Section 2: Grand Canyon Race with Wandjina

Hi! I'm Wandjina. Um, where'd I put my notes... Oh, here they are.

Okay, um, so first, I ran into the Master of Chaldea in Sydney, Australia.

It was great! I hadn't seen him since summer!

Anyway, he said he was looking for a Holy Grail, so I showed him where to find one, at a beach.

We fought some...weird people there, but in the end, we managed to get our hands on the Holy Grail.

...Or, we thought we did, but then it grew feet and ran away!

That's one of the things I love about Earth. You never know what'll happen next here.

Anyway, let's see what happens next!

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And we're at the bottom!

While this is an impressive sight in its own right, I still prefer the view from above.

Huh... So this is one of the deepest canyons on Earth. You know, it's kind of like a wrinkle that's been etched into the Earth's face over the course of millions of years.

The Grand Canyon! So this is Arizona!

That means we're right next to California, too! I always wanted to visit this area!

There's something real relaxing about this place!

Hey, there's a squirrel! Oh, and I even see an eagle up in the sky!

Life is indeed beautiful. There are even sheep here. What more could one ask for?

Yes, that's true.

People tend to think of the Grand Canyon as barren and empty, but there are actually many different kinds of animals living there.

The American bald eagle is probably the most well-known, but there are also dangerous creatures like venomous rattlesnakes here as well.

So please be careful, everyone!

Um... Unless it's got some kind of hidden Mystic, I'm pretty sure Servants should be immune to snake venom.

And I understand Master has pretty strong resistance to poison too. Not that we should test it, obviously. That would be reckless.

... ...

Don't take it personally. Erice can just be a little mean-spirited at times.

I-I'm not trying to be...

I, for one, am curious what a rattlesnake's rattle sounds like.

Oh, yes! Exactly! Just like that!

... ...

... ...Are rattlesnakes usually this big?

Th-that's a Demonic Beast! And it's giving off a massive magical energy reading! Once again, please be careful, everyone!

So, was this rattlesnake to your liking, Lady Kriemhild?

I meant a normal sized one! Not...whatever that was!

...Ahem. Well, at least we're sure the Holy Grail is here now.

Unfortunately, we cannot rely on our previous strategy. Though we could still try to divide our forces and surround it.

Hmm... Let's not. I think we should all stick together for the time being.

I see.

The Demonic Beasts out here may be unusually strong thanks to the Holy Grail's presence. There's also still no telling what else might happen.

I'd like to observe it a little longer before resuming our pursuit.

Sensible. Very well then.

True. As fast as it is, I'm not sure a pincer movement would be effective.

Yeah.

We'll need to have it surrounded on at least four sides to prevent its escape.

But I do not exactly cherish the idea of dividing our forces into four groups.

Then let us stick with tried-and-true tactics.

What do you mean?

To catch that Holy Grail, all we need do is be faster.

Well, yes, but if it were that easy, this wouldn't be so

Perhaps it is easier than you think.

I believe I see some Servants over there who can help to lessen our burden.

Well hello! Fancy seeing all of you here!

Oh, hi, Master. What's up?

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Quite a coincidence, running into you here, Master. Still, the odds of this encounter were fairly high.

Though this Singularity may appear massive at a glance, according to my sensor data...

...it actually seems to be incredibly narrow.

More importantly, tell us, what are you doing here?

I see. We can help!

Indeed we can.

We secretly Rayshifted here to tune up Babbage's Locomotive Form, but

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Moriarty! After you get back, you're heading straight to a lecture so you can reflect on your actions! Got that!?

Yes, ma'am.

Your reflection, or lack thereof aside, I'm so glad you're here with us now!

Mash.

As a rule, do not trust shady men who show up at precisely the right moment.

I didn't know you could transform, Babbage.

I can indeed.

Wow. That's amazing.

Too cool! Vroom! Kachunk!

Hmm. I don't really get the appeal.

How fast are you? Can you keep up with the Grail?

That all depends on how quick it is.

On that note, let me take a peek at the logs from your earlier encounter.

Hm...let's see... That would make its velocity about... All righty! Yes, we should certainly be able to catch it!

The only issue I foresee is Demonic Beasts getting in our way. If they block our path, even I won't be able to do anything about them.

I shall handle them.

Really now?

Certainly. All I need to do is stand on Lord Babbage's head and cut down anything that gets in our way.

But then, how will I see what's in front of me?

Hmm. I'm afraid you may have to make do with your vision obscured.

Okay.

Wow, just like that?

Hold on. Are you sure about this?

You may be a capable samurai...

...but we're talking about cutting down Demonic Beasts from atop a train moving at a hundred kilometers an hour.

Can you really do that?

Of course.

My, oh my. That would certainly be a sight to see. All right, let's give it the old college try, shall we?

So, in which direction are we headed?

Ooh, ooh! I can tell you that!

Oh, I see we have a new face with us. And who might you be, dear?

I'm Wandjina!

Oho, an Australian spirit. What an honor. I'm James Moriarty.

Charles Babbage.

Fran! I mean, Frankenstein!

Well, not really, but it's too much to explain, so just Fran is fine!

It's definitely a far from simple story...

Moriarty, Babbage, Fran. Got it.

Hehe, nice to meet you all!

All right then, everyone, shall we go corner this renegade Holy Grail?

Good, the engine looks to be in fine shape. How are you feeling, Mr. Babbage?

My Locomotive Form is absolutely perfect. No notes.

I'm fine, too.

Excellent. All right, everyone who can use their spirit forms, kindly do so now. Master, Mash, please climb aboard.

Can I watch from up top?

That depends on how much you weigh.

I think it should be okay! I'm reeeally light! I can even make myself weigh nothing at all if I want!

Very well then. Do hold on tight, though. I won't be able to help you if you fall off.

Okay!

And last, but certainly not least, how are you doing, Grand Papa? Are you holding up all right?

Grand Papa? I hardly think you and I are so far separated in our years.

Well, I'm still younger than you!

Are you certain of that?

You're both too old to be squabbling over something so petty! Now come, let's be on our way already!

Yes, ma'am.

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Okay! Full speed ahead!

Well, young lady? Are we headed towards the Holy Grail?

Uh-huh! Just keep going straight ahead!

All righty then! Time to pick up the pace!

... ...

Here comes the first Demonic Beast!

Understood.

I have a free spirit, an immovable mind. I exist in a realm void of worldly thoughts.

Kenjutsu Musou, Kenzen Ichinyo.

My word! You really did it!

I never go back on my word.

My apologies for doubting you! That was truly amazing, Grand Papa Samurai!

Wow, this is so fast! You're really fast too, Grandpa!

Here come two more! Now they know you're here!

Can you still do this, Yagyu?

Of course.

Wow, two at once! Amazing! We've nearly caught up!

Are you ready, Master!?

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... ...

(Hmm. I sense three Demonic Beasts up ahead now.)

(No matter. My task remains the same.)

Here come thre

...ree more. Watch ou Huh? You already got them!?

Wh-what the...!? What just happened!?

I dealt with them.

Hmm. I'm still not sure exactly how, but no matter! It won't be long before we catch up now!

Wait. You were serious!? Wahahaha! A Holy Grail literally has sprouted legs and is running away!

But now what!?

Even I am not sure what we should do once we've caught up!

Don't worry! I'll capture it!

I see! Then I shall hit the brakes when I deem it best!

When we screech to a halt, you'll leap at it, and BAM!

What kind of instructions are those!? I thought you were a professor!

Oh, EXCUSE me! I am rather preoccupied with driving a transforming locomotive! It is not so easy as it looks!

It's okay! I got what he meant!

Good luck, Wandjina!

Thanks!

Okay, here goes! Hit the braaakes!

Reverse thrust! Maximum power!

Yaaaaaah!

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... ...

...Um... The Holy Grail just escaped again...with what looked like jets coming out from the bottom of its feet...

What the devil is happening here!?

Those jet engines must consume a ton of magical energy. Enemy or not, that's impressive. I wonder where the Grail went this time.