

"We must free him, Endymion," she said. "Alexander is a noble man, and though he desires to rule, he will not allow Master Pharoah Ninety to rule the world."

"I can help you," he said. "But I do not have the proper emotional tie to him to free him." He paused. "Saber..."

"Call me Arturia," she said. "Our contract is over. I am not your Servant and you are not my Master. But I love you and I wish to fight by your side."

"I..." he began.

"I know. Usagi," she said softly. "I understand the reluctance to move on, to let go. But she loves another now and she is one who will not turn back, having made a promise. There is a new future for you and for me and I want us to enter that future together. If you wish, I will woo you properly as a knight should, once this war is over."

He produced another rose and tucked it behind her ear. "I told her to go on without me and she has. I must take my own advice," he said softly. "I have always...Love takes time to grow."

"I know," she said. "We both have much to learn from each other. But I accept your rose and you have kept mine, so now we are lovers. And we will see what the future brings us."

"Saving Shiho is the first thing," he said, pointing. He passed her a second rose, tucking it into her collar.

Shiho was sitting up, rubbing her head, but now Alexander was charging at her full force, hurling lighting bolts with his Thunderbolt to keep Sailor Star Mars and Katsumi away from her. While he didn't have huge range or great accuracy, they were afraid to get too close to him.

Endymion hurled Saber at him and sprang down, saving Shiho and leaping skywards. She parried every lightning bolt with Excalibur as she descended towards him, then knocked him right out the back of his chariot, which took off at a wild clip. He tumbled on the ground and took the rose from her collar and tucked it behind his ear and focused on purging the dark energy.

Fortunately, she'd regained some mana from the rose tucked behind her ear which she now spent on purging Alexander, shouting, "THE GRAIL AND MASTER PHAROAH NINETY WANT THE WORLD FOR THEMSELVES INSTEAD OF YOU GETTING IT!"

"THIS WORLD IS MINE," Alexander shouted as the darkness boiled out of him. He touched the rose. "We are engaged, then! Together, we will defeat the Grail and rule this world!"

"Wait, I was just..."

He summoned back his chariot, leaped in with her by his side, then said, "First comes conquest, then comes marriage, and then we'll need an entire second chariot for the kids!"

This was NOT how she'd envisioned this going.

*************

Ever on the Daimons came, and among them came various Masters and Servants who had fallen in the first, second, and third Grail War. It was them who the Round Table and the Hime had to battle to give their allies a chance to deal with the Grail.

The Third Grail War had been especially bitter; fought in 1940 during World War II, the masters had quickly butchered each other through the streets of Fuyuki City and laid it waste; it was this war which had corrupted the Grail irrevocably. Heki Danjo Masatsugu, inventor of Heki-ryu archery style, had fought for the Matou clan's master Matou Gendo. Tohsaka Kasumi had summoned Samson as Berserker. Sir Marhaus, Irish knight of the Round Table, had been summoned as Lancer by Italian master Giorgio Massani. The German Edelfelt sisters had somehow summoned twin Sabers--one of them was the heroic legend of El Cid, the other his historical reality. Lady Helen Kestral of Britain had summoned Morgan le Fay as Caster. Much to his aggravation, Lacy Smith of the USA ended up with General Custer as Rider. Francois Benoit had been somewhat non-plussed to end up with François Ravaillac as Assassin. And unknown to anyone, the Einzbern had created a secret eighth class; by doing so they broke the Class structure, also opening the way for the current war. Chariot was a class designed by them to summon someone really ancient and powerful, given no one rides in chariots these days. Ramses II was Chariot. Victor at the battle of Meddigo, the battle of which we have a record, he was indeed quite strong. He was even worse when backed by an army of daimons. Much of the Round Table was fighting him and his armies.

Sir Tristam was fighting Sir Marhaus and mauling him; he'd killed Sir Marhaus when he was first starting out and now he was much stronger. Sir Bors and Sir Lancelot took on Saber-Red-El Cid and Saber-White-El Cid. Guenevere had an archery duel with Heki Danjo Masatsugu, while Arthur went after Morgan le Fay with Excalibur. Gawaine was facing off with Samson and Percival was chasing François Ravaillac around the battlefield.

Percival's pure heart noble phantasm repelled the sorceries of Assassin's master and Assassin couldn't get in close enough to use his dagger. Percival's spear could be used as a thrown weapon which returned, but its armor piercing abilities were not too much use against a man with no armor. So they chased each other around.

Sir Marhaus's strength was growing as night came on, but Sir Tristam was surpassing strong and very skilled and was giving more than he got.

Sir Gawaine wasn't doing so well as he got smacked around by the jawbone of an ass. His strength, unfortunately, dwindled as night came on. Then he realized what he needed to do. Of course!

He took a painful blow, grabbed some of Samson's hair, and cut it. Samson got weaker, so he grabbed more. Soon, Samson was mostly bald and knocked unconscious.

Bors and Lancelot waded through El Cid's Army of Reconquista Crusaders; they were not heretics or moslems, so it didn't work so well.

Arthur could parry Morgan's spells or resist them with Excalibur, and but the arrows whizzing around Guenevere rather worried him. "Gawaine, deal with the archer!"

Gawaine raced after Heki Danjo Masatsugu; he was starting to resemble a pin-cushion. This left Arthur free to block Morgan's magics with Excalibur, while Guenevere began riddling her with arrows; she dissolved away swiftly, cursing loudly. "And that is the end of her and the evils she did to us," Guenevere said angrily.

"Unless the Grail summons her again, which it possibly can," Sir Dinadan said. "I suppose it's time for us to go bail out Lancelot and Bors."

"You're relishing the chance to say that," Arthur said, smiling just a little.

"Oh yeah."

*****************

"I'M RICK JAMES, BITCH!" a deep woman's voice shouted, punching Older-Mikoto in the back of the head and sending her sprawling.

"You can't all be Rick James!" Older-Mai said, sounding frantic, as she laid down sprays of fire which burned up a mailbox with bulldog like legs and fangs in its mouth; a crisped daimon seed fell out of it.

"I'm really getting irritated by this," Older-Yuuichi said, slicing an acid spraying garden hose into segments with a shining white blade in his hand. He couldn't dodge the acid which spewed but it was repelled by Older-Shiho's flautings.

Older-Mikoto rolled to her feet confronting a weirdly feminine light-pole being that tried to make her confused by strobing its light at her. But she doggedly cut it up even as it said, "What did the hand say to the face?"

The Older-Hime were busy wiping out Daimons and dealing, like the Round Table, with past Masters and Servants. Rick James had been summoned from the future by House Einzbern in an experiment during the Second Grail War, hoping that time was a wheel and this would put him so far in the past he'd be virtually invincible. He wasn't invincible, but his Noble Phantasm 'Being Rick James' enabled him to infect creatures with his catchphrases and control them, making him an unusually versatile Berserker. He was currently hidden, though if he had to fight, he was quite potent. His summoning had broken the laws of time, making it easier to screw up history with the power of the Grail.

Rick James had a simple weakness as a servant. Several, in fact. They were, however, deficient in alcohol, half or more naked women, drugs, and couches.

This left them fighting endless tides of daimons; they could see their friends busy fighting knots of daimons as well, but they, at least, were Rick James free.

Shiho finally got a break and called Older-Yukino, who ran a scan. Rick James liked publicity and thus was, in fact, more vulnerable to scanning.

"You need a couch, alcohol, half or more naked women, or drugs to lure him out," Older-Yukino told them.

"Take your shirt off, Mai," Older-Shiho said.

"..."

Older-Shiho now half-flashed everything. She still had a bra on.

This drew Rick James out into the open; he jumped for her chest and got punched in the face by Older-Yuuichi; now everyone opened up on him.

"STAY AWAY FROM MY SHIHO!" he shouted.

"Nice right hook, Yuuichi!" Older-Mikoto said cheerfully. She then began stabbing Rick James and Older-Mikoto did likewise, while Older-Shiho disoriented him with her flute and Older-Mai poured on the fire.

He soon became a rising pillar of sparkles, his last words, "Cocaine is a terrible thing."

Jonen C · Feb 1st 2010, 7:11am

No, Sailor Speargun!

Alexander the Great is Crazy Awesome.

"Elegant Lesbian"?

Akbar, dolt... Also, is Plutos new look a Narnia reference?

Endymion perches overhead. He's good at that.

Alexander the Great is Crazy Awesome.

Quote:

Endymion hurled Saber at him and sprang down, saving Shiho and leaping skywards. She parried every lightning bolt with Excalibur as she descended towards him, then knocked him right out the back of his chariot, which took off at a wild clip. He tumbled on the ground and took the rose from her collar and tucked it behind his ear and focused on purging the dark energy.

Who took the rose our from behind her collar?

Alexander the Great is Crazy Awesome.

The Round Table is loving this.

Rick James? Win.

Also, am I wrong in foreseeing that older-Shiho will be receiving a glare from Shiho in the immediate future?

Lawnmower · Feb 1st 2010, 11:14am

Wonderful.

Sir Marhaus's strength was growing as night came on, but Sir Tristam was surpassing strong and very skilled and was giving more than he got.

surpassingly perhaps?

"I'm really getting irritated by this," Older-Yuuichi said, slicing an acid spraying garden hose into segments with a shining white blade in his hand. He couldn't dodge the acid which spewed but it was repelled by Older-Shiho's flautings.

Flutings perhaps?

Cocaine is a terrible thing. (I hate cocaine a great deal.)

Doctor Who had a granddaughter named Susan. She seems to have become Setsuna Meioh on her first regeneration in this story. (Death's Granddaughter in the Discworld books is also a Susan, but he TALKS LIKE THIS.) I think Susan in the Narnia books did have a bow and a horn.

JohnWBiles · Feb 1st 2010, 11:47am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonen C

No, Sailor Speargun!

Never fight someone with a weapon they made for you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonen C

Alexander the Great is Crazy Awesome.

"Elegant Lesbian"?

Elegant Lesbian is a Noble Phantasm which allows a magical seducing attack by Lancer (Shizuru). It does not work on Lancelot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonen C

Akbar, dolt... Also, is Plutos new look a Narnia reference?

Yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonen C

Endymion perches overhead. He's good at that.

Perching is his rest state.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonen C

Alexander the Great is Crazy Awesome.

Yes, he is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonen C

Who took the rose our from behind her collar?

Aaargh, Saber took it and used it on Alexander.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonen C

Alexander the Great is Crazy Awesome.

The Round Table is loving this.

Especially Dinadan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonen C

Rick James? Win.

Also, am I wrong in foreseeing that older-Shiho will be receiving a glare from Shiho in the immediate future?

Shiho will not be happy that Older-Shiho has everything she wants

JohnWBiles · Feb 1st 2010, 11:50am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawnmower

Wonderful.

Sir Marhaus's strength was growing as night came on, but Sir Tristam was surpassing strong and very skilled and was giving more than he got.

surpassingly perhaps?

That works.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawnmower

"I'm really getting irritated by this," Older-Yuuichi said, slicing an acid spraying garden hose into segments with a shining white blade in his hand. He couldn't dodge the acid which spewed but it was repelled by Older-Shiho's flautings.

Flutings perhaps?

Yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawnmower

Cocaine is a terrible thing. (I hate cocaine a great deal.)

Doctor Who had a granddaughter named Susan. She seems to have become Setsuna Meioh on her first regeneration in this story. (Death's Granddaughter in the Discworld books is also a Susan, but he TALKS LIKE THIS.) I think Susan in the Narnia books did have a bow and a horn.

Yep, she's regenerating into people named Susan or variants thereunto.

Jonen C · Feb 1st 2010, 8:13pm

It deserves to be said again:, he opines

Alexander the Great is Crazy Awesome.

JohnWBiles · Feb 1st 2010, 9:54pm

*************

Nephrite struggled desperately as Kaolinite's powers rushed into him, trying to turn him into a pig. All he could do was defend desperately, but being the sort of charming, handsome man Kaolinite most liked to sucker, he was rather vulnerable and was starting to get pig ears, a pig nose, and a pig tail.

Naru wanted to help him, but Professor Tomoe had her on the run, chasing her around and hurling bolts of darkness at her. She managed to squeeze off a few shots, but he was a much more experienced magician, even though she had more power.

Tomoe Keiko, on the other hand, was tangled up in Sailor Star Venus' Love-Me-Chain and Sailor Star Venus was using her as a mace-and-chain to smack passing daimons with. She couldn't focus to cast and was, in fact, UTTERLY helpless.

Dark Ninja was back to being Akira instead of being Beryl; the destruction of the Magnificent Beryl and Dark Ninja's reprocessing by the Grail had made her a cold, silent killer. She was trying to impale Nao with thrown knives while Nao tried to grapple her. Nao was bleeding because she'd suckerpunched Dark Shingo, knocked him out with one gem-enhanced punch, then gotten stabbed in the back by Dark Ninja. The gem, however, had warned her so the fatal blow became merely a wound. Further, her prophetic abilities with the gem enabled her to predict and counter Ninja 's moves and to pierce Ninja 's stealth, thanks to being second in Stealth, just behind Ninja. Now that she was ready for it. The result was that she was steadily gaining ground on Ninja, while Julia and Gennai fought as well. That fight wasn't going as well; Julia needed to get close to grapple, but Gennai was mobile and his mace and chain kept her at a distance.

Princess Blue Mercury empowered her Princess Ice Mist with the Blue Gem; Miyu tried to consume the mist to find her with the Orange Gem of Wrath, but Mercury's brain was very potent and Miyu was designed for making people into kibble, not psychic combat. Further, mist attacks were Mercury's signature move and burning up mist with Gems of Power was...not Miyu's. Her normal sensors were unable to defeat Mercury's specialty, for she was only an artificial servant, though in many respects an exceptionally powerful one.

"Miyu, return to your original programming," Princess Blue Mercury commanded, moving about frequently to avoid being found. "Small Lady Blue needs you. She loves you, you know."

"I love her," Miyu said. "This is why I must destroy you, who kidnapped her."

Princess Blue Mercury had an idea but it was a huge gamble, so she would have to think about it just a touch more.

Dark Neptune was not having a good battle. Sailor Star Jupiter was one power-up ahead of her and was basically on her face and in her case, beating her in the head, chest and shoulders with a series of lighting punches. As in, punches that detonate with lightning. She tried to keep her distance, but Jupiter was as fast as her and could fly and could throw distance blasts too.

Now, Dark Uranus could have beaten Sailor Star Jupiter down with her Star Sword enhanced by the Indigo Gem of Destruction and Preservation. Trying to punch someone with a sword that can cut a tank in half would be...dangerous.

However, she faced a flying giant tiger that shoots tornados that cause explosive decompression out of its mouth and a melee oriented fast servant, Waitress, who was armed with magical tonfas strong enough to parry the Star Sword (for a while, anyway), and which could fire blasts of wind. She had huge attack power but wasn't so good at defense and now they were battering her around, though the sword could destroy much of it before it hit her.

Dark Ninja burned mana like crazy, activating her Noble Phantasm, One Ninja is Serious Business. "I lost the man I love and now you will die alone!" she shouted, and unleashed too much speed for Nao to keep up with, pinning Nao's shadow with the Shadowknife, then going to town on her, running through mana at high speed. "You took Takumi from me! And now I lost Shingo too! AND NOW YOU WILL PAY!" Nao was starting to bleed a lot and the she foresaw what would come.

Umino was watching from inside Avalon where they had left him. No one could break into Avalon while it was inside the heart but they could step out of it and he was now out of it and running across the ice. Ninja wouldn't notice him, focused on her, but when he pulled the knife to free her, she'd be on him and at this speed turn him to hamburger before Nao could stop Dark Ninja.

She studied every pathway as fast as she could, trying to see some way to reduce or stave off doom. Even if she sacrificed herself, he would die anyway. She couldn't stop Dark Ninja in time. She wasn't fast enough. Not even with the Gem.

Even if she told him to stop, he wouldn't. He was determined to protect her and couldn't sit back and watch and he was COMPLETELY CANNONFODDER here.

She'd always tried to be the lone wolf, not trusting anyone. But she couldn't do this alone. But even her new team was too busy being overrun and fighting people to help her. Not without getting slaughtered themselves.

She couldn't save her family. Couldn't save her mother. Couldn't even avenge herself. She couldn't do anything and he was going to die and then she was going to die alone.

This was worse than having Shizuru about to kill her; at least then she was going to die for her own stupid actions. But she'd tried to keep him safe, joined this team, did everything she could.

But it wasn't enough. Her own strength wasn't enough but no one was...

"Are you crazy?" Sailor Star Venus shouted and sprang down, seizing Umino and leaping away, then nailing the Shadowknife with a Love-Me chain and flipping it up into the air. "Oh god, you look terrible, Juliet. Let me handle her!"

But without a melee weapon, she couldn't actually keep Dark Ninja away from Nao; Dark Ninja recovered her shadowknife and started trying to nail Umino with knives. "I lost my boyfriend and now you will lose yours and you'll understand how I feel!"

Hurt, Nao couldn't keep up with her enhanced speed. "My entire family died while I could do nothing, except for Mom! I ALREADY KNOW!" She felt an involuntary pang of sympathy and her gem flickered with light.

Mistress Nine faced off with Sailor Star Moon, hurling bolts of destruction which Sailor Star Moon parried with bolts of light from the Crescent Moon Wand.

"Please, Hotaru, let's not fight," Yukino said, hovering nearby and trying to help coordinate the fight and watch out for trouble elsewhere. "I want to be your friend!"

"No one loves me but my parents! We did terrible things to come back together and no one can ever forgive us!" Mistress Nine shouted, pouring more mana into her attacks, but Sailor Star Moon poured in more power back.

Dark Ninja traded shots with Sailor Star Venus, then pinned her shadow with the Shadowknife and prepared to shell her with blades, though Sailor Star Venus turned to shield Umino with her body. "Juliet! You've got to go, you're hurt!" he shouted.

Nao felt like her heart was going to explode. "If you stick around you're going to die!" Not that he had much ability to leave. "I can't stand to lose anyone else who loves me! I already lost all my siblings and my father and they died in front of me and I was too weak to do anything!" And now she was too weak again, stumbling and bleeding as her Julia was chased by Gennai. She could see many futures and didn't like any of them. Yet, she hadn't foreseen Venus' arrival. What am I doing wrong?

"I will protect your love with my life!" Sailor Star Venus said. "For I am the Senshi of LOVE!"

She's totally bugfuck insane, Nao thought. What is it with all these people able to die for someone they just met? She'd rather die than see Umino die in front of her trying to save her. Even if she couldn't see a way to save him.

"And I take care of my friends!" Venus shouted.

Friend. Nao hadn't had a real friend in so long. Not until Umino...except...Natsuki. Natsuki had saved her life and now Natsuki was dead and it pissed Nao off. The most decent person to her in years and now Umino was going to die and...

Sailor Star Venus was bleeding, trying to move around and shield Umino and counter-fire was too much and Dark Ninja seemed to have INFINITE amounts of mana to burn and was just moving like crazy. Her rage, unknown to Nao, was enabling her to pull dark mana from the air and keep fueling her speed. And Nao couldn't even get to the knife to free her without being finished herself.

"I...I did terrible things, but Mai forgave me." Yukino could remember everything from her war now. "She gave us a second chance. Please, it's never too late. I tried...I tried to betray Mai and she forgave me. Please." She was crying. And scanning Mistress Nine, trying to find some way she could leverage her own abilities to help.

Then she discovered something. "Sailor Star Moon, Hotaru is supposed to be Sailor Saturn! She's a Senshi like you!"

Sailor Star Moon stopped blasting and said, "You're one of us, Hotaru." She held out her hand. "You don't have to be Mistress Nine. You can be Sailor Saturn and fight for justice with us. We want to be your friends, like Yukino is. You're not meant to serve the Grail. You're meant to be one of us, as you were in the Silver Millenium."

Mistress Nine hesitated.

Nao's tears were soaking onto her glove, which flickered brighter. It was too much, the scabs on her heart were tearing. Does everyone who wants to be my friend die? Why does everyone who cares about me have to get killed?

"I can heal you," Sailor Star Moon said. "Wouldn't you rather be free?"

Umino was bleeding. HE WAS BLEEDING. Dark Ninja was SPEEDING UP and in every future Nao could see he died, but she still couldn't see Sailor Star Venus and WHY? What was blocking her sight? The scars on Nao's heart were clenched in agony, falling off to leave her raw and vulnerable. And she hated that.

"Don't cry, Juliet," Umino said. "It's going to be okay, don't worry," he said urgently, as if her crying was more important than HIM BLEEDING TO DEATH. "It hurts to see you cry."

"I want you to fight with me, my friend," Yukino said urgently to her.

Ribbons of white light flickered around Mistress Nine, thought the darkness kept snuffing it out.

Nao could see her father dying, seeing him take a knife throw meant for her. FOR HER. Just like Venus and Umino. Just like Natsuki stepping between her and Shizuru and then she'd died too. Everyone who tried to protect her died and that was why she couldn't rely on others...IT WOULD KILL THEM.

Mistress Nine took a step towards Sailor Star Moon.

Then John Wilkes Booth, the Assassin of the Fourth Grail War, having snuck up using his Mask of the Celebrity (which caused people to accept his presence as rightful due to his status as a famous actor, so even Yukino had failed to actually pay attention to him), shot Sailor Star Moon in the back with his pistol, Sic Semper Tyrannis, which like Brutus' longknife, had especial force against leaders—presidents, nobles, kings, etc. His master, Kotomine Kirei, now set Yukino on fire and Booth turned and shot her as well; she was not a noble, but his weapon still did very good damage and her damage resistance was weak.

"You shot Yukino," Mistress Nine whispered, stunned, as Usagi and Yukino fell down.

Was the whole team going to die because of me, Nao thought, agonized. Her blood was in her eyes and she couldn't wipe them clean and knives were flying and Julia begged for help and it was too much. Nao fell to her knees, crying, helpless, desperate.

"USAGI!" Akane screamed and turned and charged towards John Wilkes Booth. This freed Dark Uranus to charge Sailor Star Jupiter and now their combined attacks had Sailor Star Jupiter running for cover.

"She is an enemy of the freedom of the Grail! Once the Grail rules, THE SOUTH WILL RISE AGAIN!" John Wilkes Booth said. He levelled his gun to shoot Usagi again.

"Promise me you won't hurt my friends and I won't fight you," Usagi said. "I would rather die for them than let them die for me again."

She was crazy, Nao thought. How can all these people be so willing to sacrifice themselves?

He hesitated. "Your family trod the solar system under their feet for a thousand years. The South can never return to freedom and glory if you rule the Earth in the future!"

"A Queen's word is her bond," Usagi said, trying to stand up and failing as she bled. "I swear that if you promise not to hurt my friends, I won't resist you killing me. For my friends, I can do anything. Even die."

Could friendship, love really be so strong? Nao had believed that in her youth, but she'd lost her faith in it. And yet all of them...they would risk themselves, even die for her. Because of the strength of their friendship. She felt a huge clenching envy in her heart. No one was her friend like that. Light and dark warred in the heart of her gem.

But that wasn't true. Umino loved her with a desperate, crazy love, even though she'd used him. Venus was willing to die to protect them. For love and friendship, Nao thought. And the light grew.

"No, Sailor Moon!" Sailor Star Venus shouted. But she was trapped and couldn't help.

There was no choice but radical measures, Blue Mercury thought. She used her link through the gem to Avalon and pulled forth Small Lady Blue. "You have to help me heal Miyu."

"It's my fault she's been corrupted. Of course," Small Lady Blue said. They joined their powers and sucked the mist into a small sphere of water and empowered it with the power of the Blue Gem of Love. Then they hurled it at Miyu as she began to charge.

"Miyu, let me help you!" Small Lady Blue shouted.

Her love for Alyssa warred with the Grail's power just enough for Miyu to hesitate. And then the power of the gem surged through her, purging the darkness.

"Yukino," Mistress Nine said, vibrating in pain and indecision, light and dark warring desperately inside her.

"I won't let you kill her!" Yukino shouted, tackling John Wilkes' Booth in a ferocious burst of strength, and now both of them were burning.

Yukino...even Yukino, that little coward but she's willing to risk death for her friends, Nao thought. It made her strong. She can't fight worth shit, but she faced down the Dark Messiah and...and... The light began to blaze in Nao's gem.

Kotomine Kirei raised his hands to cast a spell to augment the flames. Then Gae Bolg pierced his heart and he fell, bleeding profusely. Then he got shot with two more Gae Bolgs.

"The traitor to our cause has been slain!" the Dark Red Counter-Guardian announced smugly, with Dark Eudial by his side.

Technically, he wasn't a traitor, but since the Red Counter-Guardian wanted to kill Kotomine Kirei, wanted it A LOT, it had been easy for his buried light side to fuzz his dark side enough to make that mistake.

Then John Wilkes Booth shot Yukino a second time and tossed her aside, then rolled around in the snow.

"I'm sorry, Hotaru, I guess this is the end," Yukino said. A few flecks of light started to rise from her.

No, not more death in front of me. Nao couldn't stand to see another friend die. A friend. Even if she avenged her...vengeance was not enough. She'd learned that much trying to kill Takumi...

Takumi...

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Mistress Nine screamed to the heavens, and then light erupted out of her in a huge whirlwind, even as Akane now hit John Wilkes' Booth with everything she had, battering and bashing him with winds and with her tonfas when she got close enough.

More of Yukino was dissolving away. "Maybe next time I am summoned we can do more together, Hotaru," she mumbled. "I'm sorry I failed you."

"Akira, I'm sorry! Takumi would have been fine if not for me! You're right! Just kill me! Just don't hurt them. I don't care if I die, just please, I beg you, show mercy. Takumi was a gentle boy and I'm terrible and please don't hurt Gurio-kun!" The light of her gem blazed brightly and now she could see what was to come.

"No, Nao, don't do it!" Sailor Star Venus said instinctively.

Unfortunately for Akane, she now came under attack by the Dark Red Counter-Guardian, who drove her back with his twin white and black blades, while Eudial began shooting Gae Bolgs at Harry, who had to dodge desperately.

The darkness burned out of Miyu and the orange light in her weapon switched polarities from Wrath to Peacefulness and she ran over to Small Lady Blue, took her in her arms and embraced her.

Assassin turned and seized the Shadowknife and hurled it right into Nao's heart, pinning her down to the ground as she fell.

"NO, JULIET!!!!!" Umino shouted, the power within him now surging chaotically.

"No, JULIET!" Sailor Star Venus shouted, then began angrily gathering power.

"Don't hurt her, I deserve this," Nao choked out, only able to function because she was supernatural. "There's your revenge, Akira, does it taste good?" she whispered.

Sailor Star Saturn emerged from the whirlwind and caught every mote of Yukino, sweeping them about with ribbons of white from her glaive, causing them to reform into into Yukino, but now Yukino was dressed as a Star Senshi, Sailor Star Titan, drawing power from Sailor Star Saturn, their lives tied together.

Sailor Star Saturn laid her hands on Sailor Star Moon. "My Queen, I can preserve your life, but I cannot defeat the effects of Booth's weapon. We need to use Avalon to heal you, and it cannot be called without Shirou and Sakura and Mai."

Sailor Star Moon said, "It's okay. Better I die this time, instead of my friends, right?"

Nao completely agreed with that. She didn't want to see everyone she loved die any more.

"No, you have to live! I don't want to lose you!" Akane shouted, desperately trying to keep herself alive but definitely losing her fight with the Red Counter-Guardian.

"Akane!" Sailor Star Moon shouted, realizing...if she died, Akane was doomed to dissolve away. Her friends could live without her, but she was what kept Akane alive.

Umino's power surged wildly and he screamed at the universe, HELP US! PLEASE! "PLEASE SAVE JULIET, I'LL DO ANYTHING!" he shouted at the universe.

"It tastes like ashes," Dark Ninja whispered, now crying. "He's still dead and I still have nothing."

"You did notice the Grail brought Shingo back to life, right?" Nao whispered. So close to the end, but if she died...she couldn't let herself go. She had to live or he would surely kill himself trying to save her. She couldn't just let go. "Sailor Moon can heal him and you and you can be together, it's what you really want, right?"

"The Grail...it's so strong..."

"FUCK THE GRAIL," Nao said hotly. She bled more, clinging to life only by her gem's power. "Don't let anyone tell you what to do," she said. "But don't try to go it totally alone either."

"Yukino, get them. We will need Avalon to defeat Master Pharoah Ninety," Sailor Star Moon said to Yukino, then rose and stumbled over to Nao with Star Saturn following her and sustaining her life.

"Yes, my Queen," Yukino said and sent out Diana's probes to find the people they needed.

"You have to save Akane, you idiot!" Nao said to Sailor Star Moon. "Just let me die..."

"DO NOT LET HER DIE!" Umino said, still bleeding as Venus now landed and came rushing over.

Sailor Star Moon could see the huge whirling vortex above was getting bigger. All this chaos was strengthening Master Pharoah Ninety. Every dead foe, every fallen ally, all this chaos made him more powerful.

"I can't," Sailor Star Moon said, crying. "I'm too hurt to save her."

Who could stop a man with so many weapons? One person, Nao knew. Her friend. The friend who had saved her. But could she...it might be too much when she was barely holding on.

Dark Ninja was crying and had run over to the knocked out Dark Shingo and was holding him.

Umino took Juliet's glove hand. "Don't die."

Venus took it was well and it blazed light. "LIVE," she said, sharing her strength, even though she was bleeding from several cuts.

Sailor Star Moon placed her hand on it and the light almost became blinding. "You're a good friend," she said firmly.

Miyu now engaged Dark Sailor Uranus, Peace against Destruction. Her weapon now paralyzed instead of slaying and her skill at swordsmanship and her strength exceded that of Dark Uranus. The gem made Uranus' blows much stronger but Miyu's gem neutralized the advantage. Mercury and Jupiter were busy chasing down Dark Neptune.

"You three are really stubborn," Nao croaked. "But so am I." She reached out with the gem, hoping she could do something, feeling for the tie between her and Natsuki, the friendship and justice Natsuki had shown her instead of vengeance.

"NATSUKI! I CALL YOU TO THE WAR OF THE GRAIL! ONLY YOU CAN SAVE AKANE!" Nao's gem now blazed like the sun itself.

Natsuki appeared, riding on Mega-Dhuran. "LOAD BURNING ALUMINUM FURY CARTRIDGE! FIRE!"

The Red Counter-Guardian was not easily slain but the shot hit like a ton of bricks, knocking him out.

Dark Eudial said, "THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL! SHOOT ME!"

"LOAD SILVER CARTRIDGE!"

They were soon ready for purification.

Nao reached out, drawing strength from her friends and was reborn, her clothing exploding out into ribbons and then reforming itself into a dark green and red Senshi uniform, though her elegant glove was clawed and had the Green Gem set in it, and she had her favorite beret on her head. Her wounds were gone and she was flush with mana. Deep in space, tumbling rocks suddenly began to clump together, a broken world reforming itself.

"Welcome, Sailor Star Chronos," Sailor Star Saturn said solemnly.

"There's a planet named Chronos?" Sailor Star Venus asked.

"There is now," Sailor Star Chronos said, then gestured with red ribbons, drawing the injured Akane over and sharing mana with her so she could heal herself. "I just gave Astronomers around the world a coronary."

Once things were normal enough for telescopes to see anything but clouds and snow, anyway.

Sailor Star Moon kissed Akane deeply. "I'm sorry," she said. "I just couldn't stand to lose my friends again." She stared at the ground.

Nao kissed Umino very deeply. "I'm going to ride you forever later," she told him.

He laughed. "Mount me any time my love."

Sailor Star Venus' eyes crossed.

"I know," Akane said softly. "I'm glad you're okay." Gently, she ruffled Usagi's hair.

They soon took out their remaining foes and Sailor Star Moon purified them. Eudial and Red Counter-Guardian woke up. "Your mom is not going to sleep with me if you die, so DO NOT DIE," he said to Usagi.

"HEY! What about me!" Eudial said angrily.

"Look, we can get her husband to double-team you with me, so you can see what a double-guy threesome is like," he said to her. "That's fair, right?"

"Is he hot?"

Sailor Star Moon tried to speak but no words would come out AT ALL.

"If you like geeky guys, he's hot, if not, not," Venus said.

"So he is hot, if not as hot as my little Gurio-kun," Nao said, kissing him. Then she said to Natsuki, "Thanks for the save. AGAIN. I owe you big."

"I'm sure we can figure out something. Also, I was about to lose half a million yen to Gilgamesh, though I think he was cheating," Natsuki said.

"Hmm, that might be good, then," Eudial said thoughtfully.

Sailor Star Moon's eyes crossed and steam slowly wafted out of her ears.

"Hey, what happened to Naru and Nephrite?" Sailor Star Venus asked.

There was no sign of either of them or Professor Tomoe or Kaolinite. This wasn't good AT ALL.

Sailor Star Moon rose, wobbling. "Let's find Naru-chan."

"You're in no shape to travel," Sailor Star Jupiter said.

"Doesn't matter. Have to find her," Sailor Star Moon said, leaning on Akane. "We find her and we find her now."

Sailor Star Chronos said, "This way." She could see the path more clearly now that she could believe in more of the possibilities.

*************

Alexander roared around the battlefield, slaughtering daimons with his chariot while Saber took out anything that got too close. She'd decided she could argue marriage with him lader. Katsumi, Rei, Endymion, and Shiho were chasing them, trying to keep up and providing support fire.

Then, out of the chaos, Dark Berserker suddenly leaped into the chariot, knocked Alexander and Saber out of it with a surprise sweep of her sword, and took off towards a knot of round table knights.

Katsumi swept down, grabbed Saber and threw her into the chariot and now a close quarters battle ensued of sword against sword with both parties standing on the rim of a chariot constantly spitting lightning in all directions.

In the cramped quarters, the more nimble Dark Berserker had the advantage, but now Mai and Taiga-sensei finally found Dark Berserker again. "BREAK THE NECKLACE!" Mai shouted to Saber.

She took a nasty wound in the side, but her blow shattered the necklace. Dark Berserker stopped berserking, having lost the source of her 'fire'. She was, however, still controlled by the Grail and Master Pharoah Ninety, which had filled her with Darkness.

So Mai dove down and interposed herself, nearly getting hit, but Dark Berserker gave a cry and the light burned out the darkness and she collapsed into Mai's arms.

"MY CHARIOT!" Alexander shouted as the bulls started down a slope, picking up speed.

Mai pulled Berserker out and now Katsumi shuttled Alexander back and he took control and wheeled it around and they went to find their friends.

****************

Archer filled Dark Fumi with arrows and she evaporated, thanking them for setting her free and now Suguira-sensei wearily landed, joining Shirou and company. Usagi's brigade soon rolled in and so did Saber's.

The battle still raged around them, but the Round Table and the Older Hime brigade had laid waste to the hordes and scattered the competitors from earlier Fuyuki City Grail Wars like chaff. They were battered and beat up and didn't want to do that again, but they were winning.

Shirou had regained consciousness, though he looked weak. They couldn't find Naru anywhere, which made them very nervous. Nao was trying to read the future.

"It will take Avalon to defeat Master Pharoah Ninety," Sailor Star Moon said. "Assuming we can survive summoning it." She looked uncertain.

"If we pool our strength, we'll be fine," Saber said. "With the battle going out way, this shouldn't be too hard."

There was a huge surge of darkness and Naru appeared, crackling with darkness. She had Dark Tomoe and Dark Kaolinite with her. In fact, every single Master and Servant they'd slain was now brought back to life by the Dark Grail's vast store of energy it was absorbing from all over the world.

"We can't fight all them AGAIN," Eudial groaned.

"We can't win by fighting head on," Shirou said softly. "He'll just keep raising the dead. We have to eliminate him. Which means we have to impose Avalon, his antithesis, on him. He is the dark future of the Earth trying to be born, so we must stand for the light."

"I'm not very light," Sakura said softly, holding his hand.

And people call ME skanky, Nao thought, looking at her. Though Umino would love that outfit...

Mai hoped she could find enough peace in her heart. That she wouldn't just screw it up. Berserker held her hand firmly. "You can do it, Mai. I want to live in your dream."

"We are your dream," Older-Mai said to her, startling her. "You can do it. We already did."

"Remember the good times and the good times to come," Older-Shiho said to her.

"You have a really big heart," Older-Yuuichiro said.

"I believe in you, Mai," Older-Mikoto said firmly.

I wonder if she likes older men, Older-Reito thought.

She could do it. She WOULD do it.

"Naru-chan!" Sailor Star Moon shouted. "I'm coming!"

"Come back here!" Sailor Star Venus said.

Sailor Star Saturn said, "Link to everyone, Titan. Bind us together as one."

Titan began sending out her spores to bind them together, while Sailor Star Saturn flew up to her father and embraced him before he could speak. "I love you, Daddy."

"You left me behind! You could have made me a senshi, but you never even TOLD ME THE TRUTH," Dark Naru accused Usagi angrily. "Why do you get to be a princess and I had to watch my prince die?"

Sailor Star Moon pointed down to Endymion and Saber talking quietly, then said, "You're totally right. I was wrong, I hurt you, I hurt you so much and you have every right to hate me."

Dark Naru began to cry. "How am I supposed to be mad at you if you confess?"

"Do whatever you have to," Sailor Star Moon said. "Punish me. I deserve it."

"No...no..." Dark Naru began to cry tears of light. Her light was always stronger than her darkness. It had long made her monster chow but it also let her bounce back from all her disasters. "I don't want to punish you," she whispered. "No...don't make her hurt her." She began to howl.

Sailor Star Moon took her hands and said, "You know, the Sun could use a Senshi of its own. I can make you one of us right now."

Hordes of Daimons were closing in as the Senshi opened fire and others move to protect everyone. Dark Professor Tomoe howled as Saturn burned the darkness out of him; her love was strong but rough.

Dark Naru squeezed and Sailor Star Moon said, "Mother, Serenity, AID ME!"

Taiga-sensei's Shiny Magic Rock flared and then so did the Seven Rainbow Crystals. Each bearer held theirs up and seven ribbons formed, converging on Sailor Star Moon who vanished into a cloud of ribbons swirling around them, and when the ribbons cleared, Princess Star Sol and Princess Star Serenity floated in the air. They landed by Shirou, Mai, Sakura, and Taiga-sensei. Everyone not to be involved in evoking Avalon formed a defensive perimeter against the renewed onslaught of Masters and Servants. King Arthur, Saber, Alexander, Older-Mai, and Endymion took command of the outer defense.

"KAGATSUCHI!" Mai evoked him and then channeled her gem through him and FIRE consumed everything, activating the Egg of the Phoenix.

Sakura and Shirou kissed, combining their power and summoning forth the Avalon within their hearts, the dream of a better life that had always sustained them in the darkest hour.

And Princess Sol and Princess Serenity and Taiga-sensei flooded the power of their love and the power of the Shiny Magic Rock and of the Seven Crystals into the dream of Avalon inside their hearts and the powers combined and they began the ritual chant.

Shirou: I am the home that offers refuge to weary souls.
Sakura: I am the will that no suffering could break.
Usagi: I am the love that never dies.
Mai: I am the fire that consumes and creates.

Light exploded out of the four of them, shifting, twisting, intertwining, becoming a sphere of light and on its surface, a map of the earth in all the colors of the rainbow.

Miyu: Strength is not enough.
Nao: Vengeance is not enough.
Yumeni: Creation is not enough.
Mercury: Desire is not enough.
Haruka: Duty is not enough.
Lancer: Devotion is not enough.

The light fanned out across the city, growing as large as the portal and as the darkness surged through it, the light pushed back.

Shirou: Not enough to create that safe haven.
Sakura: Not enough to overcome suffering.
Usagi: Not enough to overcome loneliness.
Mai, Shiho: Not enough to restrain the fires within you.
Naru, Saturn, Nao: Not enough to overcome death.
Small Lady Blue: Not enough to save your family.
Arthur, Endymion, Saber: Not enough to save your kingdom.
Rei: Not enough to stand alone against the tide.

Light streamed through the portal and darkness streamed out, but the light embraced the darkness and drew it within and accepted it, for the light was not perfect and the darkness was not evil unless you made it so.

Miyu: Those who want peace must prepare for war.
Nao: Let he who hunts monsters beware; when you gaze into the Abyss, it also gazes into you.
Yumeni: Excessive humility becomes a form of excessive pride.
Mercury: Let desire be a beast you ride to where you wish to go or else it will become your master
Haruka: Even a surgeon...especially a surgeon...must sometimes use the knife to preserve life.
Shizuru: All work and no play means no energy when it is most important.

Avalon consumed Master Pharoah Ninety as those within overcame their own darkness. Energy rushed out across the world as Avalon grew larger and larger, preparing for the Great Work.

Taiga-sensei: Though the far shores beckon to adventure
Rin: Every sailor needs a home to return to.
Archer: Every traveller needs a family to return to.
Yukino: It is the place we all desire most when it is furthest away, but it comforts us even then.
Mamoru: It is the memory of past glory.
Saber: It is the memory of the safe haven of youth.
Sakura: It is the family you create for yourself.
Shirou: It is the place where heroes are made
Usagi: It is the place where you can truly be yourself.
Mai: It is the place you can forget about war and hope for healing.
Katsumi: It is the dream which cries out to be born through your hands.
Rei: It is the kingdom of glory yet to come.

Avalon reached out to touch every soul and prepare it for the new age to come, drew on the hopes and dreams of all those caught within the storm. Streamers of it ran backwards and forwards in time, healing the breaks in history and reconciling errors and contradictions.

Shirou, Sakura: I will be that safe haven, my love.
Sakura, Shirou: You will take away my pains and I will take away yours.
Usagi, Akane: Our love will bind us together whether we are close or apart.
Mai, Mikoto: One hand to create, the other to protect
Miyu: This future
Nao: This family
Yumeni: This vision
Mercury: This friendship
Haruka: This warrior band
Lancer: This place where we find our rest

Mai, Sakura: avalon

There was darkness.

Shirou, Usagi: Avalon

There was light.

Sakura, Shirou: AVALON!

And the two twined about each other like lovers.

Everyone: AVALON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And the two became one.

The last of Master Pharoah Ninety boiled away; he would not perish forever; in every age he takes a new form and challenges mankind to justify its existence, to save their world from themselves. He tears down the old that the new might be born, forces everyone to grow or die.

He had done his work and now he faded away as a new world began, a new hope to replace old failures. So begins every age since the world began, with the death of the old and the beginning of a new age and so it began for the Age of Wood on Earth.

So it began for Avalon.

******************

The One Char · Feb 1st 2010, 11:58pm

So does the future of Angel Notes still exist?

JohnWBiles · Feb 2nd 2010, 12:35pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by The One Char

So does the future of Angel Notes still exist?

Given I'm not familiar with it and the summary makes it look pretty stupid to me, that future is non-extant.

JohnWBiles · Feb 3rd 2010, 1:45pm

In the Land of the Rising Sun, in the southwestern region of the land, there is a very large lake, the Lake of Mysteries, a lake shrouded in fog. It is said that if you enter that fog, if your need is great and your heart is strong, you will find the Hidden Island, ruled by the King and Queen of Avalon, and there you will find help and comfort and new strength and return ready to face and overcome everything, possibly with some of the Knights of Avalon by your side.

Avalon reigns over this new world, this new age, but does not rule. They made this world, but it is up to ordinary men and women to govern it and shape and reshape it to reach their dreams.

But sometimes the strength of an individual soul is not enough, and then it is that they may find this place and find help and comfort.

But also, possibly, embarrassment.

"You really should wear court clothing at court," Taiga-sensei, the Royal Tutor to the King and Queens of Avalon, said. She wore a jaunty hat to go with her tiger-striped bikini and lightsabre and Shiny Magic Rock.

"You'd look great, sister," Sakura said, seated on the left in her throne with Shirou to her right, wearing essentially much more ornate, higher quality versions of the not very much clothing they'd worn into the Last Battle.

"You would," Shirou said. He still wasn't used to this actually, but he did enjoy the view.

"I totally agree," Shizuru said, though she wore an ornate kimono.

Natsuki (now bonded to Sakura to be sustained by her power) was wearing a racing outfit and said, "Don't let these maniacs talk you into it."

"I do not want to run around in my underwear!" Rin protested. She was quite sure she looked better in her suit-dress.

Archer was wearing a blue beret, a blue wrap-around top and blue jeans, with a silver hairpiece with four of Rin's jewels attached for emergencies. "You can't really accessorize it well. And Rin looks much better with her outer dignity reflecting her inner dignity. I want to keep her in underwear for myself."

"I suppose this outfit isn't too dignified," Sakura said. "But, I can't get Shirou to run around in very little if I don't. So that's that."

It wasn't that, in fact, it was just the prelude for the usual Sakura and Rin argument, which was rather like watching two brick walls ram each other. But they'd make up later. It's part of being sisters.

******************

The Panther Knight studied the instructions again. "Okay, we now light this cord and run."

"How far?" Sir Villiars the Valliant asked. He was the blond son of Sir Yvain, the Knight of the Lion. He had yet to become a knight of the Round Table, and thus could be spared for the mission.

Prince Lohegrin of Estregales, the son of Erec and Enide, who bore three serpent's heads on his shield, said, "Very far." He too had yet to be raised to the Round Table. He was dark haired and sturdy, short but strong.

The concoction was a recipe given to them by Lady Yumeni before she returned to the future; she said it could destroy very large rocks. Given the well which held Merlin and Nimue had a rock on top of it which the local hermit claimed could only be lifted by '100 men', this seemed the time to use it.

Assuming they'd used enough bat dung to get enough of the strange powder to mix with the charcoal and brimstone.

The rock blew into a million shards and it was fortunate they had hidden behind trees.

Less fortunate was that they had knocked out Merlin and Nimue with the shockwave, which they would pay for later.

************

"The hard part," Merlin said to Arthur, Kay, Guenevere, Nimue, Arturia, and Arturia's small army of allies, "is actually finding the Grail Castle. Most of Logres and the surrounding areas is wrapped in the Mystery of the Grail and, well, basically, the Mystery is rigged to wipe people out unless they are exceeding moral paragons. And maybe even then."

"I can find it," Yukino said.

"We can find it," Rei said. "Shiho, Yumeni, Yukino and I will pool our powers."

"And then there will be a big surprise," Sailor Star Moon said firmly.

"Arthur, I..." Merlin began to say. "I did not expect to ever be free."

"There's someone here who wants to see you," Kay said.

Merlin blinked. "Go on?"

"Close your eyes."

Merlin closed his eyes and Mordred leaped out of the closet and kicked him in the nuts repeatedly.

"He agreed to accept that in lieu of a trial," Kay said apologetically.

Merlin crumpled. "It's a fair cop."

****************

"Things are going along well," Dame Brisen said to the groaning, injured Pellam. "Only five knights to go and then..."

And then there was a huge splash of teleportation which carved a small crater in the floor and Arturia, Endymion, Katsumi, Sailor Star Moon, Akane, Sailor Star Sol, Nephrite, Sailor Star Saturn, Sailor Uranus, Princess Star Pluto, Sailor Neptune, Sailor Titan, Sailor Star Chronos (who had dubbed her spider Anake (inevitability), in part because it annoyed Pluto), Akira (who had been dubbed Sailor Shadow Moon by Nao), Umino, Sailor Star Jupiter, Princess Blue Mercury, Sailor Star Venus, Shiho, and Sailor Star Mars. Nao and Akira were both in stealth mode.

Shingo would have come but he wasn't good enough at magic yet AND needed a codename, since he refused to let Nao call him Sailor Brat Boy. Umino had been convinced to stay home but had been bluffing and had followed them here because he was NOT going to pass up a chance to meet King Arthur, end of story.

"Your reign of terror is over!" Sailor Star Moon proclaimed. "The Sailor Senshi and friends are here to TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT."

"Give us the Grail!" Arturia demanded.

"You'll never find it!" Brisen said. "The Grail cannot be called without sacrifice! Yours will suffice! SERVANTS, COME!"

The Seven Servants of Carbonek appeared. Casca the Centurion (Lancer). King Solomon (Caster). Brutus (Assassin). Leonidas (Berserker). King David (Archer). Sir Balin (Saber). And now they struck.

The fight, this time, however, was rather lopsided. Arthuria and Endymion double-teamed Balin, each with a blade in their hand, flanking him and forcing him to retreat even with two swords of his own.

Sailor Star Sol forced Brisen to dodge right into Nephrite's arms and he grappled her to where she couldn't focus to cast any spells.

Umino hit King Pellam in the face with a pie, just to be sure. Everytime Pellam started to do something, he poked the man's side where he'd been wounded for 40 years.

Sailor Star Saturn took on Casca, glaive against lance in a tight battle back and forth that no one could safely get near.

Akane and Harry together blew Death off his mount. Harry ate Death's pale horse and Akane and Harry kept blasting him with winds, moving too fast for him to close without his mount.

Pluto, Uranus, and Neptune combined their powers and drowned some of Solomon's demons, stunned them with high sonics and then let them fall into a crack in the earth, then did the same to Solomon.

Leonidas knocked Sailor Star Jupiter on her ass, to her frustration, and pretty soon to her embarrassment, she was running around with him chasing her frenetically.

King David was soon on fire again, then clutching his ears as Mars and Shiho combined their powers. His sense of balance collapsed and he fell on his ass.

Brutus summoned the Roman Senate and unleashed them, but Princess Blue Mercury, Sailor Star Venus, and Sailor Star Moon opened fire on them. Chronos and Titan combined their powers to locate Brutus, then Sailor Shadow Moon pinned his shadow and began fighting him, backed by Chronos.

They had to give Jupiter some help but pretty soon, the servants had fallen. Their power was absorbed by the Grail and now it manifested itself before Sailor Star Moon, who grabbed it.

"We'll be heading out now," Sailor Star Moon said.

"But..." Brisen said and looked over at Pellam.

"Fuck him, he deserves it," Chronos said.

"Mercy is the quality of a true knight," Arturia said. "Once Father is healed, we will return and see if we can help you."

Sailor Star Moon nodded. "Well said."

And soon they were gone.

*****************

"But how can you use the Grail without the power it would gather from the ritual quest?" Arthur asked as he stared at the golden cup.

"Well, it's going to be a little nasty, but I brought some of my best spices," Sailor Star Jupiter said. "And... umm... flavored it up."

"Since it's been trans-zapp-ified, it'll be fine, I'm sure," Nao said.

"Each of the surviving knights donated blood, which contains mana," Sailor Star Mars said. "We then used our combined abilities to purify it and finish empowering the grail."

"We had to stop Dinadan from trying to add some wine, though," Shiho said. "And no one would let me drink it."

"You're too young," Rei said.

"I DO NOT WANT TO BE THIRTEEN FOREVER!"

Guenevere took the cup and held it for Arthur and his wound faded away and with it the pain and he rose. "I owe you a great debt."

"You've already paid it," Sailor Star Moon said. She hugged him to his surprise. "Also, in the new timeline..."

Pluto put a hand over her mouth. "With history changed, there will be new challenges, for this world is still wild. But you are now ready for them, King of Adventure. The rest of your story has yet to be written."

"There will be many great deeds to come," Merlin said. "Though I fear I will miss the ending. I have cheated death a few too many times and he always collects."

"I can help with that," Mordred said. "End your pain quickly."

Merlin covered his groin with his hands.

"But I'm going to paint it," Katsumi said. "But first, I'm going to go see my boyfriend one more time!" She flew off.

"You can't see the paintings either," Pluto said. "We've beaten this poor timeline with a stick too many times."

"But how...how does..." Arthur began.

"I am your daughter now in truth," Arturia said to Arthur. "And you are finally free to find happiness as I have. Rule well, once and future king. Until we meet again."

"So...you're the man who wants to be my daughter's lover," Arthur said, studying Endymion. "Anyone who wishes her hand must go forth and do some great marvel! Past marvels don't count!"

"It's tradition," Guenevere said smiling.

"Then we'd best get on with it. Questing takes time and we don't want our ride back to the future to have to wait too long," Arturia said.

"Oooh, a quest. I'm in," Umino said.

"Then I will help," Nao said.

Pretty soon, a rather over-sized quest was in progress. For this was the Kingdom of Adventure!

********************

"I have no regrets," Usagi said, kissing Akane's throat and beginning to unbutton her blouse. "I would have given up without you. I was so...I just wasn't thinking about how it would hurt them, I was just selfish and couldn't stand to live while they died. I'm sorry. You had to shock me back to some sense."

"It's okay, dear," Akane said, reaching up and unbuttoning Usagi's blouse. She could feel the strength of Usagi's affection and it warmed her heart. "We're back in Avalon and we love each other and it's all going to be okay."

"Yeah, it's all...OH GOD, I TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT MY PARENTS!" Usagi howled.

****************

"Oh yes...yes...YES..." Ikkuko moaned as she, Kenji, Eudial and the Red Counter-Guardian did things I can't describe because I promised no actual porn. Suffice it to say that weapons were not the only thing the Red Counter Guardian knew how to make and that you don't have two kids and a nearly twenty year marriage without learning a few things about enjoying yourself in bed.

They knew from their guests that the kids were okay, so now they could have a little fun to celebrate being alive. And for its own sake.

*************

"I can't do it," Nao said, clinging to the door frame of Older-Nao's beat up car as Umino and Older-Nao tried to pry her loose.

"It probably would have been better if you'd worn a real skirt and not something that short," Older-Nao observed. Nao was wearing a green blouse and a dark green mini-skirt and high boots, but right now as they tried to pry her off the door, the mini-skirt wasn't really doing its job. "Mom will be scandalized."

Nao began crying and Umino stopped trying to pull her and just held her.

In theory, they were going to have dinner with Older-Nao's parents, who were not aware Nao wasn't 'Juliet', a high school student friend of their daughter. Nao was in disguise. But she was terrified something would go wrong, even though she couldn't foresee any trouble with her powers. But she'd been surprised before.

"It's going to be okay," Older-Nao said gently. "Nothing bad is going to happen."

Slowly, Nao relaxed in Umino's arms, then kissed him softly and tried to wipe her face. "Given I see the future, I shouldn't be afraid."

"The future is scary sometimes," Umino said. "But I can face anything with you."

She took his hand. "Let's go in."

They headed into the future together.

****************

Mai danced under the stars with Older-Reito, not sure if this was a good idea but enjoying doing something nice and NORMAL with a guy she liked. Further, she'd dressed up in a really elegant blue dress and had a red rose in her hair over one ear. (Accessories by Endymion.)

He twirled her out to where only a single finger joined them, then pulled her back in, circling the dance floor as they moved. The music shifted to a tango and they moved together at high speed, quickstepping side by side, both hands joined, one high, one low.

She wasn't sure if this would get serious or not but she felt she was going to enjoy the ride into the future. Oh yeah.

****************

"Finally, we're alone," Ami said, sitting on the bed with Ryo; her clothing didn't fit too well with her changed figure, though Ryo rather liked the look of her clothing looking ready to burst off her, her breasts pressed hard against the cloth, since she had no bras that fit. Her gem dangled on a necklace on her ample bosom, though it was rather modestly covered. "First things first, time for your upgrade, dear."

He licked his lips nervously and then she took the gem and pressed it to his forehead. "MERCURY HOTNESS POWER, MAKEUP!" she shouted.

This did two things. One, it turned her outfit into Queen Sakura's usual outfit, and secondly it stripped Ryo down to what Shirou now usually wore, while also making Ryo about five inches taller, a lot stronger, and caused his hair to grow down to just behind his shoulders, giving him a more bishonen look.

He stared at himself, then stared at Ami and then they got down to very enthusiastic business.

****************

Suguira-sensei patted Naru and Osaka Meiko's shoulders. "I'm sorry about everything."

"It's okay," Osaka Meiko said. "We'll just whip Hayao's ass for not telling us."

"I WAS DEAD!!!!!!"

That never works as an excuse.

*****************

"Now what happens?" Alyssa said miserably, basically prostrating herself on the floor in front of Mamoru, Arturia, Shingo, Akira, Mai, a slightly confused Shirou, Sakura, and Usagi. "I did all these terrible things. I just wanted to help but I just...it was so bad." She started crying.

"It's okay," Mamoru said, compassionately.

"No, it's not," Sakura said. "The damage she did was undone, but she still did it. There has to be some kind of punishment."

"I think she's been through enough," Usagi said. "Poor child. It was too much for her."

"Not too harsh; she's just a child, but yes, there should be some; she can atone and then let go of the guilt," Mai said.

"Every child needs some discipline and some love," Shirou said. He picked up Alyssa and held her to his chest. "What do you think we should do, Alyssa?"

"I don't know," she mumbled.

"Lancelot...when he was Berserker...he told me he would have been happier in the long term if he'd been punished instead of me always forgiving him," Arturia said. "Sakura, you should take her as your page; train her up properly to one day be a Queen of Avalon." She said this with a certain amount of reluctance, given she hoped Alyssa did not grow up to dress like Sakura. However, she also knew Sakura would instill discipline without going too far. "And that way she can be with her father."

"Father," Shirou mumbled.

"I want her part of the time," Usagi said.

"Maybe once you graduate so you can't try to make her do your homework," Mamoru said to her. He'd always loved to tease her.

"I'm too smart to do anything as low-level as her work," Alyssa said.

"HEY!!!!!!"

"I will take her half the time and Sakura can have her half. I too can instill discipline," Akira said with a wicked smile.

Alyssa began sweating bullets.

*****************

Kurou Hyouhiko was a second year gym teacher, but he'd always felt like something was missing. Now he felt, somehow, that he'd found it. He'd gone to an art show out of curiosity. The mysterious 'Peggy Jones' had apparently finally revealed herself in a show of Arthurian art. He'd always wondered what it would be like to have a mystery like that, to have others know you only by a pseudonym. The idea of people speculating about him intrigued him, but it seemed like such a thing could be really lonely too.

Something about all these paintings seemed so familiar, as if he'd met these people somewhere. Especially the enigmatic knight in armor painted with images of panthers. One picture starred him alone with an angel in a romantic pose; he got embarrassed and excited looking at it.

He was busy trying to avoid looking an idiot in public when a brunette woman whose glasses clashed with her medieval style garb (similar to that in the paintings) slid up to him. "You like it?" she said.

"It's great," he confessed. "It's weird, all this looks familiar, not that I've ever been to Europe, let alone...well, time travel is impossible."

Her lips quirked into a smile. "Many things are only impossible if you never try."

"It feels like there's a story behind this," he said. "It's weird, it seems so real to me."

She smiled. "Oh, there is. I'm Yumeno Yumeni, the painter." She shook his hand.

He thought she was rather pretty, though he'd sort of imagined someone fancier in his head. Or hideous who had to hide. Or an alien. Or something. "It's nice to meet you."

"Here, let me show you the paintings," she said taking him by the hand. "Each of them has a story."

He let himself be lead into the tale of an age gone by, the time of the once and future King. And into his own future as well.

******************

Arturia and Mamoru sat nervously on the edge of the bed, holding hands. Finally he said, "Okay, I confess, I'm a virgin."

"Me too," she mumbled.

"So I don't actually know for sure how this goes."

"Or I," she confessed.

"But the undiscovered country is the greatest adventure, right?" he said.

"The fun is in the quest, not the destination," Arturia said.

"There's nothing to be afraid of," he said.

"Nothing," she said.

"Umm...I know kissing."

"That's a start," she said, relieved, and drew him down into a kiss, then they began questing for the Grail in each other's clothing.

***************

"With power comes responsibilty," Older-Nao said. "Quid pro Spiderman."

The older Hime brigade were having dinner with Suguira-sensei, Shiho, Mikoto, Akane, Nao, Mai, Shizuru, and Natsuki and various hangers on. It was a rather grand feast.

"We'll do what we can," Older Mai said.

"That's fine," Mai said. "I will be busy a lot with Avalon myself. How's Brigit?"

It was a potluck supper with dishes ranging from okonomiyaki to pork soba to tempura shrimp and mackerel to some great pickled vegetables. Also, a plate of hamburgers.

"She's fine; thankfuly, she's asleep but we'll show her off later," Older-Mai said.

"I'm sorry I worried you all," Mikoto said.

"It's fine," Older-Yuuichi said. "You saved my life. I owe you."

"I guess I can't ask for a kiss since you're married."

He got up and kissed her forehead. "And you're too young."

Mikoto began doing math on her napkin while Older-Mikoto bigsweated.

"Where's Yukariko-sensei?" Older-Akira asked.

"On a date with Rin," Mai said. "I'm sure they're having a good time."

************

Rin shot the door down, then she and Archer began slaughtering monsters as they poured out. Soon, smoke and ashes only remained. "Okay, level 5 cleared, only...8 more to go." She grimaced.

They were clearing out the ruins under Castle Einzbern, a huge endless maze of rooms, labs, monsters, ghosts, and other creations. It was taking forever.

"Mind if we help?" Shirou said, shovel over one shoulder. Sakura was next to him, a wand in her hands.

"Hi, sis," Rin said, hugging her sister.

Sakura smiled. "Wise of you to do this. But it's more fun with a full party, right?"

"It certainly is," Rin said, then kissed Shirou's forehead in a sisterly manner. "Okay, team, let's loot this room and then down the stairs to level 7."

"What's at the bottom?" Shirou asked.

"The old Grail mechanisms we need to disable so it doesn't show up again," Rin said.

"You can't just loot my castle unless you let me help," Illyasviel said sternly. "Also..."

"No doll," Sakura said firmly.

"Not even..."

"Not even for your birthday."

"Had to ask," Illyasviel mumbled.

"Okay, Illyasviel, you take point since you know everything, right?"

"Of course," she said, then walked into a pit trap on the stairs, since she'd never come down here before in her life.

"I MEANT TO DO THAT!"

****************

Alyssa was unconscious from exhaustion after her first lesson with Akira; she was napping in Miyu's lap while Akira lurked on the roof of the house feeling guilty. The roof was one of the signs of the age beginning; from above, it looked like bluegrass with some flowers; it actually absorbed sunlight and turned it into electricity, reducing the house's need for electricity.

It also was comfy for lying down now.

"Hey," Shingo said softly. "You moping?"

"No...yes." She sighed. "I was such an idiot."

"I totally would have made the same mistake." He sighed. "Whenever Mom and Dad get back from Hawaii with their mistress and mastress..."

"Mastress?"

"I dunno what to call the guy," Shingo said. "Anyway, she won't be happy about the table."

"I nearly destroyed everything; that's nothing."

"Yeah, well, at least you did something. I couldn't even do something when I turned evil," he said, sighing. He laid down by her and took her hand. "You wanna make out?"

"I'm not very sexy," she mumbled.

"See, I like my women slender," he said. "Like I like my tea."

She blinked. "What?"

"Dammit, that sounded slicker in my head," he mumbled, then she kissed him and they laid together in the grass, kissing and embracing. They just needed a little human contact.

*****************

"Why so down, Mako-chan?" Usagi asked Makoto. They were having what was in theory a Sailor Meeting; in practice, it was everyone pigging out at one of the all-you-can-eat places which now could be found every 200 feet in Fuyuki City. This simplified Usagi's life.

"Oh, I just...nothing," she said. She was happy Reika wasn't dead and happy Motoki was happy, but soon Reika was going to be going on another research trip but she'd come back. And Makoto had decided she HAD to move on before she went mad, but that was easier said than done.

"You need a boyfriend," Minako said sagely.

"Every guy reminds me of Motoki now," Makoto mumbled.

"What about Shinozaki?" Usagi asked.

"I used to look more like a boy than he did when we were little," Makoto said. "I've seen him wet himself. We'll always be very close, but I couldn't date him."

Naru made a face. "You didn't have to tell us about wetting himself."

"Naru-chan did that to the bed one time when I slept over. UGH," Usagi said.

Usagi had not realized how good Naru was at headlocks. Akane started trying to free her.

"We were four! FOUR!" Naru said.

"Do your folks really have live-in lovers now?" Hotaru asked Usagi curiously.

Usagi gurgled, then Naru released her. "Don't remind me! It's like I'm living in Marmalade Boy or something!"

Akane said, "The house really gets noisy at night."

"Oh ho," Nao chortled.

Umino said, "I know a few guys I could hook you up with, Makoto."

Makoto looked rather dubious. Nao said, "Are they as sexy as you?"

"Rather moreso," Umino said.

"Better take the chance now," Nao told Makoto.

"I need to find a nice guy who isn't taken." Her eyes flicked around the restaurant.

"No, no, no, hell no, no, taken, no, BAD IDEA, no, actually a woman, no," Nao said.

"I hate it when you do that," Makoto mumbled.

"Well, if you could convince Pluto to send you, there's a lot of handsome knights in Camelot you could have a fling with," Rei said. In fact, that sounded like fun.

"I'm in," Minako said. "We could all three go, call it the Triple Quest for a boyfriend!"

They never did find out why Umino got soda up his nose at that and fell down.

***************

"You two are Tsukino Usagi's cousins," the teacher said slowly to Akira and Shingo.

"I'm her BROTHER," Shingo said. "And this is my girlfriend, Akira," he continued.

"And yet, you are both as stupid as she is. F!" Miss Haruna said. "You can't just transcribe the subtitles from some American cartoon and fool me!" she shouted.

But Umino-san had been so sure it would work, Shingo thought.

Fine, next time, I'm stealing the test key, Akira thought.

At least detention with Shingo would fun, though. She smiled brightly, making Miss Haruna wonder what was going on.

*************

Alyssa bobbed her head cutely. "I'm collecting money for the soup kitchen down by the river."

Money rained into her bucket, as usual. Her kind of cuteness had power, properly channeled for good. Sakura and Shirou (with Sakura forced to wear more clothing at Gandr-point by Rin) and Miyu and Rin and Yukariko were taking her around to do charitable work; she'd found a niche for her talents and it pleased her. And the charity people always smiled so brightly.

At the end of the day, she was exhausted and Shirou picked her up and carried her. Sakura gave her a kiss on the forehead. "You did well."

"Thanks, Mommy," she mumbled and fell asleep, smiling.

Sakura smiled brightly and Rin said, "That's sweet."

"I'm still not clear on how exactly I had a kid," Shirou said.

Rin rubbed her forehead. "MAGIC," she said. That would have to do.

He ruffled Alyssa's hair, and so did Miyu. "But she's a good kid."

"She'll be as smart as I am one day," Rin said proudly.

"Already smarter than you," Alyssa mumbled.

"..."

"You don't have nearly my experience," Rin said.

"Yes," Alyssa confessed. "I love you, Aunt Rin."

Rin turned red and Alyssa fell asleep totally.

"I love you too," Rin mumbled. She'd never really had a family before, but now, she was totally part of one.

And she LOVED IT.

*************

"It's a beautiful day," Makoto said as she sat down with her friends at school for lunch.

"Back in school and I never have to rule the Earth," Usagi said, sitting under a tree with Akane, sharing a large bento box with her.

"But that means you do have to study for college exams," Ami said to her; she and Ryo had their own boxes; Ami's was sphagetti. "And eventually get a real job to keep you alive in the day while we save the Earth and you do your duties as Queen of Avalon at night."

"What do you want to do?" Akane asked her.

"I never thought about it as I assumed I'd be ruling," Usagi mumbled. "Or sleeping under ice."

"Yeah, there's a job for you, meatballhead," Rei said. "You could test beds for a living." Her voice was jovial teasing as she worked on her spanish rice, peppers, and fish.

"I think that's Usagi's perfect job," Nao said.

"It is," Naru said, laughing. She had a steak sandwich, made for her by Nephrite, and a chocolate parfait which she assumed he must have kept cool with magic. Nephrite was at school, pretending to a student so they didn't have to brawl with her parents. He had a big box of pork fried rice, chinese barbequed ribs, and egg rolls. He really liked Naru's egg rolls.

"Yours too, Nao-chan," Minako teased. Nao had finally told Umino and everyone her real name.

"Gurio-kun and I like to test OTHER properties of beds," she said grinning.

He turned red, but smiled. "She's a good tester," he mumbled.

"Oh, Usagi's good at that kind of testing too," Akane said.

Everyone looked at her and she tried to curl up and die, but then she started laughing.

"What's so funny?" Haruka asked, walking up with Michiru, Natsuki, and Shizuru. The four of them seemed to hang out a lot these days.

"We're high on life," Nao said, then laughed.

"We're going to have a swim party on Friday," Michiru said. "I hope you all can come."

"YES!" Usagi said. "We're coming."

"Don't forget to get Akane a nice bikini," Shizuru said to Usagi. "We're looking forward to seeing her in it," she said cheerfully. "Or you could all skinny..."

Natsuki dragged her off. "That's enough embarrassing me in public for one day."

Shizuru tagged Haruka as she went. "Tag."

"Put Natsuki in a bikini too," Nao shouted after her.

"NAO!!!!!"

**************

Mai was in the kitchen cooking with Shirou and Sakura, while Yukino, Taiga-sensei, Hotaru, and Mikoto were in the living room trying to play Ultimate Oregon Trail. "No swords? What kind of cheap monsters don't have swords?" Mikoto asked.

"They're Sioux, not monsters," Yukino said. "And Taiga-sensei is trying to negotiate with them."

'SIOUX OFFER 38 HIDES'
'TAIGA-SENSEI TELLS SIOUX THESE ARE NOT THE HIDES WE'RE LOOKING FOR'

"Interesting kind of negotiation," Hotaru said nervously.

'SIOUX FORGET HIDES.'
'SIOUX CANNOT FIND HIDES.'
'SIOUX BLAME THIEVING WHITE PEOPLE.'

"Uh oh," Hotaru said.

"Yes!"

'MIKOTO DRAWS KATANA, THREAT POSTURE'

"No, no, don't threaten them!" Yukino said desperately.

'500 SIOUX DRAW GUNS, THREAT POSTURE'

'YUKINO OFFERS 200 BACON AS PEACE OFFERING'
'SIOUX CAN BELIEVE IT'S BACON'
'SIOUX LOWER WEAPONS, NEGOTIATING POSTURE'

"Okay, now..." Yukino said.

"We attack while we have the advantage?" Mikoto asked.

"No, let's negotiate," Hotaru said.

They were still arguing, but having fun, when it was time for dinner.

Hotaru smiled. She'd always dreamed of this and now her dream had come true.

************

YOU NEARLY DESTROYED THE WORLD TO GET YOUR WIFE BACK.

"Umm...sorry?" Professor Tomoe mumbled as he floated in the void.

YOUR PUNISHMENT IS TO SPEND THE REST OF THIS AGE IN A UNIVERSE WHERE EVERYONE ELSE IS TSUNDERE OR YANDERE OR TSUNYAN AND YOU ARE THE PERSON WHO KEEPS FALLING FACE TO BOSOM.

Not too bad a punishment, he thought.

IT IS A CROSSOVER BETWEEN HIGURASHI, EIKEN, AND HIGHLANDER 2.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

****************

Makoto finished laying out the spread. Joan (Arturia) had cooked carrots and venison. Reika had brought roast beef, chutney sauce, and a Kenyan vegetable dish called irio, in which you mash corn, beans, potatoes and greens into a pile rolled into a ball; they were used for dipping in meat or vegetable stews. Motoki had made a chicken stew, and Mamoru brought fresh bread, sliced tomatos, and tempura vegetables. They might explode but they would eat well.

"I'm glad you're okay," Mamoru said to Reika.

"Me too," she said. "It's all kind of blurry." She frowned. "But I'm glad to see you two came through it okay and that we can get together before I ride the pegasus coach back to Africa for more work."

"I was really worried about you three," Motoki said.

"We were fine," Makoto said.

"Just snowed in," Joan said. She and Mamoru began serving everyone.

"I met a new guy; he's really cool, he's in a band and everything!" Makoto said enthusiastically. "The Three Lights."

Mamoru felt something odd twinge in his head but wasn't sure why.

"Their lead is this redheaded guy from Ireland; he goes into a total thrashing frenzy when he performs and he's so handsome and strong and charming," Makoto said enthuasiastically.

Joan now felt alarm bells go off in her head.

"Setanta is kind of a weird name, but I guess it's Irish," Makoto continued. "Then they have a huge greek guy on drums and their keyboardist...he's too arrogant for me, but he's kind of handsome and cool too. The greek guy, he has like muscles on his muscles. Their biggest hit so far is a remake of 'Going Berserk', but I heard the whole album and it ROCKS."

"Does Setanta have any nicknames?" Joan asked carefully.

"Sounds like trouble to me," Motoki said.

"Let kids have their fun," Reika said.

Makoto cringed at that, but said, "Apparently back home in Ulster, they called him 'Hound'. He lets me call him that." She smiled brightly.

Oh boy, Joan thought.

Mamoru's eyes crossed. Better keep the cape and top hat handy.

*************

Shiho was trying to figure out what was wrong with her bra when she suddenly saw Pluto in the mirror and started, falling into the sink.

Pluto pulled her out. "My apologies," she said. "What's wrong?"

"Bra's too tight," she grumbled. "It must have shrunk since I can't get bigger."

"Oh, actually, you're starting to age," Pluto said. "You're linked to Rei, so as she ages, you will age."

"Really?" Shiho was ecstatic.

Pluto held out a pen to her. "This will let you become Sailor Deimos, able to better share power with Rei, since your Child died, this will help you if you have to fight physically."

"YES!" Shiho said excitedly.

And help Rei keep a leash on you, Pluto thought. But she smiled and said, "Why don't we go shopping for new underwear for you? I know a lady in the 2030s who can hook you up with smart fabrics that will adjust as you grow older."

"Am I still from the future or what?"

"Usagi's sloppy wish has been fixed so she won't be sleeping with her cousin," Pluto said. "And you're now just you, from right here, right now."

"That's fine by me," Shiho said. "But let's time travel anyway." She rubbed her hands with glee.

"We should get Rei too. She probably needs some nice underwear."

"I'll help her pick it out!," Shiho said cheerfully. "Dress her right up."

Mission accomplished, Pluto thought. You shouldn't have drunk up all my good coffee, Rei.

They headed out to find Rei and head to the future.

The End

Jonen C · Feb 3rd 2010, 3:33pm

Right, wrapping up., he claps his hands together.

Quote:

It wasn't that, in fact, it was just the prelude for the usual Sakura and Rin argument, which was rather like watching two brick walls ram each other. But they'd make up later. It's part of being sisters.

True.

Quote:

Less fortunate was that they had knocked out Merlin and Nimue with the shockwave, which they would pay for later.

"Something something wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger." Or something.

Quote:

"He agreed to accept that in lieu of a trial," Kay said apologetically.

One way to settle your greivances.

I sense a recurring theme in Jupiter being embarrassed by her performance while fighting.

Quote:

"You can't see the paintings either," Pluto said. "We've beaten this poor timeline with a stick too many times."

Sensible Pluto.

The next set of scenes are just win, closing moments of heartwarming/awesome?

Quote:

"I WAS DEAD!!!!!!"

That never works as an excuse.

True.

Quote:

"I'm too smart to do anything as low-level as her work," Alyssa said.

Probably true.

More Heartwarming.

Quote:

"With power comes responsibilty," Older-Nao said. "Quid pro Spiderman."

I just like this line. Also, this whole epilogue is full of food porn, I just noticed.

Quote:

"Okay, Illyasviel, you take point since you know everything, right?"

"Of course," she said, then walked into a pit trap on the stairs, since she'd never come down here before in her life.

"I MEANT TO DO THAT!"

I'm betting she doesn't admit never being there for at least one more level.

Quote:

Alyssa was unconscious from exhaustion after her first lesson with Akira; she was napping in Miyu's lap while Akira lurked on the roof of the house feeling guilty. The roof was one of the signs of the age beginning; from above, it looked like bluegrass with some flowers; it actually absorbed sunlight and turned it into electricity, reducing the house's need for electricity.

And I'm guessing that if this were animated, the new age would also have an abundance of Ghibli Hills?

Quote:

"Why so down, Mako-chan?" Usagi asked Makoto. They were having what was in theory a Sailor Meeting; in practice, it was everyone pigging out at one of the all-you-can-eat places which now could be found every 200 feet in Fuyuki City. This simplified Usagi's life.

Well, I guess if you save the world, and then literally bring it back from the brink of destruction, you got to have some perks.

Quote:

Akane said, "The house really gets noisy at night."

Understatment. Besides, I'm pretty sure she contributes to the noise.

Quote:

"No, no, no, hell no, no, taken, no, BAD IDEA, no, actually a woman, no," Nao said.

Never bet against Nao.

Quote:

Fine, next time, I'm stealing the test key, Akira thought.

Ninja of the night.

Quote:

"She'll be as smart as I am one day," Rin said proudly.

"Already smarter than you," Alyssa mumbled.

For some reason, I'm sort of envisioning Alyssa as a snarky version of Chiyo from Azumanga Daioh.

And MORE Food porn.

Quote:

"What's so funny?" Haruka asked, walking up with Michiru, Natsuki, and Shizuru. The four of them seemed to hang out a lot these days.

I wonder why...

Quote:

Shizuru tagged Haruka as she went. "Tag."

I'm sure Michiru and Natsuki love this game their girlfriends play.

Ultimate Oregon Trail? Haw.

Quote:

IT IS A CROSSOVER BETWEEN HIGURASHI, EIKEN, AND HIGHLANDER 2.

The words: Fate worse than death, come to mind.

More food porn.

So, the Sailor Starlights are Berzerker, Berzerker and Berzerker? That's gonna be fun.

Quote:

Mission accomplished, Pluto thought. You shouldn't have drunk up all my good coffee, Rei.

A very Timelord revenge, I'd say.

All in all, a great finish to a great story.

Lawnmower · Feb 3rd 2010, 11:49pm

Can Pluto also regenerate into Susanoo? It would be funny if she turned into the object of Rei's shrine.

Let's see. I am still curious about some of the minor characters. (Ami and Ryo's parents. Hotaru's mother. Maybe some others.)

Hotaru and Casca faced off, and they have the same color hair and eyes. I was wondering if some of those Servants could be saved also. I was also wondering if there was any significant relationship between them.

They have Shiny Magic Rock and the Seven Crystals, would those be enough without squashing the servants, or do the laws of time prevent that usage? What about preventing the apparent death of most of the Round Table? (Because I don't know my Arthur well enough to know what that section means.) I'm unsure whether Pellam gets healed. I was also hoping to see Death and Pluto interact in that state.

If there was something special about the Panther Knight, I don't think we found out.

Professor Tomoe's punishment seems petty and vindictive, and maybe a bit unjust. The ALL CAPS reminds me of Discworld's Death, who is workmanlike and gives a sense of dignity. I know him somewhat well, and The Doctor, not very well at all. 1. I am reminded of a set of criteria for cruel and unusual punishment, that an execution should not too require too much work of the executionor, so as not to offend the dignity of the state. (Death by slicing might be an example of a violation.) 2. A lot of people contributed to messing things up, including the Masters, for participating, Dame Brisen, Pellam, and all the people who have been messing up time. We do not see them being equally punished 'on screen', and some of them seem rewarded. 3. Why should Tomoe have the background to understand what Death said? I don't know why he would've seen any of them, much less all of them, much less understand the fanfic terminology. (Though Higurashi/Highlander might be pretty good, if a bad place to live.) 4. All in all, the punishment seem disproportionate, and out of place.

I was somehow expecting time to be a bigger issue than just getting fixed once Pluto could move. Did she ever build her TARDIS? Did Avalon repair whatever base substance was wearing out from all that time manipulation? Am I mistaken?

That said, this ending ties up most of the loose ends that I can find. Is there a coda or an epilogue, or does this need to wrap it all up?

Anyway, moral victory, physical victory, well crafted, and a happy ending. I figured you might be bringing a decent number of the dead back, but didn't want to post ahead of time. I guess I might have a few taste based quibbles with parts, but overall, it suits me fine. Well done. Thank you very much for the experience.

JohnWBiles · Feb 4th 2010, 12:55pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawnmower

Can Pluto also regenerate into Susanoo? It would be funny if she turned into the object of Rei's shrine.

It would explain SEEING THE FUTURE.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawnmower

Let's see. I am still curious about some of the minor characters. (Ami and Ryo's parents. Hotaru's mother. Maybe some others.)

Hmm, yes, I'd need to add something addressing Hotaru and her Mom.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawnmower

Hotaru and Casca faced off, and they have the same color hair and eyes. I was wondering if some of those Servants could be saved also. I was also wondering if there was any significant relationship between them.

Will think on this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawnmower

They have Shiny Magic Rock and the Seven Crystals, would those be enough without squashing the servants, or do the laws of time prevent that usage? What about preventing the apparent death of most of the Round Table? (Because I don't know my Arthur well enough to know what that section means.) I'm unsure whether Pellam gets healed. I was also hoping to see Death and Pluto interact in that state.

Hmm, yeah, this whole part will need more fleshing out, as depending on timing they could likely actually come back before everyone dies.

(Canonically, 75 out of 150 Round Table knights die during the Grail Quest.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawnmower

If there was something special about the Panther Knight, I don't think we found out.

He's a competent but not super-duper knight who, like Yumeni, created a mystique around himself in order to become special while hiding his true identity. The guy Yumeni meets at the art show is him reincarnated in her own time in her final scene.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawnmower

Professor Tomoe's punishment seems petty and vindictive, and maybe a bit unjust. The ALL CAPS reminds me of Discworld's Death, who is workmanlike and gives a sense of dignity. I know him somewhat well, and The Doctor, not very well at all. 1. I am reminded of a set of criteria for cruel and unusual punishment, that an execution should not too require too much work of the executionor, so as not to offend the dignity of the state. (Death by slicing might be an example of a violation.) 2. A lot of people contributed to messing things up, including the Masters, for participating, Dame Brisen, Pellam, and all the people who have been messing up time. We do not see them being equally punished 'on screen', and some of them seem rewarded. 3. Why should Tomoe have the background to understand what Death said? I don't know why he would've seen any of them, much less all of them, much less understand the fanfic terminology. (Though Higurashi/Highlander might be pretty good, if a bad place to live.) 4. All in all, the punishment seem disproportionate, and out of place.

Hmm, yeah, too meta. Will think on this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawnmower

I was somehow expecting time to be a bigger issue than just getting fixed once Pluto could move. Did she ever build her TARDIS? Did Avalon repair whatever base substance was wearing out from all that time manipulation? Am I mistaken?

The coming of Avalon fixed the damage to time itself; she will eventually rebuild her Tardis. (hmm, I could show her using it in the final scene

)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawnmower

That said, this ending ties up most of the loose ends that I can find. Is there a coda or an epilogue, or does this need to wrap it all up?

It's the end! Unless I add more stuff

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawnmower

Anyway, moral victory, physical victory, well crafted, and a happy ending. I figured you might be bringing a decent number of the dead back, but didn't want to post ahead of time. I guess I might have a few taste based quibbles with parts, but overall, it suits me fine. Well done. Thank you very much for the experience.

Glad you enjoyed it!

JohnWBiles · Feb 4th 2010, 12:58pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonen C

I sense a recurring theme in Jupiter being embarrassed by her performance while fighting.

That wasn't deliberate. ^^;;

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonen C

I just like this line. Also, this whole epilogue is full of food porn, I just noticed.

It is UNLIMITED Food Porn, after all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonen C

I'm betting she doesn't admit never being there for at least one more level.

Of course.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonen C

And I'm guessing that if this were animated, the new age would also have an abundance of Ghibli Hills?

Yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonen C

Well, I guess if you save the world, and then literally bring it back from the brink of destruction, you got to have some perks.

Exactly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonen C

For some reason, I'm sort of envisioning Alyssa as a snarky version of Chiyo from Azumanga Daioh.

That's pretty accurate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonen C

So, the Sailor Starlights are Berzerker, Berzerker and Berzerker? That's gonna be fun.

Yes, exactly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonen C

All in all, a great finish to a great story.

Thanks!

JohnWBiles · Feb 4th 2010, 1:19pm

Changing the Tomoe scene to:

"Are you sure she'll be okay?" Tomoe Meiko asked her husband.

"She'll be fine," he told her. He now was the staff artificer and charity-mage-for-loan for the Kings and Queens of Avalon. He considered himself fortunate he hadn't suffered worse. "It's her turn to shine now." Hotaru, that is.

The fact that he was living with two women whose power were much stronger than his and each considered themselves to have the best claim to him was generally punishment enough, really.

"Let's go on a date!," Kaolinite said, coming in and grabbing his arm.

Sparks flew from Meiko's eyes and, as usual, his lab was soon on fire again.

So much for today's research.

Jonen C · Feb 4th 2010, 1:23pm

More subtle, really. And probably he'll have to endure a few snide remarks of the type "says the man who almost destroyed the world"., he approves.

JohnWBiles · Feb 4th 2010, 2:10pm

Okay, updated section to address a few things:

"Things are going along well," Dame Brisen said to the groaning, injured Pellam. "The knights have ridden forth from Camelot and soon..."

And then there was a huge splash of teleportation which carved a small crater in the floor and Arturia, Endymion, Katsumi, Sailor Star Moon, Akane, Sailor Star Sol, Nephrite, Sailor Star Saturn, Sailor Uranus, Princess Star Pluto, Sailor Neptune, Sailor Titan, Sailor Star Chronos (who had dubbed her spider Anake (inevitability), in part because it annoyed Pluto), Akira (who had been dubbed Sailor Shadow Moon by Nao), Umino, Sailor Star Jupiter, Princess Blue Mercury, Sailor Star Venus, Taiga-sensei, Shiho, and Sailor Star Mars. Nao and Akira were both in stealth mode.

Shingo would have come but he wasn't good enough at magic yet AND needed a codename, since he refused to let Nao call him Sailor Brat Boy. Umino had been convinced to stay home but had been bluffing and had followed them here because he was NOT going to pass up a chance to meet King Arthur, end of story.

"Your reign of terror is over!" Sailor Star Moon proclaimed. "The Sailor Senshi and friends are here to TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT."

"Give us the Grail!" Arturia demanded.

"You'll never find it!" Brisen said. "The Grail cannot be called without sacrifice! Yours will suffice! SERVANTS, COME!"

The Seven Servants of Carbonek appeared. Casca the Centurion (Lancer). King Solomon (Caster). Brutus (Assassin). Leonidas (Berserker). King David (Archer). Sir Balin (Saber). And now they struck.

The fight, this time, however, was rather lopsided. Arthuria and Endymion double-teamed Balin, each with a blade in their hand, flanking him and forcing him to retreat even with two swords of his own.

Sailor Star Sol forced Brisen to dodge right into Nephrite's arms and he grappled her to where she couldn't focus to cast any spells.

Umino hit King Pellam in the face with a pie, just to be sure. Everytime Pellam started to do something, he poked the man's side where he'd been wounded for 40 years.

Sailor Star Saturn took on Casca, glaive against lance in a tight battle back and forth that no one could safely get near. Both of them studied each other, for they had similar appearances, though neither had ever even heard of the other. (Similar hair and eyes, that is.)

Akane and Harry together blew Death off his mount. Harry ate Death's pale horse and Akane and Harry kept blasting him with winds, moving too fast for him to close without his mount.

Pluto, Neptune, and Jupiter combined their powers and drowned some of Solomon's demons, stunned them with high sonics and then let them fall into a crack in the earth, then did the same to Solomon.

Leonidas raged against Sailor Star Uranus, but with her Gem-strengthened Star Sword, she soon gained the advantage on him.

King David was soon on fire again, then clutching his ears as Mars and Shiho combined their powers. His sense of balance collapsed and he fell on his ass.

Brutus summoned the Roman Senate and unleashed them, but Princess Blue Mercury, Sailor Star Venus, and Sailor Star Moon opened fire on them. Chronos and Titan combined their powers to locate Brutus, then Sailor Shadow Moon pinned his shadow and began fighting him, backed by Chronos.

The Servants gave it their best, but this was, simply put, overwhelming force and soon they were subdued. Saturn continued to study Casca curiously.

"Without the sacrifice, you cannot summon the Grail," Brisen said.

"If you study the various texts, it's quite clear the Grail is here in the castle," Titan said. PING. "And I just found it."

"Race you to get it," Sailor Star Chronos said to Sailor Shadow Moon.

"You're on!" They took off into the shadows after consulting the screen.

Brisen ground her teeth as Shiho slapped handcuffs on her and Pellam.

"Please," Pellam groaned. "I have suffered this for forty years."

"Kiss my eternally small ass," Shiho said flatly.

"Unfortunately, while you don't age, you can get fat," Arthuria told her.

Shiho began cursing until Mars calme her down.

"You deserve to suffer," Neptune said.

"Part of the quality of a knight is mercy," Arthuria said. "Once Father is healed..."

"He will die when the Grail leaves this place; only it sustains him," Pluto said.

Arthuria winced.

Endymion stepped forward. "Bring Balin."

Balin was dragged over and Endymion said, "Balin, you remember why you came here in the first place, right?"

"Garlon, the Invisible Knight, gravely wounded another knight and only Garlon's blood could heal him," Balin said.

"You must help us. Only you can heal Pellam."

"I'd rather he die, the bastard," Balin said, grimacing.

"You broke the laws of hospitality by murdering my brother!" Pellam said angrily.

"You pretended to be holy, yet you gave shelter to a murderer who slew many good knights by treachery!" Balin shouted.

"He was my brother and nothing could be proved," Pellam said, staring at the floor. "You protect family, even when they do something bad. You avenge them. You murdered him in front of me. Was I to throw you a parade?"

Distantly, Sailor Shadow Moon winced, listening in via TitanNet (Titan's communication network via Diana's spores.)

Balin winced at that. He'd slain his own brother unawares, tricked into it by evil fae. Or whatever they had been.

"Please," Sailor Star Moon said. "He's suffered enough. The land suffers his pain."

"I will soon evaporate," Balin said stubbornly. "I am not interested in sacrificing my life for his."

"It is possible," Rei said, "To bond you to a person who could then sustain you. That you might atone for the many ills you wrecked while you lived and finish the deeds you left undone."

Sailor Star Moon nodded and Taiga-sensei waved the Shiny Magic Rock around to emphasize their capacities.

"Who would take me?" Balin said. "All that I touch turns to dust and ashes and all that I would save perish instead." His voice was heavy with regret. "I am the most cursed man to ever walk this Earth. I cannot have a cup of water without somehow poisoning someone, it seems."

"I can sustain you for now," Taiga-sensei said. "And I'm sure we can find someone in Arthur's court who will take your charge. Since this is your time."

He studied her. "Why are you running around in your underwear?"

"I am a sorceress. The more skin I show, the more powerful I become."

Nao finally understood the Sailor uniforms.

Balin stared at Pellam, then sighed. "Let my power be used once for good at least, even if he doesn't deserve it."

"It would not be forgiveness if people deserved it; we give it because they need it," Sailor Star Moon.

"Way to rip off a Buffy episode, cousin," Sailor Shadow Moon said over the commnet.

"You're not supposed to tell everyone," Sailor Star Moon mumbled.

"Casca, come forward, please," Saturn said.

He blinked and did so. "Are we...?"

"Your adventures in life took you to many lands and times," Pluto said. "It is a long story."

He stepped up.

"Balin tainted your weapon in its future relative to you by using it with intent to murder; because it was a weapon of peace, it could only wound forever, not slay, but that tainted it and it became a dark thing which would do much damage. But your spear is still blessed. You must draw blood from Balin and annoint the wound with it."

Carefully, Casca did so. Three drops of blood splashed from the speartip onto the wound and then Taiga-sensei touched the wound, her other hand on the Shiny Magic Rock.

There was a lightshow and a rush of power and she wobbled, but the wound healed.

Pellam rose. "Finally, I am free."

"Now take him downtown and book him," Shiho said. "You're still guilty of treason."

"..."

"But you won't die before your trial!"

*****************

"But how can you use the Grail without the power it would gather from the ritual quest?" Arthur asked as he stared at the golden cup.

In the background, several members of Brutus' Roman Senate were hard at work scrubbing and cleaning; Brutus had been transferred to Kay, who put him and all his flunkies to work on FINALLY getting this castle the kind of thorough cleaning it NEEDED.

"Well, it's going to be a little nasty, but I brought some of my best spices," Sailor Star Jupiter said. "And... umm... flavored it up."

"Since it's been trans-zapp-ified, it'll be fine, I'm sure," Nao said.

"Each of the surviving knights donated blood, which contains mana," Sailor Star Mars said. "We then used our combined abilities to purify it and finish empowering the grail."

"We had to stop Dinadan from trying to add some wine, though," Shiho said. "And no one would let me drink it."

"You're too young," Rei said.

"I DO NOT WANT TO BE THIRTEEN FOREVER!"

Guenevere took the cup and held it for Arthur and his wound faded away and with it the pain and he rose. "I owe you a great debt."

"You've already paid it," Sailor Star Moon said. She hugged him to his surprise. "Also, in the new timeline..."

Pluto put a hand over her mouth. "With history changed, there will be new challenges, for this world is still wild. But you are now ready for them, King of Adventure. The rest of your story has yet to be written."

"There will be many great deeds to come," Merlin said. "Though I fear I will miss the ending. I have cheated death a few too many times and he always collects."

"I can help with that," Mordred said. "End your pain quickly."

Merlin covered his groin with his hands.

"But I'm going to paint it," Katsumi said. "But first, I'm going to go see my boyfriend one more time!" She flew off.

"You can't see the paintings either," Pluto said. "We've beaten this poor timeline with a stick too many times." Avalon had healed the damage to the timeline but it was best to NOT start messing it all up again.

"But how...how does..." Arthur began.

"I am your daughter now in truth," Arturia said to Arthur. "And you are finally free to find happiness as I have. Rule well, once and future king. Until we meet again."

"So...you're the man who wants to be my daughter's lover," Arthur said, studying Endymion. "Anyone who wishes her hand must go forth and do some great marvel! Past marvels don't count!"

"It's tradition," Guenevere said smiling.

"Then we'd best get on with it. Questing takes time and we don't want our ride back to the future to have to wait too long," Arturia said.

"Oooh, a quest. I'm in," Umino said.

"Then I will help," Nao said.

Pretty soon, a rather over-sized quest was in progress. For this was the Kingdom of Adventure!

********************

Yumeni laid on her lover's chest. "So what is your name?"

"Helin le Blank," he said. "The son of Sir Bors and Claire of Strangorre. Mother and Princess Elaine had rather a rivalry and...well, she ended up seducing Father basically to prove she could get a knight of the round table too." He sighed. "It's so embarrassing I decided to create my own identity unconnected to mother's shenanigans and Aunt Elaine helped me sign on at Carbonek as part of the Animal Knights, who all hide their names."

"My goodness," she said.

"Plus, being a mystery knight is cooler," he said.

Yumeni laughed. "I know. I hope you're around in my time. I don't know if I'll ever be back, but I want to see you again."

"If our love is true, then even the gulf of time will not part us forever," he said softly.

She smiled. I hope you're right.

*********************

Hotaru had taken up guardianship of Casca and was taking him to meet her parents; they felt rather odd about this as he was a lot older than her; on the other hand, she was oddly mature and there really wasn't anyone but Pluto who was older, unless he stayed in Arthur's court, which wasn't his time any more than this was. And he had a feeling they must somehow be kin.

However, his own memories of his pre-Heroic Spirit days were rather scrambled; everything after he'd stuck Jesus to check for death was somewhat vague. Though he had visited some place that looked sort of like this, he thought.

"Is the laboratory supposed to be on fire?" he asked.

"No. RUN!"

********************

"Are you sure she'll be okay?" Tomoe Meiko asked her husband.

"She'll be fine," he told her. He now was the staff artificer and charity-mage-for-loan for the Kings and Queens of Avalon. He considered himself fortunate he hadn't suffered worse. "It's her turn to shine now." Hotaru, that is.

The fact that he was living with two women whose power were much stronger than his and each considered themselves to have the best claim to him was generally punishment enough, really.

"Let's go on a date!," Kaolinite said, coming in and grabbing his arm.

Sparks flew from Meiko's eyes and, as usual, his lab was soon on fire again.

So much for today's research.

****************

Jonen C · Feb 4th 2010, 4:07pm

Quote:

Pluto, Uranus, and Jupiter combined their powers and drowned some of Solomon's demons, stunned them with high sonics and then let them fall into a crack in the earth, then did the same to Solomon.

Leonidas raged against Sailor Star Uranus, but with her Gem-strengthened Star Sword, she soon gained the advantage on him.

Quote:

They had to give Jupiter some help but pretty soon, the servants had been subdued. Saturn continued to study Casca curiously.

Erm, you're only halfway done with these paragraphs - Uranus is two places at once, Neptune isn't anywhere to be seen, and it still sounds like Jupiter doesn't quite manage, despite working with Uranus (supposed to be Neptune) and Pluto.

Quote:

In the background, several members of Brutus' Roman Senate were hard at work scrubbing and cleaning; Brutus had been transferred to Kay, who put him and all his flunkies to work on FINALLY getting this castle the kind of thorough cleaning it NEEDED.

I burst out laughing at this. Moving on.

JohnWBiles · Feb 4th 2010, 5:28pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonen C

Erm, you're only halfway done with these paragraphs - Uranus is two places at once, Neptune isn't anywhere to be seen, and it still sounds like Jupiter doesn't quite manage, despite working with Uranus (supposed to be Neptune) and Pluto.

I burst out laughing at this. Moving on.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Will fix.

Okay, I edited the segment itself to fix.

Lawnmower · Feb 4th 2010, 6:48pm

Thanks also for this change. It fixes a lot of things I've been worrying about in regards to the Camelot situation. These were: 1. Camelot's depleted military power, due to the Grail Quest. 2. It not being clear that the Grail Quest conspirators had lost any irreplaceable power. 3. The power of Nimue and Merlin, and hence the magical power of Camelot being uncertain from a reader's perspective. Hence it being unclear if Camelot had the magical power to keep an eye on Brisen once all the heavy hitters went back to the future. 4. The earlier version hurt Brisen without removing her ability to recreate things. Transfering the Servants to Camelot seems to fix a lot of such things, as does taking control of the Grail Castle.

Partly remaining is the matter of Brisen's crimes, her ability, and what to do with her. Old Time Line, her conspiracy killed at least 75 knights, which is at best negligent homicide. Then there is the treason, and the summoning of Death as a Servant, which might be a crime against nature or God. IIRC, when she was introduced, she spouted off about an ideology that was also biased against Camelot for religious reasons. (The Roman Servants help count against that. The Romans wiped out the Druids because they didn't care for the Druid practice of human sacrifice.) Then there is the whole summoning of Seven Servants and all the rest of the Grail Quest which she pulled off. This amounts to a very able, very motivated, very amoral person, who would see likely see a minimum of life in prison in the US, the UK or Japan. One of the options that came to mind was dragging her to the future, where a bunch of the heavy hitters could keep an eye on her. (I was also wondering why she didn't do something desperate and suicidally destructive at the end.)

I think part of the focus on parents in my examination of the end is that I think Shirou's adoptive father, his wife, and his assistent might have ended up summoned by the Dark Grail. They don't seem to have shown up, or gotten purified. Having them alive might settle down Illya.

This ties into another idea of mine about how to resolve the Brisen issue. I seem to recall something about canon counter guardians being mostly criminals forced into it. So, Brisen does something stupid, burns off her command runes and gets taken by Death, is executed, or dies of old age. Whatever happens, she's gotten herself in trouble, and is sentenced to serve as Counter Pink. Kirigitsu, because of his success infecting Shirou with his brand of heroism, has a noble phantasm for infecting people with Heroism. He trains the Counter Guardians in the place they live in between being summoned, along with his wife and assistant. (Brisen, having pulled off the Grail Conspiracy, might have some mighty power if summoned as a Servant. Sentai Team logic suggests Counter Pink might compliment Counter Red, by being able to summon herioc spirits with his copy of their items.) I imagine that Colored Counter Guardians are the elites, and that Kirigitsu teaches them Kamen Rider poses, and his wife provides Henshin Belts.

Also, I was partway expecting Prester John to be a fairly badass lion when summoned by Seige Perilous. I do not recall him being summoned or purifying anyone. On the other hand, I think I may be getting more than a bit absurd.

nick012000 · Feb 4th 2010, 6:48pm

So, what happened to Alexander? I doubt he'll want to put conquering the world on hold for long, and I sort of doubt that Shirou and Usagi would let him actually manage to do so.

JohnWBiles · Feb 4th 2010, 7:38pm

Aargh, I forgot about Prester John. ^^;;

I also basically forgot about Illyasviel after she gets TKed away.

The Grail can't summon Kitsurugi because it didn't get to eat his soul. Unless he became a Heroic Spirit.

Yeah, Shirou should face his dad. Will think on that.

JohnWBiles · Feb 4th 2010, 7:40pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick012000

So, what happened to Alexander? I doubt he'll want to put conquering the world on hold for long, and I sort of doubt that Shirou and Usagi would let him actually manage to do so.

Oop, forgot to set him up too. Gotta do that.

JohnWBiles · Feb 4th 2010, 7:49pm

New final scene to deal with Alexander:

Rei, Shiho, and Pluto landed in an alleyway, then stepped out into the street. An armored zeppelin flew by overhead with a huge electronic message board on the side. It said 'EMPEROR ALEXANDER ANNOUNCES BATCH 5 OF CROSS-CULTURAL WEDDINGS FOR FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH. WEAR A TUX.'

They all stared, mouths open wide.

"I believe we forgot something in 2010," Pluto said.

"Oh man, we totally forgot about him!," Rei said, slapping her forehead.

"So no fancy underwear," Shiho grumbled.

"We might as well get all the fancy underwear we can before this timeline is erased by us when we go home," Pluto said.

"Does that mean we don't have to pay?" Shiho asked hopefully.

"It's courteous to pay even if the timeline will evaporate," Pluto said. "Manners are important."

"A woman's work is never done," Rei grumbled, then said, "Let's go!"

A woman's work is never done but this story is. But where's a story without a hook for a sequel?

But that, as they say, is a story for another day.

The End

nick012000 · Feb 4th 2010, 7:50pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnWBiles

The Grail can't summon Kitsurugi because it didn't get to eat his soul. Unless he became a Heroic Spirit.

Yeah, Shirou should face his dad. Will think on that.

In OTL, Emiya Kiritsugu died because he was poisoned by the taint of the Grail. In your timeline, it very well might have eaten his soul.

Jan 31st 2010, 9:44pm	#126
JohnWBiles Registered Join Date: 5 Nov 2009 Posts: 188	The Dark Red Counter-Guardian and Eudial faced off. She levelled her Gae Bolg-Thrower. He levelled...a giant nerf hammer. She began laughing. "If you go easy on me, baby, you'll die! Here it comes!" He laughed and snapped his fingers and her gun evaporated and he leaped at her, whacking her in the head over and over until she dissolved into light and was eaten by the grail. "You should have known better than to try to fight me with a weapon I made myself," he said, then ambled off to find something useful to do while he waited for the Grail to give him Dark Eudial to work with him. ************ Lancer, Sakura, Suguira-sensei, and Shirou confronted Dark Lancer 4 (Dark Alexander the Great), his master Kayneth Archibald El-Melloi, Dark Berserker 4 (Dark Lancelot), his master Matou Kariya, Dark Fumi, her master Matou Zouken, and Dark Cyber-Shinji. By virtue of his status as a high ranking member of the Mages' association (or maybe due to vanity from wearing the mantle once worn by Alexander the Great), Kayneth had taken command of his side of this fight about to erupt. "By virtue of the authority invested in me by the Mages' Association, I hereby arrest Matou Sakura and Shirou Emiya for illegal entry into the Grail War without being members in good standing of the Mages' Association. Further..." Dark Alexander the Great plucked the mantle off Kayneth's shoulders, then now proceeded to run over Kayneth with his chariot as it spewed lightning, then backed up over him, then did it three more times. He then stabbed Kayneth in the head with his long spear. Kayneth dissolved away and he announced, "As the mightiest of Kings, I CLAIM THIS WORLD FOR ME! Shirou, Sakura, the fact that this BASTARD hated you is enough for me to conclude you must be wonderful people! I invite you to become the first of my companions!" "We can be a family again!" Matou Kariya said to Sakura. He had entered the fourth Grail War hoping to win her freedom from his own house, for he loved his little niece. He had died in front of her at the end of the war, telling her she was going to be safe and how he loved her. It was very, very tempting. Like Shirou, she knew he really did love her. He'd given his life trying to win her freedom. His failure had made her give up on herself for many years, blame herself for being unable to help him. If he hadn't been glowing with dark energy, she probably would have said yes and tried to convince Shirou. He and Berserker had tried so hard to save her before that bitch Saber...Arturia...killed them. Now Arturia was here, on her side, but she didn't like Arturia and never would. If she joined her uncle, she could help him defeat Arturia before she... Shirou said, "Shinji, WHY?" He said, agonized. "You can't imagine what it's like! I was a man without powers in a family of magi! I was so inadequate, they BOUGHT ME A SISTER to carry on the family name because my blood would never do!" Dark Cyber-Shinji shouted. "But she wouldn't obey, so I had to break her! She's a cheap whore, only good for fucking! Nothing but a BREEDING SOW sold to us by the Tohsakas! BUT SHE HAD POWER AND I DID NOT. So I had to get power by stripping her of hers! YOU WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME THING!" Dark Cyber-Shinji raved. Shirou felt sick in his gut. Shinji was beyond hope. He didn't want to kill anyone, but he didn't have a choice. Though maybe they could take him alive and eventually... But they would have to fight. "Alexander, she is an evil willful child. You can see how she betrays our family by sleeping around! Look at how she is dressed!" Dark Zouken said to Alexander. "She must be taught her place!" "No, wait!" Matou Kariya said. "Please, Sakura...don't make us fight you." "Grandfather and my brother VIOLATED ME," Sakura said angrily. "There can be no forgiveness and NO MERCY for them! If you side with them, I cannot forgive you." Dark Alexander was about to speak and then something spoke through him. "THEN SO BE IT! SLAY THEM ALL AND I WILL SORT THEM OUT AND BRING THEM BACK TO SERVE YOU, ALEXANDER." Shirou REALLY didn't like the odds here, AND all his friends were pinned down elsewhere on the battlefield. He turned his giant spatula into a giant two-pronged grilling fork and Reinforced it. "Suguira-sensei, you have to fight Dark Fumi. I will deal with Zouken-san and Shinji." "You think you can take them both at once?" Suguira-sensei asked, worried. "I have to try." He prayed to any gods who might be listening for strength. Father, guide me. Dark Sakura reached into the Avalon within her heart and brought forth a magnificent huge plum purple Clydesdale wearing barding. Shiny barding with pretty pictures on it, with ribbons and bows in its mane and tail. Lancer vaulted into the saddle, levelling her naginata like a lance as Dark Lancelot turned to face her, levelling his lance. Sakura cracked her whip and faced off with her uncle. "I'm so sorry, Uncle Kariya," she said, nearly crying. "Please surrender, I don't want to fight." "I don't want to fight you either," he confessed and they stood there, telling each other this over and over as the battle commenced. Dark Alexander did not immediately enter the battle; he wished to observe his foes and learn their strengths and weaknesses. He also felt pity for Sakura and Kariya, hoping Kariya would win Sakura over, which would bring in Lancer and make this easy. Matou Zouken called forth two of his worms, turning them into long crimson whips and charged at Shirou, moving them in complex patterns. Shirou had to dodge blasts of fire and ice from Shinji's cyber-hand, though it was less potent due to him lacking the jewel, now in the hands of Mai elsewhere on the battlefield. This left him unable to contest Matou Zouken's advance; worse, it greatly hampered his ability to defend himself and he got snared by the worm-whips, one of which took his weapon and the other of which tried to bore into his flesh on his side. He called upon Avalon the Scabbard, however and his flesh healed as fast as the worm could bore, blocking it. But the pain was intense and he could hardly do anything else. But now, Shinji stalked forwards, claws extended. Meanwhile, Lancer and Dark Lancelot charged at each other. He had huge speed and great potence, but tapping the Violet Gem of Power enabled her to move at blazing speed. She gutted his horse, passing to one side of him and he fell, pole-vaulting himself into the air. He sank into the snow like a rock, and out of the hole came Dark Natsuki, armed with twin pistols and riding a motorcycle. Lancer stared, mouth wide. "Natsuki?" "I'm sorry, my love," Dark Natsuki said. "It seems like we're always having to kill each other." Then she charged, firing at high speed at Lancer. Lancer evaded the shots, but didn't want to kill Natsuki again. Unless this was just a trick...had this been Natsuki all along disguised as Lancelot or was Lancelot somehow disguised as Natsuki? Surely you couldn't kill Lancelot with one pole-vault into snow. But she wasn't sure as she knew little of Lancelot. "That's not Natsuki, it's Lancelot in disguise! He can become any Servant in form!" Sakura said, who knew all about him from him fighting for her and her uncle during the Fourth War. Lancer's eyes flared and now she was angry. "KIYOHIME!" she shouted and Kiyohime came forth, moving at blazing speed to snatch up and devour 'Dark Natsuki', who went right down the giant eight-headed squid-serpent-dragon's throat. Unfortunately, Dark Lancelot now drew his sword Arondight, which had the power to slay Dragons. He sliced his way out and Kiyohime evaporated. The disadvantage for him, however, was that he could no longer disguise himself as anyone else, neutralizing one of his noble phantasms until he fought someone new and put away Arondight. But he could live with that. Lancer clutched her head and screamed and fell off her charger into the snow. A portion of her soul had just been sliced out by Arondight. Her link to the primal rage and envy of Kiyohime had driven her mad with jealousy and envy and spite during the Fuuka Grail War. Now that madness had been cut out of her, but with it, the power it had given her as well. This meant Shizuru was still very fast, but now the strength of her strikes, once fuelled by battle-madness, was now much less. That was going to make this much harder, especially since her third Noble Phantasm, Elegant Lesbian, would not work with any significant strength on Dark Lancelot, who could not be seduced by anyone but Arthur or Guenevere. He charged her like the crack of doom. "You fight well, my servants!" Dark Alexander proclaimed. "I go to deal with the mightiest of our foes, Saber! Once she falls, all else will be driven before us! Slay them all and the Grail will make them serve me!" He roared off in his chariot, secure in the delusion he would soon rule this world as the Grail's subordinate, then overthrow it and rule in his own right, for was he not the son of Zeus? Shinji now drove his blades into Shirou. "DIE! And then I will reclaim Sakura for myself!" Shirou couldn't stop the worms and the blades. Blood flew everywhere and he howled in pain. Dark Fumi was on Gakutenou, dueling with Suguira-sensei, scythe against axe as Gakutenou zoomed around over the fight in the air. She wanted to help Shirou but she was locked in combat. But she had to do something. Sakura howled like the death of hope and shouted, "Uncle! If you don't help us, the man I love will die!" Matou Kiriya did not have much darkness within him; even corrupted by the Grail, he was a man who had been a decent soul at heart, who only entered the war out of his love for his little niece and his hatred of her father who sold her into slavery, then entered the war. The Grail had used that hatred and his anger from dying at Saber's hands to control him, but faced with Sakura's pain, that control snapped. White light exploded out of him as his true self exerted itself. "Lancelot! KILL SHINJI AND ZOUKEN!" Shinji tried to run and Dark Lancelot cut him down, slicing him in half with Arondight. Then he and Lancer turned as one and rushed at Zouken. Zouken released Shirou, turning and trying to tangle Dark Lancelot with his whips. Unused to fighting whips, he actually snagged him briefly, then Shirou rushed him and drove a giant grilling fork into his chest. "This is for what you did to Sakura!" And then he focused and the grilling fork became a blender and ripped Zouken into pieces as it rotated. Shizuru now sliced up all the worms that tried to escape and he dissolved as Shirou collapsed, his wounds closing but now he was knocked out. Sakura took him into her arms and Dark Lancelot bowed to him. "Your sacrifice was valiant and your blow was mighty, Sir Shirou," he said. "Your father would be proud of you." "Don't die," Sakura said desperately to Shirou. "He won't die," her uncle said. "His wounds have already closed, but he will need some time to rest and recover, time I don't know if we're going to GET." Shizuru looked up at the battle high above, with Fumi fighting against Suguira-sensei. "I can't reach that high. Anyone here have a ranged attack or a way to get up?" "I have nothing that will do anything but very mildly annoy a Servant-class spirit," Kariya said. "My blasts of anger don't reach that far," Sakura said. This was going to require some thought, Shizuru said, producing a cup of tea and sipping. At least she thought more clearly now. ************* Dark Akbar appeared silently in the chaotic energies behind Pluto; he'd slipped in when she opened the gates and concealed himself. He raised his sphere and hurled the strongest blast he had. Caught by surprise, Pluto dropped dead. Dark Akbar stared in surprise and then began trying to figure out how to actually operate the Gates of Time so he wouldn't be trapped in here. A bright lightshow corruscated around Pluto; unknown to Dark Akbar, she was part of the race of the Time Lords, now mostly sealed inside a time loop. Unfortunately for Dark Akbar, Time Lords had thirteen lives and she had only been on life number 2. In most places, the light show would have drawn his attention, but this area was one HUGE light show. Eventually, she rose; she was now much shorter, though built roughly the same otherwise, with long brown hair and brown eyes and pale skin. Her staff had become a bow and she had a horn at her waist. Her dress had become hunting clothes, complete with a jaunty green hat. She raised her bow and charged an arrow. Dark Akbar's danger sense went off. "IT'S A TRAP!" he announced, turned, and took an arrow to the throat, followed by two more. Then she shattered his sphere and he tried to flee, but there was nowhere to flee too. Pretty soon, he dissolved away into black sparkles. However, she still couldn't get the gates open, but at least that would keep the Dark Grail from sending Dark Akbar back. She was in no mood to keep having to regenerate. "I suppose I can use Susan as a name again now, though," she said, studying herself. She transformed to Sailor garb, just to be sure she would be recognized, then waited. ************* "Kill them both," Dark Illyasviel said to Dark Berserker. "I can't turn my brother into a doll while they're in the way!" Taiga-sensei did NOT want to fight a nine-year old. However, this is what the force is for. She reached out with the Force, Shiny Magic Rock glowing brightly, and flung Dark Illyasviel far, far away into another fight. Though now she felt a little tired and hungry. "YOU KILLED HER!" Dark Berserker shouted. "ENEMIES ARE FOR KILLING." She went to kill-frenzy mode and rushed at Taiga-sensei. Even kill-crazed Dark Berserker didn't want to hurt Mai, but Taiga-sensei? Nothing but a mostly naked maniac with a glowing rock and a glowing stick-sword to her. Dark Berserker rushed at Taiga-sensei, but Mai dove down, grabbed her, and rose up into the air out of Dark Berserker's reach. Without Miroku, Dark Berserker could not fly, so she ran off into the general chaos, shouting about killing and Mai flew after her, trying to think of some way to stop her without killing her. ************ Dark Endymion gave ground quickly as Saber came on, determined to defeat him and free his soul. Unfortunately, while she was a better fighter, he was very strong on defense and supremely agile. Even with Shiho and Sailor Star Mars trying to provide support fire, they couldn't get him to stop bouncing about and perching on anything perchable. Katsumi circled overhead, trying to figure out how best to leverage her powers. She'd tried creating a wall to hem him in but he'd just jumped up and perched on the top, then threw a rose at her. "Snap out of it," she said. "This isn't like you at all! You are a good and noble prince!" "And that always gets me murdered! Do you know how many times I've sacrificed myself for others?" he said bitterly, flipping out of the way of yet another thrust. "I died for you and now you're trying to kill me!" "You! You ruled a kingdom whose legend is still not forgotten, did you not?" Dark Alexander shouted at Saber, now riding up in his chariot. "The army of knights I see fighting demons everywhere answers to you? One of the mightiest armies of history? We did battle in the Fourth War, neither of us emerging fully victorious?" "Alexander!" Saber said, gladdened and worried at once. "Yes, I am she and yes we did, and your wisdom helped me to undo a great evil in my kingdom and end the bane of many a good knight! Long did I live my life thinking every choice was binary, either one thing or another, but you taught me to find more creative solutions! To cut through my dilemnas with other actions, as you did at Gordius to secure your chariot!" This seemed to make him a VERY happy man. "You flatter me, fair lady! You are both a woman and a warrior and I need that! Marry me and we will rule this world together!" Dark Endymion's face darkened at that, though he didn't say anything and indeed now slipped away from Saber and struck Shiho in the face with his extended cane, knocking her for a loop. He then parried a flame arrow from Sailor Star Mars with a rose and threw three more at Katsumi, who countered them with roses of her own. "I am sorry, Alexander, my heart belongs to another!" Saber said. "Though you flatter me greatly!" She touched her rose and Dark Alexander understood. "Then when you are reborn by the power of the Grail after I slay you, I will preside over your wedding to him myself! In honor of your glory and skill! Now, let us resolve as we failed to last time, which of us is truly the greatest Monarch of all time!" And then he came at Saber like the falling of an avalanche. It pained Sailor Star Mars deeply to see Dark Prince Endymion once again enslaved. It had happened too many times; his good nature was exploited so often. She hoped she and Shiho could purify him if they could weaken him enough to work, but he was a master of defense, and he now fended off her and Katsumi with ease, blocking every shot they took at him. Alexander did not repeat his mistake from the last war. He knew that for all his skill, Saber would probably wreck his chariot AGAIN as she had in the last war. This time, though, he deployed all his aces at once. He called upon his Noble Phantasm, Ionioi Hetairoi, which summoned up a horde of well armed and armored Macedonian cavalry with longspears, his faithful Companions, who had accompanied him to the very end of the world. Or India, anyway. He turned them loose to swarm down on her so she had to fight all of them AND him at the same time. And instead of relying on simply trampling her, he poured mana into his spear, the Thunderbolt of Zeus, his father, and it crackled with lightning. Even if you dodged it, the lightning would jump the gap to anything metal, such as Saber's sword, her armor, etc. The disadvantage was that he was burning mana like crazy. Rei saw all this coming at Saber at once. Even with twin Excaliburs, it was too much. The Companions would hamper her motion, the spear would try to stun or injure her, and then she would be run over. Katsumi tried to think of something she could create which would tip the balance. Without the gem Mai had, she couldn't create very much of things; it handled bulk but simple creation, she made the complex but smaller scale things. And then it struck her as the bull-pulled chariot charged, throwing off lightning bolts and the Companions moved to encircle Saber and cut off her escape, there was something she could do. She swept down, grabbed Saber and hurled her at Dark Endymion, shouting to Sailor Star Mars, "BURN UP THE ICE AROUND ALEXANDER AND HIS COMPANIONS." Mars shot at the ground with a "STAR FIRE SOUL", a bigger version of her normal Fire Soul attack, and Alexander was not used to attacks shooting the ground under him. Which was made of ice. Which quick boiled to steam. Which conducted electricity. Which caused the chariot as it moved to electrocute the Companions, eliminating them, though the Thunderbolt shielded Alexander himself from harm by his own lightning. Saber and Dark Endymion alike were NOT ready for her to suddenly be airborne and they collided and fell to the ground with her kneeling over him, an Excalibur in each hand. She dropped his Excalibur, pulled the rose from behind her ear and poured every drop of mana into it she could cram into it. Then she shoved it behind his ear and activated it. "BE FREE!" she shouted, pouring her will into it. "GOD, FREE THIS MAN WHO I RESPECT AND LOVE!" He looked stunned and then pained and then he howled and darkness boiled out of him, and the shadow around him cleared. Then he seized her in his arms, along with plucking his Excalibur from the snow, and leaped up onto a convenient fifth story balcony as Dark Alexander tried to run them down and kill them. "I...Saber...," he said, stunned. Then he hugged her tightly and they both laughed and cried at once. "We must free him, Endymion," she said. "Alexander is a noble man, and though he desires to rule, he will not allow Master Pharoah Ninety to rule the world." "I can help you," he said. "But I do not have the proper emotional tie to him to free him." He paused. "Saber..." "Call me Arturia," she said. "Our contract is over. I am not your Servant and you are not my Master. But I love you and I wish to fight by your side." "I..." he began. "I know. Usagi," she said softly. "I understand the reluctance to move on, to let go. But she loves another now and she is one who will not turn back, having made a promise. There is a new future for you and for me and I want us to enter that future together. If you wish, I will woo you properly as a knight should, once this war is over." He produced another rose and tucked it behind her ear. "I told her to go on without me and she has. I must take my own advice," he said softly. "I have always...Love takes time to grow." "I know," she said. "We both have much to learn from each other. But I accept your rose and you have kept mine, so now we are lovers. And we will see what the future brings us." "Saving Shiho is the first thing," he said, pointing. He passed her a second rose, tucking it into her collar. Shiho was sitting up, rubbing her head, but now Alexander was charging at her full force, hurling lighting bolts with his Thunderbolt to keep Sailor Star Mars and Katsumi away from her. While he didn't have huge range or great accuracy, they were afraid to get too close to him. Endymion hurled Saber at him and sprang down, saving Shiho and leaping skywards. She parried every lightning bolt with Excalibur as she descended towards him, then knocked him right out the back of his chariot, which took off at a wild clip. He tumbled on the ground and took the rose from her collar and tucked it behind his ear and focused on purging the dark energy. Fortunately, she'd regained some mana from the rose tucked behind her ear which she now spent on purging Alexander, shouting, "THE GRAIL AND MASTER PHAROAH NINETY WANT THE WORLD FOR THEMSELVES INSTEAD OF YOU GETTING IT!" "THIS WORLD IS MINE," Alexander shouted as the darkness boiled out of him. He touched the rose. "We are engaged, then! Together, we will defeat the Grail and rule this world!" "Wait, I was just..." He summoned back his chariot, leaped in with her by his side, then said, "First comes conquest, then comes marriage, and then we'll need an entire second chariot for the kids!" This was NOT how she'd envisioned this going. ********* Ever on the Daimons came, and among them came various Masters and Servants who had fallen in the first, second, and third Grail War. It was them who the Round Table and the Hime had to battle to give their allies a chance to deal with the Grail. The Third Grail War had been especially bitter; fought in 1940 during World War II, the masters had quickly butchered each other through the streets of Fuyuki City and laid it waste; it was this war which had corrupted the Grail irrevocably. Heki Danjo Masatsugu, inventor of Heki-ryu archery style, had fought for the Matou clan's master Matou Gendo. Tohsaka Kasumi had summoned Samson as Berserker. Sir Marhaus, Irish knight of the Round Table, had been summoned as Lancer by Italian master Giorgio Massani. The German Edelfelt sisters had somehow summoned twin Sabers--one of them was the heroic legend of El Cid, the other his historical reality. Lady Helen Kestral of Britain had summoned Morgan le Fay as Caster. Much to his aggravation, Lacy Smith of the USA ended up with General Custer as Rider. Francois Benoit had been somewhat non-plussed to end up with François Ravaillac as Assassin. And unknown to anyone, the Einzbern had created a secret eighth class; by doing so they broke the Class structure, also opening the way for the current war. Chariot was a class designed by them to summon someone really ancient and powerful, given no one rides in chariots these days. Ramses II was Chariot. Victor at the battle of Meddigo, the battle of which we have a record, he was indeed quite strong. He was even worse when backed by an army of daimons. Much of the Round Table was fighting him and his armies. Sir Tristam was fighting Sir Marhaus and mauling him; he'd killed Sir Marhaus when he was first starting out and now he was much stronger. Sir Bors and Sir Lancelot took on Saber-Red-El Cid and Saber-White-El Cid. Guenevere had an archery duel with Heki Danjo Masatsugu, while Arthur went after Morgan le Fay with Excalibur. Gawaine was facing off with Samson and Percival was chasing François Ravaillac around the battlefield. Percival's pure heart noble phantasm repelled the sorceries of Assassin's master and Assassin couldn't get in close enough to use his dagger. Percival's spear could be used as a thrown weapon which returned, but its armor piercing abilities were not too much use against a man with no armor. So they chased each other around. Sir Marhaus's strength was growing as night came on, but Sir Tristam was surpassing strong and very skilled and was giving more than he got. Sir Gawaine wasn't doing so well as he got smacked around by the jawbone of an ass. His strength, unfortunately, dwindled as night came on. Then he realized what he needed to do. Of course! He took a painful blow, grabbed some of Samson's hair, and cut it. Samson got weaker, so he grabbed more. Soon, Samson was mostly bald and knocked unconscious. Bors and Lancelot waded through El Cid's Army of Reconquista Crusaders; they were not heretics or moslems, so it didn't work so well. Arthur could parry Morgan's spells or resist them with Excalibur, and but the arrows whizzing around Guenevere rather worried him. "Gawaine, deal with the archer!" Gawaine raced after Heki Danjo Masatsugu; he was starting to resemble a pin-cushion. This left Arthur free to block Morgan's magics with Excalibur, while Guenevere began riddling her with arrows; she dissolved away swiftly, cursing loudly. "And that is the end of her and the evils she did to us," Guenevere said angrily. "Unless the Grail summons her again, which it possibly can," Sir Dinadan said. "I suppose it's time for us to go bail out Lancelot and Bors." "You're relishing the chance to say that," Arthur said, smiling just a little. "Oh yeah." *************** "I'M RICK JAMES, BITCH!" a deep woman's voice shouted, punching Older-Mikoto in the back of the head and sending her sprawling. "You can't all be Rick James!" Older-Mai said, sounding frantic, as she laid down sprays of fire which burned up a mailbox with bulldog like legs and fangs in its mouth; a crisped daimon seed fell out of it. "I'm really getting irritated by this," Older-Yuuichi said, slicing an acid spraying garden hose into segments with a shining white blade in his hand. He couldn't dodge the acid which spewed but it was repelled by Older-Shiho's flautings. Older-Mikoto rolled to her feet confronting a weirdly feminine light-pole being that tried to make her confused by strobing its light at her. But she doggedly cut it up even as it said, "What did the hand say to the face?" The Older-Hime were busy wiping out Daimons and dealing, like the Round Table, with past Masters and Servants. Rick James had been summoned from the future by House Einzbern in an experiment during the Second Grail War, hoping that time was a wheel and this would put him so far in the past he'd be virtually invincible. He wasn't invincible, but his Noble Phantasm 'Being Rick James' enabled him to infect creatures with his catchphrases and control them, making him an unusually versatile Berserker. He was currently hidden, though if he had to fight, he was quite potent. His summoning had broken the laws of time, making it easier to screw up history with the power of the Grail. Rick James had a simple weakness as a servant. Several, in fact. They were, however, deficient in alcohol, half or more naked women, drugs, and couches. This left them fighting endless tides of daimons; they could see their friends busy fighting knots of daimons as well, but they, at least, were Rick James free. Shiho finally got a break and called Older-Yukino, who ran a scan. Rick James liked publicity and thus was, in fact, more vulnerable to scanning. "You need a couch, alcohol, half or more naked women, or drugs to lure him out," Older-Yukino told them. "Take your shirt off, Mai," Older-Shiho said. "..." Older-Shiho now half-flashed everything. She still had a bra on. This drew Rick James out into the open; he jumped for her chest and got punched in the face by Older-Yuuichi; now everyone opened up on him. "STAY AWAY FROM MY SHIHO!" he shouted. "Nice right hook, Yuuichi!" Older-Mikoto said cheerfully. She then began stabbing Rick James and Older-Mikoto did likewise, while Older-Shiho disoriented him with her flute and Older-Mai poured on the fire. He soon became a rising pillar of sparkles, his last words, "Cocaine is a terrible thing." __________________ "How can you be so calm?" Rei demanded angrily. "Oh, for my family, this is what we call 'the situation around lunch time'," Sailor Pluto said. "You get used to it." --Unlimited Food Porn (F/SN, SM, MH)

Feb 1st 2010, 8:13pm	#131
Jonen C F.M.D.G. Join Date: 21 May 2007 Location: Lincopense, Ostrogothia - "Where IDEAS become REALITY" Posts: 8,686	It deserves to be said again:, he opines Alexander the Great is Crazy Awesome. __________________ Flying Monkey Death God! - Cpl_Facehugger Plays: Spellcross! Militant Procrastinators of the World! Assemble! Eventually! - Varje meddelande om att motståndet skall uppges är falskt. What is it you see / That makes you so intent / On that Horizon? FROG BLAST THE VENT CORE! - MOVE ZIG FOR GREAT JUSTICE!

Feb 1st 2010, 9:54pm	#132
JohnWBiles Registered Join Date: 5 Nov 2009 Posts: 188	*********** Nephrite struggled desperately as Kaolinite's powers rushed into him, trying to turn him into a pig. All he could do was defend desperately, but being the sort of charming, handsome man Kaolinite most liked to sucker, he was rather vulnerable and was starting to get pig ears, a pig nose, and a pig tail. Naru wanted to help him, but Professor Tomoe had her on the run, chasing her around and hurling bolts of darkness at her. She managed to squeeze off a few shots, but he was a much more experienced magician, even though she had more power. Tomoe Keiko, on the other hand, was tangled up in Sailor Star Venus' Love-Me-Chain and Sailor Star Venus was using her as a mace-and-chain to smack passing daimons with. She couldn't focus to cast and was, in fact, UTTERLY helpless. Dark Ninja was back to being Akira instead of being Beryl; the destruction of the Magnificent Beryl and Dark Ninja's reprocessing by the Grail had made her a cold, silent killer. She was trying to impale Nao with thrown knives while Nao tried to grapple her. Nao was bleeding because she'd suckerpunched Dark Shingo, knocked him out with one gem-enhanced punch, then gotten stabbed in the back by Dark Ninja. The gem, however, had warned her so the fatal blow became merely a wound. Further, her prophetic abilities with the gem enabled her to predict and counter Ninja 's moves and to pierce Ninja 's stealth, thanks to being second in Stealth, just behind Ninja. Now that she was ready for it. The result was that she was steadily gaining ground on Ninja, while Julia and Gennai fought as well. That fight wasn't going as well; Julia needed to get close to grapple, but Gennai was mobile and his mace and chain kept her at a distance. Princess Blue Mercury empowered her Princess Ice Mist with the Blue Gem; Miyu tried to consume the mist to find her with the Orange Gem of Wrath, but Mercury's brain was very potent and Miyu was designed for making people into kibble, not psychic combat. Further, mist attacks were Mercury's signature move and burning up mist with Gems of Power was...not Miyu's. Her normal sensors were unable to defeat Mercury's specialty, for she was only an artificial servant, though in many respects an exceptionally powerful one. "Miyu, return to your original programming," Princess Blue Mercury commanded, moving about frequently to avoid being found. "Small Lady Blue needs you. She loves you, you know." "I love her," Miyu said. "This is why I must destroy you, who kidnapped her." Princess Blue Mercury had an idea but it was a huge gamble, so she would have to think about it just a touch more. Dark Neptune was not having a good battle. Sailor Star Jupiter was one power-up ahead of her and was basically on her face and in her case, beating her in the head, chest and shoulders with a series of lighting punches. As in, punches that detonate with lightning. She tried to keep her distance, but Jupiter was as fast as her and could fly and could throw distance blasts too. Now, Dark Uranus could have beaten Sailor Star Jupiter down with her Star Sword enhanced by the Indigo Gem of Destruction and Preservation. Trying to punch someone with a sword that can cut a tank in half would be...dangerous. However, she faced a flying giant tiger that shoots tornados that cause explosive decompression out of its mouth and a melee oriented fast servant, Waitress, who was armed with magical tonfas strong enough to parry the Star Sword (for a while, anyway), and which could fire blasts of wind. She had huge attack power but wasn't so good at defense and now they were battering her around, though the sword could destroy much of it before it hit her. Dark Ninja burned mana like crazy, activating her Noble Phantasm, One Ninja is Serious Business. "I lost the man I love and now you will die alone!" she shouted, and unleashed too much speed for Nao to keep up with, pinning Nao's shadow with the Shadowknife, then going to town on her, running through mana at high speed. "You took Takumi from me! And now I lost Shingo too! AND NOW YOU WILL PAY!" Nao was starting to bleed a lot and the she foresaw what would come. Umino was watching from inside Avalon where they had left him. No one could break into Avalon while it was inside the heart but they could step out of it and he was now out of it and running across the ice. Ninja wouldn't notice him, focused on her, but when he pulled the knife to free her, she'd be on him and at this speed turn him to hamburger before Nao could stop Dark Ninja. She studied every pathway as fast as she could, trying to see some way to reduce or stave off doom. Even if she sacrificed herself, he would die anyway. She couldn't stop Dark Ninja in time. She wasn't fast enough. Not even with the Gem. Even if she told him to stop, he wouldn't. He was determined to protect her and couldn't sit back and watch and he was COMPLETELY CANNONFODDER here. She'd always tried to be the lone wolf, not trusting anyone. But she couldn't do this alone. But even her new team was too busy being overrun and fighting people to help her. Not without getting slaughtered themselves. She couldn't save her family. Couldn't save her mother. Couldn't even avenge herself. She couldn't do anything and he was going to die and then she was going to die alone. This was worse than having Shizuru about to kill her; at least then she was going to die for her own stupid actions. But she'd tried to keep him safe, joined this team, did everything she could. But it wasn't enough. Her own strength wasn't enough but no one was... "Are you crazy?" Sailor Star Venus shouted and sprang down, seizing Umino and leaping away, then nailing the Shadowknife with a Love-Me chain and flipping it up into the air. "Oh god, you look terrible, Juliet. Let me handle her!" But without a melee weapon, she couldn't actually keep Dark Ninja away from Nao; Dark Ninja recovered her shadowknife and started trying to nail Umino with knives. "I lost my boyfriend and now you will lose yours and you'll understand how I feel!" Hurt, Nao couldn't keep up with her enhanced speed. "My entire family died while I could do nothing, except for Mom! I ALREADY KNOW!" She felt an involuntary pang of sympathy and her gem flickered with light. Mistress Nine faced off with Sailor Star Moon, hurling bolts of destruction which Sailor Star Moon parried with bolts of light from the Crescent Moon Wand. "Please, Hotaru, let's not fight," Yukino said, hovering nearby and trying to help coordinate the fight and watch out for trouble elsewhere. "I want to be your friend!" "No one loves me but my parents! We did terrible things to come back together and no one can ever forgive us!" Mistress Nine shouted, pouring more mana into her attacks, but Sailor Star Moon poured in more power back. Dark Ninja traded shots with Sailor Star Venus, then pinned her shadow with the Shadowknife and prepared to shell her with blades, though Sailor Star Venus turned to shield Umino with her body. "Juliet! You've got to go, you're hurt!" he shouted. Nao felt like her heart was going to explode. "If you stick around you're going to die!" Not that he had much ability to leave. "I can't stand to lose anyone else who loves me! I already lost all my siblings and my father and they died in front of me and I was too weak to do anything!" And now she was too weak again, stumbling and bleeding as her Julia was chased by Gennai. She could see many futures and didn't like any of them. Yet, she hadn't foreseen Venus' arrival. What am I doing wrong? "I will protect your love with my life!" Sailor Star Venus said. "For I am the Senshi of LOVE!" She's totally bugfuck insane, Nao thought. What is it with all these people able to die for someone they just met? She'd rather die than see Umino die in front of her trying to save her. Even if she couldn't see a way to save him. "And I take care of my friends!" Venus shouted. Friend. Nao hadn't had a real friend in so long. Not until Umino...except...Natsuki. Natsuki had saved her life and now Natsuki was dead and it pissed Nao off. The most decent person to her in years and now Umino was going to die and... Sailor Star Venus was bleeding, trying to move around and shield Umino and counter-fire was too much and Dark Ninja seemed to have INFINITE amounts of mana to burn and was just moving like crazy. Her rage, unknown to Nao, was enabling her to pull dark mana from the air and keep fueling her speed. And Nao couldn't even get to the knife to free her without being finished herself. "I...I did terrible things, but Mai forgave me." Yukino could remember everything from her war now. "She gave us a second chance. Please, it's never too late. I tried...I tried to betray Mai and she forgave me. Please." She was crying. And scanning Mistress Nine, trying to find some way she could leverage her own abilities to help. Then she discovered something. "Sailor Star Moon, Hotaru is supposed to be Sailor Saturn! She's a Senshi like you!" Sailor Star Moon stopped blasting and said, "You're one of us, Hotaru." She held out her hand. "You don't have to be Mistress Nine. You can be Sailor Saturn and fight for justice with us. We want to be your friends, like Yukino is. You're not meant to serve the Grail. You're meant to be one of us, as you were in the Silver Millenium." Mistress Nine hesitated. Nao's tears were soaking onto her glove, which flickered brighter. It was too much, the scabs on her heart were tearing. Does everyone who wants to be my friend die? Why does everyone who cares about me have to get killed? "I can heal you," Sailor Star Moon said. "Wouldn't you rather be free?" Umino was bleeding. HE WAS BLEEDING. Dark Ninja was SPEEDING UP and in every future Nao could see he died, but she still couldn't see Sailor Star Venus and WHY? What was blocking her sight? The scars on Nao's heart were clenched in agony, falling off to leave her raw and vulnerable. And she hated that. "Don't cry, Juliet," Umino said. "It's going to be okay, don't worry," he said urgently, as if her crying was more important than HIM BLEEDING TO DEATH. "It hurts to see you cry." "I want you to fight with me, my friend," Yukino said urgently to her. Ribbons of white light flickered around Mistress Nine, thought the darkness kept snuffing it out. Nao could see her father dying, seeing him take a knife throw meant for her. FOR HER. Just like Venus and Umino. Just like Natsuki stepping between her and Shizuru and then she'd died too. Everyone who tried to protect her died and that was why she couldn't rely on others...IT WOULD KILL THEM. Mistress Nine took a step towards Sailor Star Moon. Then John Wilkes Booth, the Assassin of the Fourth Grail War, having snuck up using his Mask of the Celebrity (which caused people to accept his presence as rightful due to his status as a famous actor, so even Yukino had failed to actually pay attention to him), shot Sailor Star Moon in the back with his pistol, Sic Semper Tyrannis, which like Brutus' longknife, had especial force against leaders—presidents, nobles, kings, etc. His master, Kotomine Kirei, now set Yukino on fire and Booth turned and shot her as well; she was not a noble, but his weapon still did very good damage and her damage resistance was weak. "You shot Yukino," Mistress Nine whispered, stunned, as Usagi and Yukino fell down. Was the whole team going to die because of me, Nao thought, agonized. Her blood was in her eyes and she couldn't wipe them clean and knives were flying and Julia begged for help and it was too much. Nao fell to her knees, crying, helpless, desperate. "USAGI!" Akane screamed and turned and charged towards John Wilkes Booth. This freed Dark Uranus to charge Sailor Star Jupiter and now their combined attacks had Sailor Star Jupiter running for cover. "She is an enemy of the freedom of the Grail! Once the Grail rules, THE SOUTH WILL RISE AGAIN!" John Wilkes Booth said. He levelled his gun to shoot Usagi again. "Promise me you won't hurt my friends and I won't fight you," Usagi said. "I would rather die for them than let them die for me again." She was crazy, Nao thought. How can all these people be so willing to sacrifice themselves? He hesitated. "Your family trod the solar system under their feet for a thousand years. The South can never return to freedom and glory if you rule the Earth in the future!" "A Queen's word is her bond," Usagi said, trying to stand up and failing as she bled. "I swear that if you promise not to hurt my friends, I won't resist you killing me. For my friends, I can do anything. Even die." Could friendship, love really be so strong? Nao had believed that in her youth, but she'd lost her faith in it. And yet all of them...they would risk themselves, even die for her. Because of the strength of their friendship. She felt a huge clenching envy in her heart. No one was her friend like that. Light and dark warred in the heart of her gem. But that wasn't true. Umino loved her with a desperate, crazy love, even though she'd used him. Venus was willing to die to protect them. For love and friendship, Nao thought. And the light grew. "No, Sailor Moon!" Sailor Star Venus shouted. But she was trapped and couldn't help. There was no choice but radical measures, Blue Mercury thought. She used her link through the gem to Avalon and pulled forth Small Lady Blue. "You have to help me heal Miyu." "It's my fault she's been corrupted. Of course," Small Lady Blue said. They joined their powers and sucked the mist into a small sphere of water and empowered it with the power of the Blue Gem of Love. Then they hurled it at Miyu as she began to charge. "Miyu, let me help you!" Small Lady Blue shouted. Her love for Alyssa warred with the Grail's power just enough for Miyu to hesitate. And then the power of the gem surged through her, purging the darkness. "Yukino," Mistress Nine said, vibrating in pain and indecision, light and dark warring desperately inside her. "I won't let you kill her!" Yukino shouted, tackling John Wilkes' Booth in a ferocious burst of strength, and now both of them were burning. Yukino...even Yukino, that little coward but she's willing to risk death for her friends, Nao thought. It made her strong. She can't fight worth shit, but she faced down the Dark Messiah and...and... The light began to blaze in Nao's gem. Kotomine Kirei raised his hands to cast a spell to augment the flames. Then Gae Bolg pierced his heart and he fell, bleeding profusely. Then he got shot with two more Gae Bolgs. "The traitor to our cause has been slain!" the Dark Red Counter-Guardian announced smugly, with Dark Eudial by his side. Technically, he wasn't a traitor, but since the Red Counter-Guardian wanted to kill Kotomine Kirei, wanted it A LOT, it had been easy for his buried light side to fuzz his dark side enough to make that mistake. Then John Wilkes Booth shot Yukino a second time and tossed her aside, then rolled around in the snow. "I'm sorry, Hotaru, I guess this is the end," Yukino said. A few flecks of light started to rise from her. No, not more death in front of me. Nao couldn't stand to see another friend die. A friend. Even if she avenged her...vengeance was not enough. She'd learned that much trying to kill Takumi... Takumi... "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Mistress Nine screamed to the heavens, and then light erupted out of her in a huge whirlwind, even as Akane now hit John Wilkes' Booth with everything she had, battering and bashing him with winds and with her tonfas when she got close enough. More of Yukino was dissolving away. "Maybe next time I am summoned we can do more together, Hotaru," she mumbled. "I'm sorry I failed you." "Akira, I'm sorry! Takumi would have been fine if not for me! You're right! Just kill me! Just don't hurt them. I don't care if I die, just please, I beg you, show mercy. Takumi was a gentle boy and I'm terrible and please don't hurt Gurio-kun!" The light of her gem blazed brightly and now she could see what was to come. "No, Nao, don't do it!" Sailor Star Venus said instinctively. Unfortunately for Akane, she now came under attack by the Dark Red Counter-Guardian, who drove her back with his twin white and black blades, while Eudial began shooting Gae Bolgs at Harry, who had to dodge desperately. The darkness burned out of Miyu and the orange light in her weapon switched polarities from Wrath to Peacefulness and she ran over to Small Lady Blue, took her in her arms and embraced her. Assassin turned and seized the Shadowknife and hurled it right into Nao's heart, pinning her down to the ground as she fell. "NO, JULIET!!!!!" Umino shouted, the power within him now surging chaotically. "No, JULIET!" Sailor Star Venus shouted, then began angrily gathering power. "Don't hurt her, I deserve this," Nao choked out, only able to function because she was supernatural. "There's your revenge, Akira, does it taste good?" she whispered. Sailor Star Saturn emerged from the whirlwind and caught every mote of Yukino, sweeping them about with ribbons of white from her glaive, causing them to reform into into Yukino, but now Yukino was dressed as a Star Senshi, Sailor Star Titan, drawing power from Sailor Star Saturn, their lives tied together. Sailor Star Saturn laid her hands on Sailor Star Moon. "My Queen, I can preserve your life, but I cannot defeat the effects of Booth's weapon. We need to use Avalon to heal you, and it cannot be called without Shirou and Sakura and Mai." Sailor Star Moon said, "It's okay. Better I die this time, instead of my friends, right?" Nao completely agreed with that. She didn't want to see everyone she loved die any more. "No, you have to live! I don't want to lose you!" Akane shouted, desperately trying to keep herself alive but definitely losing her fight with the Red Counter-Guardian. "Akane!" Sailor Star Moon shouted, realizing...if she died, Akane was doomed to dissolve away. Her friends could live without her, but she was what kept Akane alive. Umino's power surged wildly and he screamed at the universe, HELP US! PLEASE! "PLEASE SAVE JULIET, I'LL DO ANYTHING!" he shouted at the universe. "It tastes like ashes," Dark Ninja whispered, now crying. "He's still dead and I still have nothing." "You did notice the Grail brought Shingo back to life, right?" Nao whispered. So close to the end, but if she died...she couldn't let herself go. She had to live or he would surely kill himself trying to save her. She couldn't just let go. "Sailor Moon can heal him and you and you can be together, it's what you really want, right?" "The Grail...it's so strong..." "FUCK THE GRAIL," Nao said hotly. She bled more, clinging to life only by her gem's power. "Don't let anyone tell you what to do," she said. "But don't try to go it totally alone either." "Yukino, get them. We will need Avalon to defeat Master Pharoah Ninety," Sailor Star Moon said to Yukino, then rose and stumbled over to Nao with Star Saturn following her and sustaining her life. "Yes, my Queen," Yukino said and sent out Diana's probes to find the people they needed. "You have to save Akane, you idiot!" Nao said to Sailor Star Moon. "Just let me die..." "DO NOT LET HER DIE!" Umino said, still bleeding as Venus now landed and came rushing over. Sailor Star Moon could see the huge whirling vortex above was getting bigger. All this chaos was strengthening Master Pharoah Ninety. Every dead foe, every fallen ally, all this chaos made him more powerful. "I can't," Sailor Star Moon said, crying. "I'm too hurt to save her." Who could stop a man with so many weapons? One person, Nao knew. Her friend. The friend who had saved her. But could she...it might be too much when she was barely holding on. Dark Ninja was crying and had run over to the knocked out Dark Shingo and was holding him. Umino took Juliet's glove hand. "Don't die." Venus took it was well and it blazed light. "LIVE," she said, sharing her strength, even though she was bleeding from several cuts. Sailor Star Moon placed her hand on it and the light almost became blinding. "You're a good friend," she said firmly. Miyu now engaged Dark Sailor Uranus, Peace against Destruction. Her weapon now paralyzed instead of slaying and her skill at swordsmanship and her strength exceded that of Dark Uranus. The gem made Uranus' blows much stronger but Miyu's gem neutralized the advantage. Mercury and Jupiter were busy chasing down Dark Neptune. "You three are really stubborn," Nao croaked. "But so am I." She reached out with the gem, hoping she could do something, feeling for the tie between her and Natsuki, the friendship and justice Natsuki had shown her instead of vengeance. "NATSUKI! I CALL YOU TO THE WAR OF THE GRAIL! ONLY YOU CAN SAVE AKANE!" Nao's gem now blazed like the sun itself. Natsuki appeared, riding on Mega-Dhuran. "LOAD BURNING ALUMINUM FURY CARTRIDGE! FIRE!" The Red Counter-Guardian was not easily slain but the shot hit like a ton of bricks, knocking him out. Dark Eudial said, "THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL! SHOOT ME!" "LOAD SILVER CARTRIDGE!" They were soon ready for purification. Nao reached out, drawing strength from her friends and was reborn, her clothing exploding out into ribbons and then reforming itself into a dark green and red Senshi uniform, though her elegant glove was clawed and had the Green Gem set in it, and she had her favorite beret on her head. Her wounds were gone and she was flush with mana. Deep in space, tumbling rocks suddenly began to clump together, a broken world reforming itself. "Welcome, Sailor Star Chronos," Sailor Star Saturn said solemnly. "There's a planet named Chronos?" Sailor Star Venus asked. "There is now," Sailor Star Chronos said, then gestured with red ribbons, drawing the injured Akane over and sharing mana with her so she could heal herself. "I just gave Astronomers around the world a coronary." Once things were normal enough for telescopes to see anything but clouds and snow, anyway. Sailor Star Moon kissed Akane deeply. "I'm sorry," she said. "I just couldn't stand to lose my friends again." She stared at the ground. Nao kissed Umino very deeply. "I'm going to ride you forever later," she told him. He laughed. "Mount me any time my love." Sailor Star Venus' eyes crossed. "I know," Akane said softly. "I'm glad you're okay." Gently, she ruffled Usagi's hair. They soon took out their remaining foes and Sailor Star Moon purified them. Eudial and Red Counter-Guardian woke up. "Your mom is not going to sleep with me if you die, so DO NOT DIE," he said to Usagi. "HEY! What about me!" Eudial said angrily. "Look, we can get her husband to double-team you with me, so you can see what a double-guy threesome is like," he said to her. "That's fair, right?" "Is he hot?" Sailor Star Moon tried to speak but no words would come out AT ALL. "If you like geeky guys, he's hot, if not, not," Venus said. "So he is hot, if not as hot as my little Gurio-kun," Nao said, kissing him. Then she said to Natsuki, "Thanks for the save. AGAIN. I owe you big." "I'm sure we can figure out something. Also, I was about to lose half a million yen to Gilgamesh, though I think he was cheating," Natsuki said. "Hmm, that might be good, then," Eudial said thoughtfully. Sailor Star Moon's eyes crossed and steam slowly wafted out of her ears. "Hey, what happened to Naru and Nephrite?" Sailor Star Venus asked. There was no sign of either of them or Professor Tomoe or Kaolinite. This wasn't good AT ALL. Sailor Star Moon rose, wobbling. "Let's find Naru-chan." "You're in no shape to travel," Sailor Star Jupiter said. "Doesn't matter. Have to find her," Sailor Star Moon said, leaning on Akane. "We find her and we find her now." Sailor Star Chronos said, "This way." She could see the path more clearly now that she could believe in more of the possibilities. ********* Alexander roared around the battlefield, slaughtering daimons with his chariot while Saber took out anything that got too close. She'd decided she could argue marriage with him lader. Katsumi, Rei, Endymion, and Shiho were chasing them, trying to keep up and providing support fire. Then, out of the chaos, Dark Berserker suddenly leaped into the chariot, knocked Alexander and Saber out of it with a surprise sweep of her sword, and took off towards a knot of round table knights. Katsumi swept down, grabbed Saber and threw her into the chariot and now a close quarters battle ensued of sword against sword with both parties standing on the rim of a chariot constantly spitting lightning in all directions. In the cramped quarters, the more nimble Dark Berserker had the advantage, but now Mai and Taiga-sensei finally found Dark Berserker again. "BREAK THE NECKLACE!" Mai shouted to Saber. She took a nasty wound in the side, but her blow shattered the necklace. Dark Berserker stopped berserking, having lost the source of her 'fire'. She was, however, still controlled by the Grail and Master Pharoah Ninety, which had filled her with Darkness. So Mai dove down and interposed herself, nearly getting hit, but Dark Berserker gave a cry and the light burned out the darkness and she collapsed into Mai's arms. "MY CHARIOT!" Alexander shouted as the bulls started down a slope, picking up speed. Mai pulled Berserker out and now Katsumi shuttled Alexander back and he took control and wheeled it around and they went to find their friends. ************ Archer filled Dark Fumi with arrows and she evaporated, thanking them for setting her free and now Suguira-sensei wearily landed, joining Shirou and company. Usagi's brigade soon rolled in and so did Saber's. The battle still raged around them, but the Round Table and the Older Hime brigade had laid waste to the hordes and scattered the competitors from earlier Fuyuki City Grail Wars like chaff. They were battered and beat up and didn't want to do that again, but they were winning. Shirou had regained consciousness, though he looked weak. They couldn't find Naru anywhere, which made them very nervous. Nao was trying to read the future. "It will take Avalon to defeat Master Pharoah Ninety," Sailor Star Moon said. "Assuming we can survive summoning it." She looked uncertain. "If we pool our strength, we'll be fine," Saber said. "With the battle going out way, this shouldn't be too hard." There was a huge surge of darkness and Naru appeared, crackling with darkness. She had Dark Tomoe and Dark Kaolinite with her. In fact, every single Master and Servant they'd slain was now brought back to life by the Dark Grail's vast store of energy it was absorbing from all over the world. "We can't fight all them AGAIN," Eudial groaned. "We can't win by fighting head on," Shirou said softly. "He'll just keep raising the dead. We have to eliminate him. Which means we have to impose Avalon, his antithesis, on him. He is the dark future of the Earth trying to be born, so we must stand for the light." "I'm not very light," Sakura said softly, holding his hand. And people call ME skanky, Nao thought, looking at her. Though Umino would love that outfit... Mai hoped she could find enough peace in her heart. That she wouldn't just screw it up. Berserker held her hand firmly. "You can do it, Mai. I want to live in your dream." "We are your dream," Older-Mai said to her, startling her. "You can do it. We already did." "Remember the good times and the good times to come," Older-Shiho said to her. "You have a really big heart," Older-Yuuichiro said. "I believe in you, Mai," Older-Mikoto said firmly. I wonder if she likes older men, Older-Reito thought. She could do it. She WOULD do it. "Naru-chan!" Sailor Star Moon shouted. "I'm coming!" "Come back here!" Sailor Star Venus said. Sailor Star Saturn said, "Link to everyone, Titan. Bind us together as one." Titan began sending out her spores to bind them together, while Sailor Star Saturn flew up to her father and embraced him before he could speak. "I love you, Daddy." "You left me behind! You could have made me a senshi, but you never even TOLD ME THE TRUTH," Dark Naru accused Usagi angrily. "Why do you get to be a princess and I had to watch my prince die?" Sailor Star Moon pointed down to Endymion and Saber talking quietly, then said, "You're totally right. I was wrong, I hurt you, I hurt you so much and you have every right to hate me." Dark Naru began to cry. "How am I supposed to be mad at you if you confess?" "Do whatever you have to," Sailor Star Moon said. "Punish me. I deserve it." "No...no..." Dark Naru began to cry tears of light. Her light was always stronger than her darkness. It had long made her monster chow but it also let her bounce back from all her disasters. "I don't want to punish you," she whispered. "No...don't make her hurt her." She began to howl. Sailor Star Moon took her hands and said, "You know, the Sun could use a Senshi of its own. I can make you one of us right now." Hordes of Daimons were closing in as the Senshi opened fire and others move to protect everyone. Dark Professor Tomoe howled as Saturn burned the darkness out of him; her love was strong but rough. Dark Naru squeezed and Sailor Star Moon said, "Mother, Serenity, AID ME!" Taiga-sensei's Shiny Magic Rock flared and then so did the Seven Rainbow Crystals. Each bearer held theirs up and seven ribbons formed, converging on Sailor Star Moon who vanished into a cloud of ribbons swirling around them, and when the ribbons cleared, Princess Star Sol and Princess Star Serenity floated in the air. They landed by Shirou, Mai, Sakura, and Taiga-sensei. Everyone not to be involved in evoking Avalon formed a defensive perimeter against the renewed onslaught of Masters and Servants. King Arthur, Saber, Alexander, Older-Mai, and Endymion took command of the outer defense. "KAGATSUCHI!" Mai evoked him and then channeled her gem through him and FIRE consumed everything, activating the Egg of the Phoenix. Sakura and Shirou kissed, combining their power and summoning forth the Avalon within their hearts, the dream of a better life that had always sustained them in the darkest hour. And Princess Sol and Princess Serenity and Taiga-sensei flooded the power of their love and the power of the Shiny Magic Rock and of the Seven Crystals into the dream of Avalon inside their hearts and the powers combined and they began the ritual chant. Shirou:** I am the home that offers refuge to weary souls. Sakura: I am the will that no suffering could break. Usagi: I am the love that never dies. Mai: I am the fire that consumes and creates. Light exploded out of the four of them, shifting, twisting, intertwining, becoming a sphere of light and on its surface, a map of the earth in all the colors of the rainbow. Miyu: Strength is not enough. Nao: Vengeance is not enough. Yumeni: Creation is not enough. Mercury: Desire is not enough. Haruka: Duty is not enough. Lancer: Devotion is not enough. The light fanned out across the city, growing as large as the portal and as the darkness surged through it, the light pushed back. Shirou: Not enough to create that safe haven. Sakura: Not enough to overcome suffering. Usagi: Not enough to overcome loneliness. Mai, Shiho: Not enough to restrain the fires within you. Naru, Saturn, Nao: Not enough to overcome death. Small Lady Blue: Not enough to save your family. Arthur, Endymion, Saber: Not enough to save your kingdom. Rei: Not enough to stand alone against the tide. Light streamed through the portal and darkness streamed out, but the light embraced the darkness and drew it within and accepted it, for the light was not perfect and the darkness was not evil unless you made it so. Miyu: Those who want peace must prepare for war. Nao: Let he who hunts monsters beware; when you gaze into the Abyss, it also gazes into you. Yumeni: Excessive humility becomes a form of excessive pride. Mercury: Let desire be a beast you ride to where you wish to go or else it will become your master Haruka: Even a surgeon...especially a surgeon...must sometimes use the knife to preserve life. Shizuru: All work and no play means no energy when it is most important. Avalon consumed Master Pharoah Ninety as those within overcame their own darkness. Energy rushed out across the world as Avalon grew larger and larger, preparing for the Great Work. Taiga-sensei: Though the far shores beckon to adventure Rin: Every sailor needs a home to return to. Archer: Every traveller needs a family to return to. Yukino: It is the place we all desire most when it is furthest away, but it comforts us even then. Mamoru: It is the memory of past glory. Saber: It is the memory of the safe haven of youth. Sakura: It is the family you create for yourself. Shirou: It is the place where heroes are made Usagi: It is the place where you can truly be yourself. Mai: It is the place you can forget about war and hope for healing. Katsumi: It is the dream which cries out to be born through your hands. Rei: It is the kingdom of glory yet to come. Avalon reached out to touch every soul and prepare it for the new age to come, drew on the hopes and dreams of all those caught within the storm. Streamers of it ran backwards and forwards in time, healing the breaks in history and reconciling errors and contradictions. Shirou, Sakura: I will be that safe haven, my love. Sakura, Shirou: You will take away my pains and I will take away yours. Usagi, Akane: Our love will bind us together whether we are close or apart. Mai, Mikoto: One hand to create, the other to protect Miyu: This future Nao: This family Yumeni: This vision Mercury: This friendship Haruka: This warrior band Lancer: This place where we find our rest Mai, Sakura: avalon There was darkness. Shirou, Usagi: *Avalon* There was light. Sakura, Shirou: *AVALON!* And the two twined about each other like lovers. Everyone: *AVALON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!* And the two became one. The last of Master Pharoah Ninety boiled away; he would not perish forever; in every age he takes a new form and challenges mankind to justify its existence, to save their world from themselves. He tears down the old that the new might be born, forces everyone to grow or die. He had done his work and now he faded away as a new world began, a new hope to replace old failures. So begins every age since the world began, with the death of the old and the beginning of a new age and so it began for the Age of Wood on Earth. So it began for Avalon. ****************** __________________ "How can you be so calm?" Rei demanded angrily. "Oh, for my family, this is what we call 'the situation around lunch time'," Sailor Pluto said. "You get used to it." --Unlimited Food Porn (F/SN, SM, MH)

Feb 3rd 2010, 1:45pm	#135
JohnWBiles Registered Join Date: 5 Nov 2009 Posts: 188	In the Land of the Rising Sun, in the southwestern region of the land, there is a very large lake, the Lake of Mysteries, a lake shrouded in fog. It is said that if you enter that fog, if your need is great and your heart is strong, you will find the Hidden Island, ruled by the King and Queen of Avalon, and there you will find help and comfort and new strength and return ready to face and overcome everything, possibly with some of the Knights of Avalon by your side. Avalon reigns over this new world, this new age, but does not rule. They made this world, but it is up to ordinary men and women to govern it and shape and reshape it to reach their dreams. But sometimes the strength of an individual soul is not enough, and then it is that they may find this place and find help and comfort. But also, possibly, embarrassment. "You really should wear court clothing at court," Taiga-sensei, the Royal Tutor to the King and Queens of Avalon, said. She wore a jaunty hat to go with her tiger-striped bikini and lightsabre and Shiny Magic Rock. "You'd look great, sister," Sakura said, seated on the left in her throne with Shirou to her right, wearing essentially much more ornate, higher quality versions of the not very much clothing they'd worn into the Last Battle. "You would," Shirou said. He still wasn't used to this actually, but he did enjoy the view. "I totally agree," Shizuru said, though she wore an ornate kimono. Natsuki (now bonded to Sakura to be sustained by her power) was wearing a racing outfit and said, "Don't let these maniacs talk you into it." "I do not want to run around in my underwear!" Rin protested. She was quite sure she looked better in her suit-dress. Archer was wearing a blue beret, a blue wrap-around top and blue jeans, with a silver hairpiece with four of Rin's jewels attached for emergencies. "You can't really accessorize it well. And Rin looks much better with her outer dignity reflecting her inner dignity. I want to keep her in underwear for myself." "I suppose this outfit isn't too dignified," Sakura said. "But, I can't get Shirou to run around in very little if I don't. So that's that." It wasn't that, in fact, it was just the prelude for the usual Sakura and Rin argument, which was rather like watching two brick walls ram each other. But they'd make up later. It's part of being sisters. **************** The Panther Knight studied the instructions again. "Okay, we now light this cord and run." "How far?" Sir Villiars the Valliant asked. He was the blond son of Sir Yvain, the Knight of the Lion. He had yet to become a knight of the Round Table, and thus could be spared for the mission. Prince Lohegrin of Estregales, the son of Erec and Enide, who bore three serpent's heads on his shield, said, "Very far." He too had yet to be raised to the Round Table. He was dark haired and sturdy, short but strong. The concoction was a recipe given to them by Lady Yumeni before she returned to the future; she said it could destroy very large rocks. Given the well which held Merlin and Nimue had a rock on top of it which the local hermit claimed could only be lifted by '100 men', this seemed the time to use it. Assuming they'd used enough bat dung to get enough of the strange powder to mix with the charcoal and brimstone. The rock blew into a million shards and it was fortunate they had hidden behind trees. Less fortunate was that they had knocked out Merlin and Nimue with the shockwave, which they would pay for later. ******** "The hard part," Merlin said to Arthur, Kay, Guenevere, Nimue, Arturia, and Arturia's small army of allies, "is actually finding the Grail Castle. Most of Logres and the surrounding areas is wrapped in the Mystery of the Grail and, well, basically, the Mystery is rigged to wipe people out unless they are exceeding moral paragons. And maybe even then." "I can find it," Yukino said. "We can find it," Rei said. "Shiho, Yumeni, Yukino and I will pool our powers." "And then there will be a big surprise," Sailor Star Moon said firmly. "Arthur, I..." Merlin began to say. "I did not expect to ever be free." "There's someone here who wants to see you," Kay said. Merlin blinked. "Go on?" "Close your eyes." Merlin closed his eyes and Mordred leaped out of the closet and kicked him in the nuts repeatedly. "He agreed to accept that in lieu of a trial," Kay said apologetically. Merlin crumpled. "It's a fair cop." ************ "Things are going along well," Dame Brisen said to the groaning, injured Pellam. "Only five knights to go and then..." And then there was a huge splash of teleportation which carved a small crater in the floor and Arturia, Endymion, Katsumi, Sailor Star Moon, Akane, Sailor Star Sol, Nephrite, Sailor Star Saturn, Sailor Uranus, Princess Star Pluto, Sailor Neptune, Sailor Titan, Sailor Star Chronos (who had dubbed her spider Anake (inevitability), in part because it annoyed Pluto), Akira (who had been dubbed Sailor Shadow Moon by Nao), Umino, Sailor Star Jupiter, Princess Blue Mercury, Sailor Star Venus, Shiho, and Sailor Star Mars. Nao and Akira were both in stealth mode. Shingo would have come but he wasn't good enough at magic yet AND needed a codename, since he refused to let Nao call him Sailor Brat Boy. Umino had been convinced to stay home but had been bluffing and had followed them here because he was NOT going to pass up a chance to meet King Arthur, end of story. "Your reign of terror is over!" Sailor Star Moon proclaimed. "The Sailor Senshi and friends are here to TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT." "Give us the Grail!" Arturia demanded. "You'll never find it!" Brisen said. "The Grail cannot be called without sacrifice! Yours will suffice! SERVANTS, COME!" The Seven Servants of Carbonek appeared. Casca the Centurion (Lancer). King Solomon (Caster). Brutus (Assassin). Leonidas (Berserker). King David (Archer). Sir Balin (Saber). And now they struck. The fight, this time, however, was rather lopsided. Arthuria and Endymion double-teamed Balin, each with a blade in their hand, flanking him and forcing him to retreat even with two swords of his own. Sailor Star Sol forced Brisen to dodge right into Nephrite's arms and he grappled her to where she couldn't focus to cast any spells. Umino hit King Pellam in the face with a pie, just to be sure. Everytime Pellam started to do something, he poked the man's side where he'd been wounded for 40 years. Sailor Star Saturn took on Casca, glaive against lance in a tight battle back and forth that no one could safely get near. Akane and Harry together blew Death off his mount. Harry ate Death's pale horse and Akane and Harry kept blasting him with winds, moving too fast for him to close without his mount. Pluto, Uranus, and Neptune combined their powers and drowned some of Solomon's demons, stunned them with high sonics and then let them fall into a crack in the earth, then did the same to Solomon. Leonidas knocked Sailor Star Jupiter on her ass, to her frustration, and pretty soon to her embarrassment, she was running around with him chasing her frenetically. King David was soon on fire again, then clutching his ears as Mars and Shiho combined their powers. His sense of balance collapsed and he fell on his ass. Brutus summoned the Roman Senate and unleashed them, but Princess Blue Mercury, Sailor Star Venus, and Sailor Star Moon opened fire on them. Chronos and Titan combined their powers to locate Brutus, then Sailor Shadow Moon pinned his shadow and began fighting him, backed by Chronos. They had to give Jupiter some help but pretty soon, the servants had fallen. Their power was absorbed by the Grail and now it manifested itself before Sailor Star Moon, who grabbed it. "We'll be heading out now," Sailor Star Moon said. "But..." Brisen said and looked over at Pellam. "Fuck him, he deserves it," Chronos said. "Mercy is the quality of a true knight," Arturia said. "Once Father is healed, we will return and see if we can help you." Sailor Star Moon nodded. "Well said." And soon they were gone. ************* "But how can you use the Grail without the power it would gather from the ritual quest?" Arthur asked as he stared at the golden cup. "Well, it's going to be a little nasty, but I brought some of my best spices," Sailor Star Jupiter said. "And... umm... flavored it up." "Since it's been trans-zapp-ified, it'll be fine, I'm sure," Nao said. "Each of the surviving knights donated blood, which contains mana," Sailor Star Mars said. "We then used our combined abilities to purify it and finish empowering the grail." "We had to stop Dinadan from trying to add some wine, though," Shiho said. "And no one would let me drink it." "You're too young," Rei said. "I DO NOT WANT TO BE THIRTEEN FOREVER!" Guenevere took the cup and held it for Arthur and his wound faded away and with it the pain and he rose. "I owe you a great debt." "You've already paid it," Sailor Star Moon said. She hugged him to his surprise. "Also, in the new timeline..." Pluto put a hand over her mouth. "With history changed, there will be new challenges, for this world is still wild. But you are now ready for them, King of Adventure. The rest of your story has yet to be written." "There will be many great deeds to come," Merlin said. "Though I fear I will miss the ending. I have cheated death a few too many times and he always collects." "I can help with that," Mordred said. "End your pain quickly." Merlin covered his groin with his hands. "But I'm going to paint it," Katsumi said. "But first, I'm going to go see my boyfriend one more time!" She flew off. "You can't see the paintings either," Pluto said. "We've beaten this poor timeline with a stick too many times." "But how...how does..." Arthur began. "I am your daughter now in truth," Arturia said to Arthur. "And you are finally free to find happiness as I have. Rule well, once and future king. Until we meet again." "So...you're the man who wants to be my daughter's lover," Arthur said, studying Endymion. "Anyone who wishes her hand must go forth and do some great marvel! Past marvels don't count!" "It's tradition," Guenevere said smiling. "Then we'd best get on with it. Questing takes time and we don't want our ride back to the future to have to wait too long," Arturia said. "Oooh, a quest. I'm in," Umino said. "Then I will help," Nao said. Pretty soon, a rather over-sized quest was in progress. For this was the Kingdom of Adventure! **************** "I have no regrets," Usagi said, kissing Akane's throat and beginning to unbutton her blouse. "I would have given up without you. I was so...I just wasn't thinking about how it would hurt them, I was just selfish and couldn't stand to live while they died. I'm sorry. You had to shock me back to some sense." "It's okay, dear," Akane said, reaching up and unbuttoning Usagi's blouse. She could feel the strength of Usagi's affection and it warmed her heart. "We're back in Avalon and we love each other and it's all going to be okay." "Yeah, it's all...OH GOD, I TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT MY PARENTS!" Usagi howled. ************ "Oh yes...yes...YES..." Ikkuko moaned as she, Kenji, Eudial and the Red Counter-Guardian did things I can't describe because I promised no actual porn. Suffice it to say that weapons were not the only thing the Red Counter Guardian knew how to make and that you don't have two kids and a nearly twenty year marriage without learning a few things about enjoying yourself in bed. They knew from their guests that the kids were okay, so now they could have a little fun to celebrate being alive. And for its own sake. ********* "I can't do it," Nao said, clinging to the door frame of Older-Nao's beat up car as Umino and Older-Nao tried to pry her loose. "It probably would have been better if you'd worn a real skirt and not something that short," Older-Nao observed. Nao was wearing a green blouse and a dark green mini-skirt and high boots, but right now as they tried to pry her off the door, the mini-skirt wasn't really doing its job. "Mom will be scandalized." Nao began crying and Umino stopped trying to pull her and just held her. In theory, they were going to have dinner with Older-Nao's parents, who were not aware Nao wasn't 'Juliet', a high school student friend of their daughter. Nao was in disguise. But she was terrified something would go wrong, even though she couldn't foresee any trouble with her powers. But she'd been surprised before. "It's going to be okay," Older-Nao said gently. "Nothing bad is going to happen." Slowly, Nao relaxed in Umino's arms, then kissed him softly and tried to wipe her face. "Given I see the future, I shouldn't be afraid." "The future is scary sometimes," Umino said. "But I can face anything with you." She took his hand. "Let's go in." They headed into the future together. ************ Mai danced under the stars with Older-Reito, not sure if this was a good idea but enjoying doing something nice and NORMAL with a guy she liked. Further, she'd dressed up in a really elegant blue dress and had a red rose in her hair over one ear. (Accessories by Endymion.) He twirled her out to where only a single finger joined them, then pulled her back in, circling the dance floor as they moved. The music shifted to a tango and they moved together at high speed, quickstepping side by side, both hands joined, one high, one low. She wasn't sure if this would get serious or not but she felt she was going to enjoy the ride into the future. Oh yeah. ************ "Finally, we're alone," Ami said, sitting on the bed with Ryo; her clothing didn't fit too well with her changed figure, though Ryo rather liked the look of her clothing looking ready to burst off her, her breasts pressed hard against the cloth, since she had no bras that fit. Her gem dangled on a necklace on her ample bosom, though it was rather modestly covered. "First things first, time for your upgrade, dear." He licked his lips nervously and then she took the gem and pressed it to his forehead. "MERCURY HOTNESS POWER, MAKEUP!" she shouted. This did two things. One, it turned her outfit into Queen Sakura's usual outfit, and secondly it stripped Ryo down to what Shirou now usually wore, while also making Ryo about five inches taller, a lot stronger, and caused his hair to grow down to just behind his shoulders, giving him a more bishonen look. He stared at himself, then stared at Ami and then they got down to very enthusiastic business. ************ Suguira-sensei patted Naru and Osaka Meiko's shoulders. "I'm sorry about everything." "It's okay," Osaka Meiko said. "We'll just whip Hayao's ass for not telling us." "I WAS DEAD!!!!!!" That never works as an excuse. ************* "Now what happens?" Alyssa said miserably, basically prostrating herself on the floor in front of Mamoru, Arturia, Shingo, Akira, Mai, a slightly confused Shirou, Sakura, and Usagi. "I did all these terrible things. I just wanted to help but I just...it was so bad." She started crying. "It's okay," Mamoru said, compassionately. "No, it's not," Sakura said. "The damage she did was undone, but she still did it. There has to be some kind of punishment." "I think she's been through enough," Usagi said. "Poor child. It was too much for her." "Not too harsh; she's just a child, but yes, there should be some; she can atone and then let go of the guilt," Mai said. "Every child needs some discipline and some love," Shirou said. He picked up Alyssa and held her to his chest. "What do you think we should do, Alyssa?" "I don't know," she mumbled. "Lancelot...when he was Berserker...he told me he would have been happier in the long term if he'd been punished instead of me always forgiving him," Arturia said. "Sakura, you should take her as your page; train her up properly to one day be a Queen of Avalon." She said this with a certain amount of reluctance, given she hoped Alyssa did not grow up to dress like Sakura. However, she also knew Sakura would instill discipline without going too far. "And that way she can be with her father." "Father," Shirou mumbled. "I want her part of the time," Usagi said. "Maybe once you graduate so you can't try to make her do your homework," Mamoru said to her. He'd always loved to tease her. "I'm too smart to do anything as low-level as her work," Alyssa said. "HEY!!!!!!" "I will take her half the time and Sakura can have her half. I too can instill discipline," Akira said with a wicked smile. Alyssa began sweating bullets. ************* Kurou Hyouhiko was a second year gym teacher, but he'd always felt like something was missing. Now he felt, somehow, that he'd found it. He'd gone to an art show out of curiosity. The mysterious 'Peggy Jones' had apparently finally revealed herself in a show of Arthurian art. He'd always wondered what it would be like to have a mystery like that, to have others know you only by a pseudonym. The idea of people speculating about him intrigued him, but it seemed like such a thing could be really lonely too. Something about all these paintings seemed so familiar, as if he'd met these people somewhere. Especially the enigmatic knight in armor painted with images of panthers. One picture starred him alone with an angel in a romantic pose; he got embarrassed and excited looking at it. He was busy trying to avoid looking an idiot in public when a brunette woman whose glasses clashed with her medieval style garb (similar to that in the paintings) slid up to him. "You like it?" she said. "It's great," he confessed. "It's weird, all this looks familiar, not that I've ever been to Europe, let alone...well, time travel is impossible." Her lips quirked into a smile. "Many things are only impossible if you never try." "It feels like there's a story behind this," he said. "It's weird, it seems so real to me." She smiled. "Oh, there is. I'm Yumeno Yumeni, the painter." She shook his hand. He thought she was rather pretty, though he'd sort of imagined someone fancier in his head. Or hideous who had to hide. Or an alien. Or something. "It's nice to meet you." "Here, let me show you the paintings," she said taking him by the hand. "Each of them has a story." He let himself be lead into the tale of an age gone by, the time of the once and future King. And into his own future as well. ************** Arturia and Mamoru sat nervously on the edge of the bed, holding hands. Finally he said, "Okay, I confess, I'm a virgin." "Me too," she mumbled. "So I don't actually know for sure how this goes." "Or I," she confessed. "But the undiscovered country is the greatest adventure, right?" he said. "The fun is in the quest, not the destination," Arturia said. "There's nothing to be afraid of," he said. "Nothing," she said. "Umm...I know kissing." "That's a start," she said, relieved, and drew him down into a kiss, then they began questing for the Grail in each other's clothing. *********** "With power comes responsibilty," Older-Nao said. "Quid pro Spiderman." The older Hime brigade were having dinner with Suguira-sensei, Shiho, Mikoto, Akane, Nao, Mai, Shizuru, and Natsuki and various hangers on. It was a rather grand feast. "We'll do what we can," Older Mai said. "That's fine," Mai said. "I will be busy a lot with Avalon myself. How's Brigit?" It was a potluck supper with dishes ranging from okonomiyaki to pork soba to tempura shrimp and mackerel to some great pickled vegetables. Also, a plate of hamburgers. "She's fine; thankfuly, she's asleep but we'll show her off later," Older-Mai said. "I'm sorry I worried you all," Mikoto said. "It's fine," Older-Yuuichi said. "You saved my life. I owe you." "I guess I can't ask for a kiss since you're married." He got up and kissed her forehead. "And you're too young." Mikoto began doing math on her napkin while Older-Mikoto bigsweated. "Where's Yukariko-sensei?" Older-Akira asked. "On a date with Rin," Mai said. "I'm sure they're having a good time." ******** Rin shot the door down, then she and Archer began slaughtering monsters as they poured out. Soon, smoke and ashes only remained. "Okay, level 5 cleared, only...8 more to go." She grimaced. They were clearing out the ruins under Castle Einzbern, a huge endless maze of rooms, labs, monsters, ghosts, and other creations. It was taking forever. "Mind if we help?" Shirou said, shovel over one shoulder. Sakura was next to him, a wand in her hands. "Hi, sis," Rin said, hugging her sister. Sakura smiled. "Wise of you to do this. But it's more fun with a full party, right?" "It certainly is," Rin said, then kissed Shirou's forehead in a sisterly manner. "Okay, team, let's loot this room and then down the stairs to level 7." "What's at the bottom?" Shirou asked. "The old Grail mechanisms we need to disable so it doesn't show up again," Rin said. "You can't just loot my castle unless you let me help," Illyasviel said sternly. "Also..." "No doll," Sakura said firmly. "Not even..." "Not even for your birthday." "Had to ask," Illyasviel mumbled. "Okay, Illyasviel, you take point since you know everything, right?" "Of course," she said, then walked into a pit trap on the stairs, since she'd never come down here before in her life. "I MEANT TO DO THAT!" ************ Alyssa was unconscious from exhaustion after her first lesson with Akira; she was napping in Miyu's lap while Akira lurked on the roof of the house feeling guilty. The roof was one of the signs of the age beginning; from above, it looked like bluegrass with some flowers; it actually absorbed sunlight and turned it into electricity, reducing the house's need for electricity. It also was comfy for lying down now. "Hey," Shingo said softly. "You moping?" "No...yes." She sighed. "I was such an idiot." "I totally would have made the same mistake." He sighed. "Whenever Mom and Dad get back from Hawaii with their mistress and mastress..." "Mastress?" "I dunno what to call the guy," Shingo said. "Anyway, she won't be happy about the table." "I nearly destroyed everything; that's nothing." "Yeah, well, at least you did something. I couldn't even do something when I turned evil," he said, sighing. He laid down by her and took her hand. "You wanna make out?" "I'm not very sexy," she mumbled. "See, I like my women slender," he said. "Like I like my tea." She blinked. "What?" "Dammit, that sounded slicker in my head," he mumbled, then she kissed him and they laid together in the grass, kissing and embracing. They just needed a little human contact. ************* "Why so down, Mako-chan?" Usagi asked Makoto. They were having what was in theory a Sailor Meeting; in practice, it was everyone pigging out at one of the all-you-can-eat places which now could be found every 200 feet in Fuyuki City. This simplified Usagi's life. "Oh, I just...nothing," she said. She was happy Reika wasn't dead and happy Motoki was happy, but soon Reika was going to be going on another research trip but she'd come back. And Makoto had decided she HAD to move on before she went mad, but that was easier said than done. "You need a boyfriend," Minako said sagely. "Every guy reminds me of Motoki now," Makoto mumbled. "What about Shinozaki?" Usagi asked. "I used to look more like a boy than he did when we were little," Makoto said. "I've seen him wet himself. We'll always be very close, but I couldn't date him." Naru made a face. "You didn't have to tell us about wetting himself." "Naru-chan did that to the bed one time when I slept over. UGH," Usagi said. Usagi had not realized how good Naru was at headlocks. Akane started trying to free her. "We were four! FOUR!" Naru said. "Do your folks really have live-in lovers now?" Hotaru asked Usagi curiously. Usagi gurgled, then Naru released her. "Don't remind me! It's like I'm living in Marmalade Boy or something!" Akane said, "The house really gets noisy at night." "Oh ho," Nao chortled. Umino said, "I know a few guys I could hook you up with, Makoto." Makoto looked rather dubious. Nao said, "Are they as sexy as you?" "Rather moreso," Umino said. "Better take the chance now," Nao told Makoto. "I need to find a nice guy who isn't taken." Her eyes flicked around the restaurant. "No, no, no, hell no, no, taken, no, BAD IDEA, no, actually a woman, no," Nao said. "I hate it when you do that," Makoto mumbled. "Well, if you could convince Pluto to send you, there's a lot of handsome knights in Camelot you could have a fling with," Rei said. In fact, that sounded like fun. "I'm in," Minako said. "We could all three go, call it the Triple Quest for a boyfriend!" They never did find out why Umino got soda up his nose at that and fell down. *********** "You two are Tsukino Usagi's cousins," the teacher said slowly to Akira and Shingo. "I'm her BROTHER," Shingo said. "And this is my girlfriend, Akira," he continued. "And yet, you are both as stupid as she is. F!" Miss Haruna said. "You can't just transcribe the subtitles from some American cartoon and fool me!" she shouted. But Umino-san had been so sure it would work, Shingo thought. Fine, next time, I'm stealing the test key, Akira thought. At least detention with Shingo would fun, though. She smiled brightly, making Miss Haruna wonder what was going on. ********* Alyssa bobbed her head cutely. "I'm collecting money for the soup kitchen down by the river." Money rained into her bucket, as usual. Her kind of cuteness had power, properly channeled for good. Sakura and Shirou (with Sakura forced to wear more clothing at Gandr-point by Rin) and Miyu and Rin and Yukariko were taking her around to do charitable work; she'd found a niche for her talents and it pleased her. And the charity people always smiled so brightly. At the end of the day, she was exhausted and Shirou picked her up and carried her. Sakura gave her a kiss on the forehead. "You did well." "Thanks, Mommy," she mumbled and fell asleep, smiling. Sakura smiled brightly and Rin said, "That's sweet." "I'm still not clear on how exactly I had a kid," Shirou said. Rin rubbed her forehead. "MAGIC," she said. That would have to do. He ruffled Alyssa's hair, and so did Miyu. "But she's a good kid." "She'll be as smart as I am one day," Rin said proudly. "Already smarter than you," Alyssa mumbled. "..." "You don't have nearly my experience," Rin said. "Yes," Alyssa confessed. "I love you, Aunt Rin." Rin turned red and Alyssa fell asleep totally. "I love you too," Rin mumbled. She'd never really had a family before, but now, she was totally part of one. And she LOVED IT. ********* "It's a beautiful day," Makoto said as she sat down with her friends at school for lunch. "Back in school and I never have to rule the Earth," Usagi said, sitting under a tree with Akane, sharing a large bento box with her. "But that means you do have to study for college exams," Ami said to her; she and Ryo had their own boxes; Ami's was sphagetti. "And eventually get a real job to keep you alive in the day while we save the Earth and you do your duties as Queen of Avalon at night." "What do you want to do?" Akane asked her. "I never thought about it as I assumed I'd be ruling," Usagi mumbled. "Or sleeping under ice." "Yeah, there's a job for you, meatballhead," Rei said. "You could test beds for a living." Her voice was jovial teasing as she worked on her spanish rice, peppers, and fish. "I think that's Usagi's perfect job," Nao said. "It is," Naru said, laughing. She had a steak sandwich, made for her by Nephrite, and a chocolate parfait which she assumed he must have kept cool with magic. Nephrite was at school, pretending to a student so they didn't have to brawl with her parents. He had a big box of pork fried rice, chinese barbequed ribs, and egg rolls. He really liked Naru's egg rolls. "Yours too, Nao-chan," Minako teased. Nao had finally told Umino and everyone her real name. "Gurio-kun and I like to test OTHER properties of beds," she said grinning. He turned red, but smiled. "She's a good tester," he mumbled. "Oh, Usagi's good at that kind of testing too," Akane said. Everyone looked at her and she tried to curl up and die, but then she started laughing. "What's so funny?" Haruka asked, walking up with Michiru, Natsuki, and Shizuru. The four of them seemed to hang out a lot these days. "We're high on life," Nao said, then laughed. "We're going to have a swim party on Friday," Michiru said. "I hope you all can come." "YES!" Usagi said. "We're coming." "Don't forget to get Akane a nice bikini," Shizuru said to Usagi. "We're looking forward to seeing her in it," she said cheerfully. "Or you could all skinny..." Natsuki dragged her off. "That's enough embarrassing me in public for one day." Shizuru tagged Haruka as she went. "Tag." "Put Natsuki in a bikini too," Nao shouted after her. "NAO!!!!!" ********** Mai was in the kitchen cooking with Shirou and Sakura, while Yukino, Taiga-sensei, Hotaru, and Mikoto were in the living room trying to play Ultimate Oregon Trail. "No swords? What kind of cheap monsters don't have swords?" Mikoto asked. "They're Sioux, not monsters," Yukino said. "And Taiga-sensei is trying to negotiate with them." 'SIOUX OFFER 38 HIDES' 'TAIGA-SENSEI TELLS SIOUX THESE ARE NOT THE HIDES WE'RE LOOKING FOR' "Interesting kind of negotiation," Hotaru said nervously. 'SIOUX FORGET HIDES.' 'SIOUX CANNOT FIND HIDES.' 'SIOUX BLAME THIEVING WHITE PEOPLE.' "Uh oh," Hotaru said. "Yes!" 'MIKOTO DRAWS KATANA, THREAT POSTURE' "No, no, don't threaten them!" Yukino said desperately. '500 SIOUX DRAW GUNS, THREAT POSTURE' 'YUKINO OFFERS 200 BACON AS PEACE OFFERING' 'SIOUX CAN BELIEVE IT'S BACON' 'SIOUX LOWER WEAPONS, NEGOTIATING POSTURE' "Okay, now..." Yukino said. "We attack while we have the advantage?" Mikoto asked. "No, let's negotiate," Hotaru said. They were still arguing, but having fun, when it was time for dinner. Hotaru smiled. She'd always dreamed of this and now her dream had come true. ******** YOU NEARLY DESTROYED THE WORLD TO GET YOUR WIFE BACK. "Umm...sorry?" Professor Tomoe mumbled as he floated in the void. YOUR PUNISHMENT IS TO SPEND THE REST OF THIS AGE IN A UNIVERSE WHERE EVERYONE ELSE IS TSUNDERE OR YANDERE OR TSUNYAN AND YOU ARE THE PERSON WHO KEEPS FALLING FACE TO BOSOM. Not too bad a punishment, he thought. IT IS A CROSSOVER BETWEEN HIGURASHI, EIKEN, AND HIGHLANDER 2. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" ************ Makoto finished laying out the spread. Joan (Arturia) had cooked carrots and venison. Reika had brought roast beef, chutney sauce, and a Kenyan vegetable dish called irio, in which you mash corn, beans, potatoes and greens into a pile rolled into a ball; they were used for dipping in meat or vegetable stews. Motoki had made a chicken stew, and Mamoru brought fresh bread, sliced tomatos, and tempura vegetables. They might explode but they would eat well. "I'm glad you're okay," Mamoru said to Reika. "Me too," she said. "It's all kind of blurry." She frowned. "But I'm glad to see you two came through it okay and that we can get together before I ride the pegasus coach back to Africa for more work." "I was really worried about you three," Motoki said. "We were fine," Makoto said. "Just snowed in," Joan said. She and Mamoru began serving everyone. "I met a new guy; he's really cool, he's in a band and everything!" Makoto said enthusiastically. "The Three Lights." Mamoru felt something odd twinge in his head but wasn't sure why. "Their lead is this redheaded guy from Ireland; he goes into a total thrashing frenzy when he performs and he's so handsome and strong and charming," Makoto said enthuasiastically. Joan now felt alarm bells go off in her head. "Setanta is kind of a weird name, but I guess it's Irish," Makoto continued. "Then they have a huge greek guy on drums and their keyboardist...he's too arrogant for me, but he's kind of handsome and cool too. The greek guy, he has like muscles on his muscles. Their biggest hit so far is a remake of 'Going Berserk', but I heard the whole album and it ROCKS." "Does Setanta have any nicknames?" Joan asked carefully. "Sounds like trouble to me," Motoki said. "Let kids have their fun," Reika said. Makoto cringed at that, but said, "Apparently back home in Ulster, they called him 'Hound'. He lets me call him that." She smiled brightly. Oh boy, Joan thought. Mamoru's eyes crossed. Better keep the cape and top hat handy. *********** Shiho was trying to figure out what was wrong with her bra when she suddenly saw Pluto in the mirror and started, falling into the sink. Pluto pulled her out. "My apologies," she said. "What's wrong?" "Bra's too tight," she grumbled. "It must have shrunk since I can't get bigger." "Oh, actually, you're starting to age," Pluto said. "You're linked to Rei, so as she ages, you will age." "Really?" Shiho was ecstatic. Pluto held out a pen to her. "This will let you become Sailor Deimos, able to better share power with Rei, since your Child died, this will help you if you have to fight physically." "YES!" Shiho said excitedly. And help Rei keep a leash on you, Pluto thought. But she smiled and said, "Why don't we go shopping for new underwear for you? I know a lady in the 2030s who can hook you up with smart fabrics that will adjust as you grow older." "Am I still from the future or what?" "Usagi's sloppy wish has been fixed so she won't be sleeping with her cousin," Pluto said. "And you're now just you, from right here, right now." "That's fine by me," Shiho said. "But let's time travel anyway." She rubbed her hands with glee. "We should get Rei too. She probably needs some nice underwear." "I'll help her pick it out!," Shiho said cheerfully. "Dress her right up." Mission accomplished, Pluto thought. You shouldn't have drunk up all my good coffee, Rei. They headed out to find Rei and head to the future. The End __________________ "How can you be so calm?" Rei demanded angrily. "Oh, for my family, this is what we call 'the situation around lunch time'," Sailor Pluto said. "You get used to it." --Unlimited Food Porn (F/SN, SM, MH)

Feb 4th 2010, 1:19pm	#140
JohnWBiles Registered Join Date: 5 Nov 2009 Posts: 188	Changing the Tomoe scene to: "Are you sure she'll be okay?" Tomoe Meiko asked her husband. "She'll be fine," he told her. He now was the staff artificer and charity-mage-for-loan for the Kings and Queens of Avalon. He considered himself fortunate he hadn't suffered worse. "It's her turn to shine now." Hotaru, that is. The fact that he was living with two women whose power were much stronger than his and each considered themselves to have the best claim to him was generally punishment enough, really. "Let's go on a date!," Kaolinite said, coming in and grabbing his arm. Sparks flew from Meiko's eyes and, as usual, his lab was soon on fire again. So much for today's research. __________________ "How can you be so calm?" Rei demanded angrily. "Oh, for my family, this is what we call 'the situation around lunch time'," Sailor Pluto said. "You get used to it." --Unlimited Food Porn (F/SN, SM, MH)

Feb 1st 2010, 11:14am	#128
Lawnmower Registered Join Date: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 43	Wonderful. Sir Marhaus's strength was growing as night came on, but Sir Tristam was surpassing strong and very skilled and was giving more than he got. surpassingly perhaps? "I'm really getting irritated by this," Older-Yuuichi said, slicing an acid spraying garden hose into segments with a shining white blade in his hand. He couldn't dodge the acid which spewed but it was repelled by Older-Shiho's flautings. Flutings perhaps? Cocaine is a terrible thing. (I hate cocaine a great deal.) Doctor Who had a granddaughter named Susan. She seems to have become Setsuna Meioh on her first regeneration in this story. (Death's Granddaughter in the Discworld books is also a Susan, but he TALKS LIKE THIS.) I think Susan in the Narnia books did have a bow and a horn.

Feb 3rd 2010, 11:49pm	#137
Lawnmower Registered Join Date: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 43	Can Pluto also regenerate into Susanoo? It would be funny if she turned into the object of Rei's shrine. Let's see. I am still curious about some of the minor characters. (Ami and Ryo's parents. Hotaru's mother. Maybe some others.) Hotaru and Casca faced off, and they have the same color hair and eyes. I was wondering if some of those Servants could be saved also. I was also wondering if there was any significant relationship between them. They have Shiny Magic Rock and the Seven Crystals, would those be enough without squashing the servants, or do the laws of time prevent that usage? What about preventing the apparent death of most of the Round Table? (Because I don't know my Arthur well enough to know what that section means.) I'm unsure whether Pellam gets healed. I was also hoping to see Death and Pluto interact in that state. If there was something special about the Panther Knight, I don't think we found out. Professor Tomoe's punishment seems petty and vindictive, and maybe a bit unjust. The ALL CAPS reminds me of Discworld's Death, who is workmanlike and gives a sense of dignity. I know him somewhat well, and The Doctor, not very well at all. 1. I am reminded of a set of criteria for cruel and unusual punishment, that an execution should not too require too much work of the executionor, so as not to offend the dignity of the state. (Death by slicing might be an example of a violation.) 2. A lot of people contributed to messing things up, including the Masters, for participating, Dame Brisen, Pellam, and all the people who have been messing up time. We do not see them being equally punished 'on screen', and some of them seem rewarded. 3. Why should Tomoe have the background to understand what Death said? I don't know why he would've seen any of them, much less all of them, much less understand the fanfic terminology. (Though Higurashi/Highlander might be pretty good, if a bad place to live.) 4. All in all, the punishment seem disproportionate, and out of place. I was somehow expecting time to be a bigger issue than just getting fixed once Pluto could move. Did she ever build her TARDIS? Did Avalon repair whatever base substance was wearing out from all that time manipulation? Am I mistaken? That said, this ending ties up most of the loose ends that I can find. Is there a coda or an epilogue, or does this need to wrap it all up? Anyway, moral victory, physical victory, well crafted, and a happy ending. I figured you might be bringing a decent number of the dead back, but didn't want to post ahead of time. I guess I might have a few taste based quibbles with parts, but overall, it suits me fine. Well done. Thank you very much for the experience.

Feb 4th 2010, 1:23pm	#141
Jonen C F.M.D.G. Join Date: 21 May 2007 Location: Lincopense, Ostrogothia - "Where IDEAS become REALITY" Posts: 8,686	More subtle, really. And probably he'll have to endure a few snide remarks of the type "says the man who almost destroyed the world"., he approves. __________________ Flying Monkey Death God! - Cpl_Facehugger Plays: Spellcross! Militant Procrastinators of the World! Assemble! Eventually! - Varje meddelande om att motståndet skall uppges är falskt. What is it you see / That makes you so intent / On that Horizon? FROG BLAST THE VENT CORE! - MOVE ZIG FOR GREAT JUSTICE!

Feb 4th 2010, 2:10pm	#142
JohnWBiles Registered Join Date: 5 Nov 2009 Posts: 188	Okay, updated section to address a few things: "Things are going along well," Dame Brisen said to the groaning, injured Pellam. "The knights have ridden forth from Camelot and soon..." And then there was a huge splash of teleportation which carved a small crater in the floor and Arturia, Endymion, Katsumi, Sailor Star Moon, Akane, Sailor Star Sol, Nephrite, Sailor Star Saturn, Sailor Uranus, Princess Star Pluto, Sailor Neptune, Sailor Titan, Sailor Star Chronos (who had dubbed her spider Anake (inevitability), in part because it annoyed Pluto), Akira (who had been dubbed Sailor Shadow Moon by Nao), Umino, Sailor Star Jupiter, Princess Blue Mercury, Sailor Star Venus, Taiga-sensei, Shiho, and Sailor Star Mars. Nao and Akira were both in stealth mode. Shingo would have come but he wasn't good enough at magic yet AND needed a codename, since he refused to let Nao call him Sailor Brat Boy. Umino had been convinced to stay home but had been bluffing and had followed them here because he was NOT going to pass up a chance to meet King Arthur, end of story. "Your reign of terror is over!" Sailor Star Moon proclaimed. "The Sailor Senshi and friends are here to TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT." "Give us the Grail!" Arturia demanded. "You'll never find it!" Brisen said. "The Grail cannot be called without sacrifice! Yours will suffice! SERVANTS, COME!" The Seven Servants of Carbonek appeared. Casca the Centurion (Lancer). King Solomon (Caster). Brutus (Assassin). Leonidas (Berserker). King David (Archer). Sir Balin (Saber). And now they struck. The fight, this time, however, was rather lopsided. Arthuria and Endymion double-teamed Balin, each with a blade in their hand, flanking him and forcing him to retreat even with two swords of his own. Sailor Star Sol forced Brisen to dodge right into Nephrite's arms and he grappled her to where she couldn't focus to cast any spells. Umino hit King Pellam in the face with a pie, just to be sure. Everytime Pellam started to do something, he poked the man's side where he'd been wounded for 40 years. Sailor Star Saturn took on Casca, glaive against lance in a tight battle back and forth that no one could safely get near. Both of them studied each other, for they had similar appearances, though neither had ever even heard of the other. (Similar hair and eyes, that is.) Akane and Harry together blew Death off his mount. Harry ate Death's pale horse and Akane and Harry kept blasting him with winds, moving too fast for him to close without his mount. Pluto, Neptune, and Jupiter combined their powers and drowned some of Solomon's demons, stunned them with high sonics and then let them fall into a crack in the earth, then did the same to Solomon. Leonidas raged against Sailor Star Uranus, but with her Gem-strengthened Star Sword, she soon gained the advantage on him. King David was soon on fire again, then clutching his ears as Mars and Shiho combined their powers. His sense of balance collapsed and he fell on his ass. Brutus summoned the Roman Senate and unleashed them, but Princess Blue Mercury, Sailor Star Venus, and Sailor Star Moon opened fire on them. Chronos and Titan combined their powers to locate Brutus, then Sailor Shadow Moon pinned his shadow and began fighting him, backed by Chronos. The Servants gave it their best, but this was, simply put, overwhelming force and soon they were subdued. Saturn continued to study Casca curiously. "Without the sacrifice, you cannot summon the Grail," Brisen said. "If you study the various texts, it's quite clear the Grail is here in the castle," Titan said. PING. "And I just found it." "Race you to get it," Sailor Star Chronos said to Sailor Shadow Moon. "You're on!" They took off into the shadows after consulting the screen. Brisen ground her teeth as Shiho slapped handcuffs on her and Pellam. "Please," Pellam groaned. "I have suffered this for forty years." "Kiss my eternally small ass," Shiho said flatly. "Unfortunately, while you don't age, you can get fat," Arthuria told her. Shiho began cursing until Mars calme her down. "You deserve to suffer," Neptune said. "Part of the quality of a knight is mercy," Arthuria said. "Once Father is healed..." "He will die when the Grail leaves this place; only it sustains him," Pluto said. Arthuria winced. Endymion stepped forward. "Bring Balin." Balin was dragged over and Endymion said, "Balin, you remember why you came here in the first place, right?" "Garlon, the Invisible Knight, gravely wounded another knight and only Garlon's blood could heal him," Balin said. "You must help us. Only you can heal Pellam." "I'd rather he die, the bastard," Balin said, grimacing. "You broke the laws of hospitality by murdering my brother!" Pellam said angrily. "You pretended to be holy, yet you gave shelter to a murderer who slew many good knights by treachery!" Balin shouted. "He was my brother and nothing could be proved," Pellam said, staring at the floor. "You protect family, even when they do something bad. You avenge them. You murdered him in front of me. Was I to throw you a parade?" Distantly, Sailor Shadow Moon winced, listening in via TitanNet (Titan's communication network via Diana's spores.) Balin winced at that. He'd slain his own brother unawares, tricked into it by evil fae. Or whatever they had been. "Please," Sailor Star Moon said. "He's suffered enough. The land suffers his pain." "I will soon evaporate," Balin said stubbornly. "I am not interested in sacrificing my life for his." "It is possible," Rei said, "To bond you to a person who could then sustain you. That you might atone for the many ills you wrecked while you lived and finish the deeds you left undone." Sailor Star Moon nodded and Taiga-sensei waved the Shiny Magic Rock around to emphasize their capacities. "Who would take me?" Balin said. "All that I touch turns to dust and ashes and all that I would save perish instead." His voice was heavy with regret. "I am the most cursed man to ever walk this Earth. I cannot have a cup of water without somehow poisoning someone, it seems." "I can sustain you for now," Taiga-sensei said. "And I'm sure we can find someone in Arthur's court who will take your charge. Since this is your time." He studied her. "Why are you running around in your underwear?" "I am a sorceress. The more skin I show, the more powerful I become." Nao finally understood the Sailor uniforms. Balin stared at Pellam, then sighed. "Let my power be used once for good at least, even if he doesn't deserve it." "It would not be forgiveness if people deserved it; we give it because they need it," Sailor Star Moon. "Way to rip off a Buffy episode, cousin," Sailor Shadow Moon said over the commnet. "You're not supposed to tell everyone," Sailor Star Moon mumbled. "Casca, come forward, please," Saturn said. He blinked and did so. "Are we...?" "Your adventures in life took you to many lands and times," Pluto said. "It is a long story." He stepped up. "Balin tainted your weapon in its future relative to you by using it with intent to murder; because it was a weapon of peace, it could only wound forever, not slay, but that tainted it and it became a dark thing which would do much damage. But your spear is still blessed. You must draw blood from Balin and annoint the wound with it." Carefully, Casca did so. Three drops of blood splashed from the speartip onto the wound and then Taiga-sensei touched the wound, her other hand on the Shiny Magic Rock. There was a lightshow and a rush of power and she wobbled, but the wound healed. Pellam rose. "Finally, I am free." "Now take him downtown and book him," Shiho said. "You're still guilty of treason." "..." "But you won't die before your trial!" *************** "But how can you use the Grail without the power it would gather from the ritual quest?" Arthur asked as he stared at the golden cup. In the background, several members of Brutus' Roman Senate were hard at work scrubbing and cleaning; Brutus had been transferred to Kay, who put him and all his flunkies to work on FINALLY getting this castle the kind of thorough cleaning it NEEDED. "Well, it's going to be a little nasty, but I brought some of my best spices," Sailor Star Jupiter said. "And... umm... flavored it up." "Since it's been trans-zapp-ified, it'll be fine, I'm sure," Nao said. "Each of the surviving knights donated blood, which contains mana," Sailor Star Mars said. "We then used our combined abilities to purify it and finish empowering the grail." "We had to stop Dinadan from trying to add some wine, though," Shiho said. "And no one would let me drink it." "You're too young," Rei said. "I DO NOT WANT TO BE THIRTEEN FOREVER!" Guenevere took the cup and held it for Arthur and his wound faded away and with it the pain and he rose. "I owe you a great debt." "You've already paid it," Sailor Star Moon said. She hugged him to his surprise. "Also, in the new timeline..." Pluto put a hand over her mouth. "With history changed, there will be new challenges, for this world is still wild. But you are now ready for them, King of Adventure. The rest of your story has yet to be written." "There will be many great deeds to come," Merlin said. "Though I fear I will miss the ending. I have cheated death a few too many times and he always collects." "I can help with that," Mordred said. "End your pain quickly." Merlin covered his groin with his hands. "But I'm going to paint it," Katsumi said. "But first, I'm going to go see my boyfriend one more time!" She flew off. "You can't see the paintings either," Pluto said. "We've beaten this poor timeline with a stick too many times." Avalon had healed the damage to the timeline but it was best to NOT start messing it all up again. "But how...how does..." Arthur began. "I am your daughter now in truth," Arturia said to Arthur. "And you are finally free to find happiness as I have. Rule well, once and future king. Until we meet again." "So...you're the man who wants to be my daughter's lover," Arthur said, studying Endymion. "Anyone who wishes her hand must go forth and do some great marvel! Past marvels don't count!" "It's tradition," Guenevere said smiling. "Then we'd best get on with it. Questing takes time and we don't want our ride back to the future to have to wait too long," Arturia said. "Oooh, a quest. I'm in," Umino said. "Then I will help," Nao said. Pretty soon, a rather over-sized quest was in progress. For this was the Kingdom of Adventure! **************** Yumeni laid on her lover's chest. "So what is your name?" "Helin le Blank," he said. "The son of Sir Bors and Claire of Strangorre. Mother and Princess Elaine had rather a rivalry and...well, she ended up seducing Father basically to prove she could get a knight of the round table too." He sighed. "It's so embarrassing I decided to create my own identity unconnected to mother's shenanigans and Aunt Elaine helped me sign on at Carbonek as part of the Animal Knights, who all hide their names." "My goodness," she said. "Plus, being a mystery knight is cooler," he said. Yumeni laughed. "I know. I hope you're around in my time. I don't know if I'll ever be back, but I want to see you again." "If our love is true, then even the gulf of time will not part us forever," he said softly. She smiled. I hope you're right. ***************** Hotaru had taken up guardianship of Casca and was taking him to meet her parents; they felt rather odd about this as he was a lot older than her; on the other hand, she was oddly mature and there really wasn't anyone but Pluto who was older, unless he stayed in Arthur's court, which wasn't his time any more than this was. And he had a feeling they must somehow be kin. However, his own memories of his pre-Heroic Spirit days were rather scrambled; everything after he'd stuck Jesus to check for death was somewhat vague. Though he had visited some place that looked sort of like this, he thought. "Is the laboratory supposed to be on fire?" he asked. "No. RUN!" **************** "Are you sure she'll be okay?" Tomoe Meiko asked her husband. "She'll be fine," he told her. He now was the staff artificer and charity-mage-for-loan for the Kings and Queens of Avalon. He considered himself fortunate he hadn't suffered worse. "It's her turn to shine now." Hotaru, that is. The fact that he was living with two women whose power were much stronger than his and each considered themselves to have the best claim to him was generally punishment enough, really. "Let's go on a date!," Kaolinite said, coming in and grabbing his arm. Sparks flew from Meiko's eyes and, as usual, his lab was soon on fire again. So much for today's research. ************** __________________ "How can you be so calm?" Rei demanded angrily. "Oh, for my family, this is what we call 'the situation around lunch time'," Sailor Pluto said. "You get used to it." --Unlimited Food Porn (F/SN, SM, MH) Last edited by JohnWBiles; Feb 4th 2010 at 5:30pm.

Feb 4th 2010, 6:48pm	#145
Lawnmower Registered Join Date: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 43	Thanks also for this change. It fixes a lot of things I've been worrying about in regards to the Camelot situation. These were: 1. Camelot's depleted military power, due to the Grail Quest. 2. It not being clear that the Grail Quest conspirators had lost any irreplaceable power. 3. The power of Nimue and Merlin, and hence the magical power of Camelot being uncertain from a reader's perspective. Hence it being unclear if Camelot had the magical power to keep an eye on Brisen once all the heavy hitters went back to the future. 4. The earlier version hurt Brisen without removing her ability to recreate things. Transfering the Servants to Camelot seems to fix a lot of such things, as does taking control of the Grail Castle. Partly remaining is the matter of Brisen's crimes, her ability, and what to do with her. Old Time Line, her conspiracy killed at least 75 knights, which is at best negligent homicide. Then there is the treason, and the summoning of Death as a Servant, which might be a crime against nature or God. IIRC, when she was introduced, she spouted off about an ideology that was also biased against Camelot for religious reasons. (The Roman Servants help count against that. The Romans wiped out the Druids because they didn't care for the Druid practice of human sacrifice.) Then there is the whole summoning of Seven Servants and all the rest of the Grail Quest which she pulled off. This amounts to a very able, very motivated, very amoral person, who would see likely see a minimum of life in prison in the US, the UK or Japan. One of the options that came to mind was dragging her to the future, where a bunch of the heavy hitters could keep an eye on her. (I was also wondering why she didn't do something desperate and suicidally destructive at the end.) I think part of the focus on parents in my examination of the end is that I think Shirou's adoptive father, his wife, and his assistent might have ended up summoned by the Dark Grail. They don't seem to have shown up, or gotten purified. Having them alive might settle down Illya. This ties into another idea of mine about how to resolve the Brisen issue. I seem to recall something about canon counter guardians being mostly criminals forced into it. So, Brisen does something stupid, burns off her command runes and gets taken by Death, is executed, or dies of old age. Whatever happens, she's gotten herself in trouble, and is sentenced to serve as Counter Pink. Kirigitsu, because of his success infecting Shirou with his brand of heroism, has a noble phantasm for infecting people with Heroism. He trains the Counter Guardians in the place they live in between being summoned, along with his wife and assistant. (Brisen, having pulled off the Grail Conspiracy, might have some mighty power if summoned as a Servant. Sentai Team logic suggests Counter Pink might compliment Counter Red, by being able to summon herioc spirits with his copy of their items.) I imagine that Colored Counter Guardians are the elites, and that Kirigitsu teaches them Kamen Rider poses, and his wife provides Henshin Belts. Also, I was partway expecting Prester John to be a fairly badass lion when summoned by Seige Perilous. I do not recall him being summoned or purifying anyone. On the other hand, I think I may be getting more than a bit absurd.

Feb 4th 2010, 7:38pm	#147
JohnWBiles Registered Join Date: 5 Nov 2009 Posts: 188	Aargh, I forgot about Prester John. ^^;; I also basically forgot about Illyasviel after she gets TKed away. The Grail can't summon Kitsurugi because it didn't get to eat his soul. Unless he became a Heroic Spirit. Yeah, Shirou should face his dad. Will think on that. __________________ "How can you be so calm?" Rei demanded angrily. "Oh, for my family, this is what we call 'the situation around lunch time'," Sailor Pluto said. "You get used to it." --Unlimited Food Porn (F/SN, SM, MH)

Feb 4th 2010, 7:49pm	#149
JohnWBiles Registered Join Date: 5 Nov 2009 Posts: 188	New final scene to deal with Alexander: Rei, Shiho, and Pluto landed in an alleyway, then stepped out into the street. An armored zeppelin flew by overhead with a huge electronic message board on the side. It said 'EMPEROR ALEXANDER ANNOUNCES BATCH 5 OF CROSS-CULTURAL WEDDINGS FOR FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH. WEAR A TUX.' They all stared, mouths open wide. "I believe we forgot something in 2010," Pluto said. "Oh man, we totally forgot about him!," Rei said, slapping her forehead. "So no fancy underwear," Shiho grumbled. "We might as well get all the fancy underwear we can before this timeline is erased by us when we go home," Pluto said. "Does that mean we don't have to pay?" Shiho asked hopefully. "It's courteous to pay even if the timeline will evaporate," Pluto said. "Manners are important." "A woman's work is never done," Rei grumbled, then said, "Let's go!" A woman's work is never done but this story is. But where's a story without a hook for a sequel? But that, as they say, is a story for another day. The End __________________ "How can you be so calm?" Rei demanded angrily. "Oh, for my family, this is what we call 'the situation around lunch time'," Sailor Pluto said. "You get used to it." --Unlimited Food Porn (F/SN, SM, MH)

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