Fate/Outer Code: Another Order

Summoning (VII): The Black Knight

When faced with his mocking smirk, she said nothing for a moment. This silence told him what he already knew to be true, but he dismissed it.

(Y/N): Your attempt to be cool aside, I'm gonna need you to stay away from Zerker right now, yeah?

Salter: Hmph. His self-loathing can be vexing at times, but very well. Rest assured, however, that we will have to settle matters. 

She smirked. It was an admittedly unsettling thing to see, despite (Y/N) being right there.

Salter: I can't guarantee his survival, but I have no intention of dying at his hands either.

(Y/N): Do what you gotta do, girlypop. By the way, which one of your knights is inhabiting Mashmallow, again...? 

Her smirk disappeared. It was only replaced by her usual neutral expression, but it was enough to tell him that he was right.

Salter: What makes you think that?

He said absolutely nothing to that and just opted to give her the most deadpan, unimpressed, and condescending stare along with a flat smile.

Artoria Alter's eye twitched, knowing very well that this was an insult, despite the comical nature of the face he was making.

Her Master was a lot of things. Stupid was not one of them, despite the mounting evidence to the contrary provided by everyone else, including his own clothes.

Well, it was of no concern. He would find out eventually.

Salter: Galahad.

(Y/N): Thank you. Was that so hard?

Salter: No, but you've made the fact that you're infuriating very clear. I'd have you executed on sight were you any lesser man.

(Y/N): See, that's the kind of hater energy I'm here for. 

Salter: Do you intend to tell her?

(Y/N): *shrug* If she asks me directly, sure.

Salter: So you do not feel there is an immediate need to tell her, then?

(Y/N): I'm cool with whatever happens. If she figures it out on her own, cool. If she asks me, cool. It's her choice in the end, but I figure she'll be fine.

The altered king crossed her arms, admittedly not expecting that answer, with the way he worried about her like an overprotective sibling.

She could respect that stance, albeit with one nitpick.

Salter: If you truly wish not to let her overly depend on you, then do not simply hand over the answer to her.

(Y/N): That sounds like someone with a weak mindset would say. 

Her eyes narrowed, silently demanding that he elaborate on that bold statement.

(Y/N): Only the weak would choose to hide from the truth. If something can be undone by the truth, then it should. Do you know why nobody here knows anything about me?

He leaned in, a mischievous smile adorning his features.

(Y/N): It's because they don't ask, sweetie. If you're curious about something, just ask me about it, preferably under a drink.

He had nothing to hide from anyone. And if they had a problem, well... 

The harsh reality was, he was far too powerful for anyone to truly do something about it. He didn't need to concern himself with what those far below him thought of him.

Salter: ...Heh. How arrogant.

To her smirk, he just awarded her a devil-may-care smile before going on his way. She easily matched his pace quite easily.

Salter: Then I'll take you up on that offer. You mentioned having faced Lancelot in a Holy Grail War before, correct?

(Y/N): Yeah. You were there. The uncorrupted you, I mean.

Salter: Oh?

(Y/N): Yeah, I kicked her ass. Don't worry, I like this version more, despite having a black hole for a stomach.

She twitched, but offered no more than that. Unfortunately for her, he saw this and decided to add fuel to the fire.

(Y/N): I also met your "son", and I kicked her ass, too. At this point, losing to me must be genetic, don't you think?

Saber Alter considered trying her luck at running him through with her sword, but that would mean letting him know he had successfully angered her.

That meant he would win, and her pride wouldn't allow that.

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A Few Hours Later, Simulator

(Y/N) was in a better mood now. Reminiscing about his first Holy Grail War and annoying Saber Alter did wonders to get him back into rhythm and help him take care of business.

Speaking of which, he had some unfinished business to attend to back in the simulator, which was why he entered once again on his own.

He waited a few seconds by his lonesome before whistling to nobody in particular... or so it seemed.

(Y/N): You can come out now.

There was another wisp of black and red in front of him, which soon coalesced into the black knight. The figure loomed over (Y/N) again, his expression as unreadable as ever, but his whole form still radiating a threatening aura.

(Y/N): Zerker, I wanna make something clear with you: You're my GOAT and all, but if you're playing this overprotective father nonsense with Mashmallow just because she's fused with your son, I'm gonna need you back down.

The knight let out a hiss. Even so, he tilted his head to the side, as if appearing confused. 

(Y/N): Mashmallow is Mashmallow. She's not just a vessel for feelings and grudges that aren't her concern. For your sake, I hope you remember that.

The knight didn't answer. He didn't even make a sound this time. He only shifted back to his original position.

(Y/N): Are we clear?

He watched as Lancelot lowered his arm, then lifted both hands to his helmet. He clasped the underside of the helm, then shifted it up, the visor lifting off his face.

All he received was an outpouring of that black mist, lingering around his image. Even so, a voice could be heard.

Lancelot: Will... still... keep... safe...

To this, (Y/N) just rolled his eyes, albeit with a good-natured smile.

(Y/N): Yeah, she does make you want to protect her either way, huh? Can't blame you for that.

Lancelot lowered his helm again, masking his hidden face. In doing so, he only gave a long, slow nod. Before he disappeared, (Y/N) spoke out loud.

(Y/N): You know, I never did tell you what happened at the end. Your Master managed to kill that parasite old man, and the one he wanted to save went on to live a happy life.

Lancelot said nothing for a moment.

Then, a nod.

The former Foreigner smiled. 

He did remember.

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AND SCENE!

Berserkalot arrives out of nowhere and immediately goes protective dad mode over Mash, which totally doesn't make (Y/N) jealous. Not at all.

I reckon Mash will learn about Galahad sooner than in Camelot, because (Y/N) really will just say it if she asks him upright. Like I said, he's just the kind of guy who says anything if people just ask.

Here's a cookie. You might turn into Berserkalot's Noble Phantasm or not if you eat it. See you around.