I've been a reader of fanfiction for a few years now and have finally decided to try my own. I'm going to be using Japanese suffixes for some names as well as Onee-chan (older sister), Onii-chan (older brother), and Imouto (younger sister) throughout this story as I believe they flow better in writing than the English counterparts. Also, if anyone is suddenly overcome with the urge to beta-read this story then send me a pm so we can work things out.
Oh, yeah. I obviously don't own anything relating to the Fate franchise. That honor belongs to the amazing people of Type-Moon.
Prologue: A Successful Summoning
It was the night that Rin Tohsaka would finally summon a Heroic Spirit to act as her Servant in the Fifth Holy Grail War. She had waited until the very last minute so that her chances of summoning Saber would be greater. Now only a few more Servant slots still remained with the Saber class being one of them. Rin was a little wo-…concerned that she didn't have a Catalyst to summon a specific Heroic Spirit. Instead she would summon the one that was most suited for her personality. Although, it might be better this way. Working with a Servant that had differing values from her own and who she may not get along with would just be an added difficulty during the war. Yes, it was better to summon the Servant that would be the most compatible with her. This way there would be less arguments with her Servant about the right course of action which would ultimately translate to more time spent in the actual War and combating their opponents.
After reassuring herself of the situation, Rin prepared to begin the summoning ritual. She had planned out as much as she could for this ritual to succeed with the best results. She had created her summoning circle beforehand to ensure that she could perform the ritual at a specific time. Every Magus had a specific time of day where their prana would be at peak performance. For Rin, this was 2 am. As it was the middle of the night, this was a very traditional time for a Magus' peak performance to occur and was extremely beneficial for working in secret while most other people were in bed. Unfortunately, working with her magecraft so late at night was not particularly healthy for both a growing girl and her sleep schedule. Because of this, Rin was consistently tired during the early morning hours that she was required to get up at for school. It was not truly a hardship for Rin though, after all to be a Magus is to walk with death so this was actually a very small consequence by Magus standards. At least that is what Rin would tell herself each morning in an attempt to make waking up more bearable. It rarely worked. It was for this reason that Rin was preparing to summon her servant at exactly 2 am when her prana would be at its most powerful. Luckily for her, earlier that day at school her she had found out that all of her clocks were actually an hour early. Rin was extremely relieved to have found this out before she had attempted the ritual, who knows how that change would have affected the Servant she would summon. The more factors that increased her chances of success in this war the better and she did not have so many that she could accept losing even one, especially such a simple one to fix. Although, she reflected, dropping her persona of the school idol to earnestly thank her classmates who had pointed this fact out may have been unnecessary. They appeared very surprised at that little stunt and she truly did not need the complication of suspicions from her classmates with the Holy Grail War so close.
With a handful of prana infused magic Jewels, Rin stepped into her circle and began the summoning ritual. Using her Od to melt the Jewels, she intoned the incantation for summoning her Servant.
"For the elements, silver and iron.
For the foundation, stone and the Archduke of Contracts.
For the ancestor, my great master, Schweinorg.
Close the gates fo the cardinal directions.
Come forth from the Crown, and follow the forked road leading to the Kingdom.
Fill, fill, fill, fill, fill.
Repeat five times.
But when each is filled, destroy it.
Set.
Heed my words.
My will creates your body, and your sword creates my destiny.
If you heed the Grail's call and obey my will and reason, then answer me.
I hereby swear…
That I shall be all the good in the world.
That I shall defeat all evil in the world.
You seven heavens, clad in the three great words of power, come forth from the circle of binding…
Guardian of the Scales!"
While Rin was speaking the words of the ritual, the Jewels in her hand slowly melted onto the summoning circle beneath her. With each liquid piece of Jewel that fell onto the circle, it grew brighter and brighter until it was shining with an almost blinding intensity. As the final words were passionately spoken, the circle flared so brightly nothing could be seen for many moments. Rin opened the eyes she didn't remember closing to meet the Servant who would win her the Grail. ""In accordance to the rules of the Holy Grail, I have appeared. I ask you, are you my Master?""
The words echoed throughout the otherwise silent room with implied power behind them. Rin was momentarily speechless, but quickly regained her wits. "What is going on here?" Rin demanded.
""I know not what you speak of, Master,"" replied the Servant.
"Stop that," Rin spoke angrily, "It's creepy."
""Stop what, Master?"" the Servant spoke with a hint of amusement.
"If you two don't stop that, I will have force your compliance," Rin threatened while showing her Command Seals, representing the three absolute commands she could order of her Servant.
"As you wish," "Alright," the two Servants spoke separately for the first time.
"Good," Rin said triumphantly, "now tell me what happened? Why are there two of you? And why is Emiya-kun here?" Rin spoke with each question coming out faster and more angrily than the last. She was very confused, which is a state that she did not enjoy being in. For before Rin, the supposed Servants she had summoned for the Grail stood. One was a small, regal looking blonde haired girl with bright green eyes. She was dressed in what appeared to be a royal blue battle-dress with armored gauntlets. 'She's cute,' the thought suddenly sounding in Rin's mind, then realizing this she immediately moved her eyes away from the royal figure as she wondered where that thought came from. The other Servant, though, brought even more confusion to Rin's mind. Rin knew this person as Shirou Emiya, a classmate of hers that had shown no previous magical potential or any other hint of power that would distinguish himself enough to be considered a Heroic Spirit. Yet he stood before her now, his normally bright red hair containing specks of white. He was also taller than the Emiya-kun she knew, with a slight tan as well. The only unique part about his clothes was the two halves of the bright red coat he wore, the top half covering his shoulders and back with the bottom connecting to his waistline and flaring out behind him. After this closer inspection, Rin determined that this was not Emiya-kun. It must just be a more obscure Heroic Spirit that bore a strong resemblance to him. Yes. That must be it.
"I will attempt to explain," the blonde Servant said, "you have summoned us for the Holy Grail War I assume?" Rin nodded. "We are the Paired Servant, which is how you have summoned us both as we would not be summoned separately," the Servant continued.
"What kind of title is that," Rin exclaimed, "the Paired Servant isn't even a Servant class, so how is it possible you are here?"
"Think of us like a special Servant class that replaces one of the usual classes," the not Emiya-kun interjected, "in this case we replaced the Archer class."
"So I didn't even manage to summon Saber?" Rin muttered depressed.
"Actually, Master," the blonde Servant spoke again, "in any other case I would be summoned in the Saber class."
"I'd probably be either Saber or Archer," the red haired Servant added.
Hearing this, Rin's face gained an evil smirk. Curiously, the two Servants visibly recoiled as if knowing the danger of this expression. "Excellent," Rin said gleefully, "not only did I summon one Saber, I got two! This War is as good as over with that kind of power on my side." Rin began to quietly laugh maliciously while the two Servants glanced at each other with a concerned expression on their face. In that instant, the Servants decided against telling their Master about certain events. If only to keep her from going mad with power. After having her evil genius moment, Rin spoke seriously again, "Now, I need to know which Heroic Spirits you two are and your capabilities so that I can plan our strategy accordingly."
A look passed between the Servants that was almost too fast for Rin to catch. After an imperceptible delay, the blonde Servant began, "Master, you do not need to know our identity to plan your strategy. Additionally, there would be no danger of enemies taking the secret of our identities from you if you do not know."
"Oh?" Rin said quietly. Her face had a scowl on it that caused her two Servants to look worried.
"Y-Yeah," the red haired Servant stuttered, "you never know what could happen on the battlefield so…so don't be angry, Rin, it's a smart strategy."
Hearing this, Rin scrutinized the male Servant closely. He fidgeted under her gaze. After what seemed to the Servant to be a long time, Rin spoke, "How do you know my name?"
The two Servants looked surprised then the female gave a slight glare at the male of the pair, yet both remained silent at the question. Rin stared at both Servants for a moment longer and nodded like she had made up her mind. She held up her hand, showing the Command Seals to the two Servants. "By the power of the Command Seal, I order you to tell me your identities," Rin intoned with finality. The Servants appeared shocked as they watched one of the three symbols of the Commands Rin had over them disappear, but quickly looked as if they were attempting to resist the Command. Unfortunately for them, the Command was not one which they would find abhorrent to comply with so their resistance inevitably broke. Yet again, by unspoken agreement, the female Servant spoke first.
"Although I would prefer to be referred to as Saber for the duration of this War," the blonde Servant said reluctantly, "my true identity is that of Arturia Pendragon, you would know me as King Arthur of Pendragon." Rin gave a small gasp in surprise upon hearing this. She could not believe the luck she had to summon a Servant as strong as King Arthur. His was one of the most well-known legends of the modern age, causing her Servant's power to be stronger than almost all lesser known Servants. Eagerly, Rin turned to the male Servant who looked even more reluctant to speak than Saber did.
"Er, yeah. I guess you should call me Archer during this War," the red haired Servant said, "um, don't freak out alright. My true name is Shirou Emiya."
"E-Emiya-kun?" Rin hesitantly asked. If it was possible for her to be any more shocked than she was right now, Rin never wanted to experience it.
"Yeah, it's me R-Master. I'm a little older than the Shirou you know but – What? Master are you blushing!?"
Rin quickly looked away from her two Servants with her face still red. She couldn't help it. She had always been a little, only a little!, attracted to Emiya-kun while in school, but to see that he had grown older to be even more appealing… "O-Of course not, Baka," Rin spoke with anger trying to mask her embarrassment, "I was just… surprised."
After recovering her composure, Rin turned back around to continue interrogating her new Servants. "But, how? How did you become a Heroic Spirit in this day and age? " Rin asked in confusion, "and how do you know King Arthur so well that you two are the Paired Servant?"
Saber and Emi-Archer looked conflicted, but the Command was only to tell Rin of their identities. Realizing this, the two quickly promised Rin that they would tell her at a later date when she wasn't as off-guard with surprise. Reluctantly, Rin agreed that perhaps it would be better to wait a short time to recover before hearing more surprises. She would have trouble processing what little she had been told already! "That aside, I'll still need to hear what your capabilities are. Then we should begin to patrol the town in search of other Masters and get you acquainted with the layout of the Fuyuki city."
"Uh, Rin?" Archer asked.
"Yes?"
"I did live here, I already know the city."
"W-Well yes, this is for Saber." Rin replied, embarrassed that she had already forgotten one of her Servants was Emiya-kun.
"Actually Master, my connection to Sh-Archer ensures that I too know the format of this city," Saber stated.
"Connection?" Rin asked.
"Yes, Master. As the Paired Servant we gain the benefits of being able to be summoned together and partner up to fight other Servants. Unfortunately, because we were both summoned under one Master we both receive prana from the same source. This means that our stats as a Servant are generally reduced and we cannot be a great distance from each other without undue strain upon our Master and ourselves. On the bright side, Master, you possess a large enough pool of prana that these effects are less than that of a weaker Master."
"Naturally," Rin preened, "I am the heiress to the Tohsaka family."
The two Servants looked at each other with amused expressions. "Regardless Master, the task of patrolling the city should be undertaken tomorrow. Even though Servants do not technically need sleep, we still benefit by providing rest for our minds and lessening the burden put upon our Master. In addition, we will all be more alert and efficient with proper rest. After all, fatigue is the enemy," said Saber. Archer snorted at the last statement, but agreed with Saber nonetheless. After some thought, Rin agreed that one final night of rest before the Grail War began would be beneficial. After all, the last Servant has yet to be even summoned.
With that decided, Rin began making her way out of the basement where the ritual had taken place and towards her room. After reaching the door to her bedroom, Rin turned around to see her two Servants directly behind her seemingly waiting to enter. "What are you doing?" Rin asked.
"As your Servants, it is our job to protect you at all times Master," Saber replied calmly.
Rin's eyes widened as she realized what Saber was implying. "W-What? Can't you do that by guarding the house? Or the door?" Rin asked panicked.
"Come on Master. It would be better if we could see and protect you at all times, especially when you are asleep and vulnerable. Is the Tohsaka heiress really that embarrassed about a little sleepover?" Archer replied teasingly.
"N-No. Of course not!" Rin exclaimed.
"Then there should be no problem," Archer stated with finality.
"Just…wait out here while I get changed," Rin said. She quickly rushed into her room and slammed the door on the Servants. After some time, right before Archer would have called out to see if Rin was alright, the door reopened with Rin standing at the threshold. "W-What are you waiting for? Come in already," she stated while feeling very self-conscious and naked even though her nightclothes covered her entire body. Rin turned around and moved towards the bed without looking at her Servants. She stood at the edge of the bed waiting for the two to get on so that she could take one of the edges but they also stood waiting for her. "This is what you wanted right? So get on the bed already," said Rin.
"It would be better if you took the middle Master. That way we could more easily protect you from all sides," Saber replied.
"R-Right," Rin stated. She reluctantly moved onto the center of the bed. Taking up her normal sleeping position by laying on her side, Rin closed her eyes as protection from the embarrassment of seeing the two join her in bed. After feeling the bed shift and finally settle as her two Servants also got on the bed, Rin opened her eyes to come face to face with the older version of Emiya-kun. Rin was surprised that Archer was so close to her and couldn't help but notice that he had removed his upper clothes to sleep, leaving only his pants. Feeling her face light up in a blush at seeing the muscular physique of her secret crush, Rin quickly turned around. (Un)fortunately for Rin, this view was almost just as bad. On her other side, Saber was also facing Rin and she was also much closer than Rin was expecting. Seeing the girl that her mind had previously thought of as cute watching her intently with an expression on her face that seemed almost mischievous caused Rin to blush even further. Rin also noticed that Saber had changed out of her battle-dress and into night clothes that drew much more attention to her body than the armor did. Just as quickly, Rin turned to lie on her back in the hopes that the embarrassment would finally stop. She had to sigh and wonder if she would actually be able to fall asleep tonight though, as Saber and Archer immediately snuggled into her sides. It would be a long night for the Tohsaka heiress.
That same night within the Matou residence, another young girl was summoning a Heroic Spirit for the Holy Grail War. Unlike Rin though, Sakura was not alone while performing the ritual. Her adoptive grandfather Zouken Matou and adoptive brother Shinji Matou were there to witness the summoning. After making her plea to the Grail, her Servant appeared in a blinding flash of light. "In accordance to the rules of the Holy Grail, the Servant…Rider has appeared. I ask you, are you my master?" the newly identified Rider stated while looking towards Sakura.
"R-R-Ri," Sakura stuttered, the shock of seeing her new Servant overwhelming her. Rider sighed and glanced at the Command Seals on Sakura's hand to confirm that she was indeed Rider's Master.
"Sakura will not be your acting Master for the duration of this War, Rider," Zouken stated, "Shinji here will receive that honor." Seeing the eager, lust-filled expression on Shinji's face, Rider quickly decided to nip this repulsive idea in the bud.
"I will accept none but the one who summoned me as my Master," Rider stated imperiously,
"Surely, you can see that Shinji would make a more competent Master. Sakura is too fearful to even speak with you, how will she handle battling other Servants?" Zouken exclaimed.
"Even so, she will be my Master. Or, would you rather your family give up this chance for the Grail? I could always force the usage of all three command seals through disobedience," Rider replied while repressing the puzzling urge to make a joke involving the name Shirley. Rider quickly grabbed her Master by the hand and strode through the open door, before any more could be said on the subject.
"Ah, Rider?" Sakura asked.
"Yes, Master?" Rider replied.
"Why are you here?"
Rider paused. "I am here to protect you for as long as I am able."
"R-Really?"
"Yes, Master. I promise, nothing will harm you as long as I am here."
"Rider? May I call you Onee-chan?" Sakura asked, overcome with emotion.
Rider hesitated for only a moment before replying, "Yes you can, my Imouto."
Sakura guided Rider to her room with tears of joy and repressed sadness in her eyes. Upon reaching the doorway, Sakura turned to look at Rider imploringly. Before she could even ask though, Rider had already spoke, "Of course I will stay with you, Imouto." Sakura nodded gratefully and moved toward the bed. Too emotionally exhausted to even consider changing her clothes, Sakura practically fell onto the bed. Rider then climbed onto the bed with her, gave Sakura a small kiss on the forehead, and wrapped her arms around Sakura protectively. For the first time since being adopted into the Matou family, Sakura finally felt safe within the embrace of her Onee-chan. Sakura decided to wait to ask any other questions for another time and just enjoy this incredible feeling. She quickly fell asleep and experienced a rare night of peaceful rest. Rider stayed awake a short while longer, looking at Sakura intensely. Eventually Rider sighed and promised herself that she would protect Sakura from all who would harm her, especially that of her adoptive family. Then she too joined Sakura in the peaceful embrace of Morpheus with the knowledge that not everything could be accomplished at once. It would take some planning and patience to ensure that Sakura remained safe and happy from now on.
Well, that will be the end to the prologue. I'll be making the other chapters longer as we get into the story but this seemed like a good break to me. I'll be honest, my plan for this first chapter didn't include any of that heartfelt conversation between Rider and Sakura but it demanded to be put in while I was writing. So? What did you guys think? I will gladly accept all praise and constructive criticism for my writing. Questions are also welcome but I probably won't spoil any future events. I'm trying to make this story a bit different from the rest as you can already tell. Hopefully, that will become more evident as the plot develops.
Zoruaeon, signing off. (Don't try to pronounce my username, not even I know how)