(warning.. this chapter is a little graphic.. in fact this entire story is a little more graphic than my usual ones due to the nature of Billy Vilch, one of the main antagonists of the New York Faction)

"IIEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!"

Screams of agony filled the large art studio.. as the metallic smell of blood permeated the area with it's stench..  and opera music played on a stereo in the back ground. 

Billy Vilch.. the Artist.. had always been a rather flashy serial killer.. always determined to make his art with the best potential .. 

His studio was filled with cloth and newspaper to keep his pigment.. which mostly consisted of red and browns.. off his floor.. and the canvases he worked with were always massive to coincide with the size of his subjects..  though his girls were usually petite or less than six feet tall.. the size of an average human compared to an average canvas was not deniable.. 

He was a frail looking man.. with a sallow face, wide staring eyes.. always wearing a puffy jacket to conceal his scrawny-ness.. he hated appearing vulnerable. Besides.. it wasn't his physical strength that allowed him to capture his subjects.. but his magic..

One of his subjects a girl with brown hair, around 13 to 15 years of age.. was currently strung up on the canvas he was painting.. wires cutting into her wrists and ankles.. forcing her there.. as she sobbed pitifully, blood dripping down the wedding dress she had been forced to wear..  

Billy was currently sitting on a pully operated wooden homemade elevator.. as he used the girl's blood to paint massive, highly detailed wings on the canvas behind the girl.. giving her the appearance of a tortured red winged angel.. 

Glorious.. magnificent.. the light perspective here would surely catch audiences in the millions! This was TRUE art!!

He always admired the form of the youth. While they weren't fully developed, they were already developed sexually, and yet they were still filled with a sort of innocence.  He didn't know why he liked the brown hair... he supposed they reminded him of his mother.. before his father used her as his OWN art model and inspired Billy to start his own path down the career of true art..

He did love strong girls though. Girls who were powerful in certain respects. Whether it was because they were highly individualistic.. opinionated, or because they possessed some sort of authority. He remembered one time.. in 2004.. when he had visited Japan.. he had met a girl named Rin Tohsaka.. a mage like himself.. he always remembered a name..  she was just his type.. strong willed.. strong confidence.. except.. she had black hair.. so Billy decided it wasn't worth pursuing.. Plus she was a participant int he Fuyuki Holy Grail War.. best not to risk her Servant coming after him. 

There were many INCREDIBLE girls over the years that Billy wished he could get on his canvas.. but knew he couldn't because they were either too well protected... or.. in one girl's case.. too powerful even for an accomplished mage..

Some of them were child actresses and teen idols. One.. was one of the 7 Level Fives of Academy City.. 

But perhaps NOW.. now that he had a NEW partner in art.. it would be possible to get one of these rare specimens on his canvas..

Billy looked up.. smiling slightly at the hulking man standing in the corner of the room..  He wore a brown coat pants.. and a torn shirt under the coat.. his face wore a blood stained hockey mask.. perhaps his most recognizable feature.. was indeed that mask that was strapped to his bald misshapen head. 

This monster of a man was at least 9 feet tall.. and at his side.. he carried a large machete, larger, longer, then it had been in the movies.

Billy chuckled as he spoke up to the Berserker class Servant Jason Voorhees. "What do you think? The lighting is perfect.. yes?"

Jason said nothing.. and continued to stare intently in whatever direction his mask was faced..

Billy considered Jason the perfect berserker. In the movies, he acted exactly like a Berserker Class Servant.. Superhuman strength, not a word spoken, reliant on madness and aggression.. there was no way he could be any other class.. 

And due to his obedience to his dead mother in the films.. he was far more compliant and easy to order around and control than most Berserkers.  Which made it easier when Billy needed Jason to be careful not to injure their art subjects... he needed their limbs and beauty in tact and whole for when he began painting his masterpieces. 

At that moment.. the door to the art studio opened.. and the sound of the steady rhythm of a breathing mask filled the room.

"I know it's you.." Billy said as he continued to paint a few blood feathers onto the wings of the sobbing girl.  "Your iconic breathing pretty much gives you away.."

Darth Vader stepped out into the light.. accompanied by his master Jade.

"That.. is disgusting.." said Jade, staring at the girl.. who gave him a desperate pleading look.

"This.. is ART for your information.. you dim witted philistine!" said Billy, looking immensely disgruntled. 

"It is blood and pain." said Vader in his metallic voice. "you merely portray your own weaknesses in the form of disgusting gore.. I can only agree with my master regarding this display.."

"Hmph.. it's far more beautiful than anything your silly movie made Force crap can provide.." Billy grumbled.

Suddenly Billy began choking.. as an invisible power took a hole of his neck.. squeezing his windpipe.

Jason stirred, stepping forward threateningly as Vader force choked Billy.

"I find your lack of faith disturbing.." Vader said wrathfully. 

"Give it a rest Vader.. as cool and nostalgic as that quote was.. " said Jade with a sigh..

"As you wish.." Vader released Billy, who heaved a huge breath, gasping for air.. and immediately Jason stopped moving.. now that his master was out of harm's way.

"You just don't know the definition of true class!" Billy growled as he massaged his throat. 

"Class? You rape your victims before stringing them up." said Jade. 

"The first part is to help me figure out what I'm working with.. the softness of the skin.. the various parts of their bodies.. it helps me get to know my medium.. my model.." Billy spat. "You wouldn't understand.."

"I doubt any sane person would." said Jade.  "I'm here to inform you.. the rest of the faction is gathering to discuss  a new change in the battle plan.."

"Hmmm? What kind of change?" Billy asked. 

"A small group from the Academy City faction has recently landed here in this city.. we aren't sure what they want or why they're here.. it doesn't make sense.. especially since 3 of them.. Mikoto Misaka and her two Saber Class Servants.. aren't financially stable.. buying a plane ticket seems like a stretch, much less 3 tickets.."

"Mikoto Misaka you say!?" said Billy, his eyes lighting up.

Billy looked at a particularly large white canvass he had sitting against the wall on the far side of the room. "I.. I've had a special canvass.. saved just for her.. ever since she turned 13..  do you think she'll like it?"

"h.. help me.." rasped the girl on the canvass.. tears streaming from her eyes. "M.. my parents.. they.. don't know.. where.. "

"Vader." said Jade.

"Gladly.." Vader held up a hand.. and immediately the girl's neck snapped, and she died instantly.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!?" roared Billy. "YOU RUINED IT!!!"

"I think she's suffered long enough." said Jade, disgust in his voice. "Besides..now you can focus on Mikoto Misaka.. you want her more than anybody don't you?"

"Oh.. oh yes.." Billy forgot his woes immediately and began to sweat and quiver in anticipation. "she will make the best subject matter.. best subject matter indeed..

*****************

Mikoto sat in her bed at Chaldea's New York headquarters, hugging her knees.. wearing her usual Gekota patterned pajamas. 

As she stared glumly between her legs..  a Gekota plush, and a Pink Pyonko plush (Gekota's female froggy friend) popped out at the foot of the bed.. being puppeted by what could only be Mordred's hands.

"Hey there Mikoto! Cheer up! Ribbit Ribbit!" Mordred said from behind the bed, dancing the Gekota plush around.  "Don't worry about it.. Ribbit Ribbit! We'll figure something out!"

"Yes!" Now Mordred imitated a higher pitched voice.. puppeting the Pyonko plush. "So just cheer on up alright? Ribbit Ribbit!"

Mikoto let out a small smile. "Thanks for trying Mordred.."

Mordred's head popped out at the foot of the bed. "Feeling any better?"

"Well.. er.. no.. not really." said Mikoto. 

"There are other options you know.." said Saber as she walked in.. her hair down, dressed in a bathrobe. "We could get a cheaper school.. maybe take a break from studying.."

"This is Middle School not College." said Mikoto. "That's not how things work in Japan.. why do you think there are so many suicides in our country?"

Mordred jumped onto the bed, hugging Mikoto, her hair down, wearing a set of scarlet pajamas. "Well.. I'm here to personally make sure you don't resort to that."

"I.. don't see any more options." said Mikoto. "G.. Guys.. if.. I do take this deal.. please don't think any less of me.. "

"We wouldn't.. but you're not taking that deal." said Saber firmly. "There's always another way.. I'm not letting you sell yourself, and that's final.. I swear I'll tie you up and stuff you in the closet if you try to take this.."

"Seconded." said Mordred as she hugged Mikoto a little tighter. " As your Master, I order you not to take that deal.. Got it? Hello? Mikoto?"

Mikoto had fallen asleep, her head nestled in Mordred's chest. 

"Damn it.. she's too adorable sometimes.." muttered Mordred with a smile. "hey.. Father.. don't mind if I stay with her do you?"

"No I don't mind at all.. keep an eye on her for me please." said Saber with nod.  "I guess after the Mage Association she's used to being at ease with you by now.. "

"Hey! Father.. I'm surprised at you.." said Mordred with a grin. "You know I AM attracted to this young lady.."

"You're not Kuroko.. I trust you." said Saber with a small smile as she left the room. 

"You know we're technically married.." Mordred said.  "In camelot! Married in Camelot Father!!"

Saber walked to the balcony of the room.. where Okita was in her Servant form, standing on top of the railing, her sword unsheathed at her side.

"You look like you're planning to go kill somebody.." said Saber. 

"Maybe I am." said Okita. 

"You know.. it takes time for a Servant and Master to develop trust in each other. During the old Grail wars.. Servants all had the same issue that Mikoto had as a Demiservant under Mordred.. we had to follow our master's orders to the letter.. though it was less potent than Mikoto's situation..  But now.. servants are more capable of disobeying than before.. it's a two way street now.. more of one than ever.." said Saber.  "It makes the relationship more complicated.. I began to care for Mikoto immensely after I got to know her..  but you.. you instantly cared for Mikoto from the moment you saw her.. from the moment you were summoned.. I have to wonder about that.."

"It's.. a little complicated on that end too actually." said Okita.  "Arturia.. you know how I'm a different version of a person who existed in this world.. do you ever think.. that perhaps there are different versions of Mikoto who existed in my world?"

Saber's eyes widened with realization. "Your foster sister... Okita.. don't tell me she was.."

Okita smiled and nodded. "Mikoto Misaka was my foster sister.. and my apprentice.. there was nobody else in the world I cared for more..

"What happened to her?" asked Saber. 

"What makes you think something happened to her?"

"You have this sad look in your eyes whenever you look at Mikoto. As if you're in pain but happy at the same time." said Saber. "I know that look.. "

Okita sighed. "She.. was killed by a demigod whose name was wiped from history.. I never managed to find him.. 

"I'm sorry." said Saber. 

"She was a glorious swordsman." said Okita. "One of the few pure talents capable of wielding a sword of Muramasa.. blades that were famed for being so bloodthirsty that they drove their masters to suicide.. and yet, she was able to handle it with complete calmness and control.. I was proud of her.. prouder of her than even our late parents."

"I can relate.. " said Saber. "My Mikoto is a natural talent with the blade too.. granted being a samurai requires a different kind of blade technique.. her skills might surpass my own one day.."

"I know.. " said Okita. "She is such a normal person.. yet unusual at the same time.."

Okita looked down, and then gritted her teeth. "She doesn't deserve this Arturia. "She doesn't deserve any of it.. there has to be some way to stop it.. "

"If we do anything involving limb removing, killing, or similar, you know Mikoto would hate it.." said Saber. "And you know that too.. if your Mikoto is anything like ours.."

"They are exactly alike.." said Okita. "She's too kind for her own good sometimes.. there has to be a way to earn money quickly then.. legally at least.. "

Okita folded her arms, bowing her head, thinking, the wind of the night causing her hair to drift casually to the side. "

"There.. might be somebody we can ask for help.. but.. I didn't want to do it.. because I wasn't sure if I should burden them with our troubles." said Saber. "They're good friends of mine from the previous Grail War I got involved in.. 

"Shirou Emiya.. " said Okita. "I can't see why not.. I mean if he's the head of the Mage Association.."

"The Mage Association isn't exactly an organization for profit." said Saber. "Director he may be.. but his pay isn't much better.. Rin and Shirou have been facing their own financial problems lately.. the last thing I want to do is ask them for money.. which I know they would freely give.. I'm thinking of instead asking them to give me some more options.. perhaps an extra job for me in the Association? I'm not sure how they are on hiring Servants.. "

"Or.. maybe an educational opportunity.." said another voice.

Ritsuka had just walked out, smiling. "I think.. I know something they CAN do for you without having to hand out money.. just give em a call real quick..."

*************

"The.. Mage Academy?" Saber muttered as she held her cellphone to her ear, sitting in her room at the Chaldea New York Headquarters, with Okita sitting next to her.. listening.

"That's right." said Shirou's voice on the other end. "If you're capable of performing magic you get a free scholarship into the New York division.. the American counterparts are far more easy to get into than the ones you got at the Clock Tower and Japan. "Mikoto's unique, because of the experiments that turned her into an Esper Servant, she can perform magic AND use esper abilities, the Academy won't want to turn that up."

"And.. what happens if we do the Mage Academy? What become our options?" Saber asked. 

"Well, you get funded with all sorts of scholarships to finish your regular education." said Shirou. "The Mage Association's current policy on mages lately is to find ways to preserve mage numbers around the world.. and that means making sure they lead productive lives so they can live to sire families and continue the existence of magic practitioners..  that can't happen if a mage is homeless or without a job or starving. "

"I see.. we would be able to afford the Tokiwadai tuition.." said Saber. "How long does a session in the Mage Academy take?"

"Around a month." said Shirou. "The course load is pretty intense, but given Mikoto's a genius, I don't think she'll have any trouble. If you like, I'll give the Headmaster in New York a call now.. "

"Yes please!" said Saber. "You have no idea how much of relief it is that this was actually an option.. thank you Shirou.."

"Next time you guys have trouble like this, come directly to me and Rin.. Saber you're family, and that makes Mikoto family too..  you guys should NEVER have to come to somebody like that Stacy girl for help.. " said Shirou.

Saber smiled. "Duly noted..  I'll tell Mikoto in the morning. Can I have the address of the Academy please?"

************

Early the next morning.. Mikoto found herself walking into the main lobby of the New York Chaldea Headquarters, and into the nearby Mess Hall for residential agents, to find that the book where the rest of her friends were sitting had a large pile of text books on it..

"WH.. WHAT IS ALL THIS!?" stammered Mikoto as she ran over to find Saber and Okita perusing a few of these massive volumes. "The Theory of Elemency? Combat Magic for Beginners? Saber.. did I somehow give you a Caster form!?"

"WHOAAA!" said Mordred, coming over with a bagel in one hand. "dang.. we starting a library!?"

"How did we pay for all these!?" Mikoto stammered.

"We didn't.. we got these for free." said Saber happily. "Along with this."

Saber handed Mikoto a scarlet blazer and skirt, a school uniform..

"HAH!?" Mikoto exclaimed. 

It took about 10 minutes to explain what was happening, and by then, Mikoto looked immensely stunned.

"J.. Just like that? Our problems are solved?!" Mikoto said.. sitting down, looking winded.

"You don't seem happy." said Okita worriedly.

"I.. I am.. it's just.. it seems too good to be true..  I'll be honest I'm not used to having an easy life.." Mikoto stammered. 

"Ain't that the truth." said Mordred. "Aw man.. I'm curious what it's like in there.."

"Don't be.." said Saber, throwing Mordred a uniform. "You're going too.."

"HAH!? Why me!?" stammered Mordred.  "Why do I need to learn magic!?"

"I need somebody to keep an eye on Mikoto.. a VERY close eye." said Saber. "This is the New York Faction's territory.. plus.. we're living in a Grail War that will end with us staying in the living world.. you need to start thinking long term.. "

"I have a job! I buy stocks!!" stammered Mordred. 

"And how much does that support Index's eating habits?" asked Saber, raising an eyebrow.

"Huh.. point taken.." said Mordred. "Guess Master can use the extra income.. "

Mikoto paused, looking at the pamphlet describing the Mage Academy that  was on the table in front of her. "Are.. you all sure about this?"

"Here's how sure I am.. as a Master.. i ORDER you to do this.. and NOT whatever crappy handout your cousin tries to throw at you." said Mordred. 

"We're just trying to do what's best for you." said Okita gently. "Si-Master.. you do trust us don't you?"

"Yes.. yes I do.. I trust you all more than anybody." said Mikoto with a nod. "Alright.. not like I have a choice after Mordred ordered me to anyways.. eheheh.."

"So.. how do we break the news to your cousin? Might I suggest either letter bombs or a mutant carrier pigeon that likes to devour human flesh?" said Mordred. "Or maybe we can just carve it onto her back in VERY long 4000 word paragraphs using an exacto knife?"

"Mo-chan.." Mikoto began with a frown.

"Kidding kidding!" said Mordred. "Honestly.. why do you insist on defending Stacy!? After all the crap she's done to you?"

"She's family.. and you don't give up on family." said Mikoto.

"Aaaaaand?" said Mordred, raising an eyebrow, as if expecting a deeper reason for Mikoto's kind treating of her horrible cousin.

"That's all.. " said Mikoto.

Mordred, Okita, and even Saber gave Mikoto a combined confused stare.. 

Mikoto smiled. "Can't really explain it.. It's just how I'm built really.. "

"Honestly.." Mordred moaned. "Mikomiko!!! You're too nice!!"

Mikoto blushed incredibly red at the nickname.

"MikoMiko!?" said Okita, staring with her jaw open.

"D.. Don't ask!" stammered MIkoto. "Honestly Mordred what did I say about calling me that outloud!?"

"It's not THAT embarrassing MikoMiko.. you call me Mo-chan all the time!"

"THIS IS DIFFERENT!!"

"It's not THAT different.."

"IT'S COMPLETELY DIFFERENT!!" 

As Mordred teased Mikoto..  in a nearby vent.. a strange glob of amorphous goo slithered away..  having been eavesdropping on the conversation..

It slithered through the ventilation systems.. before shape shifting into a red balloon that rose through the vents so that it rose out of the vents on the roof of the building... where Darth Vader waited silently.. only his breathing able to be heard..

The balloon turned into Pennywise silently.. the clown smirking.

"So.. what news?" said Vader. 

"Interesting thing.. they aren't actually here for us.. not at all.. Mikoto Misaka is here on some sort of Personal Business it would seem.. " said Pennywise. "They didn't come here prepared to fight.."

Vader turned his head slowly.. as if considering things.."

"Jade left you in charge of the entire faction as he handles business with the Einzberns.." said Pennywise.. "Even our masters will listen to you.. so what's your call..?"

"Gather them.. all of them.. Mikoto Misaka and Arturia Pendragon are the largest threats the Academy City has.." said Vader. "We will begin with the swift elimination of those threats.. show no mercy..  we will CRUSH them.. ALL of them.. and after that.."

Vader clenched a fist.. and the roof began to shake with his latent immense power. "We shall see about those spies from the London Faction.. and I will deal with Gilgamesh.. myself."