An Opportunity of Fate

by PML7

Counter Guardian Emiya is given an offer he cannot refuse. He must somehow save Fuyuki City from the ravages of the Fifth Grail War without being allowed to participate himself! Can he influence his younger self and his friends from his youth enough to save the world before Emiya has to use a Counter Force against the Grail, destroying Fuyuki City and the surrounding area?

25. Chapter 25

An Opportunity of Fate part 25

Medusa-

Medusa stared at the exhausted and bound Ayako. It had taken over an hour to recapture the girl.

For a girl who hadn't known she had magic, Ayako was a quick study. None of it was of an offensive nature, although Medusa had already seen several ways it could be used for offense. No it was a cobbled together smattering of illusion and enchantment supplemented by a power that she did not recall being available when she was alive.

She needed to study it more to truly understand what it was that Ayako was doing. The girl was lucky, and while Medusa had chased her, her own luck became quite bad.

Which was annoying as the primary advantage of having Issei as a Master was better luck. Unlike Shinji, Issei did supply some prana, but it was little more than a trickle. She received more from her mana traps.

Unfortunately she was now very low in prana. Her only option at the moment if some enemy got lucky and found the entrance to her Temple would be to run. She needed to change that and soon.

None of the Track Girls or Issei could survive a blood draining session with her. And if she tried to drain Ayako's blood, she might not be able to stop. It would likely kill the girl.

But Ayako was the only source she could use at the moment. She looked at the girl. Strong shoulders and the athletic build she always favored in both men and women. As always Medusa wondered what Ayako actually looked like under the light of the sun.

It had been so long she had been able to see people with her own eyes. Her other senses were so sharp, and her current form had a sight that did not require actually sight. But it was not the same. Never the same.

"I am a monster. Even now. Even as I try to escape I am still trapped by my past." Medusa sighed. If she could not drain the girl directly, there was always indirectly. Either through sex, or at the very least sexual excitement if the girl was not amenable to actually sleeping with her, would be effective.

But how to contain the girl?

Medusa examined the girl once more and began to chuckle. Of course. She had been going about this all wrong. She was treating the girl as if she were fully human.

She wasn't. The Balance affected her just as much as any other spirit. Her humanity would shield her some; probably keep it from directly affecting her appearance. But it would still affect the fabric of her spirit.

But did Ayako know that? Surely she could feel a little unease at her oath breaking. Medusa smiled. She turned to one of her dryads, "Please fetch clothing and refreshments for Ayako. Make sure they are due her true station."

The dryad's eyes widened and looked down at the captured girl. She swallowed, "Are you sure Mistress? Can she be trusted?"

Medusa nodded, "Quite. Make sure the Nectar is diluted; these Children of the East do not seem to have much tolerance to alcohol. But regular Ambrosia should be fine."

"But Mistress, the ether content in the Ambrosia…. We have been serving but crumbs in the cake we have been feeding your guests. Already one of the girls is showing reactions to the Grain level."

Medusa shook her head, "No, she already had talent. It isn't Grain poisoning. As for Ayako, her spirit is strong. Stronger than her human side at the moment, I think. Although the human personality is dominant. Truly fascinating. Now go."

The dryad scurried away.

Medusa turned her full attention to Ayako. "So my dear, what am I to do with you."

Ayako wryly said, "I think this is where I give you my name, rank, and serial number. Of course, I do not have the latter. So I am Ayako Mitsuzuri, second year at Homurahara Gakuen."

"Very funny. I presume that is some cultural idiom." She smiled, "I am afraid I have been treating you in an inappropriate manner and wish to apologize for my breach of hospitality. If I free you will you give me your parole that you will not try to escape?"

"I can't do that. It is the solemn duty for every prisoner to attempt to escape."

"Only if held unjustly. And by terms of our duel, you swore you would serve me in some fashion if you lost."

"I will not accept slavery. Your term was that you would own me. I do not accept that, and so I must attempt to escape."

Medusa sighed, "I would say the one disadvantage of this class is the habit of melodramatic overstatement. I do not remember being this talkative when I was alive. Or having quite this much fun, either. I guess it balances out."

Ayako was silent.

Medusa continued, "In truth I could not keep you without consequence as I did not plan on keeping your friends prisoner for much longer. The balance must be maintained." She paused a moment, "Has your boyfriend told you of the balance? Of the concept of equivalent exchange and how it impacts the spirit world? Of the consequences of and need to keep ones word, even if only in letter?"

Ayako frowned but remained silent.

Medusa could feel a wave of worry flash from the girl. Medusa smiled softly, "Being a spiritual being gives great advantages, but there are costs as well. Spirits are much more constrained in action and often even place than humans are. In the end our lives are in service to Gaia and not the other way around." She laughed, "Free will, the greatest gift given to mankind. The one Gaia wishes it could take back."

Ayako moved uncomfortably on the ground. "What are you doing to me?"

"Nothing. Merely informing you what you instinctively know. That you accepted my terms and lost. And that it is just that you accept the consequences for it. Or you can break your word and accept the consequences of being an Oath Breaker." Medusa sadly said, "Trust me if you decide to carry on, you will regret it. One way or another, the balance is always maintained. I learned that to my eternal sorrow."

Ayako quietly said, "What must I do."

"You honestly didn't know. I will not hold that against you. But your latest escape attempt has left me terribly depleted in prana. You will accept a ritual to replenish what you took."

Ayako grimaced, "You will take my blood then?"

"No. I would savor it too much and over indulge. I almost killed Issei that way. And while his purity of essence coupled with his emotional breakdown due to his killing of Shinji made him delicious, I already know that your blood would be a headier brew." She shook her head, "If you were not Awakened, perhaps I could indulge. But as you are now? It is best not to risk it."

"Then what must I do?"

"Have sex with me."

Ayako spluttered, "But we are both girls!"

Medusa pinched her nose, "Cultural differences, Medusa. You knew she probably wouldn't be interested, you could taste it in her aura." She addressed Ayako, "You know even in this country it happens, some people…."

"Maybe, but I am NOT like that. There has to be another way."

"You are no fun." Medusa sighed and nodded, "Yes, there is. But I will be touching you in some intimate places."

"I just said…."

"You won't have to do anything. It will take longer and the yield will likely be less, but if I massage you to the point of sexual release, you will still generate energy that I can capture."

Ayako sighed, "Okay. I, I can't say I am comfortable with this. But if you give your word that you will not take advantage of me."

Medusa paused and thought. She nodded, "I will do only what you verbally accept. But you in turn must accept that I will be stimulating you to climax. I may ask to do more, or may offer to help you in various ways, but I will accept your verbal denial as a limitation on my actions."

"When are we doing this?"

"In a few hours. I sent someone to fetch clothing and something to eat. Do you give me your parole?"

"Yes. But if you force me to do something against my will, I will resist you."

"Very well. But understand that you owe me more than this one ritual."

Ayako groaned. "This is just to pay for my escape attempts?"

Medusa nodded.

"What else?"

"Three possibilities. One, you risk life and limb by becoming my champion for this war. I would enhance you and use you as my weapon for this war. I should warn you, that even with my enhancement, you still will not be as strong or as fast as a true heroic spirit. You will have to fight cautiously as you will be neither as durable nor as skilled as most of your opponents."

"Great, a suicidal option. Next."

"Become my lover, for as long as we both shall live."

"Didn't I just say no to that?"

Medusa said quietly, "It isn't what you choose, Ayako. In the end it will be what you can accept."

"Fine. And the third choice?"

Medusa looked away, "In a fashion, all of these options are the same. This one is just more… direct."

"Okay. What is it?"

"Dedicate your soul and sacrifice yourself to me."

-End Scene-

Ilya-

Ilya kept her circuits active to maintain her resistance. They had placed a retraining crown on her head, and it would reprogram her. It would over write her current memories and replace them with the skills and memories needed for her model of homunculi.

Ilyasviel would cease to exist. Just a faint dream that she might occasionally have.

They had already stripped her of the von Einzbern name, officially removing her from the rolls of humankind. According to the Magic Association, she was legally a homunculus and therefore a possession rather than a person. Moreover the group of Einzbern separatists had a Sealing Designation placed on her…. The Sealing Designation placing themselves as her caretakers.

Ilya sighed and smoothed her white dress. It was quite the coup for Victor Einzbern, no von for him anymore. He had taken the Einzbern civil war and ran with it. Allowing him to form a new House in the Clock Tower.

A win for him, as he had always resented Jubsachtheit's continued control of the Einzbern family, and his unwavering focus on the Holy Grail in Fuyuki. Victor had been part of a group that had been more interested in the odd developments in Ilya than in sacrificing her for the War. They had gone so far as to make artificial Grail Cores.

Most of them had failed. Apparently they believed they had a working model and had conducted a few tests on her to ascertain whether it would work. Their plan was to give the Grail Core to the Overseer of the War, Kotomine Kirei. And to whisk Ilya off to the Clock Tower in London, where they would begin their experiments on her to improve the quality of homunculi. As well as providing the Clock Tower with inexpensive access to Einzbern level homunculi.

Everyone was a winner.

All at the low, low cost of Ilya von Einzbern's existence as an individual.

No. She was a lab specimen now.

Her room was guarded and they had removed all of her supplies. They hadn't shut down her Circuits as they needed to be active for their magic to work. The spell would flow through the Circuits to rewrite her mind after all. Only Ilya keeping her Circuits active would keep the outside prana from entering.

And sooner or later she would have to sleep. It would likely happen then. And Ilya would wake up as someone else.

No. She couldn't let that happen. She had suffered far too much to simply become a lab animal.

But how? How could she possibly escape this trap?

The truth was she couldn't. Not without help. And it would need to be quick.

With materials, with time she could easily do it. She was one of the better Alchemists in her family after all. But without supplies….

What would momma do?

Irisviel had been a decent if not inspired Magus. She could do basic manipulations and was a decent healer.

Ilya didn't have that. Thinking back on it her magic training had been tailored from the start to deny her the ability to resist a magically competent foe. Her eyes of enchantment could do wonders on normal people, and she had ways of magnifying that effect to work on small crowds.

She sat there on the small cot, considering all her options. Considering what the more violent and active people she had known would act in this situation. The problem was that Ilya lacked the skills, the muscles, or the experience to emulate them.

What to do?

Ilya sat up straight. It had been before her the whole time. The reason it was thought that she and her mother would be excellent as Grail Cores was the pattern they had been built on. For Ilya wasn't just a homunculus. She was in a manner of speaking a clone. As her mother had been before her.

A clone of the Lady Marshall of Winter herself, Justeaze Lizrich von Einzbern. Some of her memories still lingered in her mind. What would she do?

Her eyelids fluttered for a moment, taking a slightly reddish hue. And she smiled. It was a cold confident smile.

For Ilya remembered the Einzbern's true Family Trait. It wasn't the Heaven's Feel. No the Third Magic had been discovered using some of the Family's Trait, and then lost.

She shook her head. It had been before her the whole time. The Einzbern had the power to grant wishes. It was what the whole Grail War was about. But wishes, essentially magecraft without prearrange pattern or structure, was preposterously prana intensive. Learning normal magecraft could do the easy things more efficiently, and the hard ones were too expensive in prana to be practical.

To make a truly powerful wish one had to have a ridiculous amount of power. Say that embodied by the souls of seven Legendary Heroes.

Ilya didn't have that power. Nor did she have confidence her prana would hold out if she tried to escape on her own. She needed help.

So she would summon it.

In her head she began to construct the spell she would use.

The cold smile did not leave her face.

-Scene Break—

CG Emiya-

Emiya watched as his childhood friends struggled. Rin was lost and found an old building in the small forest behind the school. He watched as she fitfully slipped into a light sleep, exhausted by the trials of the day. He reached out a hand as if to hold her.

"You are being hard on them." Alaya commented. "What will you do if one of them breaks?"

Emiya shot her a glare, "Seeing as they will all die if they fail, I need to push them as far as they will go." He pointed at the scene of a battered Emiya carrying Sakura to his room, several of Raiga's yakuza removing bodies and cleaning. "What is going on there?"

"Some of the results of his new tutor. She has helped Sakura a little, overstepping her boundaries slightly. But it works in our favor, so I will ignore it for now."

Emiya shook his head, "I don't see how she has been helped by anyone. Her regeneration is much slower than Zouken's."

"She was given gifts you would never be able to provide."

Emiya raised an eyebrow.

But Alaya ignored him.

CG Emiya just rolled his eyes and turned back to watch his friends.

-End Scene—

Sakua Matou-

Sakura sat quietly on a bench in the catacombs. This place had haunted her dreams and blighted her life. But it was where she belonged.

Hopefully Shirou would return and they could continue this marvelous dream. She knew it wasn't real. But it felt real. It felt like she had lived these last eight years with Shirou, following on his service to the Kingdom when the Saxons attacked, helping him build and manage a small forge in peace.

There was the sound of boot steps echoing through the empty chamber. Sakura peered into the dim light to see who it was. She relaxed when it was only CG Pendragon in her white armored dress. It was funny, but even here in this darkened crypt, a light still seemed to shine on her.

There was holiness and purity to her. She was good. Even though her dress seemed faded, her countenance a little worn, that light still shone through.

Sakura looked to her own hands. Hands that had killed and worse. A shadow clung to her and her defilement. She had enjoyed these stolen years CG Pendragon had given her, but Sakura wasn't sure why she had been allowed to stay, let alone monopolize Shirou's attention while he was training.

CG Pendragon said, "Still here? After all this time?"

Sakura looked away, "This is where I belong."

There was a rustle of metal plates shifting as CG Pendragon sat next to her on a bench. "Where is the vibrant girl I always see with Shirou? Where is she hiding in you?"

"She isn't real. I had, had to find a way to get close to Sempai. She was my fabrication. I was a fake Sakura, one that wasn't burdened by magic or depravity or infestation." She looked at her hands again, at the shadows that clung to her. She looked over at CG Pendragon, "A shadow, just like the rest of my life."

"I see why my counterpart thinks of Morgan when she thinks of you." There was a rustle of metal on metal as the Counter Guardian laughed. "So different from the Sakura I knew."

"You knew me?"

Again she laughed, "I lived through a variation of these events. You were jealous of how close I was to Shirou. You were afraid I would take him from you." Her voice grew soft as she remembered something. There was a soft smile on the Counter Guardians face.

Sakura asked gently, "Did you?"

The Counter Guardian's voice change, as did her raiment. No longer was she wearing her armor, but a radiantly blue and white dress. In her hands was a stuffed lion that she clung to. And she was young and beautiful.

Sakura felt her heart break. How could she ever compete? For it was more than simple beauty, there was a strong presence there. Sakura could feel the Counter Guardian's admiration and love pour from her.

Sakura closed her eyes. "You love Sempai."

"Yes. I love that damnable fool, and will until the end of eternity." A loud bark of laughter, "If I haven't gotten over him yet, I doubt I ever will."

Sakura's eyes flashed open and grew very wide, "You aren't talking about my sempai. You two haven't grown that close."

"She will still fall in love with him. The dream cycle almost guarantees it. And while Shirou think helping is its own reward for him, he expects the world to be more just to others. He will grow to care for her deeply, if not fall in love on this iteration." She smiled at Sakura, "His heart is already full."

"But all the time we have spent here is just a dream…. Wait. You said this iteration?"

"I am not your Arturia. In my world you summoned Medusa as Rider, not Caster. She was still a frustrating opponent." Pendragon shook her head. "With her you always had to think in three dimensions. And that damn chain-dagger of hers…. Sorry just reminiscing."

"What, what happened to me?"

Pendragon's eyes were sympathetic ,"As the war got dangerous, you retreated to the safety of your home. After Shirou and I won against our enemies and I faded away, Shirou wasn't the same. Or rather he was, but I owned his heart. Rin tried to help him and they grew close. You slowly faded from his life, your hidden life keeping you from opening up enough to Shirou to compete with Rin."

"Let me guess. Shirou became a Hero of Justice. Sister became a first class Magus." Sakura looked around the room anger and resentment filling her. "And they left me to be worm food." She shook, her voice tight as she asked, "This is the usual pattern for this War isn't it? Because I can guess that if you could win his heart so fast, it was free, so if you didn't take it, Sister would!"

Pendragon just stared at her sadly.

Sakura continued to rant, "At least I would still have been his friend. And Ayako and Issei would…." Sakura saw the pity on the other woman's face. She felt a sudden chill. "I was alone?"

"Most of the time, you are only close to Shirou and Taiga. And that is because you helped Shirou after a work injury. If that horn had not sounded, you would have met Ayako first year of High School. Issei would not have been asked to keep an eye on Rin and Shirou. For that matter Rin and Shirou wouldn't be close either."

Sakura sat there. Rin had told her of the Kaleidoscope, the Magician of the Second Magic. The operation of alternate worlds. Which obviously must exist. But to think that most versions of her simply got eaten…. "What of my other self. My dark side. It let all that happen?"

Pendragon's voice was soft, "Those are arguably worse, as you typically have a great deal more resentment. You are very powerful and have only dabbled with the shadow, but you are capable of much more. And you have a link to a dark entity that can fan your resentment and anger until you become a monster."

"Angra Mainyu."

"Yes."

Sakura closed her eyes, "He is why I fled into Shirou's dream. It hurt so badly and he promised if I just let him in, just a little more, he could take away my pain. He wouldn't go away. He kept promising me power and…." She tightened her eyes in a vain attempt to hold back the tears.

Pendragon moved to comfort her, but Sakura brushed her off.

Sakura shook her head and stood, glaring angrily at the chamber she was in. She cried to the heavens, "So, is this my fucking Fate! I either get eaten or become a monster? I never get a happy ending? I never get Shirou?"

"Well he does fall for you, but…."

"Don't even continue. Between me and Zouken and Angra Mainyu? Even if by some miracle he saves me he's almost certainly going to die."

Pendragon was silent.

"Thought so." She began to pace in the hated catacombs, each moment her anger growing.

"The only times I have ever seen you have a happy ending is when Magic is involved." Pendragon's laughter was bitter. "At least you have that small chance. For me even Magic is not enough."

Sakura turned to look at Pendragon, her dress was simpler now, her hair unbound. And for a moment just a brief moment, Sakura watched as familiar expressions crossed the Counter Guardians usually stoic mein. Anger, resentment, envy, and jealousy all crossed the beautiful blondes face. "But you said…."

"What? That I get a few moments of happiness amidst the fear and pain of the Grail War before I leave my beloved, return to my own time, and die?"

Sakura opened her mouth and closed it.

Silence filled the catacomb. Sakura looked around and studied it, if only to avoid breaking the awkward silence. This was a grim and dark place. Nothing good could come from being here.

"I am done with this place. I don't care what Fate may decree for me, I am finished with being helpless and alone. Whatever may have happened elsewhere and elsewhen does not dictate how I live this life. From now on I will do whatever it takes to not just survive, but thrive!" With each statement he voice rose, to the point of screaming. She paused to take a breath, but she wasn't finished.

The catacombs dissolved around her, but she paid very little attention to it. She called out to the darkness, uncaring who or what she was addressing, "I know the world isn't fair. My life is proof of that. I am done trusting the world to balance the scales. If this world isn't willing to allow me to be happy, I will make one that will."

"So be it."

Pendragon was back in her armor, Excalibur in her hand, "Um, Sakura?"

The darkness disappeared and there was the pounding of the surf hitting the beach. A light breeze blew steadily from the sea.

Sakura quietly said, "I had forgotten this place." She looked out at the starlit beach, the heaven ablaze without any nearby lights. "My father, my adoptive father that is brought us here a few times. Grandfather usually wanted us close, but sometimes he would give me a few days off from training. And father would take us camping or we would come here."

Pendragon said, "About that voice we just heard."

Sakura continued, "The sunrises here are glorious. I used to wake up early just to watch."

"Sakura…."

Sakura turned to face her, "Look, I don't care who it was. I meant what I said. If whoever or whatever doesn't like it, they will just have to deal with it."

"And that would be what I am afraid of."

Sakura shrugged. "I want to thank you for breaking me out of the rut I was in. But if you don't mind, I have some thinking to do."

"I will fetch you when Shirou returns."

Sakura nodded and turned to watch the brilliant skies.

Waiting for the sun to rise.

-Scene Break—

Issei Ryudou-

Issei sat calmly on the beach watching the girls play in the water. It had taken some effort, but finally they had agreed to simply let him recover.

He could not help a small smile as he watched his Ayako play with the other girls. How had he gotten so lucky?

Medusa came down and talked quietly with all four of them. Ayako looked at him and waved.

Issei waved back.

All of the girls began to go up the stairs to the main level. Issei sighed. Ayako had briefly discussed her conversation with Medusa before, and neither of them had been able to think of a way out.

The truth was, they were in Caster's power. Even himself, now supposedly the Master of Caster was limited.

Medusa walked over to talk to him. "How are you feeling?"

"A bit better." He looked at Caster, her long purple hair drifting past her waist. There was a tension there, tiny movements of her head causing the long tresses to seem almost snake like. "What is wrong?"

She smiled wanly, "Nothing. I am just a little nervous about the upcoming ceremony. It brings back some painful memories."

He looked up at her, wondering what her eyes looked like, wondering if that would let him read her better. "It is just a simple tantric style spell. Isn't it?"

Medusa was quiet.

"What aren't you telling us?"

Medusa half turned away from him, "Ayako did tell you of my conditions? Of what she can do to clear her debt from me?"

"Yes. But there doesn't seem a great deal of choice. Become your lover? Ayako is too proud to do something like that. And sacrifice herself to you…?" He adjusted his glasses. " Well that has some fatal connotations to it"

"I have no intention of killing Ayako, Issei. You can put your heart to rest on that account." But her demeanor was tired and mournful. She turned to go.

Issei felt his stomach sink. "Then you mean to consume her like your sisters. To tear her living soul from her body and graft it into yours."

Medusa didn't move.

"That is your plan. Isn't it."

"Only if she lets me, if she resists the spell will fail."

"Why? Why would you do this?"

She turned to face him. "Because she is perfect for my needs, she is compatible, her body is strong enough to contain me, and she owes me a life debt." She shook her head, "That last circumstance dictates this. It is the perfect opportunity for me, Issei. With her my odds of surviving this war increase by an order of magnitude!"

He raised his arm up, the Command Spells beginning to glow. "Caster…"

Medusa crossed her arms. "So you will compel me to avoid collecting on a debt. You are aware of the repercussions?"

"I am willing to bear them."

"Of that I have no doubt. You have never cared for power, so this actions effect leading to a crippling of trust between you and the spirit world will not bother you. Much. Probably. But you will make her an Oath Breaker. She will never be able fulfill her debt to me as she agreed as your Command will prevent it. She is part of the spirit world now, just as much as she is human. And more so with each passing hour. Would you allow corruption such an easy foothold in her soul? Do you want her to become a monster?"

Issei paused and thought through the situation outlined above.

And it was true. If he Commanded her to halt he would cripple not just himself, but Ayako as well. The Balance was often unpleasant. He would need to teach Ayako what he knew, if only to protect her.

Assuming there was an Ayako to teach.

Medusa climbed to the top of the bluff. "By my Power, I swear I will not lie to Ayako regarding this ceremony."

Issei watched her go, trying to think of a way to save his lover.

-Scene Break—

Rin Tohsaka-

Rin was dreaming. She was vaguely aware that she should be awake, that she was searching for something. But she simply was too tired.

And so she dreamed. Of battles and feasts and stratagems. The construction of forts and the need to develop more cavalry for quick response and communications.

She dreamt too of a horn, one seemingly crafted from an elephants tusk. It was beautiful and clean, its golden inlays untouched, the runes clear as day. Roland's horn untouched by time.

A middle-aged man was studying it as a young Roland approached him. Maugris, that was his name. He looked up. "Good day, Roland. I have a gift for you. From the vault you helped recover from that Giant."

"His Majesty has already gifted me with a horse and blade, I don't know that I am worthy of more."

Maugris studied him, "This is a much more dangerous gift. As much a duty as a reward. For this horn was used in the Great Winter War, where the Northern Gods died."

"Pagan superstition, there is but one true God."

Maugris nodded, "True God, yes. But once there were many pretenders. This horn was used by their allies the Alfar." He smiled at Roland, "Don't worry, it has been consecrated. It is no mere pagan trifle." He handed it to Roland.

Roland held it. It was lighter than it looked. "It is just a horn."

"And for the most part it will act that way. Except in battle. If you sound it once, it will strengthen your allies resolve and shake your enemies. And you will feel a little tied. The second blast will be much like the first only more so. It will also call out to nearby allies. It will leave you exhausted." Maugris closed his eyes.

"And the third call?"

"Never blow it a third time, Roland. For while it will call for aid, it will kill you."

Again she saw the mountains and the searing weariness that came from the Horn. His sword broken and hidden, his army shattered, Roland thought only of one thing. "Aude."

And he died.

Rin fought herself awake, but was stuck. For a moment she was surrounded in darkness and shadow. Until the starry heavens blazed before her eyes, familiar constellation beckoning. There was the soothing sound of a breeze blowing through the scattered straggly trees, the scent and sound of the water breaking upon the beach.

"Come join me Sister."

Rin looked around, "Sakura?"

"Over here."

Rin reinforced her eyes and saw Sakura. She walked over and sat next to her. "What are you doing here? Or rather where and what is here?"

Sakura primly said, "This is my inner world. Yours is probably a version of your workshop. Mine was of the catacombs I was trained in. I will never stop being thankful for Counter Guardian Pendragon"

"Counter Guardians? But that means…."

"That our little Grail War is even more serious than we thought. And from what I have managed to gather, there is a second also involved." Sakura shook her head. "If we don't stop this, we will be lucky if enough of Fuyuki survives to be visited using SCUBA gear."

Rin's mind raced. What could they do?

Sakura held her hand and squeezed it. "There is more."

"More?"

"It is about Shirou."

"Huh?" Rin loved Shirou to be certain, but surely Sakura could see their survival was more important than their rivalry. "Sakura…"

"Let me speak."

Rin frowned but subsided.

"Rin, I have been badly wounded." She raised a hand to stop questions, "Rin no matter how bad it looks I will recover. Success in the Matou training regime demands the development of regeneration. I am not dead, so I will recover. Probably within a day or two."

Rin swallowed. "Okay."

Sakura continued, "When I was wounded, I retreated into my own mind. I was not alone. My darker half has talked to and denied this entity's presence. He promised me much to help him. I tried to do the same, but I am not strong in the same way she is. So I fled."

"To here?"

"No to Shirou. How I did it I am not sure. What are dreams but the shadow of a mind at rest?" She shook her head, "A potential line of research."

Rin had to smile at that. Even when Sakura had been practicing magecraft, she had also seemed afraid of it. Not this Sakura!

Sakura continued, "When I retreated into Shirou's mind, I found he was being trained by that Counter Guardian. Apparently she is why he has such a selection of magical swords. She was teaching him to develop the right instincts to survive." Sakura smiled in the faint light. "And she was doing it by having him live through her campaigns against the Saxons."

"Okay?"

"Rin, I have been by his side for eight years. With few exceptions, we have become inseparable."

"So. You have won."

"Game. Set. Match. Sakura Matou."

Rin pulled her hand away and tossed her head. "Well, congratulations. It wasn't like I was too serious about him anyway."

Sakura muttered, "We shall see about that." She then sighed, "Look this is really hard for me."

"Hard for you? What you've won. I'm, I'm happy for you." Rin tried to force a smile.

"The problem is, I haven't really won. He loves me yes. And that will carry over, I think, the instinct will. The memories will be that of a dream. And in that dream all of my problems were forgotten. The real world won't be that simple. If I claim him now, it will slow how fast I deal with my own issues."

"What are you talking about?"

"Do you love Shirou Emiya? Do you love him enough to share him with me?"

"I, I don't know."

Sakura nodded, "Well that will have to do for now. Over the next few weeks I will teach you everything I know about Shirou."

"Weeks?"

"Time moves faster here. Of course when we wake all the maturity will be overridden by teenage hormones, even the memories will fade. All of it has the consistency of a dream, but it will inform your subconscious to a degree. You will have to trust your instincts on this."

"Okay, but what is the point? You spent all those years…"

"Dream years. Seducing him will be easy for me. And that won't likely change. So if you win his hand, expect me to be his mistress. I can live with that. But if you do not seduce him by the time I wake…. Well I will be fifteen again, and I will want him for myself." She smiled softly at Rin,"And there is little you can do about it."

Rin looked at her sister in a new light. Sakura had always seemed soft and gentle, barring Dark Sakura. But the iron that had existed in her darker half was here to. Just in a different form. "Okay. Where do we begin?"

Sakura chuckled ruefully, "This is going to be hard on both of us. But given how broken Shirou is, it may take the both of us. Even if you decide to withdraw, I will still need your help."

"Okay. Tell me what you have learned."

And Sakura did, sparing no details.

Their talk continued under the stars.

-Scene Break—

Issei Ryudou (2)-

Issei was lost in thought for several critical moments, desperately searching for some solution.

But the truth was that Issei was not a hero, neither by physique or temperament. He liked order and tried to find the time to make careful and rational decisions. In chaotic situations he tended to make mistakes until he calmed down.

His friends on the other hand were different. They were heroes.

So he tried to think like them. Both Ayako and Shirou were physically oriented. Both attacked the problems head on. If that didn't work Ayako would come up with a clever plan b. Shirou would typically attack headlong even harder.

Issei found himself at the Temple's front door, but for the first time the door was locked and barred. He looked for any windows or another entrance. But there was no entry point he could reach.

He rushed around for paper and ink and managed a few weak message charms, two for Ayako, and one each to Rin and Shirou. He could think of nothing to do. The scrying device could not look upon what was happening in the Temple.

Issei tried something he had read about and tuned a coin to her essence. And spun it. Given her vitality it should be spinning rapidly. Now that she was accessing her elemental side it should be a blur.

But it wasn't. It hadn't stopped yet, but it was slowing. In theory that meant Ayako was dying.

Shirou's way would work for him and he was out of tricks. What could he do?

Act like a magus. Cooly and calmly go over the options and choose whatever works, no matter how ruthless. He had to think like Rin.

He frowned for a moment. 'For Ayako.'

Medusa had promised not to kill her. Had sworn it by her power. And killing her would be a failure for her as well. For some reason she needed Ayako's soul. Her living soul.

But why?

Of course, she was trying to live on in this era, but knew the Grail was cursed. Ayako would solve two of her problems. As Ayako would become part of her, she would have an anchor in the present day. Gaia would not push as hard against her continued existence.

And her soul would resonate perfectly with Ayako's body, and since it was a living soul and not a dead one, she should have a normal lifespan without soul corrosion.

Medusa was right. This was a perfect situation for her.

For one cold moment he considered whether he should oppose this redressing of the balance. Ayako did owe Medusa for her bet. And there was a chance she would pull through.

Even if she didn't, he wouldn't truly lose her. It wasn't like Ayako would be dead. It was that she would also be Medusa.

He was still in that cold airy place wondering how long it would take before Ayako had to shield her eyes when he slammed his fist down hard.

A moment of pain and he felt like himself. This was wrong. Not even Rin was this cold. She tried to be, but Shirou was right. There was a kernel of good inside of her.

And apparently a kernel of evil inside himself. He sighed and adjusted his glasses.

"Yukika get back here." Came Kaede Makidera's voice.

Yukika Saegusa reached out and checked his hand. "Here. Let me look at that." She examined it. Reached into her back pocket and wrapped his hand expertly. "Just a minor sprain, but be careful okay?"

Kane Himura called out to her friend, "Yukika, get back. He is dangerous like this."

"Can't you see it? It is as plain as day. Although seeing you as dangerous is just as big a shock to me as you being with Ayako; truly the world has become strange."

Kane said quietly, "Yukika is probably safe. The man is a theurgist after all. He probably can't destroy her like he could us."

Kaede asked, "How can you tell?"

Kane sighed and folded her arms, "Didn't you learn anything back there?"

Kaede said, "I learned what to avoid. Yukika, we will be by the fire. Let us know if he gets better."

Saegusa softly said, "Okay."

"What was that about?"

"Oh, it is probably the fact you are glowing." She studied him, "It is pretty." She looked at where her friends had left. "But you've done it before. Usually when you are deep in thought or meditating." She left to find her friends.

The other girls were afraid of him because they were spirits. A form of Wraith, he supposed. But stable and in fresh bodies. How long would they live now? Would they have longer or shorter lifespans?

Now was not the time.

He took one last glance at the coin. It had slowed considerably in the last few minutes. Medusa had broken another seal.

Issei was fairly certain he knew the ceremony Medusa was using. She had used it on her sisters. It required a great deal of physical intimacy. Stheno had eagerly embraced, hoping to dull Medusa's insane anger in physical pleasure, even as she grew weaker and less coordinated as Medusa shattered her gates. Euryale had tried to talk Medusa down, to no greater effect.

Both of them had blamed themselves for what had happened to Medusa and let themselves be consumed. Ayako was probably just confused by it all. Each broken seal or shattered gate would make it worse.

If he was right, the ceremony would consist of five gates. One for each of the classic elements. Water would come first, as it was first in creation with its ties to all the endless cycles. Medusa would methodically break each one.

Ayako likely only had Air and Ether left. The throat and the crown.

Issei closed his eyes in compassion. With Water you don't lose much. Oh it is major, but it concerns the long cycles, namely procreation and digestion. The ceremony wouldn't affect the body, just the inhabiting soul's connection to it.

With Earth you lose connection to your foundations, your heritage and family. Mitsuzuri would have been taken from her.

With Fire you lose your passions, both good and bad. Her love for Issei was likely gone.

The last was Air and lofty reason. In many ways it was her best choice. Assuming she could find the will to resist.

After Air, there was only Ether. But at that point the mind has no sapience, passion, heritage, or real connection to life at all.

Once Air was gone….

The coin stopped spinning.

Ayako was gone. Her soul forfeit.

And he had done nothing.

Something inside Issei broke and he screamed at the Heaven, the now starry sky.

And the world became deathly silent. Waiting.

Issei did something he had been forbidden.

I call upon the Spirits above,

And those who lurk below,

The words echoed with a force he had not felt in the outer world. The stars went wild and the sea pulled back unto the horizon.

He had been forbidden to use his normal magic in this place not because it would fail.

But because it might work.

I call upon you to aide me in…

That was as far as he got when the wave washed over him and pulled him out to sea. He struggled for a moment, trying to get air.

Gentle arms enfolded him as a woman pulled him close and smirked at him. Her eyes were a burnished gold and her features familiar. She then gave him a kiss that forced water down his throat.

For a moment he felt something taken from him.

And then he drowned.

-Scene Break—

Shirou Emiya-

Shirou talked briefly with the men Raiga had sent over to aid him. Mr. Ayase agreed to watch over the house while Shirou rested.

He tried to ignore the men making signs to avert evil.

He ignored the bodies and the damage as he went to fetch Sakura.

She was gone. He stalked through his house looking for her, only to find her on a futon next to one laid out for him. Archer sat and dropped cordial in Sakura's eyes.

"What are you doing here?"

"My master is dying. He let me come here to do what good that I could manage. He bade me to ask you to watch over his niece and to read his findings."

"I will. But I must rest."

Archer smiled, "Well my prince, I will watch over you until your friends arrive."

Shirou calculated the Servant could have killed them at any point. Might as well trust him.

And so he did, laying down next to Sakura, he could feel her calm.

The world changed and he was heading home from an outlying estate that had some large work to be done.

Only something was wrong with his village. No one came to greet him. No animals cried out. It was silent.

Up close, everything was stripped. Not raiders or bandits. An army had been through. Royal at his guess, as the people had been taken and not left to starve.

He followed after, eager to catch up and find Sakura. Eager to find justice.

He found Sakura at the remains of an encampment. She, like a half dozen others were hanging from the scattered trees.

He cut them all down and built a cairn for them. If he lived, he would see them properly buried. But for now this would do.

He rushed to face the King. He found her on the field of Camlaan. On a hilltop whose view covered the whole field. As they fought, Shirou screamed at her about all the injustice.

And she cut him down like a stalk of wheat.

He recovered of course, he still bore Avalon. But the battle had ended. He stood on that hill and reinforced his eyesight, until he caught sight of a mourning Percival. Next to him lay a dead Arturia.

Camlaan itself lay covered in the dead.

Counter Guardian Pendragon sighed as she joined him, "Such a waste. Britain never recovers from this. It takes a few years to realize how weak we had become. Soon my people will be pushed back to Cornwall and Wales. Or become intermingled with the invaders." She shrugged.

"Did you search for the Grail like my Arturia."

"Oh, yes. I was such a proud fool. But the truth is the past can't be changed. Only how you view it."

Shirou takes in the carnage again, "What did it all mean?"

She smiled at him, "Well your training is over. And there is a certain someone who wants to congratulate you." She looked at the field grimly. "But not here."

Shirou raced back to his own world. The castle was complete. It was an odd mix of Western, Eastern, and modern styles. He ignored it and raced to the forge on the hill.

Sakura greeted him with a kiss, "We need to talk."

He lifted her up and carried her to the cot that was in the corner. "After you welcome me home."

They kissed for a few minutes, their hands reclaiming the other. When they paused to catch their breath, Sakura said, "We really do need to talk."

Shirou made a sound that was half grumble and half whimper.

Sakura kissed him again, "After I welcome you home."

And they made love.

-Scene Break—

Ayako Mitsuzuri-

She looks out of glassy eyes she can no longer control. Feels the sweat pouring off her tensed up body. Tiny quivers of pleasure follow the movement of her tormentors tongue.

The woman had asked one last chance to taste her. And the body had said yes. The body no longer truly connected with the mind. The mind was still feeling everything that was being done to her.

Caster. That was the woman's name. Facts and memories swarmed about, even as Caster swirled her tongue around a particular sensitive spot.

And the being once known as Ayako Mitsuzuri screamed in pleasure, as the tension Caster had slowly built was released in a flood of bliss.

Caster got off the padded altar and moved towards the nameless creatures head. "I am sorry Ayako. No, you don't even have that anymore." She sighed. "I need to finish it."

She raised her hands in benediction and said:

I take from you your crown

That which marks you as a separate being

And I sunder the Gate of Ether

That guards your soul immortal

I come not as a conqueror

For I am your steward

I accept all that is good in your life

I accept all that is evil in your life

I accept your sacrifice

I accept your life.

I take from you your talents

I take from you your element

I take from you your origin

I take from you your memories

I take from you your dreams

I accept the burden of your soul

I swear to carry it until the end of time

Medusa paused and bent down to kiss what had been Ayako. "Goodbye." And with her lips flush against Ayako's, she inhaled. And breathed in the heady fumes of Ayako's soul.

Ayako adjusted to the darkness that was now her fate, lest she turn all she saw to stone. She could feel her distinctiveness fade, slowly dissolving in the larger mélange of Medusa.

But she could feel the tears, the hoarse sorrow as Medusa finished.

Once last time I give you my regard

Know that I am now Ayako Mitsuzuri.

I am all she ever was since the beginning

I am all she has become

I am all she will ever be

I claim eternal stewardship over her

I claim eternal possession of her

I am her.

Your stewardship is over

You are now empty

I bid you to depart

Return unto the Source

May you know the peace of Oblivion eternal.

Medusa sighed. She wanted to look at her body one last time. She closed its eyes and removed her mask. She felt the smooth skin and admired the athletic build. She would enjoy this body.

She was worried how this would affect Issei. She didn't have every memory that Ayako had possessed, which unfortunately included the last few weeks. That could be a problem.

She replaced her mask and walked out of the protective circle. It would keep any wraiths from trying to possess her new body. Plus it would keep any dangerous force inside.

One of her satyrs asked if he could now taste the now empty, but very alive body. She reluctantly said yes. Keeping them from molesting the other girls was becoming a problem. This would give them an outlet for a few days.

It marched off, already hardening.

There was a sickening crack behind her. The satyr flew down the hallway to splatter messily against one of the columns. There was a blur of motion and Medusa was pressed against a different column, a glittering blade at her throat.

"Give me back my NAME!"

-End Part—

A/N- This part was hard to write. Next part we deal with Ilya. Hope you folks enjoy.