CHAPTER 10:

CONFRONTATION IN RYUUDOU TEMPLE

Taiga, Harry and Mordred watched as Shirou and Arturia sparred in the Emiya dojo. Harry knew that Arturia was holding back immensely, but even so, for Shirou to do this well was impressive. Then again, the Fujimuras occasionally trained Shirou in kendo, mixed in with Mordred's brutal swordplay. "If you're gonna be a Hero of Justice," Mordred had said at the time, "you're gonna have to learn how to kick some arse!"

Harry could confidently say that he was actually a better swordfighter than Shirou. This was partly his mother's influence, but also because of Mordred. But Shirou was pretty good, though he was a better archer.

As Shirou was knocked onto his arse, Arturia frowned. "I guess I should not be surprised that I see much of Mordred's style in you," she said.

"Hey, whatever he needs to do to survive, Father," Mordred said with a shrug. "Not every opponent is gonna be chivalrous. Besides, it's not all me. Some of that's Mum's influence. She's a monster with a shinai. They called her the Tiger of Fuyuki."

"Mordred…what have I told you about calling me that?" Taiga asked, in a dangerous tone of voice.

"The better question is, do I care? Father's the only one here capable of spanking me, y'know," Mordred bragged.

"Do you think Rider will be a problem again, though? I mean, I know she claimed Sakura was her Master…but I'm not sure I believe it," Taiga said, deciding to change the subject.

"Medusa confirmed that it was Sakura, but that Zouken used a Mystic Code to hand over control to Shinji," Harry said. "For now, we can count on her to ally with us, or at least stay out of the Grail War for now. Meaning our biggest problems are Berserker, Lancer, Caster, and Assassin."

Arturia nodded. "Particularly Caster and Assassin. Berserker is a major threat, and we can't discount Lancer, but we know their identities and thus something of their skillsets. However, Caster and Assassin are both very dangerous, doubly so given that we don't know their identities."

"We have some clues as to Caster's," Harry said. "If Rin is right, then Caster may be a Magus of Ancient Greek origin. I did some searching after Rin said some names, and of those two, Circe and Medea are the most concerning. Of course, it might be a misconception, but in the unlikely event that we encounter her, we use those names and gauge her reaction."

"Though it is doubtful that she will answer to her true name, should it be exposed," Arturia mused. "Speaking of magecraft…I have to confess, I was told by Shirou that it is largely thanks to you that he has a good supply of mana to give to me. Apparently Kiritsugu taught him an incorrect method to use magecraft."

"The moron was using his own nerves to create new magic circuits every time," Mordred scoffed. "Painful, potentially lethal, and frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if Kiritsugu taught him that method deliberately to try and deter him from using magecraft."

Harry nodded. "Shirou's ability to use magecraft is highly specialised too. His element and origin, Rin learned, are the same thing: Sword. It means he's pretty much unable to use any magic, save for three fairly basic spells: Structural Analysis, Reinforcement, and Projection. Admittedly, I'm not much better at magecraft, and only know a few other Magus spells, though wizarding spells are another matter."

Arturia raised an eyebrow. "Shirou, may I see?"

Shirou smiled. "Sure." He closed his eyes, and murmured, "Trace On." Blue light coalesced around his hand, before forming into a tanto. "It fades after a while, but you can certainly fight with it. I've been practising for quite a while now, though it's only been in the last few months that I realised that my Projection is really good with anything like a sword, a knife, or a spear."

"Hey, Shirou," Taiga asked. "Do you think you could, I dunno, copy a Noble Phantasm or something?"

"…Well, possibly, but it'd probably be a bigger drain. You see, when I Project a blade, I don't just copy the materials. I also copy the 'experience' of the wielder that accumulates in the objects. Something like Excalibur or Clarent would be taxing at the very least. Though…well, it's weird. It's almost like I know them somehow already, like there's a part of my soul where they rest."

"Well, you've had Avalon in you ever since the Fuyuki Fire, right?" Taiga asked. "I mean, maybe that's why Excalibur and Clarent feel familiar. But I don't want you trying it, Shirou! I don't want you burning out your brain and becoming a vegetable all because you bit off more than you can chew! I'm regretting putting the idea into your head! In fact, you know what? I want Harry and Mordred to sleep over to keep an eye on you…"

No protest Shirou would make would deter Taiga, and truth be told, Harry and Mordred agreed for now. Sakura seemed to be keeping away from the Emiya household for now, sadly. They would see her in the morning at school, and try to ask about how she was, especially now that Medusa was back to protecting her.

However, Harry and Mordred, spooning on their shared futon, were suddenly roused by Arturia. "Shirou's gone," she said. "I saw these magical threads, and they come from Ryuudou Temple."

Mordred snarled, quickly changing into her armour. "Then let's get him back. Harry, d'you think you can Apparate us to at least as close to the top of the stairs as possible? I don't wanna risk Apparating while carrying Father, because of that damned barrier."

"I'll give it a damned good shot," Harry said, hurriedly dressing. Then, he said, "Hold onto me."

They did so, and soon…

…They were stumbling out of the air near the top of the stairs leading to Ryuudou Temple, a whipcrack noise fading into the forest flanking the stairs. However, almost instantly, Arturia raised Excalibur to block a sword, a massively long Japanese sword, that slashed at them. "Hmm, you have good reflexes," a cultured, calm voice remarked. "I'll admit, I very nearly didn't attack when you three appeared, due to my own surprise."

The man who faced them near the gate was dressed in traditional Japanese robes, long blue hair framing handsome, even vaguely effeminate features. He seemed the very epitome of a samurai warrior, calm, collected and cultured. Harry knew the serene visage would irritate Mordred no end.

"What manner of Servant are you?" Arturia asked, as the man took his sword away.

"By process of elimination, he's probably Assassin," Harry said. "Unless Caster's taken up bushido."

The samurai smiled. "Indeed, I am Assassin. Kojiro Sasaki, at your service. It's natural for one to name one's self before combat…though I need not know your name, Saber, I presume…as my blade will tell me all I need to know of my foe."

Mordred snarled. "And what about us? I presume you're the guard dog for this place, though how the hell you got summoned…is Caster here?"

"Indeed. She was the one who summoned me. A rather troublesome woman. Technically, I shouldn't let you pass…but Caster has been something of an irritation to me, and letting some intruders through to scare her is one of the few joys I have. You and your green-eyed paramour may pass…but the admission price is a duel with Saber."

Harry looked at Arturia. "You got this?"

Arturia nodded without hesitation. "Take care in there."

Kojiro let them pass without comment as they dashed into the Ryuudou Temple grounds, only to find Shirou ensnared by the magical threads, his arm being raised like a puppet's, while Caster was reaching out a glowing hand to touch his own…particularly the hand with his Command Seals. As Shirou grunted, trying to break free, Caster said, in a sultry, purring tone, "Good boy…getting your Command Seals is all the more sweeter when you struggle against…" She suddenly realised that Harry and Mordred were dashing at her, Harry firing off a spell at her, and she dodged.

Harry looked at their foe, appraising her, even as she looked displeased at the interruption. She was most definitely a woman, dressed in purple and black robes, including a hood that obscured most of her face, save for her blue lips, and a few tresses of lavender hair. Suddenly, a fusillade of arrows further drove Caster back. And a welcome and yet unwelcome voice sneered, "I was half-expecting you to be dead already, even with the cavalry on the way, and yet, you've got more gumption than I thought."

"Oi, Fake-Tan!" Mordred snarled. "We had this!"

Archer, who was perched on the roof of one of the buildings, scoffed as he leapt down, letting his bow dispel. "And I just happened to be in the neighbourhood," Archer said. "I'm sure you had a plan for escaping here?"

"Not like we're going to discuss it in front of enemy Servants," Harry snarked at Archer.

"Well, I did part of your job for you," Archer retorted. "The threads Caster used to puppeteer Shirou's body have been severed. I'd suggest you stay out of harm's way, for a change."

Caster, who was gritting her teeth in fury, snarled, "A Servant and two other intruders got by that useless damned Assassin?!"

"See? She's pissed," Archer remarked. "And hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, as they say. So, it seems like things are going to get ugly soon. Then again, a weak Servant has no chance to win this Grail War."

Caster seemed to calm herself with a monumental effort, though. "To win this Grail War is a simple matter," she scoffed. "I'm more concerned with what happens after."

"You ensnared Mr Kuzuki, didn't you?!" Shirou snarled at Caster. "Didn't you?!"

Caster looked at Shirou in shock. "How did you…hmmph, the rumour mill at the school my Master works at must be informative enough for you to join the dots like that. In truth, you could say it's the other way around. I owe him a great debt. Still, I will not countenance any threats to his person, let alone my own."

"And what of the people you put into comas for your mana?!" Harry retorted. "If you dare say they were necessary sacrifices, I'll find a way to end you myself."

Caster chuckled. "Oh, you have spirit, boy. A shame you are my enemy. But you are merely a wizard, but in my territory, I am a demigod."

Harry, thinking back to what he researched about Rin's guesses, said, "Well, you probably were one in life, weren't you?" Her lips tightened ever so slightly. Harry decided to take a gamble. Flip a coin, so to speak, on her identity. And a gut instinct told him he was correct. "The child of King Aeëtes of Colchis…Princess Medea."

Judging by her dumbfounded reaction, he got it right. "How did you…?"

"Magissa. Greek for witch. There's surprisingly few well-known witches from Ancient Greece. I just took a guess. Now, we can do this one of two ways. You can either find other ways to get mana…or Archer here will turn you into a pincushion."

Medea laughed. "Oh? You're amusing, but do you think the three of you, plus Archer, could defeat me? I personally think stopping you would be insultingly easy."

"Easy?" Archer asked. "This coming from a witch slinking around in the shadows like a rat?"

Medea snarled angrily. "Of course it's easy. You fail to forget that, as a Caster, Territory Creation is a specialty of mine, and arrogant fools like you cannot so much as scratch me here. And calling me a witch with such contempt will only ensure a fitting punishment."

"Oh? I cannot scratch you?" Archer asked. "Then if that's truly the case, then Saber can have you."

"Oi, save some for me, Fake-Tan," Mordred snapped.

Medea turned to face Mordred. "Yes, I remember what you claimed you would do…something about my entrails, little girl?"

"You remind me a lot of my birth mother," Mordred snarled, readying Clarent. Suddenly, she dashed forward using Mana Burst, and just as Medea summoned a staff, Mordred ran her through. "I hated her," Mordred spat, before kicking Medea's corpse off Clarent. Then, she frowned. "…Okay, no way that it was that easy."

As Medea's body dissolved into violet light, Harry was the first to spot Medea's real body, flying in the sky, her cloak splayed out like the wings of a bat…or, given the colourful patterns underneath it, like a butterfly. "Up there!" he yelled, as magic circles coalesced into existence in front of Medea. "ACCIO, MEDEA!" he yelled, trying to pull her down to the ground, but she didn't so much as shift.

"How cute, the wizard thinks such spells would work on me," Medea chuckled, her eyes glinting malevolently from beneath her hood. "Still, I have to give you points for trying."

"So, it's either teleportation or some sort of time control," Archer mused. "In your territory, you can emulate either wizarding magic, or the magic of the Age of the Gods, approaching True Magic. I have to say, Medea, I'm actually impressed."

"I can't say the same for you," Medea retorted, firing a blast of energy at Archer, who blocked it with his twin sabres. "Honestly, I'm not sure whether Assassin is worse than you or not. And here I was thinking you might be of some use to me."

"Sorry to disappoint you. But I'll try harder."

As he dodged another blast, Harry went over to Mordred and Shirou. "We need a plan," Mordred snarled as they took cover.

"I've got one. It's very reckless and stupid, so it's got your fingerprints all over it, Shirou," Harry said. Then, he Apparated, hoping beyond hope it would work…

…And then, he was behind and just above Medea. She had just enough time to hear him, before he grabbed a hold of her, wrapping his legs around her waist from behind, and his arms around her neck. Vicious, yes, and against most opponents, he wouldn't even consider it. But a Caster Servant, physically, was the weakest usually, most of them being only a little above the human norm.

Still, he was correct in his surmise, that he was managing to choke her, clinging to Medea like a limpet. "Let…go of…me!" she gasped. If she had any spells capable of getting him off without endangering herself, then she had forgotten to use them in her panic. She was even beginning to drop down out of the sky, albeit at a slow rate.

With a roar, Mordred used Mana Burst again, leaping high into the air, Clarent raised, seemingly to bisect Medea, and with her, Harry. But to Medea's shock, Mordred used the flat of Clarent, swatting Medea over the head and out of the sky with an almost comical bong!, as if she got hit with a frying pan. Harry hurriedly Apparated away just before they both hit the ground, though Harry rolled as he appeared. "Mordred, that wasn't part of the plan!" Harry snarled.

"Hey, it worked better than you trying to choke her out!" Mordred retorted. "Besides, I didn't trust Fake-Tan to do to you two like Piccolo did to Raditz and Goku! Seriously, one look in his eyes, and you know he's a team-killing fucktard!"

"…That…HURT!" Medea snarled, getting gingerly to her feet within the small crater she made on impact, her hood falling away. Her features were almost inhumanly beautiful, Harry realised, even elfin, an impression enhanced by her elf-like ears. But her blue eyes danced with concussed fury and madness. Beautiful, but clearly not exactly sane. "Have you got any last words, brat, before I destroy you?"

"…Actually, yes. If I swung that way, I'd tap that, and hard," Mordred said. "Oh wait, does hitting you with my sword count?"

Medea screamed, before taking to the skies once more, magic circles appearing…until Harry and Mordred noticed something at about the same time she did. A blast of mana-laden wind hit them as they watched Archer summon his bow, and place a twisted sword-like arrow on it. "I am the bone of my sword," he growled, before he roared, "CALADBOLG!"

Medea had only enough time to raise a magic shield that proved to be little defence for the projectile that lanced at her. She was knocked out of the sky in a flare of magical energy, and crashed to the ground, her clothing torn and tattered, blood oozing from her mouth. She was clutching an arm in pain.

"And there you have it. I told you I'd scratch you," Archer said as Medea healed herself. "I'm not here to kill you, not yet. I was here to protect this boy. I try to avoid unnecessary conflict."

"That's fine by me," Mordred snarled, dashing forward, only for Medea to shoot into the air once more, though no magic circles appeared.

"Still, it's strange," Medea remarked. "The boy can't abide by seeing Servants feeding on the so-called innocent or straying from his naïve sense of morality, and you, Archer, cannot stand senseless slaughter. You both are more alike than you care to realise."

"What?! We're nothing alike!" Shirou protested.

"Agreed. While we share similar views, we are fundamentally different," Archer said, though Harry thought he seemed to be protesting too hard. Suspiciously so.

"I'd ask for you to join me in alliance…but something tells me that's not on the cards, even if I do have a strategy to expedite the end of the Grail War," Medea said. "Besides, with four of you here, it's a mite…troublesome. You may go for now. However, I will leave you with this warning. Go after my Master, and what I put my enemies through in my past life will seem like Elysium compared to that which I shall put you through." With that, she dissolved into motes of purple light.

"Dammit, she escaped! Why the fuck didn't you end her?!" Mordred snarled at Archer.

"My work here is done. Now, I'd suggest you get out of here too, before Caster decides to make a second attempt on you," Archer said. And with that, he disappeared into particles of mana, and Mordred, Harry and Shirou intended to get the hell out of there, and hopefully pick up Arturia while they were at it. Still, it begged the question, why did Archer not try harder to kill Medea? Something told Harry that there was something dangerous going on, something they wouldn't find out the reason for until it was too late…

CHAPTER 10 ANNOTATIONS:

Wow. Another notable divergence from UBW canon, where Archer hasn't made an attempt on Shirou's life…though this is partly because Medea got out of dodge sooner without making her offer (beyond hinting at it), and partly because Archer knows it'd be troublesome to try and kill Shirou with Mordred and Harry present. Though there's not much official material showing Caster without her hood being angry and belligerent. Most of the time, she's all sad when she has her hood off. Well, unless Carnival Phantasm counts, and even then, she's too kawaii in that.

Review-answering time! Reishin Amara: A team-up between Kirei and GLaDOS? The world would not survive. Then again, there doesn't appear to be any crossovers between Fate/Stay Night and Portal…yet. Hmm…maybe I should remedy that…after all, GLaDOS has the mindset for a Magus…

Leicontis: You can hear Nappa scream something like this in Episode 9 of Dragonball Z Abridged while getting beaten down by Goku. Of course, it's in the background to Vegeta trying to figure out why Goku is beating Nappa with a power level of 1006…when in reality, it's… "Over 9000. Rah."

No numbered annotations this time.