'This is wrong,' thought the Counter Guardian. While he did not remember much of his life, he certainly remembered participating in the war. When Rin told him how Shirou had forfeited, he felt very mixed emotions.

On one hand, if he wasn't willing to fight for his ideal, that should also mean he would never sign a contract with the Counter Force. This Emiya won't become an agent. On the other, where did that leave him? He was still in contract, this did not cause a paradox where he would disappear.

No.

Maybe it was because this was different from the get-go. What if he needs to find the one reality where he would become EMIYA?

While his Master was sleeping, he decided to keep watch on the rooftop in a dematerialized state. Saber would have killed him, if not for her Master.

The horizon started to brighten, morning came.

He spotted two people approaching.

One was a young man wearing winter clothes, and bags under his eyes. He did not recognise him. The other-

-It was Saber!

So, she found a Master.

The Servant of the bow did not know their intention. Mentally, even in his sorry state, he was preparing for combat.

…

'Well, that is one way to wake her up.' He thought.

"Archer...Who dares disturb my slumber?" His Master asked irritatedly through their link.

"Oh, that would be Saber's new master I think." Snarked the Guardian.

Hearing a sound that oddly resembles someone falling out of bed, he went to check his Master.

When he rematerialized he saw her Master irritated, but wide awake.

She was honestly not prepared for someone knocking on her doorstep. Several thoughts ran through her head. Should they fight? Invite them in? She started to strategise because she saw Saber, and honestly she was kind of hoping she wouldn't find a Master.

"Damn it, what should I do?" Her Archer was still recovering from a serious blow from the Servant of the sword.

"He did say "we have a Grail War to win."" Archer pointed out. He was on guard of course, but since he was still recovering they were at a disadvantage. He would be watching him like a hawk.

Tohsaka blushed, there was a reason he wasn't a morning person.

A little while ago.

"Alright, I'm willing to wait a bit more." Saber relented. "However I want you to have this for now, we can't predict how negotiations will go." She took out Avalon.

"You sure? Your injuries-" She interrupted me.

"Just being near my scabbard heals me faster. When I have it on me it restores me instantly." She reassured me.

I relented.. Without ceremony with her sheath in hand, put it into my chest.

It was a very bizarre feeling. After a moment she pulled out her hand.

My chest was glowing like a christmas tree, before dying down.

"I think there could have been a more diplomatic call for their attention, Aaron." She may not be amused.

But I certainly was!

…

Okay but where do I begin with Rin? She hates mornings, I have not slept a wink and I feel like I could fall asleep while standing still.

I turned to my Servant. "Maybe, but morning shouting is really attention grabbing."

"But not a good first impression." She argued.

"You got a point." I yawned.

Seeing my tired state she frowns. "We should have found shelter and take a rest, before coming here."

"Would have if I had any currency." I mumbled.

Her eyes fixated on the gates. Golden particles appeared, which turned into a man.

Before me stood, the King of the Kitchen.

"My Master will hear you out. No funny business, I got my eyes on you," the Servant warned me.

I had to roll my eyes, "If I had any in mind, don't you think I would have NP-d the whole house?"

He scoffed, and led the way. Taking my shoes off, and my jacket, I entered with my brown colored hoodie still on. Out of courtesy, Artoria took off the armor as well.

The interior was quite spacious with many rooms. Yeah, it was a mansion all right.

He led us to a living room, the room was large, with a small table, a comfy couch with a few chairs surrounding the table.

Rin sat at the table, looking calm while sipping tea from a cup. "So, you are Saber's new Master." Her eyes analyzed me while keeping a blank expression.

She gestured to the seat in front of her. Archer stood behind his Master.

I took the seat, hoping I won't fall asleep as soon as I put my rear down on something soft. the King of Knights stood behind me.

I held out my hand "Aaron Eagle." She looked at it and decided not to be rude, "Rin Tohsaka." we shook. She offered tea but I declined. While I love tea it just makes me more drowsy when I'm tired.

"So, from what I've heard you want an alliance. You do know there can be only one winner in this competition, right?"

"Yup." I answered.

"So you do know sooner or later we'll have to fight, right?"

"Yes, but actually no." Her eyes narrowed, and I felt Saber's too. Glare holes at me why don't ya.

"Explain." Rin demanded for elaboration.

Wish I knew where to start…

I took a deep breath in… Yeah let's start with that.

"The Grail is cursed." There I dropped the smallest bomb in my arsenal.

Her eyes widened and so did Saber's. "You expect me to believe that?"

I shrugged. "Just why do you think that no one managed to actually win the Holy Grail War since its conception? Or why do you think your Master forced you to destroy it last time around, Saber? He may have been a dick, but even you have to admit that his intentions were impeccable." I glanced back at my Servant. "Look around where the fire touched the earth 10 years ago. That was the mud of the Grail. It grants your wish but the curse twists it in a way that will always result in catastrophe."

Damn it, I'm getting irritated...Normally I would be pretty patient but I'm close to snapping. The last 12 hours of my life was simply the most stressful experience so far. I'm tired.

"...Alright, I'll play along. If what you say is true then tell me how it got cursed in the first place?." Rin humored me for now.

"The Einzberns are sore losers, so they've tried to cheat the system by summoning from another Class during the Third Holy Grail War. They were aiming to summon a Divine Spirit in the special Avenger Class, but it turned out to be the weakest Servant ironically. His identity was...was… damn how do you pronounce it? Angry Matthew?" I racked my brain, damn this was embarrassing.

"Angra Mainyu?" Archer chimed in.

"Yeah that's it. Thanks Actually-Satan."

...Shit did that just slip out? They are looking like I grew a second-head.

This awkwardness is killing me!

"A-anyway, he was the first to die and is still inside the Grail. In a way that should surprise nobody, returning pseudo-dark gods to their spirit form in an omnipotent wish granting device is an all around bad idea. Because of the nature of his story the Grail received the wishes humanity placed on him, I think."

Saber was the first to break the silence, I think this was too much for her. "Preposterous!" She would have gone on, but I just….

"Really?!" I snapped "Then please explain the presence of the last war's Caster! Or better yet, how about I tell you both Rider and Caster of this war are also Anti-Heroes! Things that shouldn't be possible in the normal system!"

...Oh shit. I just snapped at King Arthur… She recoiled a little.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to, I'm just…" I tried to apologize. I looked down in shame.

Damn it I'm such a piece of shit. Here is a girl, who fights for a wish, no matter how wrong it is, and I basically told her that "yup it will fulfill it in the worst imaginable way." Fuck sake she went through the works with Heracles, yet here I am, and bitching just because of a little sleep depravation-

A gentle yet firm landed on my shoulder. It was Saber but I did not have the gall to raise my head.

"It's all right. I won't ignore the signs of your claim. I'll try to think more about the position you're in," she tried to reassure me.

'But who'll think about yours!' I thought with remorse. Honestly, I wish she retorted with something, then accepted it.

Rin coughed in her hand, snapping us back to the situation. "So, how did you acquire this information?"

…

I looked away.

"Ho? Refusing to answer?" I sensed smugness from her tone. "If you won't answer we have nothing further to discuss."

"!"

...Of course. I ain't Archer Lily, Her crush. I'm just a stranger, who for some reason knows things he should not.

I have nothing to lose, and she has everything to gain.

"...I can't tell you," I admitted.

"Why is that?"

"One, you wouldn't believe me-"

"Assuming I believed you so far," she muttered but I ignored it.

-"Two...I don't want to shatter anyone's worldview," I admitted.

"Try me, I doubt this could get worse," she shrugged.

I let out a chuckle. "Hope you got painkillers. So, abridged version; I'm from an alternate world, year 2020 and in that world there is no magic."

"Bullshit!" She denied it instantly. "You want me to believe you were True Magicked from a non magic world!"

"Hey, I warned you princess! I have yet to lie."

"That's true." Saber chimed in.

"I know he is your Master, but even you can't be this naive, Saber. He belongs in an asylum." Archer being an asshat thank you.

"Want me to prove it, huh?" I muttered and I looked straight at him. "Want me to spill your identity, Archer." His eyes twitched.

"Good luck, as if-" I interrupted.

"You really want to test me, Counter Guardian?" He froze. He knew this was a warning shot. I don't know if he or Rin was more surprised.

She was gaping like a fish. She muttered the name in disbelief. Turning towards her Servant as if begging him to deny it. He did not. He knew if he did I would just call by his real identity.

"T-that's impossible! The Counter Force sends them-"

"It is possible, because Counter Guardians are Heroic Spirits too, only without the fame. It shouldn't be surprising considering the Counter Force can deploy Heroic Spirits should any of the seven evils of humanity emerge." I explained.

…

"Prove it." Rin said.

"Which part?"

"You said you're from another world, but this is still knowledge from this world. I will admit you know things you shouldn't, I mean are you even a Mage?" I shook my head. "Right, you really shouldn't."

She was holding her head. Even she needs to rationalise what she heard so far.

How do I prove my Origin? Rin is dumb for technology from what I remember and if I showed my phone it would mean nothing to her.

Origin….OH. If I'm from an alternate world, then that means I'm not from the Root! Therefore I would have a concept like Origin!

"Can you check someone's Origin?" I asked.

"Huh, yeah I can. You want me to check yours?" I nodded. "Take off your shirt."

Well I undressed. We both stood up, and made some space as she was in front of me, putting a hand on my chest.

I felt something entering my body. It was more like analyzing? Magic feels weird.

It suddenly stopped. She was in disbelief taking a step back, as if processing I'm actually in front of her. "How?"

"Eh, be more specific please." I redressed.

"How are you even real?" Ouch. "You have no Element nor Origin. I drew a blank." She sat down in shock, still processing. "But then how could he have 115 Circuits, and with all of them having a pretty good output."

Hold up. Wait a minute.

115?!

"Excuse me, what?"

"You heard me, idiot. You have over a hundred natural magic circuits!" Yep, now it's my time to sit down shocked. I'm a fucking Battery! Hey son, what do you want to be when you grow up? A BATTERY!

"Do I even want to know how you got mixed into this war?" She ask/whined.

I gave her an abridged version, leaving Shirou out of it. I'm already overloading her.

"So you really have nowhere to go, huh?" She became rather sympathetic.

"So you believe me?" I asked.

"I'll mull it over. I still want to know the how part, but for now I'm willing to settle with the what." She stood up. "Come, I'll show you your room."

It was a well decorated room, with several drawers, and a bed big enough for two people. This must have been her parents room. "You're probably tired."

"Like you wouldn't believe it," I muttered. I could collapse any second.

" Is an alliance in effect between us?" Saber asked. Oh yeah I almost forgot about it.

"We still have things to discuss." She turned to me. "So far what you have told me is really difficult to wrap my head around. In fact, you are the most infuriating man I have met so far, and that's saying something." Okay, this was the Tsun. Which means here comes the Dere.

"But...I can see you fully believing what you're telling me, so... " She was blushing and held out her hand, I shook it.

"Thank you. I appreciate it if you give me the benefit of the doubt." I smiled sincerely. "Really."

Did she turn redder? "You're welcome." She walked to the door. "Have a nice nap." and closed it.

I looked at Artoria. " I'm ashamed of my action against you, Saber."

She shook her head. "As I said, it is understandable. You need not to be concerned with my feelings, I'm a weapon af-"

"Stop it," I interrupted. "Me treating you anything other than as a human being is asking the impossible." I said with a tired grin.

Saber wanted to object on the contrary, but I stopped her again. "I'm very stubborn about this."

"You purposefully left out a crucial detail, recounting our tale with Berserker." She changed the topic.

"I know, and she will have to know. But it would have been too much for her. Everyone needs time to process."

She let out a sigh and looked at the door. "Do you really believe we can trust her?"

"She's the only one we can trust." I answered her query. I sat down on the bed- Oh it's so soft! "You should ask for some clothing, since you can't enter spirit form." I put my head on the pillow and I had a new record for fast-falling-asleep.

Rin let out a deep breath. This morning was her most taxing experience yet. This stranger comes in and casually drops bombshells! He has information he has no right to know, he himself knows how ridiculous his claims are and just went with it. He has every Servant's identity. If not his outburst with Saber then when he told Archer…

She looked at his Servant. One expression could be seen on the face of the Tohsaka heir.

Hurt.

A random stranger knew more about her Servants history than his own Master. How pathetic is that?

Her own Servant did not trust her. Despite telling her how "awesome" she was.

"You had your memories the whole time, didn't you?" Came the rhetorical question from Rin.

The cynical Archer couldn't meet her eyes. "Yes."

"Why...Why didn't you tell me?" She couldn't keep her voice neutral.

…

"This is so ridiculous. I feel like I can trust a person I never met before more than my own Servant..."

"Rin, I…"

What could he say? If he told her his identity it would only hurt her more. If he stays silent, she would feel betrayed. Not even mentioning his own reason for coming to this war.

Saber should be Shirou Emiya's servant at the moment, yet this stranger has her. He knows his identity but did not spill it. 'I'm guessing he wants me to confess my true name to her.'

However at this time it would be too much for her.

"...I'll confess when you processed the events so far." If he doesn't man up this will cause too big of a rift between them.

The door from their guests room opened. Saber came out. "Apologies Rin, but before my Master fell asleep he wanted me to ask if you have some modern clothing for me at your disposal."

Rin wanted to ask why she can't dematerialise since she's a Servant, but then again, from what her new ally let slip, Saber remembers in the last Holy Grail War. At this point it was best to let things go. If nothing then for her sanity.

"Sure, follow me."

Beta: The Royal Protector

I decided to end this chapter here. It felt...right somehow. Chapter 4 is already in the works, but expect the release of newer ones slower from now on. I'm trying my best to make everyone stay in character, though since I'm not the OG author of the series itself, sometimes you just have to roll with my interpretation.

Stay tuned!