Just an Illusion

Pairing: Artoria Pendragon (Lancer) x Jeanne D'arc

Genre: Hurt/Comfort & Romance

Disclaimer: I do not own the Fate series or any of its characters.

The Jeanne sisters are in a pinch. They are against a Mooncancer class servant named BB, who is a sworn enemy of the Lion King herself, Artoria "Lancer Saber" Pendragon. Jeanne D'arc, the Original of the three, cannot believe what this witch has done to her beloved Lion King as she had heard that BB sexually assaulted her along with 2 Berserker-class servants to gang up on her. Now that BB is here, Jeanne wants to settle the score. But the Mooncancer class servant is too strong as her power is 5 times stronger than theirs. She already took down Jalter with ease and knocked out Jalter Lily as well. Now it's just Jeanne and BB, face to face.

BB waves her wand, creating streaks of light and firing at the Holy Maiden. Jeanne dodges the attacks left and right. The violet haired witch chuckles and spins around while waving her wand, creating streaks of light again. Jeanne dodges that as well and tries to hit her with her spear. But she's too slow as BB teleports behind her and chuckles again.

"I can do this all day~" she says. "But know that you'll never win this way."

Jeanne grits her teeth as she grips on her weapon tightly. "What do you want? Why have you come here to attack Camelot? You're NOT getting to Her Highness that easily this time!"

BB giggles. "Oh, you're so brave, Holy Maiden. Here to protect that Lion King. Tell me, you desire her that much, right~?"

"What of it?" the Ruler-class servant presses.

BB casually walks up to the blonde and puts a hand on her shoulder. There is a wicked smile on her face and Jeanne fails to notice her waving her wand behind her back.

"Let's just make sure your feelings are correct," she coos. "I can make you see things that you weren't able to before."

There is a flash that blinds Jeanne for a moment and she covers her eyes with her arm. When it stops, Jeanne opens her eyes to find herself surrounded by dead men, except for two people. Mordred had killed those men and now Lancer Saber is the last one standing, gripping her lance. BB is nowhere to be seen.

"You see this, Holy Maiden?" BB says from the sky. "THIS is the real Lion King. Her heart isn't so pure like you say it is."

Jeanne backs away a few steps, unable to look away from this horrible scene that's about to unfold. Mordred and Artoria battle it out, but it's short lived when the Lion King stabbed her right through her armored chest, killing her instantly.

"No way…! That's not true…!" Jeanne's eyes are shaking. "She's not a murderer…! She would never kill her own child!"

"Say what you will, but you can clearly see the Lion King in front of you," BB says. "You may claim her heart is pure. Everyone else thought the same thing. But deep down, she is clearly a bad guy, wanting nothing more than power. That is the true Lion King."

"Stop it…stop it…" Jeanne is trembling now, gripping her spear and shuts her eyes tightly. This can't be happening.

When she opens her eyes, she finds herself in a different location. Just pure darkness all around her, except standing under a spot light above her. BB chuckles as she teleports all around her.

"Do you see now, Holy Maiden~?" BB appears in front of her. "Your desire for her is not as strong as you think. You saw her yourself. And now the people will hate her for what she's done…what she's done with Camelot…everything. She will now be known as…a monster…~"

"Please…stop this…" Jeanne whispers, her voice shaking. BB is trapping her with her strong magic, but she can't help but feel that this is real. Is this really what Artoria is like? If so, why hasn't the Lion King told her of her plans?

BB chuckles again. "I see you're accepting the truth, Holy Maiden. And with that acceptance, I shall show you the aftermath of your beloved King." The darkness fades as she gestures her hand toward a hanged Artoria, now dead.

Jeanne drops to her knees, as well as her spear and puts her hands on her head, shaking it roughly. "NOOOOOOOOO!"

BB laughs. She is truly satisfied using Jeanne's weakness against her. She is losing the fight and now the Mooncancer Class servant will finish her off. But…before she is able to, a lance shoots out of nowhere, cutting her arm. That results in the illusion to disappear and now they are back in the open forest.

"What the!?" BB turns around to see the Lion King herself and Ritsuka-chan beside her. "You again!?"

Jeanne slowly looks up to find herself back to where she is and then sees Artoria face the Mooncancer class servant. "A-Artoria…"

"This ends now, BB," the Lion King points her lance at her. "You dare try to hurt my beloved Jeanne?"

"All I did was use her weakness against her," BB shrugs. "And it worked like a charm. See, she's down on her knees, all alone and helpless. Hehe!"

"You're going to pay for what you've done!" Ritsuka-chan shouts. "That and trying to torture Lancer Saber sexually!"

BB chuckles. "Oh, I've already had my fun. No need to go all out on me this time. I was just about to leave. It was truly satisfying~"

"You're not going anywhere, you!" Lancer Saber charges, preparing to stab her when BB waves her wand, disappearing from sight. She is never seen again. The Lion King grits her teeth. "Another day, indeed. But she will be back." She turns to the Ruler-Class servant, who is nearly crying. "Jeanne!"

While Ritsuka-chan helps the other two sisters, Artoria slowly and cautiously walks toward her beloved.

"Jeanne?" she starts.

"Am I…am I…not seeing things?" Jeanne's lips are quivering and her voice is shaking. "Y-y-you're…you're real right? You aren't going to hurt me…?"

"No, and I never will," the Lion King extends her hand. "It was just an illusion. And BB really hit you hard with it."

"Artoria…" Heavy tears fall from the Holy Maiden's eyes. She then plunges herself in Artoria's arms, sobbing her heart out. "ARTORIA!"

"It's okay, my sweet French Saint…" the Lion King embraces her gently, stroking her braided hair in the process. "I'm so sorry I didn't make it in time. But I'm glad you're safe."

Jeanne continues to cry, gripping her armor. "I'm so glad…it was just an illusion! You're the real Artoria! The Artoria Pendragon that I know and love…! Oh, Artoria…! I love you…so much….!"

"And I love you…Jeanne D'arc…." Artoria whispers.

Ritsuka-chan looks up at the two, embracing one another as Jalter recovers from her injuries and Jalter Lily wakes up.

"D-did we win?" the little one asks.

"Just barely…" Ritsuka replies. "Our enemy escaped. But she will be back. For now…let's help comfort Jeanne, okay? It seems she's really been hit…right in the heart."

"How do you know?" Jalter asks.

"It's better to ask Lancer Saber yourself," Ritsuka replies with a weak smile.