Two Days Ago

"Are you sure you go the place right this time Rin?", asked Illya with while softly tapping her index finger on her crossed arms.

Rin, Illya, Shirou and Sakura were currently gathered in Rin's room, an abhorrent mess of open books, scattered documents, and experimental equipment. In a way, nothing much had changed from before.

"This time I'm sure of it!", Rin stated with absolute confidence.

"You said that the last five times too…", Shirou complained in response, remembering their previous futilities.

"Did you say something?", Rin inquired with a twitching eyebrow.

The amiable smile she wore had never felt more out of place.

"In any case, why is that relic so important", Sakura interjected quickly to change the topic.

Facing her younger sister with a smile, a genuine one this time, Rin fell into her iconic lecturing stance.

"Ever since we came here and learned about this new world's history and magic I've been wondering. Why are there two separate magic systems? I could understand different classifications of magic that share a common origin, but two entirely separate magic systems? Something like shouldn't even be possible … under normal circumstances that is. We already know that this world isn't our own, and that we are foreign elements introduced to it thanks to the interference of Kaleidoscope. However, the problem was that we weren't compatible with it. Much like foreign bacteria in the human body, this world would have rejected us and erased us if things remained as they were, so it is likely that Kaleidoscope altered the core of this world to support our existence. It is likely that Psion-based magic was the original magic system within this world, and our own Mana-based system was forcibly brought into existence to accommodate us."

"Then the 'Broken Window Syndrome'… the reason that a lot of magicians in this world are incompatible with Psion-based magic, is that all our fault then?", Shirou voiced his worried concern.

"No I don't think so. I have a feeling that those magicians with the 'Broken Window Syndrome' were lacking talent in Psion-based magic to begin with, and were simply endowed with Magic Circuits as a consequence. Or maybe it was coincidence? Since there is no way of finding out it would be useless working about things like that."

"Then what does the relic have to do with all this?", Illya reminded Rin of their original topic of discussion.

"Right. Since we arrived here I noticed that history as we know it, though slightly different, is practically identical. Most of the major historical events and milestones we witnessed in our world also occurred in this world, but since we seem to be living a few years in the future I am unable to pinpoint exactly when this world split off from ours. Regardless of that…", slapping an open book onto her table, Rin displayed a list of of discovered magical relics, "… it seems that relics and artifacts that existed in our world likewise continued to exist in this one."

"But why is that so important?", asked Sakura.

"The very fact that our Mana-based magic system exists in this world means that relics and artifacts compatible with us should also exist, no? Rather than there being artifacts tailored to two separate systems, it's even more likely for these relics to be usably by both systems of magic."

"Is that even possible?", was Shirou's befuddled inquiry.

"I don't know. That is why I want to find the relic and experiment on it. Just imagine what would happen if we could combine the two systems into a single working magic!"

In a world where the existence of magic was public knowledge, Rin greatly disliked her social status as a second-rate magician. Though her promotion to the "Lady of the Lake" slightly alleviated her frustration, she continued to thirst for the means to prove her undeniable worth to those who looked down on her.

"Then how did you find out about this particular relic in the first place?" asked Illya.

"Tokiomi had been interested in it for some time back in our world. He wrote about it a lot in his journal, but it seems that the only managed to get a grasp on its location shortly before the war."

Rin had started calling her father by his name out of consideration for both her mother and her sister. Though it seemed unnatural at first, nobody even noticed her choice of words anymore.

"In any case, it seems that he pinpointed six possible locations, five of which we have already scouted out. I'm sure that this is the one!"

Ending their conversation on that note, Shirou closed his eyes and recalled his unique aria from the depths of his heart, and recited it with familiar ease. Moments later, crystal blue light engulfed them in a gentle embrace, revealing an endless expanse of grasslands once it subsided. Without pause, Shirou retracted his Inner World while focusing on the location provided to him by Rin, seamlessly teleporting to the exact coordinates. Taking in their surroundings, it seemed that they had landed near a riverbank shadowed by a tall cliff, cutting off what little light the glistening stars provided them with.

"I still have trouble believing it…"

"What do you mean Illya?", Sakura urged Illya on.

"This teleportation… So far only Command Seals, or the Grail for that matter, had the amount of mana necessary to pull off such a feat, but here we are replicating this miracle with ease."

"Theoretically speaking, we should actually be able to teleport without Shirou's help as well…", Rin speculated, drawing the attention of her companions.

"Obviously it would be normally impossible to do so, but with our mana level and circuits as high-tier as they are we could essentially imitate a Command Seal's thaumaturgy. I don't think carelessly trying it out is a good idea though, which is why I haven't brought it up before. What's more astounding than that however, is the bond that connects us now…"

"I know what you mean…" interjected Shirou, becoming the center of attention, "It's as if each of you have become a part of my soul."

Though not his intention, the careless uttering of his honest feelings caused a rather abashed reaction of the three adolescent girls. Sakura was the first to recover from her embarrassment as she approached the now likewise blushing Shirou.

"You are wrong senp-… Shirou-kun. It's not only that we have become a part of your soul, but you have similarly become a part of ours…", Sakura crossed the distance between them with a single step and captured Shirou in a loving embrace, "The four of us… we are now a single soul split into four separate bodies. Don't forget that."

For reasons unknown Sakura's intense emotions reverberated in each of their hearts. Her happiness, her strength, but more importantly, her unwavering trust in the bond they now shared. In face of such iridescent beauty, no one was able to mutter a word.

"Well then, we have a relic to find", dispelling the entrancing atmosphere with a playful wink, Sakura turned on her heels and left the stunned trio behind.

They had scouted the terrain for a while now, empowering their physical movements with magic to cover more distance, until Rin finally signaled for the group to stop after disappearing into a small crevice in the cliff. Further inside, a massive boulder blocked their way.

"It's here", Rin declared.

"Now what ?", asked Illya.

"Should I destroy it?", offer Shirou.

"That won´t be necessary. Leave it to me", Sakura assured as she stepped up to the boulder.

After gently placing her palm on the massive rock, it seamlessly lifted off the ground to expose a hidden passageway. Contrary to this world's belief, Sakura didn't use Movement-Type or Gravitational Magic, but instead communed with the spirits residing within the boulder themselves.

After entering the hidden cave, Shirou and the rest were surprised to be greeted by … nothing. No traps, neither primitive nor magical, were set in place to protect the relic, and they soon arrived at an altar that served as a pedestal for a Magatama-shaped translucent crystal. After retrieving the relic and exiting the cave, Sakura returned the boulder to it's original spot.

"Well that went easier than expected", complained Illya with a disappointed tone.

"Don't let your guard down until we are back home", reminded Rin.

"Come on, what could possibly happen at this poin-"

"Look! There is an injured child in the river!", Sakura suddenly shouted before darting towards the lifeless body, followed closely by Shirou.

Rin threw Illya a sharp look before rushing over to her sister's side, laying her eyes on a boy barely ten years old.

"Is he alive?", Sakura voiced her worry.

"Barely. He needs immediate medical attention if we want to keep it that way though", examined Shirou.

"Leave it to me", Rin stated as she traced a jewel from thin air.

Briefly modifying it with strengthening magic to make up for the poor imitation of Shirou's ultimate projection magic, Rin placed the jewel on the boy's chest and activated her magic. A few moments passed until, suddenly, the boy's hand reflexively grasped Rin's wrist, unexpectedly causing the relic in her pocket to emit blinding light. Before anyway could comment on the unnatural occurrence, the boy's throat released a ragged noise.

"jiji…"

"Stay still. You are injured, but for the time being you are safe", Rin ordered in a tone that was both authoritative and gentle.

".. jiji… where is jiji…"

"Was some else with you?", Sakura asked from behind Rin's back.

"…jiji.. please help him… we were attacked ..he tried t…", his incoherent sentences ultimately ceased as he lost his consciousness.

"I go and look for the man he was talking about", declared Shirou.

"We will go with you", offered Rin.

"No, you need to stay with him. We don't know if he can last on his own", said Shirou.

"But me and Sakura don't. We'll accompany you", Illya stated; it was not a suggestion.

Aware that convincing them of otherwise was impossible at this point, Shirou simply let them do as they pleased as he darted upstream, allowing himself to be guided by the riverbank. Soon they noticed the metallic scent of blood, and after scaling the cliff with the assistance of their reinforced limbs, they stumbled upon the site of a recent battlefield.

"Seemed like a big battle…", muttered Shirou as he slowly strolled across the wreckage.

"There is blood on the ground but I don't see any bodies", noted Illya.

"Take a look at this", Sakura said as she picked up a shattered piece of metal and handed it to Shirou.

Infusing it with mana, he applied his structural analysis to review the history of the object's creation, as well as the events leading up to it's destruction. The culmination of the gathered knowledge could be expressed in a single word.

"Yotsuba…", Shirou muttered absent-mindedly.

Following the trail of blood, the trio eventually reached a scorched house. Once again retracing the past with his magic, Shirou discovered a scorched body within it, the corpse of an elderly man beyond help. Seeing as they were unable to do anything, Shirou, Illya, and Sakura returned to Rin after surveying the area for any clues and teleported back home. Alerting their parents as soon as they did, the young boy was handed off to the capable hands of the household maids.


Present time.

"So the Yotsuba, eh? Well Shirou your knack for getting yourself in trouble certainly hasn't changed", muttered Rin while pinching the bridge of her nose.

It had been two days since they returned home with the young boy, giving Shirou plenty of time to share the knowledge gained from surveying the battlefield.

"Well, at least our parents were surprisingly supportive", added Illya with an optimistic attitude.

"I am glad that they are willing to help", said Sakura.

"The problem is that our mothers might be a bit too willing…", reminded Rin

"Still, even though dad told us to keep out of Master Clan business here we are intruding on the Yotsuba", said Illya.

"Yeah, exposing the fact that we can practically teleport all around the world isn't really the best idea after all."

"So what are we going to do about this case? All we know so far is that the Yotsuba were behind the attempt on the boy's life, is that right?", wondered Illya.

Before anyone could answer Illya's question, their phones rang in unison to inform them of a certain individual recovery.

"Looks like we are going to get our answers sooner than we thought", Rin stated as they headed towards the spare guest room in which the young boy had been sleeping.

"Hello", Shirou greeted once he entered the room, "No need to worry, you are safe now."

"Where am I? Where is Kogoru-jiji?", the boy immediately retorted without a greeting.

"We'll answer your questions, but at least tell us your name before that", chided Rin.

"My name is Shiba Tatsuya, so where is Kogoru-jiji"

An unyielding determination burned in the fierce eyes that seemed out of place on that frail child. Shirou know that Tatsuya would not take the truth lightly, though it seemed that Tatsuya had already figured it out by himself, the tears gathering in his eyes were proof of that.

"He is dead, isn't he?"

"I'm sorry, but we were too late", Sakura apologized with a solemn voice.

This was the moment when Tatsuya's world reached a breaking point. Kogoru was dead, murdered by the very family he had so desperately tried to appease, sacrificed to keep the worthlessness that was him alive. The stream of tears burning their way down his cheeks were but a faucet for the oceanic despair that wallowed within him

"We understand that this isn't easy for you, but we don't have the time to sit around and waste our time either. Do you know why the Yotsuba were after you?", Rin stepped forwards and started up the conversation again with a heavy heart.

At the mention of his Clan's name, Tatsuya was unable to contain his surprise.

"How did you know they were after me?"

"Let's just say we have our own set of talents", was Illya's response.

"You are magicians?"

"Magi. But yes, we are also practitioners of magic", Rin corrected Tatsuya.

"Then you should know about the Yotsuba's reputation. Get rid of me before they come after you as well and kill you like they killed Kogoru-jiji!"

"Even if you say that, we are already involved. In the first place, we can't really leave someone in need alone", said Shirou.

"Then you are fools. Even knowing that the Yotsuba are the strongest of the 28 Families you still want to oppose them? For someone like me? You don't even know about my situation so just leave me alone", Tatsuya spitefully spat out.

"Then help us understand. Tell us what happened so that we can decide for ourselves", Illya urged on.

For a moment Tatsuya hesitated, but in face of his opposition he capitulated and told them of his past. If he told them of his existence as a failure they would finally see him as the lost cause he was and abandon him as they should. They seemed like nice people. Tatsuya wished them no harm.

"In any case, that's all you need to know. Now you should understand that getting rid of me is the safest option", Tatsuya disdainfully concluded.

"Get rid of you? Of course we can't do that. You'd die", Illya stated the simple truth.

"How is that your concern?", was Tatsuya immediate retort.

"It became our concern the instant we saved your life. If you were die now then my magic would have been used for nothing", Rin reasoned with her usual dishonest logic.

"You don't understand. The Yotsuba are the 'strongest' for a reason. Wasting your lives for a useless cause such as myself is utterly pointless!"

Continuing his rant, Tatsuya was finally shut up by Sakura's forceful voice.

"I believe that you are something. You are not the failure that you see yourself as, nor are you undeserving of happiness. If you work hard enough for it, you can be the kind of person that you want to be, someone that your grandfather would be proud of."

Straightening her posture and hardening her expression, the atmosphere in the room suddenly changed.

"You said that the Yotsuba are the strongest known family in the current magical community, however…"

Flooding her Magic Circuits with an excessive amount of Mana, the air around her crackled under the violent outburst of pure energy emitted by her body.

"That is assuming that there are no other magicians capable of opposing them, or even surpass them."

As suddenly as the hurricane of Mana emerged, it just as swiftly vanished without a trace.

"This must have been a stressful day for you, so I suggest you get some rest. We can continue this discussion tomorrow."

Turning on her heel to leave the room, she was just about to cross the threshold of the door when-

"Just who are you?"

"The Emiya"

With that, the four young masters exited the room.

"I recommend you to follow their advice. Once again, there is no need to worry about your safety as this mansion is well protected", reminded Sella as she too left Tatsuya to his own devices.

That was the first time she herself witnessed the young masters in action. Though she was present when Shirou presented his father with a conjured sword to showcase his magic, this was the first time she managed to glimpse at the extent of their might. For the lack of a better word, Sakura's display of power was breathtaking.

Being left behind in the spare guest room, Tatsuya fell into deep thought. He recognized the manifestation of energy to be mana, meaning that she must possess Magic Circuits just as he did. His study of this system of magic over the last year taught him at least that much. What truly surprises him was their given name however. Emiya. It was well known at this point that the family behind the success of AvalonTech was that very family, but he didn't know anything about them harboring such powerful magicians. Wracking his brain over that revelation, Tatsuya eventually succumbed to sleep.

Meanwhile, the four magicians in question were currently gathered in Rin's room, an unofficial base of operations at this point, discussing their newly acquired knowledge.

"So the Yotsuba tried to kill him because they didn't approve of his magic and because he affected their reputation?", wondered Shirou.

"There are a lot of bad rumors about the Yotsuba, but doing this to a child is still unforgivable", added Illya.

"That also means that he wouldn't survive too long without our protection", reasoned Rin.

"That is why we have to help him!" Sakura determinedly exclaimed, much to everyone's surprise.

Such a comment would usually be uttered from Shirou's mouth after all.

"Well, he reminds me of myself when I was given to the Matou. I kept wondering why I was given away, whether I've done something wrong to deserve that punishment, and wishing for someone to come and put me out of my misery."

Noticing the depressive atmosphere she unintentionally created, Sakura quickly changed her tone of voice and continued on a more cheerful note.

"But I'm different now! Since I now have the opportunity to help him like I always wanted to be helped, I want to spare him from the suffering that I had to endure."

"You are not going to be alone anymore; we are here for you now." Illya said in a comforting manner, thinking back on the time when she herself felt abandoned by Kiritsugu.

"I will always be by your side", Shirou reminded Sakura as he placed a hand on her shoulder to show his support.

"It's just like you said before, we are a single soul divided into four separate bodies. Now and forever", Rin ultimately chimed in as she took up the spot right next to Shirou.

"That aside, what are we going to do about our current situation? As things stand, a confrontation with the Yotsuba is pretty much guaranteed", reminded Illya.

"Well, that just means that we need to polish up our fighting abilities", assured Sakura.

"Speaking of which, did any of you notice the relic acting up when we met Tatsuya?", Rin voiced her concern.

"What do that mean?", asked Shirou.

"I don't really know myself, but I think it is for the best if we let Tatsuya join us in our training sessions so that he can at least defend himself. Despite all our powers, we might not always be with him, so he will have to be able to fight for himself when the time comes."


The next morning

"I hope that you are hungry. Everyone is waiting for you in the dining room", Sella informed the waking Tatsuya.

Seeing as he didn't really have another choice, Tatsuya followed the maid to what seemed to be the dining room, and was greeted by the same four children that had entered his room the day before, only this time they were joined by three adults and an additional maid.

"Good morning Tatsuya, hopefully you are feeling better now", Sakura greeted, receiving a short nod in response.

"Good. We forgot to introduce ourselves yesterday, so let's get that out of the way first", Sakura continued as Sella guided Tatsuya to his seat.

"My name is Ito Sakura, this is my sister Rin, and she is my mother Aoi", Sakura introduces as she pointed at the respective people.

"Next to them are Kiritsugu Emiya and his wife Irisviel. Next to me are Illya and Shirou, their children, and you had already meet Sella. Her sister over there is called Leysritt."

"Why are you doing this? Why are you been so kind to me? Don't you know that you'll become enemies of the Yotsuba by doing this?!"

"Tatsuya…", Kiritsugu's calming voice belied the sharpness of his tone, "…we do not agree with what the Yotsuba did. To us, family comes first and everything else is secondary."

"We also believe that power must always be guided by an appropriate purpose", Irisviel added in support of her husband.

"I've gone through a lot of things myself, so my husband and I decided that we should do our best to help the others. We are helping you simply because we think it is the right thing to do."

"But the Yotsuba-", once again, Tatsuya was topped in his tracks.

"They will be dealt with when the time comes. So far they believe that you died that night, so it's best if we simply play along with that assumption". Aoi pointed out.

"Also, even if they choose to attack us, the Yotsuba, despite their reputation, don't have the destructive power of four Strategic-Class Magicians", Kiritsugu stated an ominous voice.

Tatsuya was shocked by the information Kiritsugu so casually revealed. However, just remembering the spectacle that he witnessed the previous day was enough to convince him of the truth. The four children before him were undeniably Strategic-Class Magicians.

"… what is going to happen to me now?"

"In order to survive it will be necessary for you to prepare for any future battles. If you are willing, we can train you in the art of magic."

"But I'll warn you beforehand, that girl over there is a pretty harsh teacher", Shirou teasingly added while motioning his head to the girl in red.

"So tell us Tatsuya-kun, are you ready for this?", Rin finally asked.

Tatsuya didn´t know what to think about this situation. Not only was this family willing to protect him from the Yotsuba, they also had the power to live up to that promise, not to mention train him to do the same. With nothing left to say, Tatsuya simply nodded.

"Excellent. Eat something and rest for the day, because tomorrow will be the first day of your new life."

It was in that moment, that an alliance with the ability to shake the foundations of magic was born.


I want to thank ChristmasForJuan, for all his support and help with my history.

Please review.