"Well, this is already becoming troublesome and I haven't even been involved yet." Somewhere outside of Fuyuki, a grown man with long hair and the charisma that swoons the ladies rubs his head in annoyance. Outside his classroom, he saw some magus walking out talking on how to deal with the recent news occurring in none other than Fuyuki. Particularly, the Holy Grail War.

...Is what El-Melloi II would like to say, but in truth it wasn't. Despite dubious situations and doubts, the man knew those working in the cover-ups in Fuyuki did their job well. Wiping minds, making good stories, and getting rid of, sadly, unlucky witnesses. But otherwise, did a decent enough job at ensuring the masquerade is good and covered. Sure maybe a few people escaped the wipes, but without evidence there was nothing they could do.

"Master, are these some kind of new breed of Phantasmals?"

"They look weird."

The man known as El-Melloi II, and Waver to others, just moaned as he looked at the screen on the television. To be more specific, on the news reports of what the common people were calling mutant animals wreaking havoc in Fuyuki. Funny.

After all this time, Waver swore it'd be the flashy and country-destroying Servants that would potentially out Magecraft. Maybe a very cruel Magus. But these 'mutant animals'? Not something he expected, let aside anybody else in the Clocktower. The exposure being an especially big blow.

"Things are going to get bad." Waver shakes his head as he then winced when he saw numerous people in a bus getting eaten alive by a massive scorpion. He was used to seeing blood, but it was still gruesome seeing such images.

"Master." A young woman in grey then speaks to Waver, his assistance as she looks at him with a face he unfortunately finds uncomfortable. Thankfully, the girl took no such offense to his feelings towards that topic at all. "So, do you know what type of creatures these are? Other than the creatures they are based on of course."

"Not really, no." Waver has seen much in the moonlit world. From wraiths, to men with mystical might, to powerful Servants that could crush him like a grape. Truthfully, these creatures weren't all that special. However, their origins are another matter alongside just who allowed them to run wild. Especially out in the open.

"Either way," Waver continued as he observed the news. "No doubt some of our best will try and de-escalate the situation in Fuyuki before things get bad. Thankfully, the regular folk aren't going to assume it's magic and just believe as they think, a bunch of mutants. But that excuse will only last for so long."

Thanks to magus, people didn't think magic, or magecraft, is real. Something the Clocktower did it's best to uphold where at most the regular folk only believed in magic as kids or were just into the occult stuff in general. So while these strange phantasmals were seen, it wasn't as if people were gonna assume 'magic' instantly. They'll try to rationalize it at first.

Yet that can only last for so long, and sooner or later someone might figure out what's happening. That's not even mentioning the trouble occurring in Fuyuki at this instance. Waver then thought of a certain girl who he knew would one day come to the Clocktower and join his class.

She was a bit rough around the edges, but she's a strong and independent woman who'll undoubtedly leave a mark in her wake. Waver pondered just how Rin Tohsaka is dealing with this situation now.

"And so, I want you to send a message to Lancer's Master to inform them I and some others are going to barge into Caster's lair to deal with her personally. The situation with these Grimm has gone on long enough." Rin really didn't like being in the church. Oh sure, she had nothing against it personally. Yet every time she came here, she felt a chill. More so when her 'guardian' was here. Even if she had no choice.

"I see." Kotomine then nods in understanding. "So you're saying these...Grimm are being used by Caster. Familiars she has summoned?" The shady priest then gave Rin a meaningful look. "I assume you met Caster and she told you of these creatures?"

"Actually, no." Rin calmly spoke. "I happened to gain an informant in telling me what these creatures are, the Grimm." Ozpin. The man was suspicious, and was hiding something. However Rin didn't feel the need to tell Kotomine this and decided to keep Ozpin's identity a secret. "Overall, they informed me that some unknown player came here and released the Grimm."

"My, that sounds troublesome." Despite saying such words, Kotomine only smiled softly. Rin grimace.

"Yeah, it is." Rin moved on. "Either way, while we don't know who released the Grimm, what I do know is that they're located where Caster is, who somehow managed to control them." Rin then scoffed. "Or as best as she could, considering what happened."

"The attack in the city is certainly something." Kotomine chuckled, like he enjoyed it. "Oh, and to think such a tragedy happened. I wonder what could have even caused these Grimm to come here?"

"..." Rin already knew it was because of negative emotions. Granted, she didn't know just what is the source, but it was something. Though Rin had the feeling Kotomine would just smile even if he knew the source. Uh, she had to move on. Then she could leave while no longer dealing with him.

"Look, just tell Lancer's Master to come by Caster's place so we can finish her off, and these Grimm." If Ozpin was right, then the source of the Grimm is at that temple. It won't be easy, but doing so will ensure they get rid of a Servant and these Grimm from causing any more future trouble. The magus in charge of dealing with limiting the Grimm's exposure will be a lot easier if no more Grimm appeared.

"Very well." Kotomine finally says as he nods. "I will explain to Lancer's Master what is going on. Though I must warn you, they may not help at all."

"Then tell them to stay out of the way." Rin rebutes. "If they're not gonna help, then they may as well just let us do the job." Honestly, the Holy Grail War should be held honorably, with magus willing to defend this city from outer threats to continue the competition like the Grimm. But it seems that might not happen with Rin, Shirou, and unfortunately Shinji as the only ones to do the job others aren't willing to do.

"Then I wish you the best of luck." Kotomine raises his hand to Rin, as if shaking her hand will give her that luck. Rin just rolled her eyes, got up, and left. Rude, but considering who she's doing it to, nobody would mind at all. Though as she left with Kotomine confirming it, the priest then narrowed his gaze as he spoke out loud to seemingly nobody in particular.

"What happened?" He then asked to the thin air before him. An answer came behind him.

"I had to deal with an angry guy, and wooh. He was upset." It was none other than Lancer, who looked pretty good all things considered. Especially since he faced one of the strongest Servants in the game and survived without a scratch. Then again, he did have time to heal up. "All in all, I did what you wanted me to do and got one of the Masters."

"Is he dead?" Kotomine asked with a slight glare.

"Oh...that." Lancer then gave a smirk. "You said 'Take care of him.'. So I took care of him alright." Lancer spun his speak which has recently made a new mark on someone. "I took 'care' of his arm." One who still lived, and it wasn't by accident either.

Kotomine's glare narrowed further, not that Lancer bothered. Hell, he took advantage of Kotomine's wording and purposely ensured the brat would live. Oh sure he knew his cowardly Master really meant when he told him those commands, but like hell Lancer would just listen like some dog as his Master kept expecting him to. He might be obeying the bastard, but who said anything about complete obedience, huh? Hehehe.

Kotomine fumed a bit but didn't show it. Up until now Lancer followed his words perfectly, so Kotomine supposed he should have seen this coming. The priest fully aware that the relationship he had with Lancer was far from amicable. Sighing, Kotomine then said, "Leave for now. I must continue doing my job." Like aiding in the cover-ups of those Grimm as Rin called them. Where she got that name and this informant, he already had a good guess.

"Sure, sure." Lancer said as he began moving. Not wanting to be around here, especially when he leaned what was under the church. Oh yeah, if a chance came this bastard will get stabbed all right. Though before Lancer left, he had another thought. "So then, what are my other orders though? Such as that little lady's offer."

"I'll think on it." With those words said, Lancer left. Leaving the priest alone in his church.

"Oh. Are you really going to do nothing?" At least he was supposed to be alone, where in the shadows sitting down with a golden goblet with jewels in it a man sipped from it and looked at Kotomine.

It would seem the hidden Servant has made himself known again. Kotomine smirking.

"I am considering it." Kotomine said with a smirk. "Considering how to potentially deal with the other Masters, particularly Rin's group." Having Emiya and Matou with her with two additional Servants by her side. Well, maybe just Matou if Emiya ended up dying from blood loss, but Kotomine knew better than to believe the boy was dead. He was stronger than that after all.

"My, thinking of sending the dog to bite them from behind." Gilgamesh chuckled as he imagined the thought.

"Perhaps." Kotomine admits, having considered that thought. "Though the problem with Caster still persists along with these Grimm."

"Ah yes, those repulsive beasts." Gilgamesh then frowns at those words as he carefully spoke out to Kotomine. "A mockery of the animals of this world, my garden. While I care not if they slaughter the masses, to do so without the King's permission and to wander like canine's sniffing for the slightest bit of their meal is an insult I will not take."

"I assume you know of their origin then?" Kotomine asks with Gilgamesh chuckling.

"That, and more." He said while taking another sip. "Such repulsive beings coming from an equally repulsive master. One who is nothing but full of envy while his brother acts as if understands man but wouldn't care if they are wiped."

"Sounds like you know them well." Kotomine said as he realized the way Gilgamesh spoke of these 'people' as if he already knew them.

"A king must always be informed." This was the Servant's answer. "Either way, they and their pets will be dealt with sooner or later. For now though, I will go." Gilgamesh then stood up and began to leave the church. Though not before he had one more thing to say. "And I trust you'll make the right decision."

"Oh I will." Kotomine grinned. He certainly will.

"So then, these creatures I've been seeing are called Grimm then." Inside the mansion where Illya is currently based at, she was sitting on a sofa where Shirou was with her. Explaining of some stuff he knew both to maybe convince her to help him and also ignore how he's missing an arm. "They sound lame."

Too bad Illya didn't seem to catch his hints at all.

"My Berserker can kill these things with ease." Illya declared with her trademark smirk. "Why, even Servants will fall to him. And I bet that Lancer person has died to him already."

"Right." Shirou said while also scratching his chin. "Regardless, they've been causing trouble so I along with my other teammates are trying to stop them."

"You mean those losers? The Tohsaka and Matou." Illya then giggled. "Oh Oni-Chan," She then bopped him on the shoulder. "You really need better allies."

"They're not that bad." Shirou tried to defend them, as while his allies had their quirks, they were still good allies. Ganted, Rin always talked in a way that felt condensing, and Shinji acted a bit too smug at times. Plus him cooking for everyone, while relaxing, is tiring. That's not even mentioning Archer.

"Right." Illya looked away, totally not believing him. "If anything, I think you need a new ally." Illya then said with a giggle. "Someone who's smart, strong, and has the best Servant there is."

"...really…" Shirou can admit he's not the best at picking up cues and the like, but he's not that dense. Hell, it was clear Illya wanted to work with him for some reason. On one hand, that's good. On the other side of that equation... "Maybe...you, I, and the rest can all work together."

Illya then frowned and crossed her arms. "Yeah right."

"Come on now, they're not bad." Shirou tries to convince Illya. "I mean, we're all a great team. Sure it isn't easy all the time, but we work well enough."

"We can work better." Illya then points at Shirou then at herschelf. "We don't need some useless weight." Illya then blinked for a bit then re-worded herself. "We don't need useless weight like Matou and a prideful jerk like Tohsaka."

"...ouch?" Shirou wasn't sure if he should feel insulted for his teammates, but it was clear that Illya wasn't having any thoughts considering the team-up. This was gonna be rough.

A growl was then heard and Shirou realized things were gonna get rougher. Because coming inside the room to Shirou's fear and Illya's delight, none other than Berserker came out. His muscular frame made all realize this was a guy you didn't want to mess with.

"Berserker!" Except for Illya, who jumped off the couch and ran up to her Servant with an innocent smile. Huh. When she wasn't all murderous like, she's pretty cute. "So, Berserker," Illya then spoke to her Servant. "Did you kill the man who dared hurt Oni-Chan?"

Instead of a yes like Illya expected, Berserker just shaked his head.

"Eh?" Berserker shaked his head again. The two maids then turned away. After a bit, Illya then said one thing. "WHAT!?"

Shirou wondered how the others were doing?

"Again." Ozpin said as Shinji panted. "Again." Ozpin then raised his cane, and wacked Shinji on the back making him yelp.

"Ow!" He cried out. "What the he-"

"Again." Ozpin cut him off and wacked Shinji's back again. Another yelp came and Shinji just got back to his push-ups. Ozpin, while a good man, was a good trainer. Good as in, he knew when to go easy and when to go hard, in this case, hard.

While the seaweed boy had a decent muscle-build and wasn't weak physically, overall compared to Shirou Shinji has no fighting experience at all. As such, Ozpin will have to train him like he does his students.

"Again."

Wack!

"Gah!" Even if it meant it would hurt Shinji. The young teen now regretted doing this as Ozpin kept wacking him. Growling when he saw Musashi just giggling at him. The bit-

"No letting your thoughts go astray." Ozpin wacked Shinji again, making his thoughts revert to pain. "In a fight, you either focus to win or lose focus and probably die." Ozpin says seriously. "So focus."

"Screw you!" Another hit got Shinji to shut up. Still, as this was happening, Musashi could only look out the window, wondering just where Shirou was. He still wasn't back yet, and she was becoming worried. Ozpin said he might just have been held up, but now Musashi was thinking otherwise.

"Master, where are you?" Musashi just whispered to herself. As she said those words, she then looked up at the ceiling, where she thought she heard a voice. It must be that girl Sakura, Shinji's sister. She seemed like a nice girl, and yet at times Musashi swore there was something...dark about her. Not her personality or anything, just the air around her. Musashi is unsure why though.

'Maybe I should speak to her later.' Thinking about it, most of them aside from Shirou never really spoke to Sakura. It made sense, as nobody wanted to get Sakura involved in a battle that could end with death. So with that Musashi went up the stairs to see if maybe she could just chat with the girl, give her company. Walking up the stairs and into the hall, Musashi found herself in front of Sakura's door.

"Hello." She then knocked on the door. "Can I come in?" There was no answer, so Musashi knocked again. Silence. Musashi leaned down and placed her head near the door, only to get nothing. Deciding to check things out, Musashi opens the door forcibly, causing it to crack. She'll apologize if this was all a mistake, with Musashi soon entering the room only to see nobody.

"Huh?" Wait, if Sakura wasn't here, then where was she? Musashi then heard a noise and turned, seeing none other than the television screen which was on. She then gasped. Because on the screen showed what appeared to be a video taken from a phone. Particularly, of none other than a hurt boy with a white haired girl near him when suddenly, a massive man appeared from nowhere. The boy however, was one Musashi knew.

"Shirou!" She then left to tell the others what she saw and where Shirou was truly at. Forgetting about Sakura though, and where she was at.

"..." Outside and in a park, Sakura was moving about. Not saying anything, to nobody. Following her on the roof was Rider, who while technically not her Servant due to the book Shinji held, he wasn't commanding her so Rider followed Sakura.

The girl herself moved aimlessly as the few people who saw her moved away instinctively. Feeling something unnatural around the girl. Eventually Sakura found herself in an alley, where her 'shadow' then morphed until it revealed the entity that has been talking back to her some time back in her room. But instead of fear, Sakura just wanted to know one thing.

"How can I be strong?"

The shadow morphed a grin.

And we see a bit of the aftermath with the Grimm, particularly on Waver's side. Seems the Clocktower will make a move soon, along with Kotomine while revealing Lancer spared Shirou. Dude fought Gilgamesh and halted him for half a day, like hell he'd miss killing Shirou.

But more importantly, Sakura is speaking to the Grimm. To note, for those that may not know it the Grimm with Sakura is unofficially called the Spider Grimm seen in the Blake Manga anthology, and honestly I'm not even sure if it's canon. But it can read minds, talk, and make physical illusions of sorts where the one I have here is a very intelligent one with plans of it's own. What plans those are, they're not good.

And it seems the barging in on Illya's home is about to happen next chapter instead.