To say the situation is bad, is a total understatement.
After a small but still lengthy battle between Shirou's group and Illya's, in the end victory was not found. While the former managed to find a rather beguiling way to defeat, it ultimately meant nothing when the old man came. Who had not only brought countless disgusting creatures with him, but had kidnapped a near dead Ozpin. However, the more interesting part of the meeting is just who the old man was.
"Matou Zouken." Illya said aloud as she looked at Shinji with Musashi doing so when she heard the last name. "The head of the Matou family and the only one who can use magecraft properly." Illya narrowed her eyes. "I wonder why your relative is even here."
It didn't even take a second for Shinji to realize that he was being accused.
"Woah there!" He yelled out while waving his hands frantically. Not wanting to be blamed, especially since he just lost the book that held his Servant. Meaning right now, he was powerless. "T-This isn't my doing." He argued back. "Hell, I haven't seen the old bastard since this war started."
"So this wasn't some evil plan you and your grandpappy made?" Musashi asked curiously, just in case.
"Uh." Shinji looked like he wanted to throw up. "Never call that bastard my grandpappy." The boy swore he felt the shivers from that kind of nickname. Gross. "Besides," He then looked backwards, where if one ignored the rotten dead flesh of those worms you'd see a small pool of blood. "We have bigger problems here."
"We do." Musashi agreed as she then looked at Shirou, who she had held on her back the entire time he was knocked out. While also fighting the disgusting bugs and not wishing to leave Shirou on the ground, just in case those worms decided he would be a good snack. "Particularly, that one of our own has been kidnapped."
'Not to mention my Berserker being stuck like this.' Illya thought but didn't say as she looked at her Servant, who stomped on a still living bug. At the very least, he's still vigilant and kept an eye out for the suspicious. Still, aside from that Illya was also curious on another matter.
Stepping forward, she then asked, "Why did your 'grandfather' kidnap that man?"
The battle she had with Shirou was going her way. If anything, one cannot deny that had it not been for that nasty trick to turn her Berserker into a rodent, she'd have won. Yet when Zouken came, he arrived after the fight. But not to help Shirou or his pathetic grandson, nor to aid Illya at all. Instead, he arrived just to take Ozpin, but for reasons she couldn't comprehend. Though that's to be expected, as she knew nothing on the man and even searching a bit for the man's identity showed nothing. But maybe the others knew since they have been with him.
"Don't look at me." Shinji then gave his answer, with Saber giving a useless shrug meaning she didn't know either. Just great then. So they had no clue why Zouken grabbed Ozpin. This just meant one thing.
"Eh. Not our problem then." Illya spoke with such harsh words
"What!?" Saber said as she looked shocked. "But we need to help him."
"Oh hell no." Shinji then says looking worried. "You wanna challenge a guy who's a Master at magecraft!" Shinji is many things, and being not afraid of his grandfather is one of them. While Shinji despised his grandfather, he's seen what he did at times, and none of them were pretty. Especially if it involved using his familiars.
"I've faced worst." Musashi said confidently. Oh sure that creep used magecraft that was very much disgusting in her book. However she didn't think he was all that powerful, cunning sure, but tough enough to tank blows from her. Probably not.
"Either way, I'm not gonna be a part of it." I mean, if his grandfather thought he was going against him, then Shinji will be killed by him. The old coot won't even feel bad about it, hell, he'd just laugh while having his worms eat his corpse.
"So we're just going to leave Ozpin to be...whatever it is your grandad will do?" Which obviously couldn't be good. Nobody just takes a near dead man because they're just going to be nice and make a funeral for them. No, that man, Zouken as Illya called him, was likely going to do something to Ozpin. What it was Musashi didn't know, just that it couldn't be good. I mean, the guy was bald and had the look of evil spelled all over him!
Shinji blinked a bit while grimacing, not sure how to answer that question. I mean, yeah leaving Ozpin to his grandfather is a rather cruel fate, one that made Shinji feel cold to the spine. However, on the other hand what could they do? He had no magecraft, that brat had her Servant turned into a squirrel, and it'll take an hour or so for Saber to recover. Not to mention Rider, once again is
'Meaning there isn't much we can do.' Shinji thought logically. It was cold and cruel, however there is nothing this group can do to save Ozpin. By the time Musashi was good and ready to go, chances were Ozpin would be, well, whatever it is Zouken would do to him.
I mean, who else could they rely on-
"Oh." Shinji then blinked, as he recalled not one, but two individuals that might be able to help. Though he grimaced at the thought of calling them. Actually, could he even call them? Due to his lack of magic circuits and inability to train like his damn sister, Shinji skipped out on some things and in turn gained his own knowledge. Like knowing how to use modern devices compared to most magus, and as such had the latest phone.
But did Rin even have a cell phone? Something told Shinji that she didn't, which meant he can only do one thing. Find them. 'Great. What I do to try and help people.' Shinji moaned as he then told Saber what they had to do to help Ozpin. That old man better give Shinji useful lessons after this!
Rin's been pretty busy this past while. After her talk with the fake priest, Rin's been going around with Archer to patrol Fuyuki and do their best to kill the Grimm they can find. Which were quite a bit.
Oh by no means were there too many to handle. Quite frankly, Archer killed them off with simple moves. No, the real problem is that while they weren't as grouped up as first seen, they were spread out all over. Archer was fast but even he couldn't get to one part of the city and then just show up in another in a second. Thankfully, Kotomine at least called on some local magus here to help out as a sign of good faith.
'Or more like to give them a chance to capture these things for study.' Rin thought as she blasted apart a Grimm that looked like a bunny, creeping her out. 'It's bad enough regular people see these things, but another that now we have to let some magus get them.'
Logically, Rin knew that help was needed. She can't take on these Grimm al on her own without wasting who knows how much time. Same with Archer as he wasn't some teleporter. As such, having as many people as possible dealing with these freaks is understandable, more so as they're very existence already threatens the reveal of magecraft. A headache could be felt just by thinking how those old coots in the Association will probably blame Rin for this mess.
Rin can accept that thought. A bit. Sure it'll be annoying, however this was just a part of being a magus. What she can't handle however is those freelance magus undoubtedly dealing with the Grimm, but then taking some away to study on.
Ozpin never did tell her everything about the Grimm. Just that they were made and they began rampaging and killing. Nothing about how they were made, their resistance to magic, unique abilities and so on. Last thing Rin needed is for some idiot to experiment on the Grimm, then by the next morning the news will report on a powered-up Grimm killing people.
"Upset?" Rin then felt Archer's words through their connection with her sighing.
"Just a little." Rin answers while rubbing her head. "Making these bounded fields to keep people out, take them down while killing these things is back breaking."
"Then you'll be glad to know that most of these Grimm are done for." Archer replied as far away, he killed off another Grimm without a problem. Having kept hidden and attacked with nobody even seeing him at all while keeping the people safe. "I got rid of the last one in my area. And I don't believe there are any more around."
"Great." Rin smiled a bit as she felt relieved. Taking down the field while moving forward. "Then so long as a certain brat doesn't call on her pet ape again, then we should be good for now. Though that does mean we'll need to deal with Caster."
"I haven't seen any changes in her temple." Archer says as during time-off, he went to scout Caster's base. Keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. Particularly on Caster's little pets that she unleashed. "However, I have seen slight movement from the Grimm I spotted, particularly a big bear. Plus the teacher hasn't ;eft the temple at all."
Made sense. With his identity revealed, Kuzuki would have to stay with his Servant for great protection. Going back to school to pretend to be a teacher would be idiotic. Shame though. If he had left then Rin could have just have Archer deal with him.
'No matter though.' Rin thought. After all, he'll be dealt with in time alongside Caster. The Tohsaka couldn't allow Caster to mess with this city, the land under her family's protection. As a magus, she held that responsibility and she won't just ignore the problem any further.
"Alright then Archer, come back and we'll get ready to deal with that witch." The reply to her words was immediate.
"Very well then." Archer had no problem going after Caster now. As any longer would give her too much time to prepare while causing more potential damage in the future. As such he began moving to come by Rin's side as she made her own way home. Though while doing so, a thought came to her.
'Should I see the others?'
A few people entered her mind. That of Shirou, his Servant Musashi, Ozpin, and even Shinji with Rider of course being the reason she considered him. Thinking of them, Rin realized she could use their help in taking on Caster and defeating her before she became not an obstacle, but a massive wall that couldn't be jumped over. However, with the others aid then they can crush Caster before she can even make that wall.
So while a bit reluctant in getting Shirou involved, Rin decided that she needed their help. She just needed to figure out where they were. Once she met up with Archer, she'll try and find them. They should be in the Matou home actually.
On the bright side, at least Shirou will be on board with helping her. He was a good person, an idiot too, but a good person nonetheless. However, getting Shinji to help will be annoying. But if she can convince him, then Rider will be on her side and Saber will be with Shirou. Before it had been two Servants, it'll be three against one. One who did have some strong magic, but Caster's weren't well-known for their fighting power. As such, Rin believed fully that with proper planning, Caster will go down easily. Even with her new pets.
Then all that would be left is dealing with the other Servants and after that, the damn Association. Because they would be very irritating to mind-wipe and cover-up the incident here in Fuyuki. Maybe she could pass the blame on Kotomine though, wouldn't that be fun.
After some time walking, Rin soon made her way to her own home. She then felt the familiar presence of Archer by her side again. She was about to say hi when suddenly he spoke to her with caution, grabbing her attention.
"We have company." He said and Rin looked ahead. Where at a distance she saw none other than Saber, who was standing in front of her house and didn't have her trademark smile. There's also the fact that while she still looked very good, some of her appearance such as her clothes looked a bit messy. Not to mention the slight wounds on her that were small yet noticeable. Healing wounds of course, but the fact they were there meant something.
A battle.
So as soon as Rin got to her steps, she asked immediately, "What happened?"
The answer of course came in a rather big surprise. "Matou's grandfather happened."
"...huh?" Rin then said with even Archer looking like he expected something else. Saber then saw their expressions and looked down at her still healing wounds. She seemed to realize she made them confused.
"Oh, oh, I should probably clarify." She bashfully said while clearing her throat. "Um, Master and the rest of us went to deal with the girl, Illya." Saber then clarified what was going on. "Thanks to Ozpin, we were able to deal with Berserker and get Illya on the ropes. However two things occurred which ended with Matou's grandfather coming and taking Ozpin away."
"Eh?" The Matou's were a failing magus family with their potential whittled down each generation. A fate many families would love to avoid. However, aside from Sakura and Shinji, Rin knew that only their grandfather can do any actual magecraft. With Rin now hearing that he captured Ozpin. "Why?" She then asked.
"No idea." Saber shrugged just as clueless. "Matou didn't know, he just came and grabbed Ozpin after he got injured from that gold jerk."
Archer's eyes slightly widened, and the smallest of scowls appeared on his lips. The image of that man coming to his mind, as he knew just who he is. For Rin on the other hand, she didn't know and assumed it must be an enemy Master. They never did figure out who's Lancer Master is, or it could have been a Master or Servant that disguised themselves. Regardless, she could see why Musashi had a problem with this.
"I assume Shirou also isn't pleased?" Rin then asked with Saber nodding. "I figured as much." Heck, that guy was someone that seemed to hate seeing people getting in trouble. "I assume you had to stop him?"
"Wouldn't be surprised by that." Archer muttered while Rin looked at him.
"Actually," Saber meekly said. "It was Matou that stopped him." Now that got both Rin and Archer to look surprised.
"Wait, really?" Rin couldn't believe that at all. That Shinji of all people actually stopped Shirou from trying to help! Just how did he do that?
"He knocked him out." Saber said.
"...oh." That was a lot more easier than Rin thought.
"Heh." Archer chuckled a bit. "Now that sounds nice."
"Uh-hu." Saber didn't look as amused. "Look, we just need help in trying to help Ozpin. Strike back against that creep." Who knows what the jerk will do, and they needed all the help they can get. Unfortunately, Rin could only say one thing.
"Sorry, but no."
"Eh?!" Saber did not expect that. Seeing her reaction, Rin sighed as she went to explain herself properly.
"Look, I get that leaving Ozpin with Matou's grandpa isn't good, but there are bigger problems than that." Rin then pointed backwards where the city is. "Mainly, dealing with Caster and her Grimm."
"But Ozpin-" This time Archer cut her off.
"Is a casualty we have to accept." He then said in a logical but cold voice. "We can't just waste our time trying to save someone who could be dead when now, we have a chance to deal with Caster." His eyes turned towards Musashi and held nothing back. "She's getting stronger, and her control over the Grimm is becoming worrisome. We leave her alone even for another day, then she'll have enough power to crush us all."
Musashi looked shocked, that the two would refuse to help. While she wanted to shout at them, upon hearing about Caster and the Grimm she also couldn't deny their words. Even so, she was still upset.
"Fine." Musashi said looking a bit sad as she then began walking past them. "I wish you luck on your mission." It was a shame she couldn't get those two to help out and save Ozpin, and yet Musashi supposed she can't stop them. Nor can she force them either. Besides, she was feeling better now, capable of healing a lot faster anyway than normal people. While it would have been great to have back-up, if she tried her best Musashi was certain she could defeat Matou's grandfather.
She just needed to talk to her Master first then Shinji to see what he knew about his grandfather's powers. Well, assuming he isn't knocked out by Illya who's with them right now. Musashi having left them behind back at the mansion to find Rin, and last she saw, Shinji was making fun of Berserker while Illya looked very tempted to kill him.
'I'm sure they're fine.' Musashi thought positively as she then left, leaving Rin and Archer behind. The former moaned as she gripped her head.
"Guess it's just us then." She muttered. Referring to the fact that it was just them forced to face Caster with no back-up. Well, that made things tougher. "Archer," Rin then spoke to her Servant. "Think you can handle Caster and Assassin on your own?"
"I can." Archer nodded. "Though I admit, it won't be easy and I'll need time." At worst he'll need to unleash a few more of his hidden tricks to deal with them while keeping a good guard. Assassin held swordsmanship that surpassed his own and Caster had all sorts of spells along with a Master that can fight and her new familiars. Archer felt confident he can defeat them, but he wasn't foolish enough to think he'd win in just a few moves. Time was needed to stop them.
"Good." Rin nodded. "I'll contact that fake priest to keep an eye out on the temple." Because once Caster was defeated, there was no doubt that the Grimm would either vanish away, or stick around only without a leader. Something told Rin it might be the latter, and that once Caster was beaten then the Grimm would riot and try to leave the temple. Kotomine and the others should be enough to deal with them.
"Very well." Archer would rather kill the bastard, but may as well squeeze his usefulness first and then kill him if he ever got the reason and chance. Though he also had to keep a good eye out for that man to. The Grimm, the attack on Fuyuki, not to mention Matou not being dead yet and this Ozpin man being here, things were too different. Meaning he may not even be in his war after all.
Not that it'd stop him from doing his goal, if he ever got the chance. Still, for now Archer had his mission and that was to scout Caster's workshop and observe any weaknesses he can exploit to his favor. Though while considering his options, a frown came on his face.
Matou Zouken. The grandfather of Sakura and Shinji.
Thinking about it, he never knew much about that man even in his old life. It was only after he grew up and the war he learned Zouken was a magus and a shady one at that. So for him to take this Ozpin person did catch some of his interest.
'The question is why though?' Just what did Ozpin have that Zouken would capture Ozpin for. His strange magecraft perhaps? Sadly, the Servant called Archer was no detective, or capable of solving the greatest of mysteries. He is just a weapon, a sword at that. Besides, it didn't really matter in the end. As such, Archer continued on and didn't give the situation another thought.
Eyes slowly fluttered open.
Blinking as vision was slowly being restored, alongside a sense of discomfort and stinging pain. Any thoughts he may have had were replaced by turmoil emotions. Then memories came to him. Memories of what should have been death.
When a golden glow came before him and objects of old age pierced through him.
At that, Ozpin finally remembered properly.
"Guh." With agony escaping his throat. He may be used to pain to a certain degree, but that didn't make him immune to it. Not to mention how sore he felt as he shifted his body.
"My, my. Awake already." Then, a raspy voice entered his ear. One that gave Ozpin a sense that he was in trouble, as his head shifted toward the area he heard the noise.
"Sqrk!" Only to have his eyes meet a nasty creature with a small maw revealing many teeth and a hiss coming out of it. Naturally Ozpin bent his head back to get away from the creature only to feel his body unable to move much at all.
Either he was injured to the point where his body is incapable of any movement, or-
"Nice to meet you." Ozpin looked up and then saw a face that may as well have spelled evil. Now, Ozpin wasn't one to judge people by looks normally. Sure this man was bald, wore old clothing, and had such pale skin and an expression that just shouted 'creepy', but that didn't mean the person was bad. The air the man gave off though alongside the fact Ozpin is inside a dark place and could see movement told him otherwise.
"..." Ozpin thought of speaking, instead he narrowed his eyes while figuring out what to do. Should he try to escape? No, impossible. His aura wasn't even back as it was still fixing whatever wound she had, not to mention he felt that if he stood up he'd just fall back down any second. What he needed right now was information. "Who are you?" Starting with just who this man is.
The elder person grinned. The sounds of bugs could be heard alongside hisses, giving Ozpin an eerie feeling that something was wrong.
"Just a person that wishes to gain what you have." His next words surprised Ozpin. "You're immortality."
"...what?" Ozpin said as suddenly, light appeared below him. While Ozpin couldn't see it properly, to anybody else watching they'd see a magical circle of sorts below Ozpin that shone a soft blue light with some form of writing. Many worms crawled out of Zouken all hissing and squealing while the elder magus himself grinned happily.
"It'll take a bit of time, but I can wait a measly thirty minutes easily enough compared to another fifty years." The elder magus says to Ozpin's fear as he could tell that whatever was going to happen couldn't be good. Instantly Ozpin decided to use his magic.
"Sqrk!" Only to feel pain as he felt sharp teeth bite down onto his exposed flesh, and felt a drain coming out of him.
"Oh, none of that I must tell you.:" Zouken chuckled. "I must say, whatever energy you have in you is very potent and pure." More hisses came. "As such, it would be a waste not to take it from you."
Trapped. Immobilized. Incapable of using magic. No help seemingly arrived, and only thirty minutes left before this man did something to Ozpin.
'Just another day.' Ozpin thought as he was once again in another tricky situation. Best to see how he gets out of this one.
Seems Ozpin is in trouble, and sadly no Rin and Archer to help him out with only a few people willing to aid him, if they can even get to him in time. But can they before Zouken does this mystery ritual, who knows? Guess we'll find out later.