[Shirou POV]
"What on earth was that all about, what happened yesterday?"
"How should I know? It was surprising enough that Illya became a Heroic Spirit, there's no way I could fully grasp such an unexpected situation. No matter how much I think about it, I have no idea what happened."
"Indeed. Even if we wanted to investigate in detail, that black Illyasviel ran away."
"Right. She ran away with incredible speed... That fleeing habit... it's so very Illya-like..."
"The speed of her escape isn't human. I believe it's probably the power of the Lancer."
Yesterday's incident. In other words, we were discussing the matter of Illya who became two. A day has passed since then. It's now the time before the start of the morning homeroom. We're on the rooftop. We have cleared the area using magic.
"Lancer's power?"
"Yes. After that, the Lancer card was missing. Illya used it, and then it disappeared."
"So you're suggesting that the black Illyasviel has some relation to the Lancer card?"
"It would be natural to think so. Illya used the Lancer card to transform, and then, for some reason, the black Illya appeared. That's what I think happened. I don't know what that reason is, though."
"..."
In the past, when Illya transformed with the Lancer card, nothing like this happened. So, it would mean that whatever the cause was, it wasn't present at that time. So, the cause might be at that location.
The black Illya. She's highly exposed, her belly is completely visible in her bare midriff black bodysuit. There's a red pattern on her belly, her skin is dark. And, her silvery hair is tinged with pink, and her eyes are a beautiful amber color.
"I wonder if that Illya can communicate."
"Well, who knows? She ran away without uttering a single word."
"If she has the power of a Heroic Spirit, it's going to be quite troublesome. She may turn into a blackened Heroic Spirit again."
"...Do we have to fight like that again..."
I wouldn't want that. I don't know what kind of being she is, but her appearance is completely Illya. Can I really fight her? Ideally, I'd want to resolve this through discussion. But if there's a possibility of a fight...
"Hey, Tohsaka. I don't want to think about this, but if it comes to that..."
"I kind of understand what you want to say. If she has the power of a Heroic Spirit, the ones who can oppose her..."
"Would be the same Heroic Spirits or maybe just the Kaleid magical girls."
"...I understand. Here, the Archer card."
"Thank you. Well, ideally, it'd be best if I don't have to use it."
Tohsaka, who understood what I wanted to say, pulled the Archer card out of her pocket and handed it to me. This card is useless in a "Limited/Zero Over" state. It's most efficient for me, who can transform into a Heroic Spirit, to use it.
"Anyway, first we need to figure out what that black Illya is."
"Indeed. At the moment, we don't know anything. We need to gather information to figure out how to handle this."
That's how it is. First, we need to find that black Illya. And then, investigate various things. What kind of being is she? Is a discussion possible? Will it turn into a fight? In order to know all this, we need to find her first.
Our strategy meeting is over, and we head to the morning homeroom. On the way, I think about that Illya. Not about how to deal with her, but about what I want to do with her. The answer came out at that time.
Yesterday, at that time. She looked at me at the end. The moment she was fleeing, just before she turned around. Her eyes seemed to be desperately pleading for something. It was as if she was looking at me with eyes that seemed to want me to do something for her.
In that desperate gaze, I saw Illya. Illya also looks at me with such eyes when she asks for my help. The moment I saw those eyes, I could no longer think of that child as a stranger. I wanted to help her.
I'm probably the only one thinking like this. If I told everyone, they might say it's ridiculous. They would think I'm delusional, led astray by the resemblance to Illya.
Nevertheless, there was just one thing I absolutely couldn't do: ignore those eyes. Because I'm her older brother. I'm Illya's older brother. If she gives me the same look and has the same appearance as Illya, I can't ignore it.
Even if I think it's foolish, there's nothing I can do about it. So... I secretly make a vow. I will try to discuss with her until the very last moment. Even if it comes to a fight, I will never give up until the end.
For that, please lend me your strength again, Archer... Holding the Archer card tightly, I called out. Believing that my voice surely reaches the back of that Nameless hero...
.........…
"Eh, Illya was taken to the infirmary?"
"That seems to be the case. You should go see her, Emiya."
"Thanks, Kazunari. I'll go."
It was lunch break. My best friend Kazunari informed me that Illya had been taken to the infirmary and was sleeping there. Apparently, he had heard it through Fujimura-san (Illya's class teacher and the advisor of the archery club I belong to).
The infirmary... that's where that infamous school nurse, Caren Ortensia, resides. It's worrisome in many ways. Has she injured herself, or fallen ill, or has that teacher done something to her?!
It's often said not to judge people by their appearance, but in her case, neither her actions nor her words can be trusted. The fact that she looks quite serious makes it worse. Her name might seem like a joke, but the biggest joke is her behavior.
I remember once hearing her say,
"I'm a school nurse because I enjoy watching injured children up close. Therefore, I have no use for healthy children. If you're better, leave the infirmary quickly. You're getting in the way of my work."
...Can you believe it? This is what she said after treating a junior member of the club who had a minor injury. Both I and the junior member were dumbstruck for a while. Something needs to be done about this woman soon.
And it's not just that. The incident during the Class Card chaos. Despite the fact that my injuries were minor, she did not like me lingering in bed and tried to transform me into her ideal patient by administering strange drugs.
You can understand why I'd be anxious about leaving my precious sister with such a person. With this anxiety gripping my heart, I rushed to the infirmary. I restrained myself from running in the hallway, but I still hurried.
"Illya, are you okay? More importantly, did Caren-sensei do anything to you? (whispering)"
"Oh, Onii-chan. Um... it's okay about the second part, the teacher's not here."
"The injury is not serious."
"That's good. It would have been doubly worrying if the teacher was here."
If the injury is not serious, she might treat Illya rudely and could even worsen the injury. Although my thinking is extreme, it's due to her usual behavior. She is the one who caused this.
"So, what happened?"
"Well... Actually, strange things have been happening since this morning..."
"Strange things?"
This morning, I came to school earlier than Illya because of morning practice for the club and I wanted to discuss about black Illya with Tohsaka and others. According to Illya, strange things kept happening on her way to school.
"Flower pots fell from above, almost got run over by a truck..."
"Interestingly, we were also attacked by a black cat and a crow at the same time."
"That's not funny! It hurt a lot!"
"I, I see..."
So that's why Illya's hair is disheveled. The things she mentioned are just a few examples, it seems like a lot of tough things happened. Indeed, it's a strange story. If something went wrong, Illya's life could have been in danger.
"Really, I think I might leave early today..."
"You look pretty tired, Illya."
Ruby:『Well, that's obvious. Even a comedian would be appalled.』
"I was watching all the time and it looked tough."
Illya seemed to have had enough. Not just on the way to school, but also during classes, strange things kept happening. I could understand her feelings. I gently stroked Illya's head.
"Mou! What's going on?! Boof!"
At that moment, when Illya, who seemed unable to hold back any longer, shouted with both hands raised, something flew into the infirmary through the open window and hit Illya in the face. Looking at what it was, it turned out to be a ball.
A soccer ball hit Illya's face with incredible force. Moreover, the momentum hasn't subsided yet, and the ball continues to spin while hitting Illya's face. Uwah... this looked rather painful.
"I...Illya... are you okay?"
"That must hurt..."
Ruby:『Hehehe 😂, it's excellent, Illya-san. As always, you're splendid.』
"Ruby, at the very least, show a little sympathy towards your master 😑 ..."
Ruby, as usual, was merciless. Illya, silently shaking, seemed about to explode with anger. Just then, the ball that was spinning after hitting Illya's face burst.
There was a loud bang, and fragments of the exploded ball scattered around Illya. The sight was variously tragic. Illya's face was indented and turned completely red. I couldn't find words to comfort her.
"Ugh!"
"Hahaha!"
Finally, Illya exploded. Seeing this, Ruby burst into laughter. Illya slammed Ruby onto the floor and stormed out of the infirmary. Wait, hold on! Where do you think you're going in such a defenseless state, Illya?!
Having a bad feeling about this, Miyu and I chased after Illya. Incidentally, I picked up and carried Ruby. Without Ruby, Illya couldn't transform into a magical girl when needed. Illya was already gone.
She's as fast as always. We chased after Illya's back running far ahead. Running in the hallways is against the rules, but this time we would ask for forgiveness. Illya ran out of the school building and towards the outside.
"Is Illya planning to leave early?"
"Perhaps. She might have reached her limits and wanted to escape sooner."
Maybe she intends to leave her bag or something for Miyu or me. But both of us are chasing her, so that doesn't seem likely. As we discussed this, something was coming down from above Illya...
"I...Illya, above!"
"Eh, mgyaaa!?"
Hearing my shout, Illya stopped and looked up. The moment she confirmed "it", she jumped sideways to evade. What came down from above Illya's head was a black figure holding something like a pole.
"Th...that is..."
"From yesterday!?"
Miyu and I finally caught up. And we witnessed it. It was the black Illya from yesterday. What she held, like a pole, was Lancer's crimson spear. She seemed to be pouting with dissatisfaction.
"Hmph... this still doesn't work."
Ruby:『She spoke!? She spoke, everyone! This is not a corrupted heroic spirit!』
What Ruby said was right. Black Illya clearly spoke. Surprised at this, I was also relieved inside. This means she is not an opponent who doesn't understand conversation. Although she tried to kill Illya.
Ruby:『Illya-san, let's try to communicate!』
"Um...um... I, I friend. Not enemy."
What is this comedy? I agree with Ruby's opinion, but it's obvious that she's just looking to be entertained, and Illya, for some reason, is speaking in broken sentences while offering a lollipop.
By the way, where did you get that lollipop? Black Illya, who was offered the lollipop, had a vein popping on her forehead. It's a natural reaction. It can only seem like she's being made fun of.
"That's, ukyaa!?"
"She dodged again... even with Lancer's speed. Her luck and intuition rank are indeed high for no reason. I thought I'd just do it naturally, but she narrowly dodges everything even in the morning."
"Ah, in the morning... then, that truck and flowerpot and everything else...?"
"Wait, this is not the time to calmly observe the comedy! Illya!"
Illya, who is offering a lollipop, is confronted by Black Illya wielding the cursed spear. Illya manages to avoid the sharp attack by twisting her body. Recalling what's important, I threw Ruby to Illya.
"Ah, thank you, Onii-chan!"
Illya, who caught Ruby, transforms immediately. Miyu also transforms, and reluctantly, I use the Archer card to transform as well. She seems able to speak, but she attacked Illya out of nowhere.
"... Onii-chan."
"A, anyway, we need to get to a deserted place!"
"Y, yeah!"
"Understood!"
Illya flies into the sky, Miyu runs through the air stepping on magical footholds. I start moving by jumping across the roofs of the houses with my servant-enhanced physical abilities. Then, Black Illya chases after us in the same way.
"She's chasing after us with those big leaps!?"
Ruby:『Sure enough, she seems to possess the powers of a heroic spirit... more specifically, Lancer.』
"That's fast. As expected of Lancer's heroic spirit's power."
As Miyu said, Black Illya was quite fast. She seems to be far superior in speed than Archer. It doesn't seem like we can shake her off with speed. As we were running away, we found a suitable forest up ahead.
"Alright, that place should keep bystanders out of harm's way."
"Are we planning to fight her there?"
"... Well, something like that."
Fight, huh? At Miyu's words, I give a noncommittal response. I was resistant to the idea of fighting her. But it's not like we can just stand by and watch. It's a dilemma.
"Here we go, Caster Fire!"
While I was thinking about this, Illya started the attack. She shot a magic cannon towards Black Illya in the sky. It was aimed straight at Black Illya. It would be impossible to dodge it while in the air. But...
"Hmph."
"... What?"
Ruby:『This is...』
Black Illya repelled the incoming magic cannon with one hand, swatting it away. Wait a second. What on earth is this about? Illya's magic cannon was significantly smaller and less powerful compared to before.
Ruby:『Hey, Illya-san. You're holding back too much! You need to put more magic into it!』
"Yo, you! Caster Full Fire!"
"Hei"
At Ruby's words, Illya, getting furious, fires the magic cannon again. However, this magic cannon was also much smaller than before. And then, Black Illya repels the magic cannon with her spear back at Illya.
"W, whyyyyy!?"
Ruby:『Illya-san's power output has drastically decreased! It's become incredibly weak!』
"This is..."
No matter how you look at it, this is strange. And Black Illya is watching it all and laughing enigmatically.
"I see. Illya is getting weaker. Well, it's only natural, isn't it? After all, I'm here."
"What are you saying..."
What does that mean? From her phrasing, it seems that there's some causality between Illya's weakening and the emergence of Black Illya. But now, there's no time to ponder about that. Illya's crisis is looming.
"Good for me. I'll kill you all at once right now!"
"Eeeek!"
Black Illya draws closer to Illya, who is weakened and has no way to resist. Reaching my limit, I shot "Caladbolg" towards the path Black Illya is taking, aiming carefully not to hit her directly.
"And..."
"Take this! Cannon Shoot!"
My arrow halts Black Illya, and Miyu fires her magic bullet. It was a perfect timing. However...
"Ahaha, you can't hit me!"
"What?!"
Black Illya, dodging by twisting her body and leaping into the sky, avoids Miyu's magic bullet. What kind of physical abilities does she have? Miyu, while looking frustrated, gathers magic for her next attack. Is she planning a follow-up attack?
"How about this? Rapid Shoot!"
"And me too! If the cannon doesn't work... Slash Shoot!"
"That's useless. As long as I can see it."
Miyu launches a barrage of magical bullets like a machine gun, and at the same time, Illya sends out an attack, which is a blade of magic with increased power. However, Black Illya dodges all of them as if mocking them.
This is beyond simply being quick. Even the simultaneous attacks of Illya and Miyu don't work against this Black Illya. This isn't normal. It's as if she can read all the attacks.
Moreover, what she just said, "As long as I can see it." It sounds like she can dodge any number of continuous attacks as long as she can see them. In that case... I should move to a place where she can't see me on the battlefield.
"...Taking it easy... Caladbolg!"
"What?!"
Hiding behind the leaves on a tree branch, I shoot a toned down Caladbolg. Then, Black Illya, who was easily dodging simultaneous attacks from Illya and Miyu, couldn't evade my attack.
"Ouch... As expected of Onii-chan. You hit me where it hurts. You've figured out my weak spot. Ah, that's cool... and, you even went easy on me to not hurt me."
"What?! Ha, ha, ha, ha, she's naked?!"
"Shirou-san..."
"No, it's not what you think! I didn't mean to strip her!"
"Hehe, Onii-chan, you're so naughty. Are you interested in your little sister's nudity?"
"No, that's not it, Illya! Wait, you're not Illya..."
Why has it come to this?! I never intended to do such a thing! Moreover, being called "Onii-chan" with Illya's face confuses me even more. It's as if I really stripped Illya.
The serious atmosphere that had filled the scene was dissipating all at once. Miyu's gaze hurts! Illya, don't look at me like that! I didn't mean to strip you! Ah, what's this?!
"I'll let you off for today, for Onii-chan's sake. But next time, I'll kill you. So, be prepared, big sister. See you later! Bye-bye, Onii-chan. Next time, the two of us..."
"Stay away from Onii-chan! And put on your clothes! Don't ruin my reputation anymore!"
Black Illya lands next to me in my confusion and speaks in a sweet voice. Then, she gracefully dodges Illya's final attack and disappears like the wind. Only Illya's scream echoed around us emptily...
_______________________________________________________________________
Explaination:
How about something like this? The reason Kuro was able to dodge Illya and Miyu's attacks is, of course, due to the protection of Arrow Dodging.
And now, let's talk about the reason behind Kuro's appearance. Why is her skin dark despite being the card of her elder brother? This is actually a reference to the character Cu Chulainn Alter from Fate/Grand Order. If you're not familiar with it, I recommend looking up Cu Chulainn Alter.
Her outfit is also reminiscent of Alter-nyan (a nickname for Cu Chulainn Alter). The pattern on her abdomen is also inspired by Lancer Alter. It's a rune (probably) that enhances her physical abilities. As a result, she is stronger than a regular Lancer-class Servant summoned in the Illusionary Dream.
I'll continue to showcase Kuro's unique fighting style in this work, so please look forward to it.
😁