A/N: *EDIT*

Added more content for you guys.

*EDIT*EDIT*

Can the flames please stop? They're making me upset.

Look at the reviews if you don't believe me. So. Many. Trolls.

What did I do to deserve this? I just wanted to make people happy. and yet...

*EDIT*EDIT*EDIT*

Well. Everyone was warned.

I asked the trolls and the flames and the threats to stop.

I begged. I cried. I pleaded. So as of this...this is getting no support. At all.

Nearly no reviews save*DELETED* flames. After I slaved away on this. That hurts. Really. Hurts T_T

As ever, I own no references, quotes, or relations to respective media. That is all I have to say on the matter.

I'm not sure if I said this before, but this Naruto has the potential to become a Villain. He will literally kick your shit in if you get in his way. Granted, he'll try talking to you first, try persuading you at the very least. But if you still decide to go against him? You're done.

I feel I should also clarify that this Naruto, like Watcher, HAS seen other worlds from afar. He just doesn't give a damn about them.

If the title wasn't enough of a hint, someone makes the mistake of doing just that; crossing him in this chapter.

Now we get our first death(s?) in this story. Because I don't like being predictable. No one is safe. No one has plot armor. No one. I'll make that clear from the get go. Furthermore, I feel that I ought to clarify that "this" Apocrypha war is going to have something that radically sets it apart from others. I won't say what, though its rather obvious. I'll leave it for you to read and decide.

As ever, this will be gone in two days if folks don't like it.

So by all means, let me know. Or don't. You do you.

I'm used to being ignored these days.

T_T

"HOW CAN YOU STAND YOURSELF?! DO YOU NOT FEEL REMORSE?!"

...lady, I don't feel anything."

"MONSTER!"

"No. I'm Gunner. Don't compare me to Beast. Not that...thing. There's a stark difference between he and I. Me? I don't make people suffer. I don't draw out their pain. I don't CORRUPT THEM and add them to my army. I don't even have an army! I kill my enemies quickly. Painlessly. My victims don't have time to feel anything; because they're already dead by the time they realize that. I do not love them. Nor do I hate them. I just, quite simply...remove them from the equation. I show no restraint. I do not allow them to the time to even feel so much as a glimmer of despair. Is that not kindness? Is that not mercy?"

"Naruto...that's not mercy at all, that's something worse. Can't you see that?"

...enough. I won't debate this with you anymore."

~A Future Scene.

A Most Unlikely Betrayal

"Mine."

"No, he's mine!"

"Ho? How bold of you!"

"Bold?! I'll carve that word into your-

A long suffering sigh fled from Naruto's-Gunner's!-mouth for what felt like the umpteenth time as he trod relentlessly forward into the night. All the while the Yggdmillennia castle loomed steadily larger in the distance, a dark and silent bastion of silence and misery. His stride was only marginally slowed by the weight against his arms; even then he refused to slow down. While he confessed a certain excitement for events to come, and on some level he was made more than happy with this sudden excess of attention, he was just as much chagrined by it all.

With a cheeky Nobunaga on his right arm and an irritated Altera on the left, he could barely hear himself think much less make any real progress back to the castle.

At first he hadn't wanted to intervene at all; he'd thought it best that they work out their issues on their own, that interference on his part here wouldn't do anyone any good. He had to let the two of them settle their differences sooner or later. They couldn't kill each other. His Command Spells prevented that. However, it didn't prevent them from sniping at one another verbally. Unless he wanted to waste another Spell, they were going to keep this up all night. That had been nearly an hour ago. An

Something snapped!

"THAT! IS! ENOUGH!" At his wits end, Naruto warped/wrapped his voice around those words and threw the full weight of his killing intent behind each syllable, blue eyes burning black in a particularly nasty genjutsu as he spoke. On the surface it was little more than a minor illusion. It worked. Sure enough, Saber and Avenger each jolted as if he'd struck them. He maintained the deception a moment longer to make certain he had their attention before he finally released it and allowed them to see what he'd done.

"While my heart appreciates your devotion," he ground the words out, "My ears do not. If you have to argue, don't leave me in the middle."

Finally progress was made and he just hoped that all this madness would finally level out.

It was not to be.

His first realization that something had gone amiss came when he neared the main gate. With a shared glance, Avenger and Saber ceased their argument and vanished into their astral forms before they could be seen. It was well that they did; because he could feel the killing intent from here. It pressed down on him like a miasma, fuzzing the corners of his thoughts. Little more than an annoyance, really, but bothersome all the same. He wasn't at all surprised to find the source.

In addition to the traditional homonculus guard, Naruto found Darnic waiting for him.

The head of the Yggdmillennia family didn't look happy.

As he drew closer he could clearly see the clan head's face was drawn with fury-so much so that he actually met him halfway.

"What have you done?"

In the face of such an accusation, Naruto's first instinct was to deny, deny, deny. Then he remembered that he didn't much care about this sycophantic little leech. He'd served his purpose. If he tried to turn on him now, it would be...unfortunate, bu the was prepared for such an instance.

So he told him.

"I conducted my summoning, " he said in a rare show of restraint. "Privately."

Darnic refrained from shouting as well, though his face did turn a fascinating shade of puce.

"I know." he ground the words out through clenched teeth. "The pulse from yours through off ours. You idiot! Years of planning, decades or preparations, ruined in an instant! Because of your impatience!" Just like that the rage slipped the leash and he struck him full in the face with his cane. Naruto, felt, rather than saw his head recoil from the blow. So Darnic struck him again with a harsh crack of wood against flesh. And he took it with so much as a sigh. "I don't know what you did or who you summoned, but whatever it was, it skewed our catalysts. We weren't able to pull the Servants we sought. All because of you!"

He struck again.

Naruto caught the cane.

"Where is your Servant?" Darnic demanded.

"Why?" Naruto planted his feet and set his jaw.

"You're unworthy of them." the older magus sniffed. "I shall strip you of those command spells this very instant and exile you from the clan."

Ah. Checkmate at last. How sweet it felt to hear those words.

To have the excuse.

A small smile dimpled upon his whiskered cheeks as they began to heal. "Ladies?"

Nobunaga must've been waiting for that smirk; because she appeared in first. Altera was only half a heartbeat behind.

"Two Servants?! Not you, too...!

Darnic's pride shattered. Naruto saw it in his eyes, but made no move to pursue him when he stumbled back.

"You know," he mused aloud, "This presents an opportunity. I could kill you. No one would ever know. Would they care, I wonder? Would they even notice?"

"You wouldn't dare."

"Wouldn't I?" His gaze flicked to the homonculus guards. "Leave us."

Darnic sputtered. "No! Stay! I am in control here!"

Naruto laid a hand on his shoulder.

"Do you feel in control?"

Darnic turned ashen. "I paid you a fortune!"

Naruto frowned. "And this gives you power over me? Your wealth was useful. Was."

Darnic never had time to retaliate, never summoned his Servant in time. Quick as a flash Nobunaga drew her blade and struck him. It was a good cut. Simple and clean, simultaneously severing and cauterizing his arm just above the elbow. Darnic squealed like a struck pig as the limb tumbled away end over before being caught by the Servant in question. Altera...just looked ashen. Ah. Naruto restrained a grimace, never once letting go of his prey even as the mage squirmed in his grasp. He'd forgotten Saber's dislike of needless violence; she'd likely dislike what he was about to do even more.

Like a shark, he slowly rounded on the stunned mage.

His grip on the man's face and throat intensified a hundredfold.

"I'm sorry it had to be this way, my friend." he addressed Darnic with a faux smile. "I would've worked with you. But now? No one will miss you. No one will mourn you. I'll try to make it quick."

Darnic spat in his face. "You rotten, evil little bastard! I took you in! I gave you shelter! I protected you!"

"And you turned on me the moment I went against your whims. I am necessary evil."

"No nononono please-

Strong hands wrenched and he knew no more.

"Well, that's done." Nartuo hummed, releasing the broken body, allowing it to fall to earth. Turning his head, he unleashed a fast-burning fire jutsu that quickly rendered the man little more than ashes on the ground. He summoned a strong breeze and those ashes blew away in a mighty gale, leaving no trace of the once mighty magus beyond his right arm. He considered burning that too, on principle if nothing else. Just to make certain that Darnic's servant didn't contract with anyone else. Considered it, then discarded the notion.

After all, the Servant was here with them.

They had been watching them.

For quite some time now.

"You can come out now, Lancer!"

A faint shimmer in the air heralded their arrival as they materialized; but not properly. There was the faintest stumble to their step, a painfully blue glow flickering at the edge of their features. Nobunaga stepped between the two of them, but he waved her aside with a frown. He'd never seen Darnic's Servant before. He'd always kept them out of sight, away from the others. Perhaps he thought he was being clever. Perhaps he wanted it to be a surprise. Perhaps he was just being an asshole about it, as he was in all things.

Even so, Naruto wasn't whole prepared when she appeared.

Clad in little more than a white robe with a cloaked hood, the stranger gazed placidly back at him. Dark red eyes gaze back at him set in a gentle face framed by dark hair. A golden shield hung against her left arm, while a spear of white, luminescent light burned in the other. And that was if one ignored the strange searing crest at her back. This wasn't an angel. It could never be an angel. This was...

"You killed Darnic." It wasn't a question, really. Just a simple statement.

"I did." his head bobbed in agreement. "I'm sorry that it came to that, but I did kill him."

"Why did you wait, then?" Nobunga tapped her chin. "If you were that close, you could have saved him."

Cold ruby eyes regarded the corpse with little remorse. "We had no love for him. His goals did not align with ours."

The trio exchanged a glance.

We?

Ours?

Naruto was still looking at the duo when Lancer swayed on her feet like a drunkard at last call. Instinct spurred him forward but she waved them away. Steadying herself against the wall, her spiritual body continued to fall apart, slowly crumbling away like so much blue dust without mana to sustain it. He would've been content-not really-to leave things there. And then they-she!-looked at him.

"Will you be our Master, then?"

Altera sucked in a sharp and startled breath.

Nobunaga went positively rigid by sheer comparison.

Utterly unaware of their impending wrath, Naruto actually considered the inquiry. And why not? More troops was always a good thing. They still had Darnic's arm and the Command Spells there; though the latter were all but beginning to fade with Lancer's impending demise.

"Well, I have the reserves for it," he said, "But why should I? How do I know you won't just turn on me the moment I let my guard down."

Lancer regarded him stoically for a long moment.

"Because we don't want to die."

Then, much to his consternation, they knelt; laying spear and shield alike at his feet. Worse still, they actually pressed their forehead into the dirt and bowed to him. Seeing such a thing made Naruto distinctly uneasy but her words rooted him all the same, stirred a tiny seed of compassion in his heart. Was he actually feeling bad for her? This Servant he'd never met? He shouldn't be, but...

"We swear, that we will serve you in all things." the blackette swore, her voice muffled into the earth. "We will be your spear. We will be your shield. So we swear."

Naruto felt the beginnings of a frown pluck at his face.

Truth be told it wasn't the notion of taking on a third servant that bothered him; he had chakra for days. No, it was the the glare boring into his back that worried him all the more. With a reluctant turn, he faced them. In the confusion, he'd neglected Altera and Nobunaga's feelings on the matter. The latter looked fit to slug him for his temerity.

"You've got some nerve, considering this." Nobungag's words were a silken, menacing purr.

"What?! I didn't even say or do anything yet!" he cried out.

"You were about to, Master!" Altera shot right back.

"Semantics! I can't just leave her like this!"

"Yes, you can!" Nobunaga bulled back to the front and shoved her forehead against his. "You don't owe her anything!"

Exasperated, he flung up his hands and turned back to Lancer. "What's your name?

Red eyes offered a blank blink. "We are...Valkyrie."

As one, the party froze.

Naruto whistled.

"Really? Looks like we got lucky, then." at their baffled look, he hastened to elaborate. "If you had a Master like Darnic backing you, providing you with a near endless supply of mana, it wouldn't have ended well for any of us. Its a good thing you weren't loyal to him; if you were...well. We wouldn't be having this conversation. Its a good thing he made so many enemies. Now, I doubt some in his clan will care for his death, but just as many might celebrate it. We shouldn't expect much in the way of resistance, then."

That got Nobunaga's attention.

Leave it to the conqueror in her to notice.

"We're taking control of this place by force, are we?"

"Would you have it any other way?" Naruto snorted quietly as he took Darnic's ruined arm from her. For most, it would be...difficult to pry the Command Spells from a lifeless hand. For one such as him? For a man out of time? It was as easy as breathing. He reached down with his mind and bound them to his arm, felt the crimson ink writhe and twist across his flesh. Then he turned his attention to Lancer, still prone on the ground, body still flickering like a candle in the wind. For a moment-a short one-he considered just letting her die. Surely it wouldn't be that bad. But...no. He didn't have it in him to be that cruel, to give someone hope, then snatch it away.

"Will you serve?"

Valkyrie bowed deeper.

"I am yours to command, Master."

Something snapped into place in the back of his mind, and he felt a faint tugging sensation. In the same instant her body lost that eerie ethereal glow and became solid once more. Odd. Shouldn't that have been...worse? Even for someone like him, supporting three Servants was nothing to scoff at. So why did he barely feel anything? Their contract was still there, but he scarcely felt the drain at all. How odd. Distantly, he was aware of his new Servant rising to their feet, of the small smile she gave him, but the matter continued to nag at him. What was he missing here?

He was still considering it when Altera finally voice her discontent.

"I...this isn't right." All eyes turned to her. "You're usurping everything for no good reason save that you want to."

"For the good of all, yes." Nobunaga retorted with a smirk. "What a young, naive Servant you are."

Lancer even unbent enough to frown. "This is the best path. Why does it anger you so?"

Tan fists clenched at her sides. "Because its not right!"

Avenger sneered. "Isn't it?"

"Why you...?!"

She still looked fit to stab them for that.

"Whoa! Wait! Stop! We're not your enemy, Altera." Naruto thrust himself between the three of them, a thread of caution-of concern!-wove its way into his voice as she began to reach for her blade. "None of us are. I'd like to avoid hurting others if I can, but this is war. Sacrifices have to be made. Are you really going to attack me for following my beliefs?"

Her glower only intensified. "How can I trust you?"

"Oh, for the love of-STOP!"

When her blade came flying at him, Naruto didn't deign to dodge; he simply caught it. Firm fingers gripped her sword as his palm wrapped around that brilliant rainbowesque edge, uncaring for the pain it caused him, nor how it bit into his hand. Holy hell that hurt! It was like grasping a sun that burned just as much as it cut! Part of him longed to use a Command Spell, to simply silence her, but he knew that doing so now would irrevocably damage their relationship beyond any hope of repair.

Holding fast to her sword, the whiskered warrior fixed her with what he hoped what a sincere smile.

"Listen to me!" when she tried to rip her blade free, he only held fast. "I'm on your side, Altera! I'm not going to betray you. I'm not going to hurt you! I want you believe that."

"Well said!" a new voice chimed. "Just as I would expect from my Praetor! Lower your sword, Altera! Or I shall make you!"

Oh, what fresh hell was this now?!

With his full attention devoted to Altera and his other Servants standing by, Naruto never saw the newcomer until they were nearly on top of him. Never heard them until they raised their voice. Out of the corner of his eye he glimpsed a flash of resplendent rend and a pair of gilded golden boots, little more. And then they were past him-attacking the very blade he was holding-swatting it down with the back of their hand as though it were no more than a mere stick. Bright eyes like poisonous green emeralds danced with mirth, her golden hair bound in loose braid over her shoulder. She looked almost familiar. And yet...

But Saber jerked back as if she'd been stung.

"Nero...?" the word was a pained whisper. "No. No, that can't be...

"Umu~!" the newcomer chirruped happily, spreading her arms even as her fellow Saber backpedaled. "Indeed, it is I! You've grown since I saw you last. Now put that weapon away at once, young lady!"

Nobunaga planted a hand over her mouth.

Valkyrie was only a heartbeat behind.

"Young...lady?"

Altera's legs trembled traitorously. "You...you can't be here...

"Can I not? I chose to be a Caster this time around, rules be damned." that mad, infectious grin greeted her once more as she flicked a strand of golden hair behind her ear. "After all, even if were summoned as Saber and that fat fool called both a certain kitsune and myself as Caster, it was only right that we have our glorious reunion, no?"

Altera went rigid.

"Tamamo's...here too?"

Nero dared to edge closer. "Of course she is~!"

Closer still. Another step now. Nearly within arms reach.

"This...this is a trick!" she looked ready to bolt at the slightest touch. "You're lying!"

Nero tilted her head like an indulgent parent might. "Did you really think we would leave you alone?"

Before the tan Saber could offer another word of protest, Naruto watched Caster step forward to embrace her fuly.

And all the fight drained out of Altera like a broken sieve. As such, everyone was wholly unprepared when the stoic Saber burst into tears.

Naruto...wasn't quite sure how to react to this. Or if he even should. Better to just let them hug it out. He was more than content to wait; after all, for a man who had all the time in the world, what was a few minutes? Or ten, even? He understood Altera's fear of having her wish stolen from her; after all, the Grail could only grant one. But still, something about what Nero had said earlier...bothered him, As he slowly rubbed at his wounded hand, a thought occurred to him.

"Nero, right?" at her nod, he bulled on. "Where did you say your master was?"

"Oh!" Quick as a flash, the blond disengaged with Altera. "You mean the fat one?"

Gordes, he realized with a snort. She must be talking about Gordes. No one else fit the description.

"We didn't like him." she put in primly. "He was too rude, too loud, too...not beautiful. So we tied him up and threw him in a closet as soon as he summoned us."

Nobunaga toppled backward with a delighted cackle. "Glorious!"

Altera giggled into her hand.

She.

Actually.

GIGGLED.

"It really is you." she sighed, laying her head on the blond's shoulder. "Only you and Tamamo would do that."

"Of course!"

Naruto planted a hand over his mouth, to no avail. He could've sworn he heard Valkyrie snicker in that moment, but he daren't take his eyes off of Caster. As funny as it might be to imagine someone of Gordes...stature, being hogtied and thrust into a broom closet, he had to confirm the situation. He wasn't laughing right now. No. Certainly not!

"Do you mean...Gordes?"

"Aha!" she pointed at him with a sharp cry. "That's the name! He was driving us crazy!"

Wait. Something the way she kept saying us-rather, the way that she said it-turned his blood cold. Now, Naruto was no fool. A tiny inkling of a suspicion had been nagging at him for some time now, from the moment he'd heard Darnic's exclamation. And the way Nero continued to say "us" so liberally, without a care in the world...

"Just to be clear," he croaked, "How many Servants did he summon?"

She blinked. "Why, myself and that blasted fox, of course."

"And the others...?"

"Umu~!" His fellow blond gave a happy chirrup, heedless of his mounting horror. "They did indeed! The girl in the wheelchair had three attending her, last I saw! Quite unusual I know, even in such a war as this! The Grail must have lessened the strain somehow. That's the only explanation that makes any real sense...are you alright, Praetor?"

Naruto stumbled backwards, his face ashen.

No.

Multiple Servants.

No, no.

Because of what he'd done.

No, no, no.

He'd thought himself to have an advantage in the war to come; an upper hand on the others. Instead, he had inadvertently set off a chain reaction that had altered the very face of the war itself. No. But that would mean nearly everyone in this war, every participating master, would have at least two Servants. If not more. He couldn't even imagine what must've transpired over in the Red Faction's territory. If everyone possessed multiple Servants, then things were going to get...messy.

Oh, gods.

What had he done?

"That leaves Roche, Caules, Fiore, and Celenike to subdue." Valkyrie was saying as Naruto reluctantly came back to himself, and he realized to his horror that they were actually making a plan without him. "We'll have our work cut out for us. The last one might be trouble certainly, if the class system's been thrown out of the window. If no one has any objections...?"

She cast a meaningful glance at Altera, but Saber simply shook her head.

Nobunaga grinned. "If they give us trouble then we'll just grind them into the ground. No sense in wasting good soldiers."

"Indeed!" Nero beamed.

And then in a swirl of scarlet silk-was that a bathing suit under that dress?!-she spun to face him and Naruto had no more time for thought as she jabbed that finger of hers into his chest.

"You." the word was a purr. "You didn't react when I called you praetor, Naruto. Why is that?"

He hadn't given her his name and a small pang pricked at his heart.

"Whomever you're thinking of, I'm not him." he warned.

Nero looked like she might contest that for a moment, but seemed to think better of it in the face of his anger. Still, he didn't miss that keen flash of longing in her eyes. Whomever this "other" was, he must resemble him very strongly for her to look at him like that. Damn multiverse. How did the others make any sense of it? At last, however, she relented and withdrew her finger.

"Yes," she sighed, "I suppose you're right. Still, you look so much like him! Even your clothes! I had almost hoped...well...

She shook her head.

"No, that doesn't change anything. "she murmured. "I still want to keep you."

Naruto nearly choked on his own spit.

"Keep?" Nobunaga growled, stepping forward. "Watch your words."

That mad empress met her gaze stoically, in spite of the towering difference between them; which was just as well because the redhead looked all of an instant from turning her to ash on the spot. Had not a pair of golden cannons manifested at Nero's back, Naruto suspected she would've done just that, consequences be damned.

"Tch." Nero groused as she took her thumb between her teeth in mild admonishment. "First that sneaky witch, then Altera, and now you. Have I no end of rivals in this war?"

The maiden in white sputtered.

"W-What?! No, that's not it! He isn't...we're not...!

Rather than elaborate, Nero turned back to the castle with a smirk.

"Come, Praetor." she beckoned. "Your domain awaits. You have but to claim it."

With that said, she flashed him a saucy wink and strode through the open gate as though it had always belonged to her. And if there was a suggested tilt to her hips that hadn't been there before-or an enticing sway of her bosom-no one dared to remark on it. Certainly not with Nobunaga half a step behind and didn't she just strut after her. Aha. So that was how it was going to be. He'd been doomed from the start, then. Naruto swore softly at their little competition, a rueful smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"Troublesome girls." he muttered.

But he walked right into hell behind them anyway.

A/N: Nero is Nero. Such a treat to write, that one. She always steals the show when she shows up.

Quick clarification, this is the Younger!Altera from Fate Stay Link, but all grown up.

Hence the trust issues. She's a bit...skittish at times.

I own no references or quotes~!

I DID say someone would die.

I never said who.

Now, just like Shirou, Naruto usurped the Black Faction for himself.

Behold Valkyrie in all their glory! Behold the UMU as well!

I'm not sure if I said this before, but this Naruto has a high chance of becoming a Villain. As in THE VILLAIN. The big bad I've been hinting at, one that makes Beast's little rampage look childish by comparison. He will literally kick your shit in if you get in his way. Granted, he'll try talking to you first, try persuading you at the very least. But if you still decide to go against him?

DEAD.

Of course, he can still be redeemed. But will he?

I hope you were paying attention to the Servant hints that Nero dropped~!

And multiple Servants for all.

The wonderful story known as Nerve Damage by CrossyCross did this FAR better than me, but I'm following in their footsteps, albeit in a crazy way. Gods, I hope that story returns someday. Its been such a long time and it ended so abruptly...

Reviews are love. Reviews are life. Reviews keep me alive.

Despite the flamers and trolls trying to keep me dead.

So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...

...Review...Would You Kindly?

Aaand enjoy the madness!

Including previews!

They're...intense.

(Previews!)

"I'm in charge now. If you don't like it, you can leave."

"Oh. Well, that's actually quite reasonable-

"But your Servants stay. With me."

"Well. That's one Servant down."

"How did they die?"

...I don't know."

Nobunaga shot out the door like an arrow loosed from a bow.

"Okita!"

"Ooh, look at that. Its roomy in here, and so much potential...you'll make a fine host!"

Naruto grit his teeth as a fresh spark of agony snarled throughout his skull. "...of...my...head."

"I beg your pardon?" his tormentor only laughed in the darkest corner of his mind. "What did you just say to me?"

Blue eyes snapped up and his possessor recoiled with a startled squawk as a hand found what passed as its throat. "I SAID GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"

"Idiot!" It squawked. "Never! Do you have any idea how long I spent looking for a body like yours?! How long I've been waiting for this chance?! I won't let it slip by! I'd rather die!"

"Then die."

And the world went red.

R&R~!