Battle in New York 2020
A New Battle
Nero:
That's right! It is that time of year once again!
I am proud to announce the fourth Nero Fest!
Nero:
Hehehe. Quite the jubilant reception, is it not,
Fujimaru? And who can blame them!
Nero:
Of course it is! This is a festival of Rome, by Rome, and for Rome! Why shouldn't I be excited!?
Nero:
I have prepared plenty of prizes once again, and would like nothing better than for everyone to test their strengths against one another in fierce competition!
Nero:
Though it hardly need be said that I will be this year's victor! Yes, this is the year where all will sing my praises as Rome's greatest swordsman!
Fujimaru 1:
I see you're in a good mood, Your Imperial Majesty.
Nero:
Of course! The mere fact that Olympia shall open its doors again is enough to content me!
Fujimaru 2:
You don't mean...infinite Guts...?
Nero:
Heh heh heh. Some things are better left unsaid.
Nero:
Nero Fest is getting a bit long in the tooth, so I thought it would be a good time to present myself in all my steamy goddesslike glory!
Nero:
Forget the Venus de Milo!
Now is the time for the Venus de Nero!
Mash:
Senpaaai! Emperor Nerooo!
Excuse me, please let me through!
Mash:
Phew, what a crowd. I'm a little exhausted just from making my way here.
Mash:
Still, it just goes to show what a great success Nero Fest has been, and how much everyone loves it. I think that's a wonderful thing.
Nero:
Umu, you will have to forgive me for my overwhelming success! That aside, you look even more daring than usual today, Mash!
Mash:
Thank you. Please watch me, Master.
I'm going to do my very best again this year.
Mash:
My goal is to place at least in the top ten!
Da Vinci:
Only the top ten, Mash? Shouldn't you be aiming for first? You are Chaldea's signature Servant and all.
Da Vinci:
Not to mention that this year's Nero Fest prize is exceptional. Even more so than usual!
Da Vinci:
So for my part, I was really hoping Fujimaru would be the one to take it home.
Fujimaru 1:
Morning, Da Vinci!
Da Vinci:
Morning! I'm glad to see you haven't forgotten your manners!
Da Vinci:
“Never forget to properly greet someone,
no matter what's going on.”
Da Vinci:
Or at least that's what we've been doing since the Incineration of Humanity.
Fujimaru 2:
An exceptional prize...?
Nero:
Oh, come now, Da Vinci! Don't give the game away so early! Wait until my official announcement!
Da Vinci:
Oops, right, of course. So sorry about that.
It just slipped out.
Nero:
Umu. It seems all the participating Servants have assembled.
Nero:
Then we shall proceed to the Colosseum.
See you later, Fujimaru and Mash.
Nero:
We will be broadcasting the opening ceremony in the cafeteria via Sheba, so feel free to bask in its glory from here.
Caligula:
Yeeeaaahhh!
Neroooooo!
Nero:
Uncle!? It is too soon for you to be cheering for me yet!
I appreciate your enthusiasm, but please wait until the ceremony...
Caligula:
...
Caligula:
Yeeeaaahhh!
Empty treasury Neroooooo!
Nero:
What do you take me for, some petty tyrant who used up all her nation's money!? I will admit I came close to that once, but I never went so far as to–
Nero:
...Wait. Were you speaking of Rome's current treasury, Uncle!?
Caligula:
...Heh.
(Smirking in agreement)
Nero:
That cannot be right! All the money I have been saving over this past year was in that treasury!
Nero:
Along with the Holy Grail I had purchased from Da Vinci to present as this Nero Fest's grand prize!
Mash:
A Holy Grail!?
Your “exceptional prize” is a Holy Grail!?
Da Vinci:
Yup. Every now and then, a Singularity comes along that ends up disappearing on its own.
Da Vinci:
And when it does, it sometimes leaves a Holy Grail behind. They may not be the best-quality Grails, but they're still pure, crystallized magical energy.
Da Vinci:
So when one of those low-quality Grails falls into our lap, it's my job to retrieve it, polish it, and make it into something usable.
Da Vinci:
Emperor Nero happened to find me fixing up the latest such Grail, and I agreed to let her have it at a fair price as long as she made it her grand prize☆
Fujimaru 1:
You really are a genius...
Fujimaru 2:
Fair price? Do I even want to know how much QP you charged?
Nero:
This will never do! We cannot have Nero Fest without a suitable prize! Uncle, who is the villain responsible for–
Mash:
Wait! Sheba just turned on!
It's about to show us something...!
Gilgamesh:
Hahahahaha! Greetings to you at this late hour of 3:00 a.m., my fellow Heroic Spirits!
Gilgamesh:
Oh, wait, it's morning there, isn't it?
Hahahaha, forgive me. Just a little KoH humor.
Gilgamesh:
I have lost all sense of the various time zones here, as there is neither day or night in this city!
Gilgamesh:
Truly, this is a glittering cityscape even at night, worthy even of me! Perhaps that tells you where I may be speaking of?
Gilgamesh:
Now then...I must first convey my apologies to the Saber in red regalia.
Gilgamesh:
Fifth Emperor of Rome, all of the money you worked so hard to save...now belongs to me.
Gilgamesh:
Caesar knows why. You should ask him.
Gilgamesh:
Though of course, he is most likely long gone by now. Indeed, there are few things more frightening than being related to an unrepentant grifter.
Caesar:
“Yes, I admit that I am deep in debt, a not inconsiderable portion of which I owe to you.”
Caesar:
“But here is how I see it: I am the embodiment of Rome; therefore, my debt is Rome's debt.”
Caesar:
“Accordingly, those affiliated with Rome are my family, and must stand in joint surety with me.”
Caesar:
“And as it happens, there is a magnificent vault right here filled with riches. Riches enough to repay my debt in full.”
Nero:
Juuullliiiuuusss!
Gilgamesh:
Heh. And so the contents of your vault are now mine. Unfortunate, but that is how it is.
Gilgamesh:
However! While I may pity you, I cannot commend you!
Gilgamesh:
A sporting spectacle for Servants to pit their skills against one another? A fourth Nero Fest? You fool!
Gilgamesh:
What were you thinking, using the same arena all four times!? And a decrepit relic as the Colosseum at that!
Gilgamesh:
If I were running this festival, I would ensure my contestants compete in the greatest arena in the world.
Gilgamesh:
For example...the pinnacle of entertainment,
right here in Manhattan!
Gilgamesh:
The Garden!
Fujimaru 1:
He's in New York!?
Fujimaru 2:
And here I thought he was all about the good old days...
Nero:
What!?
An all-weather stadium!?!?
Gilgamesh:
Hahaha, did you think I spent my time in that tropical resort merely idling the hours away? Of course not!
I have been planning this ever since that trip began!
Gilgamesh:
Furthermore, I declare here and now, that it is THIS festival which will determine the strongest Servant!
Gilgamesh:
And so I have come to New York! The only place in the world suitable enough to act as the stage for this historic event.
Gilgamesh:
To all you Heroic Spirits watching this now, listen well!
I have opened a gate in Chaldea that will take you here!
Gilgamesh:
Those among you who fancy yourselves the strongest of all Servants, come to New York and prove it.
Gilgamesh:
Needless to say, this event will also consist of team battles. I await you here, atop this skyscraper!
Gilgamesh:
Once you have defeated all the other challengers...
Gilgamesh:
...that is when I, the Golden Archer, the oldest King of Heroes in all humanity, shall pass my final judgment!
Gilgamesh:
Furthermore, my full-time secretary, Moolah, has prepared a host of incredible prizes for you to win!
Gilgamesh:
Fight hard, play hard, and challenge me for supremacy! Now is the time to prove that you are the strongest!
Gilgamesh:
Hehehe... Hahaha...
Haaahahaha!
Mash:
I can't believe it...
Gilgamesh took over Nero Fest!
Mash:
And, um... I'm sorry, Emperor Nero...
I... I don't know what to say...
Nero:
What to say... What to say...
What... What...
Fujimaru 1:
...(I have no idea what to say to her.)
Fujimaru 2:
Nero...?
Nero:
What...an incredible idea!
You are right, accursed King of Heroes!
Nero:
I have been clinging to my Colosseum like a fool! If there is a better stage to be found in the modern era, then that is what I shall use.
Nero:
Flashy lights! Gleaming skyscrapers! Classy champagne flowing from bottle to glass in the very poshest of penthouses!
Nero:
Umu! Enemy though he may be, I must commend him on his decadence, his ostentatiousness, and his sheer wealth! That is what entertainment should be!
Nero:
I will gladly accept his challenge!
Hear me, all you Heroic Spirits gathered around!
Nero:
Nero Fest may be no more,
but our festival itself remains unchanged!
Nero:
This event shall henceforth be called...
Battle in New York 2020!
Nero:
That arrogant King of Heroes clearly believes that HE is the strongest one of all! Let us show him how wrong he is!
Nero:
We shall pummel him with the full force of our greatest Noble Phantasms and send him tumbling off his high perch!
Fujimaru 1:
Now that's the emperor we know!
Nero:
Umu! Just leave it all to me! To be frank,
I am looking forward to visiting New York myself!
Nero:
Hehe. Fujimaru, Mash.
This is where our competition truly begins.
Nero:
Only one team will be able to challenge the King of Heroes. I cannot wait to see who emerges victorious!
Before the Awards Ceremony
Mash:
So this is where the finals will be held...
Huh? Emperor Nero?
Nero:
Mash and Fujimaru!?
What is going on here?
Nero:
Is this not the site of the final battle?
Has there been some kind of mistake!?
B：???:
It is no mistake. I determined from the start that there would be two teams advancing to the finals.
Fujimaru 1:
That sounded like...Gilgamesh!
Fujimaru 2:
That sounded like...Gorgeous P!
Gilgamesh:
Hahaha, I expected you would make your way here, mongrels! You have put on a most entertaining show!
Gilgamesh:
As your reward, I shall give you the opportunity to compete directly with your king. You will have a chance to bask in the honor as you fall to the ground.
Nero:
So you mean to take us all on at once? If that is what your pride as a king demands, I have no objections.
Nero:
But first... I know that my reserves alone could not possibly have sufficed to pay for this extravaganza.
Nero:
So tell me, just how much did you spend to put on this event?
Gilgamesh:
Heh. I would estimate it cost about three times what you had in Rome's treasury...but that isn't to say I had to spend much myself.
Gilgamesh:
One came up with a business deal to restore your treasury's funds. It succeeded brilliantly, so you now lay claim to several times what you did before.
Gilgamesh:
It is no wonder he is known as one of the Nine Worthies. His powers of elocution are no less effective in modern show business than they were in his own time.
Gilgamesh:
He must have been thinking harder about how to help Nero Fest succeed than you were.
Mash:
Caesar... He certainly has his share of issues, but I guess he really was worried about you, in his own way.
Nero:
Umu! That is all I needed to know.
Now we can focus entirely on our battle, King of Heroes!
Nero:
This festival may belong to you now,
but I still have my own pride as an emperor!
Nero:
Besides, it is not the proprietor that is the star of the show, but the brave heroes who take part in it! Now, as the undisputed strongest of them all, I shall reclaim the Holy Grail that is rightfully mine!
Gilgamesh:
Foolish emperor. That is exactly why I will be fighting you in this form. The King of Heroes has been the star of this show from the beginning, and the star I will remain to the end.
Gilgamesh:
Unfortunately for you, I have grown tired of counting my money and playing the kind, understanding king.
Gilgamesh:
No, what I have in store for you is nothing less than hell itself! Your half-baked heroism will not be enough to defeat me!
Gorgeous P:
Hahaha, I expected you would make your way here, mongrels! You have put on a most entertaining show!
Gorgeous P:
As your reward, I shall give you the opportunity to compete directly with your king. You will have a chance to bask in the honor as you fall to the ground.
Nero:
So you mean to take us all on at once? If that is what your pride as a king demands, I have no objections.
Nero:
But first... I know that my reserves alone could not possibly have sufficed to pay for this extravaganza.
Nero:
So tell me, just how much did you spend to put on this event?
Gorgeous P:
Heh. I would estimate it cost about three times what you had in Rome's treasury...but that isn't to say I had to spend much myself.
Gorgeous P:
One came up with a business deal to restore your treasury's funds. It succeeded brilliantly, so you now lay claim to several times what you did before.
Gorgeous P:
It is no wonder he is known as one of the Nine Worthies. His powers of elocution are no less effective in modern show business than they were in his own time.
Gorgeous P:
He must have been thinking harder about how to help Nero Fest succeed than you were.
Mash:
Caesar... He certainly has his share of issues, but I guess he really was worried about you, in his own way.
Nero:
Umu! That is all I needed to know.
Now we can focus entirely on our battle, King of Heroes!
Nero:
This festival may belong to you now,
but I still have my own pride as an emperor!
Nero:
Besides, it is not the proprietor that is the star of the show, but the brave heroes who take part in it! Now, as the undisputed strongest of them all, I shall reclaim the Holy Grail that is rightfully mine!
Gorgeous P:
Foolish emperor. That is exactly why I will be fighting you in this form. The King of Heroes has been the star of this show from the beginning, and the star I will remain to the end.
Gorgeous P:
Unfortunately for you, I have grown tired of counting my money and playing the kind, understanding king.
Gorgeous P:
No, what I have in store for you is nothing less than hell itself! Your half-baked heroism will not be enough to defeat me!
--BATTLE--
Gilgamesh:
What!? This cannot be right!
When did I find my back against a wall!?
Gorgeous P:
What!? This cannot be right!
When did I find my back against a wall!?
Gilgamesh:
Curse you, curse you, curse you!!!
Gilgamesh:
They manage one good hit, and suddenly I'm the one who's wounded and plummeting to the ground!
Gilgamesh:
Tch, it would seem this is the end for this manifestation! Once I hit the ground, that will be it for me!
Gilgamesh:
But don't let this go to your head, mongrels! Remember, I am the kindest of all my various permutations!
Gilgamesh:
Next time, I shall return as an even more refined King of Heroes! Enjoy the championship belt while it is still yours!
Gilgamesh:
...yooours!
...yooours!
Gilgamesh:
...yooours!
Gorgeous P:
Curse you, curse you, curse you!!!
Gorgeous P:
They manage one good hit, and suddenly I'm the one who's wounded and plummeting to the ground!
Gorgeous P:
Tch, it would seem this is the end for this manifestation! Once I hit the ground, that will be it for me!
Gorgeous P:
But don't let this go to your head, mongrels! Remember, I am the kindest of all my various permutations!
Gorgeous P:
Next time, I shall return as an even more refined King of Heroes! Enjoy the championship belt while it is still yours!
Gorgeous P:
...yooours!
...yooours!
Gorgeous P:
...yooours!
Fujimaru 1:
We... We...
Mash:
We did it, Master! I've confirmed that the...um...New York King of Heroes has returned to Chaldea!
Nero:
Indeed he has! Victory is ours,
Fujimaru and Mash!
Fujimaru 1:
Congratulations, Nero!
Nero:
Umu. Umu, umu! Do not stop now!
Keep lavishing me with praise!
Nero:
Thank you for your support during battle,
and for leading us to victory!
Fujimaru 2:
You did great, Mash!
Mash:
Thank you, Master, but I didn't really do anything compared to you, and not just in this battle!
Mash:
I could never have made it this far without your orders and support.
Mash:
The King of Heroes was right! This was a team victory. And as our team's leader, you deserve the lion's share of the credit.
Nero:
Oh... Look, Fujimaru.
That is the Holy Grail I prepared for this event.
Nero:
That accursed King of Heroes must have fitted it to his championship belt. But it should still work fine!
Nero:
Take it for yourself, Fujimaru.
I have no need of it.
Nero:
I am the one who secured it in the first place, after all, and it would be completely improper for an event's proprietor to go home with its grand prize.
Fujimaru 1:
In that case, don't mind if I do.
Fujimaru 2:
Then I'll just use it on you.
Nero:
U-umu, I see.
How can I refuse such a kind offer...
Nero:
(Perhaps it is due to my mother and that poison affair...but Holy Grails make me nervous...)
Mash:
I've retrieved the Holy Grail.
Mash:
I wish we could stay and enjoy the nighttime view a little longer, but Da Vinci just asked us to head back to the arena immediately.
Nero:
Umu, the victors have been determined! All that remains now is for them to stand atop the podium!
Nero:
I am proud to call you my heroes, brave warriors!
Now, let us be off!
Nero:
I declare that the Battle in New York 2020 has officially come to a triumphant end!