Chapter 3

The Power of the Orbs

Hakuno-chan, Shinji, Saber and Rider are waiting behind the large doors that lead to the arena they are recommended. Shinji gives an evil grin while Hakuno-chan huffs, crossing her arms. Saber gives an adorable tilting head of confusion.

"Praetor?" she asks. "Do you two not get along very well?"

"Nope," Hakuno-chan replies, turning her head away from the horrible man. "He's the bane of my existence."

"If you know what's good for you, shut your mouth, Kishinami," Shinji says.

Rider just stays silent. Saber then pulls Hakuno-chan aside to tell her something.

"Listen, I almost forgot to tell you," the blonde says. "Neither master has succeeded in obtaining the Holy Grail."

"Why is that?" Hakuno-chan asks.

"This war is more than just tournaments," Saber explains. "To obtain the Holy Grail, they have to find specific orbs in each arena in order to fuel its power. If 7 special orbs are not collected, you fail and you will not be able to obtain the grail."

"How do we know it's special?" Hakuno-chan asks.

Before Saber can answer, Shinji interferes, having a wide grin on his face. "Rider and I will find them faster than Kishinami! Oh, I have read everything to know about this Holy Grail War!"

"Tch…!" Hakuno-chan hisses. "You don't even know what you're talking about."

"Shut it, Kishinami!" Shinji shouts.

"Umu!" Saber pulls her Master close and hugs her. "Now I can see why you two don't get along. Don't worry, Praetor. Just focus on us and we'll be just fine."

Hakuno-chan nods and wraps her arms around her servant for comfort. But it's short lived when the doors open and it reveals the arena. But…it has tall pillars with water underneath them. This is supposed to be an arena?

"Well, would you look at that~?" Shinji says. "A test of balance, maybe? No matter! Rider is far more agile than your Saber! I will beat you and find that orb in a snap!"

Hakuno-chan sighs. He's really starting to get annoying. The competitors enter the arena and stand on the large pillar on both sides. Rider steps forward, readying her blades and chains. Saber steps forward, readying her red sword. They hear the crowd cheer.

"This seems like a scavenger hunt…" Hakuno-chan says.

"Umu~!" Saber looks back and pumps a fist. "That's the beauty of it! That's what makes this war a bit more interesting than just fights! Let's go for it…Master!"

Hakuno-chan gasps at that name, blushing. Right, she almost forgot she is also a Master and she has to support her servant whatever it takes. When the bell sounds, both Rider and Saber jump from pillar to pillar to avoid falling into the water. When they collide, they connect blades, creating a huge spark. They jump back to create distance. Rider readies herself as Saber charges again. The violet haired woman blocks her strike and then kicks her away. She then rushes in and starts slashing away. Saber panics and blocks each and every one.

"Oh, no! She's faster!" Saber cries, thinking back on her last battle with Liz. "Oh, geez!" She ducks and hops to the next pillar, but Rider speeds over to that area as well to clash blades. "She's much faster! I don't like it!"

Rider clashes blades and then performs a flip kick, knocking Saber into the air. She charges and slashes Saber back and forth and kicks her to send her flying. Luckily she lands on one of the pillars. Saber shakes off the pain and jumps to her feet. Rider lands on another pillar next to hers, giving her a cold stare.

"Yes, that's it, Rider!" Shinji says. "Kick her ass! Let's beat that Saber to a crisp and then find that orb!"

"Saber…" Hakuno-chan puts a fist on her chest, watching her servant fight. All she can do is sit there. How can she ever support her from this distance? She's not much of a loud talker like Saber is, but if she can manage…

Saber falls on her back on another pillar. Chains lash out and shoot towards her on both sides. Rider launches herself and hits the blonde with a double kick, creating dust. Hakuno-chan gasps at this sight. Saber groans as she tries to get up, but Rider stomps on her to prevent her from doing so. When she lets up, the Rider servant takes a good look at the wounded Saber. She gives a cold stare, kicks her into the water and then turns away to find the orb.

"Yeah! That's it, Rider! If we succeed this, we'll be able to move forward to the next stage!" Shinji cheers.

Hakuno-chan gasps. "No! Saber!" She gets on her knees and looks down at the water. It's so far away. Who knows if she drowned or not? No matter! She has to save her servant! She has no other choice. She jumps and dives in the water.

Saber's eyes flutter open to see nothing but light in the water. So soon…this is the end for me, she thinks. Oh, well. At least…my Praetor and I were together while it lasted. I'm happy but…but… She looks up and her eyes widen at the sight of Hakuno-chan swimming toward her. Praetor!? she thinks.

As quick as a flash, the brunette cups both hands to her cheeks and gives an upside down kiss. Saber's eyes widen for a few seconds before closing them. She can feel power surging through her as the kiss goes on for a few more seconds. That kiss…no, it's a mana transfer. Hakuno-chan is finally using it. When she pulls away, Hakuno-chan gives a gentle smile and takes her hand.

Umu! Saber thinks. Thank you, Master! I feel stronger than before! Let's finish this!

Back at the battlefield, Shinji is laughing. "Hahaha! What a loser, that Kishinami! She dove into the water to her death! Now she and her servant lose this battle! Rider, let's find that orb!"

"As you wish…Master…" Rider says softly.

She looks around the area for any clues or signs that might lead her to that specific orb. But she is unable to.

"What's the matter? Are you even looking!?" Shinji shouts.

"This item…it's somewhere, but I am unable to detect it," Rider replies. "It must be blended in somewhere where nobody suspects it."

"I don't care what the hell kind of orb it is! Just find the damn thing!" Shinji shouts.

Suddenly, they hear a great big splash from down below. Saber bursts from the water, carrying Hakuno-chan bridal style with a wide toothy grin on her face.

"Umu~!" she greets.

Shinji is stunned. "What…the hell!? I thought both of you were dead!"

Saber lands on one of the pillars next to Rider's and gently sets down Hakuno-chan. "Lucky for me, I have my master by my side! She gave me more power than I ever dreamed!"

"Like hell she did!" Shinji clenches his fist, showing his marks. "I'll show you real power! Rider, give it everything you got! I command you to!" His red mark glows, indicating that his Command Spell is activated.

Rider summons Pegasus and flies into the air. Saber jumps to another pillar away from Hakuno-chan since she knows Rider is aiming for her. However, Shinji stomps his foot.

"That clever little…!" he growls. He really wanted Rider to hit the two of them when they were standing right where they were. "Rider! Trick Saber into going the other way!"

Rider flies Pegasus and circles around to chase after Saber. The little blonde hops from pillar to pillar, trying to escape from it's power. If it collides, everything will be ruined. Then, she has an idea. She hops on one pillar and waves around.

"Come and get me~!" she taunts.

Hakuno-chan watches as Saber is being chased around by Rider. She has no idea what she is thinking until she looks towards Shinji. That's when she realizes that he is the target.

"Saber!" Hakuno-chan calls as loud as she can. "Yes, that's the way! Keep going!"

"What are you thinking, Kishinami!?" he growls. He raises his fist again. "Rider! Stop Saber in her tracks! Make sure to show no mercy!" His second Command Spell has been activated.

"No! Watch out!" Hakuno-chan cries.

Saber looks back to see Rider take off her visor, showing her beautiful eyes. They start to glow purple and Saber realizes that it's the power of Medusa. She's going to turn her into stone! She jumps in the air and flies toward Shinji lands behind him.

"What the!?" he gasps.

Saber pushes him forward and jumps high in the air toward her Master. Rider shoots a purple beam and it hits Shinij, turning him into a statue. And to make things worse, her attack is still on the way and Pegasus is about to collide with him with everything it has. Saber carries Hakuno-chan bridal style again and jumps high in the air as Pegasus crashes into Shinji and a white explosion happens. Saber lands on another pillar to see a huge cloud of dust. When it settles, it's just Rider and pieces of stone below the woman. Shinji is no more and Saber just has to finish her off.

"It's over, Rider!" Saber says, raising her sword. "Once we finish you, we are on to the next step!"

"I think not…" she says quietly.

"Wha…?" Saber lowers her sword, confused.

"Until the next time…" Rider vanishes, astonishing everyone in the audience and Hakuno-chan.

"Where did she go?" the brunette asks.

"It's a possibility that she is in search of a new master," Saber says. "I hope she can make it. I pray for her safety."

Hakuno-chan puts a fist on her chest. She feels sorry for this servant and having to go through this with Shinji. But he's gone…from this world. It's a digital world after all, so Shinji might have returned to the real world after disappearing from this one. Who knows?

"Praetor!" Saber calls, snapping the brunette out of her thoughts. "We need to still find the orb! We won't proceed to the next stage if we don't!"

"Right!" Hakuno-chan looks around the arena, but cannot find anything, not even under the water. "Saber…do you see anything?"

"No," The blonde replies. "I don't even know where to look, exactly."

This must be why most masters are not able to move forward. Probably their personalities, how they handle their servants and so on. And like that jerk, Shinji, he must be too greedy and cannot detect the orb. But Hakuno-chan will. She closes her eyes and puts both fists on her chest. She needs to concentrate. Saber looks toward her Master, wondering what she is doing, but immediately realizes that Hakuno-chan is trying to detect the orb.

"That's my Praetor~" she says quietly.

In her mind, there is darkness. At least for a moment. She looks around to find some light until she finds a blue glow just diagonal from her. She gasps and opens her eyes. She sees where the glow came from and there is a symbol written on the stone wall, unlike the others.

"Saber!" she calls to her servant. "I found the orb! It's down there!" She points to the stone wall where the writing is.

"Got it!" Saber jumps from pillar to pillar until she gets to her destination. She gives a strong slash to hack off the stones until the orb gets loose. She grabs the orb and tosses it to Hakuno-chan.

The brunette catches it and takes a look at it. The size of it is as big as her palm. It starts to glow for a bit before fading. Saber jumps toward her Master with glee.

"You got the orb, Master!" the blonde cheers. "We did it! We did it!"

Hakuno-chan puts it into her skirt pocket for safe keeping. "We did."

"How did you know where to find it though~?" Saber says. "You must have some awesome ability that even you didn't even know, right~?"

"I…guess?" Hakuno-chan shrugs. A special ability, huh? To be able to detect things that no one else can see? Hard to believe, but she made it work somehow. All of a sudden, Hakuno-chan starts to feel dizzy. Her legs wobble and she struggles to stay standing.

"Oh, no! Praetor, are you okay!?" Saber catches her Master just in time.

"I feel…so exhausted somehow…" Hakuno-chan says softy. "I'm so tired…"

"You must have used a little too much of your mana," Saber says. "Come, I'll take you home."

"Let me help," a female's voice says.

"Huh?" Saber looks around and sees a girl with long black hair tied in partial pig-tails appear.

Hakuno-chan can barely make out who it is and faints before the girl walks toward them. Saber starts to carry Hakuno-chan bridal style and follows the girl.

**2 Hours Later**

Hakuno-chan's eyes flutter open to find herself on the couch in an unknown room. Saber is right beside her, relieved to see her finally waking up.

"Where…am I…?" she asks.

"You're at my home," the girl says as she sets down a tray of tea. "You collapsed exhausted, so your servant and I took you to my home. Feel free to stay for a while."

Hakuno-chan sits up slowly and rubs her head. When she gets a full glimpse of the girl, her eyes widen in realization.

"Wait…a minute…" she says. "You're…that girl…"

"Ahhh, so we meet again," the girl says as she sits down on the chair to sip on her tea. "Well, I haven't fully introduced myself yet. My name is Rin Tohsaka. I am the one who brought you to this world. I needed your help in succeeding to obtain the Holy Grail."

"Why me?" Hakuno-chan asks. "You're in this world, too, right? Are you a Master?"

"I used to," Rin replies. "Now I'm just a full class mage who can transport between worlds. But I am not strong enough to succeed in obtaining the Holy Grail. That's why I needed you. I've been watching you for quite a while."

"Wha…?" Hakuno-chan gasps.

"Umu!" Saber cheers. "Someone's a big fan~!"

"Why do you need me? You could've chosen anybody else," Hakuno-chan says. "I'm not anything special. I'm just a normal high school girl."

"Yes, but your ability to see stuff that no one can?" Rin says. "You haven't really grasped that? You, Hakuno Kishinami, is one of the great Masters that can do that."

"Th-this is insane…" Hakuno-chan is stunned by this. Why would she have this ability without her even realizing it? "I'm no Superman, I can tell you that much."

Rin sighs. "Whether you believe it or not, that's the very reason I needed you here. To obtain the orbs and fully replenish the Holy Grail's power."

"Wait a minute," Saber raises an eyebrow. "It sounds very much like you needed the Grail for yourself and not us. Why go on this journey if it's going to be for yourself?"

"You misunderstand," Rin says. "Let's just say…Hakuno and I both know this person. I want this person to live a happy life…and not get hurt in any way. I want the Grail's wish to fulfill that."

That sounds like…! Hakuno-chan gasps at this.

Saber leans forward. "Do not worry! Whoever this person is, I'm sure we'll all wish for the same thing! Happiness, right, Praetor~?"

"Yeah…happiness…" Hakuno-chan is still surprised that Rin would even know Sakura. How though?

"Seems like you still need to rest up," Rin stands up and takes her tea. "Call me if you need anything." With that, she walks away with Saber thanking her.

The blonde gently puts her hand on Hakuno-chan's and gives a gentle smile. "No worries, Praetor. I know it's a lot to take in, but in the meantime, let's have this moment to ourselves, okay~?"

"Yeah…" Hakuno-chan nods and closes her eyes.

Saber hugs her Master gently.

A/N: I decided to spice things up a bit, you know? Hehe! Oh, I'm having so much fun giving Hakuno-chan the love she deserves. Anyways, hope this entertains you. I was thinking that just doing tournaments will be too repetitive. So I came up with a scavenger hunt type of Holy Grail War. Hehe!

Have a nice day!