Fate/Resistance: Alternative.

(Disclaimer: This chapter was written while listening to FAKEit by Hiroyuki Sawano and JUDAS by Lady Gaga. Also, I don't own Type-Moon or any other content used in this book. This is a fanfiction written for fun.)

(A/N: I will be honest. I originally didn't want to write Fate/Apocrypha. It's overused and I wanted to explore Lord El-Melloi or the like. But then I remembered I was writing this fic as a personnel vendetta against [A Nascent Kaleidoscope.]. The MC of that fic has edged me more than a Harem MC which doesn't help because he is also a Harem MC. So, I avoid some copyright and then I will kill him... personally. Alongside all the fan favourites because my role model for writing is Gege Akutami and this is the Nasuverse.)

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The sun dipped into the horizon, signalling the true first night of the war.

At the Yggdmillennia Castle, Darnic walked with haste. Entering a room abruptly, he spoke. "Your Majesty, four servants have been detected approaching us."

"So, they have struck." Vlad III, ignoring Darnic's rather rude behaviour stood up. "Prepare the homunculus and Golems. I shall take Berserker and Rider with me. Have Archer post himself atop the castle and provide support fire."

"As you command. I shall gather the Masters and establish a communication network." Both walked out of the room and took two different paths down the halls.

Exiting the fortified castle, Vlad was greeted by the moonlight and the marching of golems and homunculi alike.

"Yah hoo!" His gaze fell to Rider, cheerfully waving at him. Ignoring the cross-dressing man-child, Vlad looked at his steed, caressing its beautiful mane before climbing atop it. "March."

"Alright. Let's go~" Summoning his lance, Astolfo jumped into the air, climbing atop his hippogriff and riding off into the distance.

"Grr!" Letting out a low growl, Frankenstein's monster charged forward.

"Hah!" Followed by Vlad on his horse.

...

["With my bow and arrows, I pray for the protection of the God Apollo and Goddess Artemis.

I offer thee this Calamity—Phoebus Catastrophe!!"]

The hail of arrows from Atalanta's Anti-Army Noble Phantasm pierced and skewered through the homunculus and golems, wiping out a great portion of the Black faction's army.

"ARgg!" Frankenstein's monster tore through the arrows, her heavy mace dragging against the ground, creating sparks as she charged toward Atalanta. The Archer of Red stood poised, her sharp emerald eyes locked onto the approaching Berserker. The forest around them crackled with tension as the remnants of the shattered homunculi and golems lay scattered across the battlefield.

"Persistent, aren't you?" Atalanta muttered, stringing another arrow on her bow. The glow of divine light enveloped the projectile as she aimed, releasing it with deadly precision. The arrow streaked through the air like a comet, aimed directly at Berserker's heart.

The monstrous servant swung her mace upward, the sheer force of her strike colliding with the arrow in an explosion of light and raw energy. Sparks rained down, but Frankenstein remained undeterred, closing the gap with alarming speed.

From above, Astolfo dove on his hippogriff, laughing as he spun his lance with one hand. "Coming in hot! Don't worry, I've got this!"

Atalanta's eyes narrowed as she leapt back, firing another volley of arrows toward the sky. The hippogriff banked sharply to the right, dodging the glowing projectiles. Astolfo grinned, raising his lance.

"Time for some fun, don't you think?"

Before he could strike, a searing blast of energy surged from the far side of the battlefield. A fiery spear cut through the air, narrowly missing Astolfo's mount as it crashed into the earth with a deafening boom. The explosion sent dirt and debris flying, forcing both Rider and Archer to disengage momentarily.

"Karna…" Atalanta muttered, recognizing the Red Lancer's arrival.

The dust settled to reveal Karna, his glowing armour radiating with the heat of the sun itself. His crimson spear hummed with power as he pointed it toward the battlefield.

"It is time for the sun to shine upon this dark war," Karna declared, his voice calm but commanding. "Berserker of Black, your rampage ends here."

Frankenstein turned to face the new challenger, her growl deep and resonant. The two Servants stood poised for battle, each radiating immense power.

From the tree line, Vlad III emerged, his piercing gaze sweeping across the battlefield. "You dare to encroach upon my territory," he said, his tone sharp. His dark cloak billowed in the wind as his spear appeared in his hand. "You will pay for this insolence."

With a sudden burst of speed, the Romanian Hero closed the distance, his weapon aimed at Karna. The two legends clashed, their weapons ringing out as they exchanged devastating blows. Sparks flew with each strike, the force of their battle causing the ground beneath them to crack and shudder.

Astolfo, now grounded after his evasive manoeuvres stood beside Frankenstein. "Alright, girl, let's take care of that pesky Archer together, yeah?" he said with a wink.

Frankenstein let out a guttural sound, almost as if in agreement, and the two charged toward Atalanta.

Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows, Shirou Kotomine observed the chaos from a distance, a faint smile on his lips. "Everything is proceeding as planned," he murmured, turning his gaze toward the Yggdmillennia Castle.

...

The battlefield roared with chaos, but above it all, the sound of pounding hooves echoed like thunder. Achilles charged through the Yggdmillennia forces atop his divine chariot, Troias Tragōidia, a streak of golden light tearing through the homunculi and golems in his path. The ground shook beneath his relentless advance, and his spear spun in his hands, cutting down anything foolish enough to challenge him.

"Pathetic!" Achilles spat, his voice filled with disdain. "Is this the best you can muster, Black Faction?"

Homunculi scrambled to regroup, golems lumbering forward to intercept the Rider of Red, but it was futile. The chariot surged forward, its steeds trampling through the opposition as though they were nothing more than paper. The battlefield seemed to part for him, leaving devastation in his wake.

As he neared the castle gates, Achilles bellowed, his voice carrying across the battlefield. "Archer of Black! Show yourself! Or are you content to cower behind these puppets?"

His challenge hung in the air for only a moment before a sharp whistle cut through the din. Achilles jerked the reins of his chariot to the side. A single arrow streaked toward him from the distance, its precision and power undeniable. It struck the ground just ahead of him, kicking up a cloud of dirt and forcing him to a halt.

"Finally," Achilles muttered with a smirk, his emerald eyes narrowing as he scanned the battlefield. His gaze locked onto the forest's edge, where the archer had retreated. "So, that's how you want to play it."

Without hesitation, Achilles urged his chariot forward, following the trail of the arrow into the dense forest. The transition from the open battlefield to the shaded woodlands was abrupt, the trees closing in around him as his pace slowed allowing for an arrow to stick the horses pulling his chariot and forcing him to dismount.

"Alright then," Achilles said, gripping his spears tightly. His voice echoed faintly in the stillness of the forest. "You've got my attention. Now what?"

A second arrow whistled through the air, narrowly missing him. Achilles spun, the sound of its impact against a nearby tree sharp and deliberate. He grinned. "Trying to play hide and seek? You're going to need more than that."

From the shadows, Chiron observed his former student. The Archer of Black's breathing was calm, his bow steady as he nocked another arrow. 'I know you well, Achilles. But do you still remember the lessons I taught you?'

Another arrow flew, this time striking a tree to Achilles' left. Achilles turned sharply, his focus narrowing as he gauged the direction. "Tch. Trying to guide me somewhere, huh? Clever. Let's see where this leads."

Achilles moved cautiously now, the dense forest forcing him to rely on his instincts. Each step forward was met with a flurry of arrows, none aimed to kill, but all designed to redirect him deeper into the woods. The Rider's grin only grew wider.

"Not bad, old man," Achilles muttered under his breath, finally piecing together who his opponent was. "If this is your idea of a reunion, it's a bit underwhelming."

Suddenly, an arrow whizzed past his face, close enough that he felt the wind against his cheek. Achilles stopped, his grip tightening on his spears. From above, a calm voice spoke.

"You're as brash as ever, Achilles. It seems some things never change."

Achilles' eyes darted upward, locking onto a figure perched on a tree branch. The light of the moon filtered through the canopy, illuminating Chiron's calm expression. His bow was drawn, an arrow already aimed at Achilles' heart.

"Chiron," Achilles said, his voice quieter now but tinged with excitement. "I figured it was you. Only one person I know could pull off tactics like this."

"I see you haven't lost your arrogance," Chiron replied, his voice even. "But arrogance will not serve you here."

Before Achilles could respond, Chiron released the arrow, forcing Rider to deflect it with a swift swing of his spear. The momentary distraction was enough for Chiron to leap to another branch, vanishing into the shadows once more.

Achilles growled in frustration, spinning in place to track his mentor. "So that's how it's going to be, huh? Fine! Let's settle this the way we're meant to!"

The forest exploded into motion as the two warriors began their deadly game of cat and mouse. Chiron struck from the shadows, his arrows precise and relentless, while Achilles retaliated with sheer speed and strength, tearing through the underbrush in pursuit.

Though Rider's strength and speed were undeniable, Chiron's calm strategy began to take its toll. Every arrow, every movement, was calculated to wear Achilles down, forcing him to expend energy without gaining ground.

"Stop running, old man!" Achilles shouted, his frustration growing.

"I'm not running," Chiron replied calmly, his voice echoing from somewhere unseen. "I'm teaching. Just as I always have."

The words struck a chord in Achilles, momentarily halting his pursuit. But the Rider quickly shook his head, a fierce grin spreading across his face.

"Then let me show you what I've learned!" Achilles roared, launching himself forward with renewed determination.

The battle in the forest raged on, a deadly dance of speed and precision as student and teacher clashed once more, their reunion bloody one.

...

The roar of an engine ripped through the battlefield's silence, a streak of dust and exhaust trailing behind it. Mordred gripped the steering wheel of the beaten-up car, her armoured fingers nearly crushing it as she swerved violently across the flatlands. The tyres skidded on loose gravel, leaving deep grooves in the earth.

"Could you try not to kill us before we even get to the fight?!" Kairi Shishigou shouted, his voice trembling as he clung desperately to the interior for support.

"Shut up, old man!" Mordred barked, her sharp grin matching the reckless gleam in her crimson eyes. "You're the one who told me to get us to the front lines. So sit back and let me do my thing!"

"This isn't driving—this is suicide!" Kairi yelled as the car bounced over a particularly rough patch, his head narrowly missing the ceiling.

"You're still alive, aren't you? Quit whining!"

Mordred's laughter filled the car as she yanked the wheel to avoid a cluster of craters, nearly flipping the vehicle in the process. Kairi's curses were drowned out by the sound of the engine straining under her relentless speed.

"At this rate, the enemy won't have to do anything—we'll kill ourselves!" As if in response to his words, a sharp whistle pierced the air.

Mordred's instincts came into play as she slammed the brakes, but it was too late. The arrow struck the car's rear, detonating it in a fiery explosion. The force of the blast sent the vehicle tumbling end over end, shrapnel scattering across the battlefield.

For a moment, silence reigned, save for the crackle of flames. Then, with a crash, Mordred emerged from the wreckage, carrying Kairi over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

"You okay, old man?" she asked, her tone casual despite the soot and blood smeared across her face.

"Define okay!" Kairi snapped, coughing as he tried to catch his breath.

"Good enough," Mordred replied, dropping him unceremoniously onto the ground. "Stay here and don't die. I've got company."

In front of her appeared a red-haired man with a look of surprise etched on his face. "... Artoria?" he muttered under his breath, almost in disbelief.

"The hell did you just say, asshole?" Mordred snarled, raising Clarent in a flash of anger. Her eyes blazed with fury. "Why do you know that name? How do you know my Father!?"

The man waved a hand dismissively, his tone light. "No idea what you're talking about~"

"Bullshit!" Mordred spat, pointing Clarent at his chest. "You said his name while looking at me! That's not something just anyone knows. Start talking—what's your connection to my Father?"

The man tapped his chin, as though contemplating. "Well... if I had to put it into words." He paused, letting the tension build before declaring with a smirk:

"I'm your Mother!"

For a moment, silence hung in the air like a held breath. Then Mordred's face darkened, her grip on Clarent tightening.

"... Die."

In a blur, Mordred launched herself at him, her blade arcing toward his throat. But the strike was intercepted by another blade—a katana wielded by a woman clad in purple.

"How dare you even think of harming my son!" Minamoto-no-Raikou screamed, her voice trembling with wrath. The power of her Mad Enhancement surged through her body, granting her the strength to push Mordred back.

"Fuck off, cow!" Mordred spat, her frustration boiling over as she prepared for another clash.

Meanwhile, the red-haired man nonchalantly walked toward Kairi Shishigou, completely unbothered by the chaos erupting behind him.

"So, you're her Master?" he asked casually.

Kairi's response was two quick shots from a double-barreled shotgun which the man sidestepped with ease.

"Rude," the man commented with a small grin.

"It's ruder to blow up someone's car," Kairi shot back, his weapon still trained on him.

"... Perhaps." the man conceded, shrugging. From seemingly nowhere, he produced two drinks and a bucket of popcorn. "Let's just watch for now. I have ordered Berserker to not kill her, so relax. You're a Master of Red, right? Me too. Let's just treat this as a misunderstanding."

"Sure. Let's introduce ourselves, shall we?" Kairi obliged still holding up his shotgun.

The man shook his head, mock disappointment in his tone. "It's rude to ask someone's name without giving yours first."

"You hiding something?" Kairi pressed, his suspicion evident.

"Hardly. I am just following basic etiquette is all." the man replied smoothly, sipping from his drink without sparing Kairi a glance. His focus remained on the duel unfolding before them. "In the first place, my name isn't something to hide for secrecy but to avoid troublesome interactions."

Kairi raised a brow but relented. "... Kairi Shishigou. Your turn."

"Kischur Rei Schweinorg," He said looking at Kairi's shifting expression. "See that's what I am talking about." Kischur chuckled, settling into his seat with the air of a man thoroughly enjoying the chaos he had unleashed.

...

The number of Servants present had now reached well beyond a typical Holy Grail War, each one marking their presence with their powers. To most, this was just a count of nine, a number that represented the forces that had gathered for the inevitable clash. But for some individuals in particular the alignment of these nine figures was more than just a detail.

The stillness that followed was eerie, a strange calm that filled the air as the wind held its breath. Then, a sudden blur cut through the air, a volley of projectiles streaking toward the battlefield from an unseen location.

Chiron had no time to escape the assault. He was struck in the chest with an arrow that embedded itself deep into his flesh seeping Hydra's venom into it. He screamed in agony as the poison spread. Falling to the ground he activated his Noble Phantasm and shot himself through the head, ending his suffering.

"... What?" Achilles froze, his eyes wide as the remnants of his teacher's vessel dissolved into the air. The anguished screams still reverberating in his mind, a haunting echo that refused to fade. Slowly, he turned his gaze toward the source of the attack.

High above, a gleaming golden ship hovering in the sky.

"Two down." Alaric counted aloud. He nocked another arrow on his radiant golden bow, the weapon glowing faintly. He aimed it toward the other side of the battlefield below.

"You're up next, Jeanne."

The arrow shot forward with a thunderous crack, tearing through the air at supersonic speed. Its golden light left a shimmering trail as it honed in on its distant target.

Alaric leaned back, his eyes momentarily drifting to the green streak rapidly closing in on him. Achilles' chariot surged forward like an unrelenting tempest, his fury palpable even from this distance.

A smirk played across Alaric's lips. "Now that I think about it," he mused, more to himself than anyone else, "I've always wanted to try a dogfight."

Settling into the throne-like seat of the Vimana, Alaric gripped the controls. The ship's wings flared, their intricate designs pulsing with golden light as it accelerated to its maximum speed.

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(A/N: Thanks to @Uami for helping me with this chapter. I was able to straighten out the future plot through a small discussion with him. I will end this arc quickly... like four or fewer chapters quickly.)