AN: This is my first attempt into writing fanfiction for F/SN so if I make some mistakes in regard to the lore of the world, please let me know.
This chapter is something of a trial piece to see if it's worth dedicating the time to, so if you like it please let me know through following or reviewing the story.
The story will mostly involve existing characters in the fate universe as the masters, with original servants that don't appear in the fate franchise.
Beta reader/editor: Korzark. Simply saying beta reader and editor just doesn't cover how much help this guy was in coming up with the ideas for the plot and characters of this story, if you have time you should check out some of his writing.
It was late in the morning when Shirou Emiya was woken up by his phone incessantly ringing on his bedside table. Not even bothering to roll over, he fumbled around with one arm, his hand brushing over a pair of plane tickets and other oddities until he finally found the phone. Bringing it to his ear without checking who it was from he mumbled out a tired "Hello?"
"Shero!" came the overly enthusiastic response of one Luviagelita Edelfelt, or just Luvia as she preferred to be called. "Shero, one of my staff called in sick, any chance you could come in?"
Shirou moved the phone away from his face to check the time on it. It was already nine and he really should have started his day already, clearly Rin's love of sleep-ins was starting to rub off on him.
"Sure, but I'm still in bed so it's gonna take a while for me to get there."
"Would it help if I sent a car around?" Luvia asked.
Shirou couldn't help the sigh that escaped him. This was starting to sound less like last minute work and more like another of Luvia's attempts to spite Rin. "No. I'll be fine making my own way there."
"If you're sure. Bye then!" Luvia's sung through the speakers.
Not a moment after he hung up a feminine, if slightly grumpy, voice spoke up. "Send her a text saying you can't go."
Shirou looked down in response to where Rin lay resting on his chest. "I've already said I'd go and she pays well," he explained, hiding his own reluctance to move from his position. Rin quietly growled in irritation but made no other arguments.
"It's just one more day and we're out of here," he reminded her and he could feel Rin smiling against his chest at thought of being far from Luvia and the Clock Tower. Rin had reached the end of her studies at the Clock Tower, and since she wasn't joining the Mage's Association, it meant it was time for the two of them to leave London. They stayed like that for a few more seconds before Shirou spoke up "Rin? I kinda need you to move so I can get out."
Rin begrudgingly shifted to allow him to escape the bed, immediately taking up the warm spot he had left behind. Shirou couldn't help the smile that came to his face as took in the scene. If someone had told him five years ago that he would be waking up in London with Rin Tohsaka in his bed he would have thought them mad. Yet here he was.
Shirou suppressed a yawn as he made his way to the kitchen. He made it half-way there before Rin's phone went off, indicating she had received a message. He didn't even need to look behind him to know the pissed-off expression Rin would have as he heard her snatch up her phone.
"Who is it?" Shirou asked from the kitchen as he started to grab ingredients.
"Vice Director of the Mage's Association," Rin called back. "Looks like I have to wake up now as well."
Shirou paused in his actions "What does the Vice Director want?" He didn't personally know the Vice Director but he knew her reputation. Lorelei Barthomeloi, sometimes referred to as the Queen of the Clock Tower, was well known for her excessive hatred of vampires and preferring to be out hunting them than completing her duties as Vice Director, which made her contacting Rin out of the blue even more unusual.
"She wants me to meet her in her office," Rin answered as she stepped out of the bedroom. "Probably a last attempt to get me to join the association. Not that that's going to happen, but it can't hurt to let her say her piece."
"Don't jinx it," Shirou replied, going back to preparing breakfast.
He heard the creaking of a door and he turned around to see Rin leaning out of the bathroom with only her head peeking out from behind the door. "Wouldn't you saying don't jinx it be an even stronger sign of bad luck?" she asked with a yawn.
"Does it actually work like that?"
Even with her shoulders hidden by the door, he could tell that she was shrugging. "I don't know," she admitted. "I don't believe in superstition."
As she closed the door behind her, Shirou went back to making sure that their breakfast didn't burn. He didn't quite believe in superstition either, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen today
It was just after ten when Rin arrived outside the Vice Director's office. She took a moment to make sure her appearance was in order, before knocking politely on the polished wooden door.
"Enter," came the muffled response.
Doing as ordered, Rin pushed the door open and stepped inside. The office was spacious to say the least, considering it was almost as big as her entire apartment. Light streamed in through windows that offered a splendid view of London, the light illuminating the various bookcases and weapon cabinets that lined the walls. At the far end of the office, sat behind an elaborately decorated mahogany desk, with her back to the window, was the Vice Director.
The woman was the picture of steely elegance, her posture as perfect as her white blouse was immaculate, her brown hair tied back with not a single strand out of place, her pale skin was free of any blemish and brown eyes that seemed to stare right through you. And unlike Rin had expected, she was not alone in the office. In between the desk and the door, was two comfortable looking couches placed across from each other with a coffee table in the middle. It was on one of these couches that the rooms other occupant resided.
Lord El-Melloi II, a man Rin had come to know well during her studies at the Clock Tower, was sitting down in his usual attire of all black dress shirt and slacks, with a red coat over the top and his straight black hair falling down past his shoulders. Despite only been in his early thirties, the man had risen to fame in the Clock Tower as a great lecturer, but that wasn't all he was known for. Lord El-Melloi II, formerly known as Waver Velvet, was the sole surviving master of the fourth Holy Grail War, the same war that claimed Rin's father, crippled her mother and destroyed Shirou's chance of a normal life.
"You wanted to see me ma'am?" Rin asked politely, not moving from her position in the doorway.
"I did," the Vice Director confirmed curtly. "Close the door and take a seat."
Rin did so, sitting down across from Lord El-Melloi but not relaxing. When some time passed with no-one saying a word Rin spoke up. "If this is about me not joining the assoc-"
"This isn't about that," The Vice Director cut in.
"I don't understand," Rin said clearly confused. "If this isn't about that, then why was I called here?"
The two association members looked between each other, a silent conversation to decide who would do the talking. Eventually it was Lord El-Melloi who sighed heavily and looked away.
Rin looked to the lecturer and he looked back at her with deep frown lines on his face.
"It's starting again," he said simply. Something about the way he said it, the look in his eyes and the tone of his voice, told Rin what it was he was referring to but she had to be sure.
"Wha-" Rin tried to ask but her throat was suddenly dry and the words didn't form. El-Melloi saw it for what it was and elaborated.
"The Holy Grail War is starting again." The words made Rin's blood run cold. She tore her eyes away from the teacher and tried to compose herself. It wasn't the idea of fighting in the war again that had her so shaken, but the idea of Shirou fighting again in that war. For there was no doubt that he would find out, if not from her then from someone else, and it would be just typical for that idiot to get involved just to ensure no ill-meaning person acquired the grail.
"How long until it starts?" She asked, her voice sounding weak even to her own ears. This time it was the Vice Director that answered.
"The exact time depends on when the last servant is summoned, which by our estimates could be as soon as a week."
"What?!" Rin's surprise making her forget her manners as she shouted her question. She had known it would be soon, but was expecting that there would be at least a month or so to prepare, but a week? This was happening way too quickly.
"We have reason to believe the first servant has already been summoned," Lord El-Melloi added. "I believe you know now why you were asked here today, am I correct?"
"I do," Rin said simply as she took a breath to calm herself. "The Tohsaka family is one of the three families given priority when it comes to choosing masters for the war. You want to know if I plan to participate," Rin directed the statement to the Vice Director who nodded in confirmation.
Rin closed her eyes for a moment, recalling the monstrosity that had formed when the greater grail had tried to manifest itself during the fifth war. If there was one thing that her and Shirou would always agree on, it was that nothing good could come from that, and keeping it out of the hands of those that would abuse it, was worth the risk of entering the war.
She opened he mouth to give her answer but Lord El-Melloi spoke up first. "We also have an offer for you." The statement caught her off guard, a phrase that could just about describe this entire meeting for her, yet nonetheless she indicated for him to continue. "The Mage's Association will be entering a master into this war, and rather than going into this war facing six enemies, we believe it would be better to go in facing five enemies with an ally at our chosen master's side."
"That's where you come in," the Vice Director said, taking over. "You've already won a grail war and are almost guaranteed the position of master. You've made it clear you don't want to join the association so we don't expect you to represent us. However, if you agree to ally with us, we are willing to grant a catalyst for you to summon a servant, as well as additional support during the war."
Rin thought about the offer. It was very tempting. An ally was arguably the most valuable thing you could have in the war and it played no small in her and Shirou's survival during the war. The offer of support in the field was also a massive boon. But there was one glaring problem, the catalyst. The fact that they were providing it meant they knew who she would summon, all their strengths, all their weaknesses, and so would be perfectly positioned to defeat them as the war drew to a close. Saying yes was a risk, but refusing them could be an even bigger one given how little time she had to prepare.
"Do you mind if I take some time to consider your offer?"
"Of course," Lord El-Melloi answered. "This is not a decision to be made lightly. However, we are on a tight schedule, and as such we will require an answer tomorrow."
"Thank you," Rin said politely, it wasn't much but it would give her some much-needed time to think.
"There is something else you should know before making your decision," the Vice Director declared. "By all accounts this war will not be happening in Fuyuki City."
Rin tried to hide the urgency and tension she felt as she left the Vice Director's office, but judging by the way people hurried out of her way, she wasn't doing a very good job. But that didn't matter. All the power struggles and behind-the-scenes politics that made up the Clock Tower's social hierarchy no longer mattered. The return of the Holy Grail and making sure no one got a hold of its destructive power was all that mattered.
Her mind was running a mile a minute trying to come up with plans to approach this war with, but above all other thoughts there was one that took priority. She needed to find Shirou and tell him, which is why she found herself walking so fast it was almost a jog, in the direction of her least favourite place in London, the Edelfelt Manor. She had nothing against the building itself, the pale wall and various archways had a regal quality to them that she admired. The building just happened to suffer the unfortunate fate of being home to Rin's long-standing rival and Shirou's employer, Luvia Edelfelt.
Arriving in front of the large front door, she wasted no time in hammering on the door with the brass knocker. As soon as she saw the door start to open she pushed through with an apology thrown over her shoulder to the maid who had been opening the door, before her sudden entry knocked her over.
Having been to the manor enough times to be familiar with the layout, and knowing Luvia as she did, she confidently made her way through the luxurious building, to where she knew Shirou would be. As predicted, when she entered Luvia's personal study it was to see her reclined in an armchair, book in hand, as Shirou, dressed in attire befitting a butler, poured tea.
The sight of Shirou in his work uniform was, in Rin's opinion, was the only redeeming aspect of his job in the Edelfelt household, and was enough for her to momentarily forget her reason for coming here. The moment didn't last long, and Rin crossed the room quickly as her previous urgency returned to her.
Grabbing Shirou by the hand and giving a quick "Something urgent came up," to Luvia, she tried to walk back out, only for Luvia's hand to grab her firmly by the shoulder.
"Excuse me!" Luvia exclaimed indignantly, glaring daggers at Rin. "But Shero is currently working and as such is not at liberty to be dragged off at your whims. Surely even you can understand something as simple as that?"
Rin didn't know what her expression was, but what she did know was that in the entire time she had known Luvia, she had never once been able to intimidate her, yet when she looked back at the blonde and growled "It's. Urgent," the girl flinched. The action was enough for her grip on Rin's shoulder to loosen and she was out the study a moment later with Shirou in tow.
"Rin? What's going on?" Shirou asked, sounding understandably confused.
"I'll explain," Rin promised as she walked back through the manor's passageways "but first we need to be somewhere private."
"Follow me," Shirou said, taking the lead and guiding her through the staff work areas until they arrived in a storeroom containing the manor's spare linen. "We should be fine here," Shirou said as he closed the door behind them. "Now would you mind explaining what was so important that you willingly came to Luvia's home?"
Rin sighed heavily as she leaned back against a mountain of clean sheets "Honestly I'd rather not. After what I heard in that meeting I want nothing more than to pack my bags and run away with you to somewhere safe. If such a place even exists," the last part was whispered as Rin's chin came down to rest on her knees.
"Rin? What happened in your meeting today?" Shirou asked, seriously concerned as to what could get Rin, one of the bravest people he knew and that was including heroic spirits, so shaken. "If they threatened you-"
"It wasn't that," Rin quickly cut in as her head came up to look him in the eyes. "The Holy Grail War is starting again."
The words hit like a physical blow and Shirou took a step back as memories started to flash before his eyes. Memories of heroes of myth and legend, brought to life with the power to level entire buildings.
"What's the plan?" Shirou asked. A million other questions flew to mind, how it was starting so soon being a recurring one, but he knew that reasons why this was happening, at least for the moment, weren't as important as what they were going to do about it. He knew Rin, and so he knew she wouldn't ignore something like a grail war, and if she was going in it wasn't without some sort of plan.
"There's a lot going on with this war," Rin explained as she stood up and faced Shirou "its sudden return is just one part of that. Before we make any serious plans, I think we should try to summon Saber."
"I guess that's as good a place to start as any," Shirou agreed. His summoning of Saber in the last war had been an accident brought on by the relic Avalon, the sheath of the legendary sword Excalibur, being implanted in him at a young age. In the fifth war both Rin and himself had experience being Saber's master so there was really no better ally for them in the coming war. "Where are we going to do it?"
"We'll wait until the sun goes down then use one of the workshops in the Clock Tower," Rin answered. She then stepped in and leaned forward to let her head rest against Shirou's chest as he gently wrapped his arms around her. "Just when we were about to leave this stuff behind and do our own thing, this has to happen," Rin complained, her frustration and nerves coming through in her voice.
"We'll be fine," Shirou promised. "We've already done this once before, and we were already planning on helping people, so we can just look at this, not as a delay, but another way of starting."
Rin didn't say anything, but let out a quiet laugh at Shirou's optimism and returned his embrace.
The moment was ruined as the door to the storeroom was flung open to reveal an absolutely livid Luvia.
It was eight at night when Rin decided that the Clock Tower would be empty enough for their purposes. Having more experience navigating through many underground areas of the Clock Tower, Rin lead the way and brought them to a workshop available for student use, that was out of the way enough that they shouldn't have to worry about interruptions.
It was then a matter of drawing up the complex magic circle needed for the summoning. With the two of them working together it took just over an hour, with Rin doing most of the lines while Shirou was relegated to what was essentially colouring in.
"That should do it," Rin declared proudly, wiping a bit of sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand. "You remember the words?" she asked Shirou.
"Yeah, I got them memorised," Shirou confirmed. He still didn't know how he had managed to summon Saber in the fifth war without doing the proper summoning, but thanks to Rin he knew exactly what he was doing this time around.
Rin gave a small nod to say he could begin when ready and stepped away from the circle. Shirou held out a hand towards the circle as he closed his eyes and focused his mind on the image of the sheath he knew was inside him. With a deep breath, he began.
"Heed my words. My will creates your body, and your sword creates my destiny."
Despite the fact that the workshop was underground and completely lacking windows, a light wind began to blow through the room, as the circle began to glow with a dim blue light.
"If you heed the Grail's call and obey my will and reason, then answer me."
The wind and light increased, starting to ruffle clothes and mess with Rin's hair.
"I hereby swear, That I shall be all the good in the world. That I shall defeat all evil in the world."
A gust, originating from the circle, blew out, sending loose pieces of paper flying and toppling a few instruments on various tables as the entire room became bathed in blue light.
"You seven heavens, clad in the three great words of power, come forth from the circle of binding… Guardian of the Scales!"
A loud bang sounded, followed instantly by Shirou shouting in pain, as air the air around the circle was displaced so violently Rin was forced to turn away. A moment later the room was still and the blue light had vanished. Rin quickly surveyed the room, her mind ignoring the various apparatus that had be knocked over or broken, and focusing on Shirou who was on the ground groaning.
"Shirou!" she called out as she ran the few steps it took to reach his side and kneeled down next to him. "Are you alright?"
Shirou raised himself up onto his elbows with a grimace, before using one hand to rub the back of his head. "Did it work?" he asked.
"Idiot!" Rin said with a punch to his arm, her voice not angry but concerned. "What do I keep telling you about looking out for yourself?"
Shirou had the decency to look sheepish as Rin assured herself that he wasn't harmed. "Was that meant to happen? Cause that didn't happen to me last time," Shirou asked with genuine confusion.
Rin pulled her eyes away from Shirou to confirm what she already knew, before turning back to him with a disappointed sigh. "It didn't work," she said, seeing the disappointment settle over Shirou at the words. "You did the chant right so the problem must have been with the circle. We've got plenty of time left to redraw it and try again."
"There was nothing wrong with the circle," a new voice declared.
Rin sprung to her feet, turning to the source of the voice, with a hand raised ready to fire off a Gandr. Shirou followed her lead, summoning the swords Kanshou and Bakuya to his hands, ready to face any threat.
Standing in the entrance to the workshop was Lord El-Melloi II with his hands raised in surrender. "What are you doing here?" Rin demanded.
El-Melloi lowered his hands "Shouldn't I be asking you that? After all, neither of you are part of the Clock Tower anymore. Not to mention I don't think the Vice Director would be happy to know you were trying to summon a Saber servant after she gave you such a generous offer."
Shirou looked to Rin and saw her narrow her eyes, as though calculating her chances of being able to dispose of the lord without being caught.
"Of course, there's no reason she has to know," he continued, leaving Shirou and Rin looking between each other in surprise. "Something is different about this war. If the timing and location weren't a big enough hint, then this should be all the evidence you need. To the best of my knowledge, and I have been researching a lot this past week, the Grail has never before rejected a summoning."
"Why would it reject the summoning?" Shirou asked, struggling to understand the situation.
"The Saber servant you were trying to summon was King Artoria Pendragon, right? I saw her a few times in the fourth war and from what I've been able to find out, it seems that in both fourth and fifth wars, she was the one to destroy the grail."
"Are you going somewhere with this?" Rin asked impatiently.
Lord El-Melloi let out a frustrated sigh, obviously annoyed by the interruption "I was trying to say, that the sudden reappearance of the war, the change of location and now this, it all points to one thing. The Grail wants the ritual completed and after two failed attempts it's getting either angry or desperate."
"So where does that leave us?" Rin demanded, slowly lowering her arm but not her guard.
"The previous offer still stands," answered the lord. "But with an added condition."
The words had Rin tensing up again as Shirou looked between the two more experienced members. "What offer?" he asked.
Now it was El-Melloi's turn to look confused as Rin avoided looking at Shirou, obviously embarrassed at it being revealed that she had been withholding information from him.
When it became clear Rin was going to say anything El-Melloi continued "The offer, as given by the Vice Director, asks for an alliance between Rin Tohsaka and the magus selected by the Mage's Association to win the war. In return, they offer field support and a catalyst to summon a servant." Rin nodded at the familiar terms but the lord wasn't done. "I will be adding to this," as he spoke he removed a black glove from his right hand, revealing the distinctive red tattoo like markings of a command seal. "In exchange for giving control of my Lancer servant to Shirou Emiya, I want you to promise me you will not let the Mage's Association's chosen master win the war."
The two young mages stared wide eyed and slack jawed at the newly revealed master. Rin was the first to recover "Are you serious?! Why are you willing to give away your servant?! And why are you so against the other master winning you would sacrifice your own chance at a wish?"
"I'm not giving away my servant," El-Melloi corrected. "I know who the Association will choose and for reasons you don't need to know, I can't move against them and even if I could, I doubt I would win. However, the two of you working together are a different story. So, what do you say?"
Rin and Shirou looked to each other, back to El-Melloi then back to each other and after a few moments hesitation Shirou tentatively nodded.
"Okay," Rin declared. "You've got yourself a deal."
"I'm glad to hear that," Lord El-Melloi said, sounding relieved. "You'll be needing this," he added as he reached down to a suitcase at his feet that had gone unnoticed and pushed it into Rin's hands.
"And this is?" Rin asked.
"Your catalyst," came the answer.
Unable to hide her excitement, Rin knelt down and unzipped the suitcase only to pause as she opened it up. "Is this some kind of joke?"
"I've no idea what you're talking about," El-Melloi insisted. "With that catalyst, you should be able to summon a great servant. One of a rare breed for whom war is their element."
"It's a set of bagpipes," Rin countered deadpan. "What ancient hero carried bagpipes around?"
"Whoever it was they weren't ancient," Shirou added "These are in far too good condition for that to be the case."
"Well this just keeps on getting better," Rin said as she stood back up and pointed accusingly at Lord El-Melloi. "What kind of half-assed heroic spirit are you trying to saddle me with?"
"I'll leave the full introductions for the man himself to make, but what I can tell you is that he is a hero of the second World War, and we believe he will appear under the Archer class. I hear you have experience dealing with that type of servant."
Rin sighed, clearly unimpressed by the situation "We've already agreed so I suppose it's a bit late to back out now." With that said she got to work re-establishing the magic circle.
As she worked Shirou went up to their new ally, looking up into the eyes of the taller man he began to speak "We're trusting you on this, but don't think that means I fully trust you. Only people with a strong wish can compete in the Grail Wars, the sort of wish that doesn't go away easily. So, if I start to think that you're going to betray us or put Rin in danger, I will kill you."
Lord El-Melloi matched Shirou's resolute gaze with an almost bored expression before eventually answering him "You're the one who killed Gilgamesh right?"
When Shirou nodded he continued "He killed a friend of mine, so as thanks for avenging him, I give you my word I shall not betray your trust," for the first time that night, and for the first time in Shirou's limited interactions with the senior magus, Lord El-Melloi allowed a tiny smile to grace his features.
Shirou took a moment to study the Lord in front of him. Finding no signs of deceit, he gave a satisfied nod, then walked off to help Rin.
It was half an hour later when the circle was fully repaired and without wasting any time, Rin placed the bagpipes in the middle of the circle and began the summoning.
"Heed my words. My will creates your body, and your sword creates my destiny."
A light wind began to blow through the room, as the circle began to glow with a dim red light.
"If you heed the Grail's call and obey my will and reason, then answer me."
Just like before the wind and light increased as the chant progressed.
"I hereby swear, That I shall be all the good in the world. That I shall defeat all evil in the world."
The wind increased to the point that those in the room were bracing themselves against the force while the light had reached a point where it was hard to look at
"You seven heavens, clad in the three great words of power, come forth from the circle of binding… Guardian of the Scales!"
A final burst of light and gust of wind filled the room, causing all three occupants to shield their faces. When they looked back to the circle, it was to see a new figure standing there. True to Lord El-Melloi's words, the man was wearing the brown combat fatigues that were standard for British soldiers during the second World War, however over that he wore a brilliant red coat the flapped around in the after effects of the last gust. Judging from the man's face you would peg him at being only a few years older than Shirou and Rin, with his neatly slicked back hair at odds with his mischievous eyes.
After taking a moment to survey the three magi, the newly summoned servant snapped a salute and with all the dignity of a soldier on parade announced "Lieutenant-Colonel John Malcolm Thorpe Fleming Churchill, Archer class, at your service." Only for the effect to be ruined as he finished his introduction with a smirk.
AN: If you liked, noticed any mistakes, or think there's something I should know about going forward, please don't hesitate to let me know. Constructive criticism is always appreciated.