Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

King of Beasts Productions Presents:

Fate/Zero Hour: A Fate/Zero Multicrossover Fanfiction

Chapter 19: The Next Step

"Ah...More of her past, I see."

Kirei was in the midst of yet another Dream Cycle, this time viewing Assassin's memories from a strange event in a school called Honnoji Academy called "Naturals Election." Assassin, who had been a spectating bystander for most of the event, had decided to intervene at the last moment. She had been interested in the girl who had been fighting against impossible odds, a girl with a red streak in her black hair and was wearing a black sailor uniform which was no doubt a Godrobe like the one she made for him.

"OUT OF MY WAY!" The black clad girl's opponent, a man clad in what was an obnoxiously large green kendo armor, was about to strike her, but was swiftly dispatched with a single pinky pulling at the weakest part of his uniform, causing it to fall apart. She then sent him flying with a single thrust of her umbrella. Whether he lived or died, she didn't really care. He was just an insignificant bug compared to her real prize.

Even now, Kirei felt the excitement bubbling inside Assassin as the girl in black, named Ryuko Matoi, chose to face her in combat. So excited, in fact, that she decided to give the girl a little extra motivation to go all out.

"Still on the fence about it? Then let me show you something neat~! Here we go~!" With her usual unhealthy enthusiasm, she pulled out her Scissor Blade and twirled it with uninhibited flourish before pointing it towards the sky. "TADAH~!"

"Th-That's-!"

"Yup! It's the other half of your Scissors!" Assassin exclaimed gleefully, purposely egging her opponent on. "I took it from your dear, dead Daddy~!"

"So it was you..." Ryuko could only stare in utter shock, unable to believe what she had just heard. "You did it..."

"That's right." Assassin proclaimed proudly. "I'm the one who killed him!"

Silence followed for what seemed to be an eternity. However, Assassin's cheshire smile grew ever wider at the sight of Ryuko trembling in utter rage, savoring in the despair she was causing. It came to a head when the girl looked at her with utter hatred in her eyes, vocalizing it in a loud scream.

"YOU BITCH!"

Kotomine Church, The Next Morning...

"Mmm..."

Kirei mumbled as his eyes slowly opened. As his mind slowly stirred, he found that he was on his own bed and, after looking under the sheets after feeling a slight chill, he saw that he was indeed naked.

"Sleep well, Kirei-kun~?"

He slowly sat up and turned to see Assassin smiling at him. She was in a similar state of undress as he was. Her twin drills were undone, so her long blonde hair flowed freely while the only thing that was protecting her modesty was the blanket they shared.

Kirei's lips curled into a smile, remembering well the carnal acts he and his Servant engaged in the night prior.

"I should be asking you the same question, Assassin." Kirei answered with a small hint of mirth in his voice. "I was quite rough with you last night, after all."

"Oh don't you worry about me!" The Grand Couturier giggled fondly. "It's not the first time someone's been forceful with on the bed. In fact, I like your newfound assertiveness~!"

"You certainly don't mince words." Kirei chuckled as he stood up and began walking towards his closet, giving Assassin a good view of his well-toned, muscular body. "By the way, I had another glimpse of your past last night."

"Ooh~!" Assassin giggled as she watched him reach for clothes. "I'm intrigued! What did you get to see this time?"

"You had interrupted an event and revealed to a girl in black that you killed her father." Kirei couldn't help but chuckle as he began putting on his undergarments and pants. "I felt elation you experience when you watched her lose it. Her name was Ryuko Matoi, was it?"

"Yup! You just watched the day I met her!" Assassin affirmed with an amused giggle. "Ah, I remember it like it was yesterday! Watching her rage erupt the moment I revealed myself as her daddy's killer was simply a delightful experience for me!"

"Most would call you a fool for making an enemy of a person like that." The priest chuckled in amusement. "Even I could tell that she wasn't one to be so easily trifled with."

"She was a real pain in the butt, but she was just fascinating that I couldn't help myself!" Assassin affirmed. "In time, she became to me what Kiritsugu-san is to you!"

"I see..." Kirei nodded as he put on his priest's robe. "So you had someone who you simply couldn't understand."

"Yup! Though we were technically cut from the same cloth, she and I were as different as night and day~!" Assassin snapped her fingers, and she was instantly fully clothed. "Part of me wanted to understand her...but in the end, I figured it'd be more fun if I made her suffer before I killed her~!"

"La vie est drole?" Kirei repeated her mantra with a grin, causing the Life Fiber hybrid to giggle.

"Oh, you already know me so well, Kirei-kun~!" Assassin giggled as she stood up from the bed. "Sadly, I didn't get to finish the job, but that's a story for another day!"

"True enough." He had finished buttoning up his robe. "For now, we have matters we need to attend to and appearances to keep."

"Afraid your daddy will find out what we did here~?" The Servant inquired, which prompted to Kirei to smirk.

"Not really, but if we want this deception to work, I need to continue to play the part of the studious and obedient son." He affirmed. "I will admit that a small part of me feels guilty, but in the pursuit of my own wish, this is what must be done."

"Hmm, fair enough." Assassin giggled as she suggestively brushed her chest against the young priest's back. "I just hope this won't be the last time you supply me with mana~." He once would have been appalled by such a proposition, but with his new mindset, Kirei only grinned.

"That is something we can both look forward to, then."

Ahnenerbe Cafe.

"Morning, Master. Rare to see you out of the attic."

Berserker had just finished cooking for the morning shift when Kariya, clad in his usual hoodie, went down to get some breakfast.

"I could use the fresh air." The Master explained as he took a seat on the counter. "After the shitstorm that was last night, I could use all the strength I can get."

"Just about right." Ragna sighed in relief as he looked around. Now that breakfast was over, the restaurant was empty, save for the straggler or two who decided to get a mid-morning snack. "Anything in particular you'll want to have?"

"How about you surprise me?" Kariya gave a tired smile, which prompted Berserker to nod and start with Kariya's meal.

"Hey, I know it ain't my business to pry," Berserker dared to ask. "But what's the real score with you and that Sakura girl, anyway? I know you told me that you just wanna return her to her family, but I know for a damn fact that there's more to it. That old worm bastard that has her in his custody certainly does not help matters."

"You know, you're quite chatty for a Berserker." Kariya had an amused smile on his face. "As for all the stuff you asked...well, it's a long story, and we have all morning. Might as well bore you with my tale. You've earned that right."

And so Kariya Matou told a tale of a man who turned his back on the life magi live due to the dark nature of said path, as well at how twisted his family, particularly the family patriarch Zouken, was due to their devotion to said art. However, due to that man abandoning his birthright, someone had to take his place as heir to the Matou bloodline.

That was where another man named Tokiomi Tohsaka came in. In a bid to make his youngest daughter into a successful magus due to the tradition of having only one child inheriting the family's Magic Crest, he gave her away to Matous. That young girl would soon find herself violated and abused by the very nature of her "training", which was tossing her into a worm pit and leaving her there for days on end.

"That son of a bitch." Berserker cursed with venom thick in his tone, his right fist visibly clenched. "To do that to a little girl...When I get my hands on him-!"

"I appreciate the sentiment, Berserker. I really do." Kariya nodded with a weak smile. "However, he did promise me that he would return Sakura to her family if I win the Holy Grail War."

"And you honestly believe that he'll go through with it?!" Berserker asked his Master incredulously, thankful that there was practically no one in the cafe but them to hear his outburst. "I know his type; he'll twist it in a way that will still screw you over! Hell, I bet that he doesn't even expect you to win!"

"That may be so," Kariya countered. " But this is the one chance I have to rescue Sakura. The one chance to return her home! I can't just walk away, not after giving up everything for her!"

"Listen, I'm not saying that you should run." Berserker sighed as he finished cooking Kariya's meal, a modest plate of buttered toast, eggs and bacon. "Make no mistake, we're winning that Grail War. What I'm trying to say is that you shouldn't trust that old worm to keep his word."

"I understand that much..." Kariya sighed before he started digging into his breakfast. "So what do you propose we do about it?"

"For now, focus on regaining your strength." Ragna sighed as he watched his Master partake of his meal. "We'll continue the War like usual, but we'll have to keep an eye on that old bastard."

"Sounds like a plan." Kariya agreed as he took a bite out of the piece of toast. "I'll send a familiar down to the manor to keep an eye on things there."

"Good idea." Berserker nodded. "The moment that old worm does something drastic to her, I'm heading over there and kicking his ass. Don't try to stop then, Kariya."

"Fair enough." Kariya sighed, though part of him did wish to see his Servant pound Zouken into paste.

"Ah, so this is the Ahnenerbe. I've heard quite a lot about this place." They both turned to see the new customer that entered the door. Berserker stared wide-eyed at her, as despite the white t-shirt with a red label on the chest and tight jeans, this was the same blue-haired girl that tried to kill him with that giant weapon last night.

"Okay, play it cool. I don't think she's noticed you yet." Berserker began inner-monologuing "Just act as if you're part of the scenery and-!"

"Ahem."

To dismay, he looked and saw that the girl was looking at him with a raised brow and a frown on her face, her arms crossed as she gave a judging gaze at the Servant.

"Oh, it's you." The girl said in a very unimpressed tone.

"Listen, I don't want any trouble-!" Berserker began, only for him to be cut off by the girl in front of him.

"Don't worry, I won't cause any." She roughly answered back as she took her seat on the stool. "I'm just here to get something to eat."

"Sorry if I find that hard to believe." The Servant retorted. "You nearly killed me yesterday!"

"Hardly." The girl replied as she opened the menu on the counter. "You and I both know that I stand no chance against a Servant."

"About that." They both turned to Kariya, who was watching their little back-and-forth. "Who are you? And who are the people you work for? I mean, you're obviously quite aware of the existence of Magecraft and that entire secret world."

"While your suspicion is well founded, I'm afraid I can't tell you much." She put down her menu and turned to Berserker. "Ham and Egg Sandwich, hold the mushrooms."

"Not a fan?"

"They're not real food. Also, no milk in my coffee, please." The girl narrowed her eyes at him. Sensing that this was an argument he won't win, he only shrugged as he began cooking the eggs for her order.

"Can you at least tell us your name?" Kariya would ask.

"I'm Imca Gunther." The girl replied. "I work for a group that is quite interested in the goings on in this city. That's really all I can say at this point."

"Really?" Berserker raised his brow as he handed her a tray with her order. "You're going to give us that kind of crap? After that what happened? And how the hell did you get Little Miss Bloodsucking Rabbit into the mix?!"

"As I said earlier, I can't really tell you." Imca repeated once more for emphasis. "What I can tell you, though, is that we won't directly interfere unless something like what Caster did happens again."

"Fair enough." Berserker sighed as he watched her eat. "Wanna tell us a little bit about yourself, at least?"

"Was feeling me up not enough for you?" Imca responded with a raised brow.

"Not letting that go, are you?" The Grim Reaper let out a displeased sigh.

"I'm kidding, of course." Imca took a sip of her coffee, only for her face to crumple upon doing so.

"You could put milk in that to improve the taste." Kariya suggested, only for the gunner to look at him as if he suggested something so preposterous.

"No." That would be her final thoughts on the matter, only for Kariya to sigh as he got off his chair.

"Very well. Listen, I'm going to go for a walk."

"You sure you're in any shape to do that?" Berserker asked with a raised brow and understandable skepticism.

"Don't worry. I'm not going to do anything drastic." Kariya smiled. "Besides, if it comes to that, I can just call you with a Command Spell."

"Fine." Berserker sighed as he watched his Master take his leave. "Just get your ass back here before night falls.

"Got it." With a nod towards Imca, he took his leave to take a walk around the city, leaving the two alone.

"You have a good Master." The girl smiled as she turned her attention back to her food.

"I know. He's been through some shit, as I have. Probably why we get along in the first place." Berserker answered, then turned back to the raven-haired girl that was eating his food. "Well?"

"Your food is delicious." Imca answered after taking another bite. "Being able to cook is a good talent to have."

"Thanks, I guess." The Servant could only nod. "So, about that story..."

"You fed me, so I guess it's only fair." Imca smiled as she placed her hands on the counter while she began her tale. "Let me tell you the story of a girl who grew up in a small village in the mountains..."

Fuyuki Hyatt, Noon.

"This isn't going to end well."

"Relax. You're going to be fine."

"Why did you decide to come with me again?" Dressed in a white longsleeved polo and black slacks, Edgar turned to Scarlette, who was wearing a smug smile on her face.

"Two reasons: One, to make sure you don't run away again and two, because I want to see you two act like a pair of lovebirds." The blonde woman answered, much to the Shadow Knight's chagrin.

"Very funny." Edgar rolled his eyes, prompting Scarlette to giggle. "How did you get her to agree to this, any way?"

"We talked a little after you ran off." She replied. "I promised that I'd get you here so that you two can have your little reunion. And before you say anything, you two are going to have that talk no matter what, so I won't hesitate to use Graveryl on you if you try to run again, got that?"

"Fine." Edgar rolled his eyes at the giggling Scarlette. "You're quite nosy for a princess, are you?"

"Former princess." Scarlette corrected him. "My kingdom fell a long time ago. As for your point, she is technically blood, so I have to look out for her." She turned when she heard the elevator ding. "Ah, there she is."

Edgar dared to see Lancer exit the elevator, only for his heart to skip a beat then and there. He always knew that she was beautiful, but he could not help but be reminded; Her silvery hair was left to flow freely as she wore her casual attire of a blue sleeveless blouse under a white sweater, beige capris and high-heeled sandals. Needless to say, seeing her in a more modern attire had a profound effect on the Shadow Knight.

"Speechless, aren't you?" He was snapped out of it his revelry when he saw Scarlette smirking at him, causing him to roll his eyes as he walked over to Lancer. She in turn noticed him and smiled.

"Greetings, Sir Oswald." She respectfully bowed her head.

"Gwendolyn." Edgar spoke her true name as he did his best to maintain his composure, but was still quite dazed upon seeing the woman he longed for alive and well. "You...You look well."

"Th-Thank you." She looked up at him with rosy cheeks and a small smile on her face. "Miss Sola-Ui picked these clothes out for me. They're quite comfortable."

"They suit you." Edgar smiled as he walked over and brushed her hair back past her ear. "I'm sorry for running away last night. I...I was dealing with a lot of things at once."

"It's fine, I understand." She quickly interjected before turning to her half-sister. "She gave me some idea."

"I didn't tell her everything, if that's what you're worried about." Scarlette said as she was turning her heel. "I have to go back to work, so you kids play nice now." With that, she took her own leave.

"Was she always like this?" Edgar sighed, causing Lancer to giggle.

"I didn't know her for long, so I can only imagine." She would then take his arm. "Shall we, my love?"

"Y-Yes." His heart grew warm upon hearing those words uttered by the woman he loved. "We have much to talk about."

As they exited the hotel, Edgar knew that this wouldn't last. That the War would resume later that night. That he would lose her again when this War was over.

For now, however, as they took this next step out the hotel's doors, he wanted this to last as long as possible.

End Chapter 19

A/N: Okay, this took a lot longer to finish than it should've.

Once again, welcome to another chapter of Fate/Zero Hour! Nothing much happened in this chapter except conversations. Although I did enjoy writing that "Morning After" segment with Kirei and Nui. xD

I would like to take this time to answer one of my reviewers, who mentioned that Ragna being summonable as his vanilla version should not have been possible due to Amaterasu related shenanigans at the end of Central Fiction, but the Black Beast instead. If it was JUST the Blazblue-verse, I'd have agreed. However, other than the forces that are on par with the Master Unit, I would like to mention one force above all the others that keeps Ragna as himself, one that surpasses even the greatest gods of fiction:

Us. The audience.

Even if his world has forgotten him, even if every record of him has been wiped, we who played Blazblue will remember him. We, who have been through every game, will have his story forever etched in our minds. Same is true with every fictional character, really. As Altair from Re:Creators appropriately put it, ours is the "Realm of the Gods."

Other than that, I got nothing left to say other than thank you for supporting not only this, but my other stories as well. I hope that you guys keep reading my works in the days, weeks and years to come. With that said, please leave a review. Until next time, this is the King of Beasts, signing off!

Next time on Fate/Zero Hour: A Much Needed Talk.