Disclaimer: I do not own Fate/stay night or anything affiliated with it.
"Graft the soul of one born as either True Ancestor, or Dead Apostle, and an Overlord to the body of a child who knows no mortal bounds. Thus ye will obtain the power of the Eternal Grail, and exceed the barriers of space and time. Gaining thy immortality and the existence of a God"
The Eternal Grail: Season 1
Episode 1: Rebirth from the Gallows
"Papa, what's a hero?" a little girl asked as she licked her strawberry ice cream cone, which had started to drip down her small slender hand. Casting a glance toward the setting sun in front of her she patiently waited for her father's response as she ran hand through her long red hair which extended down to the small of her back. Her emerald eyes were locked in place and seemed to twinkle in the pale orange light which also gave her usually snow white skin and orange tinge. She was currently donning a red baseball cap embroidered with a large T, calligraphy style, a short blue jean skirt, a white zip up hoodie, a red tee-shirt, and a pair of red and black tennis shoes. Her slightly round angelic face seemed to hold in a neutral expression which her father found adorable.
"What a question to ask Midori-chan, what a question to ask," her father stated with a small sigh as he tapped his index finger on top of one of the old wooden columns connected to the old wooden dock they were currently sitting on. "Let's see, a hero is someone who protects as many innocents as possible, even if that means sacrificing a few," the man stated with another small sigh as his golden orbs gazed at the sparkling navy blue waters beneath him. He was a slightly tanned man with bronze skin and short white hair which was slightly spiked. He also had a dignified face with a rugged square chin. The Midori's father was currently donning a red cloak which wrapped around his muscular torso and bulging biceps, as well as high tech black body armor embroidered with silver trim which displayed his muscular physique even more.
"But papa shouldn't a hero try to save everyone?" Midori inquired as she looked away from the last rays of the setting sun and up toward her father. She wore a puzzled expression on her innocent face as she continued to lick what remained of her ice cream.
Midori's father sighed again but he also released a hoarse chuckle before he responded. "I used to believe that Midori-chan, back when I was young enough and naïve enough to believe I could be the protector of justice. In the end I found that it's impossible to save everyone, even if you give your all because someone will have to be sacrificed. I was too self-diluted to realize the glaring flaws in my reasoning," Midori's father stated as he pushed himself up off of the dock and brushed off the sleeves of his cloak.
"But papa you are a protector of justice, at least to me," Midori stated with an even more puzzled expression on her face. "Why don't you believe in yourself papa? I do, and so did momma."
"Midori-chan," her father whispered as he gazed down at his daughter with a solemn expression on his face. "Thank you Midori-chan, it's good to know that I at least have one fan," he said with a small smile as he helped his daughter to her feet.
"You're welcome papa!" Midori exclaimed with a bright smile as she finished eating her ice cream cone. With that they headed on their way back toward their small estate in the distance trekking through the vast suburbs of identical houses.
"Hey papa," Midori spoke up again with a small smile still on her face, "Look what I learned!" Sticking her hand out in front of her she closed her eyes and seemed to be lost in though. 'Okay here I go!' Midori thought to herself as she furrowed her brow in concentration and visualized a small silver saucer.
"Midori-chan what are you…" her father was about to ask before he watched in amazement as an outline of a small sterling silver saucer formed in his daughter's hand and then materialized. "Midori-chan," he whispered to himself as a small pained look found its way to his face. 'Well at least she doesn't have the same delusions of grandeur that I once did,' he thought to himself with a small sigh as he smiled down at the little girl as she opened her eyes. 'I can only hope she'll never obtain her mother's power. Otherwise she will never be able to lead a normal life.'
"What do you think papa? I did pretty good huh? Maybe one day I can be a great hero and mage just like you!" Midori exclaimed excitedly as she smiled a brilliant smile up at her father who simply smiled and nodded in response.
'So much for not having delusions of grandeur,' he thought to himself with a small smile as he took his daughter's small smooth hand into his burley calloused one.
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10 Years Later
"Midori! NOOO!" was her father's pained cry as he watched the trap door beneath his daughter's feet open. A loud snapping sound rang throughout the jailhouse courtyard, and he knew she was dead.
However, the officers present hadn't realized that they had the wrong person as they gazed in shock and horror at the figure that stood atop the stone wall before them. One of the officers, a short bald man who wore huge glasses, slowly lifted the black bag off of the head of the figure that hung limply before him. What he saw made him jump off of the wooden post and vomit onto the sand beneath him. Everyone else gasped, horrified at their terrible mistake.
Before them, strung up in a noose, was a slightly tan skinned young woman with bulging emerald eyes. Her full lips formed a small smile which seemed to fit her slender elegant face even in death. Her lithe form hung lifeless and limp as the red cloak she wore fluttered in the wind. She wore an almost identical to her father's aside from the fact that it had a more feminine design. But what caught her father's eye was the chain with a small red gem attached in her slender hand.
"That chain," her father mumbled to himself numbly as his eyes went wide in shock.
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20 Years Earlier
The time has come.
These "masters" will employ the use of familiars from seven separate classes called "servants".
"And cross swords with each other for the one and only Holy Grail," a deep male voice states from in front of an altar where a shadowed figure stands. The church in which the figure resides is enshrouded in darkness aside from a single flickering light from a melting candle holder. Before the candle stands a man with shoulder length brown feathered hair with bangs that hang over almost concealing his cold brown eyes from view. His face is rugged and his square chin strikes a handsome figure. He is currently donning a blue khaki jacket, a black tee-shirt, and a gold cross around his neck.
"That's…the war for the Holy Grail," the man stated forebodingly.
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A young woman stands in a glowing red summoning circle and holds a fist outstretched in front of her. Her long black hair was tied into loose pigtails held in place by two black ribbons. Her face was slender and elegant. Her slender form was currently clothed in a red long sleeve shirt embroidered with a gold cross on the chest, an extremely short black skirt which exposed a good amount of skin, black stockings, and brown leather shoes.
In her hands she held a spell book which she was reciting a verse from. "Thou shall come forth to my side," she began as her hair whipped around her face. "Thy sword shall control my fate. Abiding by the Holy Grail's haven. If thou accedest to this will and reason, then answer me. The oath set forth here. I am the embodiment of good in the eternal world. I am the disposer of evil in the eternal world. Three, the seven heavens that bear the great trinity. Come forth from the circle of constraint," as she finished the last verse a small drop of water dripped through her slender fingers.
Once the drop of water hit the summoning circle it glowed an even brighter red. Suddenly a hologram of the circle beneath her feet rose up over her body before stopping at her midsection and part of it rising above her head. Emerald eyes snapped open and she smiled confidently. "O' guardian of balance!" she bellowed as the circles lit up even more enshrouding the entire premise in a bright red light.
'I have, without a doubt, summoned the best card I could,' the young woman thinks to herself with the same confident smile on her face. Just then a loud crashing sound echoed through out the house causing her to fall flat on her rear. "What!?" she exclaimed as she ran up the stairs of the two story house and toward the room she suspected the sound came from. Swinging open the oak wood door she came face to face with an unexpected sigh.
Sitting before her almost covered in rubble was a young woman with silky shoulder length red hair, emerald eyes, and a slender face. Her lithe form was currently outfitted in black full body armor with silver trim that emphasized her figure, and a red cloak which draped dramatically over her form (think Asuka from Evangelion but slightly more mature and in Fate fashion). "Oy! Way to goooo Master," the young woman drawled sarcastically as she twirled a finger and dusted off her cloak while glaring at the young woman in the doorway. "Couldn't you have done a better summoning than that?" the young woman griped as she dusted off her legs and stood up. She then looked up and noted the gigantic hole in the ceiling and the moon light that shined through causing her armor to glow faintly.
At this point the other young woman's eye was twitching violently and her lips were twisted into a feral snarl.
"Oy! What's your deal? You know if you keep making that face it's going to get stuck like that," the red head stated with a smirk as she sauntered over toward the other young woman allowing her hands to rest on her hips.
"That's it!" the raven haired young woman snapped as her left hand began to glow an eerie red. Looking down at the young woman's hand the red head noted that it was in fact one of the command spells that was glowing.
"You sure you want to do that?" the red head inquired with a feral smirk on her face, "You might need that later on."
The raven haired young woman simply glared at her for a moment, but soon the eerie red glow dissipated. "Well then you better straighten up that attitude of yours! You're my Servant and I'm your Master!" she snapped as she poked the red heads ample bosom. Raising her hand to the red heads face she shoved the strange markings on her hands into the young woman's face. "You see these, without them we're both up a creek without a paddle," she growled as she continued to glare at the young woman who simply yawned in response.
"Whatever you say ma'am. Anyway, I suppose you're going to want me to introduce myself," the red head stated with an exasperated sigh as the raven haired young woman nodded in response. "Well I am the servant class Archer, and I hope you know what my class name entails," Archer stated with a semi-formal bow.
"Damn, I wanted to summon Saber. Oh well, I guess my best wasn't good enough seeing how as I ended up with a servant like this," the raven haired young woman stated with small sigh and a shrug.
"OY! WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN!?" Archer snapped as she glared at her Master, her eyes burning with poorly concealed rage. 'Just who the heck does she think she is!? Class name doesn't mean anything, and I'm pretty sure I could take down some stupid Saber! I'll show her!' Midori thought to herself with a frown.
"Don't worry about it," the raven haired young woman stated with a small placating wave and a bored expression on her face. "Well I'm Rin Tosaka. Anyway, now that introductions are out of the way I would like for you to clean up this mess," Rin stated as she pointed at the debris behind Archer.
"Do I look like a maid to you?" Archer deadpanned as she looked at Rin with a neutral expression locked onto her face.
"Don't make me use a command spell," Rin deadpanned in response as she turned and opened the door. "I expect that to be done by the time I wake up tomorrow. Oh! And make sure that you wake me up in time for school," she demanded as she walked out the door closing it behind her.
'I would kill her, but unfortunately I need her,' Archer thought to herself with a scowl on her face as she turned around and faced the pieces of broken ceiling, shingles, broken bits of furniture, and other debris. 'This is going to take awhile,' Archer thought to herself with a frown as the out line of an old wooden broom formed in her bare hands and then became solid. "Oh well, better get to work," she said to herself with a shrug as she began to sweep up the mess.
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'Everyone's dead, I'm the only survivor,' a little boy thought to himself solemnly as he walked through the post apocalyptic ruins of a smoldering city. His green and grey hooded jacket was torn and covered in dirt and ash. His jeans were also in a similar state as were his black and white tennis shoes. Blood trickled down his forehead from a small head wound that was partially hidden because of his thick spiky red hair. His large yellow eyes seemed lost and hopeless as he continued to walk down the ashen streets in daze.
Seconds later the boy abruptly passed out on the ground and stared up into the grey clouds above as rain began to fall extinguishing what remained of the flames that had burned through the city. As the boy continued to hopelessly stare up he felt his eyelids grow heavier and started to nod into a blissful sleep. Although he was afraid of dying he knew that there was no one left alive to save him, and he was slightly comforted, in the back of his mind, by the fact that his conscience would be free from survivor's guilt.
Just as he was about to fade into the endless darkness he opened his eyes one last time, but this time he saw a pair of sorrowful black eyes staring down into his amber eyes. Connected to the eyes was a rugged face with a square chin. The man's hair was unkempt and his raven bangs almost concealed his eyes from view. Currently outfitted in torn and dirty black suit, grey dress shirt, and black tie he appeared to be some kind of a business man or professional.
The little boy watched the rain run down his tired face as his vision became blurry and he passed out. However, before he passed out he saw the outline of another man who looked to be at least in his late sixties with a grey beard and wore a short black cloak. Waking up the young boy absently noted that he was being carried on something with four sets of wheels. He also noted the florescent lights and the blue walls above him and to his side. Once again he blacked out, and the next time he awoke he was beneath the white sheets of a hospital bed. There was a white bandage wrapped around his head and several bandages to cover the numerous cuts on his cheeks. He was also currently donning a baby blue hospital gown.
He didn't even acknowledge the bright sunlight coming through the blinds, all of the high tech. equipment, or the iv inserted into his arm. All he could focus on was one thing. 'Only one person survived.' Suddenly a faint image of a sword appeared in his mind. He could barely make out the blue hilt embroidered with gold, and he could not see the length of the silver blade.
"Senpai…Emiya-senpai" a voice called out causing everything to blur and go black again. Yellow eyes opened to view the ceiling of an old warehouse. Shaking his head to rid himself of the nearly overpowering drowsiness he felt, the young man then slowly sat up and ran a rough hand through his short spiky red hair.
"Huh? Oh, good morning Sakura-chan," the young man said with a small smile as he gazed into a pair lavender irises.
"Good morning senpai," the lavender haired girl stated politely as she ran a hand through her lavender locks brushing back a few stray strands behind her small ear. After adjusting the pink bow that held back some of her hair she then dusted off her school uniform which consisted of light brown sweater vest, a white dress shirt with red seams, a red bow tie around the collar, and a black skirt that reached down to her knees. She also wore a pair of white socks that reached up to her shins and a pair of black dress shoes.
"Uhh," the red head boy mumbled numbly as he tried to get a grasp on the situation. 'I wonder if it's time for school?' he thought to himself.
"Don't worry, there's still some time left. But it is unusual for you to oversleep," Sakura stated as she watched the red head try to gain his bearings with an amused expression on her face.
"Oh, yeah. I feel asleep trying to fix this guy over here," the amber eyed boy stated as he pointed at a deconstructed VCR, several parts, and a few tools laying on an old blue cloth.
"Well it's not a bad thing that you overslept, in fact I would prefer it from time to time," Sakura stated with a small smile as she gazed down at the red head. "It would make it worthwhile for me to take care of you."
The young man simply smiled back warmly in response before rising to his feet. "Well in any case, lets get ready for breakfast," he stated as he brushed off his blue jumpsuit and tapped the dust of his white tennis shoes.
"I can take care of breakfast so please take your time," Sakura offered with a hopeful expression on her face. "Also Fujimura-sensei will be here soon," she said with a smile, "So you might want to get cleaned up."
The amber eyed young man looked down at his dirt and oil covered jumpsuit with weary smile on his face. "That's a good idea," he stated with a nod, "Fuji-nee will probably knock me through the roof if she sees me like this." Walking out of the warehouse he head across a stone walkway through the lush green grass of the backyard. 'I've always loved sneaking into that warehouse whenever dad wasn't looking,' he internally mused to himself as he looked around the property gazing at the dark grey tiles that constructed top of the white and light grey walls.
"I can't believe it's been five years since my father, Emiya Kiritsugu, died. It's even harder to believe he had been alone all of his life aside from me, especially when he lived in a house like this," the young man said to himself as he walked past a picture of a familiar man with deep black eyes wearing a black suit, grey dress shirt, and black tie. 'It's hard to believe that upon his death I received everything,' the red head thought to himself, 'It is a good thing that most of the complicated stuff is handled by Fujimura-san.'
The young man walked into his room, past his futon and toward his drawer. He then changed into an old tee-shirt and a pair of faded jeans. Making his way down the hall again he walked into an old style dojo. After doing a several reps of sit ups and push ups against the hard wood floor he got up and walked toward the bathroom. After his shower he went back to his room to change into his school uniform.
After putting on his undergarments he slipped on a white shirt with navy blue sleeves, and then tugged on a pair of beige khaki pants. Scooping up his discarded dirty cloths he then walked to the laundry room where he tossed the load into the washing machine before starting it. Just as he finished a familiar loud feminine voice rang throughout the house.
"Shirou! Are you ready yet!?" the voice cried out indignantly from the direction of the kitchen/dining room.
"Don't want to keep Fuji-nee waiting," Shirou mused to himself with a small smile as he walked out of the laundry room and headed down the hall toward the dining room. Upon reaching the paper door Shirou slid it open and came face to face with a rather peeved woman. Said woman was currently donning a blue green spaghetti strapped dress over a yellow and black stripped shirt. Her hair was a light brown and reached down slightly past the nape of her neck but offered a better view of her chocolate brown eyes and slightly round face.
"You're late, I got tired of waiting for you," Taiga whined as she looked up from her bowl of white rice with a frown on her face.
"Sorry about that," Shirou apologized as he sat down at the table while slipping on his beige school top. "Wow Sakura-chan, you've really out done yourself this time," he said as he looked down at the spread on the table before him. After taking a bowl of rice that Sakura handed to him he promptly began to dig in before Taiga decided to speak up again.
"You know Sakura-chan you should stop spoiling him so much, otherwise he's going to take advantage of you," she berated as she popped a piece of fresh smoked salmon in her mouth.
"I'm not spoiling him. It's just that senpai looked tired, that's all," Sakura stated as she refilled Shirou's empty bowl and handed back to him.
"Besides, you're the one who comes over here everyday for breakfast and dinner. Aren't you really the one who's taking advantage of Sakura-chan?" Shirou shot back as he woofed down another bowl of rice.
"Well the only reason I come over here is because I can't leave you all alone," Taiga responded in a motherly tone as she popped another piece of salmon into her mouth. "I made a promise to your father that I would act as your parent until you became a splendid adult. That's why it's my duty to come over here and look…" Taiga stated before she was cut off.
"Wow Sakura-chan! It seems you've finally mastered the secret of making miso soup!" Shirou exclaimed as he continued to sip from the steaming bowl.
"It's only because you taught me so well senpai," Sakura responded with a blush forming on her cheeks.
"HEY LISTEN TO ME DAMN IT!" Taiga snapped as she slammed her hands down onto the table and glared at the pair who continued to ignore her. Seconds later Taiga rushed out of the house at a blinding speed.
"I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!" she cried out as she kicked up a choking cloud of dust behind her. "I still need to grade those test!"
Meanwhile Sakura and Shirou were busy washing and drying the morning's dishes. "Fujimura-sensei has been under a lot of pressure these past few days, hasn't she?" Sakura inquired trying to make small talk as she rolled up her sleeves and dunked her hands into the soapy water.
"I guess, oh well," Shirou stated with a small smile and a shrug as he dried another bowl and set it on the dish rack to dry with the others.
"Many victim's of last nights gas spill still remain in critical condition," sounded from television in the background which was currently displaying the early morning news. "According to the Fuyuki Police Dept. the cause of the spills is still unknown at this time."
"Again? There seems to be a lot of those gas spills in Shinto lately," Shiro stated with a frown forming on his face as he put another bowl on the rack.
"Well senpai we're done. Are you ready to head to school now?" Sakura inquired as she rolled down her sleeves and took of her pink apron.
"Sure, lets go," Shirou stated as he rolled down his sleeves and put the dish towel up.
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'It's hard to believe that I've known Sakura-chan this long,' Shirou thought to himself as he stole a glance at the lavender haired girl. Both were currently walking down an empty street past several identical houses. 'Even though she's the sister of a friend of mine I can't believe our relationship has been the way it is for so long. After I injured myself I was really appreciative when she came by to help me with the chores. Even so she comes by almost everyday to help me now a days,' Shirou continued to think to himself as they came to a cross walk and waited for the light to read walk. Suddenly a police car flew past with it's serine's blaring.
"What's happening senpai?" Sakura inquired as yet another police car flew by.
"I don't know," Shirou stated with a troubled expression on his face was he watched the cars head down the street. "Don't worry about it though, Sakura-chan."
"Alright," Sakura responded as the light turned green and they crossed the street.
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Upon arriving at Homura Academy Shirou immediately headed to the Student Government Office where his long time friend Issei Ryudo was currently waiting for his arrival. His raven haired friend had been waiting patiently reviewing some forms as he rocked in a cheap grey metal folding chair when Shirou popped his head through the door.
"Sorry I'm late," Shirou apologized with a goofy grin as he walked over toward an old heating system and pulled out his tools.
"Don't worry about it. As always, I appreciate your help," Issei stated as he looked up from the forms and corrected his sleek frames. The blue eyed boy seemed to be lost in his work due to the fact that he also had his laptop on.
"Ah don't worry about it," Shirou stated as he dug out a screw driver from his tool box.
"Unfortunately we have trouble with the distribution of school funds when it comes to clubs," Issei continued with a small sigh. "And the culture clubs are always treated poorly. One big problem is the shortage of stoves in the winter. Anyway, do you think you can fix it?" Issei inquired as he stopped typing and looked at Shirou skeptically.
"Ah, it's probably just a short-circuit problem with the wires," Shirou stated dismissively as he looked over the machine. "It should last this winter if we replace the wires with new ones."
"You're good Emiya," Issei stated with a smile as he pushed his glass back up his nose, "I'm happy I could count on you."
"Issei, you know you use some weird Japanese sometimes," Shriou stated with a small smile as he ran a hand over the machine. "Anyway, would you mind if I had a little privacy so I could concentrate," Shirou stated as he looked up his friend who simply smiled in response.
"Of course, it must be a delicate process. I won't bother you," Issei responded as he packed up his belongings and left the room.
'Well it is a delicate process,' Shirou thought to himself as he stared back at the machine and pressed his hand against it. 'But basically…" Shirou thought to himself as a magic circuit within his lighted up a pale green, 'It means I don't do it the normal way.' Closing his eyes and obtaining a 3-D view of the object and its inner workings Shirou was immediately able to identify the problem. 'So there are two electric heat lines disconnected. It'll still work, and all I need to fix it is some electrical tape,' Shirou thought to himself as he opened his amber eyes. Pulling out a wrench he set to work. 'I think dad said it when I was still a kid,' Shirou thought to himself with a small smile, 'I'm very talented at grasping and imagining the internal structure of objects. Unfortunately when it came to being I magician I pretty much had none.'
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"I'm done Issei," Shirou shouted as he ran up to catch up with his friend.
"Ah, that's great," Issei stated as he came to a stop and turned around to wait for his friend to catch up.
"It's almost time for homeroom," Shirou stated as he fell in step with Issei.
"Really? Sorry man," Issei apologized, "I suppose I would fail as a friend if I made you tardy for homeroom by asking you for a favor."
Shirou merely chuckled in response before both boys stopped dead in their tracks. Before Shirou was the schools number one idol Tosaka Rin, and she simply strode past him without one glace in the duo's direction. Shirou watched her head toward homeroom and Issei was about to comment before a shrill voice reverberated down the hall.
"Rin-chan! You almost forgot your lunch!" a red haired young woman wearing a typical school uniform shouted as she waved a small bentou box wrapped in a pink handkerchief in the air. She looked almost perfect aside from the bags under her eyes and the feral smirk on her face.
Rin stopped dead in her tracks and slowly turned to face the young woman who had called out her name. When her face came into view Shirou and Issei couldn't help but feel a chill run down their spine but the young woman that the deadly glare was locked on smiled unaffected.
"Really?" Rin inquired in a faux sweet tone of voice as she stalked toward the red head and snatched the bentou out of her hand and snarled at her.
"Oh Rin-chan! Don't be like that!" the red head stated with a sadistic smile. "You know your little Rehcra-chan only wants you to be happy and healthy even at the expense of her own necessity to sleep," Archer stated as Rin continued glare at the young woman, "Besides, you're the one who asked me to cook your meals for you. Although maybe you should let me sleep sometime!"
"Fine, I'm sorry okay?" Rin muttered through gritted teeth as she twirled on one foot and stomped back toward her homeroom.
"Wait Rin-chan! Don't you want to show me where OUR homeroom is," Archer inquired as she feel instep behind the enraged raven haired young woman.
Rin stopped dead in her tracks and once again slowly turned around to face to the young woman with her mouth agape and her eyes wide.
"OH! I didn't tell you? I signed myself up, ya' know so I can be close to you at all times?" Archer stated with an innocent smile on her face.
"I suppose that makes sense," Rin responded as she took a deep breath and calmed herself down. 'That makes a lot of since actually, now I don't have to worry about being caught off guard when I'm going home,' Rin thought to herself as she directed Archer toward their homeroom.
"Well that was odd. Normal Tosaka-san is the very essence of calm, cool, and collected but that new girl seems to have ruffled her feathers a bit," Issei stated as the pair walked into their homeroom. "No matter, I still don't like her," Issei stated as he took a seat at his desk and latched his black leather case to the side of the desk.
"Why's that?" Shirou asked although his mind was currently trying to grapple other thoughts. 'Who was that girl she was with? I've never seen her before, and she did have a really strange name. I wonder if it's British or something, she didn't really look Japanese,' Shirou thought to himself as his friend simply shook his head in response to his question.
"I don't know, although she's the idol of almost every guy in the school I still get this bad vibe off of her. Although, it might just be me so just ignore my little rant," Issei stated dismissively as he waved his hand.
"Alright," Shriou muttered with a nod as he left Issei's side and went to take a seat at his desk.
Seconds later Taiga came barreling into the room kicking up a cloud of dust behind her before losing her footing a falling head over heals onto the floor with a loud thud. She then laid there motionless.
"Whoa, do you think she's dead?" one of the students inquired from his desk.
"Nah, try poking her," another suggested.
"Huh? No, just do "that"," a female student stated.
"Yeah, let's do "that"!" another student shouted in agreement.
"Alright 1, 2, 3! WAKE UP TIGER!" a majority of the students shouted simultaneously.
Taiga immediately shot up and shouted "DON'T CALL ME TIGER!" while shaking a fist vehemently in the air.
Meanwhile Shirou simply sat at his desk with his head in his hands looking mortified as he released and exasperated sigh. 'This is getting a little out of hand,' he thought to himself.
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At noon, while other students ate their lunch, Rin made her way to the roof with Archer right behind her. "So have you been able to detect the movement of other servants?" Rin inquired as she made her way over to the gate at overlooked the school grounds.
"Now normally I would say that was a really stupid question considering my class, but amazingly enough I have a similar ability that reaches out farther then my normal ability to detect movement. I can detect those servants who've already been summoned, they're relative distance from us, and at close range I can determine some of their weaker Noble Phantasms," Archer stated as she walked up beside Rin and looked out over the grounds as well. "It seems to me that Caster, Assassin, Berserker, Lancer, and Rider have been summoned, and they are definitely in this area. Well except for Berserker who seems to residing on the outskirts of the city towards the mountains," Archer stated with a small frown.
"You're not a normal Archer are you? I thought only Caster could do something like that?" Rin inquired as she raised an eyebrow in skepticism.
"Hmm, I suppose I'm not and you're right. Normally only a Caster could do something like that," Archer thought to herself with an even deeper frown finding its way onto her face. "Well to be honest it would be a lot easier to answer your questions if I had my memories."
"Are you blaming me for that?" Rin deadpanned without bothering to look at the red head at her side.
"No, it's probably partially my fault, just like not being able to conceal my presence," Archer stated with a small sad smile. "I only offer constructive criticism Rin-chan, don't think that I seek to blame you for everything."
Rin stood silent for a moment before she turned around and began to walk off. "Come on, let's take a look around."
Meanwhile, Shirou and Issei was busy enjoying lunch in the Student Government office.
"Hmm, I'll take one of these," Issei stated as he picked up a meatball out of Shirou's bentou.
"Okay, but isn't your bentou a little plain?" Shirou inquired as he looked down at Issei's bentou with a frown. "I understand that you're the successor of a temple, doesn't that mean you're forbidden to eat meat?"
"It's not an anachronism like that," Issei responded dismissively as Shirou poured himself a cup of tea. "It's just my father's taste," he stated with a small prayer before he bit down on the meatball and began chewing. After swallowing he poured himself a cup of tea and cleared his throat. "Anyway, did you hear what happened in the second chome (area designation in Japan) this morning?" Issei inquired as he sipped his steaming cup of tea.
Images from earlier that morning flashed in Shriou's head as he set down his chopsticks and regarded his friend with concern evident in his eyes. "Oh yeah, what was that all about?" he asked.
"It was a homicide," Issei stated simply as he took another sip of his tea. "I don't know any of the specifics, but they say it was a break-in robbery. A four member family was assaulted. The weapon used sounded really odd…it was long, kind of like a daggers or small knives. But there's one that's even worse, apparently a family was assaulted by some type of shadow like specter. While there was no real evidence other than an eye witness report, the family was found dead in their homes and it seemed like toxic gas might have been what killed them. However since there was no gas leaking in the house the investigation team immediately ruled that out," Issei stated as he took another sip of tea. "Gas spill incidents seem to be happening everyday in Shinto, we have sword testing killer, a shadow killer, and curfew is going to get even high..."Issei was about to finish before Shirou slammed his hands on the table knocking over their respective lunches. "Is there something wrong Shirou?"
"So did they get the suspect in that homicide incident at least?" Shirou inquired with concern etched into his features.
"No," Issei responded darkly causing Shirou to gasp. "Don't even think that they're going to get him; they don't even have any clues." Looking in his friend's direction he noted the pained expression on the young man's face. "Are you okay Emiya-kun?" Issei inquired as Shirou raised his head to met Issei's navy blue eyes.
"I'm fine," Shirou stated with weary grin, "I guess I just got surprised hearing this all of a sudden."
"Sorry," Issei offered by way of apology.
"For what? Don't worry about it," Shirou stated as he cleaned up the mess he made by slamming his hands on the table.
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After school Shirou hopped on the bus and headed toward the convince store where he worked at. Unfortunately he was early so he decided to take a stroll around a familiar spot.
'Wow, this place is still the same,' he thought to himself as he walked down a narrow path full of dead and blackened trees. 'Nothings changed,' he continued to think to himself as he sat down on a wooden bench. 'Why is it like this? I can't accept this Dad. Why is it so hard?'
Flashback
"That's a difficult question," Kiritsugu stated as he continued to fan himself with a paper fan. He was currently donning a navy blue kimono as was a young Shirou who sat munching on a piece of watermelon watching the fireflys and looking at the night sky. "What you're saying is that you want to save everything, and why is that hard?" Kiritsugu inquired as he continued to fan himself.
"Dad you saved me when I was near-death," Shirou stated taking a moment to stop eating his watermelon, "So can't you do the same for everyone?"
"Saving one person means not being able to save another," Kiritsugu stated with a solemn expression on his face.
End Flashback
'I know; I can understand what dad meant to say,' Shirou thought to himself as he hefted a stack of wooden boxes through the store, 'However, I simply cannot accept it. Innocent people are dying everyday, and no matter how hard you try only a few of the many are ever saved.' 'That's so unfair,' he continued to think to himself as he laid a few bottles of whine on racks within a freezer. "It's not right that not everyone can be saved. So I…I...," Shirou thought to himself as he sat the last bottle onto the shelf. Taking off his apron and collecting his belongings Shirou slipped back on his beige school jacket and headed toward the door while saying his goodbyes. He then headed down the street on his way home.
As he continued on his trek through the suburbs on his way home he noted that no one was outside. "I guess that makes sense, especially with everything that's been going on lately," Shriou said to himself as he looked down another empty street. However, upon reaching the final leg of his journey he ran into a strange figure. Dressed in a purple coat, matching hat, a pair of violet boots, and white scarf the little girl that stood before him had a creepy angelic quality about her. Her long snow white hair extended down to small of her back and her pale skin was almost as white as her hair. Said girl stood before him with a warm smile on her face and began to approach him.
Briskly walking past him she whispered a few words with a the same smile still on her lips. "If you don't hurry up and summon your servant, you're going to die, Oniichan." With that said she continued quietly on her way down the street leaving a very puzzled Shirou in her wake.
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"Really Shirou-kun! A student like you shouldn't be out this late a night," Taiga stated in a reprimanding tone as she woofed down a bowl of rice.
"I had to work though!" Shirou countered as Sakura handed him a bowl of rice.
"You probably did someone else's too, right?" Taiga countered back with a feral grin.
"If someone's going to benefit from it why not!?" Shirou snapped causing the grin to fall off of Taiga's face.
"God Shirou, I don't know if I should call you a kind person or someone with a loser's attitude," Taiga muttered offhandedly, "Do you think you're Kiritsugu-san or something?" "Why are you always like this?"
"Um, excuse me Fujimura-sensei but has senpai always been like this?" Sakura inquired.
Taiga looked over at the frowning boy and watched him munch on some egg. "Yeah he's always been the type who can't leave a troubled person behind, and Shirou's particularly precocious. He even titled his elementary school essay "I want to be a protector of justice"."
"Wow, that's wonderful!" Sakura exclaimed with a clap of her hands and a warm smile.
"Yeah it's fine for a kid to say that, but unfortunately Shirou still serious about it even now," Taiga stated with a bored expression on her face as she waved a hand dismissively. "You know that's one of the reasons why I worry about…" Taiga started before Shirou got in her face.
"You know I'm going to get really angry if you keep saying stuff like that!" he hissed which in turn caused the older woman to back down in shock. As she tired to back away she bumped into some of the rolled up posters behind her.
"Hmm, what are those?" Shirou inquired forgetting about his outburst.
"Oh these?" Taiga inquired as she picked up one of the posters, got up, and rolled it out. "Just some of the extra poster's I got," she stated with a grin as Shirou observed it. The poster featured three men in either a sailor's uniform, military garb, or air force attire respectively and read "Self Defense Club! Now Recruiting!". "Anyway," Taiga stated drawing Shirou's attention away from the poster for a moment, "Since I had extra I thought I'd give one to you!"
Shirou immediately snatched the poster out of her hands and rolled it back up as his body shook with rage. "I don't want something like this!" he snapped as he tried to bring the poster down on Taiga head only to miss as she ducked and scooped up another silver poster. Taiga immediately countered by bringing her poster down on his head with a loud "DONG!"
The poster in Shirou's hands fell to the floor, Sakura gasped, Taiga smirked triumphantly, and Shirou simply glared at the older woman in disgust. "You're ten years too early to hit a Kendo five-dan like me!" Taiga stated with a feral grin.
"That's not the problem…" Shirou muttered as he tried to contain his rage. "What's wrapped inside of that poster?" he inquired as his body started shaking.
"OH! Sorry about that, I forgot this was the iron version I got for my store points!" Taiga exclaimed causing Sakura to gasp again.
"YOU MEAN IT'S FREAKIN' METAL!" Shirou bellowed as his eyes went wide.
"Senpai are you alright?" Sakura inquired as she watched the exchange with concern evident on her face. Needless to say the rest of the night was pretty subdued affair.
After dinner Shirou and company said there farewells and Taiga set out to walk Sakura home. Shirou then trekked across the back yard and entered the old warehouse where he pulled out two iron pipes and set them on the floor. "Trace…on," he muttered to himself as he closed his eyes and again the same pale green line lit up his magic circuit. "Basic substance defined. Material composition defined," Shirou thought to himself as his eyes slowly cracked open.
Flashback
'Dad told me a long time ago, that I was actually a magician.' Shirou thought to himself as the memory of his father and himself walking down a bridge together played through his head. In the water were several rectangular lanterns that glowed warmly in the cool night. 'He was telling the truth. Having learned numerous mystical subjects he fought against society's structure and problems and was a true born magician who helped people. I admired the person he was, and to me he was like a hero.'
'Even so, I don't have much talent for sorcery, nor do I have the magic mark that is proof that one is a magician. But I seem to have one sorcery that I can do pretty impressively, and if I just concentrate on improving that one skill one day I can be like dad. I can save others just like he saved me. I can keep my oath to use my talents to help others and I can be come the protector of justice.'
End Flashback
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"What do you think?" Rin inquired as she stood on the roof of a skyscraper looking down at the night scene below. She was currently donning the same outfit she had worn when she summoned Archer who also stood at her side sporting her usual garments. "This place has a good view right?" she asked and Archer simply nodded her head in response.
"It probably would have been better to come up here in the first place, instead of doing all of that walking," Archer deadpanned.
"What are you talking about? All you gather from up here is a view of the city," Rin stated with a frown. "I mean you can't even grasp the arrangement of the city unless you actually go there."
"Not quite master," Archer stated with a feral smirk, "Papa thought me a useful technique."
"Papa?" Rin inquired with a frown as she raised a weary eyebrow. "How old are you Archer?"
Archer simply frowned in response to the question before whistling nervously.
"Don't make me use a command spell," Rin warned with a frown as the emerald eyed girl released an exasperated sigh.
"I think I was sixteen, possibly seventeen, I really don't know," Archer admitted before adding, "But that's beside the point." Ignoring the look of shock in Rin's green eyes she continued, "Anyway, like I was saying. While it isn't possible for me to see great distances, it is possible for me to get a detailed view of those things in relatively close range. Like I can see that family of three eating dinner it that window over there."
Rin followed the girl's finger to a skyscraper a ways off into the distance. Shaking off the shock of the young woman's earlier admission Rin's eyed her skeptically before asking, "Really?"
"Yes," Archer stated as they leapt off of the building and flew glided through the night sky. "I already know you're trying to test me Master. Even though you kind of botched the summoning I can tell you're still a superior master."
"You're quite perceptive," Rin stated with a smirk.
"Whatever Master," Archer countered with a smirk of her own, "I just hope you're ready for what's about to happen in this city."
"You too," Rin warned forbiddingly.
"Are you kidding? I live for this shit!" Archer said with a smug smile which promptly fell to an apologetic grin once she notice Rin's icy glare. "Sorry, I think I heard someone say that once. I just thought it sounded cool," Archer apologized sheepishly as she heard Rin mutter something unflattering about teenagers and Servants.
To Be Continued
Author's Note: Wow! This has to be one of the longest opening chapters I have ever written! But most of it is just taken from the game and anime anyway….riiiight. Okay, well don't judge the story too harshly yet because the major plot alterations only start up after chapter 2 or so, so please be patient. Also, for those of you who know who Midori's/Archer's father is kudos, unless of course you played the game or looked it up somewhere. Anyway, good luck trying to guess who her mother is but I'll give you a hint she is part of Shirou's harem.
On a side note this story will be loosely based on the Heaven's Feel arc of the game with snipits from other arcs as well as some slight mentions of Tsukihime in season 2 which will lead to another fan fic. Overall this will be an original take on the story and I promise to make Shirou a badass by the end of it! Anyway, as always please review and feel free to flame.