A/N: THIS STORY WOULD NOT LEAVE ME ALONE SO I WROTE IT. THANK YOU.

DISCLAIMER: ALL OF THE CHARACTERS IN THIS STORY AREN'T MINE. OBVIOUSLY.


The Holy Grail fled from its failed attempt to incorporate the Chaos Lord into its grasp. Angra Mainyu had taken what power it had left and hurled itself across space-time in a desperate effort to flee from the Chaos Lord that it had failed to assimilate.

I was too arrogant, thought the Grail, far too arrogant. I must sustain my essence quickly or I shall become non-existent, I cannot keep tumbling across space-time or the gods shall erase my existence. Damn it! I was so close, the fluke of that devil woman's power had so much potential and yet, the time from which I came is slowly eclipsing! I must find a path . . . a doorway to make my existence manifest itself to bring true evil upon the world! MY PURPOSE SHALL COME TO FRUITION! Angra Mainyu shall rise to power!

The gateway shook. No! Damn you, Servant of Kiritsugu! You shall pay for what you did to me! I was so close, and then that space-time power! MY UNBOUND EXISTENCE SHALL NOT BE FOR NAUGHT!

The essence of the Holy Grail froze as it looked into the world of multiple possibilities and plunged into the most suitable form. He briefly observed the multiverse with the regression models moving around King Artura, Matou Sakura, and Emiya Shirou. From the aggregate mean, the Holy Grail took a sample of space-time events from the edges and made its decision.

THERE IS NO TIME LEFT!

He plunged. One in which Emiya Shirou wasn't quite strong in his ties with Matou Sakura, Illyasviel von Einzbern, and Rin Tohsaka.

The Holy Grail successfully assimilated itself with the in-world version of itself from the time-space ripple distortion and began a modified and far more dangerous Holy Grail War.

In an alternate timeline in which a young Emiya Shirou went to a church for solace after his adopted father's death and befriended a young woman named Hortensia Caren.


"Hello, what seems to be the matter?" said Caren, placing the broom aside and walking up to the young boy crying in the front bench of the church. The young boy froze and began to hastily wipe away his tears before tensing. Both of them paused before the boy turned around and ran for the door.

Caren ran forward and grabbed his left elbow before he could leave. "Please wait, don't go just yet."

Father told me to always watch for strays in case they show up

The boy tried to run, Caren held steadfast on her grip, and felt herself tugged off her feet as she fell face first onto the floor. The footsteps of the boy paused. Caren rubbed her aching forehead and got to her knees. Her yellow eyes gazed upon the tear streaked red haired boy. The boy was shaking in his place.

"I . . . I . . ." began the boy before turning back around and making a break for the church door.

Caren frowned. What should I do? I don't blame him, it was an obvious accident, he isn't at fault, but how can I keep him from running? Should I just wait until Father returns? No . . . if I am to become a valued member of the Church, I must help people who come my way. God helps those who help themselves.

She ran toward the slowly closing door and swung it forth. She spotted the boy sprinting away into the dark forest. She jumped down the cobble stairs to move faster and ran toward the boy. The boy turned and froze in surprise. Caren took advantage of his hesitance by grabbing his left arm with both her hands and holding on tightly. Her fingers pressed hard on his elbow.

"Please," said Caren, taking a pause to clear her breathing. "Please, don't go."

"I'm . . . I'm sorry! I just, I was in a rush and I . . . I didn't mean it . . ." said the red-haired boy.

"Don't worry, it isn't your fault," said Caren smiling in order to ease his hesitation.

The moved the sleeve of his other hand to his face and began wiping his eyes. Caren tugged his arm and the boy finally complied and walked with her to the church steps. Caren sat on the last step and motioned for the boy to sit next to her. The red-haired boy moved to sit by her right and kept his gaze downward.

"It is my fault," said the boy, "I . . . I really am sorry, I just . . . I don't really know why I came here."

Caren inched closer to the boy. "I honestly don't blame you. It was a mistake and mistakes will always happen for we humans because we are born sinners who cannot help our human nature. You've already expressed remorse and I don't doubt your intentions. So tell me, why were you crying?"

I want to get straight to the point. I must become a valued member of the Church. I don't simply want to be here because of nepotism.

"My father died a week ago," said the red-haired boy. Caren's eyes widened and she frowned. "I don't have anyone else. A neighbor comes by to help me out but it's not the same. I don't want to go to the authorities because some friends at school tell me bad things happen to children brought up in adopted homes. There was this one kid I heard about who was killed by his adopted parents before the end of the school year in the last school year. And, I'm just afraid . . ."

"Of being alone?"

He shook his head. His shoulders began to tremble and tears streaked down his face once more. "My dad was everything to me and now I feel like I just don't matter. Like, nobody would really care if I was gone, like that kid from last year. People would just go on without me. And I . . . I just want to feel like I matter to others. I want to prove that I matter, you know? Sometimes, I wish I could be a hero who was saving everyone, so that I would matter to everyone. But . . . I guess you think I'm stupid now, right?"

"Not at all," said Caren, shaking her head. "I kind of understand it, actually. I've always wanted to prove myself so that I could matter to my dad. Is there anything that you want to do to prove to yourself that you can do it?"

The red-haired boy frowned and shook his head. "I just . . . want to matter to other people. That's all. I always feel like I'm empty inside now. Like . . . I'm not real or that I'm not really here."

"My dad once told me that he felt something like that," said Caren, "He said it felt like . . . he lacked a sense of self."

"That's a good way of putting it, yeah," said the boy nodding.

Caren's eyes widened. Is he like father? Well, maybe . . . I can help fix him. I don't think I can ever change father, if mother couldn't. But, I really want to fix whatever is wrong with him. I can't with father, but maybe I can with this boy?

Caren grinned. "Everyone feels like that sometimes. Even me." It's true enough, some people are just worse than others with it. Like father . . .

"Really?" said the boy. He turned to face Caren. The boy's eyebrows rose.

"Yeah," said Caren, holding onto the boy tighter. "Hey, how about this, if you come by during the weekdays and Sundays after Church, you can help me out with the cleaning? We're always in need of volunteers. Oh, and if you want, I could come to your house and play with you. I would have to ask my dad if it's okay, but I don't think that he would mind."

The boy's eyes shined and he smiled. "Sure!"

"So," began Caren, "Um . . . what is your name?"

"Oh, it's Emiya," said the boy, "Emiya Shirou."

Caren froze and gapped at him. No, I won't run away from this. This actually makes me more interested in finding out what makes him feel this way. I can fix him, maybe I can't fix father, but I think I have a chance with someone my own age.

"I'm Hortensia Caren," said Caren, smiling. "It's nice to meet you, Shirou-kun."


YEARS LATER

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Shards of ice flew at him as he jumped away in time to avoid being impaled into the wall. Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!

Shirou got back to his feet and kept running as the high-pitched female laughter continued.

"You cannot run forever, little boy," said the Servant, as she leisurely watched her prey. The bluish-white hair blew along with the cold, night breeze. "Once I catch you, I'll be sure to have my fun with you! Oh, I wonder how much I can do before I can hear your moans and screams as I take out your entrails?"

"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" shouted Shirou, "And I already told you, I come from a mage family, you don't have to kill me!"

"Oh, I already knew that," said the Servant, she giggled. Shirou gaped at her. "I just want to have some fun! I've been so bored here and I've just been itching for a fight since being resurrected for the Holy Grail War."

She summoned ice shards and hurled them at him once again. Shirou ran inside the building but quickened his pace as he saw the hallways slowly being submerged in ice with ice shards shooting towards him from the ground.

OH, WHAT THE FUCK?!

The Servant giggled as she began to slowly walk towards the entrance of the school until a light from the night sky brightened and began to shine brighter. The Servant turned her head toward the ever brightening light.

"What? . . . Oh shit!" yelled the woman as a fiery cross slammed into her.

A small fissure and fiery explosion burned around where she had stood. A miniature mushroom ballooned around before suddenly vanishing into mist as the female servant stood unfazed and grinned at the approaching enemy.

The new arrival let out a whistle. "You're pretty good to have detected and blocked that in time. And using ice powers? This should be quite a fun fight."

The bluish-white haired woman grinned and pointed her sword towards the shirtless man. "A weakling has come to challenge me? I can't wait to cut you to pieces and bathe in your blood."

"Weakling?" said the shirtless man, moving his hand to place his hat more securely on his head. "Well, I've been called far worse. May I please have your name or if not, then your servant class?"

"Heh, I don't fear anyone knowing who I am, unlike maggots," said the woman, bending her knees and straightening the posture of her sword arm. "I am Lady Esdeath, I use to be the top general of my empire and brought my kingdom to victory numerous times throughout my reign in the military. I am also known for my cruelty, my grotesque torture methods, and my desire for strength so that I may prove I am the strongest. I wear all the negative rumors about me proudly, as they're proof that my philosophy on life is right. The strong live and the weak die, that's just how the world works."

"A good sentiment, I actually couldn't agree more. Although, I think it's pretty tragic, but I'm not complaining," said the black-haired man, he pulled his right arm back and formed a fist. "Anyway, since you've been so forthcoming, I feel it's only fair I tell you about myself. I was nicknamed Fire Fist Ace, commander of the second division of the Whitebeard Pirates, real name is Portgas D. Ace. I died because I let my pride get the better of me. The only part of my death that I really regret was further putting my loved ones in danger because I acted rashly. And, that's about it."

"Well, portass, I'm going to put your head on a mantle after I'm done having my way with you," said Esdeath, she licked her lips and her feet began to tremble. Ace snorted. "And for your information, I'm the Saber class of this grail war."

"Ah, well, I'm the Archer class." replied Ace.

"Hah! Then you must suck at close combat!" said Esdeath charging up to him and impaling the sword through his sternum. "You're quite the idi . . . Wait, wha-?"

A small blot of fire encircled the area where she had stabbed. Her eyes widened as she turned her head up to see Ace's mischievous grin.

"Nope, sorry," said Ace, as his fist hand was engulfed in flames. "HIKEN!"

"Aw, shi -"

A torrent of raging fire engulfed Esdeath's body and blasted her across the racetrack of the schoolyard. The area where she landed demystified to show various ice walls melting around her. She glared at the grinning Ace.

"I will make you suffer for humiliating me like that, you rabid dog!" said Esdeath, summoning ice swords and hurling them at Ace.

Ace reared back his fist. "Kagerou!"

The projectiles evaporated upon contact with Ace's fire stream. "Sorry, Lady Mcdeath, but your ice attacks won't do much against a fire user like me."

Esdeath's shoulders shook. She giggled and then began to laugh aloud. "Well then! I'll just step it up a notch! I'll prove that a worthless dog like you cannot hope to face a proud general like me!"

Esdeath raised her arm and a giant ball of ice manifested itself and began floating above her. Ace grinned.

"Well, if it's a challenge between powers that you want," said Ace, raising his hand in the sky. "Entei!"

A ball of massive fire began to burn brightly above him. He launched it at Esdeath. Esdeath grinned and launched her ice ball at Ace's attack. The two attacks collided causing the entire area to shake and for bits of ice and fire to spatter across the grounds and into the windows. Walls became scorched by fire or shredded by ice projectiles. The area began to shake as the mist intensified.

"Makahadoma!" shouted Esdeath. Now is the perfect opportunity! The idiot fell for it!

Ace gasped in shock as a sword hilt pierced through his chest from behind him. Blood spattered onto the ground and leaked from the blade. The ground trembled as the previous ice-fire attack began to dissipate in an explosive stream of fire and ice.

"You lose, you pathetic weakling," said Esdeath behind him, grinning and licking her lips, "I had a hunch that making a wet sheet of ice on the blade would allow me to pierce you. I was right, water is your weakness. Too bad that fire isn't mine. Now, I'll rip you apart and-"

"Damn, I definitely underestimated you," said Ace, the burning in his chest moved up through his esophagus and he coughed out blood. Shit, this is bad, I guess my own death didn't change me from being careless. "Gkuh, Graaaah!"

An invisible blue wave of willpower engulfed the area and Esdeath fell over unconscious. Ace fell to his knees and spread fire throughout his chest to let the wet sword fall off his back. "Damn, wish I could control it better, if only I had known I had it when I was alive, but at least it helps in tight spots."

"Archer, what was that burst of power?" asked Rin, running up to the two fallen combatants.

"My Noble Phantasm, I can't really control it because I never realized I had it in life," said Ace, turning to face her. "but it allows me to knock out opponents with a weaker willpower than me when I'm in a pinch."

"Shit!" said Ace, before launching toward Rin by transforming his legs into fire and grabbing her to shoot up in the sky. Rin was about to admonish him but then looked down and noticed that the enemy servant had vanished.

"Where could she be?" said Rin aloud. They stared at each other in realization. "The school!"


"Damn it!" shouted Shirou, as he rose from the floor. To think that trying to stay out of the fucking magi war and go to school early would lead to me being in more danger.

He let out an aggravated sigh as the oppressive tightening in his chest finally lessened. "I refuse to be killed by some psychopathic Servant. I will accomplish my goals and obligations. Absolutely nothing will stand in my way!"

Shirou began to mutter the ancient tongue and placed his bloody hand on the floor. The magic sparkled around him before forming a giant circle made from his blood. I'm sorry, Caren. But it looks like I have to be involved in this shithole of a war, after all. I hope that you can forgive me . . .

Shirou took out a pendant that he wore. He sighed. Hopefully, this piece of magecraft shall do.

He threw it above the circle and began the incantation with his bloody hand outstretched.

A ball of fire incinerated the large windows of the school and slammed a short distance away from Shirou just as the summoning circle engulfed the area in blinding light.

"Good evening, my Master," spoke a rhythmic and proud voice, a dark cape covering the summoned Servant's body. "I was once known as the bloodthirsty King of Fear, King of Carnage and Atrocity, Conqueror of all the Netherworlds, of Earth, and the entire galaxy, and most noticeably known as Tyrant."

"However! I prefer to be known as the Symbol of Fear, and despite all the cute titles, what I should be known for is . . . " said the Servant, the arms moved outstretched towards the air followed by the bellowing of a cape. ". . . the POWER OF SARDINES!"

Shirou gaped at the man who emerged from the shining light. Just what the hell did I summon?

"You see, thanks to the power of sardi - oh, we have company! I'll carry on this conversation later."

Shirou facepalmed. "You didn't even tell me your name!"

"Oh, right," said the Servant. Shirou noticed the bat-like cape, victorian style attire, and fangs. "my name is Valvatorez - I'm usually referred to as Tyrant Valvatorez or Lord Valvatorez but for the purposes of the Holy Grail War and our newfound camaraderie, just Valvatorez will do. I prefer not to go by fancy titles. May I have your name?"

"Emiya Shirou," deadpanned Shirou, turning to see the shirtless man with fire emanating from his body walking closer to them.

"Well, Emiya Shirou," said Valvatorez, brandishing an o-katana and stepping toward the other Servant. "As a proud and noble demon, I promise to win you the Holy Grail War!"

"Uh, actually," began Shirou, "I just want to survive, I don't really care about winning."

"What? That's ridiculous! Why join the war at all?" said Valvatorez, briefly gazing back at Shirou, "War is no joking matter. You shouldn't have summoned me on a whim."

"I didn't! I was attacked by a Servant who nearly killed me," said Shirou, "I have goals and this is the best way to survive as I can't risk being hounded and murdered by the whims of a Servant."

"Hmm . . . very well," replied Valvatorez, "I'll do my best to see that you survive this war. That is my promise to you and I always strive to do my best in keeping my promises."

"A sword?" questioned Ace, walking towards them. "Are you another Saber class?"

"Ah, not at all," said Valvatorez, "I'm the Beast class for this war."

Ace raised an eyebrow. "Beast class? Seems rather odd. Well, time to get this over with."

A blue pulse of willpower engulfed the school corridor. Shirou was knocked unconscious and landed onto the ground in a thud. Valvatorez gritted his teeth but remained standing. Ace froze.

"My attack didn't knock you out?!" said Ace. His eyes widened.

Valvatorez smiled. "Sorry, but you'll have to do better than that."

"Alright, let's try this . . ." said Ace, rearing his fist back, "HIKEN!"

"Oh damn i-" said Valvatorez before the fire burned his body and blasted him onto the far wall.

"Fuuuuck!" shouted Valvatorez, the fire burned his skin and his wings. It began to spread across his body.

He dropped and rolled on the ground as the fire slowly burned out. He hissed as the fire slowly receded and died out. He scowled and slowly got to his feet to face the other Servant.

"Fire's your weakness? Well, this should be easier for me," said Ace, looking toward Shirou, who remained sprawled eagle style on the ground. He raised his head to look at the vampire and put his fingers in a cross shape. "We were just trying to make sure the kid was safe, but since he's summoned a Servant, that changes everything. I'm afraid whatever ambitions you have will end here."

Valvatorez brought his sword down vertically and shot a crescent strike at Ace. Ace shot his cross fire and allowed it to collide with the other attack. His eyes widened as he witnessed the vampire suddenly in front of him and slashing his sword diagonally across Ace's sternum.

"Sorry, but that won't - what the?!" shouted Ace as he was blasted backwards and fell to the ground. A magic infused sword strike? Damn it, I really need to be more cautious. Aw, fuck . . .

Ace spat out blood as the wound from Saber Esdeath worsened. Not good, I might actually get killed right here if I don't back out now . . . but I . . .I don't want to run away from an opponent! But, damn it, this is too similar to the situation that got me killed. I need to back down . . .

Valvatorez transformed himself into a dark mass of bats and grabbed Shirou before smashing through the glass window above to fly into the night sky.

"Archer, return, I can tell that you're injured and this has been a fairly productive day so far," said Rin, Ace returned to astral form and into Rin's mana supply to recover. "So, Emiya Shirou is a challenger in the grail war. I'll have to keep an eye out for him and Shinji. Damn it, I really wanted to avoid hurting Sakura . . . I hope she can forgive me for what I'll have to do, assuming Shinji is also in the war."