The Story of Illya Emiya

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Fate Stay franchise or the characters associated with them.

"talking"

Thoughts

Rider IV

~ Homurahara academy ~

"Oh where are my manners. Greetings" as the teen gave a lady like bow. "My name is Kuro Von Einzbern and I'm going to kill you all".

Shocked at her sudden appearance, the group had a wide array of thoughts. But more so for Illya and Shirou was her uncanny appearance to the former as they were still trying to wrap their heads around that fact.

Looking over the group, the tanned homunculus eyes focused and narrowed on Illya. "Though we've never met in person, it's good to see you . . . . Nee-san".

"Nee-san?" said Rin, "what are you talking about?"

"Oh that's right" said Kuro looking up in thought. "You took on Kiritsugu's name when you ran away. Did you really not like your full name Illyasviel Von Einzbern".

"Einzbern!" as Rin looked in wide eye to the young homunculus.

Handling one problem at a time, Illya narrowed her eyes as she stared at her 'sister'. "I don't know what trickery you're trying to pull but mama and papa only had one child together".

"True" Kuro nodded. "But that's a story for another time". Playfully walking up to the group, she stood before them with a somewhat condescending smile. "In fact I originally came here to say hello. But then I saw all of you having so much fun that I couldn't help but join in as well".

"You killed niisan!" Sakura shouted. Acting on her outrage, Rider attacked Kuro. However the purple servant was forced to back off as another part of the wall was caved in by a massive hammer which blocked her off.

Looking to the meek girl with scrutinizing eyes, Kuro frowned. "I don't know if you're either too nice or plain stupid. I've been watching as that little insect tormented you. I kind of figured you would have been grateful that I removed him. But nonetheless he is gone" she shrugged.

"But . . . . But . . . ." as Sakura couldn't really say much to that.

Now as for the others, they were being very careful about their next move as they couldn't afford another battle with how exhausted they were from fighting each other. Aside Kuro being an Einzbern, they looked up through the hole her servant had made which gave them a clear view of who he was. Seeing the hammer he used with it's Scandinavian runes, it was none other then him. Thor, the demi-god of thunder who wielded the mighty hammer Mjolnir. A being whose name became more famous then his father Odin. More then likely, he was summoned as a berserker class. So Kuro's servant was certainly going to be outrageously strong. Hence they had to either come up with a great attack plan or one of escape.

"If you're thinking about escaping" Kuro sneered. "Don't bother as I can kill you all well before you can make it a hundred meters away from me" which caused the group to flinch.

"What do you want?" Illya asked warily.

"As I said" Kuro smiled. "I'm here to have fun". Just like that cackling could be heard as a storm was brewing above them. Looking up, Berserker had his hammer raised as lightning began to gather in the sky.

"Everyone! Get out now!" Saber took Illya and Shirou while Rider scooped up Sakura and Rin. Together they escaped the building. Just in time as lightning shot down leveling several floors of the school shattering almost all it's windows from the boom alone. With the force of the thunder, it offset Saber and Rider throwing their landing trajectory off.

"Shirou!" Illya exclaimed as her brother slipped from Saber's grasp as the mage smith fell to the ground skidding along it.

"Well come on" said Kuro, "it's like you guys aren't even trying" as Berserker assisted her down. "But if you guys don't plan on doing anything then allow me to give you some encouragement". Raising his hammer once more, Berserker called down a storm as it was raining lightning.

With the speed and power of these attacks, everyone was pinned down

Seeing Shirou on the ground without cover, "come on Illya" Kuro taunted. "Are you going to save big brother? If you don't hurry he's going to die".

"Shirou!" Illya screamed out in concern.

"You can't" Saber warned stopping her master, "it's too dangerous. She goading us into a trap!".

"Rin! What are you doing?!" Sakura exclaimed as she saw her sister run right into danger.

"The enemy is currently focused on Illya. This is my chance to pull Shirou to safety" Rin thought. Aside from being a decent human being and in some way a friend, she needed to save him. This was her way of atoning for hurting him earlier as Shirou was giving his all to be that same idiot she always admired with that kind and chivalrous nature. "I must be a moron for doing this" as she couldn't believe she was risking her neck. Dodging bolts of lightning, she reached the mage smith. "Come on Emiya. I need you stand up now. We got to get out of here".

"Heh" Shirou choked out, "I knew you were a nice girl . . . ."

"Yeah shocker" said Rin giving an awkward smile. "Now let's go!" as she began pulling him to safety.

"Oh?" as Kuro spotted them. "Berserker" as lightning became more focused on them.

"Shit! We're not going to make it like this!" as Rin couldn't maneuver them both.

"Trace on" Shirou grunted out. Projecting Bakuya, he threw the short sword into the air as it begun to spin above them. Shortly after he threw Kanshou as the two blades continued to fly together. Projecting another pair, the four blades hovered above them. As lightning really started to pour, the bolts of electricity were redirected hitting the short swords as Rin and Shirou hobbled away.

"Clever" nodded Kuro giving a somewhat intrigued look. "Using those noble phantasms as lighting rods to redirect Berserker's attacks. Effective but pointless nonetheless as they are still weak noble phantasms in the end". Charging in the sky, a massive bolt of lightning shot down obliterating the swords. Striking the ground, the force of the collision threw Rin and Shirou up as they flew skidding onto the ground moments later.

Hearing ringing in their ears as they were dazed from the blast, the brunette magus was first to recover as she quickly went back to Shirou trying to pull him away.

"We're not going to make it at this rate" said Shirou. "Just go without me".

"Don't be stupid" Rin argued, "I don't want your death on my conscious. Illya would never forgive me if you died".

But true to the mage smith's assessment, they were not going to make it. Illya and Saber were being held back by the storm as were Sakura and Rider. With the ground being torn up around them, they were going to get hit very soon. Due to the destroyed terrain, the pair ended up tripping.

"Oh no" as Rin saw their lives literally flashing before their eyes.

"Get out of here now!" Shirou exclaimed. But regardless, the brunette magus did not give up on him.

"Rho Aias!"

Stunned at his last minute appearance, Rin and Shirou saw as Archer appeared like a miracle out of heaven using a flower blossom like shield as it alone held against Berserker's lightning bombardment.

Coming in from behind, Leysritt grabbed the pair as she dropped them off to her mistress. "I apologize for my tardiness. We came back as soon as we could while taking the most appropriate action".

"I didn't expect you to act so recklessly" said Archer looking to his master as he pulled back to them.

"It couldn't be helped. It's just something I had to do" Rin replied.

"Are you alright?" Sakura asked as she and her servant regrouped with them.

"Enough of that now" Illya interrupted. "Escape isn't feasible for us in our current condition. Especially against an opponent with unknown abilities. So we need to fight together if we're going to live through this". Seeing their odds, the others didn't have much of a choice but to agree.

"Do you have a plan?" Shirou asked to which she nodded.

"We first need to deal with the lightning. We won't be able to engage them with that storm hanging over us".

"I'll take care of that" said Archer. "I can deal with it myself".

"Alright then, Archer and Rider will distract Berserker. Saber, look for your opening and strike. You are the strongest in close combat. Rin and I will go after Kuro. Shirou will hold back and defend Sakura. Neither of you are in any condition to fight. Leysritt will stay and keep them safe".

"But . . . ." said Leysritt.

"Just do as I say" Illya pleaded. "Let Rin and I handle this". Though the Einzbern maid didn't like it, she conceded.

Everyone understanding the plan, they broke to their assigned tasks.

"Rider" said Sakura, "please assist them the best you can" as the purple servant nodded.

Dealing with the storm, Archer projected several of his swords as he manipulated his projections into lightning rods. Scattering them amongst the battlefield, Berserker's electrical attacks were no longer a threat which allowed the servants to deal with him directly. Rider raced in the from right, Archer from the left, and Saber went for the center.

"Cover me" said Illya, "I'm going in".

Rin raised her arm as she pointed her finger out like a gun. Activating her magic crest, she gave support fire in the form of black energy shots as Kuro defended against them with her projection magecraft.

Frankly the young homunculus would have loved to have ended this nice and quick with an origin bullet. But taking into account of Berserker's abilities, a number of things could have happened if she drew her gun namely getting hit my lightning or the electrical pulses reacting with the gun powder causing a misfire. "But look at her" Illya thought seeing Kuro's smug face. "I will not let her do as she pleases". "Time alter! Double accel!"

"These old tricks?" the tanned homunculus asked dully. "You two are taking me too lightly". With a wave of her hand, she projected a flock of homunculus birds as they were all connected to her with strings. With another wave of her hand, the familiars started firing off beams of intense heat and light as they easily cut through rocks and trees like a hot knife through butter.

Jumping out of the way, Rin dive rolled evading the beams as she continued to fire back. But regardless of her best counter, the birds simply shot their beams canceling out her attack. "Those damn things are defense sentries. I can't get an opening!"

Even at her best speed, Illya couldn't approach Kuro as her birds provided a complete three hundred and sixty degree offensive blasting radius which did not allow her to get close. Moving as fast as she was, it wouldn't be enough to cross through it safely. Even if she could, Kuro seemed to have projected a tightly knitted razor wire barrier frame to make sure she couldn't get into close combat. Dropping out of time alter, "fine, let's see whose magic is better!" as she mimic Kuro's technique.

Meanwhile, the servants were having a hard time against Berserker as the Norse legend was handling them in an all out bout. Regardless of their best efforts, they couldn't properly compete against him as he was easily stronger, faster, and more agile. It certainly didn't help much that they were weakened from their previous fight. Thus it made the situation that more desperate with how dire it all was.

Raising his hammer for a swing, a chain was wrapped around his wrist as Rider attempted to stall him. With that small opportunity, Archer and Saber went in their swords at the ready.

But being the monster that he was, Berserker easily pulled Rider off the ground swinging her towards his two other opponents.

However these servants were no novices as they had years of combat experience to earn the titles they received. So almost on an instinctual level, they understood their strengths and weaknesses and how to cohesively work together to bring down this monster.

Releasing her chain, Rider removed herself from Archer and Saber direct line of sight as they still continued to race forward. As Berserker finished his swing with Rider's chain still connected to his wrist, Archer timed it perfectly throwing Kansho and Bakuya nailing the chain to the ground. Though it wouldn't hold the mad servant for long, Saber didn't intend to let that small window escape her as she mana bursted forward. Recoiling her arms, she jousted forward aiming for Berserker's heart.

However the mad servant was no slouch himself. Though he may not have seen the sword of wind, he still sensed it. Feeling the thrust of Saber's blade, Berserker caught it with his bare hands as blood seeped out from where he was cut. But try as the knightly servant did to push forward, Berserker did not budge.

"What monstrous strength" Saber cringed as the mad servant with his one arm alone was holding her back.

Freeing his arm snapping Rider's chain like a twig, Berserker finished his swing aiming to pulverize his opponent. Although Saber could have evaded, she had back up.

Archer threw unstable phantasms which exploded on contact which distracted Berserker allowing Rider to create more chains to bind him.

"We're not done yet" said Saber regrouping with her allies as Berserker broke free to fight once more.

~ Homurahara academy ~

"Is this all you can do?" Kuro asked smugly as she fought Rin and Illya almost effortlessly. "I know you must be tired from your earlier scuffle. But this performance is just pathetic".

"Jeez, does she ever shut up!" Rin exclaimed as she continued to lay down cover fire.

"Oh nee-san" Kuro smiled arrogantly. "Living such a peaceful life has made you rather soft. Even being taught how to fight by Kiritsugu, it's pitiful how weak you are".

"How would you know so much about me? Did the old man know my whereabouts all this time?" Illya asked.

Kuro could only chuckle at this question. "That's for me to know and you to find out. Not that I have to answer to a weakling like you".

"Then if I'm so weak, let's see you handle these!" Projecting several wire framed swords, Illya fired them off destroying everyone of Kuro's familiars along with her other defenses which forced her to jump back to dodge some of the incoming blades. With the defensive sentries gone, Rin pushed hard with her attack shooting off a rapid fire volley of dark magic bullets.

Creating a barrier, the tanned homunculus could only sigh. "Well this certainly doesn't seem fair with two against one. Especially when I'm trying to have some quality time with my dear sister". Creating more homunculus birds, she sent them off as they kept Illya busy as she now directed her attention to Rin. Calmly walking towards her, the brunette magus knew she was outclassed.

Even with her best spells, Rin doubted it would work on her. As evidenced by fighting Illya, if she couldn't beat that Einzbern then it was highly unlikely she could defeat Kuro especially alone. However she didn't plan on going down without a fight. But with the projections Kuro was using, it severely narrowed her options.

As the brunette magus attempted to pull back, Kuro projected several whips binding Rin as she was pulled directly in front of her. It was then their eyes met.

"Mystic eyes!" But being overwhelmed by it's effects, Rin fell unconscious.

Dropping her to the ground, she turned back. "Now it's your turn nee-san" Kuro chimed.

~ Homurahara academy ~

Even with the combined efforts of the three servants, Berserker was simply too much to handle.

But if worse came to worse, they each knew what they had to do with revealing their hidden aces.

Saber had Excalibur.

Archer had his Unlimited Blade Works.

Rider had the phantasm beast Pegasus.

Aside from there fatigued states, they were hesitant in revealing their trump cards as it was equivalent to revealing their weaknesses. But at this point they had nothing left to lose as it was do or die now.

But of the three of them, Rider was ready to take that leap.

~ Homurahara academy ~

Illya was breathing heavily as her body was running ragged. Casting spells was one thing, but her physical stamina was another.

Checking herself over, she was barely hanging in there. Her muscles were burning, lungs felt deflated, her heart was pounding so loudly in her ears, and sweat was dripping down her face. In addition, she had a few minor wounds from shallow cuts. But as things were, she was barely keeping up with her 'sister'.

"You really are too spoiled" said Kuro offhandedly. "You do have some skill. I will admit that. But living such a quiet life with your perfect little family hasn't done you much good. Kiritsugu and Sella even went as far as modifying your body so that you would be able to live in normal society. Hmm, I wonder if that's affecting your abilities".

"How is it that you know so much about my life?" Illya asked.

Kuro snickered at that question. "Who knows".

But it was much more then that. Every tactic Illya employed against her doppelganger didn't work as she was almost perfectly predicting each move she was about to make. Hell, she was even predicting moves well before she even considered it as she had almost perfect countermeasures to whatever she might have done. Coming to this conclusion she wondered if she was somehow reading her mind or perhaps it has something to do with why they looked alike.

"What's wrong?" Kuro asked. "Are you done already?" She then sighed while rubbing her shoulders. "Hmm, well I guess that's enough for today. It's been entertaining, but it's about time I took my leave".

"What?"

"I told you, I only came to say hi and have some fun. I had no interest beyond that as that would be rather boring if I ended things this early". Blitzing in grabbing both of Illya's wrists as she struggled against it, Kuro stepped forward offsetting her stance while displaying a playful smile. "So here's a small token of my appreciation for keeping me company till now".

Illya's eyes then snapped open in surprise as Kuro leaned forward planting her lips on hers. "What is she doing?!" With hundreds of thoughts racing through her mind, she acted on instinct trying to pull away only to be pulled back in keeping their lips locked together. To say the least, Kuro was showing quite a bit of enthusiasm with the use of tongue in her technique. Although Illya was embarrassed and humiliated with her cheeks turning bright blushing red, she understood what Kuro was after. "She's stealing my prana!" For she now was completely helpless as her body and magic reserves were completely empty. Though her prana would regenerate quickly, it wouldn't be fast enough as she was at Kuro's mercy.

"Thanks for the treat" Kuro smiled licking her lips. "I really needed the pick me up". Letting Illya go, the young homunculus laid flat on her back heavily breathing as she was completely immobilized. "But I suppose I should at least get something constructive done or the old man might get angry. Berserker" she called out. "Finish this now!"

~ Homurahara academy ~

A bit earlier, Berserker took to the sky going for long range attacks. Throwing his mighty hammer Saber, Archer, and Rider could only dodge as the ground beneath them shook each time Mjolnir struck.

With Berserker's advantage of flying, they couldn't properly fight back. Even jumping into the air after him was a bad idea with the lightning still pouring around them to which they couldn't be careless.

Hence Archer did the best he could attempting to either snipe Berserker or force him down. However his arrows were not strong enough to do either.

With few options opened to them, Rider was the only one who could properly engage the mad servant. Activating her phantasm, the purple servant pierced her neck with her dagger spilling out a large quantity of blood. Completing her magic seal, the summoning was complete as her mythical beast was called worth. Mounting the winged horse pegasus, they took flight.

If Berserker could feel surprise, he found himself in a slight disadvantage. His electrical attacks were rendered inert with all the lighting rods scattered on the battlefield. With Rider's abilities, she was easily faster then him now as he tried to swat her down. But trying to hit his opponent was like trying to hit a fly that was constantly in motion. Even with his best efforts, Rider was taking advantage of his size with easily evading and attacking before he could lock onto her position. Though she wasn't damaging him much, it still was an annoyance.

"Berserker!" Kuro called out. "Finish this now!"

Acknowledging his master's order, Berserker let out a howling roar as he raised his hammer as an intense burst of lightning struck it. "Mjolnir!" it growled out as it felt like the very heavens itself was shaking.

"It's noble phantasm?" thought Rider. "His strength must be beyond comprehension now. But so long as I'm careful I should be fine". Under normal circumstance that would've been true. With Pegasus, she could have eventually whittled Berserker down as the legendary winged horse who was loved by the gods had few equals in the sky. But for those familiar with Thor's legend, he was revered as a storm god. For not only did he command lightning, but the wind as well. With a wave of his hammer, a twister began to form around them picking up dirt and debris spiraling upwards. "This is getting dangerous, I need to get us out of here!" Giving guidance to the mythical horse, they started to fly up as the turbulent wind chased behind them. Pegasus cried out as it fought against gravity and vacuum forces pulling it down. But it did not give up as they tried to escape.

"Nice try, but too bad" said Kuro seeing Rider caught now within her servant's storm.

"Rider!" Sakura cried out at seeing her servant sucked away.

As the twister rampaged, Archer and Saber nailed their blades into the ground to keep themselves from being sucked in as well.

Caught within the swirling wind, Rider pulled hard against the reins guiding Pegasus out. But with these torrents, she wouldn't have been able to escape as the only place to go was the eye of the storm . . . . Where Berserker was waiting for them. With no choice but to fight, "very well". Throwing her visor aside, she unleashed her mystic eyes as it projected a paralyzing effect to those she gazed upon. But against Berserker's magical resistance, she surmised it wouldn't have done much. However every little bit helped. If she was to be defeated let it be in glorious combat.

Although no one could see what was happening, they could feel it as bright flashes of light escaped the twister as it's pulsating forces rocked the battlefield as no one was sure what was happening.

However Kuro still kept her confident smile as it would soon become known why. In one final explosion of bright white light, the twister was blown apart. Somewhat bruised, Berserker still stood strongly as Rider fell to the ground below with a chunk of her body blown apart as the battle was decided.

"Rider!" Sakura called out as she broke away from Shirou and Leysritt and raced to her servant's side. Kneeling to her, the meek girl shivered as she was at a loss.

Rider looked to her master with small yet sad smile. "I'm sorry I couldn't have done more for you . . . ."

"No" as Sakura's expression was both sad and apologetic, ". . . . I'm sorry I couldn't have been a better master".

" . . . . There is no need to apologize" Rider gently smiled. "It is a servants duty to follow the will of their master. So please take good care of yourself . . . . Sakura" as those were Rider's last words before dissipating away in a sparkle of light.

"Thank you Rider . . . ." Sakura softly spoke as Shirou and Leysritt ran to her.

"Well I guess that's good work for the day" said Kuro. She then looked to Illya before bending down scooping her necklace into her hand as she then tore it off. "I guess you won't be needing this anymore" crushing the jewelery into dust lifting Illya's perception filter. "I'll be seeing you around nee-san. So please try to keep me entertained for a while". On her command, Berserker picked her up as they then flew off.

Now barely sitting up, Illya's expression tightened as a sense of dread blanketed her. So many things happened today which followed with so many questions. Did the Einzbern's know where she was? Why did Kuro look exactly like her? What was she was going to do with all the fallout of these events? These were just the tip of the ice berg. Looking around to the devastation of there school only reinforced how very real their conflict has gotten as the surrounding buildings were destroyed with the grounds looking completely chewed up. As for the state of her friends and family, they barely managed to get by on the very skin of their teeth. Allowing the gravity of the situation to sink in, the war was just barely starting with several other masters and servants out there she was going to have to face.

Breathing out a soft breath, it seemed now her quiet and peaceful life had just ended.

To be continued . . . .

Author's notes: Hope this chapter was enjoyable. So now onto commentary.

I know Thor is a god. Every mythos says he is as there was never a time when his divinity was lessened or taken away (unless it's Marvel lol). However in the Prisma series, one of the servants used under the Berserker class was indeed Thor as he was referenced as a 'demi-god' of thunder. Of course I know this is incorrect. But at this point I'm just going with the stories lore that just says he is.

Concerning Sakura's emotional reactions, I had a bit of a hard time pin pointing it exactly when I read over the manga as well as the wiki. I know for certainty that she is a very kind girl but deep inside her lays a terrible darkness of many terrible things she has suppressed. Of course that's a combination of her own psychological trauma from her torment in the Matou family and also that of Zouken Matou. But outwardly I wasn't entirely sure how she would react with Shinji and Rider demise considering their relationships. Shinji was always abusive of her in her later years, yet she admits she cares for him. Though her relationship with Rider was short, the two seemed to have a good connection to each other. So at best, she was somewhat ambivalent to Shinji's death and sadden by Rider's. Quite frankly I think Sakura might be border lining to the yandere zone.

As noted before there should be a difference between physical and magical stamina as even Einzbern homunculus should have a limit to their abilities or else they would be spamming big spells one after another. Hence they can get tired with feeling physical exhaustion.

Starting next chapter I'll be switching the word prana over to mana. Different words but the same thing.

Now as for the battle between the servants, I've been reading/watching every battle Berserker had with every servant. Berserker can literally tank about everything be it Lancelot in Fate/Zero or Heracles in Fate/Stay Night. But comparing Thor to these previous Berserker's I know he's definitely going to be stronger then Lancelot. But to Heracles, their stats would be very close to each other though Thor would probably be stronger considering his legend. However Thor would more then likely have more phantasm abilities considering his actual mythos equipment. But in terms of worship, the two would probably be the same. But like Heracles, he would be in a disadvantage against Gilgamesh's Enkidu with it's binding affect against divine beings. Though it makes me wonder if Archer/Shirou had traced or could even trace Enkidu. On the forums it's still very heavily debated.

I'll later reveal Kuro's backstory as it required a bit of tweaking here and there. Those aware of Kuro's condition in the Prisma story knows why she is like that and why she kissed Illya. For story reasons I tell later why she is like that.

If there are any questions or concerns feel free to ask.

So thank you for reading and please review if you can.