Irregulars' Fate in the Magic High School

by ReavesTheReader

Magic is never short of its anomalies. Even to the normal world, there exists the moonlit world, a place where irregularities such as Heroic Spirits and magi, anomalies in their own right, persist. But what if it were a world where magic is science? Where mysteries are broken down into facts? Could such beings be considered normal? That depends. What constitutes as 'normal' to you?

2. Chapter 0

Irregulars' Fate in the Magic High School

Chapter 0: Fall of Stage Past, Rise of the Curtain Anew

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Fuyuki City, Ryuudou Temple, January 2004.

The world was on the path of destruction.

The war was won. The heroes were the victors and the corrupt evil that plagued this world since the Third War was finally vanquished. A happy conclusion to the Fifth War was rightfully earned by its winners… or, that's what was supposed to happen.

Instead of joyous applause, great cheers and the beautiful sight of the setting sun with the town itself as a wonderful backdrop, the Grail had collapsed in on itself. Destroyed at last. Erased, corruption and all.

But what was left in its former place was an abyssal hole that threatened to swallow anything and everything that existed. None were safe from what was to come. Not even the planet itself.

Well, that was an exaggeration.

"Ah, this one's another failure." There was always an exception. The one for this momentous event in this world, in this reality, straightened his beard with the fingertips of a gloved hand. A disappointed expression marred his softly smiling face. "A shame. And I was just enjoying their struggle too."

The wind howled in response, seemingly as if in victory. The bearded observer, however, wasn't fazed. Despite the chaotic collapse of reality, he just stood there. Saddened, but indifferent. Even as the once-tiny hole grew in size, sending more and more of the world vanishing into oblivion through what was now a rift about the size of a car.

"Of all the oddities to occur this time, Angra Mainyu just had to swallow itself…" a sigh escaped him as he glared at the hole. A rare hint of anger emanated from his form directed at the long gone existence that was now the black hole before him.

Another howl, another ostensible victory cry. All the World's Evils had already vanished when its vessel was destroyed. But in its final act of vengeance, it self-destructed, causing a rip in the fabric of space. That same rip continued to eat away its surroundings. Even the former temple, ruined by the preceding battle, had its debris being sucked away never to return to the world again.

"Haaah… guess I'll have to observe a different reality again. While I wished things didn't have to end this way for this one's residents, this is too boring an ending to canonize. That apprentice of mine did good, but I guess not enough…" Grumbling lightly, the aged immortal prepared to cast his magic. "Oh well! Best try look for another stage that's actually entertaining and has a happy ending… Time for the curtains to fall on this one…"

"Ngh!" But before the activation of the Second Magic could come to pass, something caught his eye. There, just out of the rift's reach, a figure emerged from under the rubble. "Kuho! Ugh… R-Rin! Saku—Ngah! Sakura?!"

"Hm?" The observer cancelled his casting and watched as a key player in this reality's most recent event and one of the winners to the final Grail War in this World Line stood up to look around. In his arms, the limp and decaying body of a homunculus child rested. "Hoho? They still live, I see!"

Emiya Shirou, having protected his adopted sister, Illyasviel von Einzbern, with his body, tried desperately to call for his friends.

"Rin! Sakura!" he cried again, desperately trying to be heard over the howling vortex of destruction. "Where are you?!"

"Over here!" a familiar voice replied further ways away from the rift. Not wasting another second, the boy slogged in the direction it came from, half-dead homunculus girl in tow.

Interested in their survival, the immortal observer decided to delay his departure. The world wasn't collapsing as fast as a previous reality, so he had time to spare. Taking a few steps in their direction, however, he didn't get far before something tugged at his existence. Turning his eyes to the hole in the world, he noted that it wasn't the oblivion attempting to swallow him as well. Which left…

"Yo, Gaia. Been a while, yes?"

The world shook in response. Not caused by the rift tearing away at it, but instead by the entity that formed it. Gave it being.

"You know I can't stop this, right? I can't save the you of this Line."

More shaking. It even seemed to groan. Gaia was struggling, that much was obvious. And they were pleading for his help.

"I'm just an observer, you know? True, what I observe will become the true reality. But in the face of the culling of another doomed world, the only action I can take is to hop over into another reality. Another world parallel to this. You know the drill by now."

Talking to the planet may have been the peak of lunacy, but to the Wizard Marshall, an existence who was already beyond that of mortal comprehension while still allied to them, this was just another normal occurrence in his extremely long life. But the planet's insistence running contrary to his intended action was not. It quaked again in response.

"Ugh… If there's something you wish for me to do, at least ask for something realistic and clear!" Another quake. Gaia was being a lot more stubborn this time around. And yet, it was just Gaia attempting to push their agenda. No sign of its other half yet, despite humanity no doubt despairing for its approaching end. Cutting off its third groan, he threw his hands into the air, starting to get bored. "Whatever! I'll hear you out later. For now, shush! I want to see what my favorite people are up to."

Telling the planet to shut up only earned him another complaint. But as a tree flew overhead and into the rift, the giddy old man ignored the Will of the Planet to approach the actors he currently found most interesting.

"Rin! Sakura!" Right on time, the main protagonist just arrived, almost collapsing to the floor next to a pitiful girl currently held in her sister's arms.

"S… Sen… pai?" said pitiful girl tried to reach out to the boy. But damaged as her body was, she shouldn't have even been able to see properly. All she could do was blindly reach out.

"I'm here, Sakura," the boy didn't care. Leaning over so that his face was the first thing she touched, he nearly broke into tears. "I'm here."

"Th… thank god…" Sakura wasn't as composed. "I… I'm sorry… this… this is all… all my fault!"

"Don't say that!" the dark-haired older sibling cried. Gone was her normally cold and calculating composure. In its place, sisterly tears streaked down the side of Rin's face. "Don't you dare say it's your fault! It's mine, you hear! If I'd known all along… I'd… I…"

She couldn't stop them from overflowing as she laid her head in her younger sister's bosom. Her muffled cries only grew louder when Sakura's other hand blindly caressed the side of her face.

"Mou… Nee-san… You've always… always been this way…" The delirious girl held her own tears back. Looking over to her other side, she then spoke softly. "Senpai… Illya-chan… where is she?"

"Right here." Gently redirecting the blind Sakura's hand down to touch the girl in his arms, he reassured her. "Don't worry. We're all here."

"Is she…" but contrary to his expectations, her languid expression seemed to grow concerned. Likely due to not feeling an inch of warmth on the homunculus girl's skin. "Illya-chan… Illya-chan?!"

"Mou… Sakura-chan's so noisy…" The balled-up girl in Shirou's arms complained but with a slightly relieved yet tired cheer in her voice. The strain put onto her body had taken its toll on her. Her crimson eyes struggled to stay open. "I… was just getting to enjoy… sleeping in Oniichan's arms.. finally…"

"Don't worry us by playing dead!" Rin's sudden outburst and muffled tears only earned her a warm cheeky smile from the white-haired girl that tried her best to cling even tighter to the boy's shirt. "Geez! And here I was… worried about you… You brat!"

"You two… now's not the time… to fight… amongst ourselves, you know? Not after all we've… been through…" Being the ever caring middle ground between the bickering pair, even while enduring much physical pain to reach out and hold them, Sakura grasped both their hands tight. Her own tears started to flow. "It's finally… over… Right… Senpai?"

"Yeah…" The exhausted look on the boy's face seemed to fade slightly. A smile graced his lips as he looked over them all. "It's done."

'That's quite the touching scene,' thought the old observer as he remained invisible from them all. 'Then again, this is the first time I've seen all four of them survived through it.'

Reminiscing the countless realities in which only two or three lived, he was glad to be in one were they could smile satisfied. The world and that which threatened to consume it, however, seemed to want to destroy what peace the children deserved.

A deafening roar followed by an even stronger gale caught them unawares.

"Ngh!" "What is this?" "N-nee-san?" "…"

The earth around them crumpled. Bits and pieces started to dislodge as what remained of the temple collapsed into the edge of the growing abyss. From afar, Mount Enzou was on the brink of being swallowed from within as the hole grew ever larger.

"This is bad! We have to get out of here—NGAH!"

"Ah! Oniichan?!"

Trying to stand as fast as he could, the boy overexerted himself. Forgetting that he'd just barely gotten out of the war without frying his Magic Circuits to hell, the sudden action sent a twinge of pain through his nerves, dropping him back to his knees. The girl in his arms fell on her rear when he couldn't keep hold of her, but latched on as she was, she remained on his chests with tears in her eyes.

"Don't push yourself, Shirou!" Rin was the first to scold him. "Neither of us barely have enough mana left! You especially! Anymore and you'll just make it worse on yourself in the future…"

"But…" As her voice trailed away, he made to retort the obvious as he had been prone to do ever since they met. "But… if we don't get out of here, there will be no future for us—!"

"I know that already, stupid! I know that… but…"

'There was nothing she could do.' It went unsaid, but it was obvious to him. It was obvious to everyone. She was spent. Needless to say, so were the two other girls who'd endured most of the pain, not only having been the Grail's vessel or the corruption that tried to be born from it.

Preventing Illya's degradation into the cup and Sakura's corruption had them all spent and unable to move.

Knowing full well how much of a novice the boy Shirou was, Rin had already recognized the strain on his body as near-fatal as well. If not crippling as it already was, he'd die if he pushed himself further. Though Avalon was still trying to keep him alive if barely, there was nothing he could do in the absence of its owner.

No one could do anything. Hence the direness of the situation.

The old man made a sad smile. Dismayed as he was to watch them go out like this, intervention on his part was already too much. He was just an observer, not an actor. Anymore and it would be cheating. And that wouldn't be fun.

No doubt, his apprentice would voice complaints about his flippant attitude, but when she was but one of many versions in the entirety of existence, the thoughts of a single person weighed little.

It's not like he didn't want to help. But interfering any more would put the world and humanity itself at risk. The Age of the Will, the future to come, is only achievable by the hands of man. If a Dead Apostle such as himself were to actively make this reality that future's base, humanity would die out in a matter of years.

More so now that their planet was being sucked away into a void created by that spiteful Avenger.

"O-Oniichan! Rin!" "Huh?" "Illya?!"

Drawing his attention away from the hole, the old man spied the young homunculus being lifted up into the air. With her delicate frame and being an artificial human, the strong gale was able to wrest her from the boy's drained grip with ease. That is, had her brother not quickly latched onto her arm with his own.

"Oniichan!"

"Don't let go! I got you!" By sheer force of will, the exhausted Emiya Shirou held tight to the little Einzbern as her feet dangled in the air. "I got you! Just… ngh! Hold on!

"Illya!" Seeing his struggle, even the observer's young apprentice jumped to her aid. Rin's grasp on the child's other arm held taut, but there was no way it would last long. Not when she too was as weak and tired as her sister and Shirou. "Dammit! The wind's too strong! At this rate… we'll be separated… Dammit!"

"Nee-san… Illya-chan… … Senpai?!" With Sakura's trembling fingers trying its hardest to hold onto theirs, expressing what little support the girl could give, all hope seemed lost.

"I'm not letting go…" Or so one would think. "There's no way… I'm letting any of you go!"

'It's useless.' Thought the old Magician.

No matter how much they struggled, there was no getting out of this. Sooner or later, even if they did manage to hold firm, they'd be ripped away, torn asunder along with the world by the last curse of Angra Mainyu. There was nothing more they could do.

"Trace… On!" But one's weakened veins of prana surged with life. His Circuits thrummed with all the mana he had left as Shirou, gritting his teeth in defiance at the world's inevitable end, began his chant. "Judging… concept of creation… Hypothesizing basic… structure…"

Motes of light began to coil around his form. Gradation Air was being activated, however, the Wizard's eye widened with interest as he knew the boy was only fluent in the Projection of blades.

What was being outlined by his mana was no sword. He had yet to so much as take a step towards his ideal. His body was not prepared for that level of magecraft at all. Even if he subsumed his Servant variant's arm, there was no way he could push his body further… not unless he wished to tear himself apart.

'Where is he drawing this strength of his?' The elder Vampire continued to watch as the boy struggled with all his might.

"Duplicating the composition… of materials… GAH!"

Capillaries along his arm began to spurt out blood. The back of shirt, once dirtied with grime and sweat, was getting soaked in red. His physical form had already given out. It wouldn't be long before Archer's power shredded him from the inside out.

But beneath it all, blue lines emanating with energy glowed. His prana continued to flow, surpassing his bodily limits, likely consuming him with pain.

"Imitating… skill… of its making… NGAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

"Oniichan—!"

"It's alright!" He quickly comforted her before resuming. The air surrounding them all warped and twisted as something wrapped around each their limbs and bodies, slowly but surely taking form. Solidifying into something that gently snaked about their limbs as he continued. "Sympathizing… with the… experience of… growth… Reproducing the accumulated years—! NGKUHO!"

Hacking away, he coughed up blood that began to accumulate as a rippling pool on the floor. It was enough to bring the hysteria to two of the girls' faces but only one of them had enough energy to shriek his name. "Shirou!"

"KUHO!"

More blood spilled from his being. Some flecks sprayed on Sakura's cheek, alerting the girl to what was going on. "Sen…pai?"

"Stop it! That's enough!" Rin, realizing what he was doing before he even made it halfway, shouted. "You're body's at its limit! Anymore and you'll—!"

"I don't care!" he cried hard enough to be heard over the wind. "I don't care… Even if this… body of mine… breaks… if there's something I can do… I'll do it!"

Rin didn't bother replying. She couldn't for she was also breaking down internally. In the face of the destruction, at the sight of his self-sacrificing willfulness, with the weakness of being unable to do anything to stop it all. Tohsaka Rin couldn't bear it anymore.

Not the world's end. Not their impending deaths. Not her love willingly destroying himself for their sakes.

"I told you… didn't I… Rin?" Shirou continued, despite the agony that should've been tearing at his insides. Despite the winds howls, he mumbled, more mouthed to her his comforting words. "That I would save not just you… but everyone… I cared about."

"You… you… you hopeless idiot! Go to hell! Stupid!" she cried. Even as everything collapsed, she could only cry, internally hoping for both his success and his safety. "Please… don't die… we… I—I can't lose you!"

The wind drowned out her wishes. A roar emanating from the abyss swallowed even more of the ground around them. But amidst all this chaos, the boy smiled warmly, both to her, his sister who's tears were whipped up by the rushing air, and the girl attempting to lean on his lap as she tiredly reached out to clutch his sleeve.

"Senpai…"

"What is it, Sakura?"

Though the girl couldn't see his face after all the damage her body sustained, she smiled his way. Just like she always did. "Do… your best!"

She couldn't see it, but his weak smile solidified into a determined one.

He was already willing to go to hell for their sakes.

Taking in a deep breath, he chanted. The object of his imagination finally taking form. "Excelling the manufacturing… process… NGH! Aaaggghhh! NGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

However, it wasn't enough. Even if he had the time and mana to perfect his craft, there was no way he would be able to Project a thing in his current state. Not his swords. Not the Divine Construct he sought to recreate as their anchor to one another.

CRICK CRACKSSSSHHH

The Projection shattered as he screamed into the wind.

Said wind suddenly died down. The quaking of the world had halted. Not a speck of dust or earth moved.

Time had stopped. For them and the world.

"Uuuggghh… Interrupting now of all times?!" annoyed to hell and beyond, the exasperated exception to the dilation of time complained. Seemingly immune to the otherworldly intervention, the ancient Magician turned in place to meet the being responsible. "Not only do you arrive late to the party, but you also have to crash it? What's the big idea, Alaya?"

The Collective Unconscious of mankind, that which always, without fail, steered humanity away from extinction, appeared above them all. Like a glowing blue star with circling halos floating about its center mass. Out of all the forms it had taken when conversing with others, this one was apparently its favorite.

Why, the old vampire wasn't sure. He'd never been that curious enough to ask if the Counter Force had preferences to begin with.

But one thing he was sure of was that he was pissed the show he was watching got put on hold.

The mass above began to thrum. Accompanying it, Gaia quaked as well.

"Haaah… If you two are done, can I get back to the show?" Unamused by their message, he hid his face in the palm of his glove. "Of all the times to be interrupting my fun, why? What is it now of all times?!"

They thrummed again. Alaya taking the lead before followed by Gaia.

"So you intend for them to survive. Big deal! I can just go over to another reality and start over from there. They'll live no matter which world I'm in. Easy-pea—!"

More thrumming. This time, it was even intense. Whatever they said had the old observer's brow furrowing. A slight frown marred his old face.

"Why 'them' specifically?" he asked while gesturing over his shoulder to the four. Crossing his arms, the immortal noted their deep silence. "While I hold interest in them as entertainment, there's really no particular need for 'Mankind's Will' itself to be so attached to four mortals, is there? They aren't so unique as to be that different to others in the Lines parallel to this one. And even if they are who you want, you'd have to be pulling my leg if there's anything a homunculus, who mind you has less than a year left to live, and the boy, get this, has even less than a day left, can do anything for you."

For a while, they remained quiet. But just as he was about to dismiss their stubbornness, balls of light appeared from all over. Streams sprouted from Alaya's manifestation before landing around him. When the orbs they were in dissolved, shadows shrouded in the Will's energy stood all around the place.

Atop the shattered mountain. Standing near fallen debris. One of them was even stood atop a tree that was flying towards the hole but was held in place in the air by the stranglehold on time.

They were, all of them, nameless Guardians. Faceless warriors whose duty it was to carry out the Counter Force's wishes. Only this time, they were all looking at him. And none of them were doing so in a friendly manner.

Swords, spears, bows, guns, even various weapons that belonged to the future not of this time or reality. They were all pointing their various weapons at himself, the lone target of Alaya and Gaia's ire.

"Quite the party you invited for me," he grinned at the embodiment of mankind's will. "Though I appreciate the generous gesture, did you really think I'd be coerced with a threat? You disappoint me, you two." Shaking his head, a hearty laugh left his bearded mouth. "Being two halves of a whole, you should know better than to use force on someone as detached from reality as myself. It may be more fun when you try, but it's futile when my voluntary cooperation is essential, no? After all, being who I am, you can't manipulate me to make the reality you want the true one."

Alaya's manifestation hummed at that. But before he could get in another word, a single stream of light reached out… and wrapped itself around Emiya Shirou's comically broken expression held frozen by the halt of time.

As it stuck to his skin, it webbed out like a spider's web. Weaving, meandering through his clothes, it seeped into his wounds. Following this attachment, prana flowed through the connection before being pumped into the boy's being.

Through his eyes, his mouth, his wounds, mana flowed. Even as he was frozen in time, his Magic Circuits began to glow once again. But beneath the light show, the ancient magus could see far more occurring under his skin.

The tears due to the exertion of magic, the erosion of his being, the very volatile state Emiya Shirou's body was in, was being reversed. Far more than that, like a heated and sharpened sword being quenched in oil, he was being refined, going so far as to fully incorporate the corporeal appendage of his.

"Manipulating him till the end…" The Wizard grimaced slightly but couldn't help but sneer at Alaya's doing. "Even after he offers up his being for the sake of the girls, you plan on utilizing him as a tool for your own purposes. It matters little the world or reality he's in, doesn't it? You cheeky bastards!"

The planet's Will didn't deny it. Neither did mankind's Collective Unconscious. Of course they wouldn't. They weren't human, hence the total disregard for human values. Both continued to supply the boy with magical energy. Soon, it overflowed out of his Circuits and into the fading shattered remains of his last Projection.

Blue glass-like fragments began to glow bright. Like shards of a shattered mosaic, light reflected off each and every piece. That same light began linking up with one another, turning from a deep blue of his prana into the golden chains that exuded divinity.

In its true form, the replica of the Divine Construct began wriggling to life. Time had held things in place, but it wasn't being controlled by any mortal hand. It began to snake around the four children. Binding their arms, their legs, their torsos to one another.

But it didn't end there. The Chains of Heaven sent a wave of prana to the homunculus child. Alaya used both the noble phantasm and the boy it was connected to as a conduit to do the same thing to her as it did the boy. Even her body, something far more perfect but, at the same time, even more fragile than a human's began to thrum with power and energy that belonged to the Will of the World.

The homunculus child was homunculus no longer. And once it had finished with its transfer, the great golden links of the Divine Construct completed securing all four of them. The World's two halves began to thrum again in unison.

"You mean for them to stick together now? And you're doing the boy a favor out of convenience?! HAHAHAHAH! What's more, you mean to use that annoying goldie's best friend as an anchor? HAAAAHAHAHAHAH!" Perplexed at first, another hearty laugh left his person. All sense of tension was rendered void as some semblance of curiosity began to twinkle in his eye. "Ah… you crack me up sometimes, you two! HAHAHAHA!"

He couldn't help the irony of it all, that their greatest foe in most of the Lines ended up being their saving grace in the one world he had very little to show for in. Then again, there were very few other objects in existence that could destroy those chains.

So long as it was bound by Enkidu, nothing could escape its grasp, much less pry its wielders apart.

All air of amusement soon vanished as realization set in. There was no way Gaia would be persisting with this unless they were serious. "Then, that means you already have their destination in mind?"

Another quake. An affirmative one. While everything stood on a standstill, another rift formed next to the four teenagers. One that resembled his own portals created by the activation of the Second Magic. It was only when he noticed that very portal was subsuming his prana did he realize both Gaia and Alaya's intent.

He could feel the destination for it was his magic in use. And, for it to be that world, then they really were desperate. For it was a world that completely lacked any influence of the pair. An age beyond their reach. A world where magic had finally become science.

But now that they'd opened the portal through him, they still needed him to walk through it, bringing the four children along as he did. That they were wordlessly insisting it so meant that they were sure he would finally agree.

And they were right to assume so, for the old man was intrigued by their desperation.

"Hmph, doing whatever you want…" The aged yet childish smile of his curled even wider. "Very well. I'll assist you. But only because I find it interesting." Taking a step towards the four, he dusted his sleeves while flourishing his cane. "However, I propose a slight tweak in your original plan. Hah!"

Striking the floating chains with his cane, he tapped into Alaya's control of them. The world thrummed in response, demanding to know what he was doing.

"Oh, relax, you whiny little… I'm just making things all the more interesting! Seeing as you intend to send them there, might as well send everything and everyone they're familiar with too! What fun will there be in simply copying and overlaying them on their boring existences in a parallel Line? Oh?! Bingo!"

He found what he was looking for. The Chains of Heaven reacted according to his will. Four chains erupted from the link he struck. But unlike the holy golden light of the original, these offshoots were wreathed in a ghostly form. Four ethereal chains with blade heads seemingly identical to the physical manifestation of the original Noble Phantasm sprang out of Enkidu.

The blades flew fast, spearing the four children in their hearts.

In the frozen space of stilled time, Gaia quaked the world.

"I said relax, didn't I?" he waved off the threat that came in the form of the active Guardians readying their arms and taking aim at him. "They're not going to die nor do I intend to modify them entirely! You may want them specifically, but you didn't say just how much of 'them' you needed to be identical, didn't you?"

Once again, the old man enforced his will into Enkidu despite the World's complaints. Once more, it reacted accordingly. More ethereal chains sprouted. But unlike the four that came from the weapon itself, these spawned from the teenagers.

Spawning like tentacles from their backs, they grew out, opposite where the first blades pierced their hearts.

There were many of them. Each chain link swam in the air like metallic snakes. Waiting, searching, sniffing for their prey. And when they found them, they rushed towards them like a flood. Many flew back into town. A handful went up to the sky to search even further, beyond the cityscape. A few flew towards what remained of the cemetery. A handful even dove into the giant hole that was eating away at the world. Curiously, or not so for him, a couple even sought out the manifestations of Alaya itself, burrowing deep enough to vanish into the glowing orb's center.

All the while, the Magician behind it all continued to smile devilishly.

Gaia asked what he was doing once more. Calmer, but nonetheless annoyed.

"There are many that make an individual. Desires, actions, obstacles, emotions, and the decisions they make." He explained to the pair of immortal entities. "The environment they go through, the upbringing they receive, anything and everything that made a person is based on their experiencing these things!"

What better way to recreate a majority of their experiences then by providing them with as many friends, family, rivals and enemies that they'd already faced, met, loved, and come into contact within this world?

The chains searched. Specifically, the hearts and souls that were already linked to the children.

Alaya was less incensed with him, yet he could feel its irritation in his old bones. The manifestation in the sky thrummed but didn't rebuff the invasive links. The chains seeking around in its being continued to pour and clink within. Resounding like flood of metal coins, they searched for the ever-elusive Throne the Counter Force was roughly connected to.

While no human, magi, or Magician could ever have hopes reaching into that world, the Divine Construct that was on the level of a god itself should pose no problem. After all, it was already linked to a divine Heroic Spirit. Merely fishing for him would lead to the rest in their nest. And picking only the essential pieces would do. No Grail or another War required.

Then again, maybe that's why the Counter Force was annoyed with its ever-increasing rumble of a grumble.

"Oh come of it! You get to have your fun! Where's the sense in letting you decide who gets to go or not? You don't even pay me to do your job, so lay off a little!" One of the Guardians levelled a gun barrel directly at his head. Another raised its sword while several spears were trained on his back. Staring at them head-on, he taunted. "Go ahead! Shoot. End me, if you can, that is! It's not like you wouldn't need me anyway, right?"

Before Alaya could respond, a few of the chains flew past the Guardians and locked themselves around a couple before dragging them down from their positions. Even they, detached as they were from time and space, were still souls linked to the very core of the children. To their Origins. Therefore, they were as fair game as anyone the rest of the flood sought. Be they human, magi, or Heroic Spirit, they would be hunted down by the modified Chains of Heaven.

"This should do," he said as soon as all the chains stopped clanging against each other. They'd all found their marks and were done seeking out anymore. Satisfied, he made to impishly grin up at the Counter Force. Though only Alaya could be seen as of the moment, he knew Gaia was similarly sulking like the ball of energy before him. "No more complaints now, right? I'm going to be cooperating with you after all, so permit me this much!"

Alaya thrummed. Willing, but hesitant to comply. Gaia was just the same.

The wind began to pick up. The earth was resuming its collapse.

The flow of time returned.

"Whoops!" making himself scarce, the old man vanished. That left the four teens and their being weighed down by the boy's Projected Noble Phantasm.

"—AAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH! Haaah… Haaah… huh?" Shirou struggled for air as he strangely felt the failed magecraft miraculously complete itself. "I… I did it?"

"Shirou?! Those are—?!"

"… Yeah…" Taking the miracle for what it was, he nodded, breathing even more gulps of the air as it continued to get sucked away. "With this… we won't ever be forced apart."

'Maaah, I wouldn't be so optimistic.' The old man smiled from his hiding spot. Unknown to the four, their souls were linked now. Not by the golden one manifested before them, no. The ethereal Chains of Heaven remained invisible to their eyes, but regardless, by fate or destiny, they weren't ever going to be separated.

Still, that didn't really applied the same meaning in the physical realm.

"Ah!" the girl already in the air was tugged away further. Her grip on her brother slipped. "Shirou! Rin! Sakura!"

"Hang on!" Shirou cried out as he held onto her chains while ensuring the other two were bound by the same.

She did. Admirably so. They were, all of them, holding on together. Their bonds were so strong, even in the face of the end of times, not one of the four made or thought to lessen their grip to each other.

So when Illyasviel von Einzbern's foot just barely grazed against what she thought was the hole made by Angra Mainyu, she instantly vanished into it.

"Wha—! ILLYA—Woah!" "What the—?!" "Nee-san?! Senpai—!"

Sakura was the last to jolt up from her laying back as the chain she was attached to followed suit. Link by link, the golden Noble Phantasm vanished as it was pulled into the dark hole in time and space. As a Divine Construct, it was nigh indestructible. As a unique one, True Magic treated it and its attachments as one and the same.

So when one fell, the rest followed, disappearing after the first. The four main characters of this play exited the stage through the hole that was his Second Magic.

"Alright. That's four departed!" Standing up to dust himself from his dirty hiding place, the elderly vampire made an excited smile before beginning to smirk in anticipation. It was like a child waiting on the success of a prank. No sooner had he began to dance in joy did something retort.

The world was not amused. If one couldn't tell by the collapse that continued despite their leaving, the now vanishing manifestation of Alaya thrummed at him warningly.

"Alright! Alright! Keep your pants on, you whiny bitch. I'll head on ahead of them to prepare for their arrival." Another thrum. It was as if to tell him he'd better do just that. "Geez, it's no fun with you, is there?"

He was in no hurry. After all, as the world collapsed around the portal, the doorway itself to a parallel world continued to swallow the many links of the ghostly chains. Bodies followed. But unlike the four that entered with surprise and shock, the wraith-like links had only the souls of those connected to the four attached to them.

Hence, only the spiritual bodies of those ever linked to the children in one small form or another was dragged into the abyss. And they were drawn in en masse, all oblivious to the destruction that was to encompass their world.

To the whistling of the ancient magus impressed with himself, it was a sight to behold that there were so many of them attached to the four of this plane.

"Hmm, quite the quantity, but I wonder which of these will leave a lasting impression on those brats?" Smiling gleefully, he then turned his attention to the Counter Guardians that had been attached to and were being dragged into the portal as well.

Seeing as Alaya had not dissipated them from existence when they were caught, the observer knew she was fully complying with his demands for once. 'How generous…' he mused.

One of them simply let himself get pulled in. However the other resisted. "Oya? You're still insisting on that? Give it up, kid! This is what you wanted in the first place!"

The last Guardian resisted. It seems that, with the World having called upon this specific version, he would remain adamantly defiant to his very core. At this, the Magician merely sighed.

"You're quite the pain, aren't you? Even when your boss gave the go-ahead, you're still gonna act like a child? Eh. Fine. You asked for it! One, two, EY!"

BAM

With a wind up, he aimed and landed a well-placed punt at the nameless hero's face before its grip on this plane of existence loosened. He too was swallowed up by the hole, just like his father.

"Kids, really. They never learn, do they?" he asked Gaia who remained as his only companion. The world retorted seemingly just as annoyed as Alaya was. This time, it sounded like it was asking if he was one to talk. "Are you really asking me that? Moi, Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg? I thought you were already aware. I take things at my own pace!"

Another quake. Another response. This time, it was inquisitive.

"'Why do I help humanity when I could care less about them'?" he scoffed. Yet another hearty laugh left him. Like a lunatic embracing the madness only found at world's end, he laughed. "Because it's fun, of course! Don't tell me you never thought of it! You embody humanity's will to survive and yet you still can't comprehend my reasons for helping them?"

The world quake. As its existence began to fade in this reality, it replied with confusion.

"No matter. If you don't understand now, there's still time you will. Or rather, there's still another you that will, even if it's weaker than yourself. As for me, I'll continue to love the human race for as long as I live. Such entertaining existences, that which denies yet worships even the indifferent and insufferable you. They don't even realize it! Bah! Someday, you'll get it."

The world quaked, still not comprehending his words. But it didn't matter.

As the last of the chain's linked ends, the last soul from the Throne related to any of the four, vanished into the doorway he made, the elderly observer-turned-chaperone, dusted himself and his attire. He now had to hurry up and prepare the next stage, otherwise Alaya's newly-planned specially-improvised theater was going to end in disaster.

"Oh, how I can't wait for this!" The day hadn't turned into the disappointment he thought it would. Excited as can be, he exited the stage of one world to readily join the next. "Now, let the curtains rise!"

He'd always ever been the audience. Now though, he had been given an opportunity to ready the cast of the next show.

---

Fuyuki City, Emiya Residence, July 18, 2092

At the stroke of six, the digital beeping of an alarm broke the silence of the room. But before anyone got the chance to turn it off, something, or rather someone, else had unanimously decided to overrule it instead.

The knowing signs were as follows: running footsteps just outside the room mere seconds after the alarm went off, the swinging open of a door without even so much as a knock, even more tapping footsteps inside the room, finally, a sudden thud and eerie pause as if something had kicked off the ground with all the power of an Olympic jumper.

"Good morning, Oniichaaaaaan~~~—!" "GUHO!" "—It's time! To! Get! Up!"

In the corner of a bedroom, a boy was suddenly subjected to the feeling of a bomb, or other heavy yet small object, being dropped dead center atop his bed. Specifically, right where his stomach was located under the sheets. What's more, said bomb not only didn't detonate, but instead, it hopped several times on her landing spot, emphasizing the morning pain on his ribs.

Trying not to be mad, for she'd always done this countless times in the past already, despite his wishes for her to stop, the owner of the room gently lowered the ruffled bedsheets that covered his face.

The first thing to meet his tired bronze eyes were an excited ruby-red pair of his little sister's own.

"Good morning, Oniichan!" she repeated, smiling with the all the cheer and innocence of the sun on a bright summer day while wearing her pink flannel pajamas.

"Good morning, Illya…" he mumbled while enduring her weight. The boy could do nothing else while staring back as he waited for her to get off… but it was to no avail, as per usual. "What are you waiting for?"

"A good morning kiss, of course!" She received no such thing. Instead, as she leaned forward for the deed, he reached out with his hands, grabbing both sides of her cheeks before tugging slightly. "Uwu! Iw huws! Iw huws! Onihyan!"

"Of course it hurts," the boy spoke softly, trying hard not to yawn as he played around with the pudgy and soft flabs of her slightly teary-eyed face. "You landed on me again when I told you to not jump on my bed, so this is punishment."

"Buw I waw woing iw wo wawe wou uw!"

"That's what my alarm is for. Haaah," the yawn escaped him and he ended up releasing her cheeks in the end. "How many times does this make? Sella-san is going to get mad at you, you know?"

"Not to worry!" recovering from his lazy counterattack, she smiled proudly and smugly despite the redness of her cheeks. "I made Liz stand watch for her before I got in!"

The child even pompously held out her chest as if setting up the sister to their maid as a snitch was something to be proud of. Well, that one was also a rebel, albeit a lazy one, so it was actually not that surprising she'd oblige to the little devil's whims to act, or at least not inform, her sister of the tiny girl's misdeeds. He responded by further massaging her cheeks between his hands like pudding.

"Even if Liz doesn't tell her, I will."

"Eh?! Onihyan, nyou mweanhy!"

"Call me whatever you want., but I'm your big brother. If you won't listen to our guardian, then I'll discipline you myself." He made to squeeze even further but gentler. The girl could only whine as she tried to escape to no avail. "Also, don't go asking Liz for help. She's a bad influence on you."

Obliging her every now and then was fine. But to do it for every single one of the little girl's schemes, that was just spoiling her. The boy made it a note to bring up the topic over dinner when their parents get back from their business trip.

Mom might not say much, but at least he had dad and Sella to back him up on it. Hopefully.

"Onihyan! Hyaw! Hwew we wo!"

The little girl whined even more but he wasn't going to let her have her way. He continued to mush the mochi-colored cheeks until she started begging him not to tell. Feeling bad about taking it too far, he relented the cheeks but didn't concede to her begging.

Not even when she gave him the cute pouty look that said 'I'll take your pudding if you won't give me a kiss on the cheek'. He pinched her nose back for good measure.

"Now that I'm up, go on and let me get dressed."

"Hmph. I hate you, Oniichan!"

She got up and marched to the door before turning around. After sticking her tongue out, she smiled and ran down the corridor of the second floor, shouting good morning to both Sella and Liz on her way down the stairs. The former was likely preparing breakfast while the latter lazed about and watching TV.

The usual scolding could be heard from the crack of his unclosed bedroom door. Smiling wryly at the sound of Sella's voice, the boy just sighed as he got up to get dressed. 'Yep, definitely watching TV again.'

An adorable sister who would try and get away with anything she could, two guardians, one responsible and the other not so much, and the only boy of the household getting up the latest even though it was still early by normal standards. Such was the usual start to his everyday life.

Arranging his sheets instead of leaving it for their maid-in-charge, he checked the mirror mounted next to his dresser. A middle-schooler boy with red hair and golden-brown eyes stared back at him. The deep, yet slightly bored orbs that maintained his stare were dropped with a sigh. The mundaneness of his reflection had him frowning slightly as he readied his clothes for the school day.

With their current home circumstances of having one caretaker, one freeloader and one unruly child, all of them being girls, mind you, he'd taken to cleaning and preparing most of his own stuff. The advent of modern technology allowed even one as young as the boy to do a lot of housework independently. Then again, he wasn't that young to not be able to wash and iron his own clothes.

Laying the middle school uniform atop his cleaned bed, however, he noted something off about the freshly ironed clothes. That being a tear by his collar.

'Another one,' he sighed in self-disdain for not noticing it earlier. 'Must've missed it last night… Better get it fixed before Sella-san finds—'

"Shirou-san!" said woman's voice coming from behind had the boy jumping as he quickly hid the damaged uniform by tossing his trousers over it. Just in time too as a young woman, maybe more a young woman in her late teens, with the same eye and hair color as Illya came in. She was currently wearing the usual apron but with an additional something dangling on to it. "I know you're not one to sleep in. Do you mind if I get your help wrangling your sister?!"

"Don't help her!" said Illya as she tried to tussle with Sella's apron. "This demon put green peppers in my hamburger! Again!"

"I'm not a demon!" said demon growled, red eyes getting sharp but softening up slightly before scolding her carry-on. "And I added them because vegetables are good for you! Stop being picky! Aren't you supposed to be a big girl now?"

"I am a big girl!" said the elementary schooler who still disliked the bitter greens despite Shirou hardly ever tasting them in Sella's specialized recipe for the child. "But I don't like bitter peppers!"

"You don't like any kind of peppers! I already chopped it up small for you! The least you can do is taste before complaining!"

"I! Don't! Wanna!"

With a smile, Shirou went to deal with the big problem that was his little sibling.

"Kora. Illya, don't bother Sella-san too much." The older brother went and tugged at the little rascal. "I'll eat them for you if you don't want to."

"Really?! YES!" said rascal cheered, immediately jumping into his arms and trying to spin him for celebration.

"However, you're gonna have to eat mine instead," the spinning stopped as he snuck a peak down at the girl whose hug stiffened. "I mean, since you're a big girl, you're not going to waste food. Mom always taught us not to because it's wrong, right?"

"I… I…" the girl, teary-eyed now, stared up at him in shock. "No way! If that's the case, Arturia can—"

"Feeding it to the cat's not good, either. Dad's gonna notice, especially after he told us that Arturia's supposed to be on a diet." Very close to getting the stomach of his pajamas wet with childish tears now, he offered her a lifeline. "How about this? If we find green peppers in yours, I'll eat them. But if not, then it's safe and you have to eat them. Sounds good?"

The logic would've been strange for an adult, but to a child he might not have known better, it was a sound compromise. Although, this was likely her intent to begin with, seeing as she stared up at him beaming before embracing and having him twirl in place again.

"I love you! I love you! I love you, Oniichan!" letting him go for the second time today, she ran out the door. But not before repeating to Sella what she did to him earlier. That being sticking her tongue out again, but this time at the other person in the room whilst shouting. "Sella, you stingy! Ugly! Veggie demon!"

With a sigh, the teenager who had a habit posing as their maid simply sighed before leaving the room.

"Thanks. Come on down for breakfast now, okay?" But not before giving him her thanks in the form of a smile.

"Yeah. I'll be down." He returned a small grin of his own. It was his job after all, lending a helping hand to their keeper and controlling his little sister, that is.

Such were the duties of the lone son of the Emiya household. He'd indulge Illya every now and then, but he couldn't play favorites with any of the three girls he was living with. Otherwise the delicate power balance would upset their peace before their parents returned.

This was the norm for him any other day. Only, this was just the morning part of the norm.

Glancing down at his clothes, he took another second before shaking his head. He left his room, changing only into his morning training clothes.

Now that the problem child had been appeased, there was little reason for Sella to barge into his room. Not that she had any reason to since he took care of himself for the most part. Shutting the door, he went down to eat breakfast with them. Maybe even help Sella coax Liz off the couch for more than five minutes.

Having woken up early, there would be time to patch up his ruined uniform in secret after some light training.

---

Fuyuki City, Homurahara Academy, Class 1-C Homeroom, July 18, 2092

"Yooosh, a surprise quiz for you all! Whoever gets the answer gets extra points on the next test! Also, whoever doesn't raise their hand within three seconds after my asking gets extra homework for the weekend!~~~"

"Aw, but Sensei, it's already summer break!"

"Yeah, can we be let off early for that instead? Like, right now?"

A few here and there murmured in agreement, but the teacher up front made to slam her hand on the desk. Groans of the many teenagers were half her responses. Some opted to smile, thinking they'd be let off if they acted cute. Fat chance.

"You kids thinking the world will be so nice should reconsider that line of thinking! Remember, you guys are middle schoolers now! This isn't the same as elementary anymore, you know? No one's leaving early, even if they get it right!" A collective groan permeated the room. Again, she slammed her hand to signal for attention. Those still hopeful had their shoulders drop at her resolute stance.

Despite knowing her target of violence were delicate controls for the digital projector she was using not five minutes ago, the tiger-like woman hadn't held back as a crack had already appeared. Even bare-handed, her strength was an impressive irrelevance to her profession. Then again, she was genuine and honest in her approach to help them all.

But that didn't mean she was immune to guilt.

"Erk…" At the sight of such defeat on the children's faces, her stern attitude wavered before turning into a motherly smile another beat later. "Come on. Don't think I'm trying to be mean. I'm worried about some of you not even making enough credits for the first half of this term alone… How about this, if you all get a high score then maybe I can try and negotiate with the school board about extending your school field trip from four days to five!"

Being a novice teacher though, she hardly had a grasp of when to be strict and when to show concern and motherly care. Using them interchangeably but ending in the latter was the wrong choice in her case for the kids who she'd also been assigned to as a homeroom advisor loved her very much.

"Fuji-sensei is so nice!" "She's always such a strict yet loving mother! Like a vicious tiger!" "Aw, Tiger-chan is so caring! You're the best, Sensei!" "Please, marry me when I graduate, Sensei!" "No, me! I'll make you happy, Sensei!" "Nah, no way she'd marry you guys. You can't handle her wildness." "Don't forget! Taiga-chan is everyone's Tiger-chan!" "Aha, so true!"

It was so bad that fawning over her had become a daily occurrence since the start of their first year as middle schoolers. Some even went so far as proposing, much to the dismay of the still-single Fujimura Taiga.

"KORA! You brats!" The tiger was unleashed. Seemingly pulling a shinai from out of thin air, her poor desk was then subjected to yet another beating. "Just because I'm being nice doesn't mean you get to trample on my concern!"

'Yep,' Shirou thought as the sight of his slightly off-kilter teacher swinging the kendo practice blade around made him smile. 'Just another normal day.'

For their dear teacher to act this way, it was pretty average for another day in their middle school level. And though graduation for high school was still years away, to the boy who turned his gaze out the window, a bit bored, he sometimes hoped graduation would never come. In fact, he wished he was back in elementary. Back when he knew less than he did now.

It was all because of… No. He didn't want to think about it for now…

"—iya! Earth to Emiya! Emiya Shirou! Hellooo?!"

"Oy, Emiya!"

A sharp murmur from his seat neighbor and friend had him suddenly looking forward… only to end up meeting the sharp gaze of the teacher herself. Up close and nearly violating his personal space, Taiga looked very pissed but hid it with a strained smile.

"Erk—!" He realized his mistake of being spaced out during class. "Yes, what is it, Fuji-nee—ITA!"

"It's 'Fu-ji-ma-ru-sen-sei'!" A karate chop for every syllable nailed him on the forehead. Each hit grew stronger, much to the amusement of his snickering classmates. She really didn't hold back when it came to him. "How many times do I have to repeat this for you, Emiya-kun?!"

"Er… sorry about that, Fuji-n—," another sharply raised karate chop got him to stop talking again. The look on her eyes seemed challenging, like she wanted him to try again. "Fujimura… sensei…"

Her vibrant smile returned just as fast as her threatening hand and shinai disappeared from view. He took the chance to sigh. Meanwhile, she settled a paper atop his desk before stepping aside to someone else's desk.

"Alright. Now, here you guys go." Taking a good look at it, he read the title centered and emboldened at the top left. A career assessment form. His gaze on it sharpened. "While I'm sure many of you are ready to go out and celebrate your six week vacation, I need to remind you that these are to be submitted on the day you get back. No later than September, got it?"

"Career assessment? Us?" "Aw, but sensei, isn't this for the third years?" "Yeah! We just started, hadn't we—?"

THWACK

Any more whining from the other students was silenced with another draw of her shinai. With how she was dangerously waving it above her head, there was no room to argue against her.

"No complaints! I'm not the one who makes the rules. These are a required by the consultation board, you hear? Anyone who doesn't comply with the submission deadlines will have their parents called by yours truly for a meeting! And don't give me that excuse about them being busy or not being available! We live in the modern age and I'm going to set up a video conference with them, on my own time, if necessary! Is that clear?"

Her energy was too much. The resolve behind her words were undeniable. As her students, she was willing to act above and beyond her profession for them all. Having known her since childhood, Shirou was aware of the lengths she'd go through once she promised it. She was not going to take 'no' for an answer.

That said, if the topic would be about his career. His vocation or desired path after middle school. Taking another look at the paper asking for his three top options, he sighed at the sight of the empty blanks.

'Only just started… but then there's this problem right off the bat…' Putting the sheet away into his bag, he returned his gaze out the window. 'Being a middle school student… sucks…'

He spaced out yet again, letting Taiga run the rest of the school day rampant. While he usually enjoyed the teacher's class, even if English wasn't his best subject, he didn't feel like it today. Or rather, he didn't feel like he enjoyed anything lately.

He smiled and went through the motions, but for the boy, the drive wasn't there. At least, he hoped it wasn't.

After the dismissal bell rang, everyone immediately broke out into sighs. Friends gathered about. Others packed their stuff before heading to clubs. They were all readily discussing their plans for summer break. Fortunately, Taiga had forgotten her own demand of assigning homework to those who didn't even attempt to answer. With their teacher rushing off to a faculty meeting, the children were left to their own devices.

"Rare of you to not notice Fujimura-sensei when she's right on your case. I expected better of you, Emiya." Ryuudou Issei, the one who attempted to save his hide earlier but failed, asked pointedly with a soft smile. "What's the matter? Not getting enough sleep?"

"A-ah… that…" Shirou smiled awkwardly. Unable to hide all of his fluster, he resorted to scratching the back of his head. "Yeah. My little sister had me reading her stories to bed again, so I guess that's it…"

"Hm. Certainly, when it comes to family, it's hard to decline. But it would do well for you to say 'no' every now and then, Shirou." Pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, Issei then shook his head. "Then again, if we talk about your living circumstances, I believe even I would find it difficult to get some sleep."

"It's not all bad." Aware of his friend's slight uncomfortableness with women, Shirou was glad he was able to steer the topic away. "Sella-san's pretty strict when it comes to curfew, so it just falls to me to make sure Illya follows through with it."

"Pretty irresponsible to leave the child in the hands of another child, don't you think?" Shirou didn't take offense to that as he was well-aware of Issei's very logical mindset. "Anyways, have you given your assessment some thought already? You must've had the time, seeing as you've been spaced out for the whole day."

It was meant to be a joke, but the guy was still expecting an answer from him. Normally, he would've already had one immediately. But… it took a second before he opted to be slightly honest.

"I haven't." He sighed to himself while giving his friend a sidelong glance. "Figured I'd ask my parents for advice before deciding."

"A wise decision." The most studious boy of their class nodded. "Though it may be a bit too early for us to decide, preparing for the start of high school at the beginning of middle school should better prepare us until then. Although, I wasn't expecting this coming from you. Must be because you're always jumping into things, by my experience anyways." The guy didn't notice his slight grimace, too busy chuckling at his own joke. "Your parents are coming home soon anyway, right?"

"They called ahead. They should be back soon."

They only received the call earlier that morning though, just before departing for school. Hearing their voices had Illya so ecstatic that they were almost late. As of now, their parents were on their way back from Europe, albeit aboard different flights.

Irisviel was on a private jet she used for company meetings requiring her presence in the Western Bloc's state of Germany and would be back sooner. Kiritsugu on the other hand hadn't said where he'd gone specifically but would arrive only by a little later than their mother. By air, the two would arrive back in Japan before long. Maybe the late afternoon and evening respectively.

'Ah, right.' Suddenly remembering, he took out a folder and handed it over to Issei. "Hey, Dad told me to pass this on to your father. Can I ask you to hand it over to him?"

"Hm? From Kiritsugu-san, is it?" Nodding in understanding that it must've been important but not urgent if he was free to give it via the son, Issei took the folder and immediately put it in his bag. "Physical copy again, huh? You're father's got a weird habit of using paper documents in this day and age."

"I don't know what to tell you, man." Shirou shrugged, glad he had something he could be honest about today. "Dad has this thing about not wanting to use terminals. Says it's a habit of his."

"Hmph. He's quite an odd one." Issei smiled as he did, seemingly more relieved he wasn't completely down in the dumps. "No offense."

"None taken."

"I'll make sure he receives it by the end of the day. That being said, I have some last minute student council duties to attend to before then. How about you? What do you plan to do?"

"I'll… just wait here a bit for my sister before we head home."

"Alright then. Tell her I said hi." That, he would.

While Issei might not have enjoyed the company of ladies, he at least didn't hate Illya. Bonus was her being comfortable with the guy due to being a friend of Shirou's for the most part. If only she'd stop poking fun at his glasses whenever they'd meet, then he'd most likely be a little less stiff.

It's not as if the guy couldn't afford visual correction surgery. He just preferred the traditional look. In Shirou's eyes, Ryuudou Issei was just as odd as Kiritsugu.

"See you after the break, Emiya."

"You too, Issei."

Remaining in his seat as he bid his friend adieu, he returned his gaze back to the window. Now alone, his thoughts went back to the career assessment form hidden in his bag. Coming along with it were the expected questions both his parents were likely to ask.

'What is your goal in life?' 'What is it you want to do in the future?'

… … Had he been asked a year before, he'd already have an answer.

Once, he had a dream. But after being made to realize his disadvantageous position, that dream seemed to drift even further into the realm of fantasy.

'If only I was stronger…'

Then what? Would the dream be possible still? Would he be able to achieve his long-held aspirations? He couldn't say. Not when the reality of the situation was already before him.

"Oy! Emiya!" he turned his gaze to the door. There, three boys of varying heights and sizes he'd grown familiar with for the past few months were eyeing him sharply. He already knew they were coming. They'd always tried every chance they got. Guess they wouldn't miss their last opportunity before everyone took their vacation. "Mind accompanying us for a bit? You're not busy, are you?"

Had it been any other time before… before finding out what he was actually capable of, he'd have faced them head on. But, now… …

"No." Picking up his bag, he got up with a hardened expression but accepted their invitation without complaint. "Not at all."

From the crack of the other doorway, he failed to notice the set of teal eyes watching this calm, yet uncomfortably silent, exchange.

---

"NGH!"

His back hurt as it thudded against the wall of the back of the school building. Not that he did anything to try and stop it. He'd even allowed his bag to fall from his hand without even a word. No attempt to so much as even try and resist, another push against the wall would've certainly had him bruising if the first hadn't. Then again, one more didn't bothered him. Not after enduring so many just these past few months.

Yeah. This was just another normal part of his daily life now.

"What's the matter, Emiya? Not gonna fight back?" "—GAH!"

"I thought you said you were going to be a hero?"

"You, a hero? No wonder you so friendly to them ladies, eh? Not like you good for anything else other than errands, eh, heheh."

The words hurt though. Enough to draw a wince from him followed by a punch to his gut.

"'Hero'? A weakling like him?" "What a laugh…" "Can't tell the difference between reality and fantasy, eh?"

Their jeers punctuated the punches. With teeth grit, he took it all head on. Not much else he could do when both hands were pinned to the walls. Still, the violence didn't faze him. He'd gotten used to it during the rare times his pops was able to give him training. Training he had in mind for his dream.

'Heh. Some dream…' he scoffed.

"What's with that expression?" The teenager that stood center before him snarled as he looked back at them passively. His face must've shifted when he was thinking to himself. "Think you can take me? Eh?!"

"Heh… and… if I think I can, Muramoto," he coughed a bit, unable to hold back the snark. "What are you gonna do about it—GAH?! KUHO!"

A little bit of blood dripped from biting the inside of his lip.

"Think you hot shit? Huh?!"

He really needed to stop being all mouthy. Like Issei said, it got him into more trouble than it was worth. Luckily, the damage wasn't going to be all that difficult to hide.

"Oy, oy! Go easy on him, bud! He's got no aptitude for being a magician, remember? You might snap him in half if you take things too far."

"Heh, guess you're right!"

Heh. A magician, huh. The paragon of what humans were capable of achieving in the twenty-first century… but he wasn't one of them… He wasn't born with the aptitude. His genes held the potential to father one, according to the doctors, but that didn't mean he himself will ever be able to become a proper one.

So much for that childish dream of becoming a 'hero'… … How could he save anyone, being as weak as he was? He couldn't even save himself.

"Yo, I think he's had enough, man."

"Lay off! Mouthy brat deserves more after getting in my way!"

"Still on his case about that? You know ya took it too far, right? If he didn't stop you, she might've actually called the cops on ya. Could've even ruined your chances at enrolling in high—"

"Shut up!"

Though telling off his companions, it was he who earned the blow to the chest. A tearing could be heard where the bully held him on the lapel.

'Great…' he thought as they continued to bicker amongst themselves. 'Another thing I have to hide from Illya until we get home…'

Doing so the first few times hadn't been easy. Especially when she insisted on hugs and piggyback rides often. One time, he'd been lucky to escape Sella's questioning when the little girl's roughhousing actually widened the hole itself. It was regrettable to let Illya take the scolding, but it was better than worrying all of them with his issues.

So what if he was being bullied? He'd gone and earned this in the first place. Acting all high and mighty, lending a helping hand to those in need, getting in the way when he saw others being pushed around…

Doing all that when he wasn't that much different than the average loser… he really was just playing hero then, wasn't he?

Kinda embarrassing to vocally proclaim such a silly fantasy until middle school, yeah. But he just wanted them everyone, friend or family, to know that, if they needed a helping hand, he'd be the first one there to save them.

But when they got the examination results back denoting his potential, or lack thereof, to even be able to enter a magic-specialized high school, his bravado deflated like a balloon. All confidence was lost. His drive since youth, fading ever since. It was pretty easy to fall into a slump when you knew no one wanted a hero who would be weaker or as weak as them.

It got all the worse when bullies like Muramoto, Goro, and Hizaki here fought back They were stronger than him. Not just in numbers, but they'd already undergone basic training as soon as their aptitudes were discovered. Magic users against non, it was easy for them to figure out they'd fare easier against him.

And, even if his father permitted the use of his martial arts training for self-defense, there was no point when the story could be manipulated against him.

After all, excluding those lacking in potential like Emiya Shirou, magicians were a highly protected and valued resource in modern society. Few in number, but more powerful than the many. Not just in civilian industries but as part of the military as well. Crimes against magicians would be severely punished. Crimes committed by magicians were all hushed up. A cruel and one-sided favoritism of the modern age.

And that's only the legal battle. He had far less chance surviving one in an actual fight.

One time, he'd asked Kiritsugu if he would be able to take out a magician with his training if the need arises. After chuckling at the foolish notion of such an event ever occurring, he'd pressed his foster father for a serious answer. The answer he got was disappointing, and… somewhat heartrending.

'Run. If you ever come face to face with one, you must run away. Do nothing else but prioritize your own survival.'

The old man simply shook his head as he silently replied with those words. To avoid crossing paths with a magician in a fight. To avoid provoking or even catching one's eye. To hide away to the best of his abilities. For there was nothing a mere child can do against a living weapon.

Even his pops tried to dissuade him. The man who'd talk them to sleep about fairy tales on heroes, with eyes of admiration for such a simple yet beautiful ideal, turned into what seemed like an empty husk during that talk. It was shattering. Even a kid as naïve as him saw the writing on the wall.

There's nothing he can do against a magician in this world. Not as he was.

"GAH!" The proof was clear as day when the sharp feeling of his jaw getting kicked in drew his mind back to the present.

"Shit! You left a mark on him!" Goro, the more forward thinking of the trio sharpened his gaze at the sight of him on the floor.

"I—I… he deserved it anyway!" Muramoto growled after hesitating. "It's what he gets for getting in the way of my date!"

"Ya mean your stalking, heheh—guh! Oy! What's a big idea?!" Hizaki, talkative as always, nearly had his face done in by his own companion.

"Keep blabbing your mouth and I turn you into paste like I did him—!"

"Hoho? So you admit you did this to Emiya-kun, did you, Muramoto-kun?"

"Hm?" "Keh!" "Eh?"

"…"

Eyes were drawn to the new arrival. The attention her adamant attitude and commanding tone demanded willed the three simpletons to do so. That's just the type of aura the girl with twin-tails and dark hair had.

The young boy on the floor didn't bother looking though. He'd gotten to know her well enough to tell what expression she wore. The scathing glare he didn't meet told him ahead of time what she'd say.

"Bullying a fellow classmate is against the rules. Even a simpleton such as yourself should be aware of this," she spoke as-a-matter-of-factly, sounding almost arrogant. "Then again, what should I expect from someone with multiple warnings to their name already?"

"Tohsaka," Muramoto was then able to mutter under his breath. "Your siding with him again? This weakling?"

"Don't think I've forgotten what you tried to pull with my friend, you violent brute. I still haven't forgiven the shock you gave Kotone, so don't even try me." Staring Muramoto down, she then directed disappointed gazes too the other two. "As for you, Goro. I thought you better than this."

"What are you getting at, Tohsaka?!"

"Someone good enough to get in the top twenty of our grade associating with a meathead to harass the school brownie? Does it feel good to pick on the weak that much? You three are the lowest of the low. A disgrace to all Magicians."

Her words touched a nerve there. While she may have said it with a different intent compared to other three, it still stung. But as he looked up to spy the trio's reaction, he didn't like what he saw.

"Huh. Big words, coming from you." Much to Shirou's horror, Muramoto stepped up while pulling out something from his pocket. Rin wasn't oblivious to it and readied herself. "What's the matter? All that money and no one to teach you any manners?"

"That's rich, coming from a family who only have two generations of Magicians to their name."

"You wanna go, bitch?" at the provocation, Muramoto went ahead and aimed a small device her way. "Let's see how good you are then—! Huh?!"

"Emiya-kun?!"

"Got you!" Before Muramoto had a chance to press a single button on his CAD terminal, Shirou had gotten up to punch it out of the way. Knocking his aim off, whatever he'd tried to pull was prevented. "Run for it, Tohsaka!"

"You little—!"

"GUHO!" But that didn't mean Muramoto was defenseless, as proven by the knee in the gut he got for his intervention. Falling to the ground on his side this time, another hit struck him as the big guy just about stamped him on the thigh. "Agh!"

"Don't get in the way, weakling!" the boy struck him in the side once more for good measure, but the distraction was worth it.

"Don't move, you bastard!" after all, surprised as she may have been, Tohsaka Rin wasn't the type to miss an opportunity when she was given one. A familiar red CAD of her own in hand was now aimed at all three of them that stood above him. "If you do, I'll—"

"What? Attack us?" taunted Goro. "Magic used against others is prohibited by law. Do that and we'll claim self-defense. Or don't tell me your old man has the money to bail out his little girlie?"

They were at a standstill. She couldn't retaliate even if he was threatened. And, as they were in a group, it was the word of three against her. Even if he'd claimed her statement as a victim she was protecting, Tohsaka wasn't so special as to weigh more than three other aspiring magicians. More so when she had a name to protect.

'Dammit…' Shirou thought to himself. 'If only I made sure she hadn't seen me earlier…'

Hard not to when they were classmates. More so when dismissal of classes had them all leaving the classroom simultaneously. The three dudes coercing him to the back of the building weren't exactly inconspicuous. But he at least prayed she wouldn't find where he was brought to.

Still, the attentive and intrusive girl wouldn't keep her nose out of someone else's business. So many times, she always seemed to find and intervene for him when he didn't want her to the most. It was both annoying and relieving.

But, maybe it was due to having been acquainted with her since they were young that he felt both ways. Right now, though, she was still in trouble. Rather, she was in a pickle for trying to intervene for his sake.

'If only… if only I was strong enough…'

"So, it would be fine if you guys tried to 'attack her first', right?" Another familiar voice spoke up but came from the opposite side. Looking over, the smug face of a blue-haired boy eyed them all equally with a sneer. "Did I hear that correctly, Goro?"

"Shinji too? The hell are you doing picking him over us for?" cried the incredulous bully. "Aren't we friends—"

"Hah? What was that?" The sneer turned to indifference. "Are you an idiot?"

"Wha—? What was that?"

"You must be if you didn't hear me just now," stepping forward to level with them, Matou Shinji kept his hands in his pockets. "I don't ever remember asking to become your friend. In fact, I hardly recall giving any of you for permission to becoming mine."

"You seriously picking a fight?" Muramoto's face was turning red. It was as if he'd popped a blood vessel. "With all three of us, you bastard?!"

"Oy, oy. What's with all the pent up anger there, Muramoto? I haven't said or done anything to upset you, have I?" a light smile lit up his face before his expression turned menacing. "Then again, I should be the one pissed for what you did with my one and only friend."

Shirou noticed a dim flash from the boy's pocket. Along with it came a light buzzing noise.

The trio panicked. Looking around, they finally realized why Shinji was being so calm despite being outnumbered. All around them, various bugs had swarmed the place. Everything from beetles to roaches, butterflies and houseflies hovered in standby all around them. Shirou, from the corner of his eye, saw even Rin was surprised, inching away from a mantis hovering just near her shoulder slightly grossed out but trying not to express it much.

"If you guys want to be friends with me that much, then, I guess I can oblige." Shinji's smirk carried a little bite to it. "However I have a condition that you have to feed my babies all at once. I mean, Emiya was able to do it, but that was more because he didn't know when to quit." The gloating smirk turned into a threatening glare. "I'm not so sure about you three though, you know? You look like you're all about to soil yourselves."

The buzzing was then blurred out by the squelching and squishing noises as nearly several dozen insects began salivating or excreting various fluids near the trio.

"O-oy! That's going to be a crime you know?!" Goro tried hard to repeat his defense between chattering teeth. "Even if it's not direct, i-if you sic your bugs on us using magic—!"

"It's a crime, yeah! I know. That's why I obtained video evidence beforehand to claim self-defense!"

Pulling up his mobile terminal, he turned on a widescreen holographic display. It played a clear video with three of them knocking him around complete with perfect audio for all of them to verify the violence that took place just a few minutes back.

"Wh-when did you—?!" at the sight of it all, Goro paled.

"Magic is pretty convenient, isn't it? Violence with it is a crime, but using it in data gathering isn't. In fact, it's even encouraged. Surprising what one can find with micro cameras used to study bug behaviors record an entire crime taking place, no?"

"You… you wouldn't!" even Muramoto knew there was no getting out of this.

"I'm thinking of submitting this to the top, it could be a new branch of research! Something along the lines of 'Mindless Gorillas and Pack Mentality'. Or maybe it's better as a review of the past, like how savages lived and survived back in the day as cavemen! Either way, it would be quite the exposure to see not one, not two, but three so-called magicians regressing to the habits of the Stone Age. You'll be famous for it, no doubt!"

The sneer grew wider, more evil.

"What… what do you want us to do?" defeated, Goro almost fell to the floor with how much his knees shook.

Taking a step ever closer to the quivering three, he lowered his voice so that only they heard. Being sat on the floor behind them, Shirou barely made out the words. "Get away from here and never show your faces again. Otherwise, I really might get mad."

As if to emphasize the threat, the buzzing insects started salivating even more. Some went so far as to drip droppings atop the trio's heads.

In no time at all, the three bullies were rushing away. The insect encirclement parted ways for them but still buzzed menacingly.

Just as the silence returned, a set of thin ankles clad in thigh-high socks presented itself just before Shirou's face. Looking up, Tohsaka Rin, recomposed and concerned, offered a hand to pick him off the floor. "You alright? Can you stand, Emiya-kun?"

"Yeah." Taking it, he nodded his thanks. "Just peachy. Thanks for the backup earlier, Tohsaka."

"What? Just Tohsaka gets a thanks?"

"You too, Shinji." He smiled towards the smug guy while scratching the back of his head. "If it weren't for you, both of us might've been in trouble."

"I could've taken them!" defended the girl.

"Not in a court of law, you wouldn't." The girl pouted but didn't do much else besides cross her arms with a harrumph to the side. "That being said, I appreciate the help anyway, you two. Especially yours, Shinji. If you hadn't taken evidence, I don't know what I would've done."

"Hah! Don't worry about those three. They're just wimps, the lot of them…" The boy's sneer disappeared, slowly replaced by a blank, maybe even disappointed look. "Although, the same can be said of you. What are you trying to pull? Playing 'victim' again, Emiya?"

"What are you talking about—"

"Don't play dumb with me!" With a wave of his hand, the owner of the swarm took out his CAD. For a second, Shirou thought he would turn it on him, but then the dim light emanating from it vanished. Whatever hypnotic hold Shinji had on the insects broke as they scattered and returned to wherever they came. "Those three weren't a match for you last time. What's stopping you from fighting back now?"

"I second that." Even Rin wasn't holding back now. "I may not have been present when you saved her, but I know better than anyone that Kotone's not one to exaggerate. I'm also aware for a fact that you at least have some self-defense training. So, what's gotten into you, Emiya-kun?"

With the troublemakers gone, they, both his friends, demanded answers. He couldn't meet Rin in the eye. Perceptive as she was, she was more likely to get her answer by looking at him alone. So Shirou settled with staring down Shinji.

However, the bronze eyed of the pair was the first to look away as even his friend's hardened gray-blues refused to back down.

He couldn't answer. Even though he'd admitted it to himself, he couldn't tell them. That he was weak. Even though they knew the results of his aptitude test, they hadn't treated him any differently. But still…

"Not talking, huh?" Shinji was the first to relent his piercing gaze. "Fine then. Be that way. I don't feel like wasting effort in pushing you. Not that knowing will do me any good."

"And here I thought you'd actually wait until he said something." Sighing but similarly relenting to stare annoyedly at Shinji this time, Rin spoke. "Don't tell me your whole 'friend' speech was all fibs too."

"Hmph. Even a wonderful person such as myself knows when a friend wants their privacy! What can I say other than my being such a gentleman!"

"Ho? A 'gentleman', you say? After performing a blackmail right in front of me?" Despite sounding annoyed, she kept a polite yet pointed look on her face. "You've got quite the nerve to speak so highly of yourself."

"Whatever you say, Tohsaka. Ah, right, before we take off, I need to follow up my earlier proposal. What do you say, Tohsaka? There's still room for another beside me. Maybe even closer than friends, you can say—"

"Still not interested, Matou-kun." With a slightly disgusted pokerface, Rin took a step back away from him. She even went so far as to position Shirou between herself and Shinji.

Undeterred by the flat rejection, Shinji then turned, giving her one of his more 'charming' smiles over his shoulder. "Hmph. No matter. One of these days, you'll see that I'm worth your every second."

"Yes, yes. Whatever."

"Don't misunderstand! I'm still not backing down from my offer. However, now that I've resolved my dear friend's conundrum, I shall be taking my leave. I have other important matters to deal with after all." With that, Shinji started walking away. "If you'll excuse me."

"A-ah, wait! Shinji?!" but before he turned the bend, Shirou called out to him. "About that video—"

"I'm not submitting them to the student council or the faculty. That's what your so concerned about, right?" The disappointed look returned when he stopped to stare. But it softened just a bit when they locked gazes again. "Haaah… You don't want them in trouble again, I take it?"

Getting him even before he spoke, he could only nod in apologetic thanks. "Thanks for understanding, Shinji. I—"

"Stuff it. Don't give me the usual spiel. I know already." Making an exaggerated show of pressing the delete button on his terminal, however, he then scowled as he stared Shirou down. "But it's you I can't understand, Emiya! Despite saying you want to be a hero, why won't you bring jerks like them to justice. Here I thought you'd be acting all high and mighty, like those garden variety cartoon protagonist. But just taking it all? Are you a masochist?"

He had no response to that. Only silence and a wry smile that would've gone misunderstood as a 'yes' by anyone else. Not his old friend though. Shinji just sighed tiredly. He broke eye contact first this time.

Finalizing his goodbye with waving his terminal a last shrug was given. "Hmph. Knowing you, you'd probably keep saying something along the lines of wanting to 'save them'. Despite all the shit you have to deal with. Then again, after knowing you for a while now, who am I to try stopping an idiot as stubborn as you?"

He… wasn't wrong. But he wasn't entirely right either. "Still. Thanks."

"Whatever. It was fun to lash out. Not for your sake, so don't get any ideas, alright?!" Turning the corner, Shinji left Shirou, not entirely alone, to mull his thoughts. "See you around, pal."

"Yeah… See you later, too…"

In said thoughts, Shirou couldn't refute the words. Nor could he accept them. His friend wasn't wrong. But that was just because he didn't understand. Shirou didn't just want to be a hero. He wanted to save everyone… or, he used to want that.

Now though, he just wanted to avoid causing trouble. Or maybe… it was more like he didn't want his actions to cause any of his loved ones problems. If he could take on everything by himself, then that was fine. But that wasn't how the world worked.

He once thought he had the power to do anything he could. But when reality dealt him a bad card, his heart dropped to the point that he couldn't think of anything else to do with his life.

Instead of taking on everything like he used to be confident he could do, he'd just… do his best to endure it in secret. Avoid getting anyone else involved as much as possible.

And wasn't he doing it so well already? Having kept the secret from not only his little sister, but both of his guardians/housemaids after all this time? They didn't know. They didn't need to know he was hurt. And that was fine.

Their smiles alone was enough. That was fine, right?

Nothing more a weak person like himself can ever ask for… right?

"Are you really alright?" Then again, he hadn't been able to keep it a real secret. Looking over his shoulder, Tohsaka leaning forward to confront him with a pout was the last thing he needed.

"Tohsaka? Why are you still here?" He immediately asked, but, unable to meet her gaze, his glance drifted to and fro. Just… avoiding hers entirely.

"Shinji may be satisfied with your silence, but I'm not."

"Eh?"

"Also, because you're hurt, dummy." She poked his cheek, hurting him a little but acting playfully as she did. "I don't know about how boys' relationships work. 'Playing it cool' or whatever it is you boys do is something no girl would ever understand. But I know better than to let you get an infection for not treating an injury. And besides, Sakura would get mad at me if she found out I left her dear archery club senpai hurt like this…"

The last bit was said with a knowing, maybe even teasing, smirk. Like she knew something he didn't. But before he could protest, she'd taken out her own handkerchief and was immediately dabbing at his wounded chin.

Despite her teasing though, Rin was upset. Shirou could tell even without her saying. Her gaze on him just as intense as the last time they saw each other. Albeit, he'd already gotten his beating and been left alone that time.

"God, is this a thing for boys?! Getting hurt and playing it off like it's nothing?" she scoffed as she moved from the bottom of his chin to the abrasion on his cheek. "I really don't get it."

"Ow! Tohsaka, wait! I—ITA!" the slight pain made him recoil and unable to answer.

"Stop moving." Blood hadn't gotten far, but it was enough to leave a stain on the white cloth. "It's difficult to clean you up if you're going to keep whining."

"But, just wait a sec—!" she didn't. In fact, she seemed to get more annoyed as she used her free hand to push him against the wall while she inched ever closer to his face. "Oy! Stop! You're going to get your stuff dirty."

"What? Oh, you mean this?" she glanced at her cloth before suddenly making a smile that said she realized something. Whipping out her own CAD, she made to embarrassedly avoid his gaze for a second. "Ah, right. Why didn't I think about this in the first place? Hold still."

Within seconds, a wave of red light washed over her being and the cloth itself was pristine white once more. Shirou didn't even get a chance to stop her before she whipped the red terminal towards his feet as well. A crimson shine enveloped his form from below, a light gust rushed upwards and around him and, next thing he knew, there was neither blood nor dirt left on his person. Not on his uniform or on his chin.

The cut was still present, but at least it wasn't messily dripping all over anymore. Without her dabbing away at it, it also didn't hurt as much.

"There, good as new! Silly me for forgetting I could do that instead," a carefree smile replaced her earlier concern. He could only balk at her actions before remembering.

Magic was indeed convenient.

But the fact he lacked access to its versatility irked him. Enough so that it being used by a friend to assist him got his brows furrowing. Lost in the moment, he failed to realize that his fists had balled up slightly.

"I knew it. It's really bothering you that much." Realizing his mistake in not keeping the pokerface up, he watched as Rin's expression dropped the relief to make a sad smile. As if she knew his pain but not the method to fix it. "Don't bother denying it. You're an open book to me."

He didn't try. Not when the glint in her eyes alone was all he needed to know the extent of how certain she was with her guess. There really was no escape for him with her, was there?

"Since when…?" He sighed, defeated.

"Quite a while now. Although, it was Sakura who noticed and brought it to my attention first."

"Sakura did—?"

"And boy, was she worried. At first I thought it was just lack of sleep, but then she started getting all tippy-toes before heading to club. A few times, I caught her talking to herself about whether even attending or not would help." Crossing her arms, Rin made to shrug whilst voicing her complaints. All manner of politeness was gone when she turned to glance at him. "Of course, I had to find out. But then she wouldn't tell me until I essentially backed her into a corner at home. While I do enjoy spending time with my adorable sibling, this wouldn't make a good reason as to why."

"I… I didn't know…" Not after wallowing in his own worries. "I… I'm sorry I worried you two—"

"I'm not the one you need to apologize to, buster!" Stepping up into his face, she poked him hard in the chest. Her brows were furrowed in anger. "Forcing my cutie of a sibling to make such a worried face, how will you take responsibility?"

He didn't know. It's not like he intentionally wanted to make her cry. While it was comforting to know that Sakura and, even if by proxy, Rin cared that much, having to be told that he was the one causing them concern.

It hurt just as much as the bullies' earlier words but in a different way.

"Well, since you can't think of something, I guess you taking Sakura out on a date now will do." Speechless due to his own failings, Shirou balked yet again at the girl's words. "What's with that face? Are you thinking you're too good to go on a date with my lovely sister? Or, what is it? You'd prefer to take me instead?"

No. It wasn't that. It was neither of those. But the suddenness of either suggestion was too much for him to get a proper answer out at the moment.

"Pfft…" Then again, it looked like she was just joking for, after a few seconds spent with his jaw dropping to the floor, Rin hid her face behind her hand and started chuckling. "Hahaha! You don't need to be so flustered, you doof. Of course, I'm joking."

"Huh?" Shirou's brain took the moment to reboot. "What about, Tohsaka?"

"There's no way I'd ever let my precious sister date an idiot like you. It'd be unhealthy for someone as delicate as her, especially with your tendency to stick your nose in someone else's troubles."

'Ah… She meant it all as a joke then.' With the sudden switch in her tone, he found himself chuckling along with her, slightly relieved.

It was just too easy. To relax, that is. This being a usual conversation between them had the boy's mind ease up a bit. But, at some point, all jokes end. The life slowly died down until he spoke up again, face bashfully avoiding hers. "'Unhealthy', huh… yeah. I guess can see your point."

With how he'd been before, any sane person might've thought him reckless, immature even. Being mature as she was for her age, Tohsaka was of the crowd to frown upon his selfless heroism. But she just personally chose not to dissuade him from it though.

"It really is. I mean, I've known you for quite a while and always knew you were an idiot. But these past few months, your antics have died down a bit. I really thought it strange. Like you had finally grown up or something."

That stung, in more ways than one. He'd accepted being called a goof, an idiot, stubborn, or stupid. But being called strange was a new one. Even if he didn't know her reasons for sticking around with him, being the idiot he always was, to hear it from her, one of the few who accepted his foolish behavior, was a little disheartening at times.

"But… instead you started feeling more… distant. Like you were keeping more to yourself. Almost like you were someone I didn't know… … …" Falling silent, her tone shifted. From one of joking and teases, it turned deep and inquisitive. "You've been letting them do this to you since our test results came out, haven't you?"

It felt like she was interrogating him.

She needn't have asked. Rin already knew. When their aptitude results were given out, somehow, his was released publicly. The school didn't know whether it was just a glitch in the system, someone made a mistake, or maybe it was foul play, but the damage had been done despite attempts to silence it. Everyone in their year level heard, and likely the whole school did too.

Emiya Shirou wasn't cut out to become a magician.

The guy who acted like the neighborhood hero was an underdog in society just like any of the average joes around. And while it shouldn't have been all that bad, he felt many would start to doubt him.

He'd already started to doubt—no. He'd gone beyond that already.

So, as Rin's question poised, yes. He had been allowing this to happen. All because he was weak.

"You know it's not a good thing to keep it all balled in, right?" she continued. "I mean, you look terrible enough moping around, but to let them treat you like a punching bag—?"

"It's fine, Rin." Her wincing did not go unnoticed by him. But he added. "I mean, I know it looks bad, but this is better than them hurting others. And it's not like I can fight them off like I used to. We're not kids anymore, so I should avoid messing around too much. Otherwise my family would get in trouble too."

So long as it was just him getting hurt, it was fine. This… was fine.

"This… is not fine."

"Huh?" Surprised at the thought of her being able to guess what was on his mind, he tried to wave her off. "What are you—?"

"Don't lie to me, Shirou." The rare times Tohsaka Rin would call him by his first name were only when she was pissed or surprised. This was apparently the former in regards to her raised tone. "Letting them do all that to you, I know you're selfless, but that's just plain stupidity."

"I'm not lying. I can handle things just fine on my own—"

"So, I guess you taking a beating, worrying my sister, and lying to your own is your idea of 'handling things', is it?" His excuses fell flat as Rin's determined aqua orbs bore angrily into his own bronze own. Unlike his, her gaze didn't falter as she pointed squarely between his eyes. "This, whatever it is going on in your head, has to stop. You may act like it's cool, but it's not. You can try and fool the others into thinking you can handle it, but you can't fool me. And… there's no way you'll be able to fool your family forever. They'll have noticed soon if I have."

He didn't want to listen to her words. No matter how much truth was in them, he couldn't bear hear them. For even this… to not help… then what was he supposed to do?

"I'll say it again. Stop this."

Her piercing eyes that seemed to see through him made the boy uncomfortable. Unable to face them, he tried to run. To escape her gaze. "I don't get what you're saying. It's fine since it's just me. You can leave me alone—!"

"The hell I can!" She stamped her foot firmly into the ground. "Stop trying to run away. I know you feel bad about things as they are, but just seeing you act like… this… It's not right!"

She was correct. It wasn't. But then, what was he supposed to do? He couldn't even ask that when she pressed on.

"Even if things aren't going exactly as you want them to, it's unlike you to just let it all fall to pieces." She stated with her feet again stamping the earth to cut off his interruption. "Usually, you'd be the first to fight back. You're the type to stand strong and move on. Moping around isn't your thing. It never has been. I know you're stronger than this!"

This annoyed the boy slightly. Knowing she'd fare a better chance to achieve his dream than he ever could, to say such words… it was painful. She may have believed him to be strong… but what sense was in those words when he himself thought it a lie? A flattery at best?

He didn't want to get angry. Not at Rin when she was just trying to help.

She didn't mean it that way in the first place. He wouldn't misunderstand her good intent. But he didn't want to just keep accepting it.

"I'm fine, Tohsaka. I'm sorry I worried you and Sakura. It won't happen again. But you don't have to concern yourself with me. I can handle this—"

"Do you even hear yourself?!" the stinging returned to his cheek as a pair of soft hands pulled him out of it to come directly parallel to their owner. "Stupid Shirou!"

"Hey! I—"

"Here I am, trying to help! But all my words flow in one ear and out the other! Stop being so self-absorbed for a good five minutes and listen to someone who actually cares, stupid!"

Rin was just as self-absorbed as he was when she didn't even notice how close her face was to his own. He stiffened when she shouted. She stopped shouting when he did. As soon as she was sure his attention was fully on her, she breathed in to calm herself.

With only the silence and them being alone together behind the school building, he stood there, face trapped by her palms, waiting for her to speak again.

Not because he wanted to hear her words. Not because he wanted her to talk him out of his actions. But because if he didn't give her the time of day, she'd hound him to no end. Even if it wasn't in her best interests to do so.

For that was the Tohsaka Rin he knew.

"For someone who keeps talking about becoming a hero ever since he was little, you're really quite the idiot." She started, repeating the same insult yet again. "And I don't mean the bit about your dream being childish! I'm talking about how stubborn you are. You always ran headstrong into trouble. Didn't matter the time or place, you always kept at it until you finished doing what you believed was right. Didn't matter to you if you got in the way or otherwise, you'd push your help on others whether they wanted you to or not. That's thickheadedness of yours is both a good and bad point about you and that's what annoys the hell out of me!"

"I still don't—"

"If you still don't get me, here it is! Stop being stubborn!"

Funny. He could say the same about her. But he was just doing what he could. Up until the point that his help likely wasn't being appreciated anymore because of his weakness and the trouble that would only bring him. "Tohsaka, I—OWOWOWOW—ITA!"

"Don't you dare interrupt me." A soft, almost playful, tug to his cheek followed by a slap to his face enforced his silence. "I'm not done."

Breathing in, she exhaled softly again. With how close they were, he could feel the warmth of her breath. She likely felt his too but was too mad to care. He nearly froze when her forehead touched his.

"It's frustrating. I get it. I really do. I've known you long enough to understand that things aren't ideal. Not for you or your dream." The momentary contact was broken as she pushed away. Her expression softened. Less angry, but still upset. "But if this… if this is how you're going to go on dealing with it, I'd rather you hate me than let you go on like this."

She relented her hands, allowing him a slight reprieve while she took a step back.

"I'm not telling you off because I want you to change. I'm not saying you should since you were fine as you were before. And… while I did call you an idiot for it, I… sort of… liked that stubbornness of yours anyway… But that doesn't change the fact that I—, that my sister and I are both worried about you."

He almost missed the fact that she was glaring at his feet when her tone softened to a mumble. When he met her gaze, however, he nearly tried to run again. He really couldn't meet her eyes even when she bared her feelings of concern so. Now, it was just her saddened expression that kept him from leaving.

"As much as we don't get along, I know for a fact that even Illya wouldn't like seeing her big brother acting like this. So don't keep saying that things will be alright when they're obviously not!" Rin's scowl turned into a fragile smile as she stood to face him head-on. Despite their slight difference in height, she seemed to stand taller in his eyes. "I may not get why you tried to avoid telling me things that bothered you, Shirou, but I want to remind you that I… that I'm here for you. Okay? We are always here for you."

That she was. Not because they were childhood friends either. Nearly six years of friendship and not once had Rin strayed from him because of his obstinate attitude or his stupid dreams. Not when they were nine and childishly young. Not even now when they were thirteen, still young, but not as much as before.

She'd always stood by him, supporting his dreams just as he reciprocated support for her own goals. Not out of obligation, but because she believed in him too. She never rejected him just as he never rejected her. The same could be said for Sakura. The same applied to all his other friends.

Issei and Shinji kept their reservations. They knew the boy had issues, but anything they said would've been shrugged off. Compared to this person though, well… Shirou never had a chance in hell of turning away Rin. Once she'd set her mind on something, it was impossible he'd ever escape.

These people, who wanted to help him, he tried to push away. Just the thought of his pride getting in the way of their friendship irked the boy so much. Hearing her voice her intentions… of all of them wanting to help… of wanting to be there for him… it hurt even more now that he was thinking straight.

"… My bad…" he said in apology. "I… I guess I… … um…"

"You don't have to say it. I know you're an idiot who acts first and forgets to explain. It happens all the time." She poked him in the chest again. But unlike before, she was more being more gentle with him. Going so far as to lightly punch the center of his uniform. "However, I won't forgive you next time. If you don't come asking for help every now and then, I'll hold it against you. Especially if you make my sister cry."

She added extra emphasis on that last line. Even dropping the smile as she said it. She was looking at him with eyes that said she supported him but also trusted in his understanding of the matter they'd just discussed. She wasn't joking anymore. She was dead serious.

"I'm so—, no… Thanks, Tohsaka." He corrected himself. Meeting her eyes, he still couldn't maintain the stare but settled with embarrassed glances her way instead. "I must've been acting really stupid, hadn't I?"

"Hmph. Not that much different compared to your usual self." Picking up her bag, she crossed her arms behind her while turning her back to him. "But… seeing you act like that… it really hurt to watch. So… well… someone needed to talk some sense into you… I might as well, since I was around… It's not like I had… any other special reasons for it…"

"I won't do it again. I promise." He nodded firmly. "I'll deal with Muramoto and the others properly when I next see them."

Turning to him, she stared. The glare was held until he started to get nervous, but Rin relented when she was satisfied seeing him squirm.

"See that you do. Otherwise I'll have to shoot them next I see you all in another one of those 'fights'. And I won't bother with a warning next time either. Not to them or to you…" Something about her relieved expression told Shirou this was also not a joke. His spine chilled slightly until she nodded over to the school gate. "Come on. Those two must be worried sick waiting for us at the usual spot."

She started walking as she said it. Realizing he was going to be left behind, he trailed after her while picking up his bag. "Er… Wait a minute, Tohsaka! You're kidding, right? About the 'no warning' earlier?"

"Of course not." Without looking at him, she added. "You made my sister and I worry. If you can't be bothered to help yourself, then I'll do something about it on my own. A shot of Gandr to the face should erase one of my problems. One less reason for Sakura to come home frantic about something after all."

"You can't be serious!" catching up, he managed to spot the light smile before it turned into a rare yet familiar teasing smirk.

"Do you think I'm as half-hearted about things like Matou-kun?" She chuckled at his fluster before elbowing his side. She was even careful not to hit his injuries. "Emiya-kun, you cut me to the quick. You should know me better than that!"

Seeing her back to her usual self, he was able to relax. But Shirou wouldn't forget his earlier promise to her. If she was worried enough to scold him out of character about it like that, then he must've upset his other friends just as well. Not just Sakura. He needed to apologize to Issei and even Shinji as well, just in case.

Speaking of, "Hey, what was all that talk about earlier? That thing about Shinji's proposal or something, I mean."

"Oh, you mean earlier? I was rejecting him."

"… Eh?" his jaw was left hanging for a good two seconds. "… EEHH?!"

"He confessed like last month, but I turned him down. But, persistent bastard that he is, I've been rejecting him almost every time he brings it up. Hasn't stopped since."

"EEEEEEEEEH?!"

"What's the matter? Is that the only thing you can say?" she looked to his mouth-agape expression with a somewhat surprised stare. It turned mischievous at a moment's notice. "Don't tell me you're jealous."

"N-no! That's not it! How come I didn't know about this?"

"Ah, right." She took a second to ponder it, although going by her following words, she was already aware and was just teasing him. "Maybe it's because you were too busy being an idiot."

Under the sky shaded a light orange by the approaching dusk, the two friends walked out from behind the back of the school building, casually bantering as normal. Looking from afar, one wouldn't know they'd just had an argument. And though their friendship wasn't so fragile as to break under a single quarrel, the boy was relieved to have a headstrong friend like her who was not one to back down so easily.

Truly, he was grateful Tohsaka Rin was another part of his daily life.

---

"Is… is everything really okay, Senpai?!"

His underclassman's concern was more palpable than he expected. With her long and flowing black-brown hair cascading behind her, teal eyes, similar in both shade and determination as her sister's despite being a little teary, pierced his own.

"Y-yeah. It's fine." Trying not to panic at her forwardness, he settled for patting the top of her head. "I appreciate you asking, but you don't have to worry anymore, Sakura-chan."

The girl was just about on the verge of tears. Had they not been standing in the public bus stop near school, then she'd probably do just that. Not that there was anyone who would mind, seeing as his argument with Rin took so long that it was only the four of them waiting for the next bus to arrive.

"Thank goodness…" Didn't stop her from sniffling away though. "I thought… I thought something was terribly off… I… I was really…"

"Ah! Sakura-chan, why are you crying?!" Illya, being none the wiser, made to hug the girl while trying to peak at her face from below for answers. When that didn't do much but earn a hug back from the older girl, her crimson eyes darted to him. "Oniichan, did you do something to Sakura-chan?! Unforgivable!"

"I didn't! I didn't! I promise, it's nothing!"

"It's okay, Illya-chan." Preventing his little sister from declaring war on him, Sakura, being the angel as she was, hugged the silver-haired girl from behind while looking up at him. A knowing smile clued him into the fact that she was just as aware of his problem, likely due to being informed by her sister already. "Senpai, are you really, absolutely sure?"

He nodded back, hoping that was enough. When her eyes still held a hint of doubt, he thought for a second then added. "If… if it's alright with you… can I talk to you about it next time? When we're alone?"

His eyes darted downward to imply he didn't want to involve Illya. For now, at least.

Unbeknownst to him, she looked taken aback for a different reason. A momentary glance to her own sister later, she beamed up at him with a bright and understanding smile. "Of course! I'll be waiting for you anytime, senpai!"

She was misunderstanding the invitation. Of course she was. But Shirou didn't know that. Besides, he was too busy thinking to himself.

It was too much. Sakura's optimism. Her earnestness. Everything. If he had been challenged by this emotional bundle of a girl before Rin's direct, more prepared approach, Shirou didn't know what would've gone down. Most likely, he'd have shouted back at her for being too forward, too insensitive, and she'd likely back down instantly.

But, worst of all, it would've caused the poor girl to crumple into tears.

Kindhearted and a patient girl as Sakura was, she was also still too sensitive and timid to the feelings of those around her. An adorable quirk, it was still a fragility of hers. Him rejecting her more than once, but also extra vocally like he did to Rin, would've damaged their relationship. More than it would've tested his with the standoffish tomboy anyway.

Really, he didn't deserve the care and attention the two gave him. Yet, he was happy they deigned to give him so much.

"Mu! I don't get it! I don't get it!" But, despite his thoughts and considerations, the little nine-year-old clueless to his troubles opted to make trouble of her own accord. Mainly by pouting and raising her voice. "Why are you crying, Sakura-chan?! Oniichan, what did you do?! Are you bullying her? Did you say mean things to her? I won't forgive you if you did!"

"N-no, I…" with his little sister bearing down on him, in public no less, the older brother who couldn't deny his actions did bring this about buckled and stuttered.

"Ahaha… it's not that, Illya."

"Then, what is it, Rin?!"

Coming to his rescue, the older girl placed a hand on his back before he could retreat. Smiling his thanks to Rin over his shoulder, however, he was met with her devilish grin. "It's just that a certain someone over here was having very big trouble. Because of how long it took him to sort it out, Sakura-chan just started getting worried for him. But when he wouldn't ask for her help, she started getting very worried!" Making to dramatically lament, she feigned a soap opera housewife's distress. "Ah, it was almost to the point of thinking a certain someone was starting to hate her—"

"N-Nee-san! That's not it! Stop putting misleading ideas into Illya-chan's head!" Sakura, lightly blushing, scolded her elder sister before cuddling the still-confused Illya in her chest. "Don't worry about it, Illya-chan. Your big brother's just being a handful, that's all."

Putting it that way kinda hurt the boy. But then again, neither of them were wrong. He had been a bit of a nuisance, enough for them to worry about him. So he kept his silence.

"Ah, mou! I don't get it! Stupid Rin! That doesn't explain anything!" Too bad the explanation didn't sate the little girl's curiosity. "Are all of you hiding something from me?! Why won't you tell Illya the truth?!"

"Because it's a surprise, you little brat." Starting to get annoyed but still willing to entertain her, Rin replied slyly. "Do you think your Oniichan would hide something from you unless there was a special reason behind it?"

"What 'special reason'? Stupid Rin! Always so vague!"

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I did tell you, right?!"

"Mou! Tell me! Tell me! Tell me! Tell me! Tell meeeeee—!"

"Why you little… Sakura, hold her for me!"

"—eee! Eh?"

"Yes, Nee-san."

"EEHH?!"

"You're going to get it now, you little—!"

"Hyaaa! No, let me—ahahaha—go! Stop—Sakura-chan, you—hihi—traitor! Hahaha! Oniichan, help me!"

"No escape for you!"

Shirou tried not to break into a grin. The sight of Rin finally losing it and begin tickling Illya into submission, it was amusing to say the least. Having had enough of her attempts to tease him ruined by the brat's persistent questioning, she resorted to physical retaliation. And with Sakura quietly assisting her sister in keeping his problems between just them for now, the pair continued with their tag-team tickle attack on the poor elementary schoolgirl. They all shared smiles as they did, even Illya who, losing her one-sided fight, soon lost interest in his dilemma.

Such a heartwarming sight, such caring friends and family… It was enough to make him forget his mistake to the girls in the first place. But he wouldn't. Because doing so was tantamount to betraying their trust in him.

He promised to confide in them, to ask for their help. And he would.

Of course, Illya was the current exception. Considering her age, she'd certainly misunderstand but also do whatever she could to make sure he was happy. Even if it was beyond her power to do so. But as her older brother, he'd strive to avoid making her, or any of them for that matter, worry about him like that ever again.

He owed them that much.

"Hm… uh… huh? Are you guys sure this is the place?"

The sound of a car stopping nearby and someone getting off came from behind Shirou. Turning to face them, he was met with the sight a stranger wearing a flowery shirt with a wooden mask talking to someone inside a van with a side-open door. When he didn't get a response from his companion in the driver seat, the stranger sighed and turned around, stopping just as Shirou's eyes met the man's behind the mask's eye sockets.

"Ah, you there, young man!" Shirou tilted his head until he realized he was the only 'young man' around. When he did, the stranger clasped his hands together as if to plead a request. "Mind if I asked a question? If it's no trouble, I mean."

Knowing that the next bus was yet to arrive, and also noting that the trio behind him were busy playing around, he decided to oblige in helping the stranger.

"Sure. What can I help you with?"

"You see, I was actually looking for a school." The stranger pointed up the hill nearby. "Is the bunch a buildings just up this hill Homurahara Academy? The one with conjoined elementary and middle schools?"

"Ah, yeah." Shirou didn't understand if the person just couldn't read the bus stop sign that read the school's name in plain text, but then again, he didn't seem from around here, judging by his unnaturally dyed hair and choice of attire. The mask especially. "Are you waiting for someone?"

"Well, yeah. Sort of." Something was off. Shirou felt a little on edge but tried to ignore it. "You see, my employer asked me to pick up some kids around the bus stop here. Said it was urgent cause they had important business with 'em."

"Is that so?" The stranger's his choice of words had the boy slightly tilting his gaze. Subconsciously, he squared his feet. "Can I ask who it is you're looking for?"

"Hmm… Let me see here. Ah. Found it." Pulling out a terminal, the man tapped its screen a few times before finding what he wanted. Leaning forward, he reached out his terminal, screen side to Shirou to show him a pair of familiar faces. "Maybe you know a couple of kid's named 'Tohsaka'?"

Faces belonging to the sisters standing just behind him. All the while, the stranger made to slightly tip the side of his mask that it revealed half a sinister smile. All alarm bells rang in his head.

"Emiya-kun—?"

"You two, RUN—!" Having heard their family name, both Rin and Sakura stopped playing around. Feeling his instincts scream, Shirou turned tail to warn both of them.

"Ah, I see. You're a friend of theirs!" However, the sudden impact to his back followed by the stranger talking with a tone of realization cut him off. "That saves us the trouble of looking."

"—GAH!"

Once again, he was sprawled on the ground, in pain and unable to do anything.

Because he was weak.

"Emiya!" Red light flooded his hazy gaze as Rin, who'd approached screaming in shock, readied her CAD. "You little—!"

But…

"Ah, ah! Better drop it, girlie!" With Shirou's vision clearing, he saw something that subconsciously got his blood boiling. "Otherwise, these two are gonna get it!"

A knife was held to a teary-eyed Sakura's neck. Right after knocking him down, the man had taken the two girls a little ways from them hostage. The older girl was afraid, and unmoving.

"Oni…hyan!"

The little one in her arms was less so. Illya struggled to escape her, frantically trying to reach out to her brother that had been knocked to the ground. But with Sakura understanding their situation far better than the child did, she was hugged tightly from behind, unable to run into Shirou's aid. What's more, her mouth was covered to prevent her from screaming, lest her cries draw the man's ire.

"Kora, little brat. Stop moving. Or do you want me to hurt your adorable older sister here?!"

She immediately stopped squirming for a moment. With her tearstained crimson eyes meeting Sakura's own, the sunset's light reflecting on a clear knife's edge, she went just as still and silent.

"Good. You're a smart one." Satisfied with their compliance, he turned to face the other two far from his grasp. The sick smile he wore grated on Shirou's nerves. "What about you, Tohsaka's heir? Gonna play ball or test my patience? Either way's fine with me."

"Tch." Something hit the floor. Rin had dropped her CAD. Standing up while lifting both hands, she glared angrily at the wooden mask. "So? What next? You plan on taking us for ransom? Is that what this is?"

"Hmmm. Quite level-headed, little lady. To be calm enough to start probing me for answers… Maaah, I guess your little head needs to be clever if you're going to be someone important." The chuckling hostage-taker shrugged. His knife never left Sakura's throat. "However, sorry! I would help if I could, but unfortunately, I'm only an errand boy! Nothing much I can say other than where I'm to take you two after."

"'You two'… I take it that you're only after my sister and myself then?"

"Correct~~~!"

"Then let Illya go! She has nothing to do with you—" Rin's attempt at negotiation failed the moment she raised her voice.

"Ah, no good, little lady! I need her to stop him from getting in my way." Knifepoint was directed at him. At Shirou. He could only grit his teeth in frustration. "You see, I'm not good in a fight with magicians. Can't blame me for being a little careful in case he tries to come and save you."

'Magician? Him?' The thought went over Shirou's head as the only thing he could do was struggle to get on his knees. That and hoarsely mutter. "Let… … … go."

"… … Huh?"

Whatever the man did to his back, it stung like hell. An impact to the back of his lungs in general, maybe it missed his head when the man was aiming for an incapacitation attack. Either way, he forced himself up by his elbows to growl the words. Rage masked his normally kind expression.

"Let… them… go!"

"Well, aren't you stubborn…" The man's knife hand drooped to the side when he turned to glance at the open van. "Oy, aren't you two going to help me over here—?"

"Rin, go!"

Not missing the opening, Shirou charged. Though he may not have been a magician, he'd at least been trained in martial arts. Not only that, but he had also asked for his guardians to assist in his physical conditioning in his father's absence.

He'd have to thank his younger self's ambitious persistence in that regard.

"Eh? You've gotta be kidding—!" With the distracted man noticing too late, Shirou immediately grabbed the knife hand. Twisting back his grip to force the weapon out of his grip, he ducked below the man's armpit. His elbow struck squarely on the assailant's side. "—AGH!"

"Nee-san!" "Sakura, take Illya and get behind me!" Rin, having run over to pick up her CAD at his signal, shouted. Her terminal lit up crimson, ready to fire. "Emiya-kun, get back now!"

Shirou need not be told twice. He already kicked the masked man behind the knee, downing him to buy time. He was already running back over, however…

"Dammit! OY! They're gonna get away! Are you two dolls gonna move or what?!"

The sound of a car door opening was all he heard. The sight of a fist glowing with a hint of Psion light was all he saw. Another moment later, he was flying. Pain burned the side of his shoulder as he flew back-first into the bus terminal's hub. A hulking mass of a man stood where he had before the fist's point of impact. His face was impassive at the damage he'd dealt to a thirteen year old teenager.

"Whew. I was worried there for a sec." Dusting himself, the wooden mask sighed while patting his companion's broad back. "Looks like their little bodyguard wasn't able to hit me with any magic. Lucky!"

"ONIICHAN!" "SENPAI!"

Hearing their cries was a sign that he was alive.

However, Shirou's back hurt. Around the same area he'd bruised earlier with the bullies. The attack had knocked his lithe form almost two meters into the air before he landed. In the midst of the pain, two thoughts raced through his aching head.

The girls were undefended. What's more, the kidnapper wasn't alone.

"Dammit! Eat this!" Without any obstruction, Rin let loose.

A dark red mass of energy formed around the edge of her handheld CAD. The instant it flew. Shirou took note of the lighting speed of the black-crimson ball. Shirou recognized the anti-personnel stun magic as the unique Tohsaka family spell, Gandr.

"Ah? Shit!"

The masked one ducked behind the van. But his companion, Rin's primary target, wasn't as quick in his escape.

"Tch—Nguh!" The target's body stilled upon contact. Black-red light enveloped his form before slowly, he fell face-first on the ground. The girl's favored magic had paralyzed him in place.

"How's that, you big—?!" Her gloating was cut short when, from behind the vehicle, a third attacker charged her. "—GAH!"

"NEESAN!"

CRACK THUD

Rin, like he, flew up before she crashed into the side of the bus stop's hub. But, unlike his impact, a resounding sack-like thud hitting the floor following the shattering of the glass and plastic pane had Shirou's spine tingling with a shiver. When she fell to the ground, slumping to her side a mere two feet next to him, she didn't move. Hell, she didn't even look like she was breathing.

"Nee… san…?" Sakura's pale face looked mortified. Her panic reinforced the bad omens. "NEEEEESAAAAAN!"

"T… Toh… saka," he tried. No response. Shirou would've gotten up to kneel by her side, but moving was beyond him. All he could do was call out her name… "Toh… sa—!"

"O-o-o-oooooy! What the hell are you doing, you dumbasses?"

Circling from behind the van, the wooden-mask-wearing of the three got out of his hiding spot. He stopped to stare once he caught sight of both him and Rin. Immediately, he stamped up right next to the paralyzed one and, to Shirou's surprise, kicked his incapacitated companion in the head.

"You were supposed to stop them! Not kill them!" The man sounded less furious and more frantic. "Ah, mou! What's wrong with you two? Why can't you follow orders properly? Did Zhou-danna mess up your surgeries or something?!"

The man was distracted again. Despite being a hired kidnapper, his actions weren't that of a professional. If he was, he'd have known that Shirou wasn't a magician guarding the girls. In fact, Shirou was inclined to assume this wasn't his usual job and was actually relying heavily on the other two to help against any resistance.

But, be that as it may, Shirou couldn't do anything to take advantage of an opening.

Because he was weak…

Too weak…

"Haaah… Nevermind. At least we have the other one. Number Eleven, if you would? Take the white-haired one too, just in case." The man gestured over to Sakura and Illya. "And please, for the love of god, don't kill them! We need them alive, got it?"

"Understood."

At the mask's command, the other one still standing immediately grabbed hold of either of the girls' arms. With a simple swing, they were tossed into the back of the van and locked inside with a click.

"You two, behave for a bit!" gesturing for the one called Number Eleven over to the other one still on the ground, the mask pulled out a second knife and aimed it at the two inside the van. "If not, I'm gonna start cutting off fingers. Starting with the little one, of course."

Shirou heard their whimpers stop immediately. From where he sat, he could only watch as the body of his attacker, still paralyzed from Rin's attack, was tossed into the van's open door before being obscured by the wooden mask that hid a sick nasty smile.

"Ara, you're still alive?" his blood boiled. The urge to tear the mask off and nail the guy square in the jaw had never been so apparent. "Sorry, young man. It's nothing personal, really. I'm just doing a job."

"… I'll… kill… you…" was all he could muster.

"Hmmm…" Getting up, the man sighed with a smile as he moved away from him to his side. "Well, good luck with that."

He was now approaching Rin's limp form.

Realization hit Shirou. The man ignored him for her. If he was really after them both, then, if he didn't move now, he'd lose his chance to stop the kidnapper. He'd lose both his friends as well as his sister if he didn't get up.

'Move…' He tried to get move. And failed.

'Get up!' He tried to stand. Again, he failed.

'Please! Get up!' Losing faith in himself, he tried to cry aloud. To the one he knew would still be able to escape if she just woke up. 'Rin! Go and run away… while you can!' Unable to even reach out, Shirou tried to scream. But even his voice failed him now. '… Please!'

Because he was weak.

"Let's see. Is she still alive?" Feeling for a pulse on the wrist, the man jumped up immediately. "Oh, it's our luck day! Number Eleven, after putting Twelve in the back, make some space for this one—"

"What the hell do you think you're doing to my students!"

A familiar voice spoke. Shirou couldn't see from the corner of his fading periphery. However, the shadow of a woman wielding something over her head was a recognizable one anywhere. Especially on school grounds.

"Woah!" a rush of wind struck the kidnapper's feet. The wooden tip of a shinai cratering earth had him falling back. Gritting teeth chattered under the mask as he retaliated with his knife… only, that too was swiped from his wrist by the bamboo blade. Disarmed, he could do nothing but retreat. "Ah, dammit. We took too long. We're leaving, Number Eleven. We've been noticed."

Fujimura Taiga made a defensive stance in front of both his and Rin's limp forms. But before she could charge after the man, he pulled out something from his pocket. Chucking the object at her from over his shoulder, he dove for the van's sliding door and shut it just as the vehicle screeched away.

Smoke then exploded all about the area. The gas canister the masked man tossed was then kicked aside by the angry teacher.

"Wait a second, you bastard!"

Taiga made to throw her shinai. Not like swinging a bat as she always would. Instead, it flew like a javelin. As if it wasn't made out of wood, it punctured through the side of the van's door, by the driver seat. But that wasn't enough to stop it. The kidnappers made their escape. The training weapon snapped on a pole as soon as the vehicle turned the bend.

"Dammit," a rare curse left the teacher's lips before she turned to face him. "Shirou! Are you alright?"

"Toh… Tohsaka…" he muttered to her with a weak voice. "Is she—?"

"Rin-chan's alright." She was quick to reassure him. But the way her eyes seemed to dart back and forth… between him and her. The silence… it only made Shirou more nervous. "Don't move!"

"B… but—!" he tried to get up to no avail.

"I've already had Kuzuki-sensei call the police and your families! It's going to be alright, okay?!" No. It's not. The panic and shaking in her voice… they were all signs of something being wrong. "It's fine! It's fine… Everything's going to be… just fine."

No… It wasn't fine… Sakura and Illya were taken. And, from the signs Fuji-nee were showing, Rin was hurt. Badly…

It wasn't fine. Nothing was fine… And it was all…

All because he was weak…

"Shirou? Stay with me! Hey!"

Even as the teacher caressed his face, even as she tried to keep him conscious, Shirou couldn't do anything but think of that fact. The fact that his weakness was what caused him to fail…

He failed to protect them. In turn, his friend and family were taken away from him…

As his vision faded to black and smoke, Shirou could do nothing… but blame himself.

---

'Where was he?' In the see of darkness, no one could answer.

'Was he alive or…?' Maybe he was. Maybe he wasn't. he couldn't exactly tell.

There was only one thing certain for him.

'I failed.'

That's right. He failed. All because he was weak.

He couldn't protect them. Even when it was just three girls, he couldn't protect them.

Maybe… it was better to say… he couldn't protect anyone. Because he was too weak.

He wasn't a magician. He was just a normal person. There's no way he can do more for others.

Why even bother trying to be a hero… when you weren't even strong enough to equal those you wanted to save?

"… a pitiful… you're in…"

'A sound…?' he thought. Something echoed in the darkness. It came from a little ways of his side. 'No… a voice?'

"And… … have the guts to… … self my apprentice? Bahahahahah!" The booming voice that faded in and out of hearing was unfamiliar to the boy's ears. More so was the flippant laugh it belched out mockingly. "If I'd known… be reduced to such a state… … have brought my camera!"

"Har, har! Laugh it… … old geezer!" Another, softer, one replied. She was annoyed though… just that fact… resonated within him. "If I'd known … … would have something… … do with this…"

The second one was a familiar girl's. Although, it sounded… a lot different.

Much more… older.

"… Of all the… … why didn't you intervene then?!" she continued to yell at the first voice. He couldn't tell about what exactly… but he knew her enough to know when she was angry.

"… Oh don't be such a… … can't interfere any more than I… …" The, now that he'd focused on it, old man scoffed as if he couldn't give a damn. The boy felt a sense of… detachment to the 'old geezer's tone. Like he didn't belong. "Besides… You don't need my… … Things will work out… guarantee it…"

"… do you mean?"

"They, like you, will…"

Back and forth, the voices conversed. Fading in and. Like objects bobbing over and under the water's surface. For a time, it was near-deafening silence. But their incoherent exchange would dbob back to the fore.

"Really? Then, even… …? "

"Yeah, yeah. But… … not all… …"

He couldn't make rhyme or rhythm of what was going on.

"… … about Shirou?"

"Soon… but… … … die."

"Haaah?!"

"… look at me … that! … … not the … … made the rules!"

Perhaps, they spoke his name. Or maybe he misheard. Whatever the case, their loud and echoing voices were too wobbly to even understand. It felt like he was trying to eavesdrop on a conversation underwater. But just being able to hear them meant he was alive.

It meant he could act.

'Move…'

That single thought pushed him.

'Please… Move! I need to go… I need to save them!'

Rin sounded like she was fine, but Sakura and Illya were unaccounted for. Meaning they were still kidnapped. And, even if this was just a dream, a hallucination, the pain he felt earlier proved what happened was not.

They were still out there… in danger.

'I'm begging you… I'm begging you please! Please, MOVE!'

He willed his limbs to listen… only they failed to do.

He couldn't do it. His arms felt too heavy. His legs, stiff as rocks. They weren't restrained, but… it felt rigid. Hard. It was as if space itself was preventing him. He couldn't even clench his fingers slightly.

"Ara, your adorable little … … awake already? Impressive… you must be proud of… …"

"He's—he's not my…! D-d-d-don't get the… idea, geezer! Stop implying we're… … !"

"There you go … … will you … … honest with yourself?... … … Live a little! … … … second chance … … confess already! Besides, the dead… … … You can do it, right?"

"… … … Damn you, Zel—…"

The first voice took notice of him. Of that, he was sure when he felt something's gaze upon him. While he thought he heard the second voice argue back, he couldn't make out the context of their exchange. But the fact that one of them noticed he was awake… That was what he focused on.

'Please.' Shirou prayed. 'Help me get out of this—'

"You'd better get some more sleep, boy. Nothing you can do in your condition." Now speaking over his form, the old man's words were closer. Clearer. But their meaning was also graver. "Hell, there's nothing you can do… as you are, lad. Don't worry. Things will work out… in time…"

To the boy who couldn't help… to the boy who blamed himself, his weakness, for everything, it was like a death sentence. 'No,' he would've pleaded. 'Help me,' he would've asked. 'I need help! I need to save them!'

"Seems, even in this one… the World has treated you unfairly… Damn that Gaia, always making you the broken one, huh? Just relax. You'll get there someday. Well, not you not you you. And certainly not now… But… we shall see. Until we meet again, young hero."

Those were the last words he heard before falling back unconscious.

How it hurt… for even, in his own mind, even in his dreams, he was to forever be seen as a weakling. The one to be set aside when those he cared about needed a hero.

'Why did… I even survive anyway…?' A thought consumed Shirou. 'If this is… all I can do… I'd rather…'

He fell back into the endless deep, unable to remember what he'd just witnessed, what he heard, what he felt, in that brief wink between time and space.

---

The ceiling that greeted him when he woke up didn't belong to his room. It was whiter, more pristine than his simple bedroom. Though, the night-like atmosphere and single light fixture that was lit in their corner of the ceiling did cement the idea that it wasn't home at all.

Another hint was the strange smell of the place. It had that bitter-fresh mix that resembled a clash of medicine and cleanliness one would only find in hospitals or clinics. Then again, that may have been due to the pristine-white curtains pulled shut all around the bed he lay in—

'Ah,' his senses clued him in to his current location.

He blinked once. Twice. Three times. His eyes were working properly. Finally.

Sitting up, he pulled back the sheets. The fact he could move now was not lost on him. Immediately, Shirou tried to learn where he was, what was he doing here. He saw that he was still in uniform. The lower half anyway. His top had been tossed over the nearby visitor's chair. His upper torso currently had small patches of gauze here and there covering his many cuts and bruises. As he looked around, he instantly recognized the place being Homurahara Academy's infirmary.

Having had somewhat of a problem with hiding physical injuries these past few months, he'd grown familiar with the room located between the middle and high school wings of the campus. But now, the question was not 'where am I', but instead 'why am I here'.

That question brought another that his body wasn't ready for. His sweat came like a flood. His breathing hastened. Blood began to boil once more.

The girls? Where were they?

The sudden rush of memories before he was knocked unconscious got the adrenaline to kick in. All in under five seconds, he was standing, gritting his teeth, and pushing aside the curtains. But he didn't get far.

As soon as the fabric was pushed aside, he was immediately met by a set of wide crimson eyes.

For a second, he thought it was Illya preparing to jump him awake again. But then he remembered that firstly, Illya had been kidnapped, secondly, the woman's platinum blonde locks were far longer than his little sister's, and finally,

"SHIROU-CHAN!" the relieved scream of his name wasn't anywhere close to the shrill yet just as annoying voice of the younger girl's. "Thank god, you're awake!"

"Guh—!" before he could even speak, Shirou was enveloped in a tight hug. Feeling the taller, more mature body press against him, he suddenly felt being strangled as he stood in place. Now he knew for certain, drowning in her long silky hair, that this was not his sister. It was his adoptive parent. "M-mom?!"

"Yes, dear!" Irisviel screamed right into his ear, tears streaming down the side of her face. "Mommy's right here! Oh thank god, you're safe and—"

"Mom!" he struggled to cry over her voice. "I can't—Gaaaah—Breathe!"

"Oh! So sorry, dear!"

"—Haaah… Haaah…" catching his breath, Shirou fell back to his bed. Her usual greeting always had him overwhelmed. But, with his injuries not being fully healed, he had to take a second to recollect himself. "Sheesh, mom. Every… Haaah… time… Eh?"

When he saw shadows move behind the curtains, he soon realized it wasn't just his mother present. Another patient was sat up in the middle of her bed adjacent his. Next to them was another adult. He could tell by the size of their shadows. The shadow of the one on the bed's twin-tails told him all he needed to know who was there.

He reached out to push aside the curtain… only to hesitate.

Did he have any right to see her right now? After he failed to protect her sister?

Hell, did he even have any right to call the woman sat next to him his mother? She'd lost her daughter for crying out loud! Her own flesh and blood! All because he… … All because he was…—!

"Shirou-chan?" He didn't even know the hand he used to reach out was shaking. That is, until her pale own wrapped around it. The motherly warmth it exuded belied her skin's sickly tone, comforting him. "It's alright."

No. It wasn't. He didn't want her to see him like this. He didn't want her to act so kindly as usual. He didn't deserve the sad smile she made for him.

Just as he didn't deserve to see Tohsaka Rin for the wrong he'd done to their family. Would they even allow it? For someone like him?

"Aoi-san, I'm pulling it aside. Is it alright?" But, uncaring, or maybe oblivious, to her son's woes, Irisviel asked the person behind their curtains for him.

"Yes. My daughter's awake as well," came a woman's reply.

His arm dropped. The white sheet keeping his fears hidden away was pulled aside. There, he met her gaze. Sat in her bed as he sat in his, the same gaze that tried to pry him open earlier, filled with worry and concern, stared back at him.

Her cold, nearly expressionless teal eyes were like daggers to his heart. Very different from her mischievously spirited orbs, there was a sad air to them. Like she was looking through him, not at him.

It… it hurt. But he deserved it.

Probably… she was probably looking at him like that… because she blamed him… for everything.

Of course, she would. He was at fault after all… She was just being polite and not saying a word about it… If he'd ask, she'd likely brush him off… saying there's no way she'd blame a friend.

Such baseless thoughts flooded Shirou's mind. It corroded his heart though the girl in question had yet to blame him of anything. She didn't need to for he would continue to blame himself.

His heart sank further when she spoke softly to him.

"Shi—Shirou, are you okay?" Even now, she showed him concern. "How're you… feeling?"

His eyes hardened at her gaze. It then drifted down on her form. Silently, he cursed himself again.

'Why are you asking me that? Shouldn't you be more worried about yourself?' he couldn't even say it aloud.

Rin was currently wearing a full infirmary garb instead of her uniform. It spoke of the extent of the damage she received. Bandages along her arms. A cast around her neck. A metallic brace was strapped to her upper back and vanished under the sheets of her bed.

Someone who looked like they broke their neck down to her lower spine was asking him, covered in cuts and bruises, if he was fine. He would've punched a wall had he no control over himself.

"I… I'm fine," was all he could say to her. She didn't look at all convinced.

"Are you sure, dear?" his mother was just the same. "You should lie back down for a second."

"I'll be okay." He clasped her hand on his shoulder with his free one. Feeling it shiver at his touch, he knew she was still shaken from what was going on. Speaking of which, "What's… the situation?"

He didn't direct the question at anyone specifically. He just asked, wanting to know what was happening. The first to speak wasn't his mother, but the other parent in the room.

"Tokiomi-san received Kuzuki-sensei's call earlier." Tohsaka Aoi's expression and tone held firm as befitting the wife to a family of prestigious magicians. But her trembling hands clasped tightly to her daughter's own was telling of her real feelings, her motherly woes. "We came as soon as we could. The nurse has gone to call for an ambulance that'll take you both to the nearest hospital. She said that while your injuries aren't life-threatening, you still need some time to recover…"

A cursory glance Aoi sent over to Shirou's side was met with a nod by Irisviel's own. A request for silence, perhaps? Or was there something she didn't wish said? In any case, she resumed after patting her daughter's hand.

"We were told to wait here with you until the ambulance arrives. In the meantime, my husband's cooperating with the police to find the kidnappers."

"I've called on my connections as well." His mother grabbed his hand's back with her other. Slowly, she brought it up to her face, trying to use his hand's warmth to stave off her own tears. "So far… we've had no news… but… but we'll be patient. We'll wait… until news comes up…"

Unlike the Tohsaka matriarch, Irisviel wasn't one to keep up a mask. Though in business, she was a smiling pokerface, in family matters, she was like her daughter. Expressive and openly wore her heart on her sleeves.

Right now, those sleeves were red and wet with tears. While she tried to believe in her own words, it was clear she'd spent a time wailing away in fear and anguish.

Shirou couldn't do anything but regret having asked. He enveloped the woman in a hug which she gladly accepted.

Over his shoulder, he spied Rin's eyes from the corner of his own. Seeing them without meeting them, he noted hers were as red as his mom's. Though she was gazing out the window at the early evening cityscape, he knew she was deep in thought.

'Liebe Mutter, bitte verlass uns.' Distracted by her distant stare and his own thoughts of the events that occurred while he was out, Shirou didn't notice the girl's lips muttering something under breath. Nor did he see her fingers trace something on top of the bedsheet. 'Ruh dich einfach aus, denn dein Kind schläft.'

Suddenly, Irisviel shivered in his arms, before immediately breaking away from the hug.

"Thank you, dear… I… needed that." Wiping the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief, she gave him a motherly peck to the forehead before tossing his uniform's top on his shoulders. She had on an unfocused gaze as she got to her feet. "I… I'm going to make… another call… See if anything's… come up. Wait here… and rest, okay?"

"Okay." Shirou nodded, finding it odd that she would be feeling fine so fast. Normally she'd bawl into his chest, the whole night if need be. Considering this went beyond a simple issue…

"I… shall go with you…" But Rin's mother was the same. Grasping her daughter's hand tightly, she laid Rin back on the bed before getting up as well. "The ambulance… should be arriving soon. It'd… be best if… I direct them… here."

"We'll be here… Mom." Rin's voice seemed to crack slightly but Aoi pecked her on the cheek. Similarly unfocused was her gaze, Shirou noted but failed to put two and two together. As if in a trance, the two women nodded to them both before taking their leave through the infirmary door.

Suddenly left alone with Rin, the cold room's air felt harsher on Shirou's bare skin. What should he say? What should he do? He had no idea. It wasn't that long after their talk… and now that he'd failed spectacularly, he didn't know what she would say.

That he couldn't have done anything? That it wasn't his fault? No. That's incorrect. Everything was his fault.

It was suspicious of the man to be asking students for directions from the start when there were signs all over the place. It was suspicious of him to be wearing a mask in broad daylight. It was suspicious for him to be so blatantly suspicious…

But Shirou didn't take notice of anything wrong. He'd let it all happen. It was all his fault.

Trying to avoid conversation, he made to put on his slightly ruined white top. He'd take his leave first since he didn't seem to be in that rough of a condition. Rin needed rest and he… he needed to get as far away from her as possible.

"… You're lying again." she only muttered it under her breath, but he knew she was talking to him. "Aren't you, Shi—Emiya-kun? About being fine, that's a lie."

Turning to face her as she lay back in her bed, the expression she wore was far calmer than he thought it would've been. It was as if she was used to this when he so clearly knew she should be the most distraught between them.

"Then, what do you want me to say?" he mustered up the words, but Shirou's mind was in a fluster.

Rin wasn't. She didn't waver, neither did she cry. She gestured instead, tapping the seat her mother vacated. Shirou approached and obediently fell into the chair. With hands tightly balled together, he remained silent. It took him a while before he could speak again.

"… I'm sorry…" His vision of the floor blurred. Try as he might, he couldn't fully hold in the tears. "It's… it's my fault. It's my fault that you were all—"

"No matter where, when, or how many times I see it, you're always quick to act like an idiot." Her tone, calm as can be, were odd. But the words that felt like a lashing across his back distracted him from noticing. "Just how was this your fault?"

"It's because I… was weak…" It hurt. It hurt to know. It hurt to say. But he had to say it. He had to admit his faults. Otherwise, he felt she'd never forgive him. "Because of me, they were—"

"Haaah… You… Are you mocking me right now?"

"Eh?" he wiped his face with the back of his arm. Looking at her, he was met with a pouty expression.

"You saying their getting kidnapped is all due to that implies I'm also at fault they're still missing because I'm bedridden over here."

"I—I don't mean—!"

"Then what do you mean, stupid?! You saying just because you couldn't handle being attacked by three guys means you have to be blamed for everything?! Well guess what, stupid! I was under attack by one and I lost in just a single hit! Therefore I'm at fault for being weaker than you!"

He didn't mean it like that. He didn't mean that at all. And even if she were to claim so, there was no way she'd ever be weaker than he. But Rin's words grated on him. She wasn't accusing him. Hell, she was severely accusing herself through her own logic. But they grated on him.

An exhausted sigh from her had all that energy vanishing away. "Why do you always keep taking responsibility for everything? It was all out of your control. You know that. I know that. Even Mom—even mother knows that and she's not blaming you. Why are you… so stubborn about this?"

Because it was his fault. It was always his fault. Because he was—

"Don't tell me… you blame… you still blame yourself for… your parents' death?"

"… … …" Her words pained him. So much that his mind blanked out for a moment. 'Really, I can't hide anything from her.'

Well, that's not really the case. It's really more due to him having told her in the past.

Long ago, she'd questioned him the same once. A young Tohsaka Rin, not even at the cusps of adolescence, asked out of simple curiosity, 'Why do you always take responsibility? Why do you always try to act like a hero?'

Long ago, he'd answered her truthfully. A young Shirou, only just having been adopted into the Emiya household, answered with naïve confidence, 'Because I killed my family.'

She didn't understand it at the time, but he didn't need her to. What only mattered was that he understood that fact. That he believed that fact.

The fact that he had to atone.

It was the truth, after all. Had he not acted a spoiled child and pestered them to comply with his selfish request to take him along, his parents wouldn't have… they wouldn't have had to die… protecting him.

And, if he'd been a bit stronger… then maybe… … …

People said it was an accident. People said it couldn't be helped. But those people weren't him. He didn't believe them. They hadn't been there. He had. Hence, whatever they had to say about it didn't matter.

It was an immature thought process. One that he'd carried on as a child and till this day, as a teenager. Despite knowing the notion to be a foolish one, despite being aware that many would consider his mindset self-destructive, the boy couldn't help but believe otherwise. Hence, he couldn't do anything but blame himself.

He wasn't allowed anything but atonement for it.

"I… I know you're not going to change your mind…" Rin started again. "But that doesn't mean I won't stop telling you off."

Still in his silence, he hadn't noticed the hand until it rested atop both of his clasped own. When she grasped tightly, the boy fell even quieter, stiffening from the warmth of their contact. It took all he had not to crack.

"You may think you have to do it all. You're free to believe that somehow, in some way, you'd pay them back by helping everyone. But… to me, none of that matters. Not a single one of them should ever matter. The only one… the only one that should matter to you… is you!"

Through grit teeth, he thought he heard her harshly breathe a sigh.

"Emiya Shirou is not to blame." Strangely, he could feel her eyes not boring holes into him. Rather, he felt a gaze just as soft as her voice. "Even if you believe you owe the world, I won't give in and stop telling you otherwise."

Rin could be right. She was always right. But even if she was, he didn't think it correct to believe in her words. Survivor's guilt wouldn't let him.

Not then. And certainly not now when two of the people he cared about were in trouble. And the one that was left behind, the one who was far more hurt and broken, was reassuring him.

"Even if the you of this world or the next won't ever listen to me… I'll always… always, always be there… to pull you back. To punish you for your wrong mindset. To make sure that, at the end of the day, you aren't punishing yourself… for something you didn't do." Her voice cracked slightly. "I promise this. The moment you look back, I'll be there to pull your eyes forward. Even if you hate me for it."

His heart ached. He clasped her hand in the palms of his own. He then brought it up to his forehead. As if to pray for forgiveness.

"… I'm sorry…"

"… I know."

"… I'm really, really sorry…"

"… I know you are."

"… I promise. I'll do right by you this time."

"… Hm. I'll forgive you." He felt her hand grasp his a little tighter. "But that promise won't be enough…"

"What… what should I do?"

"… … Forgive yourself. For everything that's happened." He could only grit his teeth. His palms started to sweat as did his brow. It was the one thing he couldn't do. "If you don't stop hating yourself, you'll hurt me, Shirou. You'll hurt me and everyone that ever cared about you. Sakura, Illya, your parents… Even the ones whose death you continue to blame yourself over…"

But… did he… did he even have the right to? Unable to allow himself that small respite, he shook. He couldn't yet fully forgive himself for his crime. Not with his own words for himself.

But hers was a start…

Breaking away from their clasped hands, he dared look her in the eyes again.

"You… think they'll… forgive me?"

He need not have asked. He already knew what Rin would say. But Shirou wanted to hear it. He wanted to hear her say it. If not because it was the truth she believed, but because he wanted her to reassure him.

He needed someone he trusted more than himself to say that it was a truth he could believe in.

"They will, Stupid Shirou!" Her eyes seemed to laugh at the obvious. Light tears streaked down her face as she added. "Of course, they will. It's because they're you're parents. They love you… Just like how your current family loves you. Just like how I… … how I… love you…"

The confession was the last thing on his mind. But it elicited a blush from the boy just as it did the girl. He stared into her eyes. She did the same for him, albeit struggling to keep a straight face amidst the shade of pink.

Slowly, but surely, their faces came ever closer. While Rin couldn't move due to the braces on her neck, her finger and thumb subtly pulling on his chin conveyed her intent.

He could feel her breath on him, just like earlier. Just a little more and…

KNOCK KNOCK

The knocking on the infirmary door had them pulling away from each other instantly.

What's more, being unable to even move in her position, Rin let out a light whine of pain. She had jerked her body sideways when she accidentally pushed on his chest, thus forcing her back a bit. But it also touched her injury. She could only cover her own face in embarrassment while dealing with the pain.

KNOCK KNOCK

"Son. Are you awake?" more knocking. This time, someone spoke. "Shirou?"

Although the surreal experience of nearly getting his first kiss was interrupted, Shirou was quick on recollecting himself. That voice that called him, he'd recognize it anywhere. He went over to slide open the door.

The tired form of Emiya Kiritsugu was quick to envelop him in a tight hug.

"Dad—NGH?!" Shirou, getting a bit choked by family a second time, returned the hug when he felt his adoptive father's breath hitched. "I'm fine, dad."

"I'm glad." Another tight squeeze, another moment of holding his breath, but a full ten seconds later, the old man halfway through his forties let his son free and recomposed himself. And, like a well-oiled machine, his face transitioned from that of a father to that of a businessman. The soft relief was gone. In its place was a stern pokerface that scanned the inside of the room like a hawk. "Your mother? She was supposed to be here with you."

"She… went out for a bit." Shirou replied, concerned at his father's odd behavior. He thought the man would be more worried, but opposite his mother, Kiritsugu's composure was sturdy. "She said she was double checking her connections… in case they found something. Aoi-obasan went with her to wait for the ambulance."

"Hm." Kiritsugu's brow sharpened a bit before he sighed. Looking to his son, he motioned for him to follow. Stepping out the room for a bit, Shirou just now noticed the pair of suited men standing by the doorway. "I'll just be having a word with my son for a minute."

"Understood." One of the suits replied with a nod. "Should Tokiomi-sama return first, we'll let him know."

The nod was returned as they took a stroll down the hallway, arriving at one of the school's vending machines.

It was odd, to be out and about on school grounds way past dismissal time. The quiet night air beyond the windows, the estrangement of the darkness beyond the familiarity of the well-lit hallway… it was like a whole other world.

'Illya would've loved exploring this…' the thought was quickly dashed from his mind as soon as it came.

Shirou scowled at himself. He didn't have a right to be laid back now.

The sound of clanking metal had his attention. His father drew the two cans that dropped at the bottom of the vending machine, passing the matcha flavored one off to Shirou.

"How are you feeling, son?" taking a sip out of his dark coffee, the father asked while staring intently at Shirou. Before he could even repeat the same answer he'd given others today, the man tiredly added whilst shaking his head. "I'm not asking about your injuries."

"… … Still reeling… from everything…"

"As expected. Your friend and sister were taken from you by force. But I'm more concerned about this. Not this." The old man made to tap his son's chest before nestling his hand on Shirou's head. "Have you let it all out yet?"

"I have… It… hurts…" Shirou deduced his father was asking what he emotionally felt. From the warm smile that sneaked up on his face, it was the correct guess. "I should've done something. I could've—"

"Are you really going to backstep now?" Finishing his coffee in a gulp, Kiritsugu tossed the empty can into the recycling bin. "Right after Tohsaka's daughter made you promise to think about yourself more?"

"Y-you…! You heard all that?!" Shirou stared at his father in shock. He never took the man for an eavesdropper, but by the serious look in his eyes, he understood that he didn't do it to mock his son.

"Life consultation followed by a confession… Had they not taken Illya, your mother would be celebrating by now."

Or not. Rare as it was, his straightlaced father did joke every now and then. But… to do so now? "Dad?! Can we please be serious about this?!"

"My bad. It's not every day a father gets to watch his son growing up." The smile grew a little wider before turning into a chuckle. "I wasn't interrupting anything earlier, was I?"

Realizing that his father not only overheard but interrupted at specifically that moment, Shirou fumed slightly and would've decked the man had he not feel his anger boil instead. "Aren't you supposed to be worried about Illya right now?!"

"But I am, son." The chuckle slowly fizzled away. Vanishing, it was then replaced by a morbid silence. The face of a machine took over. "That's why I came here to talk to you."

"Huh?"

"I'll be going after them, son."

The tone and words had Shirou stiffening. The expression he wore looked blank but it didn't lighten the atmosphere. In fact, it added heavily to it. Kiritsugu was serious.

"I actually just planned to tell your mother that I wouldn't be coming home until late. Just so that she wouldn't worry. But seeing as you're doing okay, I—"

"Take me with you." His father didn't even bat an eye when they stared into each other's own. "Please, take me with you. I can help. I want to help!"

"No."

"Why?!" he already knew he was going to be rejected. He already knew that. But he couldn't help but ask, even though he already knew. "Is it because I'm not good at magic? Is it because I'm weak—?!"

"It's because you are my son!"

That was the death sentence to his effort. He couldn't beat that reasoning. Any thirteen year old, even him, would know that it was practically stupid to even insist beyond this point. He didn't even need to see his father's wincing dark eyes or feel another embrace from the parent to know he wasn't going anywhere.

He wasn't going to be allowed to help save his family and friend.

"It's because you're my son." Kiritsugu repeated over his shoulder. Tone not as loud as earlier, but just as firm. His grip on him tightening again as he spoke. "I can't afford to risk losing more family. Not again—" The man's voice hitched but straightened with a breath soon after. "I will get Illya and your friend back. But I need you to stay with your mother. I need you to be by her side. Just in case I won't. You understand, Shirou."

How his father could say it, how he could so easily ask that of him, with such a straight face to boot… Shirou wouldn't know. But he understood. He understood very well the seriousness of the matter and to what extent the man planned on going to resolve it.

He already knew that his father wasn't the atypical businessman. After all, Kiritsugu had never spoken about work with them before. About his real job. Not even when Shirou had asked. But the man knew and was close to all sorts of folk.

Rich and prestigious magician families like the Tohsakas. The shrine-keeping Ryuudous. Even the shady yet reasonable, ironic as it may sound, yakuza head, Raiga of the Fujimuras. Connections like that, make a normal businessman, does not. Add the fact he was married to the heiress of a European-based weapons and arms manufacturer and you have one hell of a web of social connections.

When you factor in his knowledge of martial arts and military equipment, some of which Shirou was made aware of but never allowed to train in, then things start to get even shadier.

Emiya Kiritsugu was a mystery to his son. He was seemingly a goof at home, unable to cook or even do simple shopping. He couldn't even win an argument against Sella about housework, much less Illya in their games without cheating, even if he tried.

But when it came to business, to training. To things like this, the man was consumed by an aura about him. One that smelled of blood.

Shirou didn't doubt his father when he said he'd get Illya back. There was no shred of doubt in the boy that his father was just saying it to reassure him.

But that didn't mean Shirou would leave it all to him. He wanted to do something. He wanted to help.

But he wouldn't be allowed to. That was already made certain when the man broke away from the hug. With a hand wrapped over his son's shoulder, the old man led him back to the infirmary's door. Both Tokiomi's guards, respecting their privacy, kept to themselves when he opened it and let Shirou walk in first, shoulders slumped.

"I leave supporting your mother and protecting your friend here to you, Shirou. I know you won't let me down." The forced promise was too much to bear. But he couldn't reject it, resigned as he was now. "Besides, I think it's best if you stayed by the young lady's side until she's fallen asleep. God knows she won't be able to rest easy if she lost not only her family, but you as well."

Shirou didn't even notice Rin had pulled up her covers to conceal her face. Gaze floating over to her bed at his mention, it returned over to his father a second later. Defeated, denied, he couldn't even speak.

"I love you, son."

Not another word. Not another hug. Not even a goodbye. The man slid the door shut, bid the guards a good evening, and walked away. Shirou didn't move from his spot until he couldn't hear the man's footsteps anymore.

When it completely vanished, he unconsciously moved and fell back into the seat next to Rin's bed.

"I take it your dad said something?" Rin wasn't even hiding the fact she wasn't asleep. She could tell something was off when he stayed silent. "What is it, Shirou?"

"Dad said… he'll be looking for Illya and Sakura." It should've been good news. But with him saying it, it sounded dreadful.

"And he told you no when you asked him to take you along." Glancing over, he saw her peaking at him from above her sheets. "I could hear you both from here."

Then he need not explain any further. And while she was indeed correct, and his father more so, Shirou couldn't accept it. He couldn't… Even with his promise with Rin to do right by her this time, he couldn't take it. It wasn't in his nature to accept things as they were.

He wouldn't accept not taking action himself.

That's why he'd do just that.

"You're going to chase after him, aren't you?" he stilled at her voice. "I can see it on your face."

"… I have to—"

"Do you even know where he's going?"

"… No, but I—"

"Do you even have a clue where to start looking?"

"… N-no… But—"

"But what? You don't even have a plan."

She got him there. Even if he were to try and sneak out, he was physically incapable of doing anything other than tailing Kiritsugu to wherever he was going. And that's even if he could catch up at this point.

But that didn't mean he wouldn't try.

"Even if I don't have one, I'll do what I can…"

"You could die, you know?"

"Sakura and Illya could too if I don't."

"Just… leave it to the adults!"

"… I… I can't…" he shuddered at the thought of not doing anything. He couldn't help it.

"…" she didn't respond further when he fell silent.

Looking out the window, it was already dark out. The moon was up and the city's night life was all that illuminated the outside beyond the school's campus. He saw the light of an approaching ambulance as it pulled up right next to the front of the campus gates. If he wanted to act, he was running out of time.

"Why are you just that stubborn?"

Rin's voice sounded weak. Pulling down her covers a little lower, she tried to sit herself up and failed. She'd fallen back with a minor pained squeak before reaching out to him with a red face. To which, he obliged helping her sit up. But just as he was about to help push her back to allow her to support herself against the wall, her right hand gripped tight on his shirt's left shoulder.

On purpose or not, she had pulled him down to his knees. His gaze leveled with hers. She took that chance to grab his other arm with her free one.

Rin had essentially latched on to him, preventing his escape.

If she was stalling for time, he could just rip her grip away. It would probably hurt, but only for a brief moment. He'd probably get slapped, verbally abused, shouted at or more, but he'd accept that. So long as he could get out now.

"Rin. Please let go." But he wasn't all for hurting her. "I'm going and you can't stop me."

"And if I say 'no'? Are you going to push me away?" she sounded determined. That was despite the trembling in her voice. "Are you going to leave me here worrying over you just like you would your mom? After I just told you how much it hurts us… hurts me! You'd still go through with it?!"

He couldn't say anything to that. Nothing other than "… Please."

Her reply was the same. Nothing but a firm "… No."

"… Rin!"

"No!"

"I know I'm in the wrong!" 'Again'… was left unsaid. "But I have to do this… I have to."

Otherwise, he wouldn't forgive himself. There was nothing she could do about it now. Shirou knew Rin would fight him down if she could. But not this time. All she could do was sit back and yell at him.

"… You stubborn idiot… You stupid, stupid… idiot," but she didn't yell. Instead, she wept before him. "Why… are you… like this? Why are you always… always…?"

It started quiet. Small whimpers first, followed by sniffles. Then, came a louder whine through grit teeth. Soon, the grip on his shoulder tightened. Though it failed to pinch his skin, he could feel her pain in how hard she clutched the fabric. Her left, in contrast, loosened slightly but it jumped from his arm to his collar. With all the strength she could muster, she shook him back and forth.

"Why… why are you always this… difficult?" Sobbing punctuated her words. "Why don't you… care about yourself more? Why…? Why… … why did I fall… for a determined idiot like you?!"

He couldn't answer that. He didn't understand her heart the same way he couldn't understand and forgive his. But when she pulled his face into hers, he stopped thinking entirely.

It couldn't be called the best kiss Shirou ever had. Not with how messy, wet, and unexpected it was. Not to mention, he was ill-prepared for it. Even Rin looked to be in slight pain for forcing herself with her neck injury. Still, the fact that he had nothing besides family pecks to the cheek or forehead to compare it with made it win the title by default.

For his first kiss to be with a girl who was crying because of him… … it certainly was a kiss he'd never forget. In more way than one.

As their mouths parted, he felt her grip on his shoulder slide down. Still stupefied by her sudden attack to his lips, he didn't notice her fiddling under her sheets. She had pulled out a ring encrusted with a blue jewel seemingly out of nowhere. Immediately, she'd pushed it against his chest.

Rin glared with tearstained eyes before finding her voice. "Take this…"

"What is it?" he asked, bringing the trinket closer for inspection.

"It'll take too long to explain… but… it'll help you find them." He looked at her, eyes wide. She was helping him? "What? You don't believe me?"

"N-no, I—, I do. Just…" He saw the spark in her eye. If she was lying, he'd have seen through her by now.

Rin never lied. Not when she was being forward. She had a tendency to give herself away when she was being pushy.

"Thank you, Rin."

"If you don't come back with them… If you don't come back at all, I'll make sure you regret it!"

Her defiant voice returned, but it was still shaky. He didn't doubt her though. After all, Rin would always carry out her promises.

Right now, she was conflicted. That much was obvious. But she was also looking at him with the same eyes she'd always given him. Those filled with support and trust. Support in his decision and trust that he understood the consequences of his choice.

"I'll come back." He promised while slipping the ring on.

By coincidence, it was his left hand's ring finger, an action that didn't go unnoticed by the girl who'd given it to him. With her face now half hidden by her hands in embarrassment, he chose to touch her forehead with his own. Just like earlier, when she'd reassured him, Shirou did the same for Rin.

"I'll make sure Illya and Sakura are safe. And I'll comeback. We all will…"

"… You'd better… Or else…NG!" Being sat up for too long had her spine aching. Gently laying her back to ease her neck pain, he pulled up her covers which she gladly took to hide her face.

"I will…" Pecking her on the lips once more, he reassured her. "I'll be back with them. You'll see."

"Hey…" as he opened the nearby window wide enough for him to escape through, she called out to him. Still partially hiding her face under the sheets, all he could see was her beautiful pair of aqua reflecting the room's only light. "You haven't… said it…"

"Hm?"

"Do you… Do you feel the same… about me?"

The fact he hadn't yet was about to leave had him turning red on the spot. Had he? If he'd been asked the question before, maybe he would've answered vaguely. For a long time, he'd only focused on the happiness and wellbeing of others. Never himself. So if he'd ever encountered the question, he wouldn't have a proper answer.

But…now?

"I guess… I always have… Though, I never thought I should've said it… until now. Eheheh…" Scratching the back of his head out of anxiety, he tried to play it cool. When that only served to annoy the girl, he straightened up and faced her sternly. "I love you too, Rin."

"… … stupid… You better come back to me… or else!"

With her face as red as it was charming in its rare, embarrassed state, he smiled to her one last time before jumping out the window.

Commandeering an unlucky school staff member's bicycle in the parking shed, he made a mental note to apologize profusely after all this was over. Making sure he wasn't seen, he slipped past the gate and stopped at the corner. Raising his hand, the ring she'd given him began to glow with a dim light.

Wondering how it worked exactly, he tested waving it or pointing in random directions. When it started glowing, he knew it was on. When it got to blinking in a certain direction, he instinctively knew where he had to go.

Without wasting another second, he pedaled hard. Harder than he'd ever done before, he cycled away into the night.

---

A dark bird flew after the boy. The familiar's violet-shaded jewel-based form blended seamlessly into the stars and shadows of the sky above. Through its crystalline eyes, its owner watched with a regretful gaze.

A pained, tear-stricken, grief-driven and determined gaze.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Sakura, Illya." Lying back on her bed unable to move without help, she whispered apologies to those who were gone from this place. "I… I'm sorry… Emiya-kun… But, if I want to see him… If I want to see them again… you need to… all of you—" She held the words back, guilt forcing her arm to hide her eyes from the world. As if her tear-dampened sleeves could hold the damnable tears back any more than her shut eyelids. "… … I'm sorry, Shirou. I'm sorry… I… I…"

Tears streaked down the side of her face.

"I'm going to have to kill you… for their sakes…"

Only, it wasn't just her tears. Nor was it originally her face.

The girl wiped it away with the original owners hands before pinching her new cheeks. With her resolve momentarily restored by the pain that told her she was alive, Tohsaka Rin determinedly glared at the ceiling.

'To walk the path of a magus is to walk with death.'

Her father's teachings… Old and archaic, trapped by the traditionalist mindset that beget them in the past, still held truth even for her. After all, she wasn't a magician. She was a magus.

Tohsaka Rin, the orphaned child and survivor of the Fifth Holy Grail War stared hard into the night sky. As for the Tohsaka Rin of this world, the eldest of twins birthed to Tohsaka Aoi and Tohsaka Tokiomi of the oldest home's estate just several blocks away from this school… well… she was no more…

Recently deceased after snapping her neck at the bus stop earlier that afternoon, the girl who'd grown up as the loving elder sister to Tohsaka Sakura, all-time rival of Emiya Illyasviel von Einzbern, and finally Emiya Shirou's childhood friend and, regrettably, only ever a secret admirer, shed her final tears not a few hours ago. Never to wake up in her thirteen-year-old body ever again… Never to see her family ever again… Never to enjoy another day in the presence of the ones she loved.

Never again. Ever.

The thought of it made Rin sick. But, in some twisted and corrupted way only a magus ever could think, she felt… happy. Happy that, despite the exchange of life, she was able to survive hell.

But… fulfilling her host's final wishes, something that was the least she could do for suddenly taking her place, made her feel guilty about the opportunity she'd taken away. Her heart pained at the thought of having stolen this world's Rin's one and only confession and lying to the boy who almost fully resembled her Shirou…

'No! Don't think like that! It wasn't my fault! I was not the one who killed her! It… couldn't be helped…'

In a way, she was correct in that regard. As to why, it was because the World needed not the Tohsaka Rin that was born, raised and grew up in this reality, but the other one who had collapsed a World Line out of her selfishness, her refusal to let the boy she loved die or lose the sister she'd already lost before.

The World chose her over the original Tohsaka Rin because she'd refused to accept the outcome dictated to her by fate… as proven by the satisfied emotion not her own that welled up within her chest. The one that came over her the moment she confessed this world's Rin's love for this world's Shirou.

It still felt hollow of her… hypocritical even… to lie to the Emiya Shirou who was not her Emiya… her Archer…

While this world's version of the boy was wracked by a pain similar to her own, it was undoubtedly deceitful to have pushed him forward, to give him the tools that would speed him right into danger… just so she could hasten his demise…

The thought of willingly killing off innocent people in return for getting the ones she loved back… it was disgusting. But being a magus, she was taught to be ready to do just that. To be as cold and harsh to the world on their path as her father and forefathers had been.

She hadn't really ever followed that creed through, but now was not the time for second thoughts. Not when it was either four people or the whole world all over again.

"I'm sorry…" she muttered to herself. Or rather, to her, the girl she'd stolen a life from. "I'm sorry… … If it's any consolation, they'll join you soon…"

The words that left her lips… she wondered if her love would accept it? She doubted he would. It was why he chose to forsake no one. It was why he chose to save them all. But not everyone can be saved in this equation. This, Rin knew.

Hopefully, all of her sins will have concluded on this night and this night alone.

"Ngh!" her hand shot up to her temple.

The memories of Tohsaka Rin still hurt her head. All she could do was power through the pain with grit teeth. Memories almost equal in terms of length to her own lifetime came flooding into her mind. Or was it her soul? Regardless of the specifics, she was still adjusting… to knowing the past experiences that belonged to someone similar as, but at the same time, was not, her.

She didn't understand it right now. And it wasn't like her teacher was the 'explaining' type to begin with. It was all a mess. From her supposed demise in their old world to suddenly being inserted into the life at the moment of another Rin's death.

But it was all there. Knowledge of her world's collapse. Memories up until the last moment, when Shirou pushed himself to his very limit to conjure up a Noble Phantasm that was far beyond his ability's current reach.

That she remembered it at all was proof there was certainty to her teacher's words.

'This world is going to end, just like your original home. But, at this reality's collapse, the ensuing cataclysm would end not just this Line, but all others adjacent to it.'

"I'm sorry…" she mumbled her last apologies. "I'm really sorry… For stealing everything…"

Remembering the graveness of their situation, she resolved herself to stand firm. Even if she had just essentially murdered the previous her and planned to do the same to the others, she couldn't falter now. Not for them. Not after what she'd done, there was no going back. Otherwise, why did the her of this world have to die if the replacement was just going to fail anyway?

"The World leaves me no choice. If I even had one, I would've preferred none of you got involved… Now, though… I'll at least make sure you can rest in peace."

It was the least she could do to atone.

An image of a younger her staring directly back was the only thing that came to mind. An angry, indignant expression, all the while mouthing the words 'You'd better. Otherwise, I'll never forgive you!'. It became a nightmare when the younger her was replaced by Illya, then Shirou disappointedly staring back… then Sakura, despondent, tearing and aggravated. Just like when Angra Mainyu took over her—

Her eyes snapped open only to tear up in anger. Anger at herself yet again. Thoughts of 'If only… if there was another way' assaulted her again and again.

'Ah, mou… now I'm starting to sound like that idiot.' Internally, she scoffed. Though she had yet to see her beloved again, remembering that his counterpart was almost exactly like him brought tears to her eyes. Her own tears. "I'll protect your home, the people you care about, everyone."

She was still against her position of being the thief, both for the former Rin's life and her love, but she wasn't going to let this chance go. She wasn't going to let the world, all the worlds, be destroyed because of her morals. If she failed here, she failed them all, the her and them in the many worlds over. She would save them.

Even if it was… not… like he would want her to.

Through her familiar's eyes, she sensed Shirou getting ever closer to his destination. Having made great time with her Seeker's Ring, he should arrive there soon. And, knowing him through the Rin of this world's memories, he was soon to charge in like an idiot and finally meet his end.

For his sake, she prayed it would be a swift and painless one.

Willing the jewel bird to return, she sighed. Her last, painful duty to the Emiya Shirou of this was world over. Now, she needed to start preparing the necessary magic to calm and hypnotize their parents to curb their reaction to the boy's absence. Under the sheets, she pocketed her mentor's 'presents'.

'It'd be unfair of me to let you start on 'hard mode', no? I'm not gonna push you without lending somewhat of a hand! It's dangerous to go alone~~~! So take these!'

Annoyed her wack job of a teacher would use obscure references she had no idea of the origin, she sighed in gratitude regardless. Jewels of several kinds from back 'home' nestled into her uniform's skirt pocket. She'd be able to utilize her family's specialized magic through them for now, but she'd need more soon. Though she inherited the aptitudes of this world's Rin, she still needed to hone her father's magecraft, as well as cover for them all until she could confide the truth.

"Get here soon, Shirou. I need all the help an idiot like you can give me…" Unable to hold back her tears, she looked out the window into the starry sky. From her view, three stars seemed to shine brighter than the rest. "If Zelretch isn't doing this to pull our legs, then the world needs an actual hero… now more than ever…"

The helpless girl trapped in a body two years younger than her former, tried and failed to stop herself form crying. It was in that state that she was found by her mother and his, finally snapping out of their hypnotism.

---

"What's the matter, little lady? You've been quiet for a while now." the man's voice sent chills down her spine. She didn't dare look his way for fear of seeing the sinister smile partially hidden under his wooden mask. "Don't tell me, you're still waiting on a hero to save you?"

"Oniichan will come!" shouted the defiant Illya.

Her shouts weren't really minded by their kidnappers as much. Not now when they were hidden away, likely in some alley behind some building in the middle of the city. Sakura couldn't tell behind the tinted and boarded windows of the van's rear.

What she could tell was that the kidnapper was finding amusement in the smaller girl's cries.

"Hoh? You fancy your 'Oniichan' as some kind of superhero? That's cute, kiddo!"

"He will come!" she argued back. Much to her frustrations, the man wasn't fazed at all. "When he does, he'll kick your butt!"

"Oh, that makes me excited! It gives me an actual reason to cut him down then!" taking out a butterfly knife, he twirled it on his palm. After drawing the blade, he made to admire his reflection on it under the vehicle's inner light. "Hm… but just killing him off the bat is boring, don't you think?"

"Eh?" Illya quaked under his gaze.

"I mean, if he dies too fast, you'll just end up bawling your eyes out, right? How about I play around with him for a bit! I mean he almost kicked my butt earlier, but with Twelve back up and running, maybe we can play a little game of tag with him."

When he made to lick the blade, he cut his own tongue. But instead of flinching in pain, he merely swallowed down his own blood, going so far as to taste test it like it was wine. All the while his mask's eye sockets were directed at Illya.

The little girl nearly wet herself. Sakura had to forcefully pull her over, hiding the girl's face in her chest while covering her ears with her palms.

"Y-you're sick…" was all she could mutter.

"Eh? You think so too?!" contrary to being offended, the masked man seemed to take it as a compliment. "Yaaah, Gilles-danna always said I was the prime example of crazy. Normal on the outside, yet an absolute riot when you get to know them!"

The man went so far as to play with the bloody knife a bit, wiping the red liquid on his finger before applying it like lipstick on the mask's straight lips.

"But it's hard to believe him when he never stops complimenting my style!" Said style was being admired on the reflection of his terminal. It was like an actor checking on their makeup. If their face was the mask, that is. "Though, you'd be surprised. He's more awesome despite all his praises! What with all his underground connections, the amazing jobs he gets called into, not to mention his personal archives…. Ah, I have so much to learn from my boss… but I appreciate the compliment, little lady! Tell ya what! I'll make sure your friend enjoys his pain as much as I do if he does come!"

Sakura could only feel a sickening wrench in her gut from hearing the man talk. Polite as he may have been since their abduction, she couldn't relax at all. Not when the psycho was enjoying this far too much. She made sure to shield Illya away from his eyes.

"My, you really have the nicest reactions!" the man said absentmindedly, earning a startled glaring from the girl. "Ah, my bad! I was just so… how should I say? Entranced? Intrigued? Eh, something like that." The smile that curled up exuded nostalgia. But there was a disgusting air about it. "Hey, don't take this wrong but… your face. It's pretty cute."

"Hiii—!" Sakura recoiled a little, hugging Illya even closer as the man defended himself.

"Oy, don't look at me like that, please! I'm no pedo." He was just a psycho. Sakura's thoughts were apparent in her refusal to respond with anything but a glare. "Just saying that it kinda reminds me of my sister, really! She was cute too. But she got even more adorable when I told her I was gonna kill her! But maybe it's just me."

A compliment, it may have been. Receive it kindly, Sakura did not. And because of the speaker's… well, everything, from his creepy aura to the vibes of insanity, the girl felt more vocally violated than flattered just by being spoken to.

"Sorry if you wanted to see my face," he continued whilst tapping his mask, despite Sakura not wanting him to. "I have my normal day jobs too, you see. After I and Gilles-danna are paid for this job, it's gonna be back to hiding for a while. God, it gets boring sometimes, but, eh… what can a man do in this boring world we live in, right—?"

"The client's arrived, sir." One of the stiff men in suits, the one in the driver's seat, interrupted.

Right as he said it, light flooded the front of the windshield before traveling to the side and disappearing at the rear of the van. The sound of someone parking nearby was all it took to convince the girl of what was about to go down.

That being a trade that involved her and Illya by their captors.

"Ah, how punctual!" Sparing her one more look, Sakura internally prayed he drop dead. "Guess this is it for ya, little lady. I enjoyed our little talk!"

"You won't get away with this…" Sakura couldn't help but mutter. But the man just shrugged and chuckled behind his mask.

"Ah, but that's because you don't know how long I've been getting away with it, girlie. I may have blundered a bit with you and little missy there, but there's still a chance to turn things around! Prospective magicians are a great commodity after all! Well, it's not that I care much for the money anyways, but still…" The man playfully juggled his switchblade before hiding it on his person. With a shrug, he added. "However, maybe you'll be lucky and we'll be with each other for just a little longer. After all…"

He paused at the slightly ajar exit. His mask covered his face, but Sakura could tell what he was thinking. Never had she heard more joy in the man's voice… until now.

"It's not the first time I've had to get rid of evidence." The man said, giving her a parting wink behind the mask's eye socket. "Maybe… you and I can enjoy our time… juuuuust a little bit longer later, yeah~~~?"

Her shoulders jumped slightly when the van's sliding door was shut. Fear, anxiety, and a number of other emotions flooded through her, causing her to start shaking.

'What… did he mean by that?' But, knowing that losing herself now would do little to help, she sought to distract herself, desperately. It was only by emulating her sister's callous and calculating attitude, by considering what facts she could confirm, that Sakura was able to maintain a sense of calm. 'Magicians… commodity?'

If he was to be believed, then he had blundered at their kidnapping. He wasn't supposed to have nabbed just her or Illya. But… if he didn't really need either of them… then, there was only one other person he could be after!

'Nee-san?!'

The thought sent chills through her being. Fear thoroughly gripped her again. So weak was her façade that her hand shot up to the ribbon by the side of her head. Her elder sibling's gift barely gave her comfort as any thoughts of keeping calm were taken over by concern for the one who'd gotten hurt protecting them. Gravely so.

She heard the crunch. She saw her sister's dumbstruck then blank expression when she was sent flying off to the side. Her mind went haywire as only the most dreadful thoughts took over.

'Nee… san…' Sakura trembled, from the top of her head down to her knees. 'No… No! She… she can't be…'

She tried her hardest to deny such thoughts before they took root. But even if she was able to ward off the worst of the notions, her imagination just couldn't calm down.

For even if she did survive, Tohsaka Rin still had a target on her back. And… because she was here, captured and unable to warn her sister, Sakura wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

"Sa-Sakura… chan…" The girl in her arms could sense her unease, judging by the tone of panic in her voice. "Sakura…chan… are we… going to get… home—?"

"It's alright! We will!" She hugged the girl tightly. But it was more to reassure herself than comforting Illya. "It's okay… I'm sure… we will…"

"Mm." Quiet, unnaturally so for the usually rambunctious child, she reciprocated the tight and trembling hug. "Oniichan will come save us… right?"

The child's words pleaded. Nay, she prayed. Sakura couldn't help herself as well from praying to whatever god may be listening. "Don't worry. Senpai will be here. He'll come save us."

A lie was all she could give, for what could a teenage boy do against thugs who did this professionally? More so when he was beaten to nearly a pulp not a few hours ago?

'No!' She shook her head, believing that he was fine. 'He's okay! They're both okay! They will be!'

She even went on to convincing herself that her sister's limp body falling lifelessly to the ground like that was just a lie. But it was a lie she'd believe in regardless. After all, there's no way her sister or Shirou would ever abandon her. There's no conceivable way they'd just die off and leave her alone!

Her sister was fine. They were fine! And Shirou would most likely be out there, searching for them right now!

In her heart of hearts, she knew this to be true. He'd been there for her before. And despite how troubled he'd been recently, the girl knew better than to doubt the person she'd admired deeply.

There's no way a hero like him would falter. He never would, this she believed!

"Don't cry. He'll be here. I just know he will!"

The words only brought more tears. Stifled ones, but tears still flowed. With the child quietly crying onto her chest, Sakura's hands enveloped Illya. The smaller girl's frazzled platinum-blonde hair was gently straightened by the older one who tried her hardest to remain calm.

All the while, she continued to pray for salvation under the guise of a very fragile silence.

---

Fuyuki City, Fuyuki Harbor, July 18, 2092

'Dammit…'

Behind a tall stack of cargo containers, the boy tried his damn hardest to stay calm. Not only had he been lucky to not be stopped by any guards when he snuck into the port so late at night, but he'd not been spotted by the occupants of car that literally arrived just a minute after him.

Thinking quick had him taking cover behind the many metal crates that were stacked as high as a small three-story building. But, being that he had to work his way further into the port without being seen, either by anyone on patrol or the criminals already present, he was panting heavily for peddling hard.

'Pace yourself! Come on!' he internally berated himself, trying to regulate his breathing.

While he'd pushed himself to get to where the ring was blinking the most rapid, he had to stuff it away into his pocket for fear of drawing too much attention. It was around then that he'd frozen up. Upon arriving at the spacious area that was the Fuyuki harbor, he thought he'd have to comb the whole place to find them.

He was lucky that the new arrival seemed to be after the same people he was.

Shirou snuck a peek from beyond his hiding spot. There it was, the van that had carted his sister and friend off. It was now parked next to the car that had just arrived. Though he didn't know who was in the latter, that they'd be meeting at such a shady hour with the criminals he was chasing, it couldn't mean anything good.

And with the area in particular surprisingly devoid of employees, that sent alarm bells ringing all throughout the boy's head.

'Just who are these people?' questions upon questions roamed his skull. But because he knew very little, he didn't get any answers. He could only furrow his brow at the situation.

His gaze sharpened when the masked figure stepped out of the van. Seeing him got Shirou's blood boiling for more than two reasons. There were red stain on the wooden mask. Those weren't there before!

'Blood? Is Sakura or Illya hurt?!'

He tried his hardest not to blindly charge the man with a sucker punch. Giving himself away was not only stupid but would also put the girls' lives on the line. Especially since, as Rin guessed correctly, he came here without so much as a plan. He should've brought his phone terminal to contact the police at least—!

"Good evening!" the masked kidnapper broke the silence of the night with a holler accompanied by a showman's bow. "A pleasure doing business with you, as always, Matou-danna!"

Shirou balked. 'Matou?! Shinji's… family?! He can't be!'

"How many times do I have to tell you to keep your trap shut!" the small figure that hopped out of the car cut his thoughts off with a hoarse but quietly angry voice. "Every single time I have to hear you, I wish I could turn my hearing off!"

"Why, if you'd like for a surgery, I can request my boss for one." The mask didn't so much as falter with his cheery attitude. "Although, knowing how much you'd pay us for this job alone, I wonder why hadn't you already gone and done it on your off-time if you hate me so much, Matou-danna!"

From his hiding spot, Shirou's eyes widened as the small man stepped under the light of nearest streetlamp. There, a familiar old man he'd once seen in Shinji's family photo stood with a slight hunch.

Once sporting a kindly old smile and many a tired man's wrinkles, the shadows of the dim night's light cast a far grimmer image of the grandfather who insisted upon wearing traditional clothing in this day and age.

"I keep my hearing for my family." The grumpy elder waved a cane threateningly at the mask who was forced to raise his hands up in surrender. "Despite how much I loathe your volume, I don't have to deal with a brat like you as often."

"Oh? Sentimentality coming from one who's a regular of Gilles-danna's services?" the mask didn't let up and persisted with the cheekiness. But he shrugged as he responded. "Mah, not that I really care. As promised, we caught two girls for you today. I hope you've already paid boss for the trouble we went through—"

"Half pay is what we always agree upon, you ungrateful imp. Half for the attempt and half for the exchange." The cane thunked on the concrete as Zouken took a step closer to the rear of the van and patiently stood there. It was as if he knew to assume his position though annoyed by the way the kidnapper presented himself. "Hurry it up! I haven't got all day!"

"Got it, I gotcha! Twelve!" The mask didn't seem at all bothered. He appeared used to the disgruntlement of the elder. With a snap of his finger, one of the suited men with him stepped out of the van to open the back. Shirou recognized the one who knocked him aside with ease. "Time to confirm the products. One Tohsaka for delivery, coming riiiiight up~~~!"

As soon as the van's door snapped open and the dim light of the pier shone inwards, Shirou had to force himself still yet again. There, sat huddled together in each other's arms, were his sister and dear friend.

Expressions were frozen in fear, but neither of them looked hurt. Shirou was relieved.

But someone else was not so.

"What the hell is this?!" The old man's cane slammed hard on the side of the van, causing both girls to jump in shock. "I paid for the Tohsaka's heir! Not his second rate brat. And why the hell do you have a spare instead of the one I asked for?!"

"Yeah, well... Eheh… funny story about that—!"

"I DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOUR EXCUSES!" The van's rear side light was shattered by the head of the cane. The shattering sound was enough to frighten both the girls but caused the masked man to barely flinch. "If you can't even provide me what I paid for, then what good are you?!"

"Hey, it couldn't be helped, old man!" the mask shrugged as he threw his hands up in the air. "These puppets of mine wouldn't follow orders and nearly ended up killing that chick you wanted—" THWACK "—Woah!"

The man recoiled a bit when the old man swung his cane, enraged, for it not only forced the suited man that stood near Zouken down on his knees, but ended up cracking against the shades-wearing face.

THUD THWACK

It drew blood as the elder Matou slammed the sharp foot of the cane against the downed giant's shoulder. The one mask called Twelve didn't so much as let out a peep or complaint as a dim dark-greenish light emanated from the walking stick. Slowly, it sank into a point with a squelch, causing even more bleeding from the obvious stab wound the wood managed to make through the man's thick coat.

"You… nearly… killed her… you say?" the old man punctuated each word with a twist and stab of the staff deeper into the wound. His eyes never left the wooden mask. "I paid you… to take her in… alive!"

SCHLINK

Blood splattered all over the hem of the elder's hakama and robes. Anger permeated the air about him if the nonchalant use of magic to wound another person hadn't made it apparent enough.

"No worries, Matou-danna! She lives! It's true! I made sure! I just wasn't able to take her with us because of a random flying teacher finding us out!" the kidnapper didn't sound all that concerned about his bleeding accomplice, nor was he being truly remorseful as he waved his hands nonthreateningly. "Please, if it's alright with you, we can go back and grab the girl! I'm sure we can all get through this without much problem—"

THWACK "—KUHO!"

The final thrust ended up piercing through the man's chest, finally earning a reaction in the form of a blood-spitting cough.

"Oh wow, you really went through him there!"

But Zouken didn't show much of a care in the world that he just essentially stabbed a man through with his walking stick. Instead, he seemed to inhale deeply, choosing to reign in his anger than continue lashing out.

"First, you fail the delivery, then now you want to make me wait at the day of the trade? Hmph." The elder scoffed. "If it wasn't for your boss' connection to Zhou, I would've cut you down right here and now for your insolence!"

"Oh come now with the jokes, Matou-danna!" the mask still exuded a childish air despite the bloody mess that was his compatriot standing up with a hole still very much open on his chest just opposite the side of his heart. "Despite how you feel, you know I have my uses!"

Zouken swiped the blood clean off his cane, staining the floor further. "Bar mutilating evidence to the point of non-recognition, I can't find any other purpose you serve for your master other than cleaning up his tracks! To continue keeping a useless hound like you…" The man's voice trailed off as he managed to relax a bit, albeit mumbling insults under his breath.

"But hey, you gotta admit. I did a great job babysitting Shinji-chan that one time—!"

THUD CRICK

Web-like cracks formed on the concrete were the walking stick pierced the ground. The elder's stare barely concealed the bared fangs of revived rage.

"Don't you dare utter my beloved grandson's name so casually, you mutt!" The elder growled as if involving family was an affront to him. The one observing the exchange couldn't help but glare. "I had a deal with that wretched peeper of a master of yours that my family would not to be involved! Sending you so close to home that one time was forgiven, but just barely!"

"Ara, really? I never knew you cared so much! Maybe, I should kidnap more kids so you own can get more friends, yeah? I could even throw a couple in as a bonus!" Whether it was due to his character or out of an insistent need to push the Matou elder's buttons, the wooden mask tilted his head sideways and paused. Like a slapstick comedian waiting on a straight-man that would never respond. "So is that a 'yes' for this adorable puppy you so dislike?!"

"Need I say it, you stupid brat?!" The cane was held threateningly before the playful wooden mask. "If you don't want to be smeared all over the ground and be fed to my insects, you'd best do well to uphold your end of the bargain! And don't give me shit about you being unable to use a Generator properly!"

Shirou eyed the near-falling out with caution. Despite learning of his friend's family's involvement, he knew better than to freeze in disbelief. Even if it was Shinji's grandfather, Shirou couldn't be distracted.

'I need to find an opening!' was his only thought. 'I need to get to Sakura and Illya!'

And then what? He didn't know. Getting to them was a priority in his mind, but the actions to take thereafter were left blank. Empty.

'Damnit!' Gritting his teeth, he tried to think while looking around for any tool he could use. 'A weapon! I need a weapon!'

There was… none. As if there'd be any random pipes or rocks lying around a clean and organized port of the late twenty-first century. With things being far more mechanized and automated, the last thing he'd find was a random litter he could use to bash against someone's face. Let alone a rebar, there wasn't even a single pebble he could use to his advantage in a fight.

But even if he were to find one, what was he to do after? Save them? How? He didn't call on the police. He came here alone and bandaged all over. All he'd accomplish was successfully follow Rin's mysteriously helpful ring and managed to arrive at the place they would be. Nothing more.

If there was anything that could be said about his actions till now, it was all a stubborn and reckless dive into the fray. No plan and no backup to speak of.

Nothing unusual about him doing so… only now, his family and friend's lives were at stake! One wrong move… and they could all…

'Shit! What do I do?!' he cursed his ineptitude. He cursed his recklessness.

He cursed his weakness and inability to do anything when it mattered most.

"But that leaves me with the extra baggage, Matou-danna!" Shirou froze at the kidnapper's words. "If we're going to go for the kid again, I can't be bringing these two now. I don't really mind the damage you did to Twelve, but I can't really be nabbing another one when I have dead weight on me!"

"And just what are you insinuating? That you'd dump your failed job's results on me to clean up?"

"No, no! Not at all!" The kidnapper made to clasp his hands together as if he was trying to convince the old man of a better deal. "I mean, you paid for the little princess, but it's not like you don't want more kids along with that deal, right? How's about you take them off my hands while I go get your main dish?"

"I didn't pay for the extras when I said I needed Tohsaka's heir—!"

"And you'll have her soon enough, Matou-danna!" The kidnapper walked over to the open rear of the van. The girls shrank back into the shadows of the vehicle. Though, they didn't get far when the man's hand shot forward and dragged out the older of the pair by the hair. "But, in the meantime, why not enjoy yourself with this little gift of mine?"

"N-no! P-please—!" Sakura pleaded. Unable to control herself anymore, tears streaked down her cheeks.

"Shh! There, there!" To silence her, the kidnapper pulled out his knife again and held it against her cheek. A shallow cut formed, but the man pulled away as soon as he convinced the girl to quiet down. He then turned once more to the elder. "Come on, now! I won't add it to your bill, promise! I'll even cut your second payment by half for all the trouble! Won't you pretty please take them? This one is still a Tohsaka after all!"

Zouken went quiet, considering the man's words. While it was still clear he didn't at all enjoy being told what to do, there was an obvious lack of disagreement to the point that had been brought up. "Hmph. Fine. I'll take the one. But the smaller brat is of no use to me. Get rid of her before I inform your boss of your mess!"

Sakura's expression from a distance was as clear as the moon was full. More than tears, her cries in panic echoed into the empty night.

"NO! DON'T! ILLYA-CHAN! DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH ILLYA-CHAN—!"

"SAKURA—!"

Even before his sister had begun crying, even before the little girl had reached out for her one and only ally in protest to their separation, Shirou was already moving.

"LET THEM GO!" He howled as he sped towards the two criminals as fast as the bike wheels would let him.

"What in the hell—?!"

"You again—?!"

He didn't bother with the old man. While it may have been a mistake to turn your back to a magician, the elder Matou's reaction to his arrival was slow as Shirou had sped up from behind him.

So instead, the moment he got close enough, he popped a wheelie and rammed the fore tire right into the wooden mask, shattering it into splinters and forcing the kidnapper to release his grip on his knife and Sakura.

"—GAH! AAAAGH!" the kidnapper's hands cupped his wounded face. Shards of wood had carved themselves into flesh and likely the cartilage of his nose. Such was his pain that he didn't bother with any more snide and mocking remarks, instead, "TWELVE! GET HIM!"

Shirou didn't miss a beat when he forced his bike to kick off the kidnapper. He'd already twirled the ride about-face, and dropped the wheel on the oncoming giant's foot. That it didn't elicit a surprised or pained reaction wasn't lost on the boy, but he didn't let it surprise him either. He could still see the whole in the man's chest made by the elder's staff.

Shirou jumped backwards, kicking on the bike's seat to push it further into Twelve's path. Landing where the kidnapper had stood earlier, he picked up the discarded knife and held it with a backhanded grip. A glance told him it was barely half a foot long. Not enough to cause damage to a larger target.

More so to someone as durable and fast as the beast of a man before him.

"HAAAH!" Twelve lashed out with a downward strike. Shirou evaded by quickly rolling over to the side.

"S-senpai!" He managed to get close enough that he was now standing before Sakura.

But… what now?

He'd managed to get to them. But, in his haste to save his friend, he'd not only exposed himself but managed to get surrounded.

With Illya and Sakura behind him, the van itself blocking the rear path, and a magician, a kidnapper, and a giant all before him, he had nowhere to run.

"Get off me!" cried the kidnapper at the other giant of an accomplice. He'd tried to stand the shattered-masked-man up properly but, suffering more than several splinters to the face, the kidnapper was more than annoyed at Shirou's second intervention. Through the bloody wounds that littered his once-handsome face, a smiling but angry expression stared at the boy with a vengeance. "You! You're really a handful, aren't you, kid?!"

Shirou didn't respond except for raising the criminal's weapon against its owner.

"Ho? Hoho?! I'm surprised. Your kid sister was going on and on about her heroic brother coming to save her. Color me surprised when you actually came!" The kidnapper made to lick his lips, but with the shards of wood cutting his skin, he only winced in the habit causing him more pain. "I'm gonna enjoy carving a hole into you!"

The boy wasn't intimidated by the threat at all. He'd been beat up, knocked around, and kicked aside before. Threats of violence, was nothing new. And… being around death… it wasn't anything new either.

But the mere fact that he had someone to protect right now… that scared him more than anything.

"Hey, mind telling me your name, kid?" the man flaked off a few splinters whilst asking. "It's not every day someone makes me taste my own blood. Call it a quirk of mine, but I wanna know who you are now. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to hear you over the torturing I'll be dishing out for ruining my day!"

He didn't know what to do. He was a cornered mouse under their mercy. But… with nothing left to lose, now that he'd as good as doomed them to begin with… he answered.

"I'm… Emiya… Emiya Shirou!" Pointing the knife right at the man who asked, he stated in a last-ditch show of defiance. "For kidnapping my family, for hurting my friends… I'll never… never let you get away with this!"

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" the kidnapper howled in exaggerated amusement. "Oh, this is rich! You really are pretty heroic! I'll have to ask for the little lady's forgiveness! I didn't really think there were kids still playing at pretend as old as you!"

Snapping his fingers, both of his accomplices readied in their stances. Arms raised and evenly spaced apart, there was no path to escape from their side of the encirclement.

"'Emiya Shirou'… It's a good name. A pretty cool name!" The smile was there, but bloodlust permeated the air. "Tell you what, after I've had my fun killing you, I'm gonna use what's left to make a fine statue! A work of art! Maybe, I'll send it to your family too! Slap a label with your name on it so they can at least identify your remains! HAHAHAHAHA!"

Shirou kept a straight face as the man continued to laugh about his sick delusions. Sensing Illya's unease by the squeaking of her voice behind him, Shirou spared his sibling once again in Sakura's embrace a reassuring smile and nod.

He had no idea how he was going to get out of this… but he wouldn't leave his little sister's side. Not ever again.

"'Emiya… Shirou'…" but from the side opposite the howling madman, a surprised mutter escaped the old man who stood there with a contemplative gaze. "Might you be… a friend of Shinji's?"

Shirou didn't drop his guard for he'd already caught a glimpse of the monster hiding behind that mask of a caring grandfather.

"Eh? What, Matou-danna? You know this kid?!" the kidnapper asked with a hint of minor annoyance.

For a long moment, Shirou kept staring at the old man. The elder stared at him back. It was as if, in that brief moment, the elder had actually considered if he did know Shirou from somewhere. Whether it was the name or face that gave him a clue, the boy didn't know.

But that didn't stop him from asking his own questions. "Does… Shinji know?"

"Hm?" as if he'd aged a little, Matou Zouken grunted like he didn't hear it.

"Does your grandson know… about what you've been doing… all this time?"

Shirou waited for a response. And though no one else needed to respect the silence, it persisted until the elder shook his head. "No. My grandson is innocent of my crimes."

The expression he wore was like the answer. Cold. Factual. Nothing more. Shirou struggled for his voice not to crack.

"Why…? Why would you do things like this?!"

"…"

"Answer me!"

"Because a magician needs their guinea pigs, kiddo!" replied the cheeky yet insane kidnapper. "Isn't it common sense for your lot to do things like this? You know? For science!"

Shirou thought the man crazy, but, for the fact that even the elder he understood to be his kind friend's grandfather seemed to be expecting him to acquiesce to that as well, the boy couldn't help but stare in disbelief. For what a crazy world they lived in, where adults like the grandfather who seemed to care much for his grandson was willing to pay other people to kidnap other children from different families.

The boy who knew, believed, all of this to be wrong to the core of his being, nearly vomited. His disgusted expression said that much at least for the old man's face was suddenly overcome with realization.

"Ah, now I remember… You're that child that he speaks so much about…" But just as quickly as it came, so too was it swift to vanish. The air thickened and a stench of blood hovered over the elder's side as well. "But… I'm afraid this is the end for you..."

THUNK.

The walking stick tapped the floor once more. But instead of shattering the concrete of the harbor further, something else buckled and stirred to life. From behind the old man in the open rear door of the car he road in on, Shirou spied a box jerking and shaking in the back seat. The briefcase snapped open as a horde of buzzing and hissing filled the air. The ravenous swarm far more vicious and dense than that which his old friend could manage to control billowed out of the car door like an insect flood.

The Matou specialty of a hypnotized insect army in its peak was rallied against, cutting off the entirety of his other flank and even above his head.

"Boy, I've heard much of your circumstances from Shinji. And though I find your character despite it admirable, there are things I… must do. I am grateful for your befriending my grandson. But because of that, I apologize." The elder's face momentarily turned regretful. But it was for just a moment. "If you had been borne a true magician, you'd understand that there's nothing more valuable besides advancing your family's craft."

There was no joy, no rage, no emotion behind the elder's words. It was all cold. All a statement of facts.

BZZZZZZZZZ SHYA

Squelching, hissing, buzzing. Any and every disgusting sounds a mob of insects made reverberated around the elder. Under the gazes of so many bugs that looked far more starved than his friend's own, Shirou could only inch further back.

"For having seen all this… Even if you are a friend of my beloved grandson… I'm sorry…"

Shirou would've called it bullshit for him to even apologize. What did it mean to be a true magician? Why would the old man bring it up now? For what reason would he stain himself in blood that he'd so casually rule out Shirou's as well as the girls' lives?

He didn't know. He wanted to ask but also feared learning their reasons. Yet, even if he didn't fear learning the truth, he couldn't ask. He couldn't speak anymore with the cards all stacked against their survival.

Right now, they were well and truly at the end of their rope.

"S-Sen—Senpai!" Sakura's voice caused his heart to crumble, but he didn't let weakness show. Even as he felt her hand desperately cling to his back…

"Don't worry," he quickly reassured the girls. "I won't let them hurt you!"

Even if it was a lie, the words came out on instinct.

'Huh… Instinct.' he internally scoffed, mocking their predicament. 'It's because I always do things like this… that perhaps… I always mess things up…'

Shirou had never once second guessed his actions. Every time he'd seen someone in trouble, he'd just mindlessly dive in to help.

Anyone could call it 'stupidity'. Rin never held back to state it as she saw it. But it was more for the fact that he would never forgive himself for hesitating. And while he wouldn't fault another person in doing so, it was only himself he could never forgive. After that one time, being frozen in fear, and losing them both… never again would he…

It was why his actions were involuntary, automatic. Many a times he'd been scolded for his recklessness, but he never changed. He always tried to be the hero and save them all. All to prove a point that he never wanted to be the only survivor ever again. That he wouldn't run away and abandon another person again…

But what good did that line of thinking do him now?

Nothing.

Realization of the worst truly, finally set in.

He was going to die.

Illya… was going to die…

And Sakura… was going to be taken away from them… from her family…

And it was all his fault.

The consequential weight his careless actions wrought was heavy for the thirteen-year-old boy. So much so that he could only step back closer to the people he cared about when the kidnapper stepped forward.

"Last chance, kiddo." The man sneered, sure of his victory. "Step aside and maybe I can be generous and not torture you before I kill you. Hell, if you want, I can kill you and your sister both in each other's arms?! A bit poetic, yeah? The foolish little 'hero' and his 'princess' brat! How does that sound—?"

"Leave them," interrupted the old man. Meeting his gaze, Shirou, for a fraction of a second, hoped for a change of heart. He needn't have bothered. "As a favor for befriending my grandchild, I will end your lives quickly." Several arthropods with stingers crawled over the man's shoulder. Stingers filled with deadly poison could be seen ready and waiting for the order. "If it's any consolation, it'll only hurt a little, but then it'll be as easy as falling asleep soon after—"

"Well, isn't that considerate of you, Matou Zouken?!"

"Huh?!" "What is it now?!"

Shirou's eyes darted to the night sky for that was where the new voice reverberated from. It took him a few seconds before his desperate gaze found something off. There, above the stacks of cargo containers, a lone figure stood. Clad in a red suit and wielding a cane, someone he thought he recognized raised the walking stick to the sky.

"You have my gratitude for buying time as you have, young Emiya," the deep voice of her father had Sakura's already-taut grip on his back tighten further. "But now, let us handle cleaning up the filth."

Though he'd met the man a few times before, seeing his angry expression was a first for the boy.

BOOM

"Wha—?!" "Keh! You… YOU!"

Even rarer a sight was the sudden wall of flame that sprouted protectively before them. Seeing the signature crimson jewel on the Tohsaka head's cane glowing against the night sky, Shirou knew better than to question its purpose in separating them from their aggressors.

Tohsaka Tokiomi had arrived just in time to save them. And he was mad.

---

"Why must you glare at me so, dear elder Zouken of the Matou clan? Has my sudden arrival ruined your evening?"

Smooth was his tone, but clear was the hostility. Even enraged, Rin and Sakura's father didn't drop his classy air. After all, he had an image to uphold. Even if that meant showing a hint of politeness to the ones responsible for his daughters' suffering.

Even now, the reinstated head of the Matou clan glared daggers his way.

"Apologies to you if it has. But, you see, I was under the impression that my child was in need of rescuing."

Nonchalantly, the head of the Tohsaka clan walked off the edge of his vantage. His posture barely broke when he suddenly slowed down midair with the help of a few red glyphs. Magic, aiding his descent, enveloped his form before vanishing once he landed. A polite smile, he graced them all with. But no one was able to smile back, the exception being his daughter who clung tightly to the young Emiya's back.

"DAD!"

"Have you been well, Sakura?" The man's reassuring smile seemed to give not just her but even the boy hope when he spied his relieved expression.

For quite a reckless individual, he'd shown quite the bravado to be able to face off against foes far greater than himself. Tokiomi would be forever grateful he'd done what he did, despite what the boy's father would say later.

"Wait there for a moment, you three." The man made eyed the youngest of the trio. Poor girl was being comforted by his daughter even now. How thoughtful of his child. It wouldn't do if he didn't hurry this up. "I must deal with the trash."

"Tokiomi…" growled the one magician who he really didn't want to see tonight. The elder's bug swarm was now trained on him, the lone new arrival.

"What is it, Matou-dono? Were you surprised I would come?" Zouken didn't reply. Only growl with indignation. "Truly, I understand your shock. Even I couldn't believe I would be able to rescue my child within a few hours after hearing of her kidnapping." Turning his sights on the kidnapper and his grunts, Tokiomi added. "But now that I've found you all, I believe I can not only retrieve my second child, but I may also be able to collect reparations for the damage you did to my first."

The grip on his cane tightened slightly, a rare show of emotion from the normally composed and nobly elegant man.

"Uh… would it be too late to say 'we didn't mean it'?" Tokiomi's gaze sharpened.

For the dastard of a kidnapper to make a joke in this situation, Tokiomi could only be wary of such a carefree individual. While it wouldn't be wrong to pick him for a fool, it would also be underestimating a renowned serial killer. He had the Emiya patriarch to thank for the useful tip.

"You may provide any excuses you have in a court of law," he replied to the wounded-face jester. "But I doubt any lawyer would want to take your case, Uryuu Ryuunosuke."

"Urgk! You know of me?" The smile vanished from the cheery man's face.

"Of course. The Mutilator Artist, one who enjoys making macabre art forms of his victims before leaving them in various crime scenes like a calling card. You're quite famous and also a major pain to deal with behind the scenes. Only god knows how hard it was trying to hide your disgusting gallery showcase from the masses when they're put up in many a public space."

"Hmmm… so that's why I haven't seen much on the news." The man whined. "You guys didn't have to hide them, you know?! I did all that to show them off after all—!"

"Although it was only recently that we were able to put a face to the deeds," Tokiomi interrupted. "Know that the military will be after you starting this evening for all the crimes you've committed!" And oh, how so heinous those crimes were. Had he been any later, his daughters might've also… Reigning in his anger, Tokiomi added. "That is, if I don't manage to accidentally kill you myself, that is. So I ask that you cooperate and surrender, Mutilator Uryuu."

The tone and confidence behind the words said it was nigh impossible Tokiomi would allow them a chance to escape. That was a fact.

"However, what was most surprising to me today was learning of your involvement in all this, Matou-dono." His gaze returned to the hunched old man trembling with rage. "Kidnapping, illegal experimentations, espionage against the country, even covering for a wanted criminal that's targeted many of the Hundred Families' children. Quite the list you've racked up in just these few years since we last met. I wonder how your family would feel about all this." Tokiomi couldn't help the bile escaping him. "Not that there's much left of your dying clan."

"Damn you… DAMN YOU, TOKIOMI!" growled the elder, neither denying nor confirming the allegations. But then again, he didn't need a confession when someone had given him all the evidence he needed. "You… YOU WILL PAY!"

"Is that really all you have to say?" Tokiomi twirled his staff with one hand and had it at the ready, pointing in Matou Zouken's direction. "I would've preferred an apology, but because I already have ample evidence for your permanent incarceration, I doubt there'd be anything else we can talk about. I pray you've already said your final goodbyes to your grandson, for you will be taken away from him as you have attempted to take away from me—!"

"DAMN YOU!" Without waiting for him to finish, Zouken aimed his staff. The elder howled with all the hate he could muster. "GET HIM!"

The swarm charged. What should've been a hundred thousand insects looked to grow to the millions as they all flooded their way to where Tokiomi stood.

"Hmph. Futile resistance," he huffed.

With a wave of his staff, crimson jewel shining once more, a second gout of flame erupted between him and the elder. It consumed the mass of insects and set alight what didn't die instantly. The fire soon spread to the rest of the swarm as a majority of the flood turned from ravenous creatures to burnt carcasses flying in the midst of kindling.

While he'd been hailed as a fire magician with his preference for and great proficiency in Oscillation Systematic-type Magic, Tokiomi never really enjoyed the scent of flames or smoke. It was terribly unhealthy to be inhale too much even though it was mere heat induced by the vibration of molecules, hence the reason why he hardly smoked.

But he would make an exception if it would foil his foe's haphazard attempts at combat.

"Damn you, damn you, DAMN YOU, DAMN YOU!"

THUNK CRACK THUD

Something shattered on the floor before Zouken's feet. His cane then struck the shattered concrete again, cracking it further. From the fissures, more insects poured out. Each of them were suddenly enveloped by a flash of dark-green light. Psion light akin to the bloody crimson from Tokiomi's jeweled stave. It even shared the same Magic System as his flame-inducing spells.

The Tohsaka head recognized the Oscillation Systematic-type that was used for hypnosis. He was also very familiar with the Rapid Insect Hypnosis Process Zouken was using for it was once something his family's research competed against. When he smelled the familiar sweet scent of a particular compound amidst the smoke, he was finally certain of his enemy's retaliation strategy.

"Hm. I was always impressed with how your family managed to manipulate chemicals to the point of attracting insects en masse, no matter the species. Such a feat for chemical engineering, your late daughter-in-law was certainly the prodigy." Tokiomi made to sound impressed, but it came out as mockery at this point. "However, it is only there where my amazement ends and disappointment begins. After all, what can your family's failure of a research do in the face of real magic."

"DAMN YOU!" the old man bellowed once more before raising his staff yet again. The dark-green light of Psion energy sparked once more, but this time, a majority of the insects in its immediate vicinity started glowing. "DIE!"

Another flood attacked the red mage. But when he countered them with a third wall of fire, a few of the insects managed to get through. What's more, the glowing ones, after they got close enough, began to expand and suddenly explode.

Tokiomi managed to swat away the remains splattering in his direction with a gust of wind, but wherever the insect muck landed, it began to bubble and melt. It didn't take a genius to know what acid looked like.

"Behold! The results of a decade in refinement!" cried the now-deliriously shouting elder. "At long last, I can finally weaponize the research your clan reviled as disgusting and worthless! DIE SO THAT MY SON WILL BE AVENGED! HAHAHAHAHA—!"

"You're still unable to let go of that grudge, I see."

Tokiomi didn't even bother with the maddened ravings. Instead, when another wave was sent his way, he blasted them to nonexistence with more fire from his staff. But in dealing with the survivors of the fiery purge, he merely waved his hand and used a different spell. One that sent them all back like they were impacted by a gust of wind.

"HAHAHAH—Eh?!"

Movement Systematic-type Magic was not one of Tokiomi's specialties, but his ability to multi-target was not hampered as much by his lacking skill for it required little to knock back bugs that glowed whilst hovering in the air. Chucking back what was a slow-moving target was mere child's play.

DAN

But for a passing bullet to hit the nearest glowing bug to the elder Matou's face, that, Tokiomi did not plan for. The bug suddenly exploded, splattering the old man with acidic blood.

"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

The results were swift and brutal. If not for his current anger, he might've even pitied the fool whose magic was returned back to him with a vengeance.

'That's a bit too much, don't you think so, Emiya?' his thoughts were kept to himself as, with no follow-up from his sniper support, it seemed Emiya had pulled out.

Tokiomi wondered whether this was his ally's attempt at payback or a measured tactic to capture their main target. But unable to confirm with the absent man as he didn't bother to pass him a communicator, Tokiomi slowly made his way towards the downtrodden Zouken.

"Perhaps now, you may be able to see why your craft was deemed inelegant from the start," he said as Zouken who clawed away at his searing flesh and tried to wipe the acid that sprayed over half his face. "A tool that can potentially hurt its master is naught but absurdity in the eyes of the magic community. Had you seen our ridicule for the warning they were meant to be, your son and his wife wouldn't have died in that folly of a competition your family hosted to best us."

"Mgh!"

With half of Zouken's face melted away, neither the boy nor Tokiomi's daughter could help but retch where they stood. He didn't blame them. Children barely in their teens shouldn't have to see such things. Even if they were to grow up and become magicians, that didn't mean Tokiomi would permit their innocence being dirtied like so. Not unless they were prepared for it.

Sakura, bless her, made to cover the young Emiya Illya von Einzbern's eyes but failed to cover her own. Upon seeing this, the boy made to hug his daughter into his arms instead. While Tokiomi wouldn't normally approve such callous behavior with his daughters, especially with a boy so close to their age, he appreciated the lad's thoughtfulness in blocking out the gruesome sight for his child in Tokiomi's place.

"—AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGHHH!" the downed magician however continued to cry out in pain. But it wasn't just pain that fueled his screams. "DAMN YOOOUUU! DAMN YOUUUUU, TOKIOMI!"

"Curse me all you want, Matou Zouken. However, do not think I will do you the same favor as I did Byakuya."

Tokiomi destroyed what remained of the swarm by shooting another pillar of fire into the crevice they creeped out of. It did the trick in evaporating whatever chemical compound Zouken scattered as no more of the bugs appeared. He even went so far as to singe the briefcase where they came from.

Once he was done, Tokiomi's attention returned to the elder who clutched half a face with one hand and his half-melted cane with the other. Under intense agony and for just having his body burned away by his own creation, Matou Zouken struggled to raise his last remaining tool at the victor.

Tokiomi quickly slapped the broken cane away and aimed his own at the loser's throat like he held a sword.

"Surrender, Matou—nay. You are no longer worthy to be named a head of a member clan to the Hundred Families." Clearing his throat, he laid down his terms. "Surrender, Zouken! While I am no law enforcer, as a magician of the state and a member of the Hundred Families, I shall be placing you under arrest for the duration until the Ten Master Clans have decided on your judgement!"

"I WILL KILL YOU! I WILL AVENGE MY FAMILY AND DESTROY YOU—" THWACK

"No sense in talking to a madman, huh…"

A single hit was all it took against the weakened elder's head to knock him out. Due to age being a detrimental factor, Tokiomi hoped he had suppressed his anger enough to not accidentally kill the man, but then again, his anger could've gotten the best of him.

THUD

Just to be safe, he tapped the floor beneath the unconscious Zouken. Crimson Psion light surrounded the man as a spell that accelerated healing if barely enveloped his new prisoner.

CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP

Just then, a one-man applause began. Tokiomi's eyes darted to the man he'd been most wary of during his fight.

The splinter-covered face of Uryuu Ryuunosuke, the named serial killer, had a wide plastic-like smile plastered on his injured face. "An amazing show! As expected of the Tohsaka patriarch! Your magic is as noble as your aura, Tohsaka-danna!"

"I don't think I ever allowed you the honor of referring to myself so casually, criminal."

"Oh please! Let's not be like that!"

Tokiomi didn't miss the boy tensing in the background. The child was being very wary against this one in particular. Though it could be misconstrued as abject fear for a psychological torment, Tokiomi was also quite aware of the boy having been the one to face this man down.

Despite him not having an affinity to be a magician, the young Emiya Shirou was still able to face this man one-on-one, or so the report went, as did the patriarch Emiya's supporter stated in their last call with Tokiomi.

But if this man, this serial killer/kidnapper, was able to be bested by a child who wasn't able to use magic, would it be because he himself was not a magician? Or was he merely playing around?

Tokiomi found the man's relaxed face during the fight quite unnerving. Despite his client being defeated, the criminal being targeted didn't seem at all concerned that he'd be next. He didn't even bother to run, merely standing there, next to the protective flame barrier Tokiomi erected between him and the children.

The man even made to approach Tokiomi and stopped barely ten feet away from he who held the elder Matou at stave-point. Should Tokiomi will it, he could've burnt him alongside Zouken at that range. But he wasn't afraid at all.

That spoke of confidence… or…

"How about we make a deal, Tohsaka-danna?" the man suddenly said.

"You think you're in any position to bargain with me, serial killer?" Tokiomi's expression didn't crack. He merely stared the man down while he dispelled the healing magic he used on Zouken. "Even if I had the patience to oblige you, the country wouldn't ever let you get away now that it knows your name and heinous crimes. You and this fool will both receive your appropriate punishment as given by the system—"

"Sorry, but… I can't let you have the old man, dude." The cheer and happy-go-lucky attitude were dropped. In its place was a smirk still marred by the splinter wounds and glare that belied the bloodlust he had. "My boss' orders, see. While he may not like me, someone I do like still has his uses for Matou-danna."

"And what makes you think I'll allow either of you a chance to escape?" Tokiomi dared the man to make a move.

"This, of course!"

Tokiomi caught the sound of a finger snapping at the scoundrel's side. 'A signal?!'

"Senpai! Look out!"

Tokiomi's attention was drawn quickly to behind the serial killer. The barrier he'd made to deter the three was being attacked by one of the giant men in a suit. And although he was merely burning his own skin off pushing against a barrier that repelled outsiders with high temperatures, that didn't stop the grunt from reaching in, towards the children while the barrier ate away at his limb.

"It's useless!"

At Tokiomi's dismissal, the barrier persisted and burned through the man's bicep and bone entirely. With an audible snap, it severed the arm, letting a charred lump that used to be a human limb fall flat on the ground nearest the boy.

"HIII—!" "GAH!"

The children screamed at that. They were still safe. Shaken and likely scarred beyond measure, but no one would be able to harm them so long as he kept the barrier up and heated.

It was then that Tokiomi saw the knife and realized his mistake.

"You think so?!" he barely managed to dodge a swipe aimed at his throat. He was only able to spy the cut to his collar's ribbon for a moment before he was forced to duck away from yet another attack. The third follow up tried to catch his wrist, but by then, Tokiomi had changed tactics and was ready for a melee. "The kiddos might be safe, but the same can't be said for you, no?"

"Kuh!" for the second time today since hearing of his daughter's abduction, Tokiomi's usually graceful expression grimaced. With grit teeth, he parried another stab to his chest with his staff before being forced to lock weapons with the smiling maniac. "So you mean to distract me!"

"Well, can't have you getting in my way, yeah?!" He pushed off, but just as quickly, his foe was back on the rapid stabbing assault. "Eleven! Take care of the brats! Twelve, the old man's yours!"

"Not on my watch!"

The flame wall exploded outwards. The sudden shockwave stunned his foe but also protected the children from the one-armed attacker by blowing up in his face. But with its destruction, that left the trio unprotected. And, with the man before him blocking his path, there was no way the Tohsaka patriarch would be able to reset another barrier for them.

"Leave, Emiya!" he cried. "Take my daughter and your sister with you to the harbors exit!" Taking the opening, he shot a ball of flame at his opponent who managed to dodge backwards but further away from either Zouken's limp form or the children. "A rescue team will be there to protect you!"

The boy gave him just a single glance before turning around to grab Sakura's hand. "D-Dad?! DAD—!"

"Go! Now!"

The children, especially the boy, need not be told twice. With his sister on his back and his other hand clutching tightly to Sakura's arm, the young Emiya led them as fast as he could away from the battlefield.

"Aaah… you trying to make me go on another wild goose chase?" The scar-faced smiling man didn't seem at all bothered with the shifting state of the fight. Though Tokiomi was no longer the one burdened with protecting others, the air about the murder remained as bloodthirsty as ever… No. Perhaps, it was more apt to say it became even thirstier. "Well, guess I should get serious then. HAH!"

The man almost vanished from view as he suddenly accelerated to a mere yard away from Tokiomi. The magician could only defend from the repeated stabs that seemingly appeared all over the place.

"Here! Over there! What about here!"

The man swiped again and again. Each attack resembled a precision strike, but the frequency and speed behind it all was near-inhuman. Which left only a single explanation.

Acceleration Magic. 'So he was a magician!'

Tokiomi wasn't as baffled as he could be. He and many others already suspected the Mutilator Artist to be someone affiliated with magic or at least possessed some form of magic techniques for the atrocious state he'd leave his victims and evidence in.

But although the red magician kept an iron guard, using his cane more and more like a parrying sword now, he couldn't launch a counter-offensive. Being forced to use his CAD itself as a melee weapon, he was being dragged along to the killer's pace.

"What's the matter?! Don't got any openings to cast them giant fireballs of yours?!"

The man taunted him. It seemed he'd cottoned on to the fact that Tokiomi's magic didn't have much in the way of CQC. Either he knew that ahead of time or the serial killer Uryuu Ryuunosuke was a man not to be trifled with. It could just have been the case of a father desperate to save his child being sorely unprepared, but now was not the time for self-pity.

Pulling back, he tried to regain distance from the stab-happy murderer. But again, said murderer closed the distance, predictably attempting to maim him with knife in hand.

But Tokiomi wasn't as panicked as his desperate defense made him out to be.

After all, he had backup in the form of a long distance sniper.

DAN

"Hoh? So that's your plan?!" Tokiomi's momentary calm hesitated in the face of Ryuunosuke's smirk. In the next moment, his eyes widened when his foe suddenly disappeared from his for and appeared not a meter to his right side. "Surprise!"

"Slimy little cur! Ngh—!"

Tohsaka Tokiomi grunted when he took a hit to his shoulder. The wound was shallow, however, he managed to evade being stabbed in his right lung. Using his cane, heh thrusted forward, activating his own Acceleration magic to add onto the attack. It forced Ryuunosuke back but only for a second before the man's expression stiffened and he attacked again.

DAN

Another sniper's bullet struck the spot where he was in earlier. Tokiomi became frustrated for he was now aware what the man was doing.

"You have a shooter backing you up, huh! But he can't shoot so long as I stick to you!" The taunt confirmed his assumptions. The serial killer was using him as a shield. "I wonder though. What'll happen if I accidentally kill you this early though? Would your buddy shoot through you to get to me or…? Then again, I doubt they can hit me anyways! HAH!"

Another stab, another retreat. Another shot rang out in the distance, but even that was a miss as the man accelerated forward yet again. He was dashing around like a hare on steroids, but there was a drawback to successive spellcasting on one's Eidos.

"Don't tell me you think you can just sit back and wait for me to tire, do you?" Another bullet hole appeared where Ryuunosuke's foot was, but in the next instant, he was bearing down on Tokiomi's left side then front yet again. He'd drawn a second knife and was pressing him further. "Sorry to say, but I can outlast you while dicking around like this, old man! You're open!"

He knocked the second blade out of its stab path with a knee and quickly kicked forward towards the kidnapper's groin. Ryuunosuke vaulted a bit too far back for that last attack. "That may be the case, but I doubt you and your associates will be able to escape either way!"

He finally managed to get some distance and was able to cast a small pillar of flame that appeared just right beneath the man's feet. He must've sensed the heat for he suddenly hopped backwards a second time before zig-zag dashing to the side and forward again. Like a snake slipping through water, the killer darted forward, locking weapons with Tokiomi and preventing his sniper support from taking another shot.

"'Escape'? You must be underestimating me, Tohsaka-danna—!" DAN "—Whoa!"

The man went for his throat again but was rebuffed by a super-close shot. Tokiomi could've felt the bullet fly over and past his right shoulder as it nearly clipped his foe in the ear. Too bad, the younger man manage to slip away and hide once again in Tokiomi's shadow.

"Let me warn you, I didn't come alone!"

"And, do you mean to tell me to fear your Generators?" he didn't bother with the killer's words so much as he took the opening again to fire off another spell that the nimble cur managed to escape. "If you think such defunct and crude weapons would be enough to deter me, you'd be wrong!"

DAN

Another shot flew towards the killer. He was able to dodge it, but Tokiomi expected he would. In fact, he'd dodged in the same pattern so many times, Tokiomi was able to read where the man would land. And, even if his dashing about was at near instantaneous speeds, there would always be a few moments' delay to when he would need to cast a new magic to propel him in another direction.

"Eat this!" A crimson sigil bloomed beneath Ryuunosuke's landing spot. He'd just used his magic to propel him backwards into the calculated trap. There was no escape.

BOOM

Flames consumed the spot he landed in. An explosion strong enough to melt stone caused a cloud of smoke to momentarily obscure his vision, but he was certain he caught the annoying hare.

That is, until a flying fist blew away the smoke and nearly landed on Tokiomi's face.

"Persistent little—" He readied a counter-spell, blasting the fist with another pillar of flames. But then he noticed something. That attack was far too slow to be his foe's. What's more, the arm was just too big to be the lithe murderer's.

He spied movement from the corner of his eye. "Shit—!"

"I knew it! You were underestimating us!"

The killer's face appeared mere inches from his right side with a wide smile. The scars accentuated the madness in his eyes. But Tokiomi's senses picked up another movement. The owner of the fist he'd fried earlier was also charging through the smoke. It was the second Generator that his foe ordered to recover Zouken.

Tokiomi was caught in a pincer attack. "Die—!" DAN DAN "—Ngh!"

Two shots rang out. But unlike earlier, these shots were far closer and louder than the earlier ones. Ryuunosuke managed to notice and barely escaped, sporting a wounded shoulder of his own. His accomplice however—

"—GAH!" SPURT

—was caught with a headshot and had blood pouring out of his skull. Falling to the floor, it was just Ryuunosuke and Tokiomi standing against one another once more.

Only this time, another person was present.

"So you decided to join our little party, did you, Miss Sneaky Sniper-chan?!"

Stood a little off to the side with a large-caliber rifle trained on the serial killer, a short-haired woman clad in all black like her mentor remained quiet and tense. Like a blade ready to strike.

"If you're here, then I guess Emiya's made to secure our children, correct?"

"Yes." Hisau Maiya's curt response followed her taking his side while keeping the Uryuu Ryuunosuke in her sights. "He had ordered me to support you in keeping him pinned for five minutes."

'Enough time to ensure the children are taken somewhere safe.' Tokiomi didn't need further explanation. He'd been told of the plan and the subsequent backups before he made contact first. If Emiya was willing to leave his partner behind, then that meant he was confident he could handle the rest on his own. Which left… "It seems that your time is up, Uryuu Ryuunosuke-dono."

"And what makes you say that?" the man kept smiling even as blood continued to pool out of the gunshot wound in his shoulder. "You think I've lost just because you took out Twelve? Hahaha… Ah, Tohsaka-danna, for a magician who's affiliated with the military, you sure don't understand how tactics work, do ya?!"

"What?!"

"Fifteen, Eighteen, Nineteen, kill the brats!" the man yelled to the night sky. "Twenty to Twenty-Four! Get your asses down here—!" DAN

Maiya's rifle clicked as a discarded anti-mage shell clinked on the ground. Uryuu Ryuunosuke's body crumpled to the floor with a thumb-sized hole going through his belly.

"Was it really necessary to take him out?" Tokiomi questioned his friend's extremely quiet partner.

"Kiritsugu ordered me to shoot him if he tried anything. Don't worry, Tohsaka-dono. The wound may be large, but I made sure to avoid any vitals. He'll be fine, unless he doesn't get medical attention in an hour or so," was her monotonous reply.

The woman stated as much like it didn't at all concern her. Tokiomi couldn't help wondering whether her cold demeanor was a trait passed onto her by her mentor or just her natural indifference.

"Kiritsugu, target A eliminated. We'll make to secure him and B before regrouping with you." Speaking to the mic of her coms earpiece, Maiya made to report their status. "Roger that. A note, though. Target A started rambling numbers. I believe he was calling backup. Likely sent three to your posit—"

"HAAAAGH!" SMASH

She didn't get to finish when a howl disrupted the momentary peace of the harbor air. A man the size of a gorilla suddenly fell from the sky and nearly flattened the woman where she stood. Had Tokiomi not readied a repellant barrier over her head in the near-instant he struck.

"So it was backup." Rolling over to his side, Hisau Maiya opened fire on the gorilla man. A barrier, however, stopped her shots before she opted to switch magazines. The barrage that followed managed to crack then break the rudimentary magic shield, but it didn't kill the caster as he suddenly made to dash and circle around.

"Twenty-One. Target Zou retrieved." A voice over by Zouken's unconscious form drew Tokiomi's eyes away from their attacker. Another Generator about the same size as the deceased Twelve had picked up the elder's limp body. "Alive, but injured. Status: normal."

"Twenty-Two. Target Ryu retrieved." Another landed by the shot serial killer and did the same for the defeated Ryuunosuke. "Alive, but injured. Status: critical."

Robotic were their words, and the fact that they were speaking to an earpiece made it very clear what was going on. They were receiving orders to retreat this very second.

"Dammit, don't let them get away!"

DADADADADADADADADADADADAN CHK DADADADADADADADADAN

Even before he could finish, Maiya was already opening fire on the one that held Zouken with full auto. The Generator raised its one hulking mass of an arm and raised a barrier. But the magic was barely able to hold back the larger-caliber shells. It dodged at the last second while flailing its arm, but that only shredded a section of his limb, not crippling or killing him entirely.

Had it been a human, not enhanced magicians numbed and strengthened beyond their limits, it would've been an incredible feat to endure such damage and keep moving. But the man-turned machine continued to run as if a battered and bloody stump of a shoulder was nothing to scoff at. It recklessly blocked all of his sniper support's shots with the damaged limb until she needed to reload again.

That was one escapee.

Tokiomi swore on his honor he wouldn't let the other get away. His cane's jewel thrummed with Psion energy as he readied his most powerful Oscillation-type spell, Phonon Maser.

While he would've preferred the criminal be captured, the fact that the Generators were willing to risk life and limb to retrieve them meant there was someone who wanted them alive.

As they were those involved with the ones who kidnapped his family and hurt many others, Tokiomi was very curious as to who they were and would need someone to interrogate for all this. If that was impossible, preventing their enemies from regrouping would do!

Directing his staff's tip at the one named Twenty-Two, he was about ready to fire. But just as he made to unleash fiery hell, a strange feeling overcame him. A light ringing noise echoed in the air. At the same time, he felt his magic's Psion begin scattering away from his staff, away from the magic formula that gathered it in the first place.

It was as if their natural flow was being disrupted by an outside interference.

He got his answer when he laid his eyes on the other two arrivals to the scene. Another set of Generators. But unlike the bulky one that attacked them and the two that grabbed their defeated foes, this pair were slimmer and of lighter builds.

What concerned Tokiomi however was the presence of the dark rings they were pointing his way.

"Antinite rings. This confirms Zouken's affiliation with the G.A.A.!" Hisau Maiya bluntly reported while reloading her rifle once more. She'd turned to fire at the second escapee, but when that one managed to retreat, she tried to eliminate the ones who bore rings that nullified all magic and made him just another human with a cane.

"HAAAAAAAAAAGH!"

But as she took aim on the counter-magic pair, Tokiomi had to pull the woman back by her collar. The gorilla-sized foe that assaulted them in the beginning had once again interrupted their retaliation fire.

SMASH

When the dust of the man's foe settled, only the giant and two antinite ring-bearers remained. The former remained where he landed earlier, but the pair had split up and taken to surrounding them on their other flanks. As for the two they'd defeated earlier, they had all escaped.

The woman he saved from getting squashed eyed the ring-bearers warily, rifle in hand. Tokiomi even noticed she'd pulled out and readied a long knife as a secondary. That the pair of antinite users only continued to use the rings meant they were either trying to buy time for their compatriot to squash them were they stood or they couldn't use magic as proficiently as the rest.

This left them, mainly him, in a rather disadvantageous situation.

"Hmmm…" Tokiomi tried not to let his frustration get the better of him. "It seems we've failed to secure our criminals."

"Failure to acquire the secondary targets, yes." The stone-faced apprentice of Kiritsugu's stiffly stated behind him. "However, we've managed to disrupt their plans for the primary targets."

To that, Tokiomi could agree with. Despite his foes escaping by the skin of their teeth, he at least managed to spare his daughters the gruesome fate of being captured.

All that was left was dealing with the remaining mess. "We need to hurry on with this and regroup with Emiya."

"You read my mind, Tohsaka-dono. I'll take your natural weakness."

"Then, I shall eliminate that eyesore of a rabid baboon."

Breaking away from Hisau Maiya and letting her deal with the anti-magic pair in melee, Tokiomi charged the giant of a man. And despite how calm he tried to be, having his prey escape him left the man in the uncomfortable position of needing to vent.

It was fine. He had a giant lump of flesh as a target anyway.

Only Hisau Maiya, and later Emiya Kiritsugu, would learn of the unbridled rage of the Tohsaka head when he didn't get the justice he promised to mete out himself.

---

The boy was a fool.

If the fact he was prone to getting in trouble often hadn't made it obvious yet, this incident cemented it for all.

Even now, as Shirou ran with all his might, he couldn't help but accidentally push the Tohsaka's second child a little too much. Sakura, tired from the sudden dash away from her parent's protection, tripped and fell behind Shirou and Illya.

"O-Oniichan!" the little girl made to frantically hit her brother's shoulder in a bid to tell him.

Poor girl was so scared she could hardly form any other word though. But she didn't need to panic. Her brother was pretty aware of what happened behind him. But he couldn't allow them to slow down.

"Sakura! Get up! Hurry!"

"B-but—! Dad—! Dad is—!" The girl had already lost herself to the tears.

The day had gone from bad to worse in a matter of minutes when her father's rescue turned into a selfish dash to escape. Being a child, of course she couldn't automatically believe her parent was doing fine. Especially with the sounds of explosion still reverberating from the other side of the harbor.

But Shirou knew better than to turn back now after being told to run. "Ojisan can take care of himself!" Even if it would earn her ire, he made to push her, to force her to obey Tokiomi's demands. "Let's go! He said help is just by the exit! We can't help him like this! Right now, we have to—!"

THUD

The nearest container was bent out of shape when a hulking man landed atop it. With an arm burnt off, a total fifth of his mass removed, the Generator didn't seem at all intimidating. But to three children it towered over by just kneeling, he was still a giant to be reckoned with.

"Come on!"

Unrepentant at how much he was pushing her, Shirou dragged Sakura back on to her feet. Despite how unlikely they would be able to escape him now that they were spotted, he still tried oh so desperately to get them away from the Generator.

But they couldn't get away. Children, magician or not, could hardly escape a magician bred for war. A Generator was no longer human. It was a machine. Uncaring, cold, calculating, it only strived to get the results demanded of it.

Compared to a bunch of kids, unarmed and afraid, being spotted by Generator spelled their immediate end.

Ah, if only a certain boy decided not to get involved with everything. If only said boy would behave and let the grown-ups handle everything. If only… he just acted like the kid he was… and not pretend to be the selfless hero he wasn't.

But then again, who could've thought that impressing upon his adopted son his admiration for such heroes would come to this? Certainly not the father who was dashing on the top of the containers with a bird's eye view of the encounter at a velocity beyond natural human limits.

However, it was a parent's job to clean up their children's mess. More so when the man knew he was partly to blame for this fiasco.

'Time Alter: Double Accel.'

His vision dimmed slightly as his body's metabolism doubled in pace. The amount of exterior information being absorbed, in particular, the light by his retinas, was cut down to half due to the relative speed he himself was going at, but that didn't matter.

He already had his target in sight, hence the disregard for anything besides the motion blur encompassing the general direction of that one target. When he got close enough above their heads, he switched tactics, thereby switching to magic that wasn't originally his own.

'Release Alter!'

The feeling of wind struck him first, like cold claws against his aged skin. Yet, having grown used to the dulling and restoration of sensation, he was not perturbed one bit.

Tapping a button in the wristband he wore, dark black light enveloped the accessory before a glyph suddenly appeared ahead of his current path. Kicking off it, he was instantly vaulted upwards and diagonally with a far different type of acceleration compared to the Emiya clan's internal-time-bending magic.

"GET DOWN!" He cried out a warning to the children he soared over. As soon as he was directly above the hulking mass of a modified human, he opened fire.

RATATATATATATATATATA

Full auto while firing from the hip could be considered wasteful. But not when the target's center mass was so large, everywhere the bullets could fly was towards the speeding Generator. Being overhead and catching the machine-man off guard, there was only one thing the bullets could do.

And that was to penetrate deep and shatter into the modified human's skull and shoulders.

THUD went the body. Gruesome was the result. The preemptive surprise attack did its job.

THUD went his shoes against the nearby container. THUD it went again when he fell off and landed on the concrete floor. It wasn't a gentle landing by any means, and it strained his muscles in places. However, he'd been far too much in a hurry to care.

"D-Dad?!" his son's relieved voice would've earned a relieved smile. But it was the small girl who slammed into his pained legs that received it instead.

"P-PAPA! PAPAAAAA—AAAAAAAAAAAAGHH!"

"There, there, Illya." He bent down to rest his limbs, but more to envelop the bawling child into his arms. "It's alright, my baby girl. Everything's going to be fine."

PAAPAAAAAAA! WAAAAAAAAGHH!

"… Dad…" his son's hopeful expression turned to one of regret when their gazes met. "I… I… I'm sorry I—!"

"You disobeyed me. I told you to stay with your mother." It cut deep. His son balked and even shuddered where he stood.

For the young teen to hear the machine-like coldness he'd been accustomed to during work, or 'work' as one might put it, it must've been like anger beyond measure. But Emiya Kiritsugu had never meant to be mean out of pettiness' sake.

"Come here." With an open arm, he invited his son for an embrace. When the boy hesitated, he up and pulled him in right next to his sister. Giving them both a peck on the forehead, he did what every father would when being reunited with the family they thought they'd lost. "You're both safe now. It's alright. Just follow me and I'll get you all to safety, okay?"

By the time he managed to pry off Illya, her tears had all but gone. Many would think that stressful situations would cause children to bawl endlessly, but human tear ducts had their limits too. Red were the corners surrounding the crimson pupils, but dry was her sniffles.

Even Shirou who was shaking held strong. He may have acted brave, but that was all it was. An act. For his sister and friend. Maybe even for himself. While Kiritsugu didn't know what possessed the boy to act so recklessly, he was at least grateful to whatever god was out there that they were safe.

"Your father will join us soon, Sakura-chan." Addressing the last child who was shaking just as much as his own daughter, he petted her on the head as he entrusted Illya to Shirou's back. "I left someone with him to make sure he has some backup. Let's get out of here so we can meet up with him sooner, got it?"

The girl wordlessly nodded before grasping tightly to his son's offered hand. She kept her tears in, but it would only last so long as they got to safety. Considering Shirou did a good job of leading them as far away from the site as he could, they need only run a couple hundred more meters until the evac point he'd coordinated with Tokiomi's people.

"Target spotted."

Right as he thought the worst was over, the world, as always, chose to rain on his parade. Kiritsugu quickly aimed his freshly reloaded machine gun at the new Generator. However, his breath hitched when he spied not one, not two, but three more of them.

"Elimination mission: In progress."

That didn't sound good. "Run. Shirou, RUN!"

Whether it was instinct or an urge not to disobey him again, the boy made a run for it. Hopefully, he didn't bother looking behind him as, of the three bogeys now on their tail, only one bothered to go for Kiritsugu himself.

That was mainly to prevent him from firing at the backs of the other two.

But if they thought they could distract him with just one, they were wrong.

'Time Alter: Triple Accel!'

Not even bothering with the one that lagged behind, he pulled out his strongest weapon and shot at the one closest to the kids.

BAM

The atypical Contender shot was almost the equivalent to a sniper rifle in both power and sound. So much so that, in his sped up perception of time, he saw the Generator's facial expression morph from monotonous surprise to an absolute bloody mess of a head that exploded. The other two, however, quickly switched targets to the highest threat and greatest detriment to their mission.

That being him, as could be said from their slurred speech with his hearing.

"Aannoommaallllyy deeteecteed, taarrgeet changed too thee aaduult—!" CHK BAM

The second Contender shell stopped the second Generator from finishing his report. With only the third left, all he needed was to reload and—

"ARGH!" Pain shot up the entirety of his being. Prana maintaining the small Reality Marble dissipated in a matter of moments. Moments wherein he went from a phantom to just another man.

BAM "—GAH!"

Unable to persist with the Time Alter spell any longer, he was unable to even notice, let alone dodge, the hit the third Generator threw into his gut.

BOOM

Kiritsugu slammed into the wall of the nearest container. Crumpling metal behind him, his favored gun clattered onto the floor.

"PAPAAAAAAAAAAA!"

His daughter's screams were drowned out by the thumping in his head. It dissipated when he was forced to wretch with a cough. He'd been hurt badly. Extensive past experience more than analysis of his surface wounds told him it was so.

The damage was likely more due to his overuse of magecraft than the actual hit, but the added injury to his internal organs wasn't helping any. He could only slump back and crumple to the floor in a pool of his own blood.

"Understood. Abandoning earlier commands. Moving to retrieve target with anomalous magic."

With how desperate he'd been and not even bothering to hide his power, there was no way whoever was the mastermind of kidnapping the children of magicians wouldn't be interested with how he so easily dispatched their grunts.

The only consolation he could find out of this was the fact that the last remaining Generator seemed to be more interested in him than the kids. 'G… good… At least… they'll… es…esc—'

"HEY!"

No…

No. No. NO. NO!

"Shi—… Ru—…Agh!" He coughed another clump of blood as he tried to reach out. "Shi… rou! R—ruuun!"

He knew he heard him. There was no way he hadn't when it was clear on the aged man's face what he didn't want his son to do.

But Shirou stood there still, having picked up the machine gun he'd discarded and had it aimed at the Generator.

"Eliminating obstacle."

"TIME ALTER: SQUARE ACCEL!"

Like something out of an action flick that both his Iri and the one of this world would enjoy, everything fell into slow motion. No, more accurately everything froze. Everything, from the charge of his opponent to his son's opening fire.

The shots the boy unleashed were panicked, untrained, in the stillness of the world, they scattered all over. Only a handful would even graze the hulking Generator and the small caliber would do little to the barrier erected by the man with one hand.

It was the shooting of a scared civilian, not a trained killer. A given, considering Kiritsugu never wanted his son to get any ideas or aspirations to involve himself in a profession laced with death or killing.

Quite ironic though, in that he tried to avoid the problem, but instead implanted idealism in an unprepared child.

Pain shot through his body and the greyed-out still world seemed to ripple with it in parallel. He didn't have much time.

Grasping around, his fingers brushed against the wooden grip of his one-shot long-barreled pistol. Without so much as a care for organizing, he pulled out all the bullets he'd kept in one pocket, all so he could load the one guaranteed one-hit-kill anti-magician weapon in his arsenal.

'Please...' he prayed. Aimed. And squeezed the trigger. 'Hit!'

BAM

At the same time as his shot, time reverted back to normal.

All was quiet, his dulled senses taking longer to revert back. It was only until two masses impacted the ground did he knew his overly-stressed body had finally adjusted to normalcy again.

But… he wished his eyes were playing tricks on him when he saw it.

A pool of red was expanding from under the body pile ahead of him.

Picking himself up, he realized soon that his legs had gone numb. The familiar pain he sensed were those of his Magic Circuits flaring up with overuse. A tendency that oft occurred when he spent too much time accelerating his own body. He could walk, but not now.

Instead, he made to drag himself forward, enduring all the pain and needlelike torture that erupted in his arms' capillaries.

One foot. Then a meter. He dragged himself on. All the while, he could hear breathing. But he couldn't tell if it was his own labored breath or…

He finally got to the Generator's side. With all the might his upper body could exert, he pushed the man's body over. The augmented human's expression was blank but also lifeless. A hole that went through his lower right abdomen and exited his shoulder told Kiritsugu his shot didn't miss.

That was good news! Only…

"Shirou…?"

His son's body remained still. Mouth agape with a trickle of blood coming out the corner, he sported an empty stare that was aimed up at the starry sky.

"Shirou? Shi—!"

It was then that Kiritsugu saw it. The wide hole that bled profusely under the boy's chest on his right side. His darkened eyes trailed from the wound to the Generator's bare yet bloody fingers.

It was clear now. The boy had been stabbed through the heart.

"… … Son?" He knew it was hopeless… but the man couldn't do anything but try, wishing dearly that what he saw was but a lie. "… SON?!"

The boy didn't move. He just lay there, still and unmoving. His chest didn't even rise as a sign of breath. The light in his golden copper eyes… were all but faded into a dull empty gaze.

"… … … son… Shi— … Shirou…"

The father who swore… swore on his second chance in life… that the ones he loved need not suffer disaster or death ever again… silently cried like he did during the day of the great fire.

Only this time, the boy that shared a great likeness to the one he saved way back then remained lifeless… no matter how hard he tried to rouse him.

Emiya Shirou, the foolish yet heroic adopted son of Emiya Kiritsugu, died at the age of thirteen on the eve of July 18, 2092.

---

A World Detached from Time and Space

At first, it was just silence. Neither calming nor eerie. Just… pure silence.

And then… it came. Pain.

'… It hurts…'

The pain in his chest. It throbbed so hard, it was awoke him.

'It… hurts!'

It wasn't so much as agony in the physical sense, no. It felt more… intangible. Emotional? Or was it spiritual? He couldn't comprehend it.

He couldn't comprehend what he saw either.

'Huh…? What?'

The world that greeted him wasn't a recognizable one. It was a space completely devoid of color. Golden eyes blinked and observed the world around him. Nothing but an empty and dark sea of pure oblivion greeted him back.

'Where… am I?'

It was a familiar place. Or… it felt like it should've been. His body was strangely… relaxed, comfortable in this void… Like it… it recognized and welcomed the empty space like… he welcomed sinking into his bed.

It was surreal. To feel comfortable in world as blank and empty as this…. But his mind… It wasn't as calm.

'What's going on? Where… am I?! What's happening?!'

No one responded to his demands. Could anyone even hear him?

He didn't know. He couldn't understand.

All he was aware of was the ever-increasing throbbing… the pain that surged where his heart should've been.

Speaking of which,

'Huh?' His hand hovered over where the throbbing felt the strongest. But upon touching it, he merely felt a rather sizable hole on the right side of his chest. Panic swelled within, forcing him to glare at the hole that was his injury. Questions flooded his head. But more than that… 'What is—Ngh! Ah… AAAGGHHHH! AAAAAAAAAAAGGH!'

More pain erupted in his temple. Something that resembled ringing echoed between his ears. Intense was an understatement. It felt like his skull was about to split itself open.

'Ah…' It was only when he finally remembered it, what had happened before he blacked out, that the boy finally realized why he was suffering so. 'That's… right. I…'

The agony receded back to nothingness. As did his panic and confusion. Once again, the world was silent.

All except for the lone thought on his mind.

'I… died… Didn't I?' The realization was… absent of the expected emotions.

There was no anger, no fear, no pain. Just… emptiness. He thought he should've felt… something. Something more. But he couldn't, for the life of him, place what emotion should've been there.

Maybe it was because he was dead. Perhaps, the end had robbed him the capacity to feel.

'Huh… Well, that sucked.'

"Tell me about it…"

Someone spoke. Someone not him. That meant he wasn't alone.

Eyes darted around, in… every direction. He had no signs, no landmarks, no sense to make out forward from back, left from right. It was only when he saw someone did his eyes lock onto the person stood in the distance.

Clad in red and black with a touch of white, it vaguely bore the resemblance of human. But… something felt… off. The boy couldn't place it. He saw a man, but it didn't feel like a man. Yet, afraid he would lose sight of the only other object in existence, he didn't dare blink.

Glaring hard, he spoke… But no voice came out.

'Huh?!' His mouth moved, but he couldn't say jack. 'What's going on?!'

"What's with all the panic? It's as if you never died and been called up on before—?" The stranger stiffened. Having seemingly speaking to himself in an almost bored, cynical tone with his back turned, the man finally sent a fleeting and curious glance over his shoulder. Jaded silver met panicked bronze orbs. The man's expression grimaced slightly. "Huh… guess not."

A bit frightened at the intense stare that seemed to scrutinize his very being, one line passed through his head. 'Who… is he?'

"No one really important!"

Another voice, just as seemingly familiar as the void, yet not, spoke from behind.

Circling around, there stood, or rather floated, another man. But unlike the red-black one sporting white, this older gentleman had greying hair rich in age and a beard just as old. He wore a fancy pinstripe suit with matching pants, a polished set of shoes that seemingly reflected a shine from… somewhere in this lightless void, all the while absentmindedly twirling a cane in hand.

On first impressions, he seemed more approachable than the white-haired, dark-skinned man wearing red. He'd appeared even closer to the boy too. But upon closer inspection, he was just as, if not more unnerving with the mischievously wide smile he had on.

The boy didn't know what to think of the old guy. He looked like any random grandfather with the money to afford style.

"Why thank you! I do try to dress up every now and then. Glad someone took notice!"

The boy's brow furrowed. 'Did he… did he just—?!'

"'Read your thoughts'?" he finished the boy's question, thereby answering it at the same time. "Well, sonny, if you were paying attention to that prick over there, you'd likely have noticed that the dead don't use words, much less a voice." Saying it all in an 'oh-so-matter-of-factly' tone, the elder gentleman made to grin cheekily. "Your soul speaks louder than you'd expect once you've parted with your physical form, you know."

That answered that. And, having been aware that he already was dead, it was… easier to accept that explanation than he thought it'd be. But that in itself also brought more questions. Like—

"No. This isn't the afterlife." The man seemed bored to answer that for him ahead of time. "Well, that's because I am! Humans automatically think they're sent to the afterlife when they die. It's like only a few of you ever actually expect some sort of limbo or in-between before passing on."

So, was this limbo then?

"Hmph. You'd be spared hell if it was…" the man in the distance scoffed. His deep voice reeked of annoyance.

"Ignore him." The elder drew his attention again with a dismissive wave. "He's just a natural sourpuss!"

The boy didn't know how he should take that. In the first place, he didn't even know these people. 'Why am I even—?'

"Oh, that, I can answer!" the stylish grandpa twirled his cane and sat midair. The lack of gravity affecting him and his relaxed posture made it appear like he was relaxing in a comfy armchair. "Care to join me, son? After all, I pulled you in here for a little chat!"

'Pulled him…?' The boy's brow scrunched. 'A chat?'

"Yes! Now come!" As if somehow adjusting himself mid-float, the old man levelled with the boy's plane of gravity. Mime-tapping the empty space next to him, he invited the boy as if it was natural to do so without an actual chair. "Over here! Yes. Now sit."

He did as he was asked… Surprisingly, he felt like he actually was sitting. In empty space, at that. It felt… comfortable. The most comfortable seat he'd ever sat in. It was… strange.

"Impressive, isn't it?" the old man boasted with a grin like an old timer showing a youngin' a thing or two. "Surprising what one can do within the magical space of one's make, no?"

Magical…? 'This old man's… a magician?'

"Yes!" he winked at the boy. Sitting up, it seemed as if he was now making to sip from a cup of tea… only, like the chair, there was nothing there. "You need not see it to know it's there, son." Mime-pouring another cup, he was then offered empty air. "'Empty'? Oh, I don't know about that…"

The boy couldn't do anything but accept the space that was offered to him. But, like with the chair, he felt… something. A teacup that was warm to the touch. And, like with the chair, when he took a sip, the boy had to hold back his amazement.

It was the most delicious tea he'd ever tasted.

"Isn't it?" the man smiled wide. Having heard the boy's internal feelings, he was seemingly proud of his creation. "Took me a couple of centuries to get it just right. Got sidetracked for about a decade or so. But, when you have all the time in the world, perfecting one's hobby is just a matter of going at it in your own pace, yeah?"

Hobby? This? Magically creating a space where one could experience the best teatime ever was considered a hobby? That was… unimaginable. It was… surreal.

"It's ridiculous." The man in the distance spoke again. His tone was still scathing.

"Now," ignoring the man once more, the old man interrupted the boy before he could ask. "Tell me, son. Do you know how you got here?"

Well, he died. He emphasized that earlier, hadn't he?

"Yes, but… do you know how you got here?"

Solid no. He didn't even know where here was, forget the how. From the moment his heart was run through all the way to the pain that awoke him, it was all blank. Just… nothing.

"I see…" The old man smiled warmly at that before grinning widely again. "Then there's no issue! At least, not with you anyways."

That was… good? He didn't know whether to be relieved or concerned. Why bring it up?

"'Relieved' should be a good start." The latter question went ignored. "Death can be messy at times, not just in the physical sense. There are those who think they've died, only to end up going through an out-of-body experience." The old man took another sip while chuckling lightly. "Really, people who just randomly fall into a coma can be such downers for those still living their lives. Quite a boring trope for drama too."

He didn't understand where theatrics and entertainment came in. Why exactly was that important? He… was dead already, wasn't he? Unless…

"No, no!" The old man waved to promptly dismiss the thought. "You're most certainly dead. You felt the stinging where you got your death blow, right?"

So that's what the pain was about? It seemed… reasonable an explanation. Somewhat.

"Well, since, you won't be around for much longer, I had to ascertain if there would be any lasting side effects with your extraction." The boy took another sip of the delicious tea as he listened intently. "You see, if someone dies and they're still attached, they leave behind Ghosts and lingering Wraiths. Nasty business, those things are. A major pain in the ass if an individual, whether voluntarily or by accident, transforms themselves into one."

There… there were such things? The boy thought those were just myths or stories.

"Ah, but most myths are born from truth, sonny! Take the boogeyman. That's definitely make-believe! But only because some amateur of a magus tried to pull a fast one on some random normie!" The elder facepalmed while chuckling. "Ah, that rat bastard only wanted to get back at his bullies by scaring the daylight out of them, but then he forgot to clean up after his mess. Really, some masters don't know how to discipline their apprentices!"

"And it's because of masters like you that apprentices who break down make a mess of things!"

The snappy comment came from the man again. The boy wondered why he sounded so annoyed about it when he wasn't even the one being spoken to.

"Ah! That's because one of my old apprentices went on their own rampage before. He's just salty he had to clean up the mess."

Hm… so fictional monsters were real then… But what was that about the Wraiths?

"Bah, Wraiths are the worst!" the old man complained. "They're supposed to be dead, but the thing about them is they aren't in the full sense of the word! After they're born, if they're left to run out of magical energy, they'd up and vanish like smoke soon. But since some are smart and have deep-seated regrets that twist their psyche, Wraiths are always guaranteed to deteriorate into monstrous beasts and start gobbling other living beings willy-nilly! Even those people they used to know in life."

That… that sounded horrible! Why did such things exist in the world?! Did… did that mean his family was in danger of encountering them in the future—?!

"Oh, don't worry about them! No Wraith or Ghost so far exists in your world because of the long-sealed border to the Reverse Side of the—"

'Then why even bring it up?!' the boy was just about to throw his empty-air cup of tea. Delicious, it may have been, he'd been made nervous by how the man explained the things. There should be a limit to the stress one can put a child through!

"Calm down, sonny! There are none haunting your world and your family, so rest assured. Although, there was a miniscule chance of 0.00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000—"

'Isn't that practically impossible then?!'

"Hey, can't fault me for being careful, right?"

Careful, sure. Distressing, definitely. If he didn't care so much for the people he'd left behind, he might've not been as bothered. But he did care. So much so that he felt something burn in his chest when he heard it all.

"W-well, isn't it fine? You weren't made into an abomination and there are none. Good news for everyone, yeah?" The old man smiled as if it wasn't such a big deal. "Oh, come now. It would've been bad news for me as well, you know? To have you stuck and turn into a vile thing like a Wraith, I'd be screwed if you were! I mean, not only would I have failed extracting you, I wouldn't be able to fill in your empty vessel if you got stuck either. My colleague would have my head if I failed! Ahahahahah!"

Hm, understandable. If he was taking it seriously because he himself had a stake in it, then the boy could feel a bit relieved. Most importantly, at least he wouldn't hurt others now that he was in the clear— 'Wait… Extraction… Fill… Vessel?!'

"Yes." The old man's amused smile persevered. Even as his following words caused the boy to raise his guard. "After all, you, young Emiya Shirou, have died. Now that you can pass on without worry, I can take that husk that you left behind and get your replacement read—"

The boy had gotten up from his air seat and taken a step back. Then he took another. 'What replacement?!'

"Calm down, son. There's no need to panic!"

He had plenty reason to panic. In the first place, something was fishy! If he was already dead, why bother with his body? Why were they doing this? What in the hell were they doing exactly?! He needed answers. And he needed them now—!

"It's useless, kid." The deep-voiced man spoke up yet again. This time, he was aiming a glare at the older gentleman still sat in his formless armchair. "Even if you did know what was going on, there wouldn't be a thing you could do about it."

"Could you not send him into a panic attack, Counter Guardian?!" the elder snappily retorted while enduring the man's glare. "Can't you see I'm trying to be civil here?"

"Civility is lost on you, old man. I don't know when you lost your humanity, but being an ancient Vampire's robbed you of that sensibility. Stop pretending to act like you still know how humans think." Though the man was quite the distance from the boy, the golden orbs didn't fail to miss the knowing smirk on the white-haired one's face. "More so when you've already stated you were going to replace the boy after he died."

He couldn't help but panic now. He needed to get away from them. Especially the old geezer!

"Ugh… Now look at what you've done! He's starting to lose it because of you!" The elder the man called a Vampire groaned into his palm while leaning back on his invisible chair. "This'll make the synchronization process harder."

"Hmph. Good."

"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"

"I was never on board for this to begin with. In the first place, why in the hell did you involve him in this when Alaya could've just summoned us to deal with—?!"

"It is because you Counter Guardians are useless for this task that Alaya saw it fit to try with them instead, you doof! Why else do you think I am playing an active role, moi, the observer, when I don't usually participate?! They're at the end of their rope, you fool! Ugh…" The elder let out an exasperated sigh. "Don't tell me you're still pissed about earlier—"

"You're damn right I'm pissed! If you, Alaya, and Gaia didn't drag Rin into this—!"

'Rin?' of all the things they were blathering on about, it was the only word he latched onto. That they mentioned the name of someone he was close to… it couldn't be just a coincidence! But… that meant—

"Hmph. Good, you're not a total dunce."

He didn't bother wasting time to ask if that was an insult or a complement. The boy was too concerned about his friend that he internally demanded the man to explain. That, the man made to do as he turned his way, stern glare partially trained on the still-seated magician.

"As you've heard, this bastard involved the girl you know as Tohsaka Rin. I don't know why they would because they never explained before dragging me along, but they did. Long story short, just like you are about to be swapped out with… someone else, the Tohsaka Rin that you know has already undergone the exchange."

'Exchange…' that meant—

"That's right. Not a few hours before you died, the Tohsaka Rin you've grown up with has long since passed."

Then… someone else was in her body. Someone else spoke to him… back at the infirmary. That implied—… No. It couldn't be. She— Rin… No! She's not—

His chests started aching again.

"Relax… I shall explain." The old man answered stiffly, smile gone and replaced with a blank expression. The geezer made to mime a neck injury as he sat up straight. "She snapped her neck, she did. Just shortly after you were knocked around when you tried to protect her."

When he… Then… if she hadn't been caught unawares… If he'd just done a better job protecting her... If he wasn't so… so weak… Rin would've… lived? She would've survived?!

Then, it… this… this was all… all his—!

"Yes." The silver-eyed gaze was as dismissive as it was accusing. "It's all your fault!"

"It is not. Will you shut up, you walking contradiction!" the geezer scolded the naysaying cynic whose snarl promptly returned before scoffing once more into empty space. The suited old man then tried to placate his rising anxiety and subsequent anger. "Don't worry, son. It's not as bad as you think. She went out painlessly. Passed on quite peacefully for the hit she got. You could say the brain trauma and neck snap worked in tandem for a quick end, unlike you who bled out for a bit before succumbing to shock."

That… That—! Was that supposed to make him feel better?! It did not! Not one bit!

'Where is she?!' he knew they could hear his thoughts. The older man's grimace told him as much. But being unable to do anything else, he repeated. 'WHERE IS RIN—?'

"She's dead." Flatly stated silver-hair. "Passed on. All because, what was it, you couldn't protect her? Heh. Well doesn't that just suck? Let me guess. You were probably trying to be a hero, weren't you? And then, as per usual, you failed dramatically." The man in red… he started grinning upon seeing the boy's reaction to his words. "Guess I'm right."

The man's eyes snarled mockery and spite. So much that, when he followed it up, the boy had bile pooling in his core.

The agony in his chest throbbed.

"No matter the world I'm dragged into, Emiya Shirou is a failure at anything he tries. Meddling idiot that he is, someone always ends up dead. Well, at least you managed to off yourself early in this Line. Saves everyone the trouble." The bastard had the gall to chuckle as he corrected himself. "Well, everyone except your Tohsaka."

All the things he said, the boy could tolerate. He'd heard many things that degraded his self-esteem before. But the smirk. That… that arrogant bastards sneering… what's more, of the death of someone close to him… of someone dear to his heart…

The boy wouldn't take that lying down.

"Say… that again… bastard…" for the first time since waking, he was able to hear his own thoughts. "SAY THAT AGAIN, YOU—!"

"You got her killed. Her death is on you. Need I say more, brat?"

He didn't. The boy was already closing the distance between them. A balled fist saved for the smug man's jaw was thrown with reckless abandon.

"… Heh, careless as always…"

The man evaded it with ease. Even if they were to discount height difference, the man had longer legs than he and each stride either had him half a meter too far or less than a quarter too close. The flailing swings of a thirteen year old barely did anything to the man.

But his sudden burst of emotions had an effect in himself.

The pain in his chest flared up more than ever. It throbbed harder than when he'd awoken in this place.

BADUMP

It had him clenching his teeth so much, his gums might've bled if they could in this world of the dead.

BADUMP BADUMP

It felt like… like his heart was beating again.

The sudden burst of something that felt similar to adrenaline had the boy's senses sharpening. His eyes noticed the silver-headed bastard finally chambering a counter, a punch aimed for the flat of his face.

He wished the guy threw it. He'd take it and finally land his own hit once he'd trapped the asshole's arm. But, it wasn't to be.

"THAT IS ENOUGH!" THUNK

At the clank of a cane on the abyssal floor, the boy froze mid-dodge, as did his smug opponent mid-swing. Both their expressions shifted. His to confusion and the adult one's to annoyance.

"Haaah… It's the same with you, over and over, Guardian." The suited old man approached them and tapped his cane once more between them. The sudden feeling of being pulled back while stuck in a fighting stance was both odd and uncomfortable. However, the boy had no say when he was essentially frozen and being held back by some sort of magical spell. "Is this because I saved observing the reality wherein you finally come to terms with everything for later?"

"W-what t-the hell… are you… saying?"

Again, the geezer sighed. But not before his expression suddenly turned dark and grim. Red eyes glared sharply as he slapped his cane threateningly against the man's shoulder. The crimson shroud was wrinkled as he twisted the cane. "You know who I am, sham of a Heroic Spirit. I am Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg. Observer of the True Reality and Guide of the World. If I want, I can erase your existence simply by hopping into a reality that exists without you."

The boy didn't understand. He was still focused on breaking out of the magician's hold on him so he could deck the bastard in the face. But he didn't miss the light in said bastard's silver-eyes. They were hopeful. Yearning. It was as if he was now begging for just that.

But the old man wasn't done as he leaned in to add snidely with a wide-mouthed grin. "I can also seal your Fate by observing only the realities in which you experience the worst of the worst. As you're someone tied to Alaya, it wouldn't be that difficult for me to find the Line wherein the World had to call on you to experience true hell, now would it? And, being the do-gooder hero that you are, you wouldn't be able to run away from your responsibilities forever."

"You—! You wouldn't dare!"

"Are you willing to test me, cleaner? Your master left you with me because she needs my cooperation. However, I need only his Heroic Spirit. Doesn't matter to me which version. Any of you can work. Even the amnesiac of the base route would do. Although picking you, the most cynical of all the variants, certainly puts a spoiled taste in my mouth, Alaya's already given me leeway in modifying your… experiences… ever-so slightly."

"K-Kuh—!" the man could only growl. "Damn you! Damn you and Alaya!"

"Learn to respect your elders, brat. I've been patient with you since your redemption arc is the one I most anticipate. But right now, I have a job to do and you are being a massive pain in the ass!" The old man snapped his finger and the white-head collapsed onto the empty floor.

"Dammit…" the man repeated on the floor. "Damn you both!"

"If you have a bone to pick with Alaya, I'd sic you right at it, even Gaia. Not now though because I can't with my fully booked schedule." When he didn't make to resist further, the serious air about the magician vanished, replaced once more with a childishly exaggerated frown but directed at the boy. "But still, now that you've gone and done it, this kid's gone and reasserted his Will to live. This… complicates things."

"Just replace him already then! You only need to implant his soul, don't you?!"

"I was going to, but then you ruined their synchronization levels…" The geezer made a difficult expression. "Haaah, at least the girl didn't give me so much of a hard time. Rin-chan was so well-behaved too—"

"Don't—," the boy started. A death glare was trained on both the other otherworldly adults. "Don't you dare… talk about her like you know her!"

"Hm…" The geezer's expression softened somewhat before a light appeared in his eyes. "Sonny, I know more about her than you do."

"LIAR! You… you don't know anything about her!" The pain had never felt more intense than before. His chest felt just about to burst. "You said it yourself! You stole her away from here… You took her and replaced her with an imposter! Stop acting like you know her! You're just… just a murderer—!"

"I knew about her true feelings before you did." The old man twirled his cane with one hand before pointing its tip straight at the boy's face. "Observe."

Getting tapped on the nose irked him even more. But before he could spit in the man's face, something changed.

Or rather, there were now two other people in the emptiness of the void with them. One looked identical… no, he was exactly the same old man who stood before him! Except he was back to sitting in midair and drinking imaginary tea. The second, however…

"This tea is delicious! The best I've ever tasted!"

"I'm glad it's to your liking, little lady!"

"Rin?"

He couldn't believe his eyes. There she was, sitting and chatting with the old man like he had. Except, she was smiling. Smiling and laughing like she always did when she'd see him do something stupid or hear Sakura say something silly. However, instead of him or her sister, she was laughing with him… the murderer… the bearded geezer who wore a smug grin.

But the boy knew better than she had. She didn't know how dangerous that man was. He couldn't help but cry out.

"RIIIIN—!"

"She can't hear you." He sent the old man before him another spiteful gaze, but the elder didn't so much as flinch. "This is a memory, son. A memory that occurred in the same space you are in now."

"Let me go! Let me go, you bastard! RIIIIIIN!"

"Ugh. I guess this is why they say don't work with children…" Groaning, the magician walked up to stand near himself and the girl. With a wave of his hand, the boy's frozen body snapped free of its stiff posture and was dragged over to stand nearby. "Behave and listen, will you."

He wouldn't. He needed to get Rin out of here. But even as he tried to reach over to her, frantically waving his limbs to catch her attention, she hadn't.

"My… I really wish I could share this with Sakura." The girl continued to speak to the old man. Her cheeks looked flushed, but more than that, the corner of her eyes, the boy noticed the sadness of her vibrant blue pupils. "I… I'm not going to see her again, am I. This… this is it for me."

Neither were a question. She honestly believed it as truth. Or was convincing herself it was.

"I'm sorry that it had to happen this way." The other Zelretch said warmly. "If there was some other way, I would've preferred letting you live your life to its fullest."

"It's okay." Or so she lied to herself. "It's… it's… not… okay… I… I—"

"Go on." Passing the girl a handkerchief he'd pulled out of his pocket, the past elder spoke softly. "Let it all out, kiddo."

She took it with a nod and blew into the fabric.

"I'm sorry…" she said between sniffles. "It's just… I… I won't be able to… s-see them… anymore? Not mom... or dad… Not Sakura… Not… not—Uuwaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh! Aaaaaaaaaaaaggghh!"

It wasn't the most dignified she ever allowed herself to appear in front of the boy, but the weakness she exuded was palpable. Almost as strong as the thrumming of his chest as he watched her break down into tears.

"I understand what you must be feeling now, Rin." The old man gently said. "To be taken away from them so soon, had this been any other Line, you would've gotten by with minor only minor injuries."

"A-and what of my sister?!" the girl demanded to know. Despite red with tears, the look on her face implied she was thinking of the one person she'd miss the most. "What would've happened to Sakura and Illya? What of Emiya-kun?!"

"They'd be fine. Mostly." Seeing her expression remain adamant, he went on to explain. "You must understand, there are an infinite amount of Lines. An infinite number of possibilities about this scenario. Your sibling and friends would be saved, maybe they won't. You all live, or some of you die, or maybe you all die, who knows. The many variations of experience you all go through, there's an infinite and undefined number of them. Where you could end up depends solely on which one will be the True Line."

"Then why couldn't our world where none of this happens be the True Line?!" asking the direct questions, Rin pressed. "Why couldn't we live in a world where none of us have to suffer?!"

"Because, despite the infinite number of futures, only a handful continue on beyond a certain point. A definite cataclysm." The elder said, trying not to sound grim. "Your world, if it had been perfect from the start, would've been the fastest to be destroyed. Whether it be by otherworldly ends, or some inhabitant kickstarts a downfall that accelerates and spirals uncontrollably into your doom. As someone whose observation defines the True Reality, I have to avoid such sure-fire happy worlds. Otherwise, all humans would've been extinct since time immemorial."

Rin's expression was one of still shock. But contrary to the boy whose mouth was agape and thoughts swam with denial, the girl merely took a deep breath and wiped away her tears. "I see… So, if I asked you to change ours… into a happy ending for us…"

"It would only be for you," the man confirmed the unasked question. "You and your sister living peacefully would mean neither of you worked to improve the magical community of your world. When an incident where either of your geniuses and talents could've been used to avert it but neither of you ever made the effort to try that field out of it cutting away into your time with one another, that World Line would end."

She deflated at that.

"If I opted to find one where you find love so soon and live happily ever after thereafter, your union with the person might result in them not being able to intervene in an evildoer's schemes. Another tragedy for the world and, potentially, your future progeny down the line."

She deflated further upon his saying.

"So many worlds, so few of them viable. Be it good or bad, for you or some other random person out in the world, I have my job to do. And that is to pick the route where humanity comes out as survivors."

"Not victors."

"You're a smart girl. Yes, there wouldn't ever be a perfect victory for a mortal race. No matter how sentient they are, humans would, in one way or another, spell their own doom themselves. It's also mostly up to them how they get out of it, unscathed or otherwise." He took a sip from his invisible air tea before adding. "Even if it means the unlucky few have to be discarded in the process."

"Then… my death—?"

"Is one of many for the preservation of this Line, yes."

For a while, the girl remained silent. It was a familiar silence for the boy. One where she would contemplate on something she cottoned onto.

"But… if I die, what changes?" her tone, curious now more than ever, pressed. "What does my death do for the future."

"Many things, actually." The old geezer settled back into his chair to stare off into space. "Your demise could've inspired your sister to improve herself, bringing about the rise of an even greater magician than what you could've been alone."

"Sakura… has that much potential?" the girl asked, expression more impressed than envious.

"Both of you do. Humans need a drive for them to achieve a goal." The man's face grimaced. "Had she been the one to go instead of you, it'd be the same act with a different actor. Or… it could be neither of you. Both of you could've died along with the little girl and all that'd be left would be the boy."

"E-Emiya-kun?" the girl's voice hitched. "But that's… that's…!"

Horrible? Cruel? Hell? It would be any and all of them. For them to die… and he to live… It'd be like… like… with his parents all over again… For such a world to even exist—

"Don't worry. It's only a possibility." The geezer said, interrupting both their thoughts. "With my interference needed here, this Line wouldn't go through such dull developments like you're imagining it to be."

"But… what will happen then?"

The old man of the past smiled haughtily. "Heroes will be born. Specifically, upon your death, someone with a similar wavelength to your body will take your place and, as your replacement, lead the world away from ruin."

"So that's it?! I'm… being replaced?" she took it better than he did. She was curious like he was but more composed about it. If the old man had the power of magic and the World, as he calls it, on his side, why remove them, the originals?!

"In a way, yes. Not to sound rude, but the World needs all the help it can get. More power, more experience. But not so much that you'd stray the world too far with your residual influence afterwards." He sighed into his cup. "That damned Gaia is basically cheating by sending a you from a parallel world to take over."

"How is it 'cheating'?" the boy wanted to know too. He wanted a better explanation of it all, if he could.

"It's to do with the World's lacking influence and magic deteriorating further from the mysticism it originally was. My apprentice, you see, isn't a part of your Line. Therefore, she doesn't belong. That applies to her power and being. In that sense, normally, she'd be rejected if she tries to come here and be thrust back into her Line. But that would mean further lessening the chance at success for this reality to continue."

That… made a lot more sense. If there was a stronger version of him coming to help, then… most definitely, yes. They could avert a crisis from occurring in the world. If all his talk about alternate worlds was true, what could he do compared to some superpowered him from another reality?

"It's not just yourself, so rest assured." The elder continued. "I'll say this now, Emiya will soon join you on the other side as well."

"Eh?" for a moment, Rin's expression was one of being taken aback. "Emiya… too?" It then morphed to… confusion? Wait, why was she smiling? No, she wasn't. Wait, she was?!

"You care for him in this world, I see." Interrupting both the boy and the girl's contemplations yet again, the elder said. At her reddening face, the man chuckled. "No use hiding it now, little lady. I can tell you're feeling conflicted about it after I mentioned him coming along."

"A-Awawawawawawah! I am not conflicted about anything!" she stammered. "How could you say that? Even if it is Emiya-kun, I don't want him to die! I… I don't…"

"Ahahahahah… Ah… It's almost the same in the many worlds that exist alongside your own, kiddo. Can't hide it from this old coot. It's hardly a secret to me that you're in love with a boy like him." Giving a knowing look, the past geezer smirked while the present one shrugged in approval. "Am I wrong?"

"… … No…"

"Oh? Not going to deny it anymore?"

"… … Aren't I dead?!" she snapped, a bit annoyed. "What's the point in… … Mou…" The girl's voice trailed off as she twiddled her fingers. "He was… my first love, you know? That idiot… when I was scolding Sakura for being careless… he just comes in and acts like I was bullying my beloved little sister… Stupid."

"It couldn't be helped. You know how he is."

"Yeah. He's a stupid jerk that always budges in on other people's problems. Even though he defended Sakura from me one day, he was quick to defend me from an upperclassmen the next. From a kindergarten to elementary student to middle schooler… dumbass was always butting in. Always taking responsibility for others. Always… there for us…"

Rin made to glance to empty space again. Her expression was one of deep nostalgia as well as regret. Unknowingly, the subject of her words could only watch and listen.

"I was shocked, you know?" the girl's hand rested over her chest. "When I found out the reason why… he always did that."

"I can imagine." The elder nodded to himself as he paced around the void as if it was his living room. "It's not something a child should be dwelling on at that age."

"Sure, you say that…" she muttered under breath. "But that stupid fool is an idiot bound to repeat his mistakes over and over… That… lovable dork… Even now, I can guess he's probably blaming himself for my getting hurt. And… for what's happened with both our sisters."

She guessed right, receiving the boy's quiet yet self-deprecating grimace. Even if it wasn't his Rin, she still told him the same. To stop. To forgive himself. To move on.

But no. He still dove into it even if the help he could've given was the bare minimum. He was still a fool that lost his life for it.

Strangely enough, his only regret was being unable to go back and do it again.

"I wanted to help him, you know. I wanted to pay him back. Emiya-kun… Shirou worked so hard… Thinking it was all his fault, he kept going at it, not looking for a reward. Only… redemption." The girl's shoulder's shuddered along with her downcast expression. "I… I didn't want him to keep blaming himself. I thought… that maybe if I could change him… If I told him it was enough, then maybe he'd… he'd…"

Again, Rin's voice trailed off. Nearing tears, the last thing she needed but got was Zelretch chuckling to himself.

"What's so funny, you old geezer?" she snapped.

"Ah, my bad… it's just… … You know, apart from appearance, you practically resemble my apprentice down to the personality, if she'd been able to grow up happy and free. Like you, she couldn't help but want to reward that fool of a hard worker who never sought recompense for the things he did. Well, thinking on it as an immortal who's seen many a reality play out, I shouldn't be so surprised you'd resemble her, young Rin."

The elder made to smirk when he turned to face her again. But, unlike his previous smiles, this one lacked any hint of sarcasm or glee.

"You both fell for the same kind of guy, after all. Even though you're technically different people, being borne from the same Origin, sharing a connection to the Root of all, Tohsaka Rin really wouldn't change her preference of a romantic partner. After all, she who worked the hardest for her family's sake can't help but idolize with he who continues to do it out of pure willingness to help others."

The girl's angry expression was only slightly abated, replaced by an abashed flush. But soon enough, she made to grin sorrowfully to herself. "I… I'll get to see him again?" she asked to confirm.

"You will. Just… not in this world anymore."

"But… will he know who I am? Will… we be the same?"

"What makes you think you wouldn't be? Like you said, he's a stubborn one bound to repeat his same mistakes. While I did say there are an infinite number of universes, each version of you is only ever slightly different because of your core ego. Long explanation short, it's just a matter of asking if you really want to see them all again." He approached again and mimed pouring her a new cup of tea before passing the empty air to her. She gingerly accepted. "Sometimes, you might. Sometimes, you won't. Sometimes, your feelings are mutual. Sometimes, it's one-sided! But when you do meet them, when you meet him again, it'll be about the same as any other reality out there. You'd just have to work for it."

"Guess it's not so simple an answer as a 'yes or no', huh?" she asked while sipping softly.

"Not so, but," Elbowing her softly, he added with a not-so-subtle whisper. "Between you and me, a majority of the times, you do find him. Only, he's still the same type of guy, you know? The densest blockhead in town. Unless you hold him down and make it clear, he's more likely to assume you just being friendly as usual."

"Hihihi," she giggled lightly at that, hiding a weak smile behind her hand. "I guess some things never change. Every me has their work cut out for them in romance, don't they?"

"Well, yours was, in my opinion, a far more difficult task than you think." The old man inwardly chuckled. "If none of this soul-transplant had to go down, both your sister and yourself would've had a long road ahead of you just trying to make it obvious to the fool. Most childhood friendships tend to go down that path as a trope."

"Hmmm." She hummed with a slight relief to her tune. "Who would've won? Sakura or me?"

"Hm… the truth?" the elder's expression twisted into a cheeky grin while Rin's was one of serious interest. "Sakura—"

"Dammit!" She'd cursed before he even finished. But she couldn't fully hide her somewhat proud smile. Soon enough, she recomposed, took another sip of tea, then sighed dejectedly. "Guess I lucked out on this, huh? No matter how hard I tried, guess it figures I wouldn't win when I'm holding back for my little sister's sake."

"Not so. Actually, your sister would've used little Illya to distract you while she fooled the boy into thinking he'd done something to her while he was drunk."

"… Huh?!" Rin looked dumbfounded but the old man continued.

"It was the only method she had left." Zelretch shrugged. "After all, you were never about to throw in the towel and actually tried for once. Nearly got his attention too, if not for his little sister finding out about your plan. Sakura just manipulated your and little Illya's rivalry to other advantage."

"That… that… that cunning brat!" Rin was absolutely floored. But soon after, she was sitting back, looking quite sour but with a conflicted smile. "But… then again, I don't think I would've had her confidence. Damn… Guess I should concede this to her. I doubt Emiya-kun would've looked my way unless drastic measures were taken."

The boy pouted upon hearing that. In disbelief as he was at the geezer's exposition, it was far more surprising Rin would take the news so well. The boy was flabbergasted. He wasn't that dense… was he?

"You'd be surprised." His version of the geezer retorted to his thoughts.

"Haaah… So… this really is it for me?" Rin spoke before the boy could retort. She repeated the words, asking this time. As if maybe hoping that it may all just be a dream she was having.

"I'm sad to say that, yes. It is…" The elder kept a polite smile on as he set his invisible teacup atop the vacant space that was the imperceptible tea table. "Well… now that your body has conformed long enough to synchronize with her soul, it's time. Come, little lady—"

"Wait!" Rin got up as well. Instead of setting her teacup down, she'd just jumped up and discarded it, causing the nonexistent thing to clatter into the silence of space.

"What is it?"

"I… Could you…" The girl went quiet for a minute or so.

Pursed lips and a gaze averted to empty space, she considered her words carefully. All the while, the boy had a full view of her conflicted expression. It was far more frustrated an expression than he'd ever seen on her before. Even more so than when she was scolding him.

He could only sit there, meeting her gaze but being the only one to see her, before the girl's contemplation finally came to a conclusion.

She inhaled deeply. "Could you please… convey to my replacement a message—, no. My last wishes?"

"Hm…" Zelretch's expression became unreadable before he resumed. "Are you certain? It may be your feelings, but it wouldn't be you conveying them anymore, you know?"

"I don't care…" she bit her lip before continuing. "No… That's a lie. In truth, I do want to tell him myself. But, with me here… … I don't need you to tell me that's impossible."

The man's silence was telling. His not-mocking expression, more so. But despite the all-but-confirmed negative, Rin continued with her head held high.

"I don't want to leave regrets. Not in this life, or the next. I… even if it's only for a moment, I want him to know how I truly felt about him. How I feel about him before he dies." Her determined gaze remained steady on the elder's softened crimson pupils. "You said so yourself, right? Emiya-kun will go through the same replacing as me. That means there's a chance we… both of us, could meet again, isn't there?" He neither confirmed nor denied, merely listened. As did their memory-watching audience. "I… I want him to know everything! Everything that I've kept to myself until now. That way… even when he does… die… he'll at least know that I… that I love him… and won't ever blame him for anything he'd done… because I couldn't stop him. Because I couldn't change him in time…"

The words were accusing. But it didn't pin anything on the boy, this he knew. She blamed herself, even now.

Even when she need not feel so.

"Is that the dying wish of Tohsaka Rin of the Irregular World Line?"

"Yes," with the vibrant smile she'd given him earlier that afternoon, she puffed up her chest with a hand over her heart. Aqua-blue gems shone bright with tears in the darkness of oblivion. "It is my only and final wish. At least for now… until the next time we meet."

"… I shall make the arrangements." The old man's chuckle went from grandfatherly to hearty. "Don't worry. My apprentice, the other you, will surely do it. After all, unlike you, she hasn't gotten the resolve to do a proper confession yet!"

Rin's flushed smile cold only widen with embarrassment. "Just for reference… she's… not younger than me, is she? My replacement?"

"Hell no! She's four years older but even more of a tsundere than you'll ever be!" The girl's jaw dropped as her shame had her flushing further, past pink into pure tomato. Zelretch at least had the paternity to comfort her. "Trust me, I'll handle it! That brat will convey all your heartfelt feelings before long! It's the least I can do, for your sake and my entertain—!"

The image of the pair cut off there. The memory had concluded. Once again, it was just the three of them again. An angry thirteen-year-old, a cynical adult, and a cheeky old man.

For a while, all was silent. But then, there was a soft thud.

The boy, having listened to his Rin speak from start to finish, had crumpled to the floor. Hearing all that, and from Rin's mouth to boot… It was too much. Both for him and his heart.

The pain had vanished from his chest entirely, along with his anger and unease. He was now back to feeling an inner calm, the uncomfortable relaxing peace that he knew his body shouldn't be feeling but did.

The magic restraining him had also been dispelled, it's caster certain he wouldn't do anything stupid anymore.

"Feeling better now?" said magician stood next to him asked.

"Are you joking?" the boy cried, his own tears about to escape. "How… how am I supposed to… just accept all that?!" When the drops fell to the abyss below, the child couldn't help but slam his fists down. "Dammit! Damn… it!"

"It's not so bad, son." He felt a hand on his shoulder. He was too tired, too defeated, to push it away. "Even if you are gone, that doesn't mean it's the end for you and the people you love. There's still a bright future you could all work towards again once you've moved on."

"How can you tell me to just… leave them? To abandon the people I know and leave them in the hands of… of—"

"What's the matter? Can't trust yourself?" The boy's attention was drawn to the red-clad man who'd been keeping quiet this whole time. "Can't blame you. Even I don't trust me."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying your replacement is the same idiot as you." The man firmly stated with a hint of disdain. "He's an idiot. A reckless one with the same dream, the same ideals, the same wish as you. Only, unlike you, he actually has the power to back up his desires." Meeting the man's silver-eyed gaze, the boy's golden own didn't falter but softened in consideration. "You couldn't save them because you were weak. Then, what's wrong with letting someone take your place who isn't as weak as you?"

The logic was sound. There was no point in arguing for it was what he wanted. But… for it to be someone not him…?!

"Are you still hung up on that?" the elder butted in. "Your replacement is you. Just not the you that you are now."

The boy couldn't simply accept it. It was the semantics that bothered him. Even if it wasn't a complete stranger, how could he just accept another him out of the blue? How would his family? It's not as if his replacement grew up with them like he did—!

"Ah, so that's your issue." The elder mused with a wide grin. "Well, that's easier to sort out. Come here for a sec."

Grabbing his arm, the geezer dragged the boy towards the other man.

"O-oy! What are you—"

"Sit still. Lend me a hand here, EMIYA."

The boy was confused there for a second. He didn't understand why the old man called the adult man that name. But when the red-eyed Vampire latched a hold onto the silver-haired man's arm, the memories all started to flow.

And it all clicked.

His disdain, his choice of words, his ire to the boy himself. It was all superimposed on his ethereal being.

In mere moments, he now knew everything they did.

"Finally, progress!" Letting him go, the boy struggled to maintain his balance but managed to not fall. "Haaah, if this was all that was needed, I should've done this from the very beginning!"

"Hmph." The adult… no, that guy scoffed. "For an immortal wizard, you sure are a senile idiot at times, Vampire."

"You're not one to talk… Archer." The man's face was one of sharpened steel trained on his wobbly form. The boy stood tall against it. "For someone who shared my… no, our dream, he's right. You sure are a walking contradiction."

"If you know that name, then…"

"I know all I need to know." The boy nodded before dropping his glance low. "And… I understand where you were both coming from now. I… I'm not suitable for what's to come. If it's a problem even you can't handle, then… I shouldn't make a big fuss over this."

The meaningful stare he'd given the red-clad Counter Guardian was returned with a critical but knowing one. After a few seconds, it was the adult who broke away first. "Hmph. I underestimated you. Looks like you're not as stubborn as she thinks you are."

"Oh… I can say I'm still stubborn. After all, even if I'm letting you and another me take the reins on this, I'll still be holding you all accountable for their sakes."

A threat from the boy, especially one to a being detached from the mortal realm, wouldn't have counted for much. But as the boy's now determined gaze pierced through the Counter Guardian, Archer felt himself waver. If only a little.

"You talk big, kid." Crossed arms, the man smirked. "Don't tell me just seeing my experiences has already made you more confident you could do anything against me."

"I don't need to do that. Besides, knowing myself, there's no way you of all people would allow them to die." It was the boy's turn to give his smug grin. "It wasn't me, but you did become a hero after all. Someone who would never ignore those who need saving." The man frowned, knowing he couldn't retort without it sounding like an obvious lie. "Take care of them for me, Archer." Turning to the elder, to Zelretch, an alternate Rin's teacher, he nodded. "I'm ready to leave now."

"Oh, finally!" The old man threw his hands in the air like a child being told he was at last going to the mall. "No more arguments, no more whining with it?"

"Yeah," he nodded his assent. "I'll entrust them to you. And, perhaps, myself." The boy made to spitefully glance at the embodiment of his other self's ideals. "If it's what saves everyone I love, then… I leave them to you."

"Anything you might want passed on to yourself?" the elder suddenly offered. "Your Rin didn't just ask my student to pass on a confession. Quite the opposite, she asked to be given her replacement everything she needed. While I'm not one for spoiling do-gooders already on the right track, I can't refuse a request from someone I inconvenienced."

The boy considered it. He wasn't as smart as Rin, his Rin, so had the immortal not suggested it, the dead boy would've passed on without a word. But now…

"If you can't refuse then… I'll take that offer." The boy looked up to the elder. "Possibly, I'd like three."

"Three? Quite the smart ass, we have here, don't we?" the ancient magus sneered, already knowing what the boy wanted, having likely read his expression.

"The same as Rin. I want you to give what I have, everything I have that my replacement needs." The boy started, however, Emiya Shirou was as selfish as they come. "And, two other things. The first is a message."

"Just think it. I'll forward it as soon as that fool is awake. And the last?"

"A… I guess you can call it a gift." Sparing a side glance to the other him from a far future, he added. "Or a curse."

"Damn you, brat." The Heroic Spirit tightened his grip on his crossed arms. "Are you trying to pick a fight?"

"Well, who knows?" the kid in him couldn't help but act so with himself. "You always seemed to want to fight me. How about I nip that problem in the bud before you do anything stupid?"

"AHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Possibly the only person to find the new developments hilarious, Zelretch broke out into a fit. "Amazing! This is perfect!" Hands grabbing onto the boy's shoulders, he made to lift the lad into the air and spin him around until his mirth finally died down. "Ah, son, you have the makings of story writer better than I thought you would be! Certainly better at it than me!"

The boy just shook the man's grip off and rolled his eyes. "Can we get on with it already?"

"So eager to die? Or perhaps, just to catch up to your beloved?"

The boy flushed. "Can you hurry up?"

"Hmph. Kids."

THUD

The boy would've retorted, but not before the elder struck his cane on the space between them. "Now, are you ready, Emiya Shirou of the Irregular World Line?"

"Mm. As ready as I'll ever be." The boy nodded. "Just to be clear, you aren't going to be sending me anywhere crazy, are you?"

"Crazy? Well, you're in luck!" The immortal threw his hands up into the air as if he was a showman. "How would you like to be tossed into a world where you'd participate in a great magical war all for the chance to achieve your greatest wish?"

"Hm? Oy! Zelretch, you bastard! What are you doing?!"

The Heroic Spirit went ignored as the elder snapped his finger and space itself created a rift just next to the boy. This one swirled with a fiery whorl. One that got the Guardian's eyes to grown shockingly wide.

"Not to worry. You won't be alone." Continued the old man. "You'll also have the chance to romance an attractive blonde, protect your genius tsundere of a classmate, or maybe even find salvation to your suffering underclassman, all the while doing the same old thing you always have. But this time, with the strength to achieve it all!"

"Dammit, Vampire, you'd allow for that world to still exist—?!" SNAP

Archer had drawn swords out of thin air but was stopped by the magician's finger snapping in his face. He didn't move, nor did he finish his cry.

The Counter Guardian had his time veritably stopped.

But the same was not said for his younger self's alternate counterpart. "You mean to say… I can be a hero in this one?"

"You can be whatever you wish, my boy. A normal person, a hero, a Counter Guardian like this doof, or simply a magus who would do what he could for those he loves. Anything's possible." A rare occurrence for Zelretch, the same serious smile appeared on his face as he patted the teenager on the head. "You make your own Fate in the World Line of Fates."

"My own… fate…" the boy muttered as he stared at the swirling insides of the rift. But before he moved towards it, he face the man and asked his final question. "What about the others? Will they be there when I go?"

"Of course. Where do you think the souls I'm ferrying here came from? Shifting them from there to here means I have to send someone back in exchange, you know. One for another and all that."

The old man's words implied more than his smile let on, but the only thing the boy could think of was that those he loved were going to the same destination he was. And, also, that the heroes that would save the last World Line had gotten their strength living in that same destination. The fiery abyss ahead of him invited the boy.

"Don't worry yourself with the details. My Second Magic affects both time and space. Sending a soul or four over to when things should start to get interesting is a cinch. Everything's already set and made ready for you." Taking a step to stand next to the rift, the elder stretched out an inviting hand. "All you need is to take the first step."

The first step… to becoming a hero. He thought he'd already done so in this world. But that had led to his quick end. If things were slightly different, if he had a chance in this one, then…

…

..

.

Once, he had a dream…

He took one step, then another.

After being made to realize his disadvantageous position, that dream seemed to drift even further into the realm of fantasy.

Soon enough, he was stood right in front of it, a mere push away into what appeared to be a whirling firestorm up close.

But though he'd died, though he should've been dead, what he was experiencing now could be said to be the very epitome of fantasy.

Just beyond that crimson rift, he would be in a world where he could attain that dream. He'd finally achieve it.

But…

.

..

…

Would he be worthy of attaining such an idealistic aspiration? Could he become… a hero?

"What do you think makes a 'hero'?" The old man said over his head. "Their deeds? Their influence? The power they wield? Bah! Don't bother yourself with that malarky."

A smack to his shoulder was met with a glare. The old man gave one back but with an approving nod and a smile.

"Never doubt yourself. Carry on with what you believe is right and never waver, for even if they call you weak, even if they are correct, that doesn't mean they are right to deny you being a hero."

'You can be one,' the man meant to say. That's how Shirou took his advice.

Staring back into the abyss ahead of him, there was only one thing to do. If he wanted to succeed, then he'd have to wade through adversity… no matter what form it may take. Through ash and flame, he must forge his way through, unwaveringly.

"Good. You understand now. That is how heroes are born," said the old man. "You rebel against the World's expectations and become someone they, all of them, can't ignore."

Inspiring words.

But Shirou wasn't going to lie. There was still that small stinge of uncertainty in his chest. One that stopped him, and maybe many others, from continuing on.

So that's why he was glad that the old man shoved him in without so much as a warning.

"I'll see you in the next life, young EMIYA," the old man's voice echoed through his head as he drifted into space, his senses gradually fading away. "May you become a true hero by the time we meet again. One who won't ever regret his choice to walk on the path to hell."

For as long as he'd live, even if he'd not known the elder that long, Emiya Shirou would never forget the well-meant advice he'd been given. For he was going to be a true hero.

---

As the boy vanished behind the closing rift, the Dead Apostle finally breathed a sigh of relief.

'Two down, two to go.' Things had gotten complicated for this one. Especially with that request of the lad's. Zelretch wasn't one to go back on his word, but… Well, come what may. It wasn't of the original plan, but it would work as an entertainment piece. 'Ah, right. Him.'

SNAP

"—DAMN YOU!" THUD

"Be quiet, you fool." He released his stranglehold on the Counter Guardian's time. While it wouldn't have fully worked on one capable such as EMIYA, his magic was concrete within this world.

"Where—When did you send him?!"

"To the place where the original potentially dies. That way, his Origin would be sharpened to the Sword as yours had."

"You… you sent him to the fire? You had him be saved by that man—?!"

"Indeed. If he is to take up that mantle, what better time to start then when and where it all began for him?"

"That's…That's ridiculous! If you send him there… then…" Archer's gaze drifted to his hands clutching tightly to his blades. To himself. "Then… you mean to cement me further…!"

"Stop complaining! It's not as if removing him permanently would change your past. And even if I sent him there in the other boy's place, your intervention would've changed nothing." The magician thought to himself for a moment. "But perhaps it would add a less contradictory variant of you to the Counter Force. Tch, Alaya gets a boon for my labor. I think I should add to my pay next we meet."

Despite the comments, the elder kept it to himself. Meanwhile, the Heroic Spirit didn't dispel his twin falchions. Anger seethed on his expression as well as deep-seated frustrations. Truly, this variant of EMIYA was an ideal filled with contradiction.

But the magician knew the contradicting ideal-given-form couldn't do anything. With a wave of his hand, a complex magic formation drew itself beneath their feet. The Counter Guardian's lowered gaze caught the inscriptions of the formation and gathered the gist of the spell.

"Wait! This is a mistake! You're going to regret this!"

"On the contrary, you'll find that I welcome it!" the old man hadn't had much a conversation like this to someone who had mostly been his observation target. But it was entertaining to see his reaction this up close. Interference should be kept to a minimum, but this exception amongst exceptions was turning out quite nicely, despite the earlier hassle. "Come now, EMIYA. You can't be this stubborn about it. Alaya's given you a task, no?"

"To guide that fool from slipping up! Not to be a cast to slap onto him at a moment's notice! He may have received an arm from another version of me, but that doesn't mean he knows how to handle it—!"

"And that is why sending you in this way will be more efficient! Can't have your self-murdering tendencies to surface, now can we?" argued the magician. The formation below had rapidly grown in size and had now encompassed a mile in every direction of the void. It's center, the Heroic Spirit who, despite trying to get away from it, had himself trapped within the field's effects. "It's not like we need you to talk or do much of anything anyways! All you need to be is the encyclopedia, also workshop and grinder. The perfect tool to cast forge the new EMIYA. A variant that has yet to exist! You're a versatile weapon, aren'tcha? So act like it!"

Just as he finished, the glyph beneath them both thrummed to life. Prana beyond the capacity of any magus rippled and flowed from the far reaches of the circle. All of it then gathered to the center, where the former naïve idealogue, now cynical paradox, stood.

Like neon lights following a set path, they surged from beyond this empty world's horizon back to the center, back to where they stood, and climbing up the young man's dark skin.

"Damn you, Zelretch!" cried the Heroic Spirit EMIYA as his Magic Circuits enveloped his body. "I swear the next time I see you, you're dead!"

"You'd be damning the entirety of humanity if you did." The elder smugly grinned a taunt. "Knowing so, are you still going to try?"

No reply. Instead, he tried to resist by casting reinforcement on his body. But use of his Circuits did little apart from accelerating the modification magecraft from subsuming his form. The magical conduits he'd activated merely served as a canal for the magician's grand spell to force their way in.

Due to him not being truly human and a mere aspect given form, it wasn't so difficult to cast away his shell and morph him into something… akin to a Wraith.

"Curse me all you want, Guardian." Zelretch said under the pained screams of the former Servant-turned-Pseudo-Servant. "You signed your soul away, to the World. So accept your Fate. Just as the boy has accepted his."

He endured the lad's hateful glare until the end. Until the former Archer of the Fifth Grail War that occurred in the Bladeworks World Line vanished from this plane of existence, Zelretch continued to watch and accept the man's rightful anger.

All that remained of the process was a single red gem that clattered to the floor at the very center of the vanishing formation. Reaching out to touch it, Zelretch had to retract his hand when cyan sparks erupting from the gem singed his glove's fingertip.

"Haaah…" the elder sighed. "Even as a Catalyst, you're a handful." More than, actually. The immortal wasn't one to second guess if the lad would allow him physical contact. Retrieving and transporting the modified Spirit was now going to be a major pain. "Stubborn even in the end. Just what does my student see in you?"

The gem didn't answer. Instead, it shot out more sparks, angered that it had been turned into quite the familiar object. But being a jewel mage originally, Zelretch didn't have many options for the new form this partialized soul could take. So he had settled with something the Guardian already had on him, something he always had on him.

Still, now that it was done, he needed to move and give it to its new owner. Touching the new Catalyst wouldn't be necessary, he doubted the stubborn fool would allow it. But regardless, Zelretch wasn't going to be perturbed by an angry Mystic Code.

The empty world that only had the elder and a gem inhabiting it at the moment thrummed with energy. It was then followed by a quake.

"Finally, he's here." More sparks erupted from the gem. Some getting as far as a few feet, although still unable to reach Zelretch who was a meter away. "Stop wasting your time. You'll just run out of mana at that rate. And guess what happens if you fizzle yourself out so soon. A hero lacking the weapons expert to train him would lead only to the Line's, and subsequently every other's, destruction."

It listened, sparking only a little more until dissipating entirely. Zelretch still refused to touch it, however.

Another quake. Another thrum. But instead of ending, a new rift started to open in the sky just a small distance away. But unlike the many rifts he'd opened in his lifetime, this was the first one that ever glowed a brilliant golden light.

Of course, not even Zelretch, one of the most powerful magicians of the known universes, would dare tread into the light of the Ever-Distant Utopia. As a Dead Apostle, there was no telling if the light of the fae wouldn't incinerate him right then and there.

But if it was someone who'd been using the Holy Scabbard for most of their life, someone so deeply connected to it that it practically shaped their whole ideal…

"Okay, there's your cue." When the gem didn't respond or spark for that matter, Zelretch finally had had enough and just shrugged. "Welp, you asked for it, you thick-headed brat!"

The gem sparked briefly. If energy and light could be used to communicate, it would've asked only one thing.

'What the hell are you doing?!'

"Oh, nothing!" the elder cheerfully replied. "Just chucking a problem child at the problem I need fixing! FOOOOOORE!"

With a mighty swing of his cane, he shot the crimson jewel into the rapidly closing rift. Disappearing into the portal, Zelretch ignored the indignant sparks the bastard shot out as a last attempt. It never got further than a meter or so. But it was a meter too late for anything.

"Here's to hoping your base isn't as bad as you are."

Left alone once more in the void of his making, the magician about faced and stepped to one side. Pulling out a special chair out of thin air, he sighed before taking his seat. It was special for a reason in that one could not exist in the same presence as it besides those adapted to the weight and pressure it exuded so long as it was present. But as he was alone in the space, it did little except provide the best seat in the house and not crushing those that had already departed from the void.

But as the observer awaited the next task to come, he sighed lazily at the free time he'd been given. "I hadn't worked this hard in a long while… Really now, babysitting brats really isn't my style!"

Immediately as he voiced the complaint, a book appeared before him. The tome as thick as an encyclopedia but far more vast than all the universes' libraries combined flew open. It's infinitely spanning pages, the many Lines of Reality riffed over, depicting worlds being written, erased, then rewritten as he searched for the specific time and event that was next to come.

As soon as he did, the riffling pages stopped. Ancient text only he and a rare few others could comprehend began to dictate the present as it occurred.

"Hm… Yes, yes. Good. Oh! That's cute… Hoho? So that's the first test they'll need to pass? Now, I see." Talking to no one in particular, the old man cackled as he reclined in his seat, eagerly anticipating the prologue to the play that had been set. "For only the two of them, this will be a good test for their mettle! Not to mention, a great introduction to the world they'll have to save! Hahahahah!"

Unlike when he was made to act the chauffer to the souls he'd brought, this felt more enjoyable to him. Observing, laughing about it, mulling over the events yet to be written in the Line, this was what he lived for.

After all, he was an observer, not a playwright. He would act as requested, sing and dance along to Alaya and Gaia's tune as they would need of him. But until the third one's death came, he would just entertain himself by observing the pieces already on the board.

Wasn't that a pleasant job? The immortal Vampire knew it was.

"Aaah, this is the life." He sighed as he crossed his legs and reclined back into the seat that could crush entire planets under its gravity. A new page of the book had just finished being written and flipped for its one and only reader. "Fair thee well, my student and young hero. You'll need it."

Not long as he said it, the book started working backwards, erasing that which had been written and rewriting the events in an attempt to record the best possible outcome Zelretch needed to see.

"Keep on trying, you two." Once more, a rare genuine smile formed on his face. "The World is an audience that you'd sorely want to disappoint now."

The book stopped rewriting itself and once more continued to turn its pages. The magician's eyes roved over the words permanently inscribed this time. Once more, he grinned wickedly at what they'd achieved.

The Irregular Line was now permanently branched off. The Irregular/Fates Line had begun.

---

Well… I this is gonna trigger some people.

Before anyone starts asking why I haven't updated my other fic, long story short, I really had a lot of shit to deal with.

As you are all aware, IRL is Hell. Slap a bit of college in there and boom, Hell^2. In the process of distracting myself from it all, I'd slip some of my time into some random writing of various stories. This, among others, has been a rough year's worth of production. Maybe less of a year, but point still stands. In the process of trying not to bore myself with one story and alternating between three fics in total (this, my Arifureta one, and a classified 'maybe yes/maybe no' third), I managed to finally make a pilot chap I was satisfied with.

When Heaven's Feel launched its Blu-Ray release, I thought it would suffer a push-back and force me to work on… well, my other work. But as it turns out, it wouldn't have had done much impact to this fic's beginning. Still means I have more material to work with in future updates though. Ain't that a doozy? *sweats in swords*

To those wondering which route's Shirou I'm using, I'll flatly state, none of the above. To be accurate, it'll be a… sorta fourth route mishmash of our lovable idiot if, instead of following one girl like he did in all three routes, this is one where he chose to save them all. Of course, there's a little twist. You can tell with the fact that I tossed UBW's Archer in there. I pray that the world-building/butchering I did with Zelretch works out as revisiting this to retcon mistakes will be a third hell for me in the long run.

Now, hope you all enjoy this one as I really did pull my hair and brains out for it. I'll be going back to my other suuuuper delayed fic for a time and alternate working on that with the secret third fic. I pray that Arifureta isn't beaten to the punch again as my one and only Beta, Reader, is about ready to kill me for the umpteenth time. XD

Bye and have a great time! See you… I'd say soon, but then again, I don't want to jinx myself.