A/N Hey guys! Hope ya'll doing well during quarantine. Here's another chapter.
Reviews:
Pseud: Eheh to be honest, I have no idea if you're being sarcastic or not. But thanks for the review. Hope you enjoy this one.
LoverofArtemis: There is one, but I'm a)unsure just yet and b)kinda leaning towards one. Not sharing until later. Also, again to be honest, I haven't read another fanfic which revolves around a very strong Shirou. There was one or two, I'll dig up the names for next time, but otherwise, yea not a lot. If you know some, shoot them my why, I'd love to give them a look.
Guest: Thanks!
Swiftcaliston: Here is Mooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeee!
Previously on OP
Joker cackled madly as he set the sights of the pistol on Batman's jaw, the cape cru-oh wait! Wrong story.
*Cough cough* Sorry about that folks
Blow a building or two. Never have direct confrontation, unless you are absolutely sure you can take them without suffering. Not getting hurt…Without suffering."
And now, a year later of training, studying and planning, he was holding his surrogate's son limp body, trying to find a heartbeat and just hoping that he hasn't just killed his own son.
Kiritsugu breathed out a sigh of relief as he gazed at his adopted son, Shirou Emiya. It was a nerve-racking experience to know you played a hand in the death of your own child. Shirou had—after a few moments, breathed in deeply as if waking up from nearly drowning, before swiftly falling unconscious. Setting him in his bed, Kiritsugu now stood in his own room. The…fear, the shame and guilt seeing his son like that woke something up. It's been three years since he had last done something like this and to be honest he was being very selfish. However, this needed to be done.
Scene Change
Present Time
Shirou hummed as he skilfully prepared breakfast, the day starting off pretty normal. He had woken up early as usual and started on his daily workout routine, before starting the meal of the day. He had learned how to cook from a young age, after Kiritsugu had died in fact. At first the meals were bland and tasteless, something he personally didn't care about. However, soon enough he started getting better at cooking and eventually his cooking reached an unparallel level, making the other inhabitants of the house very grateful for his skill, especially Illya.
Scene Change
Past
Kiritsugu breathed in heavily as he stood in front of the destroyed Einzbern homunculi guardian, Jubstacheit Von Einzbern. The battle had been fierce, the bounded fields being of excellent design and the other guardians were something most Magus would have shaken at the sight of. However, he wasn't most Magi, and soon he had stood before the Einzbern Master and after a ground-breaking battle, he had emerged victorious. After all, being the Reaper of the Moon lit world and having survived a Holy Grail war aren't simple achievements.
That doesn't mean he won unscathed, bleeding from several holes in his body. That combined with the curse from the War and he knew he was running out of time. And so, steeling his resolve, he made his way around the castle, her name on his lips.
Scene Change
Present
Shirou gazed as his sister was going to town on her meal, excited for the day ahead. They were planning to visit the park, something he couldn't normally do due to school. They were going to be visited by Sakura and Shinji, something that kinda became a usual group outing for them a few years ago, with Fujimura sometimes joining. Today, however he didn't care none about that. It was Illya's birthday and all that mattered was seeing her happy, something he knew Shinji would feel about Sakura as well, he was sure.
He still remembered the day Illya appeared on his front doorstep with her servants, Sela and Leysritt.
*Flashbasck*
Shirou was busy making lunch for himself, taking a break from going deeper with his Origin. It was a week after Kiritsugu had left and while at first it was difficult for him, his sense of reality came back and soon he had started a program for himself. Fujimura was too busy with school to visit, so he had taught himself how to cook basic stuff and not knowing how long Kiritsugu would be gone for, he had started to study and train as well. He had found the letter in his room after waking up.
It said:
"Shirou,
I understand you must be confused as to where I am and what is going on. The answer is, there is something I must bring back from abroad, something vital to me. I do not know how long I will be gone for, or if I will even make it back. I want you to continue your training by yourself and to progress towards your dreams.
Shirou, never forget that you are the son of Kiritsugu Emiya and that means you can and will be great. If I don't make it back alive then I want you to know this, no matter what I will always be proud of you and will always love you, my son."
Shirou would deny crying on that day, feeling the loss of a father deep within his soul. However, he had persevered and now, as the bell rung signifying guests, he was able to open the door with a small smile on his face and a curious look in his eyes. In front of him were two ladies in maid outfits. The funny thing was, they looked identical, same white hair, same red eyes and same ivory skin.
In the middle of these two was a girl, she had white hair, red eyes and ivory skin as well. However, she was dressed more regally then the other two. He cocked his head to the side and asked who they were. The little girl looked up to him and smiled shyly, "I am Illyasviel Von Einzbern, daughter of Kiritsugu Emiya, your little sister."
With that Shirou felt the loss of a parent become reality, however something else was given to him and as he hugged the little girl who started crying into his shirt, he promised himself he would do his best to make her happy.
*Time Skip*
Shirou stood by as he watched Illya dancing around the flowers in the park, enjoying the sense of freedom, something she didn't have within the castle years ago. He knew she didn't have long to live, what with the Holy Grail War starting soon. However, his preparations were nearly done, with only the servant waiting to be summoned. He wondered though, what kind of impact would the previous War have on this one.
For starters, the mana would be a lot more since the holy Grail didn't grant a wish last time. Plus, it wasn't meant to use what ever energy was left over, no it used the energy from the Lay lines of the earth. The reason it took sixty years before was because it was located at places were the magical energy wasn't intense enough. The second it moved to Fuyuki city though, a magically intense area the process sped up. So, a fully powered Grail and mana from five servants that were slain, means unknown.
The other problem would be the corruption which Kiritsugu had mentioned. This energy corrupted the Grail and allowed for twisted servants to be brought into the War, servants like Caster of the last war. Shirou didn't think that Berserker was a twisted spirit, after all they were meant to be angry and action, something Caster wasn't meant to be. That and the fact Caster went on a murder spree with his Master definitely showed how corrupt the Grail was becoming.
He shook his head however, 'Whatever comes, I'll deal with it.' He already had his catalyst and so did Illya. The only question was, will the other Master's band together or would they do a free-for-all. "Eh Emiya, can you stop thinking so hard, it's stinking up the place?" "Big Brother, don't be rude to Senpai!" Shirou chuckled as he heard the voices of Shinji and Sakura Matou. Both were dressed in fine clothing, something Shinji would attribute to "Our proud and honourable family name. Something you would not understand Emiya."
"Pfft. Always defending this guy, seriously Sakura why don't you ever defend me eh!? Shinji remarked, though his smirk took the sting out of the words. Sakura rolled her eyes before stepping up and giving Shirou a hug. "It's good to see you Senpai." Shirou nodded, "Good to see you too Sakura." While he and Sakura were pretty close—he knew she had a crush on him, he however did not. He was still happy with her improved mental state.
As Sakura went over to play with Illya, both Shinji and Shirou stood side by side, in silence.
*Time Skip*
"Say goodnight Illya." Shirou reminded his tired sister, as they started making their way home. It had been a fun day, with the girls spending time together. Illya mumbled out something that sounded like a goodnight before resting her head back onto Shirou's own head, trying very hard not to fall asleep. Shirou chuckled before waving goodbye at the others and heading home. He kept quiet as he walked, knowing Illya had probably fallen asleep. 'It's good having a sibling' he thought. It definitely brought more brightness to his life, knowing without Illya he'd be serious all the time. That's why he treasured these moments and got pissed went people tried to ruin them. Like now.
Stopping, he took Illya of his shoulders and laid her on the bench nearby. "I know you're there." He turned around to face the three dark individuals which seemingly appeared out of nowhere. They had dark clothing on, with masks covering their face. Two females and a male. All from the Mage's Association, Recon group according to the sign on their shoulder pad. "I'd have thought after the last group, the Mage's Association would know better than coming after me."
He could see the one on the right, a female, shaking in her boots while the other two remained calm. 'Newbie. Will falter/make mistake. Male seems to be agile type, makes sense with Recon Group. Most likely not physically capable of an up-front fight. Might try and gang up.'
The middle figure, the last female and probably leader of the group stepped forward. "We aren't here to confront you, only to warn you." Shirou narrowed his eyes at that, "What's the warning." "The Grail is active and this time the war will be different. The Mage's Association knows who the Masters are, including you. Be warned Mage Killer, if you overstep your boundaries like your predecessor and if you fight against the Association and it's traditions, you will die."
Shirou hummed before letting out a smile. His teeth showed, and his eyes glowed, "Really now? Haven't I told you before, I represent what you cannot achieve due to your own stupidity. Plus, I'd figured that the Mage Association would know that corpses don't talk." With that, the three figures fell down, like puppets who had their strings cut. Shaking his head, he turned back towards Illya only to see her glaring at him, "You should have killed them immediately and not waste time." Chuckling, he put her back on his shoulders and made his way back home, past the corpses which seemed to slowly melt from the inside, each with an arrow jutting from their head.
A/N So whatcha think? Hope you all like it, leave a review and see you next time. Also, check out my other stories! Hope you all doing well in quarantine and you all staying healthy!