-84:30:05

"Control to Diablo 1, come in."

"I read you, Control, loud and clear," Lieutenant First Class Ohgi answered in his helmet's earpiece. He and his partner, Lieutenant Third Class Kobayashi, had been patrolling the coast of Japan in their F-15 planes. Pretty quiet so far, but Control sounded a little off at the moment. Maybe they were about to have a little excitement. "What's happening?"

"Fuyuki City police has requested aid for disaster relief." That made his eyes widen beneath his visor, but Control continued. "Both you and Diablo 2 head over there right now. Over."

Ohgi was still puzzled. "Disaster relief? Request order clarification, Control, can you elaborate on the situation? Over." Fuyuki City… He'd heard something about weird stuff going on there these last couple of days, but what kind of crisis could the police of a little city need two fighter jets for? Were terrorists attacking?

For the longest time, he didn't hear anything but the buzz from the radio. Finally came a heavy sigh. "Look… don't laugh, but… a monster has popped up on their river. …Over."

Diablo 1 couldn't stop the snort that escaped him. "A monster? Now that's a good one! I've been waiting to get this kind of order ever since I signed up for the air force." He allowed himself another unprofessional snicker before asking, "No, seriously, Control, what's the situation?"

"You've already been told, Diablo 1," was the cold, humorless answer he got. "Head towards Mion River immediately and report all observations. Over."

"…You're kidding, right?"

"Repeat, your mission is now Mion River." There was now a flicker of impatience in Control's tone. They really didn't want to push this topic.

And from the looks of things, orders were orders, no matter how ridiculous they sounded. So, the Lieutenant First Class sighed in resignation and confirmed, "Roger that, Diablo 1 swinging over towards Mion River now. Over and out." He then adjusted his grip on the controls, the F-15 in turn smoothly adjusting course. "Well, Diablo 2, you heard. Turn back and let's head for Mion River."

"Roger." Kobayashi replied with a less assured tone than usual. Not that Ohgi blamed the kid; this "mission" wasn't exactly what you'd hear in the academy. It wasn't like they were in a video game or a manga.

Still, he was a professional officer. Both planes were now on a straight path for Fuyuki City. With the tech in this aircraft, they'd be at their target in only a couple minutes.

Didn't stop Diablo 1 from counting down in his head. Three… two… one… "Hey…" Diablo 2's voice drifted through his comms. There it is. "If we really run into a monster when we get there, will they give us permission to open fire."

His junior sounded so unsure Ohgi couldn't help but pull his leg a little. "Come on, if this were a monster movie, we'd be the guys who bite it first. We die to show just how dangerous the big scary monster is and why the superheroes are there."

"…Not funny, man."

Ohgi permitted himself one last laugh, he'd take the guy out for drinks afterwards. "Well, we'll see when we get there."

Heroic Spirits technically aren't superheroes, but the ones at the Mion River certainly had their hands full. Saber cut through a collection of tentacles with one swing of her veiled sword and pressed on towards their source. Her frown deepened as the severed appendages promptly regrew behind her, but she didn't stop. She didn't even bother to acknowledge them when they reached for her back. After all, they'd never touch her.

Assassin X hummed in contemplation even while his Lightning Blade severed the slimy things anew. This time, it took them longer to regenerate because of the electricity. But regenerate they did. His Water Clone tossed a spread of paper bombs in the trio's wake as they raced unrelenting towards the Gigantic Horror. A few more steps, and all three came close to drive their weapons into the repugnant creature. Saber leaped high with a battle cry to slice a large part in half while the two shinobi blurred across the river's surface, cutting down multiple tentacles in flashes of lightning.

Further above them, Rider spurred the Gordius Wheel on in a circle of charges and retreats. "Try this on for size!" Divine lightning raged from the tireless bulls and the chariot they carried, burning any flesh that came too close. And every rush knocked down another appendage. Meanwhile, a certain crow fluttered nimbly around the Horror even as it tried to snatch it. Then in a blink, Saber X had taken the bird's place and was driving Harbinger's blade into the wall of putrid meat. He pulled it out, cut another gouge to make a large "X", and fired his weapon's shotgun into the center for good measure. Then he was gone just as a tentacle made to wrap around him, and the crow from before was flying to another spot.

But from where he hung onto his Servant's mount, Waver Velvet could only watch in horror. "Damn it…" he saw how the damage all of these Servants had inflicted disappeared. "It just grows right back together!"

He wasn't the only one who noticed it. Rider, Saber and Assassin X all took in the sealing up of their efforts with heavy expressions. Saber X cawed in irritation while still in his crow form. Lancer at the coast observed with restrained tension even as next to him, Irisviel whispered, "Regeneration at that speed…" Even burns suffered from shotgun blasts or electric attacks healed with little trouble. "But we just might keep it from the coast yet..."

"Hahahaha!" Indeed, a certain number of attacks were leaving lasting damage.

Berserker X stood tall atop one of the two biggest tentacles no matter how it thrashed about, a delighted smile on his face. His nodachi twitched, and blood sprayed from a large gash next to him. As it writhed, the Servant of Madness bounded along the tentacle before jumping right for the center mass. The next slash went deep into the Gigantic Horror's upper part ("head" wouldn't be the right term) cutting some of the flesh free. With the passive boon of Divinity, those wounds remained open. Kenpachi Zaraki's life as a Soul Reaper served him well against this sort of opponent.

Rider navigated his Wheel down to where his partner would fall; Berserker X couldn't fly like Saber X or stand on the river like Saber or Assassin X. He landed heavily next to the King of Conquerors and their Master who yelped at nearly being crushed. But Berserker X only made an amused sound while his one eye surveyed his work. "Not deep enough…" Then he jumped back off for another lunge.

Lancer had similar thoughts. "The wounds inflicted by Berserker X are too shallow. We can't reach Caster like that, not with so many layers covering him."

The Assassin X that had been hanging back with him and Irisviel scratched his chin, his Sharingan trained on that colossal, unspeakable… thing. "As I thought, Caster's creation is so dense with Magical Energy I can't make him out yet." He had tried to focus on certain fluctuations in the Horror's mana, but its chaotic nature made those abundant. Trying to locate Caster amidst that magical maelstrom was like attempting to pick out a single stroke on a canvas splashed all over with blotches of every color and shade.

Among the mist and revulsive limbs, Saber X went for a different tactic. His crow wings beat a steady pattern as he zeroed in on a slash Berserker X had carved earlier. The halved flesh writhed and trembled, almost screaming despite the lack of a mouth, but it wouldn't join. Deciding to capitalize on that, he changed to human form midflight and drew Harbinger in its scythe mode. The large blade then folded backwards, taking on a war scythe's shape, and the Corvid Reaper pulled the shotgun trigger just as it pierced his target's flesh. The recoil from the barrels' fire augmented his swing, and he spun with his weapon, firing again. The Huntsman and his weapon whirled like a buzzsaw up the length of the Horror, parting flesh like a curtain. Then just as he felt his momentum fading, he gave one final pull on his scythe, tugging it free of the beast, and reactivated his Shapeshift to fly away.

If they'd been less preoccupied, Saber, Assassin X, Lancer and Caster X would've been able to show their prospective opponent more respect for this acrobatic achievement. Kenpachi, hanging by one hand onto a thrashing tentacle, took at least the time to give an impressed smirk. "Not half bad there, birdbrain."

But as Qrow appeared as his scruffy Servant self to grab hold of the Gordius Wheel's rail, he panted in dissatisfaction. "A splendid performance, my friend," Iskandar praised him while spurring his bovines on for another charge. "A shame this creature won't acknowledge that."

The King of Conquerors was sadly correct: the massive gouge Saber X's feat had carved into the side of the Horror only remained open long enough for some blood to spray out before sealing itself (noticeably slower than before) again. "All that… work… and I… only broke… the skin… of that thing…" the knight class Servant huffed out, a little winded from his efforts. He drew in a longer breath before continuing. "I feel like a mosquito trying to take down a Goliath."

And worst of all, the Horror was slowly coming ever closer towards the opposite shore.

Light flared up from that side, drawing the others' attention. A series of fireballs arced high upwards before splitting apart like fireworks to rain down on the creature. Smoke wafted and flesh sizzled from their impacts, their origin even showing enough care not to strike any of the others by mistake, but they ultimately did little to impede its progression.

A black mass shot out into the open, large and heavy, with red wheels scorching the asphalt. Then Berserker sprang out of the front, flipped over to behind his "weapon" with a kind of grace that would've broken all records at the Olympics, and then lifted the entire mass over his head. He released a bloodthirsty howl before tossing the gasoline truck he'd "borrowed" across half the river, his partner simultaneously shooting a large fireball at the payload.

The vehicle smashed into the Horror, and its fuel ignited instantly from Caster X's flame, the resulting explosion knocking even the Gordius Wheel for a brief loop. It was only Rider's Servant reflexes that allowed him to regain control of his ride and catch his nauseous Master from falling into the river. Normally, such an explosion of mundane gasoline wouldn't have scratched a Servant or the like. But empowered through Berserker's Knight of Owner, the truck's detonation had inflicted even greater burns along the side of the spiritual creature.

And it still proved insufficient. From the roof where he and a (only slightly) winded Kariya stood, Caster X pursed his lips at the regeneration from the incendiary damage. This creature may share the same vulnerability to fire and heat as its smaller counterparts, but its sheer size and mass provides greater resistance to any such injuries. Berserker hissed in frustration before taking off again in search of something else he could weaponize.

Down at the river, Saber was discussing the same matter with Assassin X and his clone. "Flame attacks on something that big might as well be lukewarm embers." She noted even while blasting away a tentacle with a swing of her steel.

"Solo attacks aren't doing much at all," the Water Clone countered, hurling shuriken at another. "Even Berserker X is inflicting surface wounds at best." A familiar cackle drew his eyes up and notice a certain detail of that Servant. "…Though to be fair, he's still wearing that eyepatch of this." None of them wanted to comment on how apparently the threat of a giant regenerative monster didn't qualify as serious enough for Kenpachi Zaraki to go all out.

"Either way, we all really need to work together here, not just attack together." Assassin X brought the important matter back on track. "Saber X had the right idea with capitalizing on his partner's efforts, we need to do the same if we want to stop this monster." Lightning Blade surged from his hand into the form of a snarling hound that disabled the remaining tentacles. A flurry of high-pressure waterspouts warded off any more from coming out.

Saber jumped back from where she'd been trying to cut a hole into the main mass and turned to her partner. "Do you have anything particular in mind?" She'd grown familiar enough with Kakashi Hatake to know both his knack for crafty plans and his strong faith in teamwork. In a situation like this, those traits were bound to be priceless.

And from the way he was eyeing Invisible Air, Artoria sensed she'd be proven right soon. "As a matter of fact," Assassin X replied. "Remember when we trapped Caster in the forest?"

"What an absolute catastrophe…" Risei Kotomine muttered, falling wearily back into his chair. He had just been informed of the entire situation at Mion River, and the news weighed down on him like a slab of stone. His head still lowered, he lamented, "There has never been a greater threat to the Holy Grail War's secrecy in all its history."

"Bystanders say and our contacts confirm that a dense fog has washed over the Mion River and its surrounding area," his son reported from where he stood. Lacking Magic Circuits of his own, the overseer of two Grail Wars had only been alerted of the great magical surge through Kirei, just as he now continued to relay the situation. "That has hidden the conflict to some degree, but it's also going to attract even more crowds."

Crowds. Plural. Both men fully understood just how perilous this battle had now become. They needed to act quickly or else the monstrosity that Caster had unleashed would soon be on the evening news. Tomorrow, there'd be headlines of it in every newspaper in Japan. And from there…

It could tear the shroud over the magus community asunder. Maybe worldwide, if they were unlucky enough. And Risei couldn't help but muse with (possibly gallows) humor about a certain Servant in this War who, according to Kirei, tended to make things unlucky in his presence.

He shook his head; this wasn't the time for jokes. They needed to nip this leak in the bud now. But Risei knew it wouldn't be easy. "The church alone cannot resolve this." He scratched his greyed hair. "We'll have to cooperate with the Magus Association." Which is going to mean a lot of political nonsense before, during and after this crisis is averted, he grumbled to himself as his hand drifted down his face.

…If this crisis is averted. Risei then looked up upon remembering another important detail. "Where is sir Tokiomi?"

"My teacher is on his way there," Kirei replied, "with Archer and Lancer X backing him up." That was good news, at least; the Tohsaka head would be every bit as invested in covering up this disaster as the overseer. Yet the younger Kotomine's expression remained troubled. "But… I have no idea where Rider X could be or what he's planning next."

That was very bad news, especially for Risei. That Servant was a far greater danger than Caster, even with what the fallen believer of the Holy Father was currently doing. It was the priest's humble opinion that Rider X had long since overstayed his welcome in this world. Risei's left hand drifted towards his right arm while his eyes narrowed towards his son-

He hummed. Not yet. He couldn't do what he had in mind brazenly, or he'd risk exposing Tokiomi's plans. And regardless, this crisis took precedence. Risei Kotomine had to consider the greater good.

So, his hand fell back to its original position, and he addressed his fellow priest. "Kirei, leave the hushing up of this situation to me. You should leave to aid Tokiomi." Besides, in all the confusion of the battle, there could be a chance to discreetly eliminate that monster…

"I will, father." Kirei, ever his dutiful son, replied before leaving the study. Risei in turn got up and headed for the phone. He was not looking forward to the mountains of work that awaited him, but he told himself it was all part of his own test.

As for his son's, well… He couldn't help but glance at his sleeved arm as its hand picked up the phone.

Kiritsugu Emiya drifted silently among the shadows of Miyama Town. Much as he recognized how credible the threat of Caster's invocation was, there were other matters he needed to concern himself with. The main one being a nagging suspicion he couldn't shake.

Even since he'd woken up this morning (after shaking his mind free of memories unfamiliar and yet simultaneously all too familiar for him), Kiritsugu had gone over every last piece of information concerning the possible rogue Servant alliance. One sentence from Archer X in particular kept reverberating in his head: "He wasn't kidding about you, Mage Killer."

She knew who he was. The reputation he had developed dispatching this world's magi. But who could this "he" be? Kiritsugu doubted it could've been Kayneth; even someone that prideful would've shown a little more caution confronting him if they had been familiar with the Mage Killer's methods. And Lancer didn't appear to have a clue about his identity either. Or for that matter, his status as the real Master of Saber and Assassin X.

That eliminated any first suspicions as to who Archer X's informant could've been. And after quashing his initial panic when the possibility of Kirei Kotomine came up, the most likely answer, in hindsight of all that had transpired since then, became clear: Rider X.

Kirei intercepting Maiya at the Hyatt hotel, along with the words Maiya had relayed to him, affirmed that the priest was aware of him and his dealings. And Assassin X's discovery of his Command Seals left no doubt in Kiritsugu's mind that Kotomine had been the one to summon that foreign tyrant to the Holy Grail War. Those two facts constructed a logical latticework which linked to the idea that Megatron also knew of Kiritsugu's past dealings.

And maybe as a way to make her more open to negotiations, he had in turn passed this information on to Archer X. But that still left a few questions unanswered. Like, when could the two Servants have met for this?

That first battle at the docks, Rider X and Archer X had not interacted with one another in any way. They must've made contact with one another afterwards. In secret, at least where her original fashion had been concerned. Diarmuid Ua Duibhne was too honorable to even entertain the idea of working with something as overtly evil as Megatron. Hell, Kiritsugu himself would've been extremely reluctant (at the very least) to cross that line. Even after all the other ones he'd crossed in his life. As for Kayneth, it seemed doubtful he'd have been let in on these dealings, considering the two's mutual disdain for one another.

Then the two rogues had come in contact with each other at that spot Kiritsugu and Assassin X had located the day before. That must've been the moment where they made their alliance official. And where Archer X had found her new Master.

The Mage Killer's destination was now only a few steps away. Just as his intel had described, the mansion before him had been designed in a Western manner much like others in this part of the town. Broad, a general blue color, and a Bounded Field likely crafted a long time ago. When the Matou family had first settled down here.

Kiritsugu had been mentally kicking himself for not paying better attention to this location than before. He'd foolishly assumed that Kariya Matou would be the extent of that family's participation in the Grail War and focused his efforts on monitoring the drifting Master. But now, there was plenty of reason for the Einzberns' champion to consider if the Matou patriarch was a little more active than originally believed.

He ducked away in an alley just as a dark shape sprang down next to him. "It's all quiet now," a gray ninja dog reported without fanfare. "Nothing high-profile at that place ever since Archer X left." He shook his mohawk-like fur a bit, a possible sign of unease.

Kiritsugu nodded at the information while glancing upward. He'd summoned Shiba earlier today with instructions to monitor the Matou residence. The hound had contacted him via his earpiece almost immediately upon reaching his spot, saying he'd found traces of both Archer X and Caster's scents around the house. And not even an hour ago did Kiritsugu receive another alert that the black-armored Servant had left these premises. Cloaked, of course, but it hadn't fooled Shiba's sinuses.

The Master adjusted the strap on the case he'd slung on his shoulder before readying himself. "You ought to have a clear view of the main part up there," Shiba added as he began to climb up the side of the wall. "A few lights are on at the ground floor, and blinds haven't been drawn over any windows. Makes for a clear view." He shivered slightly in his spot.

Kiritsugu noticed this even while continuing to scale the vertical surface. Applying both od to his shoe's soles and Reinforcement to the rest of his limbs as a countermeasure for gravity pulling him downward was a bit of a chore. "Your summoning time is almost up?"

Animals called forth by the Summoning Jutsu could only stay in the world for a certain period. Shiba confirmed it with a tire huff. "I've been extending it with my own stamina, but the tank's running on empty. Sorry, Kiritsugu."

"You've done enough, Shiba," the Mage Killer told the ninja hound with a hint of warmth in his voice. "Release yourself and get your strength back. I'll manage from here." Shiba gave a quiet but grateful bark and poofed away, leaving Kiritsugu Emiya alone. As he was used to. He quickly quashed down any thoughts of shopping for doggie treats tomorrow, though. Fighting the pull of gravity while walking up a wall was hard enough without taking extra care not to make any noise, he didn't need any distractions.

Besides, Iri had already claimed rights for spoiling the pack.

A few more steps, and he gripped the rails of the house's roof and hoisted himself silently upwards. Near silently; Kiritsugu clicked his tongue at how some shingles crunched underneath his feet. He ceased the flow of magic to his limbs in a conscious effort. I still haven't fully gotten used to jutsu yet, he berated himself while setting up his Walther. These otherworldly techniques remained an unexpectedly welcome edge, but their dissimilarities with the magecraft Kiritsugu was more familiar with tended to hamper his ingrained instincts somewhat. Iri had noted similar frustrations while they'd first learned the basics. Of Assassin X's three "students," Maiya had been the one who'd acclimated the quickest to jutsu.

Still, one couldn't deny it was thanks to the Servant's ability as a teacher that they'd be able to use his lessons for combat. Well, that and the facts that Kiritsugu and Maiya were technically "dabblers" in magecraft while Iri was young and open-minded. If a trained magus like Kayneth or Tokiomi were to try learning jutsu at such speed, it would probably be like having to walk in a manner different from how they had their whole lives: lots of stumbling about and cursing. Instinct, muscle memory, habits… So easily a double-edged sword.

Kiritsugu trained the assembled rifle (with silencer) towards the residence and peered through the scope. He didn't have time to waste on such musings now. Not when he had a chance to throw a wrench in whatever plans Rider X had made.

He could be mistaken, of course. The clues pointing to Zouken Matou's involvement may've been just a coincidence. Or perhaps a ruse, a false trail Archer X had set up to throw him and the rest off her scent. And Megatron was almost positively in charge of this little team of himself, her and Caster; he was clever enough to come up with something this unexpected and too arrogant to ever be fully subservient to another (another question about what relationship he might have with Kirei Kotomine).

So, perhaps Kiritsugu shouldn't be searching for the head of the Matou family in the hopes of putting a .300 Winchester Magnum round through his skull. Not when Caster had instigated a crisis that could threaten the entire city and maybe the Moonlit World.

But better safe than sorry.

His heat scope picked up multiple tiny sources of warmth, likely from the active lights or lingering spots where people had gone. But a major hotspot seemed to be below the house itself. The Bounded Field over the residence couldn't affect the technology of Kiritsugu's surveillance, but it would hamper any strike he made. Better start breaking it down now.

His left hand released hold of the Walther and made for his right; a single clone would suffice to… to…

What was that buzzing sound?

He rolled to the left just as something large swooped down for him. Kiritsugu kneeled closer to the center of the roof now and fired the Walther at whatever attacked him. The shot was clumsy, one-handed, but it went through the dark cloud buzzing to his right.

Even if he'd had the time to aim his rifle properly, it wouldn't have done good. The mass of insects was barely discomforted by the round sailing through it. Insects… the Mage Killer frowned at the collection of hovering, humming, noticeably aggressive creatures before him. He didn't need to peer through the heat scope to know they were twitching with mana. These were of no species natural to this world, they'd been created through magic.

He forced down unpleasant memories arising from prior experiences with that kind of magecraft. The kind that had forced him to sacrifice- Damnit, not now! The swarm was rushing towards him now, and he had little room to maneuver on this roof.

Kiritsugu darted away from the lunge and flicked out a piece of paper he'd prepared earlier today. It erupted in fire, burning away some of the gnashing little beasts, but more came to replace them. Worse, the cloud was spreading out, circling around him. Within seconds, any point to jump off and escape would mean experiencing their stings.

And amidst the growing masses of vicious bugs closing in on him, Kiritsugu's eyes enhanced by magecraft peered one last time towards the Matou residence. It may've been a trick of all the buzzing wings and the moonlight, but he thought he could make out a hairless face staring back at him with a vicious smile.

His mission complete, the Shadow Clone reached inside his coat just as the first Blade Wing Worms enveloped him.

Zouken Matou's hairless brow rose at the sudden explosion where his uninvited guest had been. It incinerated most of his familiars, and what few survived couldn't find any traces of the man amidst the smoke. Only a smoldering wreckage of his rifle remained.

A dark chuckle rippled from the man that traveled through every corner of his house and sent a shiver through its other, far younger occupant. She tossed and turned about in her bed, her dreams filled with horrid nightmares that she would ultimately face again awake.

"You were right about him being a wily one, Archer X," the Matou patriarch mused out loud. "Maybe more than you realize." Not many would've dared to attempt his assassination within his own home. Fewer still would be able to live to tell the tale.

A good thing, then, that he had decided to send Caster a little extra help.

Information splashed into Kiritsugu's brain, but he continued to carefully drive the boat he'd acquired along the Mion River. He'd grown accustomed to such sensations by now.

In fact, of all the tricks he'd learned from Assassin X, the Shadow Clone Jutsu was perhaps the most invaluable. As the Copy Ninja had first explained while demonstrating it, the technique's original conceptualization hadn't been to bolster ranks spontaneously, but for reconnaissance missions. Once a clone dispersed, regardless of by its own will or if another struck it hard enough, its unused energy and its memories and experiences were automatically transferred to the original. What it had seen, heard, smelled, learned… Everything. This same jutsu had even expedited Assassin X's training them. "If both you and one clone train for one hour, then the result will be the equivalent of you alone having trained for two hours," he had said at the time. A statement that had proven true by how much time they'd saved.

And now, Kiritsugu Emiya knew for certain where that dead worm they'd found had come from. Looks like those rumors of the Matou family practicing insect-related magecraft for generations are true, he concluded. And I've got even more reason to suspect he's involved in some way with Rider X's plans.

A wet, disturbing sound brought him back to the present. Speaking of which… Kiritsugu parked his boat close to underneath Fuyuki Bridge. Caster's monstrosity and the Servants battling it were in clear view.

Neither Rider X nor Archer X had appeared yet, but he had a feeling they were out there. Watching this, waiting for the right moment. As foreign Heroic Spirits and given their personalities, they would have little respect for the laws of secrecy this world's magic society abided by. But neither was stupid or crazy enough like Caster to just let something this big, this dangerous rampage about. Not unless it was part of a bigger plan.

And this kind of threat had drawn in nearly every other player in this Grail War. Either because they wanted to save the countless lives that would become fuel for Caster's insanity or because they wanted to prevent the world of magecraft being revealed. This had to be a trap of some kind.

Kiritsugu enhanced his vision to track the movements of a valued tool of his across the water, wondering when this trap might finally be sprung.

Multiple tentacles wrapped around the Gordius Wheel when Rider turned it around again. He hacked at the taller parts with his spatha and a growl, but the rest quickly tightened, trapping it in place. Fortunately, help arrived in the form of Berserker X. The tentacles were collectively split apart with one slash. The King beamed at him. "Much obliged, Kenpachi!" Waver nodded frantically his head in agreement.

Swinging onto the railing, the Servant snorted at him. "Just don't get in my way."

"I wouldn't dream of it," Iskandar assured him as they turned to face the Gigantic Horror. It sported a couple of slashes and burns but remained intact and powerful. "We may need to start getting serious, though…" he eyed the black patch his friend wore-

"Rider!" The Servants and their Master peered over the railing to see Assassin X standing on the water a ways from them. "Can your chariot's lightning be conducted?"

Rider blinked at the odd question. "Conducted? You mean can it travel through metal or water?" He mulled the idea over briefly. Divine though the Gordius Wheel was, the lightning it emanated functioned much the same as the regular kind. It was mostly a byproduct of his charges, so he'd never really considered it. But… "Yes, it ought to!" He finally called down.

"B-but what's the plan?!" Waver cut in, failing to follow the train of thought. "Should we travel along the water in the hopes of shocking it?" The river was too expansive for that, any electrical charge, even from the Wheel, would be stretched too far to injure the Horror.

"Not exactly," the clone replied. "Just be ready to charge when I make my move! And you may want to hold back on your swinging for now, Berserker X!"

The two Servants shared a look. Technically, Assassin X was a rival for the Holy Grail, and that aside, Iskandar, King of Conquerors, taking orders? Kenpachi Zaraki hanging back when there's a fight? Not exactly in each other's nature. But these weren't usual circumstances. So, Berserker X leaned against the railing with a grumble while Rider guided back the Gordius Wheel. Truth be told, the latter and Waver were both curious to see what the Servant of Assassination had in mind.

On the opposite side of the Gigantic Horror, Assassin X had finished molding his Magical Energy. "Ready?"

Saber raised her sword to level with her cheek next to him and pointed the hidden tip towards their foe. "On your mark."

With that, the Copy Ninja's hands blurred between seven different formations. "Fire Style:" he sucked in a deep breath, "Dragon Flame Bomb!"

He swiftly pulled down his mask lest it be incinerated from the torrent of flames that erupted from his mouth. Those quickly shifted into a roaring Dragon, its serpentine body coiling forward. So hot blazed this fire that the Dragon was white in color, and river and mist alike evaporated where it passed.

Even as it raced towards the Horror, Saber made her own move. "Strike Air!" Just like in the forest battle three nights ago, Invisible Air became a billowing gust blowing away the fog before her. It traveled in front of her at speeds that would've shattered the sonic barrier.

And it was when the "Hammer of the Wind King" connected with the burning Dragon that things got interesting.

In Assassin X's world, fire was considered the element naturally superior to air. Blow a strong enough wind at a campfire, and the flames would be carried to burn on elsewhere. Saber and Assassin X's combination attack shared this reaction. Strike Air pushed on the Dragon Flame Bomb from behind, accelerating it far beyond its regular speed, and the flames made the already tremendous winds even deadlier than before. The result was a monstrous fiery cyclone with a Dragon's head put on this Earth to immolate all evil.

At roughly the same time, Assassin X's Water Clone had completed an even larger set of handsigns. But this one led to part of the river's surface bubbling up and shifting into a vertical swirl before him. "Water Style: Giant Vortex Jutsu!" The spiral erupted towards the Horror in a massive fountain of water.

Waver gaped in awe. He'd already received a first-hand demonstration of this ninja's hydrokinetic abilities at the dockyards, but this was far beyond that Dragon then. It was like part of the Mion River had become a horizontal waterfall raging straight for the Horror.

Rider by contrast only laughed in delight. "Kakashi Hatake, you crafty devil!" He understood how his power was meant to come into play, and this unconventional idea was quite a treat!

He snapped the reins, urging his bulls forward, and launched Via Expugnatio onwards with a familiar war cry. "ULULULIIIII!" But instead of smashing against the Gigantic Horror, the "Distant Trampling Domination" traveled along the length of the Giant Vortex Jutsu, so close it was practically running on the waterfall. The godly lightning that radiated from it was attracted to the water just like its natural occurring cousin and pulled along by the great pressure. The result was a tidal wave brimming with enough charge to light up half of Fuyuki City. The Shinto half.

The electrified deluge and the incandescent hurricane struck the Gigantic Horror at roughly the same time. Either combination attack alone would've been equal in destructive power to a B-rank Anti-Army Noble Phantasm, and their target's size meant it received the full effect of both. The Lovecraftian titan shrieked and howled as its lower area was burned on one side and shocked on the other. Tentacles thrashed about in agony, trying futilely to mitigate the damage it was receiving.

High above, Caster X marveled alongside his Master at the splendid teamwork displayed when an idea of his own came to him. He'd been weighing tapping into his true power to stop this monstrosity, but now he could help in a different, slightly less taxing way. The Istar lifted his staff high with both hands while speaking an incantation in the Quenya tongue of his home. The crystal in its crown shined brightly before he slammed its base into the ground.

A white light began to glow beneath the Gigantic Horror, then eldritch mists rose up. But rather than the purple, foul kind caused by Caster's magics, this gave off a pure, cleansing feeling. And when they touched raging fire and voltic stream, the mists carried them higher and began to circle the Horror in a spiral motion. Before long, Caster's abomination was completely trapped in a pillar of alternating stripes of bolt and flame. The damaging elements had been coalesced, further increasing their potency and leaving no room for them to escape.

Those who hadn't participated in this dual assault, Servant or otherwise, were collectively impressed. Saber X settled for swooping down to where Irisviel, Lancer and the second Water Clone stood and landing with a whistle. "Now there's something you don't see every day."

Diarmuid chuckled next to him. "You can say that again, Branwen." Then he paused to spare the Huntsman a look. "…Did you decide to join us because, well…" He didn't know how to voice his thoughts politely.

"Because I was worried about Misfortune mucking it up?" Qrow cut through the subtext with a tired sort of bluntness. "Kinda obvious, I know, but just to be on the safe side…"

Irisviel spared him a sympathetic smile that widened with hope as she returned her gaze to the river. "A sustained attack of that magnitude… collected around its entire mass… even with its healing factor, that thing can't weather it unscathed."

The Einzbern was right. The stench of burning rotten meat was beginning to fill the air even as its shrieks continued to echo through the night. Its tentacles, covered in burn scars, lashed about in an effort to shake off the attack or maybe knock away its attackers, but it was too far away to reach the coast. And Caster X kept the pillar stable despite the distance, with the other four Servants maintaining their respective streams for as long as they could.

Soon, Caster's angered howls mixed in with those of his creation. "CURSE YOU ALL!" In truth, the Demon Marshall was tucked in so deeply amidst the layers of flesh that he'd yet to be injured, but he could still feel the heat and the pain from how his surroundings rippled. He couldn't escape even if he wanted to; that damned monk's machinations had trapped him within his own holy work.

Hell, even Berserker X was content to lean back against the railing and enjoy the show. He'd jump back in the fight soon enough. Waver, though, amidst his amazement, had noticed plenty of people gathering on both sides of the river. A side effect of this blazing spiral the Servants had trapped the Horror in was that its heat was burning much of the fog away. In other words, the bystanders could see to some extent what was going on. Fingers were pointed, pictures were being taken, ideas of a movie possibly being filmed flew about ("That is some awesome CGI!" one guy called out), etc.

But for once in his life, Waver Velvet wasn't focusing on the negatives here. After all, the people weren't really sure what they were seeing, so with a little work from the Church and maybe the Magus Association, they could sweep this site of the supernatural under the rug. And most importantly, their chances of stopping Caster were a lot better now. Victory was practically in sight.

And then the head of Assassin X's clone blew apart into water droplets.

Without him, the Giant Vortex Jutsu couldn't be maintained any longer, and Berserker X suddenly swung his blade towards Rider's head. "Wh-what the hell are y-" Waver's surprised shout was cut off by an odd clang! that came from the nodachi.

A misshapen piece of lead clattered onto the chariot's floor. Kenpachi traded a frown with his partner. "Archer X has finally come out to play."

Another bullet whistled through the air a second before striking Caster X's left shoulder. He stumbled backwards from the impact with a grunt. "Gandalf!" Kariya hurriedly moved to support his friend who conjured a shield to block two more shots and quickly tended to his injury, but the worst damage had been done.

The loss of Assassin X's Water Clone and the disruption of Caster X's concentration caused the spiral to fall apart. Water splashed back into the river, some of which doused the remaining flames. Those left still burned a bit on the Horror, itself almost slumping as its charred flesh tried to heal from the onslaught, but it was still standing. And it would regenerate, given enough time.

The allied Servants knew this, but they couldn't do anything about it. The focus of Archer X's attacks traveled from target to target, forcing Saber X, the remaining clone and a visibly angry Lancer to move into a protective formation around Irisviel. She flinched from the many sniper rounds that either struck the dirt or clanged against her defenders' weapons.

Agent Texas calmly exchanged magazines from her perch far away. Like shooting fish in a bathtub. Her shots wouldn't have killed that white-haired doll even if they'd hit (Zouken had stressed her importance for bringing about the Holy Grail), but they kept those morons too jumpy from interfering with that calamari nightmare's recovery. It rankled her slightly that she hadn't found that Emiya guy yet, though.

That worm pit she now called Master had just reported him popping up at the mansion, and the Freelancer was a little pissed with herself for not realizing sooner that the Mage Killer was the real Master of Assassin X and Saber. That smug look on Megatron's face when he'd told her had almost made Archer X explode. Literally. Even now, one clean shot, and not only would that sword-swinging twerp and her mummed-up lackey lose their mana source, but the most dangerous human in this War wouldn't be a problem. Which is exactly why I've yet to get a bead on Emiya. He knows how a sniper thinks, he won't step out into the open.

And even that frustration paled in comparison to the one she felt when every time she aimed at Lancer, her trigger finger would freeze up for just a second. But hey. Plenty other targets, plenty of bullets.

A few had even sped over to where Saber and Assassin X stood, preventing them from pressing the advantage against the Gigantic Horror. 'Radio tower,' Kiritsugu's voice echoed suddenly in their heads. 'On Iri's side, about four klicks from her position.'

The Sharingan glared out through the night despite the bullets heading his way. 'I see her,' he told his Master and his partner while tilting his head out of another shot's trajectory. Sure enough, he could identify the black soldier lying atop the support beams for the tower's staff. Full view of the battlefield, enough distance to react to any attackers in time… Tactically, a perfect vantage point for a Servant specializing in long range.

Though she couldn't see the blackguard, Saber glared as well towards that spot when her Instinct warned her anew. "Look out!" She yelled even while pushing Kakashi out of the way.

Purple energy bolts strafed the spot in the water where they'd been standing, and a familiar silver shape shrieked past them. Iskandar barely managed to divert the Gordius Wheel from colliding with Rider X in his Alt-Mode Starship. Berserker X swiped after him, but he was already out of the sword's range. Iskandar frowned at his airborne enemy. "Was this your plan all along… Megatron?"

The foreign Servant of the Mount gave no indication that he'd heard his counterpart's words. Instead, he opened fire on those gathered at Miyama's coast. Assassin X's Water Clone was blasted into a puddle before he could react, but Saber X and Lancer were fast enough to evade the energy bolts. Irisviel was held tightly in the former's left arm even as his right returned fire with Harbinger. The shotgun blasts went wide, though, as the alien aircraft headed for the bridge and circled around for another pass.

And with the limbs of Caster's monstrosity rising with renewed vigor, the Battle of Mion River began its next level.

-84:25:22

"What a wretched mess."

This scathing observation of the battlefield came from high above it, roughly level to the tallest points of Fuyuki Bridge. Gilgamesh, oldest hero of this world, now serving as the Archer of the Fourth Holy Grail War, leaned back in his seat with a disdainful huff. He, his partner and his Master had arrived at this spot roughly two minutes ago via a particular treasure from the Gate of Babylon: the Vimana of ancient Babylonian-Indian stories. This sleek, golden contraption surpassed even the most advanced of aircraft in modern day even while hovering idly. One of only a handful of vessels worthy of carrying the King of Heroes.

Right now, though, none of the Vimana's passengers had the inclination to appreciate its splendor. "For once, we agree, Archer." Lancer X stood at the edge, her eyes coldly drifting from the silver fighter flying about to the disgusting Horror lumbering ever towards the coast of Shinto. It wasn't quite the most revolting thing she'd seen (living in Outworld meant such sights appeared on a weekly basis), but it ranked high on that list. Kitana would've joined in tearing it apart by now. "Caster's terror needs to be destroyed as quickly as possible."

Tokiomi Tohsaka noticed a sharpness in her words than her usual cool nature; his Servant of the Spear had seemed on edge ever since he'd called her to join him and Archer. She's probably blaming herself for not finding Caster sooner, the Master figured. He couldn't fault her, either, for feeling anxious. Not when that same feeling came when he saw the crowds of people witnessing this debacle.

A scoff drew his focus to the only one of the trio seated. "I do not refer to the abomination alone," Archer grumbled. "Mongrels the fools fighting down there may be, but they're all supposed to be heroes of great fame, from this world or another. Yet even after shaming themselves by uniting, it only takes two other mongrels to throw them into such disarray?" He summoned a goblet of wine to wash out this taste. "Pitiful." He sneered into his drink at watching her fists tighten. "Come now, we all know this to be true, don't we, Tokiomi?"

The head of the Tohsaka family said nothing while glaring down. But in his thoughts (which Archer hopefully couldn't read), he disagreed with that assessment. That colossal funnel of fire and electrified water had been utter brilliance in his eyes, he was unashamed to admit, and not just because of the balanced power representing the Heroic Spirits' cooperation. Given enough time, its heat would've surely weakened the Horror enough to be finished off with ease… only for the other rogues to come and nip that victory in the bud.

Though they were only two in number, the interlopers were making full use of their respective strengths to throw the battlefield in chaos. Archer X's fire and Rider X's airborne attacks were breaking up formations and keeping the other Servants on their toes. They also changed targets repeatedly and sometimes pooled their efforts; Rider's chariot was already showing mileage, and red energy crackled slightly around Saber X. None of their opponents had died yet, a testament to their abilities, but neither were they given the time to conjure up another attack strong enough to destroy the Horror.

Said abomination had recovered marginally from its near-incineration and was continuing its journey to the coast. Berserker X had apparently decided for once to put business before pleasure; he went back to hacking into the creature, even targeting those burns yet to heal. But of course neither Rider X nor Archer X would let their revolting superweapon be stopped so easily. Even with his partners and Saber and Assassin X watching his back, Kenpachi Zaraki had to deal with sniper shots and strafes while hacking into his prey.

It was a battle against the clock, and the rogues were winning.

'Master, we have to act now before the entire city is drawn in,' Jade's voice rang in his head.

'I'm well aware,' He "replied" testily while grappling with himself mentally. He knew she was concerned about the destruction that would be wrought if Caster reached the shore, but that wasn't his only concern. As the Second Owner of Fuyuki City, appointed by the Magus Association, it was Tokiomi Tohsaka's responsibility to keep the masses safe and unaware of magical dealings. Letting this incident shatter the masquerade would endanger Fuyuki City, compromise the Holy Grail War and stain his family name. Tokiomi refused to become a disgrace like his ancestor Choujirou. He had every reason, official and moral, to put a stop to this mess now. And he had the means to do so right next to him.

The problem was, Lancer X didn't have any technique in her repertoire that could destroy something that massive. Her specialty lay in dispatching single opponents. Jade could wipe out small groups at best and with stealth on her side. So, he could send her to deal with Archer X, maybe Rider X if he'd just hold still. But the biggest threat, the monster Caster had conjured up… that was beyond her talents.

And she knew it, too. It was this knowledge and her discipline that (barely) kept the Edenian warrior from leaping into the fray. Fortunately, Tokiomi had another Servant with far greater power at his disposal.

The problem there was, Archer had yet to feel any motivation. So, Tokiomi drew in a breath and made to try and change that. "Oh, King," he began while turning to face his seated Servant, "Caster has brought about a repugnant blight into your garden. And two more wretched souls are aiding the devastation it wreaks." He bowed his head in fealty. "Surely they should all be wiped out immediately!"

"That task falls within the gardener's duties," was Archer's cold answer to this request. "I hope, Tokiomi, you are not inferring my Noble Phantasm serves no greater purpose than as a gardener's tool?"

Tokiomi quickly made to correct himself when Lancer X spoke up. "How can the gardener perform his duties the way the King expects if the King does not give him the proper means?" The female Servant returned the cold gaze without so much as a flinch. She'd long grown sick of myopic tyrants but still remembered how to converse with them. "If you do not want your garden to be overrun or claimed by another," she inclined her head towards a familiar whine, "you may wish to put a little effort in tending to it."

Archer's eyes sharpened like daggers, but Tokiomi spoke up again, an idea coming to mind. "Lancer X may have a point, my King. Rider X seeks without a doubt your throne," he quickly deepened his bow a little more, "and though he could never hope to match your splendor, this is a prime opportunity to demonstrate your might to him. You could remind all of these inferior spirits scuttling about what it means to be a true hero." A sliver of desperation was creeping in his words. "I beg you, o King of Heroes…"

All that came from Gilgamesh's mouth was an irritated grunt. And the fire in his eyes did not waver. But he flicked his fingers, nonetheless.

Berserker X was dragging his blade through a chunk of the Horror's upper area, blood spraying in his path. A bullet grazed his shoulder, but he paid it no more mind than he would a flea bite. If anything, that just upped the fun factor.

Then his Instinct flared, and bells jingled as the Servant dropped from his perch. A flash of gold blasted through the spot he'd been a second ago, blowing clean through the monster in its entirety. He stabbed his nodachi into a lower spot, the worn blade carving through a bit before his fall ceased. "Watch where you throw your toys, you gold-humping jackass!"

(Archer made a note to himself: discipline that brutish mutt for his mouth later.)

Three more golden meteors shot down to perforate the Horror, one of which nearly striking Rider X hadn't he banked away in time. The raw force in their flights obliterated the disgusting flesh and crashed into the river. The tower of slime, teeth and tentacles now sported four gargantuan holes gaping wide in the wake of Archer's assault.

Archer X didn't have time to register this development like the rest, on account of a fifth projectile speeding straight for her. She barely rolled cursing off of her perch before a trident decorated with bronze and sapphires blew the radio tower's crown to dust. Tex angled her fall to land on the roof of a shorter building and promptly got up to find a new position, grumbling all the while. "Gonna feed that gaudy asshole his kidneys and shove his testicles through his eye sockets…"

Lancer might've been angered about Archer potentially stealing his kill if he weren't busy peering through the mist. Even without Assassin X's special eye, his own sight should've been enough to see if Caster was now exposed through Archer's assault. But alas, no sign of the madman, not so much as a toe. And that meant the knight couldn't throw Gáe Daerg with the surety it would pierce him.

Which sadly meant the bombardment just now had yielded little benefit. "It will not suffice…" Caster X murmured of similar mind.

Sure enough, wounds inflicted with enough force to sunder mountains were beginning to close up again. Archer hadn't put much care into aiming his "arrows", but even if he'd tried to hit vital organs, he wouldn't have found any. This thing doesn't have any skeleton structure or organs at all, Saber X surmised as he flew into one hole and began slicing and blasting, trying to press the advantage somehow. Same as the Grimm, just a big stinking pile of destruction. He quickly vacated the hole lest it seal up around him.

As for the King of Heroes, he'd lost whatever interest he'd had in this debacle. "We're leaving, Tokiomi. I can no longer stomach the sight of that detestable thing."

Lancer X whirled around to face him with indignance. "You can't be serious, Archer! You wish to simply strut away after contributing the barest amount of effort and leaving the rogues free to roam about? Is this how you prove your worth as King?!" A portal flashed open and shot an axe that struck the Servant of the Spear. Were it not for her "Dodging Shadows" technique, it would've split her clean in half. As it was, she staggered a bit from the blow's force but remained standing and uninjured, Edenian Sojourner Staff drawn.

Tokiomi quickly stepped between the two, his usual mask of dignity giving way to panic. The last thing he needed now was for his Servants to start fighting each other. It would be utterly humiliating. And maybe… he didn't want Jade to be killed. Well, she is the more dependable of the two. "My King, please-"

"You should teach your cur to mind her tongue, Tokiomi." There was a part of Archer that commended his partner for the defiance in her posture. She knew better than any other mongrel in this War what he was capable of; that axe just now was the equivalent of a finger flick. Yet the resolve in the cur's eyes showed not a trace of wavering. It tickled Gilgamesh enough that he held back on her punishment in favor of continuing. "I have no need to 'prove' my worth at anything, outlandish tart. I have graced this battle with five of my swords and spears for the sake of Tokiomi's honor. Four of them have been contaminated by the touch of that filth, thus I shall not retrieve them." He sipped his wine while waving his hand in dismissal. "That farce of an Archer has been dealt with. If the mongrels down there have any sense, they will capitalize on my contributions. You can scurry off and join them with my blessing, but do not test my generosity further."

Tokiomi's deference gave even more away to the panic within. "The other Servants will no doubt be able to handle Rider X and his ally, but you alone are capable of finishing off that beast!" He cast his arm towards the Gigantic Horror. "From what we've seen, its regenerative power is so great, the only way to completely kill it is with one strike of overwhelming might." He was unconsciously walking closer towards the Vimana's owner despite the danger of this. "And only you, O King of Heroes, can unleash such an attack with the Sword of Rupture-"

"How dare you?!"

The goblet struck the craft's floor, wine spilling from it. "Me, draw, Ea, my greatest treasure here?!" Gilgamesh's eyes blazed with such a crimson fury that it was now Lancer X who stood defensively between him and their Master. "Take care with your words as well, Tokiomi! Speaking such foolishness to the King can cost both of you your heads!"

He wouldn't do it. Of course he wouldn't, Tokiomi realized. The King of Heroes would never unveil the "Sword of Rupture," the weapon that split earth apart from heaven at the dawn of creation, the single most powerful and most prized treasure within the Gate of Babylon, against a threat he did not deem worth his time. So, the magus resigned himself to bowing his head in submission and telepathically told Lancer X to do her same. She did so while her knuckles creaked from how tightly they gripped her staff, a frustration he couldn't begrudge.

But while doing so, his turquoise eyes looked down to the markings on his right hand. Then even as he considered his options, something beneath them caught the trio's attention.

Even though the Gigantic Horror was recovering from it, Archer's bombardment had helped Assassin X catch a break despite the surrounding chaos. 'Kiritsugu, I'm about to take a gamble. Will you let me use my secret weapon without interference?'

He nimbly evaded more of Rider X's blasts while awaiting his Master's reply. 'Alright, just don't make me use a Command Seal unless absolutely necessary.'

'That's fine, hopefully it won't come to that.' Privately, Kakashi was a bit warmed that he wasn't questioned further on what he had in mind; looks like Saber wasn't the only one who had developed some faith in him. Speaking of which, he quickly turned his attention to his partner. "Cover me for a bit, I've got something that might work."

The King of Knights nodded and jumped over to his side without a word, her sword at the ready. She didn't demand an explanation or a plan from Assassin X; he had earned her near-absolute trust. Besides, Rider X seemed to be focusing on the duo right now. She warded off his rapid fire with swift swordplay before slashing the air to drive him off, then the airborne tyrant would circle back, and the process repeated itself. Tentacles would spring up from the Mion, but neither flesh nor blast touched the comrade of Artoria Pendragon.

Behind her, the Copy Ninja had settled into a crouch on the water's surface, gathering his Magical Energy. His hands were in a formation similar to the Tiger sign of ninjutsu and positioned in front of his closed left eye. His left eye, a special gift given to him from Obito of the Uchiha clan just before the latter had been crushed to death in a rockslide. A fine ninja, Kakashi Hatake knew him to be, and a better friend than he had deserved. He'd failed to save Obito and later failed again to save their teammate Rin; that bloody failure had awakened the power he was accessing now. He had vowed to never squander the gifts they'd entrusted him.

With that vow in heart, the Man of a Thousand Techniques opened his Sharingan again.

By chance, Saber lunged to bifurcate a collection of tentacles that had erupted to his left. She took a moment to catch her breath afterwards and made eye contact with Assassin X, instantly seeing something had changed. His left eye retained its crimson color, but those three strange dots within his iris had shifted into three triangles, their edges stretched evenly across the red. Their inner curls linked into a circle where the pupil would be, overall giving it the appearance of a sharpened pinwheel. Saber finally realized she'd been staring and gave him a quick apologetic glance before returning to guarding his back.

"It's okay," Assassin X assured her. "I hadn't shown any of you my Mangekyō Sharingan before, after all. Not that I don't trust you, Saber, it's just that I've kept it as a last resort."

That logic, she understood completely. The Once and Future King had yet to show him her own last resort as well. If anything, the change in his eye intrigued her. "Mangekyō… Sharingan?" She repeated out loud while driving her sword through another slimy appendage and twisting. According to the Grail's knowledge, mangekyō meant "kaleidoscope," and that gave her some manner of idea what this power meant. "It's a stronger form of your regular Sharingan, then?"

"Exactly." Kakashi fixed his changed eye towards the massive, unholy abomination before them. "Activating it taxes my energy even more than usual, but it comes with a boost to the Sharingan's basic abilities." Already he could differentiate the alternating layers of mana surrounding and within the Horror itself, his gaze travelling towards what he'd earlier caught a glimpse of… There you are.

Assassin X got up from his crouch, a glint of determination in his special eye's glare. And, Saber noticed, a swell of mana as well. "And it's only in this state that I can use my final trump card."

Deep within his beautiful invocation, Bluebeard basked in the grand chaos he had invoked before God. He had sequestered himself even further among the layers following that unpleasant swell of heat, making it next to impossible to know what was happening his darling. But he could still feel presences, the sensations travelling along the throbbing walls and to him like the ripples in a pond. He knew he was not alone in this endeavor; valiant souls had come to his aid and were now battling the infidels outside.

Jeanne was out there, as well. Not that he'd expected her to disappear; she would not fall so easily. And the Holy Maiden, the blessed Savior from Orleans would never turn away from such a terrible crime before her. Her presence warmed his heart all the more. "Watch and see, dear Jeanne," he beseeched her, "watch as I and my treasured friends smite the pious fools that have entrapped you with their illusions. Watch as I unveil the greatest banquet before God's eyes!" These skirmishes outside had prolonged the appetizer of this humble meal, and once the coast was reached…

"Watch from your seat in Heaven, Ryuunosuke, as I make the greatest COOO-"

He paused. Something must've dropped into his eyes. Why else would the walls before him be swirling?

Outside, Megatron had broken off leading Rider in a merry chase; another opponent appeared to be up to something. But his attempts to eliminate Assassin X was hampered just like all the others by Saber. He rocketed away from that blasted invisible sword, a chip in his wing; not quite out of reach. And all the while, the mechanical being wondered just what that foreigner was doing to the Horror. It's almost like a magical version of… opening a Space Bridge.

Others had taken notice of the strange distortions as well. Tokiomi, for instance, had Reinforced his eyes for a better view of what was happening. A small, rotating hole had appeared in the head- well, upper area of the monster, rapidly expanding with each spin. Except… it wasn't really a "hole", he realized, but a point in space that was being warped. Some sort of Bounded Field has been established, the magus in him analyzed. A dimensional rift that is drawing in everything within its vicinity.

Waver's eyes marveled as well at how the monster's flesh was warped within that space. It was some kind of space-time manipulation, but not like the Reality Marble Rider had for a Noble Phantasm. "Who… who's doing this?"

"Assassin X." Iskandar grinned while ramming through a collection of tentacles. He wasn't about to let himself be caught again. "That mask hides more than a crafty mind, doesn't it?" In fact, the sight made him wonder…

Sure enough, nearly everyone recognized that the source of this disturbance in reality was coming from one of the two Servants standing on top of the River. Assassin X focused ever on his target before giving one final push with uttering the name of his final Noble Phantasm. "Kamui!"

Caster screeched loud enough for the entire area to hear as his left arm was ripped from his body and sucked away. The dimensional swirled one final time before sealing up, the Horror and its creator both deprived of appendages. The former's injuries would heal much sooner than the latter's.

Assassin X's knees buckled and he stumbled forward, Saber quickly catching him with her left arm so he wouldn't fall into the water. He could barely stay atop the surface. "Assassin X!" Irisviel called out instinctively, the worry in her voice reflected by her posture. She concentrated, but the Servants were too far away for her healing magecraft to reach.

And even if it could, there was no easy remedy for the kind of fatigue that now gripped the shinobi. Panting in a concerned Saber's arms, Kakashi was covering his left eye with his hand. "Too much… flesh… in between…" he wheezed out. "I missed…"

Other shared his disappointment at Caster still being alive. Tokiomi however noted the Servant's posture as well as his exhaustion. So, that Noble Phantasm is an extension of his eye…

Archer had grown slightly interested in this development before slumping back in his seat. "Quaint for a parlor trick."

Even Kariya had paused in scowling up at the golden aircraft that could only belong to one Servant to watch this odd spectacle. He knew next to nothing about magecraft, but this kind of technique didn't look like anything most magi of this world were capable of. "Was he trying to warp the whole thing away?"

Caster X's beard swayed as he shook his head. "I don't think that's possible." His eyes noted the strain in the Servant's posture, the obvious fatigue. "Assassin X does not have the power to draw in something so massive, nor was he trying to." His gaze shifted towards the greatest danger about. "No, he had sent it like a scalpel into the beast in hopes of catching Caster."

Gandalf the Gray's hypothesis was on the mark. Kakashi gently pulled himself free of his friend's grip and repeated his efforts. I almost had him. He knew Archer had put little effort or interest in his earlier barrage, but the weapons blasting through the Horror had opened massive holes in both its physical and magical structure. For just a brief second, the maelstrom that was its many colors of mana had stilled, and in that one second, Assassin X's Noble Phantasm had seen something that could've been Caster.

That second had passed when the mana resurged to repair the damage, but he had been given an idea of where to look, and even now, his augmented visual prowess could clearly make out a (one-armed) gesticulating human form towards the top.

But finding him was only the first step. They still had to kill Caster or at least destroy his book, and there was a lot of flesh in the way. Not a problem for the mana-negating power of Lancer's red spear, but Rider X wouldn't let him or a Clone get close enough to relay the location of their target. Not to mention Kakashi had noticed a certain increase of tension in his comrade's rival ever since Archer X had made her presence known. Much as he appreciated the chivalry the knights shared, he feared Lancer would break off from the rest and go after his former partner in his rage. Taking his spear with him, of course.

That left Kamui: "The Authority of the Gods" as the most immediate option. But as Assassin X had expected, his gambit had proven risky. For one thing, aiming the dimensional warp was tricky at the best of times; even now, despite knowing where to look, the effort of basically staring open a hole in reality, plus the sheer thickness of the Horror's insides, had knocked off his trajectory slightly. Thus, Caster had only lost his arm, not his entire torso. Not to mention the technique had a limit of how much mass it could warp away, even as a Noble Phantasm.

Then there was the fatigue that followed. Assassin X could only perform Kamui safely twice per day; a third time would knock him out. Which is exactly why he had avoided falling back on the Mangekyō Sharingan's power up till now. But this wasn't a situation where he could afford to hold back. The flesh was starting to close up, he might not get a later chance.

For the second time that night, the Copy Ninja focused his Mystic Eye's dimension-distorting power at the Demon Marshall tucked within his monster. Saber was watching his unsteady stance even while cutting down the tentacles headed their way, but she pushed down any concern. The best way she could help now was by keeping any enemies off her friend so he could do his thing.

Those Servants allied with the two had similar ideas. Lancer stood guard by Irisviel, watching the rooftops for any hint of Archer X. Saber X circled in bird form with the same idea in mind. Berserker X hacked away at the Horror from where he was climbing, dividing its attention (though he hadn't noticed what was going on, he was just having fun).

Rider X streaked downwards, targeting the shinobi. I've underestimated his threat level. His turrets charge up. A mistake easily remedied- One of the Gordius Wheel's bulls dealt him a glancing blow. Nothing major, but it knocked him spinning with a growl. Then the flier was forced to dodge magical lightning from Caster X, forcing him off course. Blast!

Caster had been too distracted by his pain to move away. Cradling his right arm, he howled incoherent curses at the familiar sensation of being twisted and forced around. The walls around him throbbed and thrashed, but this was no attack he or they could've been familiar with. He screeched as the strange force centered on his chest. If he were a little calmer, he might've formulated a twisted prayer of damnation against whatever devilry this was.

That prayer would prove answered as the force suddenly ceased. He blinked in incomprehension at the relief from his tribulation, wondering what had just happened, then accepted it as divine aid and went on to conduct his great orchestra. "Yes! COOOOOLLLL!"

"Assassin X! Kakashi!" Saber was by her partner, trying desperately to help. He was being… strangled, from the looks of it, but there was no one there. No tentacle wrapped around his throat, no invisible presence she could sense or grasp, he was simply grabbing for his throat as though to pry himself free of this suffocating force. "What's happening, who's doing this to you?" Artoria gripped his shoulders, trying desperately to find the source of his distress.

He could barely hear her or Kiritsugu's (mostly) level mental calls. His head was pounding like a drum. He couldn't speak from the sheer pressure crushing his throat. Some kind of intangible… force. No matter how much he or Saber reached for something, anything, they only touched air. Add that of the fatigue from his failed second use of Kamui, and Assassin X could feel his life being crushed away. His Mangekyō Sharingan had already reverted back…

Sharingan. He could see the channels of mana surrounding him, not from him or Saber. Desperately, he fought through the blurring of his senses and followed their trail. There… on the Miyama shore. But his throat was lodged shut, he could only get out a wordless gurgle.

Assassin X summoned all of his dwindling strength into his arm, lifting it and pointing it shakily towards the coast. Saber noticed his efforts, as did Lancer. The spearman's gaze followed the trajectory of Assassin X's indication even while he bounded quickly along the shore. He halted within a second to thrust his red spear and swing his golden one at the source of Assassin X's affliction, hand outstretched and fingers curling around something.

The hooded figure backflipped out of reach, but out on the river, Assassin X finally collapsed coughing into Saber's arms. The blonde knight had little time to be relieved at her comrade's breathing steadying as a large shadow appeared over him. She quickly adjusted her hold on him and jumped away from the tentacle that would've crushed them, sprinting for safety.

Meanwhile, Lancer glared back at golden eyes filled with hatred and fury. "Who are you to interfere with our stopping Caster's madness?"

The hooded man slowly rose from his crouch, a deep hiss escaping him. "Madness… Such a heavy word." Blood trickled from a cut on his right cheek, a gift from Gáe Buidhe. "I suppose I couldn't help myself." He tilted his head underneath his hood. "Caster… I could sense his pain, his anguish. Surely, a hero," that word was spat out with derision, "like you could understand the instinct to try and alleviate a poor fellow's misery?"

It didn't take a genius to recognize the mockery in the stranger's tone. And the knight of Fianna was already agitated enough from Archer X's presence to play along. Instead, his answer was another lunge which the man evaded with speed only a Servant could boast. "My, such aggression…" He ducked under a swing from Gáe Daerg. "Such hatred…"

Diarmuid blocked a punch with his golden spear and hopped over a leg sweep before stabbing again, but the stranger continued to parry his blows with ease. It was almost as he could predict what the next moves would. "How brightly it burns in you."

And worst of all, he wouldn't shut up. "Hmm, but it's not directed at me, no…" He grabbed onto the red lance and pulled, reeling Lancer in for an elbow to the face. Fortunately, a knee in the gut and the yellow tip prevented from any further strikes. "And Caster or his… creation isn't the source, either," the Servant mumbled while slipping out of range. "No, no, the flavor of fury like the one within you comes from personal pain. Someone you knew…" His body shook slightly with a dark chuckle that rankled Lancer. "Someone you trusted, maybe?"

Lancer would feel shame later at how easily his discipline slipped, but at the moment, he only cared about skewering this fiend's heart. He charged forward, teeth bared, one spear aimed at the hooded head, one at the chest over where he was reaching for something-

Red flared before his eyes, and Diarmuid Ua Duibhne realized only at the last second it wasn't his rage.

His right foot kicked up dirt and grass as it forced him to a stop, and he rolled while jabbing with Gáe Daerg. The stranger in turn flipped away with that strange light in his hand. They got to their feet at the same time and glared at each other.

Lancer winced slightly at the burn on his left shoulder. The pauldron strapped there had been sliced clean through; if he'd been just a second slower, the entire arm would have been lost. Then the knight felt mana flowing through him, and his wound was swiftly healed. Even the armor had been repaired. 'My thanks, Lady Sola-Ui,' he sent out of automatic courtesy, but a rustle from his opponent distracted him from hearing her reply.

The stranger's left hand was covering a gash in his side where the red tip had cut him, but the right hand clutched some kind of metallic cylinder tightly. It looked like the handle of a long sword, the image reinforced by the crimson beam of light flowing from one end and the curved metal there. A blade of focused plasma, Lancer deduced, his shoulder still stinging from the burn.

"Invigorating, isn't it?" He straightened as his left hand drifted up towards the hood and flicked it back, revealing a scowling face covered in red and black markings, a ring of sharp horns atop his hairless head, and twin yellow eyes that blazed with barely restrained rage. "The pain, the hatred you feel…" He rolled his shoulders free of his robes, the black cloth sliding to the ground, before snarling, "And you've only scratched the surface, hero."

Lancer settled into a more cautious stance; he couldn't afford to let his emotions run wild. The others would be counting on his spears. "Who are you, Servant, to make such claims of knowing pain?"

The man twirled his sword of light and sank into his own stance. "One of a class birthed in pain. Anguish, vengeance… the darkness is our origin, our lifeblood…" he leaped forward with greater speed than he'd shown before, sword raised above his head, "and our weapon!"

Lancer made to block, but he needn't have bothered. A rush of wind, and his attacker was struck out of the air to skid on his feet away. A familiar blue and silver shape landed next to the knight who smiled in turn. "I suppose you think us even for the forest now, Saber?"

"That was admittedly a side benefit, Lancer." The King of Knights kept her steely gaze on the beastlike spirit before them. "In truth, I wish to repay him for assaulting Assassin X from the shadows." She had ushered her comrade to Irisviel's side, the woman immediately working to nurse him back to health, before heading here. Kakashi had tried to go with her, but he received three separate vetoes; not even Kiritsugu would send him in his weakened state back into the fray. Leaving her with no distractions as her fingers clenched around her sword's hilt. "And that blow just now was only the beginning of your punishment…" her eyes were practically slits now, "coward."

Avenger X only scoffed back at the little girl before him. "Whatever nightmares you chivalric fools could lay before me are blissful dreams compared to what's behind me." Despite the sharpness of his words, he didn't charge in just yet. In truth, he had targeted both of the Servants on the water with his Force Choke. Only the male one had been affected, though; this girl dressed up as a knight hadn't seemed so much as winded. Is it her Magic Resistance?

And just now, his lightsaber had definitely struck her sword, but hidden though it was, he sensed it hadn't suffered so much as a nick from the plasma blade. Must be C-rank, at least… The natures of Noble Phantasms could prove an annoyance.

The clothing of blue and gold with gleaming silver on top, the sword shrouded in winds in her hand, the resolute, righteous look in her eyes…

Maul would've almost mistaken her for a Jedi were it not for the inner turmoil he sensed within her. Most Jedi were better at hiding that, but even without the dark side of The Force, he could practically taste her doubt, her uncertainty, her pain... It only stoked his own fire all the more. He readied Crimson Dawn. "Looks like a wonderful night awaits us."

Lancer slowly moved towards the right while Saber headed left, disgust emanating from the latter. "If you enjoy such turmoil, why only engage us now?"

He lashed towards her, his crimson blade becoming a blur that illuminated the winds of Invisible Air. "Your partner would've put an end to it far too quickly, and the night is still so young." He attacked again, and she parried, then he twisted away from a stab Lancer attempted before swinging his sword at the spearman. An aggressive warrior, Saber surmised while clashing blades with him, but he shows training. And strategy. Like Rider X, his taunts weren't merely a sign of arrogance, but targeted to rile them up. Lancer was noticeably more on edge than usual. Or was that due to Archer X being close by? Maybe both.

But there was something else about this stranger. He seemed to have little trouble parrying her sword despite Invisible Air. It wasn't as though he actually saw her fabled weapon underneath, but he wasn't misjudging its length or shape like others would. Instinct? Or some other Skill?

Either way, neither swordsman had yet to score any injury on the other, and Lancer had given nor taken any himself since the unveiling of that energy sword. The newcomer's side seemed to have healed up, but the cut underneath his eye remained because of Gáe Buidhe's ability. He himself seemed a little perplexed every time their weapons clashed, like he was expecting the plasma of his blade to inflict more damage. The blade even flickered whenever it met Gáe Dearg's tip; of course it would, it was formed of mana. However, he adjusted rapidly.

The two-on-one battle had become a frustrating stalemate for the two. The third on the other hand seemed a mixture between angry and pleased. "Not dispatching me as easily as you'd hoped?" He jeered while pressing that red light against both of their arms. "And all the while you struggle to kill me, Caster's pet drifts ever closer to land…" They pushed him back, but as he circled them, Lancer noticed amidst his glaring no slip in his guard. "But one wrong step…" he rose his weapon towards them, "and I will kill you." The black-and-red man made no threat, but a promise. "What ever will you do, little knights?"

Diarmuid smirked fiercely back at him. "Awfully confident there, considering you're facing two of us…" his spears drifted closer together, "Avenger X." He felt a small bit of triumph at how the Servant snarled. "A class birthed in pain, anguish, vengeance? Plenty of clues to narrow down your class, and there is already a Berserker X in play. And you're most certainly neither Heroic nor a Spirit of this world's history."

Saber kept her face neutral even as she puzzled over this information. An Avenger in this Grail War? She knew little about this irregular class, but one shouldn't normally appear alongside the seven standard Servants. Well, nothing about this War has been regular so far, she huffed to herself before relaying this new information to Kiritsugu and Kakashi. That done, she raised her sword and said, "Whatever you are, the both of us are more than sufficient for handling you, fiend." Then she charged alongside her rival towards him.

Avenger X jumped over a slash from the red spear and barely blocked a slash from Saber's sword that sent him rolling backwards. The two knight classes shared a look before leaping after him. A single sword no matter its color or composition could only parry so much, and he was on the defensive. They kept the pressure on him, Saber going low and Lancer aiming high and then switching and right back. This was the third time they'd shared a battlefield; both knights were completely familiar with each other's movements.

Their opponent suddenly thrust a hand towards them, fingers splayed open. The air rippled as some sort of pressure rushed towards Saber and Lancer, but neither felt more than a stiff breeze. He cursed while stumbling under Gáe Daerg's thrust, flipping his hilt into a reverse grip to stop Gáe Buidhe chopping at his leg, then Invisible Air swooped towards his chest…

And was halted in mid-swing by the crimson energy blade emitted from the hilt's other end.

Saber had little time to process this development as she twisted her head away from a bullet hurtling for the back of her head. Archer X. It only grazed her cheek but still rattled her, and Avenger X spun like a top, his Noble Phantasm a blur of blood-red mana. They had to break away lest they risk losing limbs; the swings were not nearly as careless as they appeared.

Artoria Pendragon sidestepped another shot from above and frowned at the obvious tightening of Lancer's posture. Well, their new friend straightened while twirling his double-bladed weapon before them, this could be harder than I thought.

"Well, come on, heroes…" Avenger X bared his teeth in a savage cross between a snarl and a smirk. Crimson Dawn's blades hummed eagerly in his hand. "Handle me if you can."

The King of Heroes huffed in annoyance. "How many more mongrels will be sprouting out of the ground?" Though the fingers over his eyes belied a gleam of suspicion.

Not that his "compatriots" had noticed: Lancer X was trying to keep the newcomer, Rider X, and Caster's monster all within sight, clearly weighing what she could do; and Tokiomi was too busy fighting down a fresh splash of panic. A fifteenth Servant?! How is that even possible? Who could he be serving, is there a hidden Master in this War? Is he allied with Rider X as well, he saved Caster and is fighting Lancer and Saber, what is this…?

The head of the Tohsaka family drew in a breath and held it in to calm himself. He couldn't allow himself the luxury of falling apart. Not now, not ever. But… this situation was growing more complicated with each passing minute. His expectations kept getting knocked askew.

Once again, he glanced down to the back of his right hand. There was one Servant who could put a stop to all of this easily… the one contracted to him. 'Invoke a Command Seal.' As though their thoughts were linked, Jade's voice urged him. 'Even Archer will follow them, and Father Risei can replenish the one you used.'

Yes… that had been the whole reason Tokiomi and Risei had crafted this scheme for hunting Caster in the first place. And thanks to Lancer X executing the Master, he had already regained the first one he'd expended. In theory, he could use one now and still have at least two left for the remainder of the War. But… 'That would make it the second time I forced him to do something against his will. This would surely shatter any camaraderie we have left with the King of Heroes.' And if he needed to keep using his Seals, Tokiomi wouldn't have any left for when the time came…

But if they left the battlefield, that would mean hoping that the rest could handle Caster's devilry and the other three(!) deviants. He could hear familiar gunfire, a sign Archer X had already found a new vantage point. Maybe one of the foreign Servants had some kind of power that could serve as a substitute for Ea. Caster X, Berserker X if he stopped playing around… But that would leave Risei with no choice but to award them Command Seals. And Tokiomi, who'd fled the battlefield, wouldn't be eligible in the eyes of the rest. Could he risk his plans being exposed then just to resupply?

His plans… Tokiomi Tohsaka had thought he'd accounted for everything in the Holy Grail War. Even with the inclusion of the X-Servants, he'd made minor adjustments to his strategy, confident he could keep control over the board. But now… How could everything slip so completely out of control?

The whine of Rider X's aerial form ripped through his thoughts. Anger bubbled inside his mind at this megalomaniacal Servant for most probably having instigated this mess, at himself for having been so careless-

Then he looked at his Command Seals again, remembered a certain jewel in his pocket, and a plan came to mind. 'Lancer X,' he told her while reaching for that jewel, 'stand by for now.'

'You really expect me to do nothing?' The Servant was more than a little agitated at this crisis. She knew she didn't have the power to destroy Caster's monster, so she'd weighed the option of teleporting into the thing, finding that lunatic and giving him the same treatment she hadhis Master. Except she'd likely be torn to shreds within a minute in there, even with magical protection. And Jade couldn't find Caster in something that big and layered in so little time. Perhaps a Command Seal, but it would still be a one-way trip. And call Jade selfish, but she still had a wish for the Holy Grail.

'I never said that.' Something about the reply's 'tone' caught her notice. Tokiomi Tohsaka didn't look or sound like one who'd given up, which stifled her fury a bit. She spared a glance down to where a certain Servant had summoned a massive barrier of glimmering light to halt the Horror's progression. Perhaps they could get a chance…

And giving up was definitely the last thing on the Master's mind. He held the gem between his fingers and quickly activated the link. 'Kirei, are you here at the river?'

'I am, sir,' his faithful disciple replied in his usual stoic manner.

'Excellent, I have need of you.' And so, Tokiomi hurriedly explained what he had in mind all while silently thanking his lucky stars Gilgamesh hadn't steered the Vimana away from the river yet; the King of Heroes seemed to have taken interest in Caster X's actions. The magus had just finished relaying his plan when he realized the mechanical whine was far greater than usual. Either Rider X is pushing his Noble Phantasm to the maximum, Tokiomi scanned the skies, or… Lancer X tapped his shoulder and nodded upwards. He followed her nudge and saw them: two fighter planes, just arrived to join this wretched spectacle.

Oh, perfect…

"What… the hell…?" Lieutenant First Class Ohgi couldn't believe his eyes. His visor must've fogged up or something. How else could one explain the utterly insane scene before him?

Most of the Mion River was covered in an eerily purple mist save for one spot. In the center of that "clean" area was some kind of colossal… thing with writhing tentacles and ugly-as-hell features. Monster… that description didn't sound so much like a joke anymore. Not with how the pilot's blood froze at the very sight of it.

"This is Diablo 2, are you seeing this?" His partner called with audible confusion. And fear.

"Seeing…" Ohgi mumbled, "Still working on… believing." It was currently struggling against a wall of light that seemed to be coming from the coast, and there were little things flitting about on the river's surface. Diablo 1 corrected his course slightly, mumbling, "Hang on… are those… people?"

"People? Yeah, both shores are starting to crowd up, no wonder the police called for air support." Kobayashi had yet to see what he was talking about. "How the hell are we supposed to report- Wait, radar's picking up another aircraft flying around. Fast one, too. I'm also seeing a strange light six o'clock." Sure enough, there was some weird gold thing with green highlights hovering in the direction Diablo 2 had indicated. "Never seen a helicopter like that… What is it, a UFO?"

Then a third voice joined their comms. "Control to Diablo 1, what's your status?"

All semblance of joking had left Ohgi now. "Well… I don't…" Like Diablo 2 said, was there any kind of military code they could use to explain whatever was going on here?

Then his copilot said, "I'm heading down for a better look."

"Kobayashi, wait!" But the trailing F-15 had already dipped and was speeding through the mist. Swearing, Diablo 1 moved to follow him. "Pull up, Diablo 2!" He did not want either of them to get caught up in all this craziness.

Neither did Diablo 2, really, but he still flew on despite the chill down his spine. "If I get closer, I can see the whole situation better…" he mumbled while keeping his ride steady. It wasn't the first time he'd flown in spots with poor visibility, but this fog had a strange, sinister feel to it. Almost like something was waiting to reach out and-

A horrified scream echoed inside Ohgi's helmet. "Kobayashi!"

The pilot had barely avoided the first tentacle that had lashed out for him, but even more erupted from the river and went after him. They must've been at least a hundred meters long, and despite their size, they were almost on top of him. A crevice, no, a mouth opened on the thing's side away from the light, and even more shot out just as the F-15 flew past it. One by one, the tentacles caught up despite Diablo 2's best efforts, and then they began to grab hold-

Lieutenant Third Class Kobayashi blinked. For a moment, he could've sworn he saw a black bird flitting past his cockpit.

Next thing he knew, the tentacles had gotten a lot shorter, and he'd picked up a passenger. A passenger with a big frickin' sword. "Wrong spot for a leisurely flight." And an attitude.

Kobayashi blinked again, but the man was still there. Crouching over him, on the outside of the plane, with nothing to anchor him or shield him from flying at high speeds, holding a giant sword that must've come out of an anime. "Wh-who are you? Some kind of superhero?" His mouth stammered out before his brain could catch up.

"No, I'm your fairy godmother," Saber X shot back testily. He hadn't been able to take so much as a nip from flask with all the craziness going around; this was no time to be drunk, even he knew that, but that didn't mean he had to be happy about it. And while he understood this world's magi needing to keep their doings secret, it wasn't making the Servant's night any easier. "Now pull up, flyboy, and get the hell out of here. Your toy's not gonna-" His eye flickered ahead and he snapped up his sword. "Oh, hell."

Diablo 2 had shown just enough sense to fly away from the Horror, but only now did he notice another aircraft heading his way. The silver plane unlike any model the human pilot had ever seen in his life streaked through the sky with speeds rivaling that of the F-15's, then a series of violet bolts erupted from it.

Qrow was able to block most of the energy blasts headed his way, but one struck the jet's left wing, tearing off a sizable chunk. The jet began to spiral out of control despite the flyboy's best efforts. Seeing no other option, the Servant smashed the cockpit glass to pieces with his sword's handle and sliced Kobayashi free of his harness. "Hang on," Saber X grumbled while pulling him close and then jumping free of Diablo 2 just before it crashed into the river.

Kobayashi yelled in surprise and adrenaline just before he and his rescuer landed into some old-fashioned chariot. The G-forces he had just been subjected to was making his entire body rumble in pain. A boy with wide eyes was the last thing he saw before he passed out with a groan.

Saber X only leaned for a moment against the Wheel's railing before straightening. "Get him down to the shore for rescue or something. I tried to be gentle, but somebody should check up on him just in case." He then shot himself off the Wheel before Rider or the squirt could say anything. I am gonna drink my ass off when this night is over. His next slash cut through a dozen freaky eyes that had popped up.

Rider grumbled, "The Gordius Wheel is not a taxi…" but complied all the same as Waver hurriedly tried performing some first aid (and a little memory-altering) on their passenger. All the while, he continued to consider his idea inspired by Assassin X.

Rider X on the other hand cared not the slightest whether the plane's pilot survived or died. These skies are crowded enough without insects buzzing about. His bigger concerns were between this newcomer and his recent interaction with Kirei. Avenger X was on their side according to a hastily sent message from Zouken, but Megatron knew that his newest "ally" was a form of insurance for the old worm. Oh well, he could deal with that later. For now, Avenger X was contributing well to his plan: sowing chaos on the battlefield.

As for Kirei, that was about to become a good bit of fun. His Starship's blasters opened fire once again.

Tokiomi smirked to himself even as Lancer X combined her staff and magic. A green circular shield whirled before them to deflect the energy assault from Rider X as he passed over them. Gilgamesh in turn summoned two shields for himself, scowling at the metal Servant's impudence. "Never short in nerve, that upstart…" More gold shimmered around him, all pointing towards the foreigner flying about.

Just as his Master had planned; Tokiomi had told Kirei to use a Command Seal on Rider X to attack Archer, knowing the King of Heroes would not let such an insult go unpunished. That would keep him from leaving this battlefield, at least, and Rider X would surely be dealt with in a way that wouldn't draw suspicion to the Tohsaka Master. With a little luck, Archer would tear the battlefield asunder in his rampage, eliminating even more Servants in the process. Maybe even Caster. Genius, Tokiomi praised himself.

But then while he telepathically brought Lancer X up to speed in his plan, a dark shape hurtled through the sky. Oh, now what?

Failing to reach his partner by radio, First Lieutenant Ohgi had wanted to fly down and see if he could find him (and maybe shoot down that weird plane in the process) when some kind of man-sized shadow had dropped out of nowhere, smashed through his cockpit and set off his ejector seat. Now the pilot was slowly sinking towards the Shinto district, his parachute thankfully undamaged, while wondering what the hell that thing had done to his F-15.

(Said shadow would've normally shown no care for the human inside his soon-to-be new weapon, but his time with the wizard had made him a little more thoughtful of collateral.)

The now pilot-less fighter jet began tumbling down towards the lake, but its new owner had no fear in his heart. Only fury. Tokiomi's eyes widened. "Isn't that…?" Jade mumbled.

"Berserker?" Saber had the same question between clashing with the fiend's weapon. She shook her head to clear away the trepidation rising in her and returned to her current task.

Berserker X barely acknowledged his counterpart, busy carving out a couple of eyes. "Huh, he's still around?"

Archer paused in mid-fire of his "arrows" as well. "Oh? That mad dog's announcing his presence again? Curious…"

The tassels hanging from Berserker's armor shot out like snakes and embedded themselves into different parts of the vehicle, the metal blackening at the touch. Meanwhile, the knight's gauntlets gripped the main area tightly as the crimson spread out. Within seconds, the F-15 fighter looked like a machine forged in the pits of hell, red and black stretched across its form like a spider's web.

More than a few watched these proceedings in surprise, including Rider X. Quite clever for a madman, aren't you?

Tokiomi exchanged a glance with Lancer X who nodded back. She'd told him of how she and Rin had encountered this Servant when he wielded an ordinary car as a weapon…

As Irisviel replenished his strength, Assassin X marveled once again at this maddened warrior's capabilities. So… He can conceptualize even an airplane into a weapon?

Berserker raised his right hand high with a howl, and the plane's engines roared in turn as it swiftly ascended just before joining its partner in the Mion. Four AIM-7F/M Sparrows, four AIM-9 Sidewinders, M61 Vulcan auto-cannon with 940 20-mm rounds; all of these armaments were now under the black knight's control and ready to be unleashed.

A fact Archer X learned as the building she was standing on was suddenly riddled with multiple holes 20 millimeters in diameter. She sprinted away while swearing up a storm and exchanging her sniper rifle for her missile pod. Normally, the ammo of a regular plane posed zero threat to a Servant, but with that black bastard pulling the trigger, Tex didn't doubt it would kill her. Like Hell am I getting killed this easy! She fired a missile back.

But Berserker evaded it effortlessly with a barrel roll before launching two missiles of his own at the rogue. She jumped away from her current spot to another building… and the black Sparrows changed course mid-flight to follow right after her. "FUCK!" BOOM.

The bullet hole in his friend's robes hadn't escaped the fallen knight's notice.

Lancer strained to focus on parrying his current opponent and that blazing wheel he had for a weapon, but he couldn't help but notice the plume of fire and smoke from a rooftop. Concentrate, you fool! Does it really matter if that traitorous wench dies by your hand or another's? He didn't dare to answer, the agitation in him beginning to swell.

Saber X whistled appreciatively even as he sliced through an ugly-as-sin eye glaring at him. "I said it once and I'll say it again: Berserker's got style."

A few seconds later, Rider X noticed he'd picked up a tail. 'Archer X, status report.'

'I'm fine and touched by your concern,' she shot back. Good; it was too early for her demise. 'Managed to shoot the missiles before they hit me, but I'm a little banged up, and I need to find a new position. Again.'

'Then why are you still talking to me?' He tuned out the rest of her grumbling to pull away from the rounds fired his way. He veered back on course towards a certain Archer's hovering throne (which appeared rather enticing, though he'd trade the gold for a more silver color, add spikes…) to return to his prior task. Sure enough, the jet of madness blasted right after him and away from Archer X or Caster's creation. The things I do for my Master…

Dealing with the King of Heroes and the Servant who had flawlessly neutralized Gate of Babylon… not the most optimal situation, but Megatron had dared far more and survived far worse.

Caster X observed his partner's actions thoughtfully before turning to Kariya. "Did you tell him to-"

"No, he decided that himself." His friend's mumbled reply made the Gray Wizard hum in thought. He knew the knight allied with him had lost none of his martial prowess to Mad Enhancement, but the creativity of turning a military aircraft into his weapon was remarkable. He is capable of thinking somewhat clearly, of planning, Gandalf recalled the car they'd been driving for a while now; Berserker's suggestion as well. It relieved him, to be honest.

Then Caster X noticed that Kariya hadn't stopped glaring up towards that golden object hovering in the sky. He sighed. "Yes, Tokiomi Tohsaka is almost certainly up there." The hooded man started, a bit of shame creeping into his posture as his Servant continued. "Do not worry, I haven't forgotten my promise to you."

As the wizard lifted his staff high and began releasing pulses of light from its crown, Kariya grew a little more guilty over his priorities. A giant monster rampaging about in the river, the only beings on this planet capable of stopping it torn between doing that and fending off antagonistic Heroic Spirits, and here he was, making one of these beings focus on his personal vendetta. It sickened him, moreso because somewhere deep inside his soul, he heard a bitter whisper. Would you even be considering all this if Gandalf wasn't your Servant?

He didn't give an answer, even if it would be just to himself. Nor did he tell Gandalf to stop signaling to Tokiomi. Kariya Matou simply told himself the same words he'd been repeating for the last year: For Sakura.

Tokiomi had been eyeing the twin aircrafts strafing the skies warily; a Berserker taking to the skies had not been part of his plan, much less the one who really was insane. The good news was that he currently didn't seem interested in his original targets, Saber who was fighting down on the river, or Archer who was observing the two with a strange expression. No, his attention was solely on Rider X, someone Tokiomi wanted destroyed anyway.

The bad news was, Rider X was definitely leading Berserker towards the Vimana. Right. The Command Seal Kirei used on him is still active-

"Tokiomi." Lancer X's voice drew him from his musing. She was the only one not looking at the approaching Servants, but towards the roofs below them. "Caster X is beckoning for us."

The Master joined his Servant and peered down. Yes, the old wizard from another world was pointing his staff towards the Vimana, a light steadily pulsing from its tip. He didn't sense any danger coming from the mana, so it was indeed simply an effort to get their attention.

And Kariya Matou was standing right next to the familiar, glaring straight up at him.

Well, Tokiomi Tohsaka recognized a desire for confrontation when he saw one. He didn't think this was the best time to deal with the enemy Master, but the older man gave off no signs of hostility. Besides, it wasn't like staying around an increasingly agitated Archer was any safer than engaging in a good old-fashioned duel. Tokiomi gripped his cane and gave Jade a pointed look who nodded in return. "My King, Lancer X and I shall go to confront the Master of Berserker and Caster X." He made sure that his words sounded like a suggestion.

Gilgamesh, however, briefly glanced down towards where the elder spirit was, his glare turning thoughtful. Then a bolt of plasma struck the Vimana's side, rattling it for a moment. Lancer X grabbed hold of Tokiomi to steady him while the King rose from his seat fuming at the smoldering spot in his treasure. "Very well. Amuse yourself, Tokiomi. But do not kill the apparition. I want a word with him," he glared straight ahead, "after I've cleansed the skies."

"As you wish." Powerful and skilled though this Gandalf the Gray was, the Tohsaka patriarch had no doubt Lancer X was capable of defeating him without killing him. He'd seen her dealing with sorcerers in her old life. Which would leave the King of Heroes free to clear away the rubbish. "May fortune be with us."

Had Tokiomi not been so caught up in his own ruminations, he might've noticed a strange look in Jade's eyes. But then it shifted to dutiful as she offered him her hand. "Shall I ferry you down, Master?"

He waved off the idea politely. "You only need worry about when we get there, not how I get there." The drop to the roof where Kariya and Caster X awaited was probably eighty meters. Child's play for a magus like him. Jade nodded before sauntering off the Vimana's edge and letting herself fall, Tokiomi following suit one step behind her.

Them gone, Archer turned his attention back to the mad beast and the upstart heading towards him. "Lowly dogs fit to only shuffle about in the dirt now seek to claim the heavens where the King dwells?" He sat back in his throne and rested his cheek against his right fist. Nine portals shimmered in golden light around his transport. "Impetuous of you, mongrels!"

Nine weapons shot through the atmosphere towards Rider X and Berserker behind him, all of them Noble Phantasms, any one of them sufficient to slay their targets. Yet the extraterrestrial tyrant and disgraced warrior, both Heroic Spirits who had honed their reflexes in the fiercest of battles, easily darted out of the projectiles' trajectories and soared unimpeded past the Vimana. Megatron couldn't resist his next taunt. "Was it beneath the King of Heroes to learn how to aim in his youth?"

Archer simply scoffed, not deigning to waste more words. Not when four of the arms he had launched suddenly ceased in their falls to spin 180 degrees and return the way they'd come. Rider X's flight mode had to veer hard upwards to evade them again, and the weapons simply adjusted course again to hound after him. He was nearly so caught up staying ahead of Archer's toys that he forgot there was a third party.

A roaring Berserker fired twin Sparrow missiles from beneath his ride that hurtled straight down for the silver jetting in the sky. Rider X dipped, the projectiles barely blasting past him, when they, too, changed course and shot right back for him. Now there were six objects chasing him. No matter where he soared or what maneuver he made, they continued without a drop in speed. Slowing down would mean instant death, armor or no armor.

Megatron couldn't remember the last time an aerial battle had been so exhilarating.

The many weapons he and Berserker had trailing the foreigner had gathered together into a collective. The Servant of the Mount made a sharp U-turn to face them. Then he suddenly shut off Alt-Mode Starship in mid-flight and returned to robot form. Accepting his demise? Hardly. Rider X powered up his fusion cannon and fired twice. The concentrated plasma shots struck the missiles dead-on, the resulting explosions blasting all the other projectiles to dust. Megatron smirked at his handiwork before returning to vehicle mode and roaring on.

Berserker made to intercept him, but the smaller aircraft nimbly evaded crashing into his jet, provoking a frustrated howl from him. Archer then gave a tight smile at the silver streak heading once again towards his vessel, energy blasters flaring. "Cocky upstart…" His gauntleted fingers drummed against the armrest of his throne.

Insectoid wings of a radiant green promptly unfurled from the Vimana's sides. Their spreading generated a hum rather beautiful in comparison to the roars from Rider X and Berserker's engines, then the entire craft dodged the other jets with an almost mocking grace. Rider X flipped swiftly around before unleashing the full power of his blasters, but Berserker evaded them in a barrel roll of such agility that would've shredded any human pilot to pieces. The King of Heroes' aircraft simply ascended unconcerned with the others, Gate of Babylon producing two golden shields that absorbed the oncoming attacks.

Gilgamesh hummed in amusement as the other two chased after his flight of superior splendor. "Interesting…" The upstart had made no effort to conceal his interest in challenging the King, but this here didn't feel quite right. It was too abrupt for one of Megatron's cunning, too many variables out of his control. That growling dog chasing them, for example. No, this scuffle among the heavens wasn't part of the upstart's plan, he was most likely being forced to engage Gilgamesh now. Only Kirei had the means for that, which could mean only one thing.

Tokiomi… Archer scoffed to himself. A convoluted scheme to both keep the King of Heroes in this fight and get rid of the upstart. You must be thinking you're so clever, don't you, 'Master?'

But he would hold off on deciding the human's fate later. For now, "It's been so long since I've been this amused," he commented loud enough for the others to hear. "To think two lowly dogs covered in metal could entertain me so!"

He received a barking laughter in response. "A pity I cannot say the same, Archer." Despite no visible mouth, Rider X's voice was perfectly audible from the Starship.

Berserker's savage howl was the final signal for this three-way dogfight to commence.

As for Archer's Master and partner, Lancer X landed silently and effortlessly on her feet before the two men on the roof. No magic or acrobatics, only an agility that would make cats turn green with envy. Tokiomi for his part adjusted his mass and the surrounding air currents almost as an afterthought to control his fall before descending to his Servant's left side. His shoes touched the roof with nary a stumble, summoning a Bounded Field for privacy as well with just a twitch of his cane.

Caster X noted the flawless use of this world's magecraft with a respectful nod while Kariya only scowled. He hasn't changed at all. Always so perfect, so dignified in every word he said, every action he took. Always elegant; his catchphrase. Tohsaka always acted like he'd put into the world this way, a special class above Kariya Matou and the rest of the rabble.

His mutilated heart now ached with such fury at having to look into those condescending turquoise orbs.

Tokiomi merely stared back with a sense of disdain at the broken man before him. His breathing had grown ragged, his posture hunched over; no doubt Berserker's activities taking their toll on him. He looked like he was about to collapse any second now. He reaps what he sows, the Tohsaka family head noted coldly, for abandoning his duties.

Were he less composed, Tokiomi might've returned Kariya's hateful glare.

Caster X caught hold of his Master's arm, steadying him just as his legs would give out. The more experienced magus felt a surge of mana from the bearded man, a soothing presence that relaxed even his inner thoughts. And… Tokiomi detected something else, now that his sixth sense was active. A magic turmoil inside Kariya's body. Curious. An error in his contract?

Kariya ceased in his glaring to smile in gratitude at the Heroic Spirit, the blasted Crest Worms within him settling down again. They had to keep working lest Berserker become unable to fight with the plane (which would be suicide against an airborne Archer and Rider X), but Gandalf was helping both of them. Just like he always did. His fury only receded, though, but it remained.

Gandalf returned his smile before loosening his grip slowly, a question in his eyes. "I'll be alright," Kariya whispered to him in reassurance. The wise Servant thereby released him fully, allowing him to stand again on his own two feet. The Master even waved off the offer of his staff as a support. He'll need it more than I do for fighting Lancer X.

As the enemy Servant stepped closer forward, Tokiomi gave his own Servant a telling look while she moved in front of him. "You've changed a fair bit, Kariya Matou." The two men fixed their gazes on the Tohsaka Master, standing straight and proper. "Forsaking the path of magecraft, yet still seeking the Holy Grail after all. Now you return to this path in such a state. I would consider you a disgrace and insult to the once proud Matou family…" Tokiomi's eyes shifted to the elder one, "yet you still were able to call forth a Caster as your secondary Servant. And an exemplary one. Perhaps you have some talent after all."

A bitter laugh bubbled from Kariya's throat. "You think I'm an insult to the Matou family?" He repeated the statement with cruel humor. "You can't soil a pot that's already filthy, Tokiomi." Then his expression softened. "But you're right about Gandalf the Gray, at least. I don't know how I managed it, but he's far better an aid than a failure like me deserves."

Tokiomi was a little baffled at the acidity giving way to sincere warmth in his opponent's voice. Privately, he scoffed at the familiarity between Matou and his Servant; there was a definite friendship. Foolishness. A Servant is a familiar. A tool meant to aid their Master in battle and win the Holy Grail for him. Even if they somehow manage to be the last team standing -an impossibility in itself- Caster X will ultimately cease to exist in this world. Leave it to an amateur to become so sentimental with his weapon.

Then he cleared his throat, ignoring the odd feeling (What is it? Jealousy? Regret?) that panged inside him. "In that regard, Lancer X tells me the both of you, as well as Berserker, played no small part in saving Rin's life last night."

Kariya's hatred faded even more, partially out of shock from the tone in the other man's voice. "Is she all right?" But he chose not to address him but the one he knew cared for sure.

"I brought her safely back to her mother," the Servant Rin had taken a liking to -Jade- replied with a nearly maternal gentleness. "She was involved in no other part of the Grail War." Her fingers drummed slightly against her staff.

Tokiomi noted the relieved slumping in Kariya's posture; the girls had always been so fond of him. "And they will both remain safe for the remainder of the battles." He swore that part to himself with all his pride as head of the Tohsaka line. "We may be enemies for the Holy Grail, Kariya, but for your aid, you have my thanks." More sincerity crept into his words despite himself; conversing with Jade really had let his sentiment slip past its years-old leash. And surprisingly, he couldn't be mad at her for it.

Kariya nodded back after some hesitation, and then Caster X spoke up for the first time in this meeting. "In truth, our aiding your daughter was accidental. But it was a pleasure doing so, and her friend Kotone was delivered to safety as well." Kotone… Yes, Tokiomi recalled Rin mentioning her from time to time when she'd talk about school or go out to play. The latter especially after… He breathed and refocused on the Servant's words. "And I believe there is an urgent matter we must settle now."

"I agree," Lancer X replied while walking forward. Caster X copied her actions, both Masters bracing themselves as the Servants moved… towards the edge overlooking the greater battle.

Kariya was the first to voice his surprise. "Gandalf, what are you doing?!" He sounded a little betrayed, an emotion Tokiomi might just possibly have shared in that moment.

The Gray Wizard sighed before giving him a chiding look. "I promised you, Kariya, that you and I would confront Tokiomi, and so we are. But a confrontation needn't be a battle, especially not at a time like this. I am the one who suggested a temporary ceasefire, no?"

"We all wish for Caster, his abomination and his allies to be stopped tonight," the green-robed staff-wielder continued patiently. "If we fight now, we would only weaken each other, and killing one of you would come at the cost of Archer or Berserker. Is it not smarter to focus more on standing by should we be needed against it?" She inclined her head towards the Mion.

There the Gigantic Horror loomed in the water, eyes glaring about in every direction… tentacles swiping at those Servants attacking it. Except… its advance had actually stopped. A second, more careful look revealed that it wasn't in top shape. Berserker X's anti-demon ability, combined with his relentlessly assaulting it, showed in the many cuts of varying lengths and depths all across its body, none of them healing. Not to mention some scorch marks from the previous burnings still remained, especially with Saber X and Rider targeting open wounds. Both were also taking pains to intercept Archer X's sniping of Berserker X, leaving him free to keep hacking away at the monster.

Still, it was too massive for them to reach Caster any time soon, and though tested, its regenerative power was still active. Thus, the battle was at best a stalemate. One the two Servants had every good reason to keep an eye on, Tokiomi and Kariya conceded.

"None of us should exhaust our energies until the current threat is resolved," Caster X finished in a tone that brokered no argument. "It is the honorable and the practical decision. However," He waved his staff, and a clear field shimmered around the four, melding with the one Tokiomi had created (seamlessly, the magus noted impressed), "there is a serious matter the two of you should discuss. Lancer X and I will stay here to ensure none disturb you while doing so, provided our efforts for the rogues are not required."

Jade simply nodded in agreement, drawing an accusing look from her Master. …Did she set this up with them? The idea rankled Tokiomi a fair bit, enough to consider ordering her with a Command Seal to slay Matou and this old fool. His left hand twitched… before stilling. They were correct, at least, about this not being the right time to kill one another. Archer and Berserker were dealing with Rider X (and the King of Heroes would most likely kill the unknown knight in the process), and with all the rest preoccupied with the Horror or the other rogues, they couldn't waste resources.

Tokiomi suppressed a sigh; he'd be sure to have a word with Lancer X afterwards for betraying his tru- disobeying him, but for now, he'd play nice. His guard was raised again, though, when he noticed Kariya eyeing his Command Seals; a full set of each, like his. And there was definitely a gleam of violence in his eye.

But just as Tokiomi made to invoke his own, the other Master let his hands drop with a noticeable slump and a weary look towards his Servant. He doesn't want to disappoint his benefactor and friend. How adorable.

Kariya for his own part wanted to make Gandalf tear the smug bastard and his puppet apart so badly. The Worms inside him were practically egging him on to do so… all the more reason he decided against it. He did keep his word to me, sneaky old coot… Kariya Matou ultimately couldn't bring himself to shatter the relationship he had with the Ser-friend who had been there for him time and again through this hell of a War.

So, he settled for glaring at his enemy. "Fine. But like Gandalf said, you and I need to have a word, Tokiomi Tohsaka." Anger boiled within him once again as a certain little girl flashed into his mind. "Before anything else happens, I want you to explain to me, right now, how you could give Sakura to Zouken!"

"What?" Kariya stared at Tokiomi's eyebrows, furrowed in confusion of all things. "Is this really the reason you and your Servant sought me out now of all times?"

Kariya made to shout his demand for an answer when another voice cut in. "I would like to hear the answer to that question myself, Master." A creaking sound briefly drew their attention to Lancer X, who was clenching her staff rather tightly now. Her hazel eyes were looking between the two men. "My loyalty to you remains, but I have been told some… troubling things." The broken man glanced in growing surprise to Gandalf. Did he tell her? "Please, Master. I shall accept any punishment afterward for my impertinence, but…"

Tokiomi glared at her for only a moment before both curiosity and a magus' pride surfaced. And maybe lingering affection for a most reliable fri-pawn. Caster X was also visibly attentive. "Very well." He sighed and recomposed himself. "I can understand the confusion of these foreigners, Kariya, but you shouldn't have to ask such a question. I made my decision to ensure my precious daughter will have a bright future."

Jade grew concerned at how Caster X and especially Kariya stiffened at the words. "Excuse me?" the latter whispered.

The Tohsaka patriarch shifted a bit where he stood so he could face all three of them. "In this world, every magus with two children faces a dilemma. For only one may inherit the secrets of magecraft."

Jade tilted her head. "Forgive me, but why exactly could you not teach both of your daughters magecraft? You told me you are officially the magus of highest authority here in this city, changing the rules should not be impossible." Her tone turned playful. "Besides, Rin sang praises of you showing her all kinds of magecraft. Surely you could handle a second pupil."

A fond smile briefly flickered on Tokiomi's mouth before it shifted back to a professional line. "Even as the Second Owner of Fuyuki, I still answer to the Magus Association, the authority of all practitioners of magic in our world, and their rules. And their rules state that each magus house may only pass on their full teachings and protection to one in each generation. No more." The Edenian nodded in concession to this. "Thus, I may only instruct one daughter, and the other would have to be satisfied with a mediocre life."

Mediocre life? Kariya's mind burned at how the wonderful memories within -Aoi, Rin, Sakura together, smiling, laughing- were so easily dismissed. But it was Gandalf who spoke, his Master instinctively lending him his ear. "Mediocrity is not such a terrible thing, lord Tohsaka. And the peace of a normal life is not to be dismissed." Not exactly what Kariya would've said, but he'd never argue with the wizard over a statement like that.

Tokiomi recognized the wisdom in the outlandish mage's words as well as his polite tone with a nod. "Perhaps." Still, he kept the lessons and teachings in his youth close to his heart. "But sadly, neither of my daughters would know peace in a normal life."

Kariya stilled; had the man sounded regretful just now? "My wife blessed both of them too much as a mother," Tokiomi continued unheeding of their confusion (even as Caster X frowned thoughtfully). "Rin and Sakura were both born with rare, exceptional abilities. Both of them needed the full nurturing of a magus house. Depriving one their potential to care for the other's future… As a father, how could I ever allow such a tragedy?"

Kariya Matou's mental state was a maelstrom right now. He destroyed that beautiful family, the one I should've had, all because he feared normality? Would it really be so terrible for Rin or Sakura to not hone whatever potential they have? He felt a churning within, the Crest Worms, maybe, or it was his inability to understand. Maybe he didn't want to understand all this magus bullshit.

"I could make no other choice for the sake of both their talents but to give up one of them for adoption." Tokiomi focused on the stony faces of his Servant audience; Lancer X seemed conflicted but still understanding, Caster X was… thoughtful. "Matou's acceptance was a stroke of luck." Those grey eyebrows drew together now, anger flickering, but a Tohsaka wasn't easily cowed. "Within a family that knows of the Holy Grail, there increases the chance of reaching Akasha all the more." He straightened himself even more while reciting how he had been taught. "We magi are born into this world with power and learn to cultivate it throughout our lives. We all have to bear responsibilities even before learning of them. That is what it means to be a magus of this world, Jade. Gandalf the Gray. Kariya Matou." His gaze drifted to each of the three as he said their names.

Then fatherly pride crept into his tone. "If I fail to accomplish my family's responsibility, Rin will succeed, and even if she does not, then Sakura will." He had no doubt in the great talents his wonderful daughters carried. No, the great talents his wonderful daughters were. "But no matter what, the Tohsaka family's quest will be fulfilled."

Lancer X was conflicted about this idea. For the sake of the greater family… She'd grown fully familiar with meritocratic thinking in Outworld, but the beliefs Tokiomi had explained were not at all dissimilar with how noble houses conducted. Including what she remembered of Edenia's culture. Every family member was meant to serve a purpose and contribute to the welfare of the family. She did not agree with Tokiomi's assessment of how the sisters' situation should be, but she could understand his viewpoint.

But Kariya's fury blazed at full force. "You… you'd actually set them against each other?!" He yelled out despite the fresh pain from those blasted Worms. He batted away the arm Gandalf had stretched out to him. "Sister versus sister?!"

"Even if it would come to that, I and my ancestors would know great joy," Tokiomi said with calmness; though Caster X wondered if this assurance was for his audience's benefit alone. "To the victor go all the spoils, and the defeated will still have served the family. It would be a heartrending battle, but one that yields benefit all the same."

Yes… The Grey Pilgrim detected that though his eyes brimmed with familial love and pride, the patriarch's smile was rather forced.

But Kariya was too enraged to see this. "You're insane!" He threw back his hood, exposing his bleached hair, scarred face and blinded eye for the others to see.

Tokiomi was unfazed at this aggression. "I don't know why I bothered explaining myself to you, Kariya. You who turned your back to the duties of his house and couldn't begin to grasp the principles of magi."

"Fuck that!" He doubled over, blood dripping from his mouth. Many little somethings were crawling up through his body, waiting to come out. And he welcomed it. Go ahead, you little demons. Devour my flesh, my hatred, become a curse upon my enemy. Worms began to wiggle out from the roof's shadows, gathering around the one who'd called them (but taking care to stay as far away from a certain being). I'm sorry, Gandalf, but… "I won't forgive you…" he spat out. "You filthy magi…" He pushed himself to his feet. "I'll kill you! You and Zouken! I'll tear you all apart!" Kariya Matou declared as his familiars began to shuffle with his aggression.

Lancer X made to step between them, but her Master's hand halted her. Should Caster X be called into action, he would allow her aid, but Tokiomi didn't need a Servant to deal with an opponent of such a paltry level. A collection of insects as combative familiars? The Matous truly had fallen. "Seeing as you cast aside the Matous, their magecraft will be imparted to Sakura. For that, I should thank you." His tone turned ice cold. "But I cannot forgive you either. Not for abandoning your responsibilities and not even bothering to consider why that was wrong." Looked like a confrontation would happen now after all.

"Now wait just a moment, both of you-"

His Mystic Code was passed to his right hand, the brilliant jewel pointing ahead. "You, Kariya Matou, bring shame to the honor of all magi. Now, that we stand opposing each other, I must end your existence."

"Shut up, you inhuman monster!" The worms beneath Kariya Matou twitched.

"Kariya, wait-"

"Wrong. Taking responsibility for one's own actions is a fundamental part of being human." The cane's jewel glowed as Tokiomi Tohsaka channeled his mana into it. Flames erupted into being and wove themselves alongside white lines into an elaborate symbol. "Anyone incapable of even this is nothing more than-"

"I said… Wait."

Avenger X stiffened before just barely parrying a swing from his shorter opponent. He shoved her back, not even registering the blood trickling down his forearm, and glared for a moment across the lake. That presence… I've never sensed anything like it before. Like… Master's… but different. Warmer… brighter… Could it be the one Zouken warned me of?

Wood cracked against the roof's ground hard, and the sigil before Tokiomi's widening eyes faded away like ashes in the wind. On Kariya's side, the Blade Wing Worms that had been about to take flight stopped and went still. What animal instincts they possessed besides savagery were screaming at them not to move lest it take notice of them.

Any protest Kariya Matou might've made to his Servant died in his throat when Gandalf the Gray fixed him with his stare. Those eyes, normally so kind and encouraging, now glinted with disappointment, silently chiding him for his outburst. Kariya glanced down to the roof, his rage giving way to shame, even while he noticed the wizard's shadow had grown larger.

Then it was Tokiomi Tohsaka who found himself facing those exceedingly cross blue orbs, growing actually nervous as they fixed on him. "Bickering and ready to attack each other like children…" That voice he had heard through Jade's ears a night ago, rumbling like the thunder of an oncoming storm, reverberated in his eardrums, made him grip his cane anxiously. This Heroic Spirit… this wizard seemed to tower over him now, as though Tokiomi was trying to see him atop the peak of a vast mountain. How long has it been since I felt this way…? he wondered as the wizard continued. "Magi or not, you are both grown men. Yet this is how you discuss the fate of a precious, innocent girl?"

That's when Tokiomi realized he couldn't feel the mana in his cane anymore. His Mystic Code, the product of countless years of research, training, channeling his powers into the brilliant gem he held… it was no longer there. And to his rising panic, his Magic Circuits, his family's Magic Crest itself felt… numb. Everything he had worked for and accumulated, now out of his reach. It was as if… as if…

…As if this being before him had countered all of his magecraft before he could even invoke it. Tokiomi Tohsaka, a proud magus, utterly powerless before this wizard. …Is this the gap between me and a Caster class? Or… is it really the gap between me, he forced himself not to swallow nervously while facing this old man of grey robes and aged staff, and him?

"Caster X…" Jade now stood between her Master and the other Servant, fingers drumming against her Sojourner Staff she raised to parry. Relief blossomed inside Tokiomi at registering her presence, and it grew when he recalled her Command Seals. He could still use them to fight this being… even if he wasn't sure whether he could still trust her.

"You've made your point," Lancer X said in as level a tone as she could manage; Magic Resistance aside, she had no desire to fight this man. "Neither grasps fully the situation yet."

The ancient Istar gazed back at her… and eased his posture. His shadow receded to its normal level, and when he spoke again, even Kariya relaxed at hearing his usual gentle volume once more. "No, they do not, Jade. Forgive me my acerbity, I continue to have no desire for unnecessary battle."

Kariya stared at his Servant in confusion. "Unnecessary…? Gandalf, we're in a Grail War!" He glanced away at a horrifically slurping noise and sighed. "Fine, this might not be the best time for us to fight them, but he's our enemy! You know the hell Tokiomi's put Sakura through, how can you just let that slide?!"

Tokiomi's relief at sensing his magic power once again shifted to confusion. Sakura? Hell?

"He doesn't know, Kariya Matou." Both men looked to where Lancer X had also relaxed from her battle stance. "He isn't aware of what Sakura must endure like you and I." Kariya gaped openly at her, but then he saw again this Servant not just protecting Rin, but being so playful, so gentle, so loving with her… far beyond any Command Seal Rin mentioned of Tokiomi using. But that could just mean Tokiomi only cares for-

Then he heard Tokiomi's voice. "So… you've already spoken with Kariya before tonight, Lancer X." His words were harsh, accusing. He gazed at the back of her head with eyes cold as a blizzard. "I place my trust in you, and you scurry off behind my back to listen to the ramblings of a deserter among magi and make plans-"

"Placing your trust in Lancer X was not a mistake, lord Tohsaka." Caster X interrupted him coolly, the magus instinctively growing heedful. "She did not speak with Kariya, she spoke with me, earlier today. And she only did so because she worries for Sakura's sake." The words soothed Tokiomi's anger; yes, that sounded just like Jade. Especially when he considered the end of their last conversation before she went off to find Caster. And he conceded that of Kariya's group, the most reliable information would come from this wizard who'd convinced two Kings (maybe even three) to depart from a meeting on peaceful terms.

"But I confess there is still a piece of your explanation which intrigues me." The Gray Wizard continued. He'd detected no lies or deception in Tokiomi's words, not even a speck of malice when he spoke of his family. This man genuinely loves his daughters, Gandalf deduced. He simply expresses it differently than how an ordinary man like Kariya would. But he has not revealed the entire story, either. "Before I tell you what I have told your Servant, I must ask, what precisely did you mean earlier when you said Rin and Sakura wouldn't know peace if they were to live normally? What is the nature of these 'exceptional abilities' you praised?"

A twitch went through Tokiomi; the Servant had perceived a glimpse amidst his words. "With all due respect, Gandalf the Gray," he began in an earnestly courteous tone, "that is no simple matter to discuss, especially with individuals who do not understand the ways of our magus-"

"With all due respect, Tokiomi Tohsaka…" Caster X cut through his deflecting with an echo of his earlier words and a look not far from the one that had cowed the Master earlier, "do not take me for some conjurer of cheap tricks." The magus would've been much more insulted had it not been for that earlier… humbling experience. Some of his Magic Circuits still felt a little numbed. "I trust you can explain your reasons in a way all three of us can comprehend."

Kariya watched all of this with a childish sort of pleasure. How refreshing it was to see the mighty Tokiomi Tohsaka be talked down to! The humor did help push down his temper even more, though periodic jolts of pain from Berserker's antics didn't help. 'Pay attention, Kariya,' Gandalf's words echoed in his mind. 'There is more to this situation than we know.' He sighed but perked up his ears nonetheless. Gandalf hadn't led him astray yet.

Tokiomi sighed as well before speaking again. "I meant what I said earlier about my daughters' potential. Either girl is destined to bring about greater wonders in her lifetime than I ever could in ten." His fingers drummed again atop his Mystic Code. "A normal magus of this world can wield at least one of five Elements: Fire, Earth, Water, Wind, and Void. Some can harness two, even wield them in conjunction."

The Servants nodded patiently at his explanation while Kariya rolled his eyes. "Yeah, even I know about the Elements, Tokiomi, and that most magi are born with a natural affinity for one. Mine's Water, same as every other member of the Matou family-"

"And did you also know Rin has a natural affinity for all five?" That statement, along with the steely gaze Tokiomi leveled at him, made him pause. "…From your silence, I wager you also know just how rare and celebrated such potential is among magi." Kariya said nothing, and he drew in another breath before continuing. "Sakura on the other hand does not have an affinity for any of the five, rather, her affinity lies in Imaginary Numbers. That means she may be able to access magic far beyond what most can imagine let alone use." The pride of a father crept into that man's voice again, and this time, Kariya could really hear it. "Could any of you grasp an idea of the endless possibilities that are open to Sakura? To Rin?"

"I can," Gandalf replied with a reverence that actually assured Tokiomi, helping him back down from his earlier heat. "And I can see why you would want to help them fully cultivate their gifts. Especially because such gifts can so often become curses in their own way."

Kariya turned to him in surprise, but the wizard faced the other Master, the latter a little rattled himself. "Middle-Earth was a world more than familiar with wonder and magic, lord Tohsaka. I know of many great blessings that turned into terrible burdens for entire kingdoms." He inclined his hat towards the Mion River. "Lancer and Saber X could sing tales of such troubles, and among the Servants, they are merely the most open about speaking of the grievances their 'gifts' bring." He grew more sympathetic with each word. "Great dangers would await Rin and Sakura if they are not prepared, correct?"

"Great dangers await them no matter what, Gandalf." Tokiomi propped up his shoulders with his willpower; no matter how taxing this idea was, it eased him a bit that one here truly understood. "Magical ability inadvertently draws magical experiences to those who carry it. And the greater the ability, the greater the experiences. The history of this world's magi can attest to these two truths." His turquoise eyes stared into one gray, the other stark white. "You denied what ability you had at a young age, Kariya, so you wouldn't know what kind of dangers would be attracted to two little girls brimming with extraordinary powers."

The words may not have been a direct accusation, but they still stung. And worse, the gears turning inside the man's worm-bitten brain were grasping the logic in what this man was saying. Those memories of Rin and Sakura playing together, with Aoi watching them happily, grew darker as shapeless things sprung out to assault the little girls, claws rending their mother apart, shadows wrapping around Sakura as she called out for help… Very, very plausible. And what could Kariya do to stop it, throw bugs at shadows?!

"And the only way to make sure they'd survive these dangers is for them to embrace their powers…" He turned to where Lancer X was murmuring. "Rin and Sakura need a home that can shelter and teach them until they are able to weather the dangers on their own." Those words shook Kariya to his core, especially when she continued. "And as you've said before, your house cannot provide these boons to both sisters."

"Only one." And this time, the regret on Tokiomi's face was clear as day. "I chose Rin as my heir because she is the older of the two, but… as I told you last night, Jade, I did not make the decision to put Sakura up for adoption easily." His eyes shimmered with something, and damn Kariya Matou to hell, he couldn't deny there was true paternal love in them.

Tokiomi by contrast was berating himself for letting his composure slip so much in front of an enemy. Always elegant, always refined; the Tohsaka motto was banging against his skull as though to admonish him. But there was just something about this Gandalf that made him want to confide, and as angry as he was with Jade for her deceit, his heart somehow knew that regardless of whatever friction lay between them as Master and Servant, she would never wish harm on Rin. Or Sakura after what they'd discussed tonight. Not with her own past and the things she'd had to do, in mind. This knowledge was… refreshing. Especially compared to that of other individuals out in this world.

Kariya's head was pounding like crazy at this strange upheaval of everything he'd known, but he latched onto one last inconsistency. "Wh-why didn't you just explain all of this to the Magus Association? Tell them that there are special circumstances with your daughters, c-convince them that they should make an exception in their case, they could permit bending the rules for Fuyuki's Second Owner, right?!"

Tokiomi barked a laugh so abrupt and so harsh that it took the others aback, even Gandalf. He shook his head while his face shifted to amusement. "I'm flattered you think so highly of my position's influence, Kariya, but you really don't know anything about the ways of magi, do you?" The Matou Master snarled briefly before the Tohsaka frowned in cold anger, startling him. "The Magus Association is not comprised of paragons of integrity like the wizard you've befriended. If I were to tell them that I had an additional daughter with magical potential equal to the one I've already taken under my family's protection, they would snatch her up for themselves, perform all manners of experiments on her, cut her open while alive and conscious, and preserve her organs for future studies. All for the sake of expanding the borders of magecraft." This horrifying image was painted with an odd sort of matter-of-factness and yet blinding fury that made Kariya sick with worry and his own anger.

Tokiomi steadied his breathing while taking in his audience's reactions. Kariya the poor fellow had nearly doubled over again, his expression one of utter horror. Horror and fury that didn't seem quite so directed at him as before. Lancer X was still standing straight, but her posture was tighter than the Gordian Knot, and her hands were practically strangling her staff. Her hazel eyes blazed with such righteous rage that people of a certain taste would've found deeply alluring. No wonder Kotal fell in love with her, Tokiomi mused. She looked just about ready to travel all the way up to England and carve a bloody path through Clock Tower.

Tokiomi Tohsaka really needed to get his emotions back under control, because that prospect was currently so appealing. Hell, I just might empower her with a Command Seal to do that.

He deliberately avoided looking to check Caster X's reaction.

Kariya trembled on all fours, his thoughts an utter mess. He'd always considered magi a cold-hearted bunch of sociopaths, but this?! Sakura was only six years old! But even he had heard whispers throughout his life of what those of the Moonlit World would do to further their studies, increase their knowledge,add to their family crests. What Tokiomi was plausible, so very agonizingly plausible. 'He is telling the truth,' Gandalf's voice rumbled in his head with anger nearly rivalling his own. That confirmation was appreciated by the Master.

'And his love for his daughters is genuine.' That confirmation was… another matter.

"Hate me for my decision if you will, but it was the best one I could make," Tokiomi was speaking again. "If I were to try going against the Magus Association, my losing the title as Second Owner of Fuyuki City would be the best-case scenario. Worst case, the entire Tohsaka family could be marked with Sealing Designations. Our efforts, our prestige, our dreams, our future, all gone."

"And Sakura and Rin would both end up suffering the same fate…" Kariya finished dully, grudging comprehension written across his body as Caster X helped him back to his feet. He spared him a smile in gratitude out of habit (and relief at knowing this wizard was nothing like the bastards that practiced magic in this damn world) before sighing. "…Fine, I can understand this logic to some degree, Tokiomi." He leveled one final glare at his lifelong opponent. "But I still can't believe you could put Sakura's life in Zouken's claws!"

Tokiomi restrained himself from rolling his eyes. "I've already explained my reasoning for that part of my decision, but if I must appeal to your sentimentality…" He held out a hand. "The Tohsakas and the Matous were allies long ago. Despite the circumstances of the Holy Grail and the latter's fall from grace, our families' names retain influence among the magus community. Entrusting Sakura to a once respected magus family within Fuyuki City is frankly preferable to shipping her off to some foreign country where she would be a prize, a weapon or mere breeding stock." The latter idea rankled his fatherly pride more than a little.

This time, it was Kariya Matou who laughed in bitterness and Tokiomi Tohsaka who was taken aback. "Oh, Tokiomi…" the latter snarled after calming down, his right arm wrapped around his stomach. "You really don't know, do you?"

The father of Rin and Sakura frowned, especially upon noting the lack of surprise in both Servants' faces. "What are you talking about?"

Kariya just shook his head, white locks dancing about. "Of course not… He always was good at playing others for fools." Then his mirth faded away, and he stared with all the conviction he was capable of into Tokiomi's eyes. "To a magus like you, I'm a coward, right? An irresponsible fool who walked away from the world of magecraft and left his family to decline even further. Maybe I am.

"But let me ask you something, Tokiomi Tohsaka: did you ever wonder why I would leave the Matou house?"

Kariya Matou spread his arms as wide as he could before Tokiomi could answer, indicating the hundreds of insects surrounding him from the shadows. Still unmoving, awaiting their master's call to action. "This is the magecraft of my family. And this," he pointed angrily up at his hair, his scarred cheek, his blinded eye, then smacked his bad leg, "is what it does to those who practice it."

Tokiomi stared at the man before him in equal measure of curiosity and disgust, the latter of which came from how something moved under the man's skin. He widened his sixth sense again and focused ever more on the human body before him. Now he could see it clearly, a collection of squirming, wriggling things around Kariya's Magic Circuits all throughout his body. The process must be utter agony… and it explained Kariya's dilapidated state.

Kariya then heaved and coughed something up that sickened both Jade and Tokiomi. "The Matou family's Magic Crest is pretty different from that of most." He held up the thrashing worm between his right index and middle fingers. "This Crest Worm and its lovely little cousins are implanted into the host's body and can aid the Magic Circuits, even be used as familiars in many of the usual ways, but in return, they feed on their host's flesh. Our life is steadily consumed away so we can use this beautiful magecraft you're so proud of."

Something dawned on Tokiomi, but he didn't dare address that yet. "So… this is how you became a somewhat eligible Master after not bothering with studies your whole life…"

"And then cramming the bare amount of what I need to be a Master in only one year?" Another laugh bubbled up from Kariya. "Pretty much. And Zouken never bothered dressing up what sort of pain this would entail, not even when I was a little kid. I didn't see the point of magecraft then, and even now, it's just a means to an end." His expression softened into an exhausted smile. "This Grail War's special rules of two Servants per Master was, honestly, a godsend. If I hadn't summoned Gandalf, I don't know where I'd be." Caster X smiled back at him while he continued. "And even with his help, it's taking all I've got not to cry whenever Berserker fights. I've got about a few weeks left to live, maybe a month."

"Provided I cannot make my wish upon the Grail," Gandalf reminded him, earning a kinder laugh from his battered Master. And the way he eyed his Servant just now made it clear there was no bad blood between them. Then the wizard cast a sympathetic eye towards the other, visibly shaken Master. "Tokiomi, you understand, don't you? If this is the magecraft the Matou family passes on, and Kariya, a man of average magical aptitude and Zouken's family by blood, is in such a state after only one year of enduring the Crest Worms…"

"Then what fate would he have in store for Sakura?" Lancer X finished in horror of her own. The wizard had told her much of this tonight, but actually seeing its effects… Kariya Matou, with those wretched things crawling about in him like a human turned into a Kytinn… And what did it-

Tokiomi was staring at the display before him. "No…" he whispered in denial. And no small amount of fear. "This… this can't be true…" He was trembling now, eyes darting frantically between the Master and the Servant. "You're-"

"Mistaken?" Gandalf replied. "How? Lying? Why? What possible reason could Kariya, a man who openly disdains the beliefs you magi endorse, have to endure this perpetual pain, risk his life in the Holy Grail War, approach you with all this?" Those eyes shone with such sadness and sympathy that couldn't have been faked.

Even as Tokiomi tried desperately not to accept it. "This is… not what we discussed…" He cupped a hand over his mouth, bile stirring within him. "Zouken told me… he simply wanted… an heir…"

"And that's all Sakura is to him," Kariya growled with his hatred returning. "Zouken doesn't care about this Grail War at all, I'm the one who insisted in representing our family in it. If I lose, Sakura will just produce the heirs Zouken wants to win him the next Holy Grail War in sixty years. But if I bring him the Grail…" desperation crept into his mouth, "… he won't need her anymore. He'll let her go back to the Tohsakas."

"And you believe him…?" Tokiomi shook his head, still unwilling to consider what Sakura would likely undergo right now. "Do you really think… any magus… let alone Zouken Matou… would keep his word?" What awaited her should this Grail War end without a victor. "Why would he make such a bargain with you… and then put you in… this state… if he believed you could win?"

What he had subjected his own daughter to…

Tokiomi clutched onto his cane like his life depended on it, shaking with so many emotions he couldn't quantify let alone label them. "How do we know we can trust you?"

Jade turned to him in shock; both because he had included her in such a vulnerable state, and because she couldn't believe he doubted the evidence laid before him. No… she amended her thoughts while taking in her visibly unsettled Master. He does believe Kariya and Gandalf's words of Sakura. And he knows they're right… because he knows what a magus is capable of.

In another time, had Gandalf not appeared, Kariya would've relished watching the man who'd stolen everything from him tremble in such pain. Good. It's your fault, you fucking bastard! You sentenced Sakura to this hell! Those were only some of the words (the nicer ones) that had been rattling about inside him for the last year. He'd rehearsed this moment again and again and again with every crawl along his spine and every bite into his flesh… Now he had the perfect opportunity to throw all of this into Tokiomi's smug face…

If he hadn't felt so tired in that moment. Maybe this fatigue came from the perpetual drain of Berserker trading blows among the clouds with those tyrannical monsters… or maybe he found himself satisfied with watching the agony etched across Tokiomi. Or maybe he just wanted to prove himself deserving of a Servant like Gandalf the Gray.

Whatever the reason, Kariya Matou settled for the coldest stare his one functioning eye could give. "Believe whatever you want, Tokiomi. I honestly don't care about your opinion of me or whatever you're telling yourself right now. I just want to make it clear to you and Jade:" he clenched his right fist before his chest, "I will do whatever it takes to save Sakura. If it means winning that goddamn cup so Zouken can finally make himself immortal, fine. If it means I have to fight you, kill you, then that's what I'll do. If it means I have to go up against the whole Magus Association while they're sharpening their scalpels, then to hell with them. Just so long as Aoi can watch Sakura and Rin play happily together again."

That series of ridiculous proclamations and the disrespect thrown his way rankled Tokiomi enough to calm down just a tiny bit. "Brave words," he chuckled out, maybe just a hint of respect in them. "But don't you think Gandalf's help is making you just a little overconfident? Saving Sakura, and I mean fully saving her, is no small task."

"That is precisely why I stand with him," the Gray Wizard answered as he stepped closer to his Master and friend. "I swore to Kariya Matou my loyalty and my abilities, and for the sake of the girl you both care for, I will do everything I can."

"That might not be enough…"

"Maybe," Kariya nodded to himself. "Maybe there isn't any hope for me even with Gandalf and Berserker. But I'm still going to fight." He then pulled up his sweater and shirt, exposing his ravaged stomach. "I'll damn myself before I let this happen to Sakura."

Tokiomi flinched at the pale stomach, scars barely visible but there, multiple things rummaging about. And just as his mind began to cruelly depict images of this with Sakura…

"YOUUUUUUU!"

A Brobdingnagian shadow loomed over the rooftop, drawing the attention of all four.

The strange presence Caster X had emanated during the two Masters' argument had not escaped the Gigantic Horror's notice. It had sensed danger in that moment. It had taken a substantial amount of time for its receptors to travel through its many inner layers, especially with Berserker X carving unrelenting its flesh, before reaching Caster, and even more time for the Servant's addled mind to process the sensation, but he understood eventually.

The foul priest with his ragged robes, twisted staff, hideous beard, pious words, unclean magics… the one who was surely responsible for everything Gilles de Rais had suffered in this Grail War. He was here. He was close by.

He was going to pay.

"Watch, oh wretched God!" The Demon Marshall's voice emanated from the Gigantic Horror for all to hear. "Watch me drag your decrepit slave into my embrace! Watch me inflict a thousand obscene acts upon him!" One of its main tentacles lashed up to smack away a lunging Saber X, sending him hurtling through the air as red energy crackled across his whole body. "Watch me avenge dear Ryuunosuke's demise with this bountiful offering!"

That same limb hurtled down like a colossal fleshy whip cracked, its tip enough to smash the roof, the entire building to rubble. Jade pulled Tokiomi to her side and began gauging the distance to the next rooftop, but Kariya stared with wide eyes at his oncoming doon. No… not like this…

Then a familiar shape stepped in front of him the mere sight dispelling his despair.

Caster X did not allow himself to panic as the tentacle drew ever closer. Instead, he reached deep inside his spirit and called upon what lay there, the power he had been holding in reserve due to its finite nature. But now, if he did not act, the Horror would finally have reached the land, and the city would fall. There was no other choice for the Istar but to grasp his staff, raise it high and invoke his Noble Phantasm.

"Heed my call… Flame of Anor!"

For a single moment, the entire area was engulfed in light. The Horror could be heard shrieking in unholy pain much like its creator, but they could barely see it. Everyone present, Heroic Spirit, human or homunculus, ceased in their actions, even those three chasing each other among the skies, to stare at this feat of… of…. Magnificence.

Those standing the closest to the one who'd cast this miracle could barely make him out among the light. Perhaps he was the light. It was blinding but not painful, Lancer X noted in wonder. As for the Masters, both knew, even Kariya with what limited (and painful) experiences he had, they knew that this was no mere magecraft. In fact, "magic" was perhaps not encompassing enough a word for the power this Heroic Spirit of Sorcery possessed.

Then the light dimmed again, and battles slowly restarted. Caster X himself slumped where he stood, staff barely keeping him propped up. He breathed in heavily, sealing away his Noble Phantasm again before it was unleashed in its entirety. This was not the final battle of the Holy Grail War, after all, and Gandalf sensed he would need the Flame of Anor again before his time on this world ended.

For once, it was Kariya offering a shoulder for Gandalf to lean on, an irony both acknowledged with a chuckle. Then Jade propped him up from the other side while Tokiomi joined them in watching the Horror cautiously. It was still standing, but its entire body was covered in burns heavier than it had sustained before. The Mion's waters had been purged of the countless tentacles festering within, and even most of the mist above the river had been lifted. Not exactly a good thing, Tokiomi noted with concern, but the crowds were too confused for now. The church and the Magus Association could make this work.

But the biggest problem was that the Horror was still there, and it was mad. "DAMN YOU TO HELL, YOU OBSCENE PRIEST!" Oh, and so was Caster.

Kariya eyed that tentacle rising again. "Gandalf… Could you use that light power again?"

"Not right now, not even with a Command Seal." Caster X huffed in exhaustion. "Even if I had used all of my power, I am not certain it would have sufficed to destroy Caster's work completely."

But help arrived in the form of a cackling Servant who had finally managed to climb to the very top. "Hell of a lightshow, old man!" Berserker X called down to them before leaping up and brandishing his nodachi. The Horror screeched as its entire tentacle was chopped off in a single swing.

Kenpachi landed onto a smaller thrashing tentacle with a chuckle. "Looks like he went and softened you up, huh? Wonder what fighting that geezer would be like." Then he leaped into the fray again, as was his way.

Back on the roof, Lancer X shook her head with a sigh. "I suppose even battle-crazy brutes have their place in this world…"

"As do all characters…" Caster X mumbled while eyeing a series of bulbs growing atop the Horror. Something told him that even with the Horror injured, the battle had yet to end.

Zouken fumed inside his mansion, hand clutching his weary old chest. He didn't know what exactly that wave was that washed over him, hell, probably washed over every part of the city, and it had incinerated all the scouts he had sent to monitor the battle at Mion River. But he recognized the stench within. Caster X…

(And in another part of the Matou residence, a little girl slept just a little more peacefully than usual. She even enjoyed the first pleasant dreams she'd had in… a long time.)

The centuries-old Matou still had no idea what that blasted wizard had been up to since his Worms had reported him and Kariya confronting Tokiomi and his X-Servant. The ones inside his "son" were still too terrified of him to tell Zouken anything, but they existed, he knew that much. That meant Kariya hadn't gotten himself killed yet. Alright, Zouken held up the special book he'd constructed while sending out a fresh batch of fliers, I guess sending Avenger X isn't enough of a hand to lend. But Gandalf the Gray, you are not welcome here!

Caster had felt a great swell of power within him, and with a jubilant cry, he channeled every last piece of it into Prelati's Spellbook. The energies of the Command Seal allowed him to call upon a different power, albeit of a lower level, while maintaining the current one simultaneously.

The bulbous formations atop the Gigantic Horror swelled, then burst as many things were launched high through the air. They splattered onto the rooftop where Tokiomi, Jade, Kariya, and Gandalf were, the fleshy blobs rearranging themselves into roughly thirty of the Horrors Bluebeard had commanded during his first confrontation with his counterpart.

Lancer X spun her Edenian Sojourner Staff as green energy crackled along its length. "Well, it seems we are having a fight after all."

Glamdring's blade shined blue as Caster X drew it from its sheathe. "A warning to both of you Masters, but you may have to engage these creatures as well."

"That's quite alright," Tokiomi Tohsaka leveled his cane's crown before him as flames danced around it. "I do believe I need to vent a little."

Kariya Matou glared about himself as dozens of Blade Wing Worms hovered around him. "For once, Tokiomi, we're in agreement."

And while every part of the battlefield -river, land, sky- grew evermore heated, Iskandar the King of Conquerors came to a decision. 'Kenpachi, Qrow, meet up with me. I have a plan.'

Phew, so many different ideas went through my head at this big battle, and I ended up rejecting half of them. I'm not so happy about the flow, but this is sadly the best I could do. Hope you guys are satisfied, I at least tried to give all the Servants time to shine here.

I'm aware you were all expecting Gandalf to be much harsher with our oblivious magus of a father, but after thinking it through again and again, it just seemed like a "The Reason You Suck" Speech wasn't entirely the right answer here. Not with the story I'm writing. Breaking Tokiomi down would've been fun, but also a little too simple for my taste, especially because he has (by a magus' standards) legitimate reasons why he gave Sakura to the Matous. For those of you skeptical about his reasonings, I advise you to take a look into the original light novel: Volume 3, Act 12, -62:48:35.

Ah, yes. Before I forget, here's someone many of you have been waiting for…

Avenger X-

Class: Avenger

Master: Zouken Matou

True Name: Maul

Titles: Darth Maul, Son of Dathomir

Sex: Male

Source: Star Wars

Region: Dathomir

Alignment: Chaotic Evil

Strength: B+

Endurance: A

Agility: B

Mana: C

Luck: E

NP: C

Class Skills-

Avenger: Is a Class Skill of the Avenger class, representing the state of an Avenger as one that gathers people's hatreds and grudges onto oneself. It is easier for one to accumulate hatred and resentment. The rate of mana generation becomes higher when receiving damage.

B: Avenger X has been trained to wield dark emotions both within himself and others as weapons. He has slain many throughout his life and knows how to awaken hatred and other forms of darkness within his opponents, thereby strengthening himself. A dangerous individual at the best of times.

Oblivion Correction: Is a Class Skill of the Avenger class. People are creatures that forget many things, but an Avenger never forgets. The critical effect of Avengers who attack from beyond one's memory is strengthened.

A: Avenger X learned from a young age to embrace the hatred within himself. This makes him one to hold grudges quite easily, such as the warrior who took his legs and his former master who cast him aside for this and later slew his brother out of sheer cruelty. And no matter how long it takes, Avenger X will bring death to them all.

Self-Replenishment (Mana): Is a Class Skill of the Avenger class. One's Magical Energy endlessly surges until their revenge is accomplished. Recovers a minuscule amount of magical energy every turn.

B: Avenger X's dark connection to The Force allows him to passively draw in mana with little trouble. He can even sustain himself without a Master for a given period of time.

Personal Skills-

The Force: Refers to the user's innate connection to a special energy field which is formed and flows through all living things. Those who can tap into this power may be able to perform incredible feats including Mana Burst, Clairvoyance, Presence Detection, Throwing (Retrieval), and more.

B: Avenger was trained since his youth in the ways of the dark side. Though the loss of half his body reduced somewhat his talents, he remains dangerously skilled at practical applications. He can increase his physical abilities, see slightly into the future, receive warning premonitions, and telekinetically lift objects and beings by waving his hand. The latter ability can even be turned into a sort of psychic choking, though Magic Resistance can shield others from direct effects of these powers. Equal or higher rank negates them outright.

Berserk: Is a composite Skill of Valor and Mad Enhancement. Grants the user the ability to negate mental interference such as pressure, confusion and fascination. It also has the bonus effect of increasing melee damage.

A: Anger, fury, hatred… these emotions all fuel Avenger X and his already fearsome attacks. He is utterly merciless in battle and not easily distracted. Only the most skilled can hope to survive a clash with him.

Battle Continuation: Allows for the continuation of combat after sustaining mortal wounds. It will also reduce mortality rate from injury. This Skill represents the ability to survive and/or the mentality of one who doesn't know when to give up, consisting of one's strength of vitality in predicaments.

A: Even when cut in half and losing everything beneath the waist, Avenger survived the near fatal experience through tenacity and hatred alone, though driven mad in the process, and lasted on a desolate, garbage laid world for at least a decade before being rescued. Avenger can power through even the destruction of his spirit core and will do everything to take his enemy with him to his grave.

Protection From Arrows: Is the ability to deal with projectiles, an increased defense against ranged attacks by predicting the projectiles' trajectories through exceptional means, such as hearing the sound of air being cut, or sensing the killing intent of the enemy.

B+: Through a combination of The Force and years of training and experience, Avenger X can evade or even deflect multiple high-speed projectiles with his Crimson Dawn. His reflexes are top-notch, but the true reason behind his prowess is limited precognition: he knows instinctively where each and every projectile is aimed and moves accordingly. Avenger X can even make shots visible to him veer off course with hand gestures. The latter requires higher concentration, however, and sustained assaults can overwhelm him.

Cyborg: A Skill where parts of one's body have been replaced or modified with mechanical components. These enhancements and their effects cannot be disabled by anti-magical methods, though may also raise vulnerability to electrical attacks.

C: Avenger X's most hated enemy cut him in half by the waist, nearly killing him. He survived through sheer hatred and willpower and later received prosthetics. They are incapable of feeling pain or fatigue due to their cybernetic nature.

Noble Phantasm-

Crimson Dawn: "Dual Blades of Blood-Red Fire": C (Anti-Unit): Avenger X has wielded many weapons throughout his life, but the one associated with him the most is his Noble Phantasm. A metallic handle far longer than most models, with a grip guard protruding from one end, its wielder regularly attaches a wooden shaft to its bottom to hide its dangerous nature. A long blade of red mana-based plasma emits from either end of the weapon. This energy can slice or pierce through most materials, including Noble Phantasms of lower rank. Those of equal or higher can clash evenly with the blades without sustaining damage, though prolonged combat may be another story. Avenger X is a ferocious combatant in wielding Crimson Dawn, having cut down many a skillful adversary in his time. He can choose to activate only one or both blades, granting him the element of surprise. This weapon shares its name with the criminal syndicate its master founded in life; another step of his bloodstained path.

If any of you wonder why he does not carry the Darksaber, that weapon and the Death Watch members who had sworn allegiance to him because of it are only accessible as Noble Phantasms when Maul is summoned as a Saber. Not that he's any less dangerous in his current class.

Appearance and ability wise, he's physically in his prime with regular-looking prosthetic legs (for a brief moment, I considered making it so they can shift into the ones Mother Talzin gave him, but that was ultimately a bit too weird). His lightsaber, though, is the final one he wielded in life. And like I aided under its description, it can't slice instantly through Noble Phantasms with a rank equal or higher to it. Because, c'mon, Noble Phantasms shouldn't be that easily breakable, right?

As for the name, what can I say? "Crimson Dawn" has a more Noble Phantasm-y ring than just "Double-Bladed Red Lightsaber." BTW, if you guys want to have some fun till next time, wanna come up with names for the lightsabers of other prominent figures?

One final thing: thank you, all of you, who have been sticking with my story for almost a year now. Where does the time go?