Rin Tohsaka was slightly annoyed by everything at the moment. Her father had gone on and on about the Holy Grail War. He said it was dangerous. That it was only for experienced magus. She was to pack up her things and leave. She had done that, only taking out things to study or entertain herself when she felt like it until they had to leave. She didn't really see the reason. This was a war between magus. If they had any sense of honor, they would keep it between themselves. A part of her wanted to come along with her father in this war.

Rin wanted nothing more then to impress her dear father. Yet he denied her that. It was irksome. She was a true magus. Just a small young one, but still. She'd show him and then she'd show Sakura and-

Rin looked away from her book. She idly pulled out a little picture from underneath her pillow. "Sakura…." She frowned as she traced her sister's face. She wasn't supposed to be upset with how things went. Being a magus meant that you had to sacrifice in order to achieve something. Her sister, no she wasn't her sister anymore, Sakura needed to leave in order for their to be a stable magus household and future.

That didn't mean it didn't hurt any less.

What happened next made her eyes widened. Suddenly, the picture seemed to be yanked away by nothing. Rin opened her mouth to shout, before she yelped when a large snake appeared on her book. She quickly threw it away, only for the snake to vanish. A feminine voice chuckled.

"Such an excitable human~ You are so cute, I could just eat you up."

Rin shook, "Who-Whoever you are, prepare yourself. I am a magus and… and I can fight you." A paw appearing on her shoulder made her scream and scramble away.

Suddenly, a bipedal fox like creature appeared on the bed. It was snickering, "Such a cute reaction. Children are my favorite to mess with."

Rin glared at the creature, standing up to face her. "Are… are you a kitsune?"

The creature chuckled, "No, but we are similar. I am a pokemon. A Zoroark and I am your father's friend's servant in the Holy Grail War."

"Father's friend…" Rink blinked in confusion before scrunching up her face in agitation. "Oh that creepy guy."

The creature servant stared at her for a moment before chuckling, "He is creepy but I'm sure he has some good in him. You can call me Assassin. I take it you are the Rin I've been hearing about, hmm?"

Rin eagerly nodded, "Yep. I'm going to be head of the Tohsaka lineage one day and you better believe I'm going to be a good magus when I grow up. Just you watch."

Assassin's grin only grew, "I'm sure." She then idly looked at the picture in her hand,"Is this your sister?"

Rin went rigid at that, "I… I don't have a sister. Now give it back."

Assassin frowned at the child's action, "You don't have a sister? Then who is this?"

"Give it back," Rin held out a hand, glaring at the servant.

Assassin sighed. It wasn't her business but a part of her felt a flood of compassion for this child. She had seen and even experienced what the loss of a loved one did to a person. "I'm sorry," she held out the picture, which Rin snapped out of her hand quickly. "I didn't mean to upset you."

"Well you did, Assassin." Rin huffed and crossed her arms.

"Sooo," Assassin picked up the book Rin was reading, hoping to go on to other topics. "What are you reading?"

Rin snatched the book just as quickly as she had the picture, "General magus stuff. I have to know this stuff if I want to be as great as dad one day."

"Seems like a lot of work," Assassin spoke. "How about you take a break and we can have a bit of fun."

Rin narrowed her eyes, "I dunno…"

"Come on," Assassin grinned. "I promise you'll enjoy it." When Rin nodded, Assassin patted her head.


Archer couldn't help but look at her hands as she was deep in thought. She idly squeezed them to prove to herself that this was all real. That she was a servant in this Holy Grail War. A part of her hated to think of that. All she had wanted was to destroy these selfish and destructive people and now she was forced to work for them. She had to calm herself with the knowledge that she would get her wish. She would see Setsuna again, alive and in the flesh. Setsuna deserved another chance in a world that she could be happy. Archer would make sure that would become a reality.

So she would play along and win this Holy Grail War. She was confident in her abilities. Although, she had noticed she wasn't as strong as she was before. She pondered if it had something to do with the fact that no one knew who she was. Her powers did tend to come from the audience's reaction to her. She would need to gain some affection from the populace if she wanted to regain more strength. For now, what she had would suffice.

She narrowed her eyes. Suffice wouldn't cut it. When she had summoned all of those characters, they had so many abilities and qualities that would have posed a threat had she not been the one pulling the strings. She wasn't anymore. The Grail was and it no doubt wouldn't want her to get that powerful again. Her hands clenched. She would secure that power again for her own wish. None would stand in the way of it, even if she had to be a servant to some scheming human.

She hadn't much gotten to learn much of her master yet. A part of her didn't want to get to know him. Once this whole war was over, she'd never see him again. That would be good for her. So she just had to prepare herself for the upcoming 'show' with Assassin.

At that moment, a small burst of bright red magic appeared before her and someone shouted 'Boo'.

Had Archer been in her own world, she wouldn't have reacted. Nothing could faze her. Well, almost nothing and even then she could surpass it. Here, she wasn't so sure and delving into that train of thought had left her slightly uneasy. Which is why she took a step back and prepared to summon her swords before she heard giggling. She turned her head to see a young Rin behind her who was laughing into her hands, "What are you trying to do?"

"Scare you," Rin said. "Assassin's teaching me ways to use my magic differently to spook people."

Altair just stared at her, "And why would you want to do that?"

"Because I love learning new types of magic," Rin honestly answered. "If I can master Assassins skills, I'd be a formidable mage. Seems like I'm a natural, which I'm not surprised with."

Archer sighed, "While it was a commendable try, it is not wise to startle those that can kill you with ease. It is also rude."

Rin bowed her head, "I am sorry, Archer. I'll try and limit it to Kirei." Her voice and smirk told her that the little girl would like nothing better than to mess with the priest. She would allow that. Kirei wasn't to her liking so let the little girl torment him. "Speaking of-" A loud crash was heard from Tokiomi's room.

Archer sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose, "I really wish I had my old companions back. I would even take another friendship speech."

"Who are you talking about?" Rin asked.

Altair stared at the child. She was a human, just like all of them, yet… she was a child. She hadn't had much of a chance to see or talk with children but there was something about them that made her a bit more at ease. They did not possess the hatred or selfishness to the degree of their elders. It was there, but it hadn't birthed the monstrous gods that they would one day turn into. For now, Rin was an innocent child and a part of her wanted Rin to stay like that forever. "No one… they are gone." She put her hand on Rin's head and awkwardly patted it, unsure if that was something you do with a child. "Keep practicing."

Rin smiled and nodded, "I will."

With that, she turned into a spirit. Servants were basically spirits anyways so they could change back and forth. With that, she dematerialized in her master's room. She looked to see Tokiomi picking himself up and several files and his chair knocked over. A chuckling Assassin rushed out of the room.

"Kirei needs to restrain that servant of his," Tokiomi huffed and then looked to Archer. "Are you prepared for the plan, Archer?"

Archer nodded, "It will be simple really. The only issue is if the rest of the masters will buy it."

"They will," Tokiomi smiled. "Have faith, Archer."

Archer simply stared at him for a moment, "You mustn't have faith in humans. They will only disappoint you." With that, she left the room. "You will not be disappointed by my actions in this war. Have not faith for them, but know them to be a fact."


Archer waited patiently for her compatriot to get to work. She was actually impressed with the speed and ferocity that Assassin employed when destroying the protective crystals. If it wasn't with her foreclas, it was with small balls of dark energy. All of this was done with such swift precision and speed that a normal human would have trouble keeping up with. Even though Archer was annoyed by her childish antics, she was glad to have someone so skilled on her side in this war. It still wouldn't mean much in the end since she was going to be the victor.

She wasn't looking forward to it, but that was life. She didn't hate Assassin. None of the servants were really anything like what she had experienced before. They were not gods but they were not creations. They were plucked from other worlds so they weren't worth the hatred. Though, she didn't hate all of them. Blitz had been a dear friend and the others… she felt a slight bit of regret but crushed that feeling. This was now, not then.

Just as Assassin reached for the main crystal, a summoned sword smashed into the ground near her. Archer raised herself up into the air and stared down at Assassin with her arms crossed, "I take it you are Assassin?"

Assassin grinned, "Wouldn't you like to know~"

Archer narrowed her eyes and raised a hand. Several more swords appeared above her, "I had hoped to find a challenge with the Assassin class. One that prides themselves with their skill of deception. Yet all I see before me is a impulsive death seeker." With that said, she sent a hail of swords at Assassin.

Assassin wasn't done yet. She jumped out of the way and shot a ball of dark energy at Archer. Archer raised her other hand and a shield of swords appeared before her and blocked the blast. Assassin tried to then jump for the window, but Archer caught her, piercing her hide with so many swords that the surrounding area and her included were shredded into dust.

Archer stared at the place for a moment with narrowed eyes. 'This trick won't work for long. I have no doubt that we will deal with a number of servants that can pick up Assassin. I hope our masters make the most of this.'


Tokiomi smiled as he swirled his wine glass, "Everything is going just as planned."

Archer appeared not but a few feet away from him. In her hands were a saber and what appeared to be a machine gun, which she seemed to actually be playing like a violin. Tokiomi could even hear the sweet melodious music, "Do not get your hopes up so soon. We have much to prepare for."

"Of course, Archer." Tokiomi bowed his head. His Archer was no Gilgamesh, but she possessed abilities and powers that he found most useful. The same could be said of Assassin's deceptive illusions. Even he had to remind himself that she had only faked her death. "Until the need arises, I think it would be best if you would lay low. We don't want to give all of our tricks away so early in the war."

"No we wouldn't," Archer dismissed her gun and saber and walked off. "I do so hope you don't waste this opportunity, Tokiomi. For I too wish for the Grail and I will not have you deny me my wish."

"You will have your wish, Archer." Tokiomi said to the retreating servant. "There is no doubt about that."

Archer stopped at the door and then peered back at him with narrowed eyes. A sigil appeared around her and several swords were sent crashing through the window. Tokiomi ducked as several came close to piercing him. He was about to say something before he heard squeals from the woods around him, "Not all of the servants were watching us and those that did know how feeble your defenses are. How do you think you'll truly fare in this war? Prove yourself to me." With that she stepped out of the room.

Tokiomi sighed and looked at the destroyed window. He would need to get that fixed as well as the magic crystals. 'My servant will also need to be watched more closely. She might prove to be a bit more trouble in the future.'


Out of all the characters, I hope I am doing Archer some justice and such. You will see the other servants and their reactions come next chapter. With the larger cast and new arrivals, a lot of this will be a bit slow as to flesh them out. I hope you enjoy the interactions and pace thus far.

Please don't forget to comment as they are very much appreciated and help with with this fic dearly. Until next time, I hope you all fare well.