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#Also of course packaged in the high school girl snide/silliness of ‘let me do your makeup’ which I never did lol
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My mom to me this week: Maria you’re very pretty, a fact you have always had trouble believing
#look I’m back on my bullshit of talking about my looks again even though I know it doesn’t matter/I have largely moved on from struggling#over it#But sometimes I still DO and I also still like to talk about it#And yeah. Man. I’ve always had such a fraught relationship with my face#this is some Anne of green gables shenanigans but some part of me is like ‘this is not dignified or romantic enough’#like it’s so shepherdess/baker of me#Also a part of me has gotten over that of course#A bigger part of me knows it doesn’t matter and also has let it go#And a part of me has fully accepted that I’m pretty#But really I guess I want to talk about it (to myself I mean) because it just was such a concern of mine for so long#Caused me such angst!!!!!!#Also I don’t think it helped that I got a) no male validating b) a lot of female validation#My high school classmates VERY quick to tell me I was pretty#Me knowing enough to know that it must be a very non-threatening prettiness if they could say it so fast#Also of course packaged in the high school girl snide/silliness of ‘let me do your makeup’ which I never did lol#I did let one girl straighten my hair though which was a fun experiment#I still occasionally LOVE having straight hair#it’s just literally such a new self for me#And it’s funnnnnnn#Anyway the tall blonde at my sister’s wedding who walked across the room to ask me to dance healed a lot more hurt inside me#than he had any idea of#(No he wasn’t the love of my life) (the moment was ROMANCE though)#anyway like. Again. Mostly there is no point to me chattering on about this and I don’t want to gain anything by it#Because I know all the things I need to#It just really is—the way I experience life is still very much being content with my appearance#And then having these FLASHES of either total ego or complete cringe#And both are very intense! I know I know the human condition. The feminine condition! Lol#Okay I’m done. Thanks for listening
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To the two people that care about this~
(Fate/Ninjago)
Now that everyone that doesn’t care is gone, let’s get tot rambling! 
You know what? I decided the best way to do this is to just post the fic I started.
--
He knew something didn’t go right the moment he saw red.
Smoke cleared and instead of the legendary green ninja, Len saw a boy he didn’t recognize wielding a golden sword.
“Who has summoned me?” the boy asked.
Or maybe he should be called a man? He seemed to be on the edge between the two. Either way he was older than Len. It didn’t matter who he was, what mattered was that he wasn’t who Len was trying to summon.
“You’re not the green ninja.” Len said flatly.
He made no effort to disguise his disappointment and distaste.
The servant in red narrowed his eyes harshly. He had a light scar over his face and all the marks of a seasoned warrior. Len knew he hadn’t gotten a total dud, but still was trying to figure out where in the world he went wrong.
“Of course I’m not.” What was clearly a Saber servant scoffed, sheathing his glowing weapon on his back and crossing his arms.
“I was trying to summon the green ninja.” Len said with confrontation in his voice.
Saber looked Len up and down then snorted in something akin to disgust.
“You’re not worthy of summoning Lloyd.” He said, with a bite to his words.
“How dare you! Do you know who I am?” Len demanded.
“Do you know who I am?” Saber retorted effortlessly.
Len grunted in frustration. Just his luck he’d gotten such an indigent servant. He toyed with the idea of using a command seal right then and there.
“I am Len Garmadon, I am a descendant of the green ninja. I share his blood. I can think of nothing ‘worthier’ then that.” Len said snidely.
“You didn’t answer me.” Saber said, showing no other reaction.
Hands finding their way into his hair, Len let out another frustrated groan. He bet Haruki wasn’t having these problems.
“No. I don’t know who you are. Would you care to enlighten me?” Len tried, being as civil as he could, but still sounding condescending.
Saber gave another dismissive sound.
“So, you don’t recognize me, but you think you’re worthy of summoning Lloyd? No wonder you failed.” Saber said.
Len growled.
“I’ll be back when you call my name, until then, you’re not worth my time.” Saber said before disappearing into his noncorporeal form.
“HEY! You can’t do that! SABER!” Len yelled.
Saber didn’t respond to the name of his class, so Len assumed he was meant to call Saber’s true name. But how could he do that when Saber never told him? It was clearly a test; one Len didn’t have the patience for. At this rate Haruki was going to win the Grail while he was stuck arguing with his stupid servant!
He could use a command seal, but he only had three and he got the feeling that his servant would refuse to appear without him using them until he fulfilled the silly request. So, he had to figure out what servant he’d summoned in place of his ancestor.
Len took a calming breath and listed what identifying traits he knew in descending order of helpfulness.
1. Saber used a golden sword.
There could only be so many golden swords in history and legends. That would surely narrow it down.
2. Saber wore red.
With how much of it he wore, it was clearly a distinctive color that he may be symbolically tied to.
3. Saber had a scar on his face.
It wasn’t the most prominent of scars, but it was identifiable.
4. Saber appeared to be a male.
While it wasn’t unheard of for servants to be different genders from what their legends said, it was worth starting with male legends.
Len was ready to bang his head on the wall at the task in front of him before he remembered a very telling quirk Saber had displayed.
He called the green ninja by his first name.
Saber seemed personally offended at Len’s demand for “Lloyd”, so clearly Saber, whoever he was, must’ve been a hero that knew the green ninja personally in his life.
That was a much more specific starting place.
_____
“Kai.”
“You called?”
The spikey haired ninja appeared before the sound was even done echoing around the library.
“You’re the master of fire. The green ninja’s protector. That’s the sword of fire you’re wielding, right?” Len asked as he calmly closed his book and got up to put it away.
Kai gave him a nod. The kid was much less snotty now and Kai felt less like hanging him on a street sign. Perhaps that was just a Garmadon trait though? Being an insufferable brat and then warming up on people.
Len didn’t look unlike Lloyd. He had Lloyd’s blindingly blond hair, and that Garmadon jawline that made girls go nuts, but Len’s cheek bones weren’t as full and projecting as Lloyd’s were. His eyes were that breathtaking emerald, but not the overly round shape Lloyds had been. Lloyd’s face had always had a round and young look to it. Len’s face was longer and more angled.
The biggest difference was the smile though. Len had a bit of a proud tint to his. Lloyd’s had always had a devious edge to his. It could be uncomfortable to see on his overtly innocent face, but he’d always had a sharp smile that hinted at some underhanded cunning. It was a trait Lloyd rarely, if ever, used, but having been raised the way he was he could never shake that sardonic touch in even his most innocent smile.
“I guess we’re stuck with each other.” Len sighed, placing his book heavy back on the shelf.
It seemed more amused and resigned than his previous sighs though, so Kai let it go.
___________________________________
Jaden was bouncing on the balls of his feet gleefully holding his package. It had taken a lot of money and work to get it, but he had it now.
It was an important piece of the original Samurai X suit. With it, Jaden could summon the mysterious warrior to be his servant in the Grail War. Not to mention meet his hero.
Jaden ripped open the package and found his prize. A red gem set in some twisted gold metal. It was unrecognizable now, but Jaden was assured it had been an important piece of the first suit. Perhaps it was a decorative emblem? Or maybe it belonged on the hilt of a weapon? It could’ve belonged on the helmet. Jaden could spend all day theorizing, but he was rather eager to summon the samurai.
Jaden had no workshop, so he was preforming the ritual out in the woods behind his house. It was not the most secure location, but Jaden wasn’t too concerned. Nobody would dare start attacking before all the servants were summoned.
The red stone was placed into the circle and Jaden began the summoning ritual.
Hands shaking, breath paused, Jaden waited for the smoke to clear. He was about to come face to face with the real Samurai X. The excitement was enough to make him faint, but also enough to make him refuse to, not waiting to miss the reveal. He was about to explode when he saw a figure form in the haze.
Then it all came crashing down into confusion and disappointment.
“Who has summoned me?” came a high pitched and delicate voice.
A girl, a pretty girl, but a girl stood in front of Jaden with expectant eyes. She wore the red gem Jaden had been assured belonged to the first Samurai X mech suit around her wrist in an elaborate bracelet.
Jaden deflated. He’d been conned.
“Are you ok?” the girl asked gently.
“Yeah, I just wanted to summon someone else.” Jaden said, trying not to offend the servant he did get.
“Oh. Well I’m sorry you were unsuccessful in that, but I assure you I’m a more than capable servant. I will win the Grail for you.” She said
Jaden smiled a bit. At least he’d gotten someone nice.
“I’m Jaden, if you don’t mind me asking….?”
“OH! Nya. I’m a Rider class.”
“Well at least I got that right.” Jaden was always the type to hold on to positives.
Nya…Rider laughed lightly.
“So, what can you do?” Jaden asked.
“I’m the master of water. I was one of the legendary Ninja.” Rider said proudly.
“Oh? That’s great!” Jaden was a great deal less disappointed and worried after hearing that he’d summoned one of the ninja.
“I’m glad.” Rider said with a smile.
_____
Taylor was tired and wanted to leave. Her dad talked to Caster, making plans for the upcoming war while she sat there like a third wheel. She had to stay though, because Caster was technically her servant. Not that it really mattered, her dad called the shots, she just had the command seals.
“And the target on my back” she thought bitterly.
She was the one the other masters would be trying to kill, not him.
Still, her father always got what he wanted, and he wanted the Grail. Taylor had no choice but to do his bidding, as she always would.
She still fantasied about using her command seals to make her servant off himself and drop out of the running right there. Her dad would be so mad. He’d probably lock her in the dungeon.
Maybe it would be worth it anyways….
_____ 
Gerald looked at his command seals proudly. He’d managed to summon one of the most feared Assassins there was. The last of the Anacondrai, Pythor. With such a deadly servant he was sure to win the Grail.
It had been hard to do the summoning without getting caught, but the attic in Darkley’s was secluded enough during classes. The kids that skipped chose more interesting places to be, and the kids that got caught were taken back to the classrooms in the lower floors.
“HEY!”
About to call Assassin to kill whoever had snuck up on him in panic, Gerald stopped his mouth in time when he realized it was just Bradly, his dormmate.
“What do you want?” Gerald asked, adjusting his glasses to hide the tremor in his hands.
He had really thought one of the other servants was about to kill him for a second there.
“What’s up with your hand?” Bradly asked.
“None of your business” Gerald snapped.
He was going to need to find a better excuse if he wanted to keep being in the Holy Grail War a secret, but it was just Bradly for now. Gerald could just intimidate him into keeping his trap shut.
Meanwhile, in noncorporeal form, Assassin cursed his luck. He was doomed to constantly get stuck with clueless boarding school brats, wasn’t he?
__________
“I want my father back.” Zack said.
Cole was startled. For many reasons. No small amount of his unease came from Zack’s appearance. He looked too much like Zane.
Zack was less centered than the ice ninja ever was though and was tearfully declaring his wish to be bringing the dead back.
“That’s your wish?”
“It is all I desire, Lancer.”
Cole cringed again. He didn’t particularly like being a lancer. He used a scythe not a lance. But the Grail deemed it close enough and brought him back as a Lancer class to fight in the Holy Grail War.
“I’ll do my best.” Cole finally said.
He had a feeling this kid wasn’t going to get the happy ending he wanted.
____
“UP AND AT ‘EM!”
Len shot up, his blankets finding their way to the floor and his heart planning it’s escape from his chest, coming face to face with Saber’s far too gleeful face.
“What is wrong with you!?” Len yelled.
Saber just laughed lightly, putting is hands up in a pacifying motion.
“Don’t be too mad, I made you breakfast.”
“What? Why?” Len asked, running to the kitchen to see what awaited him.
Saber never did answer him. Not that Len noticed. He got to the kitchen and was now had a new question.
“Are those chocolate chip pancakes?”
“I had a feeling you had a sweet tooth.” Saber shrugged.
Len bit his lip and swallowed. Saber was right, and as much as that should’ve freaked Len out, he was too busy forcing himself not to cry.
“This isn’t worth being upset about, let alone crying. Stop it Len!”
Mentally scolding himself for a moment, Len managed to keep his tears unshed before sitting down and putting food on his plate. Honestly, he didn’t know why he nearly cried. So he hadn’t had chocolate chip pancakes since his tenth birthday, what part of that was worth crying about?
“You alright?”
“I’m fine.”
Len hoped Saber didn’t notice his emotional reaction. It wasn’t like there was a real reason for it and he definitely didn’t want to have to explain something so senseless so early in the morning.
Luckily Saber took his answer and didn’t test it. He sat down and started to load his own plate with food and eating.
Len relaxed. As rude as his wake-up had been, it was nice to have a warm breakfast for once. There were song birds outside and sunshine pouring through the window, setting a pleasant morning setting. It was the type of morning Len hadn’t had for a long time.
“Where are your parents?”
And his happy moment was gone.
“My mom works.” Len said sharply.
“Your dad?”
“Dead.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah.”
Len both stabbed and chewed his next bite of food with a more strength than needed. To make his anger about the topic known? To blow off some stress from it being brought up? Who could say?
“Do you wake up alone a lot?”
Len’s teeth ground together.
“Why are you asking so many questions?”
Saber had the decency to look away and it was quiet for a moment while the two finished eating. Len broke it and sighed after he rinsed off his plate.
“Just so you know, there’s another Master at school. We have an agreement. The Grail War stays outside the school grounds. So, don’t freak out, ok?” Len explained.
He was not looking forward to Haruki’s taunts when she found out he failed to summon the green ninja. Maybe he could play it off like he’d wanted to summon Kai? No. She’d never buy that. He was just going to have to suffer through her laughter.
“How much do they know about you?” Saber asked.
“We’ve been rivals since we were little. She comes from a different mage family and we’ve both been groomed for the Holy Grail War for as long as I can remember. We’ve been in the same class every year since we started school too, so she knows a lot.” Len listed, tying his shoes.
“She knows you’re a descendent of the green ninja?” Saber had a calculating look, looking at the wall like it had a battle plan painted on it.
“Yeah, why?”
Saber’s eyes snapped their intense focus to Len.
“Do not tell her who you’ve summoned.”
“Wasn’t planning in it. I’m never gonna hear the end of it when she finds out I failed my summoning.”
“I’m serious Len. I will stay with you in noncorporeal form, but I won’t show myself unless I absolutely have to. She’s probably going to assume you summoned Lloyd and we’re going to let her think that, alright? Her thinking she knows who your servant is, is going to be a huge advantage.”
Len blinked.
Once.
Twice.
That was smart.
Len hadn’t realized that by failing, he’d gained the element of surprise.
“Haruki’s probably been strategizing assuming I succeeded. She’s getting ready for the wrong opponent!”
“And we’re going to let her keep doing that. See if you can get her to slip up and tell you any hints about who she’s summoned, alright?”
Len nodded, wide eyed.
“And by the way,” Saber said, putting his hand on Len’s head “You didn’t fail.”
“But…. I did though.”
Saber just smiled and shook his head. He gave Len’s head an affectionate rubbing then disappeared.
Len Stood there for a few seconds trying to figure out how the heck Saber thought that before realizing he needed to get heading to school.
By the time he slid into his assigned seat though, he settled on Saber just being an ego maniac.
--
So that introduces the set up pretty well.
Archer is getting killed by Pythor before much happens. Not important. Caster is Clouse.
At some point Not-Gene, or Gerald is going to get his command seals and servant stolen by Not-Chen, or Taylor’s father.
Not-Jay, or Jaden figures out that he did summon Samurai X when Nya uses her Nobel Phantasm.
Len will have to use a command seal to get Kai to attack her.
Not-Harumi, or Haruki summoned Morro as a Berserker.
Not-Lloyd, or Len didn’t fail his summoning. Lloyd himself made the decision to send Kai in his place, Kai figured out why he was there when he got a read on Len’s issues. Hence him taking on a care giving role.
That’s about all I have planned/figured out
-Ivy
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