"I know he isn't." I tell her. "But....""What?""There isn't really another option. I can't have you there without Sakura, and I don't want to have her somewhere where Zouken might try something. Especially since she doesn't know Archer's on my side. Rin's still out of it, So Saber's also a no-go since I can't take her without leaving everyone else vulnerable.""Why not just take a Servant?""And leave the other one watching three non-combatants in a place that only isn't attacked because we have a multiple servant defense force? Everyone knows where we are.""They could chase you, if you're making yourself the weak link.""And then I lead them straight into a trap. I have Archer, Caster, and Lancer out there. Any one of whom I could call on for help if someone tries to corner me."".... Wait, you-""Have all of the numbers on speed-dial." I sigh. "I'm not that dumb. All I need is to buy enough time for the closest non-enemy to reach me, assuming I can't handle it myself." I look at her. "And to be honest, I don't like this. I'm not sure if it's the smartest thing to do right now. But I know the worst thing I could be doing right now is nothing."Rider's silent for a long time. "I won't make excuses for you, but if you let me know when you're leaving I can give you a chance to sneak out." She gives me a smile. It seems a little forced, but I've clearly convinced her.[ ] Sneak out now.[ ] Do something else first (?)
>>31484265>[ ] Sneak out now.Better get this over with
>>31484265>[ ] Do something else first (?)PLAN HUG THE SHIT OUT OF RIDER
[X] Sneak out nowWas there anything else need doing right meow?
>>31484265>[ ] Do something else first (?)Hug rider.Hopefully without anyone seeing this display.Girl like this Is gold.
Hug pls
>>31484265Hug rider before we leave.Then make sure to pack grenades and flashbangs if we're not already packing.
Hugs lead to longing staresStares lead to hand holdingHand holding leads to the lewd side!
We're going ahead with hug Rider? AKA maximum death flags?
Threadly reminder that the updated Ebook can be found at http://pastebin.com/kbGzcbDb and will be updated tonight.>[ ] Sneak out now.
>>31484454Im hoping rider does the blueballing to shiroe. To give him something to come back to.
>>31484493We could write a letter to them explaining our feelings.
>>31484545What.
>>31484545Think we have time for a snack? We could have some pineapple salad.
>>31484559We really shouldn't play around like this. Death flags are serious business.
>>31484563Perhaps contemplate early retirement? In, say, two weeks?
>>31484609But what if its our last fay?
>>31484641Morgan!?
I look out of the corner of my eye, making sure nobody saw or overheard any of that.Then, I take a step forward and grab her. "W-what?" She asks startled. "Why?""For trusting me."We stand there for a moment, quietly. It feels weird, taking any kind of initiative. Especially with the situation around the house being what it has been.It's also strange seeing Rider so.... hesitant. Normally she's upfront and rather blunt about things. It feels like we're doing this backwards- like it should be her teasing me and me trying not to be embarrassed.I think it's the fact that we're done teasing more than anything."Shirou?" She finally begins, breaking the embrace after what feels like a million years, "..... Come back, alright?""I was planning on it?" I begin, unsure. It wasn't like I was planning on getting myself killed...."No, I mean...." She sighs. "You don't always seem to think things through. I'm not sure if it's because you're reckless or-" She cuts herself off, shaking her head before refocusing on me. "I'm not sure I like all these risks you take. There are too many people here who couldn't stand to see you get hurt or killed. I don't like it, but as long as you come home at the end of the day, I think I could live with it. So come home.""That's it?""It doesn't have to be complicated." She answers, fixing me with a level gaze. "Friends, family...." She looks back towards the house. ".... whatever ever labels you might apply. There are too many people who want you alive and happy for you to get killed trying to play the hero. So don't die, alright? That's all.">?
>>31484698"I'll do my best."
>>31484698Go grab equipment while using Distraction Rider
>>31484698Ohgod Moe Rider is glorious.Shirou won't be able to keep his pants on once she's glorious sweater-and-jeans Rider.
>>31484698>I wouldn't die even if I was killed.>Sneak Out
>>31484698"Don't worry. I won't die, even if i'm killed."
>>31484698RIDER IS ONCE AGAIN BEST WAIFU
>>31484698>So don't die, alright? That's all."Don't get killed," you mean.Keep it as a promise and Shirou will fulfill it.
>>31484773Maybe she's worried about Shirou's cholesterol or something.
>>31484741Liking Rider is literally like liking Hitler and you should feel bad.Worst girl.
>>31484794[Fuckspoilers]So's your mom[/Fuckspoilers]
>>31484794I don't understand, I mean the words individually make sense but together they form some kind of gobbledygook.
>>31484794How do you eat when everything tastes like shit?
>>31484698I promise to cut and run instead of trying to bull through on a wing and a pray.
>>31484913Only what is necessary to survive. Can't stand eating more than that.
...Who's on Wheel duty tonight?>>31484726Also, this.
I can't even tell if this Waifu shit is sarcastic or not.
Later in the living room:"Rider?""Yes, sakura?""Why do you smell of shiroe-sempai?"
Rolled 9>>31484978I'll set it up now for later use.Wheel of Misery, turn, turn, turn!Which of AC-Guy's possessions has just burned?>[ ] The fire is on fire.>[ ] Couch>[ ] Dog piss>[ ] This Router>[ ] Car>[ ] Dinner>[ ] Computer desktop>[ ] Bath tub>[ ] AC-Quest notes>[ ] Non-lesbian love interest>[ ] Metaphysics notes>[ ] College carreer>[ ] All of the above>[ ] None
Rolled 3>>31485080
Rolled 7>>31485080
>>31485080Speaking of wheels, it's been a while since we've been updated on THIS BIKE.Did Avenger or Gil intercept the bike parts mid-delivery?
Rolled 8>>31485080Ah, this game.
Rolled 1>>31485080This is why I love /tg/'s players. >>31485135...I wish to know this, as well.
>Laaaaaaaaaaaaaag.I wandered back out of the Dojo, seeing Rider walk into the house. I grabbed my usual supplies and tucked them into one of my father's old coats, since the black works better with the darker alleyways.I hesitate. Killing Zouken. I need something else.... some sort of edge.....[ ] Grab Handgun. Might make for a good distraction.[ ] Grab Shotgun. Can't just magic one of those up.[ ] Grab Alchemy supplies. Maybe poison him or something?[ ] Grab the Weird Skirt. Who knows? It might be useful.
>>31485386>[ ] Grab the Weird Skirt. Who knows? It might be useful.>[ ] Grab Shotgun. Can't just magic one of those up.I'm assuming Shirou has watched enough Evil Dead to always pack heat.
>>31485386>Shotgun>SkirtI see no issues with this plan.
>>31485386Handgun.Useless.ShotgunMostly useless.PoisonAgainst zouken and assassin? Worse than useless.Magic skirt....why the hell not. Wildcard shit.>[ ] Grab the Weird Skirt. Who knows? It might be useful.
>>31485386>[ ] Grab Shotgun. Can't just magic one of those up.>[ ] Grab the Weird Skirt. Who knows? It might be useful.
>>31485386ShotgunSkirtHandgun- taped to the back, diehard style.
>>31485386I agree with >>31485447, guns and poison are useless against the Worm That Walks. Maybe bring a flashbang, but definitely bring that Weird Skirt.
>>31485386>[ ] Grab Handgun. Might make for a good distraction.>[ ] Grab the Weird Skirt. Who knows? It might be useful.Handguns are easier to conceal. Can't get arrested on the way to the assassination, that's just embarassing.
>>31485386>[ ] Grab Alchemy supplies. Maybe poison him or something?Or maybe something to counter-act poison.>[ ] Grab the Weird Skirt. Who knows? It might be useful.Fuck if I know how this is gonna help, but it is somehow more re-assuring than the projectile weapons.
>>31485386>[ ] Grab the Weird Skirt. Who knows? It might be useful.
>>31485386>[X] Grab the Weird Skirt. Who knows? It might be useful.This is pretty much necessary; it's still tainted by the not-actually-that-mysterious black residue, and we know that we're only immune to it out of some one-in-a-million chance.We haven't actually seen it run its course on anyone 'mortal' yet, but we know enough to feel good about assuming it'll do a number on whatever it comes in contact with.>[X] Grab Shotgun. Can't just magic one of those up.We can always project our conceptual 'bow' as a gun if we need a lesser firearm now that we've figured that out.Because of how our bow works, we already have a weapon that strikes its target because we aimed at it. Having a weapon that strikes its target even if we DIDN'T aim at it properly seems like a good balance to that.
>>31485512>and we know that we're only immune to it out of some one-in-a-million chanceActually, I've been thinking about that. I think that's a side affect of having The Grail grant you life. We made a wish on The Grail during the fire 10 years ago. Specifically, we said ".... I don't want to die....This isn't that crazy (for once). In canon, The Grail kept Kirei alive and made him immune to the effects of the grail mud (like when he stuck his hand in it and threw it at Shirou in the Fate route).
>>31485386What does the handgun look like?
>>31485679So Shirou wished on AM-Grail to not die.AM-Grail grants wishes in the worst possible way.Avenger appears.Avenger in canon is essentially Shirou if he'd gone through AM-Villager's shitty life.
>>31485679Well, yeah. There's all sorts of speculation we can do OOC about why we're immune to the grail mud. (And that one certainly has seemed like one of the frontrunners.)But at the moment, all that matters from an in-character perspective is that it's really, really potent, and incapacitates, eventually lethally, unless given direct, specialized treatment....that, and Rin asked us to.50th Verse:>"A lot better." She answers, slowly standing up. "Every moment that passes is an improvement." She hesitates, seeing the look on my face. "It... it was bad. I couldn't even tell how much it was hurting me until it stopped. " She closes her eyes, and takes a deep breath before continuing. "But..... it's gone now. I'm better again.">"You're sure?">"If it was despair then the worst thing I could do is sit and pity myself." Rin opens her eyes, and smiles almost mischievously. "After all, we have a war to win, and I'd love to show Zouken what it feels like to drown in regret."
>So yes to Skirt, It looks like Shotgun is also a lock.>Alchemy set seems like a no, handgun seems more open to debate.>So please gimme a quick yes/no over the next five or so minutes on that one, if you don't mind.>>31485681>Semi Auto, black. bullets look smaller than what you think of as 'normal' handgun size, but bigger than what Ilya was carrying. You don't really know enough about guns for better detail than that.
>>31485844Okay, so it's not the Contender.Just Shotgun and Skirt, then.
>>31485844Shot Gun and skirt
>>31485844Mundane handgun doesn't seem necessary when we've got a functionally identical conceptual weapon.>It's a 'conceptual weapon'. It's a weapon connected to the wielder's thoughts. I assumed it was something like 'a bow that can shoot anything' when it's actually 'something that can make a perfect shot'. It's not a BOW it's a thing that can fire without issue any sort of ammo. I could probably let it form 'bullets' and 'arrows' out of my mana.Not really such a thing as a "perfect shot" with a shotgun, though, so I'd imagine mundane is about the best we're going to do on that front if we're looking for something wide-ranging.
I don't even remember why we have a skirt. Let alone what makes it weird.
>>31485844Do we have a proper holster?If not then just shotgun and skirt.
>>31485909We found it at the campsite. I think it may have something to do with all the missing people.
>>31485909No upskirt skirt.
>>31485926This is going to be really embarrassing when it turns out that Avenger just crossdresses so he can sneak around town while avoiding detection.
>>31485909Found it left at the (abandoned) campsite innawoods.We don't exactly know what the deal was with it, IIRC, but the thing that makes it relevant as an anti-Zouken tool is that it was tainted with grail mud, which we are capable of handling with no detrimental effects.
I grab a shotgun. With the folding stock and the long coat it's easily concealed under one arm.I also grab the skirt off of Rin's desk, checking to make sure the muck is still on it, before slipping silently out of the house. With Rider keeping the rest of the girls occupied, it's not that hard.I get to the bridge unhindered, but when I get there-"Hey Kid." I see Lancer and his Master walking towards me. "Finally talked the Missus to come with me for a Visit-" He's briefly interrupted by a sharp elbow to his kidney, which he laughs off with a wince as she blushes. "-and maybe a chat." He hesitates, looking around. "Alright, I don't see any of your girls. What are you up to, and why did you have sneak out of the house?"[ ] Lie.[ ] Misdirect.[ ] Blather.[ ] Partial truth.
>>31486010>[ ] Partial truth.A hound can sniff out a lie
>>31486010... Do we even know how to use a shotgun?Ask the Missus to explain the action to us.
>>31486010>[ ] Partial truth.We're gonna deal with zouken.
>>31486010>[ ] Partial truth.Might as well. Maybe Rance can back us up.
>>31486010[x] Partial truth.Is Lancer a bad enough dude to help us murder the fuck out of the wormnigger?Triple Gae Bolg soon, fellow hero!
>>31486010>[ ] Partial TruthHonestly, Lancer is sharp enough, and knows us well enough, that lying to him is unlikely to work.
>>31486010>[X] Partial truth."I'm off to kill an ancient and borderline Immortal evil wizard with nothing but mad improvisation and the help of a temporally and dimensionally displaced double-agent who's biggest talent seems to be making everyone hate him, including himself.Cross-dressing may also be involved."
>>31486010>[X] Partial truth.or maybe full?"Imma kill a monster that happens to be a Master. Want to join?"Gah, I forget if Kirei betrayed Bazzet in our world. If not, she'd want in
>>31486089let's crossdress and rape something with our feminine penis
We can summon fragglerock right?Should be useful against Assassin's NP
>>31486089When you put it like that, it is mildly surprising that Shirou didn't end up in the Throne of Heroes even without the whole counter-guardian bit.
>>31486122You gotta get famous to qualify.
>>31486089... You know, this sounds spot-on for what our Shirou would say. Total deadpan.
Slow thread tonight eh?
>>31486357>inb4 forty minute wait for AC-Guy to ask for confirmation that we want partial truth
>>31486357I blame the eclipse.
>>31486357AC-Guy is always slow.Don't think of it like a quest, think of it like a newsletter.
>>31486394TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE TYPE-MOON
>>31486357THE CURSE
"Meeting with another Ally." I tell him. "Refuses to let me bring someone else to the meeting.""Why?""Paranoia. Plus they aren't exactly... socially graceful." I shrug. "This is faster than arguing the point.""Alright then." He looks around. "So do they know you're gone? Because we kinda have to go there now.....""Have to?""It's a long story." His Master responds, before Lancer has the chance. "Unless we aren't welcome?""No, it's fine. I just expect a general panicking if I don't beat you there."There's a moment of silence as Lancer and his Master share a look. "We don't KNOW them that well....""So we take the scenic route?""Maybe grab lunch?" She adds, as they begin to walk past me."You sure? Whatever else you might think of them, kid's a damn good cook. And don't say because he might poison it...."It doesn't take long before the lighthearted bickering is out of earshot, as they continue on their way.
>>31486430I hurry along, and find Archer at the docks as he said, clearly having only beaten me here by a couple of minutes. "Zouken's been out in the woods near the Einzbern castle for the last few days. He's been coming out at regular intervals to gather mana, before returning." He folds his arms and looks at me. "He's looking for something in that house. I don't know what, but that's our best chance.""Chance?""Zouken's partially Vampiric in nature. With Assassin's help, he moves into the city to try and find someone or something to feed on." I feel sick. "Apparently before he only needed to do it every couple of years, but he's exerting himself to the point where it's every other day.""So we hit him when he comes out?""Too risky." He responds, shaking his head. "Out in the open we couldn't fight freely without risking collateral damage. There's also the risk of him taking a hostage. IF we could even find him. He doesn't know we're after him yet.""So we just let him eat someone?" I ask, maybe more angrily than I probably needed to."I don't like it either. Especially since it also means he'll have a full tank when we go to fight him." He shrugs. "But the alternative..... we have barely any chance of taking him out. If we move in NOW and set a trap for him, We could secure the kill." He frowns. "That's what we're going for right? Actually solving the problem and not just trying to play hero by blowing our chance at an ambush?"[ ] Go set the trap.[ ] Maybe we could ______?
>Sorry about the wait. I got distracted by mundane shit.
>>31486440>[ ] Go set the trap."Fine. But the moment he starts to begin to feed, I'm knocking him off his target."
>>31486440[x] Go set the trap.>he moves into the city to try and find someone or something to feed on>someTHINGDoesn't seem like a sure thing that he's actually eating people. Wouldn't put it past him, of course, but risking the plan based on the possibility that he MIGHT kill one more person is just stupid.It's not like we're blowing up a plane full of innocents to kill one guy, after all.
>>31486472+1
>>31486491>Zouken>not feeding on peopleThe only reason Zouken isn't the most evil person in F/SN is because WoG puts Acht as being even worse.
>>31486440>"He's looking for something in that house. I don't know what, but that's our best chance."Oh god. The maids.Tell me the maids are safe.
>>31486440>[ ] Go set the trap.Sucks for the person he may or may not eat today, but Archer is right, playing hide-and-seek with Wormnigger Dracula all over town has good odds of turning into a huge waste of time. Zouken is good at what he does, and we can't cover the entire town.
>>31486440>[ ] Go set the trap.Pfft, what that's not how you Shirou>[X] Maybe we could use ourselves as bait?With Surprise Archer? There we go
>>31486440>[ ] Go set the trap.>>31486536Illya told us that they're staying in a hotel.
>>31486440>[ ] Go set the trap.Being a hero is overrated, anyway. Can't save everyone.
>>31486440We do both obviously.Zouken can only feed if he can isolate someone so make a huge racket in the city so the emergency services are everywhere. just call in a terrorist threat while we se the trap or something. Even if Zouken can feed, the additional time taken helps anyway.
i am dissapoint
>>31486613>>31486560Let's go with this. Our weird ability to hide ourselves should aid.
>>31486625in?
".... Let's go then."He nods slowly, and we move out immediately.For once, I can almost appreciate his way of operating. He doesn't waste time or words, and we make good time traveling to the forest outskirts. As I step over the threshold, I feel the familiar faint chill of the Einzbern bounded field. It seems a lot weaker than the last time I was in the area, but I can't decide whether that's a good or a bad thing.The trip to the castle itself also seems less arduous, but that could be I'm used to it. Or that Archer knows a better trail in. Either way, when we arrive at the castle, it's empty. "Alright." He says, turning to me. "We need a plan."[ ] Block escape routes.[ ] Find optimal ambush points.[ ] I have a skirt.
>>31486721>[ ] I have a skirt.
>>31486721>[X] Find optimal ambush points.>[X] I have a skirt.
Rolled 4>>31486721>[ ] Find optimal ambush points.>[ ] I have a skirt.>Or that Archer knows a better trail in.If it's Ilya route archer, he knows the secret booty call route
>>31486721[x] I have a skirt.
>>31486721Any chance we can tap into the bounded field to track him? We've had success mucking about with it before.
>>31486721>[ ] Find optimal ambush points.>[ ] I have a skirt.This is the great big red button.It's effect of which, I have no idea.But lets do it anyways.
>>31486721>[X] I have a skirtBecause why not?
>>31486721>[ ] I have a skirt.>[ ] Find optimal ambush points.Settle this in the opening shot.... say, does Zouken and/or Assassin still have a way of remote viewing through Shirou, or is that settled once and for all with the fake body being immolated via rune magic?Think the ambient muckyness magic from the skirt would mask our presence at least?I have no idea what I'm talking about right now, honest.
>>31486721>[ ] I have a skirt.We have to press the big red button.
>>31486794>I have no idea what I'm talking about right now, honest.Neither does anyone else.
>>31486817Spooky Magic, son.
>>31486817>>31486794>Anyone ever ahving any idea what's going on>In FS/A
>>31486827Some times I wonder if AC-Guy even knows what's going on half the time.
>>31486871In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.One eyed because the other caught fire.
>>31486871He knowsSome guy who met him IRL said he's "scary smart"
>>31486883Not Scary Spice?
>>31486871I'm sure that once the quest is all over and he shows us the promised charts, we'll finally understand what the fuck actually happened.
"I have a skirt." I respond, pulling it out, folded in my hand.Archer looks at it. Then back to me, and then at it again. "Alright, I know this is a thing you do, because Rin was complaining about it." He then gestures to the skirt. "But..... What?""Well you were talking about setting up a trap for Zouken...." His face becomes rapidly more incredulous as I begin to unfold it. Mine remains as blank as possible. "So I thought I should bring this along."".... WHAT?"I get to the fold where the muck was, and give him a confused look as I finish revealing my ace. "I brought something that could actually Kill Zouken." I look back at it, frowning. "Hopefully. I have shotgun in case plan 'A' doesn't work."Archer reaches for it, and then stops suddenly, checking the motion. "Do you realize what that is?" He asks me slowly."Some sort of pure darkness and despair, solidified into a gunk. It's the same curse ridden substance Avenger uses."I look back up to see Archer staring at me, almost horrified. "You.... you would actually use that on someone?""Zouken.""The point fucking STANDS."[ ] There are no other options.[ ] Do you have a better idea?[ ] He hurt Sakura.[ ] He. Hurt. Sakura.
>>31486931>[ ] He. Hurt. Sakura.
>>31486931[x] Do you have a better idea?[x] He. Hurt. Sakura.
>>31486931HE. HURT. SAKURA. AND RIN AND RIDER BY PROXY.
>>31486931>[ ] He hurt Sakura.>[ ] He. Hurt. Sakura.
>>31486931>[ ] There are no other options.>[ ] He hurt Sakura.>[ ] He. Hurt. Sakura.
>>31486931[ ] Do you have a better idea?[ ] He hurt Sakura.[ ] He. Hurt. Sakura.
You thought Sakura was the yandere here? Think again
>>31486931>You've never wanted use something similar on someone?
>>31486931>[ ] He. Hurt. Sakura.Also, said muck was also used on Rin by Assassin, if I remember correctly.Oh yeah, Archer better be up to date on info regarding Assassin too.Like him possibly having multiple Command Seal buffs, what with Kirei being kill.And simulacrum bodies. I'm not sure if we went over these info some time ago, but it helps to be extra sure.
>>31486967
>>31486931>Pulls out a skirt>"Well you were talking about setting up a trap"Oh god my sides
>>31486978I'm still holding out on Kirei being alive. Killing him off-screen like a bitch would be a terrible choice.
>>31486978Seconding all of this.
>>31486931[x] Zouken isn't really a person any more.
"He hurt Sakura.""And that's enough for you?" He asks slowly."He. Hurt. Sakura." I repeat, just as slowly. Clearly he didn't hear me the first time. "He also ordered Assassin to try and use it on Rin, thankfully we were able to stop it before it could actually hurt her.""Shirou, there is no way you could be hit by this and not get hurt. It's impossible.""Rin's fine. I'm fine.""You eventually turned into me, remember? Or at least, some version of you.""Rin's fine.""If Rin had this on her, she's going to be marked by it forever.""Rin." I repeat, looking him in the eye. "Is. Fi-"The slap catches me off guard. "Stop.""I-""No. Listen to me. That muck...." He sighs "I'm not sure there's another option. If it wasn't Zouken I wouldn't even consider it." Then he looks at me. "Your willingness to use it is concerning though.""It's ZOUKEN. There's nobody other than him I'd even want to use it on.""Right now there isn't. What qualifies someone to having their soul consumed and destroyed like that though? Just anyone who happens to be evil enough?"I don't have a response. He shakes his head before continuing. ".... You're different. In a lot of ways. It's not entirely your fault but..... Here's what you need to do: You need to know what matters to you, and you need to know what lines you shouldn't cross. Ever. Some rules you might bend, but some are sacred, important. Do you understand?"".... I don't know.""You shouldn't kill people. Killing is bad, but killing in self defense is justified. But something like Torture is always wrong, right?""I think I see what you mean.""So where do you stand? You need to know before you go any further. There's no possible way for you to get through what's coming if your resolve waivers, or you hesitate at taking an action." He looks me in the eye. "What matters the most to you?"[ ] My power.[ ] My friends.[ ] My values.[ ] Other (?)
>Shouldn't be any more serious delays, thankfully.
>>31487230>[ ] My friends.
>>31487239oh lawd, why would you say that?also<--
>>31487230[x] My friends."And before you ask 'well what if you go too far in protecting them', I won't. I know I won't, because if I did, that would hurt them. So I won't let it happen."
>>31487230>[ ] My friends.This sounds like a choice of still holding on to the ideals or those important to shirou.If we choose friends over values, I guess we're the HF type shirou? I wonder if it'll close off any archer path abilities.Nonetheless, I think values take a back seat here.
>>31487230>My snark.[ ] My friends.
>>31487230>[ ] My friends.>"By the way, I don't want to scare you, but this muck doesn't really work on me."
>>31487230>[ ] My friends.>>31487282Yeah, this would make for a rather disturbing revelation.Do it.
>>31487230>[x] My box.
>>31487230[x] My Router
>>31487282Seconding both.
>>31487278>>31487331>>31487359>literally everything takes priority over idealsEat your heart out Kiritsugu
I almost snap back an answer, but I feel like this question means something more than he's saying. So I take a deep breath and I think.And the more I think, the more I start to realize the truth. Everything I do is because of someone else. I help Issei around the school because he values and appreciates it. Shinji I willingly helped gopher for because he trusted and liked me. I got involved in the war because Saber Saved my life. I I'm here because I wanted to destroy Zouken for hurting Sakura. Even my desire to help people comes from Kiritsugu's perceived failure at being a hero.Taiga and Ilya are better sisters than I deserve, adopting me into their own lives without hesitation.And then....Rider trusts me implicitly. Sakura looks up to me. Rin didn't hesitate to put herself in my care. Saber respects me as much as she did her Table, which is a big deal.And I lov-I open my eyes. THAT wasn't a revelation I was fully prepared for. But now I think I really understand.
>>31487377but but muh Mind of Steel
>>31487457"..... In the end, I think it comes down to my friends. The people close to me." I hesitate, feeling more confident as I'm saying it. "I still want to help people, I still believe in doing the right thing, but..... I think my priorities have shifted." I frown slightly thinking. "Or I think I just didn't really think about the 'hows' and 'whys' before."Archer stands there, looking mildly surprised, before smiling slightly. "Good."".... Was that the right answer?""There isn't really a right or wrong answer to questions like these." He responds. "What really matters is that it's YOUR answer. The one YOU believe in. Even if it's some selfish evil thing, it's more important that you understand and accept that for what it is."I nod, understanding."So then, what would you do for them?""Anythi-" I begin to answer, but he raises a hand to stop me."I know you want to say 'anything'. It's the knee-jerk response to that question." He then gives me another serious look. "But what do you actually mean? Would you kill? Die? Lie, cheat, steal? Anything means anything. It means you HAVE no limits, that you would see the world burn if it created a favorable result. Where is YOUR line?">?
>>31487466...crap
>>31487466"They are.""I don't always know what the right answer is, or if I can make the right choice. Maybe I'll go too far, or at least want to." Gesture to skirt. "But if they're what matter, that's where I have to draw the line."
>>31487230>[x] Tell Archer not to worry and our friends are the most important to us>[x] Deep down we still robotically pursue that insane desire to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of others
>>31487466"Some function of objective morality, subjective morality as pertains to my friends and myself, the amount of care and humanity left in those I'm hurting if any and the opportunity cost of doing otherwise.""Oh and time restraints."
>>31487466Shit, this is a hard oneI think all in all, I see sacrificing people as the absolute limit. Not killing, sacrificing, as in letting them die for some vague "greater good"I need to think about it more
>>31487466"Wholesale slaughter.""I try to be honest but to even be infront of you right now, I've had to cheat and lie, even to them so that they wont worry so much.That I'm even here means that if there is a great enough threat, I will not hesitate to kill.I draw the line at killing bystanders and innocents."
>>31487466"Anything that would hurt those that I care about more than the harm that would come to them if I did nothing."
>>31487466>[x] Give Archer a smile and tell him not to worry so much>[x] Follow Kiritsugu's path
>>31487486I think this is the best answer. We've already been called out a couple of times IC, and that's the point where we realize more than anything.Also, our morality being shaped by others..... fits literally everything about us here.
>>31487506>>31487542Please stop posting
>>31487512Too late.We knowingly sacrificed an innocent so as to catch Zouken in a trap.Even letting innocents die isn't a step too far for us.
>>31487457>Saber respects me as much as she did her TableFor some reason my first thought was:"Saber respects shirou as much as the dinner table"
>>31487555It's okay, it's for the greater good.If we fail then more people will die.
>>31487466>Where is YOUR line?"If it's a cost that I can bear on my own, I'll shoulder it. If the consequences extends to my friends, family, or those close to them, then I'll avoid it as much as possible. If bearing that cost causes those close to me to be hurt, I will be hesitant in pursuing that action."
>>31487555Shit, you're right>>31487591This is exactly what I'm talking about though
>>31487605>If it's a cost that I can bear on my own, I'll shoulder it. If the consequences extends to my friends, family, or those close to them, then I'll avoid it as much as possibleExcept we're deep enough in relationships and stuff for that to make sense
>>31487466"There is none, really. It's all about optimization of the resources. Friends, emotions, money, power, ideals, relationships - everything has a value assigned to it, and it just so happened that friends are on the top of the pricelist. I just try to maximize the final result, nothing more, nothing less."
>>31487486Backing this.
>>31487551Silly Archer, our purpose in life is to be used for the greater good and then discarded when useless.Just like a good sword.
>>31487637Well we fucked up then, having so many friends and whatnot
>>31487466"It's simple, I'll do what it takes to keep my friends safe and happy. They wouldn't be happy if I turned myself into The Punisher for no good reason, but you know as well as I do that the world is almost never easy black and white. I just have to trust my judgement, and trust my friends to give me a kick in the ass if I'm getting all crazy.""And on that note my judgement is telling me that we can't afford to fail here, and Zouken is really damn good at not dying when he's killed, hence the skirt of doom. I don't pull out the skirt of doom for any old villain who annoys me."
>>31487625>"There is none, really. It's all about optimization of the resources. Friends, emotions, money, power, ideals, relationships - everything has a value assigned to it, and it just so happened that friends are on the top of the pricelist. I just try to maximize the final result, nothing more, nothing less."Backing this and adding:"Everything has some sort of subjective value assigned to it. And even if you can't measure it precisely, you can still tell whether one set of thing is worth more than another one. Optimize the resources, maximize the benefits, minimize the risks. How you get to the finish matters just as much as what the finish is. Everything is a goal, nothing is a method."
>>31487486This basically. Everything else is either poorly phrased or massively character breaking.
>>31487653Making friends is good because it makes them happy.Making people happy is good because we're helping people.Helping people is good because helping people is good because helping people is good because...
Updated Timeline in the same place as always,http://pastebin.com/Mb3tSdHKThough noone even cares by this point.
NOPENO CONSENSUS HERE
>>31487681>>31487625>>31487511I..... what?Have you not been following the quest, or are you trolling?Not only does this not sound like something we would say because it's not really true, it also doesn't sound anything like how we would phrase that.It's also failing to answer the question at all. He's asking 'WHERE IS THE ABSOLUTE FINAL LINE YOU WON'T CROSS" Because waffling about and not drawing a line in the sand is BAD. And the answer you're throwing back is "IT DEPENDS MAN, HIGHLY SITUATIONAL BASED ON HOW I FEEL ATR THE TIME, JEEZ'
>>31487625I like the way you phrase this. Sounds like a robot is speaking.
>>31487710We're discussing deeep shit hereThere's barely a consensus to be had
Yeah I'm pretty sure we're being samefagged here, AC-Guy.
>>31487734>I am aware. The problem is it looks like more than one option is getting those votes.>So either we have a couple of very passionate individuals, or someone's trying to stir shit.
>>31487712Alright then."As long as the girls don't complain".
>>31487719Wholesale slaughter of innocents without provocation is probably the only possible consensus we can get, I believe.
>>31487486This was the best answer and it's the first actual fucking response.Seriously guys.
>>31487748Well that's a given, since it's outright evilBut we're talking about times when wholesale slaughter will save lives on even a bigger scale
>>31487745If it helps, going by the character we've been playing until now, the votes for "The line is where the girls start complaining at me" would be most in-character.
>>31487712>WHERE IS THE ABSOLUTE FINAL LINE YOU WON'T CROSSI'm going with there being no lines we wouldn't cross.If the line is subjective might as well get rid of it altogether.
>>31487745I think >>31487486 Is the only real/good answer here man. I see a lot of trying to force a mind of steel ending, or saying that we need to be as subjective as possible to an objective line in the sand.Seriously though, any objections to this? If nobody quotes me and says this is wrong can we just go with it?
>>31487712>'WHERE IS THE ABSOLUTE FINAL LINE YOU WON'T CROSS">"There is none, really.>the answer you're throwing back is "IT DEPENDS MAN, HIGHLY SITUATIONAL BASED ON HOW I FEEL ATR THE TIME, JEEZ'Okay.
>>31487762They do serve as a pretty decent moral compass. Lots of redundancy there, too.
>>31487712Allow me to change my vote then.>>31487511to>>31487486
>>31487771You're basically saying 'I don't fucking care about lines'. There's supposed to be an ABSOLUTE limiter. Even if it's calling in a separate person to help make the judgement call like >>31487486 suggested.
>>31487768No, I want mind of steel!Though let's not tell Archer that.
>>31487768Does that reply imply still using the much on ZoukenGranted, we can debate on whether it's called or not forever, but technically it's the only option I see that works. If his body is invincible, his mind must be broken
>>31487806The muck, I mean
>I think I have an actual answer to work with. Imma grab a drink, and then I'll start writing.
>>31487824My Joker sense is tingling.I expect us to have said the wrong thing.
>>31487806Yeah if there's no other option we'd have to use it.
>>31487759Sure, but given that our real motivation pretty much begins and ends with the girlpile currently eating us out of house and home, I have to question when the "slaughter that orphanage full of babies or the girls get it" situation is actually going to come up unless the Joker gets bored of fucking with Batman and decides to take a vacation to Japan.
>>31487848What>>31487842That's a hard oneNaturally orphanage of babbys takes priority, but that's the way Kiritsugu went
>>31487848Yes, that is the first board listed. congrats!
>>31487842Why do you think Archer is bothering with the philosophical bullcrap? He's from the future. Obviously that means he knows that the Joker is going to show up after the War is over and we have to be prepared to make the hard choices until Batman arrives to save us, because nobody but Batman can stop the Joker.
>>31487842We gotta save them babies. Sorry girls.
>>31487885But girls can make more babies.
>>31487906But those babies will grow up to be adults and make more babies.
".... I think they are." I say slowly, looking back at him."Alright, what?" He asks, crossing his arms."I don't always know the right answer. Or how far I should go, or why..... but I know who I can trust. Even with Zouken-" I look at the skirt "-it wasn't the 'what' so much as the 'why' that was wrong. I didn't just choose this because I wanted him gone, I chose it because of how agonizing it would be. I wanted him dead, but I also wanted him to suffer." I take a deep breath and look him in the eye again. "And that's wrong. But what's worse is that I needed to be TOLD that was wrong. I think that under the right circumstances, I'd stop caring about any lines that might exist. I can't draw a line.""So what, anything goes?" He asks, testing me."No, I mean..... If I can't always be trusted to make that call, I need to have someone who can." I think back over the things that have happened over the course of the war. "And I do. I have Rin. And Saber. And Rider, Sakura, Ilya....." I sigh, shaking my head. "I hate saying it, but I think I might actually need someone else to be my moral compass. Who knows what sort of reckless stupid things I might get up to if I just ran around doing as I pleased?"Archer.... looks away. Like he can't even look me in the eye as I finish talking. "I think you're a lot smarter than we've been giving you credit for." As he starts walking away, he continues. "And if it makes you feel better, you're doing a hell of a lot better than I did when I went through this."".... Really?""By this point the only people directly involved in the war who were still alive were me, Saber, Rin, and Gilgamesh." He hesitates. "Actually, Sakura was as well, but she never got directly involved. And given that she commit-" He cuts off suddenly. "Forget it. We need to be ready."[ ] Get in position.[ ] Talk more (Topic?).[ ] Do something(?).
>>31487992>[X] Get in position.This went better than expected
>>31487992[X] Get in positionI'll let that slip of the tongue slid, Archer
>>31487992>[X] Get in position.Isn't it sad, Sakura?
>>31487992[x] Get in position.There's nothing to talk about. None of that shit is relevant any more.
>>31487992>[ ] Get in position.Goodbye worm.
>>31487992>[ ] Get in position.>And given that she commit-Oh Archer you poor son of a bitch.
>>31487992>[ ] Get in position.>[ ] Talk moreTopics: Possible Assassin Command Seal buffs.Simac bodies.Does Archer have enough Prana in his tank to finish this?Didn't want to press these issues during the Shirou character development phase, but now seems a good time to go over them.
Now that I think about it, since Zouken is a pile of worms essentially, wouldn't shotgun be good at at least stopping him?
>>31488249You still need to shotgun all of them which is the problem.Even a single one getting away means he can reform.
>>31488249It'll blow a nice meaty chunk out of him, which I'm sure he won't like one bit, but at the end of the day its not gonna be doing much more than inconveniencing him.What we could really have used is a flamethrower, since he's kinda like The Thing in that you have to kill ALL of him to make him stay dead. Though knowing our track record with fire it'd probably have blown up in our face.
We move into position overlooking the wide entrance hall, and wait. And wait. Archer suddenly speaks up. "They should have been here by now.""How late are they?""Almost an hour-"Before he can go further, I hear a crashing sound down below. Peeking over the rail reveals Zouken and Assassin staring at the collapsed entryway."That only stalled them." Assassin notes calmly."I am aware." Zouken replies. "We need to prepare. I'll need a few minutes to prepare my escape. Can you last that long?""You speak to the Nameless, Matou." The masked man responds. "Do not doubt my capabilities.""You were quick to run before." He points out."It was the intelligent thing to do. I couldn't hold that situation to my advantage, so now they are chasing us here. To a place of hallways and multiple levels." He looks over at his master before continuing. "They're walking directly into a trap. Never allow your enemy to decide the battlefield."I don't even need to look at Archer to know that he's also jumping down from the ledge. I'm not foolish enough to believe things like dramatic tension and proper stage cues.But sometimes life just hands you things like this. The two thumps echo each other as we touch down almost simultaneously. And their reaction is immediate and gratifying. Heads whipping back and forth as the irony of their words and the scope of their predicament sets in.If it were anyone other than Zouken, I might have smiled. We needed to move quickly though, so we immediately enacted the plan we agreed on-[ ] Archer went for Zouken while I distracted Assassin.[ ] Archer distracted Assassin while I went for Zouken.[ ] We tried to kill Assassin as quickly as possible.[ ] (Other).
>Quick Question, who else is here? I could run a little longer, but I'm getting tired and if participation is dwindling I'd rather we picked up here tomorrow when EVERYBODY is here.
>>31488371[x] Archer went for Zouken while I distracted Assassin.Since we're immune to his grailcrap stuff.>>31488377I can guarantee you that there's a few lurkers.
>>31488377'm here>>31488371[X] We tried to kill Assassin as quickly as possible.Gangbang the most immediate thread with overwhelming force; standard SOP.
>>31488371I'm still here for a bit longer
>>31488377I'm here. Lets keep going.
>>31488396But we need to apply that grail crap on zouken.Can Archer handle it safely? Like he only holds the unsullied cloth of the skirt?AC-Guy?
>>31488371>[ ] Archer distracted Assassin while I went for Zouken.This Assassin is scary good at holding down two Heroic Spirits at once (Gil and Saber).And that might be enough for Zouken to flee.Archer might be able to lock him down to provide a narrow opening for us on Zouken, but he'd be best doing it solo.
>>31488371>[ ] Archer distracted Assassin while I went for Zouken
>>31488371>We tried to kill Assassin as quickly as possible.Zouken might escape, but that should cripple him, if we succeed
>>31488371>[ ] Archer distracted Assassin while I went for Zouken.Archer is going to be better at holding down Assassin I think. Servant reflexes and all that.Zouken may be a powerful wizard, but taken by surprise in close quarters he's mostly just an old dude made of worms.
>>31488371It sounds like they are running from someone/something....Shit, they finally went and pissed off avenger, didn't they?>[ ] Archer distracted Assassin while I went for Zouken>Brace for unexpected guests
>>31488488>Zouken may be a powerful wizard, but taken by surprise in close quarters he's mostly just an old dude made of worms.Like Rin kickin' Caster's ass in UBW route.Shit was SO cash.
>>31488488Not to mention we have a shotgun. Evil Dead rules hopefully can be applied
>>31488502>It sounds like they are running from someone/something.Yes, us>You speak to the Nameless, MatouBy the way, didn't we discuss a dozen threads back weapons that are super effective against Zouken, like that hookblade? Then again Archer probably knows of all those weapons too
>>31488371>[X] Archer distracted Assassin while I made Zouken wear the skirt.
>>31488371>Before he can go further, I hear a crashing sound down below. Peeking over the rail reveals Zouken and Assassin staring at the collapsed entryway."That only stalled them." Assassin notes calmly....And their reaction is immediate and gratifying. Heads whipping back and forth as the irony of their words and the scope of their predicament sets in.Wait, so they're talking about escape...but they didn't know that we're here?...Escape from whom, exactly?
To everyone voting for double teaming Assassin: That is the trap option. They just said in front of us that that is what they want to happen: Everyone to gang up on assassin so Zouken can run away.
>>31488371>[ ] Archer distracted Assassin while I went for Zouken.So if the skirt fails how much do you think Gram could help against Zouken? Is it worth risking a sanity check?
>>31488513I think that's mostly a backup/surprise option, since it's not supernaturally charged at all.Though I imagine it'll make for a fun surprise if he pulls some counterspell bullshit, then we counterspell his counterspell by casting gun.
>>31488540Gil, then.
>>31488555We should've coated a shell in some muck, I guess
>>31488571>We should've coated a shell in some muck, I guessSince this decision point is in the past tense, I'm assuming this is where we're allowed to implement our crazy ideas as havign already been set up,So"the plan we agreed on-[X]we shot Zouken with a shotgun shell smeared with grail muck."
>>31488540Either he pissed off Team Avenger, or the girls flipped their shit WAY harder than we anticipated when we snuck out and are now on a rampage. Those are the two most likely candidates anyway, though I suppose it's not impossible that Caster went full beamspam on his ass.Either way, it works out well with regards to our "kill the shit out of Zouken" primary objective.
>>31488605Can we do this, AC-Guy?
>>31488605Hey now, didn't we agree that it's excessive?
>>31488614>the girls flipped their shit WAY harder than we anticipated when we snuck out and are now on a rampage.Well shit, time for another Tiger Dojo.
>>31488654We agreed that it's a horrible, horrible thing to do to someone that is probably crossing many lines. And that Zouken deserves it. So we're doing it.
>>31488655>implying the wanton violence doesn't get all their juices flowing>implying they won't tie shirou to the bed and take turns riding him like a pony>even Taiga and Ilya>especially Taiga and Ilya>together, at the same time
>>31488678Agreed. Now let's just hope that we don't miss.
>>31488678Well it's less "he deserves it", and more "we can't afford to have him be not-dead, and he's stubbornly resisted all attempts to make him dead up to this point".
>>31488702It'll be a Death by Snuu Snuu end.>Taiga and Ilya>at the same timeFuck you Anon, now I gotta go get the tissues...
So is having your soul destroyed in the Nasuverse amounting to eternal suffering or just oblivion?Because the former is fucked up to a degree that I won't accept it even in a joking piece of edgy writefaggotry, while I can accept the latter.
>>31488773I dunno, but being exposed to the grailshit inflicts HUGE amounts of insanityI actually expect Zouken to live through that, but he will become inactive. Until we finally kill him he will suffer
>Holy shit guys, sorry for the Delay.>Mooch happened.>Let's leave it at that.I rush Zouken, and Assassin moves to intervene, but as he does so Archer opens fire. He can't fully commit to either of us, or they both die. But he's still trying to block me.[DC16 Combat]
Rolled 7>>31488950
Rolled 15>>31488950
Rolled 1>>31488950aaaaa
Rolled 9>>31488950TIME TO DIE
Rolled 16>>31488950IMPORTANT ROLL FAIL
>>31488971ohokay
>>31488971Welp.
>>31488971Well fuck.Captcha: Surrender ltheysEven Captcha thinks we're fucked.
Rolled 4>>31488950WAAAAAAAHG
>>31488971At least you tried!
Assassin catches me with a spinning kick under the ribs, and sends me flying into a wall. I hear something break, and I hope it isn't me.On the bright side, I'm in a much better position to attack Zouken. On the minus side, I have to get me and the poisoned knife over to him first.[DC 16 Will save]
Rolled 18>>31489039
Rolled 9>>31489039
Rolled 13>>31489039It's ok, ribs grow back!
Rolled 18>>31489039Well here goes. Nat 1 time.
>>31489042>>31489070noice
>>31489042>>31489070>successful will saveMind of steel, bitch
I roll back to my feet and charge him, keeping him directly between myself and Assassin. I slam into him and we both go rolling across the floor."Well Shirou." He says as we start to disentangle from out tumble. "You're more spirited than I remember you being.""And you're distressingly more alive than I would like to see." I respond, standing up. His head lulls at a weird angle, neck apparently broken.With a sickening snap he corrects it with one hand and looks at me. "So what, this was to lure me out and kill me then? I must admit: I'm impressed with your coordination. I didn't suspect your choice in ally at all."[DC15 DIE MONSTER]
Rolled 6>>31489139FUCKING DIE
Rolled 1>>31489139Die monster, you don't belong to this world. Mankind ill needs a savior such as you!
Rolled 4>>31489139DESPAIR HO!
Rolled 17>>31489139ha ha time for horrible mistakes
Rolled 18>>31489155Goddammit anon... REALLY?
>>31489155not again
Rolled 15>>31489155>>31489158Welp
Rolled 8How much health do we have left?
Rolled 14>>31489139Gonna have to try and make up for this son of a bitch right here >>31489155
>>31489155Oh come on dice gods! Just let us murder him already!
I grimace, trying to keep my head from spinning. bouncing across the room twice in a row wasn't a great way to start this fight, but I'm fighting an old man. An old MAGICAL man, but Magi bones should be just as brittle as normal ones. Especially as old as he is."I already told you Zouken, I don't talk with Monsters. I just kill them.""Because I'm clearly the worst thing in the world.""Greater evils do nothing to diminish you own."He opens his mouth for a retort, and I launch the knife right at his throat.[DC16 MURDER CHECK]
Rolled 6>>31489235This will only end in sorrow.
Rolled 19>>31489235FUCKHIS FACE
Rolled 19>>31489235KILLFUCKRIP
Rolled 19>>31489245Ha ha! Time for nat 1!
>>31489235Time for nat 11.
Rolled 15>>31489235
Rolled 6>>31489245>>31489256>>31489259Our hatred is our power.
Rolled 9>>31489245>>31489256>>31489259...oooookay
>>31489245>>31489256YES!I LOVE YOU GUYS
>>31489245>>31489256>>31489259pow
>>31489245>>31489256>>31489259This is what I call "edging"
>>31489245>>31489256>>31489259>19>19>19What sorcery is this?
>>31489245>>31489256>>31489259Wat? Do we win in everything? Forever?
>>31489245>>31489256>>31489259the only other time I've seen this was in HMQ
Rolled 1>Three out of four potential Shirous hate Zoken so much that they kill him with a knife
Rolled 9>>31489305...and one just goes "meh."
>>31489305You just HAD TO butt in
Rolled 6>>31489338>>31489349I even failed at greentexting.What the fuck?
Rolled 14>>31489425>roll for green texting>nat 1Mate, I can share some nat 20s with you.
Rolled 14>>31489245>>31489256>>31489259
The knife goes right into his open mouth before he can even try to taunt me. I see confusion, anger, and then, suddenly: Fear.It blossomed slowly, bleeding from the eyes outward as he started to shake and.... come apart?Into creepy little slug-beetle things?The FUCK?"Crest worms." Archer confirms, walking next to me. "He was made out of Crest worms.""This is beyond fucked up.""So far beyond." He agrees, apparently shocked ouit of his normal tough persona. "I am now really glad you guys removed that one from Sakura."".... Oh god, he was-""-in-"There was a long moment of silence as we swallowed that revelation. He does it with more grace, seeing as how he avoids vomiting like I do. Which is when my thoughts catch up to me. "Assassin.""He disappeared into the upper floors when you stabbed his Master. I wasn't about to go play hide and seek with an Assassin."I nod in agreement, when suddenly a lot of things started happening at once. first, the caved entrance Zouken sealed was blown open, and I see Rin holding the Jeweled sword, along with Saber, Lancer, Caster, and Souichirou-Sensei. We all stare confused at each other for a moment, but before anyone can say anything, I hear talking from up the stairs behind us."-old you, He was going to come back here as soon as they started losing. It's basically his new base." Gilgamesh continues triumphantly as he and Avenger run out onto the level at the top of the stairs. "Then we just swoop in and kill-" He hesitates, looking at the assembled party. "-Everyone except for Zouken? This was the opposite of the plan."
>>31489667"Zouken is here. He hasn't had time to run...." Avenger begins confused as everyone slowly prepares to open fire except the two of them."Well if you want to chase- Wait, what's that?" Gilgamesh points to the mulch and muck that used to be their apparent quarry.".... That used to be Zouken." Avenger says slowly, eyes moving to look directly into mine.My heart suddenly starts pounding."Wait, does that mean he...." Gilgamesh begins. looking between myself and Avenger.It hurts."Apparently so." Avenger says with a sigh.It hurts so much.".... What does that mean then....?" I can't tell if Gilgamesh's voice is lowering, or my ears were shutting down.it hurts so much i cant breathe"That he's not the hero he needed to be." He answers simply, as he breaks eye contact.And when he does, the vertigo stops and the pain vanishes. it becomes so calm and still in the room, as everyone tries to understand Avenger's Verdict.Like the calm before a storm.And as soon as that thought crosses my mind, a giant lump of what looks like black tar rips out of chest where my heart should have been.And then the ground started rising to meet me.>This seems like a good place for a cliffhanger.
>>31489667OHHMYGOOOOOOOOOD
Rolled 15>>31489675I KNEW IT
>>31489675hahaha fuck you and your plans, shitvenger
>>31489667>>31489675We Holy Grail incarnate now?
Rolled 8>>31489675>a giant lump of what looks like black tar rips out of chest where my heart should have been.Nope nope nope nope.
Also for a second I thought we fucked up royally and transfered Grail madness through Zouken to Sakura
>>31489675Haha, fuck you Avenger. That's what you get for keeping your plans all ambiguous and shit, we fucked you without even trying.Now we just need a heart transplant. Somebody call for the Medic.
Zouken's dead.I have to regrets.Wallow in eternal despair and misery, worm.
Rolled 10>>31489675Once again i have no idea whats going on again.
>Zouken died>Avenger took away our Grail Crud immunityMeh.
>>31489675.......Is Archer gonna try and pull a Venser?
Holy fuck, did we die?
OH CRAP!It just dawned on me!We didn't make dinner for Caster and Soichirou
>>31489861A Servant heart huh? It'll be like our having very own magical Ubercharge.It'll actually function like an Ubercharge too, except powered by sex.>>31489909FUCK
Man, Lancer and Bazzet are gonna be SO confused.
>>31489921Lancer's here though, Bazette is probably watching through him
>>31489921They're literally the only two Grail War participants not at this particular party, aren't they?
>>31489919Only thing I can see working at the moment. If he does, Rin's gonna be ticked, but... Well, when isn't she?
>>31489928Oh yeah, I didn't even see his name. I think I need to sleep, or pass out, or something.
>>31489929They're here, but Rider, Sakura and Ilya aren't. Neither is Berserker, if he's alive
Well, on the up side, Rin now has the Jewel Sword of Manahax to try and heal us with. And Red Archer is there. He gave his arm to Shirou in one of the F/SN routes. Could he contract with Ilya, rip out his heart, transplant it into Shirou, and then have Rin do magic jewel healing hax for everybody?
Okay AC-Guy, be straight with us.Zouken's ACTUALLY dead this time, yeah?
>>31489956What makes you think Shirou needs a heart? It said explosion happened where it should be, not where it was
>AC-Guy @ArmoredQuest 21m>And so it fucking begins /tg/. Please fasten your seatbelts, and keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times.I hope you didn't just lock us to EVERYBODY FUCKING DIES route because we didn't get the metaphysics behind the grailshit, AC-Guy.
>>31489956I'm pretty sure that if Archer does that, he'll die. Regardless of the mana involved he doesn't have any ability that would let him march around without a heart for a prolonged period of time, and since ours is MIA there is only one Shirou-heart and two Shirou-bodies.Of course I wouldn't put it past him to do it anyway if he thought it would work, heroic sacrifice is kinda his thing.
>>31490107You have to remember that he's already dead, so it shouldn't even be a sacrifice to him
>>31489675>>31489697So what exactly does this imply? I don't get it.
>>31490252It was implied a lot that Shirou isn't even human and that the nature of his existance is closely related to the Grail. Avenger described it as "wish come true"
>>31490252It implies AC-Guy baited us into the worst possible scenario by repeatedly telling us to 'just push the fucking buttons already' and then fiat-ing a contrived situation to fuck us over when we did so.
>>31490252Our immunity to Grail Juice, and probably at least a portion of our completely baffling spooky magic powers, were due to having a lump of Grail/Avenger-goo where our heart should have been.We're probably a magical Shirou replica created by the Grail or something, and we've gone so wildly off-script that Avenger decided it was time to hit our off switch.Jokes on him though, like the most consistent theme in the F/SN story is copies surpassing the original.
>>31490349>We're probably a magical Shirou replica created by the Grail or somethingOr we're just being KotomineHe had his heart replaced by the grailmud as wellWell not this quest's Kotomine, if I understand correctly, he didn't participate in the last war to that end
>>31490388That's my bet. Seems to fit best, after all.
>>31490388Maybe, but we've exhibited a whole truckload of various spooky powers. As far as I know the mud didn't grant him powers beyond not dying when killed and increased physical abilities.
>>31490474Did we exhibit anything else? I don't rememberAlso we got Avalon as wellI think
Alright, so, I was just going to leave the thread like it was and call it game, but Sean told me you guys were kinda flipping. Which was the point to leaving on such a note, but I digress.I don't wanna spoil anything, especially since we're now actually entering the final act and a lot of what's going to happen is resolving and tying up all the plot threads that led up to here.I will however say that there was no hand-waving/ass-pulling/fiating anything in this thread. Some was foreshadowed, the rest will make sense later.
>>31490560>you guys were kinda flippingWell, yeah, it's normal>we're now actually entering the final actDuh>there was no hand-waving/ass-pulling/fiating anything in this threadWe know
..... Is this Archived?
>>31490586There were a couple of accusations. Honestly, I'm about to collapse, so I was on my way to bed when Sean said I should probably say something.Apparently he overeacted? I dunno, I'm tired. I'll run this shit either tomorrow night or later this week.
>>31490494We've done a bunch of bizarre conceptual stuff, like the thing with the box and making ourselves undetectable just by thinking really hard about it. And that magical bloodhound thing. Not to mention our regeneration was waaaaay too fast even for Avalon, those burns from the bike healed instantaneously, like POOF gone without a trace, that ain't normal.Also our magic is weird, like more weird than Shirou's magic is normally supposed to be. Even Archer thought it was weird.That's why for quite a while the operating theory was that we were a Demon, because at the time it fit nicely with how much shit Shirou was pulling out of his ass and the various backstory differences between this world and canon.>>31490560I think that was like one guy acting all surprised that the beginning of the final act began with Shirou getting [insert body part here] ripped off/out, which is really par for the course when you think about it. We cool.
>>31490560>Team Avenger, Team Caster, and Team Rin's Harem all show up at the same time>not handwaved asspulled fiat out the wazoonahnah>foreshadowedOh great, so not only are you fucking us over for not understanding something you never explained adequately DESPITE ADMITTING MULTIPLE TIMES THAT IT WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM, but you also deliberately obfuscated any clues we might have been able to make use of.Fuck you.
>>31490593It is now, thanks for reminding me. Got too fired up because of this ending
>>31490629Rest well and take your time>>31490636Right, right, okay, I seeWell in any case, Kotomine could last for like ten hours after his heart ejected, so I expect us to last no less
>>31490654YeahNahYou're a cunt
Rolled 20>>31490629Thanks for running, AC-Guy.And our decision to kill Zouken was made a long while ago, we're just following through.
>>31490654Pls go. You're the only one here who has issues with this.>>31490629Thank you for running, AC-Guy
>>31490654>Fuck you.No you.>>31490629It was like one guy.We all knew something like this was in the works. The fact that we essentially got to choose what type of Hero to be, and that affecting the plot, is a nice touch for me.Thanks for running.
>>31490681That nat 20 settles matters.captcha:>susceptible igbover
>>31490654I think you need to take a chill pill, it wouldn't be the final act of Fate if it didn't begin with Shirou getting mauled. That's completely normal and no cause for concern.Everyone, except you apparently, knew full well the hammer was going to drop, we just weren't sure what the hammer looked like. That's how these things work.
So wait. Why did the Grail Goo do anything more than make Zouken cry like a bitch?Why was using it such a big deal?And why the fucking fuck did none of the magical experts notice Shirou was quite literally heartless?>>31490739I'm not sure we even got hit with a hammer. That's how confused I am right now.
>>31490747>Why did the Grail Goo do anything more than make Zouken cry like a bitch?Did it? It should've driven him mad. And if he's mad, I suspect he can't sustain his human form and turned into a pile of meat and worms
>>31490747The reason it worked so well on Zouken is because it attacks the mind and Zouken's been running on willpower for over a century at this point.And Rin/Shirou have really been underselling how bad that shit is in this quest. Just, look up the scene from the Fate route where Shirou gets covered in that shit. It is bad.It is the worst.
FINALLY managed to catch up with this. Got some thoughts.Merlin said a while ago that something had filled Avalon, and that we had 'gotten used to it'. The grail mud has no affect on us. This doesn't mean that we are literally filled with the stuff, but we may be connected to avenger so there is that.We managed to conceal ourselves by, effectively, WISHING that we were not seen. The only magic that I can think of that lets you do this is Wishcraft. IE Einsbern grail Spooky Magic. Merlin also said a while ago, when we asked if we had a soul, that, on the contrary we had 'altogether more soul than we should'. I'm thinking we either pulled on the souls of the people who died in the fire when the grail helped us, or pulled on the soul of the previous grail vessel. Is we CAN do wishcraft, then that additional circuit we have may be Irisviel's.If you hit up the Avalon entry on the F/SN wiki, it says that Avalon gives a regenerative effect no matter where you are as long as you are contracted, but only when you are nearby if you are not contracted and simply hold the sheathe. Are we somehow still contracted? Why can't we contract? I know the grail supports the masters in the summoning of servants, perhaps that is related.Avalon in the legend is also the place that king Arthur went to to heal after the battle of Camlann, and where he went to after his death. Altria has been sent to the present from the battle of Camlann, and it looks like we are supposed to summon her after she is sent back and died. I am not smart enough to figure out if this is important.
Tainted Ideals everywhere in this place. Didn't we call this last year? Shirou being 2% spooky grail mud, I mean.
Rolled 19>>31490785I wonder if we're able to recover the knife.
>>31490781Dude he fucking melted. He's dead.>>31490785>And Rin/Shirou have really been underselling how bad that shit is in this quest.And then Shirou undergoes a major alignment shift because the players voted to use it thinking it wasn't as bad as it really was, because they weren't metagaming? How is that fair?>>31490802All of Merlin's advice assumed we weren't running on a heart made of DESPAAAAIR. I'm betting pretty much every word he said is junk.
>>31490747Grail Goo does kill, it killed Kiritsugu after a couple years.The thing is it hurts your mind and spirit, and Zouken was basically nothing BUT mind and spirit inhabiting a temporary shell of evil rape worms, who couldn't even maintain his own existence without eating other humans periodically. Not surprising that direct damage to his soul would royally fuck him up.As for nobody noticing Shirou's little condition, it's probably because a certain someone with foreknowledge of the situation who has been heavily implied to have met us before (Avenger, at the conclusion of the last war) disguised it with spooky magic so that nobody would notice. It'd be a pretty shitty trump card if a casual magical examination revealed it.
Rolled 19>>31490902Are you kidding?We chose this method because any other method was more likely to fail.We've blown him up several times with broken phantasms, doing it again here or shotgunning him would have likely failed.We've planned to kill zouken for a long time already, even speaking to Illya about it.Nothing metagaming about using the one weapon most likely to end him since all others have a high chance of failure.
>>31490955And yet apparently we're now worse than Hitler for doing so.
Rolled 12>>31490969It was literally our Final Solution.
>>31490969According to Avenger.Since when did we consider Avenger a viable source of moral guidance?
>>31490969I think you're misunderstanding Avenger's line about "not being the hero". They're trying to set up a scenario which will have a controlled set of possible outcomes.We have royally fucked that scenario on three different occasions. And this is a good thing, since Avenger and Gil are actually evil. Do you want to be their kind of hero?
>>31490969Um... no? The conversation with Archer earlier was about us not using it for the wrong reasons. You'll note that he didn't say a word about it after we killed Zouken.The only person saying anything about our morality here is fucking AVENGER, and when the badguy starts saying that shit it's code for "fuck, he's not following my Superman vs Lex Luthor routine, shit shit shit my plans are fucked time to improvise".
>>31491037I want to be the kind of hero that isn't lying unconscious on the floor, minus a heart, while his magical girlfriends face off against the big bad.
Rolled 5>>31491072Pity we don't have the Magical Little Sister to match.I was sad when plan Prisma Illya was rejected.
>>31491072Then you probably shouldn't be playing a quest with Shirou Emiya as the protagonist, because that happens to him at least once, at minimum, at some point immediately leading up the the final confrontation almost without fail.If anything it's a good thing because we got Avenger to burn his KALI MA KALI MA card earlier than he would have liked.
>>31491072We won't be. Coming up next is a spooky yet meaningful dream sequence that should clear up where this crap came from, after which we'll move on to just after the battle, which will have ended inconclusively.>>31491085Me too, but that's because I suggested it. Oh well, we can always Kaleidostick it up in the next Carnival Phantasm chapter.
>>31491072Archer can probably help with that. >>31491085Same. I -wanted- the genre shift.
>>31491116>next Carnival Phantasm chapterThere was a previous one?
>>31491149Lancer and Archer as pirates, I think.>>31491124Magical Taiga? Magical Taiga.
>>31491149Yes. It involved Lancer and Archer on magical pirate adventures, and was awesome.
>>31491200Link?
>>31491180Wata, I fucking swear, I won't forgive you unless you provide pictures of this.
Speaking of Prisma Ilya...
>>31491311AND ALSO
>>31491311No sexualizing the imouto!
>>31491311I DON'T EVEN LIKE LOLI
>>31491294Not him, but in his place I offer this. Maybe borderline for a blue board so viewer beware.
>>31491311>>31491326Sadpanda?
>>31491378That's... depressingly mediocre.
>>31491389They're official art that came with the official manga at a special event or something.
>>31487457>Rider trusts me implicitly. Sakura looks up to me. Rin didn't hesitate to put herself in my care. Saber respects me as much as she did her Table, which is a big deal.>And I lov->I open my eyes. THAT wasn't a revelation I was fully prepared for. But now I think I really understand.While flipping over having mudheart is fun, I can't help but wonder if AC-Guy had someone in mind here, based on our actions, or it's not set yet, just put there for smooth narrative.Well, the one closest to us that hasn't been named in this post is the bike.
>>31491389I think those are the limited edition volume covers.>>31491393I checked too, there's not much on offer.
>>31491424Taiga.
>>31491424Bike-kun is our true love.
>>31491424>And I lov-"Them all" is the proper ending, I think.
>>31491525Nah, we're gonna have a vote that will end the quest
Rolled 14>>31491555Harem has always been the plan.Though for first waifu, it has to be Rin.
>>31491525The correct ending is "Gilgamesh."
>>31491555>end the quest>never actually got laidpls no
>>31491555No, it's going to keep this quest alive forever, because no consensus will ever be met.
>>31491599You get the seafood or nothing, and frankly I'd rather have nothing than molluscs.
>>31491581>Best WaifuIlya>Acceptable WaifuSaber>Shit WaifuSakuraRin>Literally Hitler WaifuRiderTaigaThat-one-bitch
You know what, fuck it. I'm going to spend tomorrow writing Ilya smut.
>>31491657Be sure to share.
>>31491622>Ilyafags confirmed lowest dregs of humanity.
>>31491682I'll be dumping in the middle of the next thread.
>>31491622>>Literally Hitler Waifu>RiderOh shit son what are you doing?
Rolled 8>>31491703So, never, then.
