---
Accelerator strolled through the dimly lit streets of Fuyuki City, hands shoved in his pockets and a perpetual scowl on his face. Beside him, Rin walked with purpose, her eyes scanning the surroundings. It wasn't that he disliked the city, he just hated being dragged around like a lost puppy.
"Why am I even here?" Accelerator grumbled. "I should be back at the mansion, drinking my coffee."
Rin sneered at him. "Stop whining. We need to patrol the city. There could be enemies lurking around, and we need to be prepared."
Accelerator rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Patrolling. Real thrilling stuff."
Archer, who was observing from a distance, found their interactions amusing. The constant bantering between the two was a source of endless entertainment for him. He watched as Rin tried to engage Accelerator in a conversation about his abilities.
"So, Accelerator," Rin began, "What exactly are your abilities? Are they a product of magic or something else?"
Accelerator brushed her off. "Not interested in explaining."
Rin pouted, not willing to let it go. "Come on, you can't just leave me in the dark. We're supposed to be allies."
"Allies, huh?" Accelerator snorted. "Fine, I'll give you a hint. It's not magic. Happy now?"
Rin's eyes narrowed. "That's not enough. I need details."
"You're need, woman," Accelerator retorted. "Doesn't mean you're getting them."
Rin huffed. "You're impossible."
Accelerator smirked. "And you're nosy. Glad we got that settled."
Their banter continued, shifting to more mundane topics.
"Black coffee is the only way to drink it," Accelerator declared, looking at Rin with disgust.
Rin made a face. "Ugh, that's disgusting. Coffee needs sugar. Lots of it."
"You're ruining it with sugar," Accelerator argued. "Might as well drink syrup."
"And you're drinking mud," Rin shot back.
Accelerator chuckled. "At least mud has flavor."
Rin groaned. "You're hopeless."
Archer, from his vantage point, couldn't help but smile. Their arguments were oddly endearing, despite the biting words. It was clear that there was a growing bond between them, even if they wouldn't admit it.
As they continued their patrol, Accelerator noticed something off. He tensed, scanning the area more intently. "Rin, something's not right."
Rin nodded, her expression serious. "I feel it too."
Suddenly, a voice cut through the night. "So, you're the ones causing a ruckus."
They turned to see Lancer standing a few feet away, his spear gleaming under the streetlights. He had a confident smirk on his face, clearly ready for a fight.
"Lancer," Rin muttered, her eyes narrowing.
Lancer twirled his spear. "I've been looking for a good challenge. You two seem like you'll provide some entertainment."
Accelerator's scowl deepened. "Great. Just what I needed."
Rin stepped forward, her eyes locked on Lancer. "We're not afraid of you."
Lancer laughed. "Good. Fear is boring."
Accelerator cracked his knuckles. "Let's get this over with."
Rin nodded, preparing herself for the battle ahead. "Stay focused."
Accelerator shot her a look. "Don't tell me what to do."
Lancer chuckled. "You two are quite the pair. Let's see how you handle this."
The tension in the air was palpable as the three prepared for the fight. Accelerator's annoyance was momentarily forgotten as he focused on the imminent battle, ready to unleash his power against their new foe.
Rin couldn't resist one last jab at Accelerator. "You better not hold back. I don't want to carry you out of here."
Accelerator snorted. "As if you could. Just stay out of my way."
Rin smirked. "I think you'll find I'm more useful than you think."
Their banter continued even as they faced Lancer, a testament to their stubborn personalities. Lancer watched them with amusement, clearly enjoying the show.
"You two done flirting, or should I come back later?" Lancer teased.
Rin flushed while Accelerator rolled his eyes. "Let's just get this over with."
With that, the fight was on. Rin and Accelerator moved in tandem, their banter giving way to a focused determination as they faced their opponent.
Lancer's spear gleamed ominously under the streetlights, the weapon ready to taste blood. Accelerator readied himself, about to engage when Lancer suddenly halted him with an outstretched hand. "Hold on a second," Lancer barked, his gaze darting to the shadows. "I know there's someone else here. Show yourself."
Archer stepped out from the dark, his eyes narrowed with irritation. "Can't say I'm surprised you noticed," Archer commented dryly.
Lancer's lips curled into a smug grin. "Why don't you two team up? It'd be boring otherwise."
Accelerator's annoyance flared. "You really know how to piss me off," he growled. Before Archer could say anything, Accelerator raised a hand, and with a powerful burst of air, sent him flying. "Stay out of my fight, you bastard."
Archer landed with a thud, glaring daggers at Accelerator. "You fucker!" he shouted, pushing himself to his feet.
Their exchange left Lancer feeling momentarily out of place. "Are these guys for real?" he muttered to himself, bemused. "Well, more fun for me." With a casual shrug, he watched as the two continued their spat.
"Let's get this over with!" Lancer finally interrupted, twirling his spear impatiently.
"Shut up!" Accelerator and Archer snapped in unison, causing Lancer's smirk to falter slightly.
"Fine then," Lancer snarled, launching himself at Accelerator. His spear thrust toward Accelerator's face with blinding speed. Accelerator dodged with minimal movement, his expression one of pure disdain.
Archer clicked his tongue in frustration. "Fine, take him," he muttered, stepping back to let Accelerator handle the fight.
The clash began in earnest. Lancer's spear sliced through the air with deadly precision, while Accelerator's movements were fluid and calculated. Each dodge and counter reflected a mastery of his unique abilities. The ground beneath them trembled with the force of their blows.
Lancer thrust his spear, aiming for Accelerator's midsection. Accelerator deflected it with a flick of his wrist, sending the spear skidding across the pavement. Lancer quickly recovered, lunging forward with renewed vigor. Accelerator retaliated, using the environment to his advantage. He ripped a tree from the ground, its roots tearing through the earth, and flung it at Lancer.
Lancer smirked, slicing the tree cleanly in half with his spear. "Is that all you've got?"
Accelerator's eyes glinted with a dangerous light. "Hah! Dog." He used the splintered remains of the tree as projectiles, sending them hurtling toward Lancer. The rapid assault forced Lancer on the defensive, his spear a blur as he deflected the wooden shards.
The surrounding area bore the brunt of their clash. Streetlights shattered, and nearby parked cars were crushed under the weight of their attacks. The air was filled with the sound of metal clashing against metal and the occasional explosion as their attacks collided.
"You're better than I thought," Lancer admitted, breathing lightly. "But you're not unbeatable."
Accelerator's lips curled into a vicious smile. "I was just getting warmed up."
Lancer lunged forward again, his spear aimed for Accelerator's heart. Accelerator sidestepped, grabbing the spear's shaft and using Lancer's momentum to fling him into a nearby building. The wall crumbled under the impact, sending a cloud of dust into the air.
Lancer emerged from the rubble, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. "You're really pissing me off," he spat.
"Good," Accelerator retorted. "I'd hate to think you were having a good time."
Their battle intensified. Accelerator used his surroundings to his advantage, manipulating vectors to hurl debris at Lancer. Lancer countered with quick, precise strikes, each one aimed to incapacitate rather than kill. It was a deadly dance, each combatant pushing the other to their limits.
Archer watched from a safe distance, his expression a mix of frustration and admiration. "Damn, he's strong," Archer muttered, his eyes following Accelerator's every move. "But can he really handle Lancer alone?"
Lancer's spear whistled through the air, narrowly missing Accelerator's head. Accelerator retaliated with a powerful kick, sending Lancer skidding across the pavement. The ground cracked under the force, and Lancer quickly regained his footing, his eyes burning with determination.
"You're not bad, kid," Lancer admitted, twirling his spear. "But let's see how you handle this!"
With a swift motion, Lancer charged at Accelerator, his spear a blur of deadly intent. Accelerator braced himself, ready to counter the next assault. The battle was far from over, and both combatants knew that only one would emerge victorious.
The sound of metal clashing against metal, the crunch of debris underfoot, and the occasional grunt of exertion filled the night. Lancer's relentless attacks met Accelerator's unyielding defense, and the tension in the air was palpable. Neither fighter was willing to back down, each determined to prove their superiority.
Mid-fight, Accelerator noticed a shift in Lancer's demeanor. Lancer's eyes seemed to light up, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Looks like my Master finally took off the restrictions," Lancer sneered. "Now, I can go all out!"
"That's more like it," Accelerator growled, a crazed smile creeping onto his face. "Bring it on, you bastard."
Lancer's movements became a blur, his spear dancing in the air with deadly precision. The fight before had been relatively equal, but now, with Lancer's restraints lifted, his true power was unleashed. Accelerator found himself struggling to keep up with Lancer's speed. Their strength was almost equal, but Lancer's newfound agility gave him a significant advantage. Each clash of their weapons sent shockwaves through the surrounding area, the ground cracking under the force.
Rin watched from a safe distance, a smirk playing on her lips. "What's the matter, Accelerator? Can't keep up?" she taunted.
Accelerator's eyes narrowed, his irritation mounting. "Shut up, you damn woman!"
Rin, undeterred, continued to mock him. "Maybe if you actually listened to me, you wouldn't be getting your ass handed to you."
Lancer seized the opportunity, landing a series of blows that pushed Accelerator further into a corner. The esper could hardly keep up, his mind racing as he tried to predict Lancer's next move. Rin's incessant instructions only served to infuriate him further.
"Try dodging to your left!" Rin shouted.
Accelerator gritted his teeth, barely managing to avoid Lancer's spear. "Stop telling me what to do!" he snapped, his voice edged with frustration.
Lancer, amused by their banter, chuckled. "You two make quite the pair," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Are you sure you're not dating?"
Rin's face turned crimson. "As if I'd date this idiot!"
Accelerator's eyes blazed with anger. "Fuck that bitch!"
Lancer's grin widened. "You're both crazy," he remarked, readying his spear for another strike. "But that just makes this more fun."
Accelerator, feeling the pressure of the fight, knew he had to change his approach. With a deep breath, he focused on the situation. He'd had enough of being pushed around. A wild, crazy smile spread across his face, sending a shiver down Lancer's spine.
"What's with that look?" Lancer asked, still grinning. "Have you lost your mind?"
Accelerator's smirk grew wider. "You think you're the only one who's been holding back?" he retorted. "It's time I show you what I'm really made of."
He took a deep breath, his body tensing as he activated his breathing technique. The air around him seemed to shift, a palpable energy radiating from his form. The ground beneath him cracked, small rocks levitating as his power surged.
"Breath of the Sun," Accelerator intoned, his voice low and menacing. "First Form: Dance of the Fire God."
A fiery aura enveloped Accelerator, the intense heat distorting the air around him. His movements became a blur as he launched himself at Lancer, their weapons clashing with a force that sent shockwaves rippling through the area. Lancer's eyes widened in surprise as he found himself on the defensive, struggling to keep up with Accelerator's newfound speed and strength.
Rin watched in awe, her previous taunts forgotten. "What the...?" she murmured, her eyes wide with amazement.
Archer, observing from a distance, couldn't help but be impressed. "He's not just strong," he muttered to himself. "He's something else entirely."
Accelerator's attacks were relentless, each strike more powerful than the last. Lancer, despite his earlier advantage, was now struggling to keep up. Their fight had become a dazzling display of skill and power, the night air filled with the sounds of their clash.
"Is this all you've got?" Accelerator taunted, his voice a low growl. "I expected more from you."
Lancer, panting heavily, grinned through the pain. "You're not bad," he admitted.
The two combatants clashed once more, their movements a blur as they fought for dominance. The ground beneath them shattered, trees were uprooted, and buildings crumbled under the force of their battle. It was clear that neither of them was willing to back down, each determined to prove their superiority.
As the fight raged on, it became evident that this was only the beginning of a much larger conflict. The Holy Grail War was far from over, and with participants like Accelerator and Lancer, it promised to be an unforgettable battle.
Lancer took a few steps back, putting some distance between himself and Accelerator. His eyes gleamed with both caution and admiration as he regarded his opponent. Accelerator, noticing the retreat, couldn't resist the urge to mock him.
"What's the matter?" Accelerator taunted, his voice dripping with disdain. "Running away already? I thought you wanted a real fight."
Lancer sneered in response, his grip on his spear tightening. "You're strong, I'll give you that," he admitted. "But let's see if you can handle this."
Archer, watching from a distance, narrowed his eyes in recognition of the stance Lancer was taking. He knew what was coming, and his curiosity about how Accelerator would handle it kept him from intervening.
Lancer's expression grew serious. "If you can survive this attack," he called out, "you'll have my full respect."
Accelerator merely smirked. "Bring it on," he challenged, his voice full of confidence. "Show me what you've got."
With a determined look, Lancer began to channel his energy into his spear. The air around him crackled with power as he prepared his Noble Phantasm.
GAE BOLG!!
He intoned, the name of the attack resonating with an almost tangible force.
Accelerator, sensing the danger, readied his reflection. He could feel the immense power behind Lancer's attack and knew he had to be prepared for the impact. As Lancer unleashed Gáe Bolg, the spear shot through the air with sonic speed, a deadly projectile aimed directly at Accelerator's heart.
Accelerator's mind raced, calculating the vectors at lightning speed. He reflected the spear to the side, confident in his abilities. But then, the world seemed to twist and revert, and the spear was suddenly back in front of him. His calculations had failed to account for this phenomenon, and the conceptual attack pierced through his reflection barrier.
With a last-minute effort, Accelerator managed to dodge, but the spear still grazed his shoulder, leaving a gaping hole. He stared at the wound, shock and disbelief written all over his face. This attack had somehow bypassed his seemingly invincible defense.
Lancer, now exhausted from the effort, smiled in amazement. "You really are something else," he said, a hint of respect in his voice. "That attack should have pierced your heart. It reverses causality itself."
Accelerator, still processing what had happened, could only watch as Lancer began to retreat. His master's orders left him no choice but to withdraw.
"Don't think this is over," Lancer called out as he vanished into the night. "We'll meet again."
Accelerator, clutching his wounded shoulder, couldn't help but smile despite the pain. "Count on it," he muttered, watching his adversary disappear.
The fight had left its mark, not just physically but mentally. Accelerator realized that the Holy Grail War was full of unpredictable dangers, but that only made the challenge more thrilling. He looked forward to the next encounter, ready to push his limits even further.
---