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

Inheritance

Illya had been in a coma for a good two days now.

But concerning her condition it wasn't something a doctor can handle.

After a quick diagnosis, she was suffering the same problem her mother did or at the very least she was showing symptoms of it.

Absorbing a servant was not something a flesh and blood body should do let alone handle. In the case of Irisviel, her body's functions started to hamper with each spirit she took in. By the time that more then half the servants had fallen she had lost the ability to move her body. However the only reason she was able to maintain herself for so long was due to the healing effects of Avalon. A secret only known by her, her husband, and to a certain extent Caster.

But unlike her mother, Illya's case was unusual.

She was supposed to be the best creation of the lesser grail so far. But due to Kiritsugu's tampering there was no telling was really happening to her. Frankly the case was already beyond abnormal since Illya was able to recall the servants of those who were defeated.

As such Kuro had two possible hypotheses.

With servants being active inside of her, it must had put an incredible strain on her soul. After all she was holding three other souls inside of her. Two of which had divine attributes.

The other possibility was that since the servants were active there was a good chance they weren't playing well with each other. It was kind of like roommates as two or all of them may not have been playing well with each other because of their attributes.

But either way it didn't matter as they needed to find a way to revive her.

"Is there any way you can help?" Shirou asked his servant.

"It is a very interesting case" as Caster rubbed his chin. "But let's see what I can do" he smiled brightly.

Researching closely with Kuro, the pair worked every waking hour for the best solution.

Meanwhile Sella tended to her needs while she slept as Leysritt did some house cleaning.

Shirou couldn't help but worry the entire time as his classmates and friends noticed his lack of focus.

Rin, Sakura, and Luvia handled the matter better though they were also concerned for her well being. Though they were vying for Shirou's affections they put their rivalry on hold in concern for the mage smith and his sister.

But for Miyu and Saber, they never left Illya's side doing whatever Sella asked if it would help the young homunculus in any way.

After another three days had passed Caster and Kuro found a way to wake Illya up. This method also involved Miyu or even Sakura as she had the capacity now for it. But concerning the method they wanted to keep the matter between them. However with how things worked in this household there was no point in keeping secrets as everyone would end up finding out anyways.

Now a weekend as everyone was gathered in Illya's room Caster and Kuro were getting preparations done as the magus of flowers prepared the spell while the dark homunculus finished the symbols drawing the insignias on Illya, herself, and Miyu.

"So you've found a way to wake Illya up?" Shirou asked trying to keep himself level headed as he couldn't stop worrying the entire time.

"Of course master" Caster smiled.

"How so?" Rin questioned with a raised eyebrow and folded arms. She was somewhat skeptical of it all since this was a first time something like this ever happened.

"If the servants are being the problem we just need to move them" Kuro continued. "Illya's lucky to have us around to take on the extra slack".

"How are you supposed to achieve this?" then asked Luvia as she was trying to figure out what they were doing.

"Miyu and I will take a servant from her" Kuro explained. "Of course they are still bound to her. But for the time being they will be leased to us. Kind of like renting out an apartment space".

"But is this really alright?" then asked Shirou worriedly. "Are you really going to be able to handle this?"

"I should be able to easily to handle a servant" Kuro shrugged. "I was after all designed for it. As for Miyu . . . . Her circumstance is unique as we will just leave it at that".

Of course there was a lot of questions for Miyu's involvement as not just anyone can do this. Even after all this time Luvia did not try to pry into her past as she only knew bits and pieces about her. However in respect to the stoic girl no one questioned it and left it be. When she was ready to talk she will talk.

With the ritual ready Illya laid in the middle as Kuro and Miyu stood in the circle with her. From there Caster began to chant as the spell circle glowed along with the insignias drawn on the girls.

Caster nodded as everything was ready. Nodding back Kuro leaned over placing her lips on Illya. Upon pulling back Miyu then leaned over doing the same.

Though this was magic and for Illya's sake it didn't make it less embarrassing for Kuro and Miyu. Especially kissing Illya in front of everyone like that.

As noted it was a little awkward for everyone.

Shirou really didn't see anything as the maids immediately covered his eyes.

"Oh my" as Sakura covered her mouth while shyly looking away.

Rin and Luvia could barely keep a straight face. Aware of how some magic worked it really didn't make it less embarrassing.

The only one's unaffected were Sella, Leysritt, Saber, and Caster.

Before long the spell had ended as Illya's eyes began to flutter open. Holding her head as she sat up Illya looked around as a complacent look appeared on her face. "Sorry for making everyone worried . . . ."

"Welcome back!" as family and friends were relieved and over joyed at her recovery.

In celebration to her recovery Shirou went all out cooking incredible dishes as everyone was having a festive time. Learning what had happened to her Illya was quite apologetic for worrying everyone.

But upon hearing how she was revived, genuine curiosity had come over her. "So what servants did you take?"

"Not sure" Kuro shrugged. "When we extracted them from your body it was pretty much a random grab bag to who we got".

"Well let's find out then".

Moving out to the courtyard the three girls decided to see what servant they had ended up with.

First to go was Miyu. Closing her focusing on the spirit inside her, "install" she muttered. Soon enough she was engulfed in purple flame like energy as it was quite apparent what servant she had. Once the flames had died down she now stood as Rider Miyu adorning the exact same outfit without any alterations. Checking herself out, she made a few movements to see what she could do. Upon getting the relative feel of this new form she gave a soft breath as she reverted back to normal.

Then next to go was Kuro as she confidently chanted, "install". Once red flames appeared everyone knew who she had. Now Archer Kuro she wore a much more feminine and revealing version of the usual outfit. Far more risque in comparison to Illya's version. But upon taking this form she was then able to fully understand Archer in how Shirou ended up like him. Such a miserable mess of a man. Though she knew a few things before hand it was rather different now that she was him.

She couldn't help how strongly she felt. If it was some stranger then normally you wouldn't feel anything beyond some sense of sympathy or perhaps empathy. But with it someone who was rather close it really was hard to bare knowing Shirou's fate if things didn't change. Frankly she would have continued to contemplate this until Illya approached with a frightful look in her eyes. "Illya?"

"Trade with me right now".

"Huh?"

"Trade with me right now!" as Illya tried to steal Kuro's lips only for her to dodge.

Though it was painful, she was happy to have him. Shirou's soul. A treasure without measure to someone like her. Certainly to someone like Illya. "No way!" Kuro said playfully. "I got Archer fair and square".

"Berserker was originally your servant. So you can have him back!" as Illya pinned her as Kuro was pushing her face away.

As this back and forth, their audience just stood aside and watched with a mixture of amusement and confusion. At this point Illya was chasing Kuro around the courtyard with her origin scarf.

But for one of them, "why are they even fighting over that arrogant jerk?" Rin questioned as she found the man intolerable most of the time.

Shirou could only shrug as he decided not to interfere and let this play out. He learned his lesson along ago in not jumping in between girls when they are feuding.

"Miyu! Help me hold Kuro down while I make the exchange!"

Misunderstanding the situation, "Illya" as the stoic girl gave a shy blush while hugging herself. "If you don't want Berserker I don't mind exchanging it with Rider. Just give me a moment to prepare my heart and . . . ."

"Not what I meant at all!"

"Got to run now" Kuro laughed slipping away as she was now escaping.

"Get back here! You have to sleep eventually!"

~ Fuyuki city (Emiya residence) ~

Shirou was quietly working in the warehouse as he was in the middle of repairing some broken kitchen appliances.

Recalling the past few days Illya and Kuro had come to an understanding. What that deal entailed only they knew and thus wouldn't concern himself any further with it.

For the time being Luvia and Miyu were currently staying with them since they wrecked her house. Though he wondered why they were staying with them. Considering how fast she had their house rebuilt he kind of figured she could easily do the same. Luvia said it was going to take some time which seemed to have caused some tension with Rin and Sakura. Something he probably wasn't going to understand.

Sighing somewhat he decided to put his work aside as he took some time to relax. Considering the changes he went through he started to mindlessly project daggers held by different heroes all across history.

Although it was a good thing that his magecraft have been getting better and his repertoire of noble phantasms filled up quite a bit he couldn't quite understand the bitterness that lurked beneath his heart.

Of all the servants he encountered so far Archer had quite the impact on him. Yet he couldn't understand why. What was this haunting feeling? Apart of him wanted to understand this connection he had to red servant. However he couldn't shake that sense of fear and dread. A small whisper at the very corner of his mind that told him to look away.

As he continued to sink further into his thoughts, "you look troubled master. Is something wrong?"

Disturbed from his droning, "it's nothing Caster. Just something I've been thinking about" as Shirou gave a strained chuckle.

"Is that so?" Caster smiled. Taking a seat with the mage smith, the magus of flowers leaned in as he continued to smile. "Say master I would like to propose a challenge to you if you're interested. Something to help you out if you're feeling like you're in a bit of a rut".

"Challenge?" Shirou quirked instantly wary as Saber constantly emphasized how much of a troublemaker her old teacher was.

"No need to be defensive" waving his hand. "You're capable of replicating legendary noble phantasms throughout of all of history both past and future if my understanding is correct" picking up one of Shirou's daggers. "But that's as far as you ever went of just making copies trying to mimic the very heroes you wish to be".

"Is there a point to why you're saying this?"

"The challenge I wish to give you master is to become a true hero". Seeing the confused look on his face he continued. "There are many paths with equally many destinations. But for you master, your ideal not only lacks maturity but also form. If you truly desire to walk the path of a hero what you lack is a symbol that represents that ideal".

"Wait" as Shirou was catching on, "do you mean . . . ."

"Yes" Caster nodded. "An object that represents the ideals of Shirou Emiya. In other words your own noble phantasm". Just as Shirou opened his mouth, "and no. I don't have one to give you. Thus lays my challenge. I want you try and make your own".

Carefully listening to everything that was said to him he could only feel how incredulous it was. "But I don't even know where to begin".

"You think too little of yourself" Caster chuckled. "Tell me master, what's the difference between this appliance and those daggers next to you?" Seeing his blank look, "the answer is not really much". Waving his hand the appliance broke apart as it's screws floated out as the frame moved apart as then the internal pieces began to separate. "What some forget is that machines and magical items aren't that much different in terms of construction. A magical item in itself is simply lines of codes weaved together that gives it it's function. That which is no different from parts that make a machine".

Putting the appliance back together and setting the dagger back down Caster continued on as Shirou was still following along.

"You not only have the history of who wielded those noble phantasms but how they were made as well. With every swing of a hammer. With every line of enchantments. You have every conceivable blue print of all history dancing on your finger tips. You are still just discovering what you can really do as the only limitations you have is what you put on yourself".

"Well that sounds great and all but what you are suggesting is impossible. Most of these things were made during the age of gods when magic was at it's strongest. Comparing that to now, we're pretty much just parlor tricks by comparison. More so what about the materials or even the possible cost of this?"

"As I said master you think too little of yourself" Caster smiled. "What most would think as a useless and simple craft you took beyond any known limits. Even beyond someone as great as myself".

"Projection? I might have mana to spare thanks to the contracts. But to make something like this would require constant trial and error due to imperfections. More then likely I would probably need to build it up from scratch. But it will only disappear in the end making all that work pointless".

"Then I believe I have something here that can help you along your journey" as Caster had pulled an item out from thin air. "It's something that came into my possession through some incredible means and I feel it was something you are going to need".

Though it may have seemed like a strange looking rock that only bellied it's real value. The moment Shirou's eyes laid upon it he knew what it was. "The philosopher stone . . . ." But due to the complexity of what it was he had to look away as he started to feel a faint headache.

"The denial of nothingness. The power to over turn equivalent exchange. In other words this is the very crystallization of the research that went into first magic." Taking a soft breath he then placed the stone in Shirou's hand. "The reason why projections disappear after some time is because the world itself denies it's existence. But with first magic, you can make the world accept it".

Stuttering over himself, "are you sure you should be giving me something like this? Something so rare and powerful . . . . I'm not worthy of such a thing . . . what should I be doing with it . . . ."

"If I didn't think you were worthy of it I wouldn't have given it to you in the first place. But it's not enough to just have the stone master. Truly make first magic your own if you truly wish to continue on your current path". Then standing up dusting his pants, "that's all I came here to say. Take your time to think it over. If you wish to walk a different path then just return that stone to me later. So if nothing else enjoy the rest of your day. And if you need me just ask" as Caster soon walked off.

Upon leaving the warehouse as the magus of flowers was going to wander off somewhere Archimedes then flew in as he perched on his head. "Hoot hoot".

"Oh I have my reasons".

"Hoot hoot".

"I'm a little offended that you think I'm that irresponsible. Why did you think I sent you away with it in the first place? The last thing I needed was Morgan getting her hands on it".

"Hoot hoot".

"Yes I'm quite aware. But as I said I have my reasons. But if nothing else I would consider this an inheritance".

"Hoot?"

"Hmm . . . . Well I'm pretty sure Shirou might be my descendant".

"Hoot!" as Archimedes started to peck Caster's head.

"Ow! Ow! Stop that will you. I'm not that irresponsible!" After the owl calmed down a fond smile had spread across Caster's face. "But if it had to be anyone there was only one woman who I ever truly loved and truly loved me in return". It was during Arturia era that he met her. She was quite the spitfire. Though most would find such a person off putting he found it quite endearing. Even his charms did little to quell her personality as she wouldn't let him get away with anything. However during their private moments she was quite the woman with how loving and tender she was.

Shirou certainly shared his luck with the ladies. But more so the young mage smith shared quite a few traits of his former lover. Just looking into those determined eyes he could still see some part of her.

But the most compelling evidence was the philosopher stone itself. An artifact that represented one of the only true magics still left in the world. Of course he took measures to insure something that powerful would be well protected. If Shirou was not his descendant then he would not be able to hold the stone. "I'm so clever with my tricks" Caster praised himself.

"Hoot hoot".

"Well as I said I have my reasons. But if really want to know then lets just say that he is going to need all the help he can get in the future . . . ." Staring off into the distance Caster had a vision of the future.

A time much after the Holy Grail war.

On a hill top stood a gallant hero as his radiance was no less then those who came before him.

Raising his sword up as it gleamed the setting sun, warriors on this battlefield chanted his name for the immense victory he had brought them.

His friends celebrating with him for the disaster they overcame.

His female companions embracing him for the hard battle they fought.

This would be a tale that would earn him a place among the throne of heroes.

For someone like Caster it was a vision that felt so close yet so far.

Though he would be remembered as a hero, his story was far from over. But how his story ended, that was something he had to wait and see. Truthfully, Caster had much anticipation to how his story would end. But would it be the story of a great hero or a terrible fiend?

Only time would tell as Caster shrugged as he soon wandered off somewhere.

To be continued . . . .

Author's notes: Hope his chapter was OK. Now onto some commentary.

I know Kuro should be able to house a servant. But not so sure about Miyu. The holy grail system were built differently in both their cases as Illya was designed into the system while Miyu's was designed around her. Furthermore the end product is profoundly different in what was supposed to be summoned to achieve whatever result they were aiming for. But more or less Miyu should be able to handle it.

Sakura is still a bit of a toss up as I'm still deciding if she should get a servant transferred to her if the time ever came that she needed too.

With the prisma series, I figured why not. Let the servants be transferred around through a kiss. As noted in the first season Miyu is completely cool with kissing Illya if she wants too. Though Kuro puts on a certain persona, she does reveal in the third season she needs to amp herself up as she too would get embarrassed if she were to suddenly kiss.

But concerning Berserker as recently revealed, it turns out he was actually Magni and not Thor. However their divinity is still questionable concerning parentage according to mythos and their exact origin. But whatever the case since Rin and Luvia didn't question it's impossibility then Thor in their universe may not be a divine being but only part divine.

It seems fitting that the philosopher stone is the crystallized research into first magic as with the kaleido scope for second magic and the Einzbern with the third. Now the lore with the philosopher stone is varied throughout many cultures. But between Merlin and the stone, the only connection is seen in pop culture rather then in any Arthurian lore.

As for any relationship between Merlin and Shirou that's just me putting it out there. But as with true magic, it's not something that can be inherited. However it seems that it's possible for it to be learned. It also interested me that Shirou not only has the history of the users of noble phantasms but also how it was created. Seeing as he was able to freely modify Kansho and Bakuya the way he did then in theory he should be able mod any weapon he wants. It should even be possible for him to make a completely original weapon if he puts his mind to it. Thus Caster's challenge to him to create a weapon that represented the ideals of Shirou.

For the romance of Merlin and the mystery lady I had Nimue in mind from the 1998 mini-series Merlin starring Sam Neill. However Nimue is a complicated character as Arthurian legend has many different stories about her which either contradicts or agrees with each other. Hell in one story it was said she and the Lady of the Lake were one and the same. But for the sake of this story I just left it as is. If anything I pictured her very much like Rin to Shirou keeping Merlin in line if he tries to wander off or messing with him if it amuses her. I'm aware of what the Fate lore says about him. But I figured he would make this one exception since Nimue was that special to him.

If there are any questions or concerns feel free to ask as I'll try to answer them.

So thank you for reading as I further extend my gratitude if you can review as well.