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

All hail the king

Caster had been checking in on his master for the past few days.

The storage room had practically become an armory as Shirou was hard at work creating prototypes for his own noble phantasm.

He still needed more time as he hadn't quite got a handle on first magic. But he was making progress as he would stare at the philosopher stone. At first just glancing at it gave him a headache. Yet as he started making connections and understanding it he was able to stare at it longer.

At this time, he had a basic comprehension. However, nothing impressive as far as Caster was concerned.

Sitting quietly in the corner the magus of flowers continued to watch Shirou. So far, he was able to permanently create basic materials for his prototypes. But for everything else such as the forge and hammer he projected them.

Every day when he had time you can hear him hammering away diligently working on his noble phantasm.

Giving a thoughtful look to the many weapons that lined the walls, Caster returned his attention to Shirou as he continued to swing his hammer as sparks flew up reflecting in his eyes which shined brightly showing the depths of his focus. Each weapon he made was worthy enough to be wielded by a hero with each of them holding a different ability.

"Oh, to be young" Caster smiled. However, the mage smith still hadn't found his answer yet as evidenced by the prototypes. He was still a boy just figuring out what kind of person he was or wanted to be. Each weapon reflected that idea as he was trying to understand who he was. He would build one then move onto the next. If he had a better idea the prototype would be melted down to become something else.

Yet unbeknownst to him, there was one other little interesting secret about Shirou. Aside from Avalon which affected his development as a mage and being related to yours truly, blacksmithing was in his blood. It was also part of the reason he had such a strong affinity for swords. Somewhere a few centuries ago forgotten to the sands of time, Shirou was also related to . . . .

"Emiya-kun!"

"Shirou!"

"Another time. Let's see how this plays out" Caster whimsically smiled as he watched the new scene unfold.

As usual Rin and Luvia were duking it out on whatever they wanted to argue about today.

"I was here first" Rin started.

"Well I need it more then you" Luvia countered back.

Facing the girls, the mage smith could only give a strained smile. It was pretty much his fault that they were fighting now. Knowing Rin's research was in minerals and wanting to do something nice he created a crystal for her. But it wasn't any common crystal. Recalling some materials that only existed during the age of gods he created a gem of unparalleled quality as he handed it to the brunette magus. Yet as good as his intentions were, he was soon going to learn there was no good deed that goes unpunished.

At being handed this beautiful stone, it was a gem that was easily priceless. The kind of priceless that if sold for the right amount, one could literally live off that kind of money for several lifetimes.

But for jewel research, this thing could redefine everything they know about the field. Just this gem alone could make any mage world famous with how many papers they could write on it.

Without realizing it, Shirou had just casually handed over something that could be considered a national treasure.

At being given such a wonderful gift Rin asked or rather demanded to have any other crystals he knew of.

But then came the trouble when Luvia caught wind of this. Refusing to fall behind her longtime rival she too had 'requested' a gem from him.

Thus, the argument got heated up about who got what jewels as they started insulting each other.

But thankfully Sakura had arrived to help settle them down. He was truly thankful she was around or else he wouldn't be able to handle Rin and Luvia when they really started getting hostile.

"Please don't fight" Shirou intervened. Thinking about it carefully, he gave Rin and Luvia their own exclusive gem. He could have given them the exact same ones. But that would only give them more reason to fight about how far they've researched. Thus, this way it should minimize the conflict. Well for now at least "And this is for you" as he then created a gem into Sakura's hand.

"Sempai?"

"I just wanted to show how thankful I am" Shirou smiled as he thought carefully about it. "Actually, I wanted to show how thankful I am for all of you".

"Emiya-kun . . . ."

"Shirou . . . ."

"Sorry for neglecting my duties as of late" Shirou chuckled rubbing the back of his head. "It must have been rather inconvenient for everyone to pick up the slack".

At seeing that serene carefree smile of his, the girls shuttered.

"It's not like I did it for you or anything!" Rin stated trying to hide her embarrassment. "Since I mooch from here time to time it's the least I can do".

"Not at all" as Luvia looked to her side while covering lips from showing her growing smile.

"I'm glad to help!" as Sakura was all smiles. "Come on! Breakfast is ready. Come an eat before it gets cold".

Watching the interaction, Caster could only chuckle to himself. "Definitely a chip off the old block".

~ Fuyuki city (Homurahara school) ~

Starting this brand-new day, it seemed like any other.

Illya, Kuro, and Miyu would talk about whatever came to mind and enjoy a few laughs among themselves. Though Saber was encouraged to join them she was just happy to be there.

Meanwhile Shirou was being pulled back and forth by a constantly arguing Rin and Luvia as Sakura tried to calm them down.

Upon arriving to school, Illya's friends would be there to greet them as Issei would update Shirou and his vice presidents about the day's agendas.

By the time lunch came around Illya, Kuro, Miyu, and Saber were on the roof having their meal. Shirou and co. weren't able to come as they needed to be present for a mandatory meeting

The reason why Illya's other friends weren't present was concerning the sensitive topic they were going to discuss.

"Assuming Assassin might not be in play then that just leaves Lancer left" said Illya.

"Yes" nodded Miyu. "The war is almost over".

"And when all the servants are gathered the grail will appear" then sad Kuro.

"Fear not" as Saber set aside her food as she gave a knightly bow to her master. "So long as I stand by your side my sword will not fail to achieve victory".

At hearing that, Illya's lips couldn't help but curl. After all they've been through, she still hadn't told her true intentions. And that was to finish her father's objective in destroying the grail. It may seem like a pity to destroy an omnipotent wish granting device. However, Kiritsugu explained to her many times the true face of the grail at how it's malevolence would corrupt any wish made on it.

At first, she was just following her father's wishes.

But after the event with Sakura, she truly believed it. Morgan's attempt the summon the grail was successful. But what was on the other side was a nightmare that could not be allowed into their world.

This then left one little problem. Though she said it didn't bother her, she knew Saber still felt bitterness over her father's betrayal in making her lose her chance to obtain the grail. Knowing why Saber desired the grail only made it more heart wrenching.

An era filled with endless war in which she was born and raised for the purpose of an ideal. Yet in the end, it all came crashing down as civil war burned her country to the ground. Heart broken as she laid dying from her duel with Mordred all she had left was hope. For she blamed herself for what had happened. If she were to attain the grail, she would wish to undo that regretful decision in pulling Caliburn that made her king.

She didn't blame Merlin as he gave her a chance to walk away. But at that time, she was a young idealistic fool who thought she could shoulder the world's burdens. Now after living an entire lifetime with that choice she finally understood she wasn't strong enough to bare the weight.

It was only the hope of the grail that kept her going

"But am I strong enough?" Illya asked herself. It was all Saber had left. Ultimately, she knew she had to rob her of it. "Saber . . . ." she started slow, "do you truly regret becoming king?"

"Yes" Saber answered solemnly.

" . . . . But what if you can't?"

Startled at such a question, Saber looked carefully to her master. "Because I couldn't allow it. I had failed. Not only myself but also those who believed in me. In the end . . . . Camelot was also destroyed due to my own arrogance . . . ."

Although they knew this hearing Saber speak her insecurities aloud made it all the more difficult for what Illya had to do. But unlike the knightly servant, she didn't have to bare the weight alone.

"That's a boring wish" Kuro stated bluntly much to Saber's shock. "I thought you were supposed to be the king of knights or something. And aren't knights supposed to be the pinnacle of chivalry and courage? Where did all that backbone go?" Before Saber could retort, the dark homunculus took a seat next to her as she wrapped her arm around her shoulder. "But you have nothing to feel ashamed about. You did your best to live a decent life during an indecent time. Ruled your kingdom with all your wisdom limited by your era".

Miyu continued and held Saber from her other side. "It's only natural to feel regret after failure. However, it's also about growing from it. It's from there we learn how to move on".

Illya smiled as she had such good friends like them. She knew this wasn't going to change Saber's mind so easily. But at the very least she wanted to help her find peace. "Although you may feel the world crashing down around you, just know you're never alone" as soon it became a group hug. "So, stand tall and proud king of knights Arturia".

Taken back, Saber wasn't sure how to respond. She was so caught up in grief she forgot about everything else. Her friends among the knights of the round. The brave men who followed her into battle. The good and bad times she shared with her people as they shouldered the weight on the world together. Though the pain of her failure weighed heavily . . . . It still lightened the guilt on her heart to know she had not been abandoned yet . . . .

"Hmm?" as Kuro's ears perked up. "Is there something going on down there?"

Noticing the commotion as something got the students riled up, the group peeked over the side to take a look.

Among the many students down there it was easy to spot the center of the disturbance. Although they were quite a distance, they saw a man who was around the age of a young adult. He wore mostly black with a white shirt. But the most distinctive thing about him was his golden hair and crimson eyes.

From the way he walked into the school, he acted like he owned the place.

"Who the heck is he?" asked Kuro giving a quizzical look.

"To be causing this much noise, what is he doing?" then asked Miyu.

Giving a questioning look of her own, "what do you think Saber?" as Illya looked to her servant. But upon getting no response, "Saber?"

Usually stoic and disciplined in her mannerisms, this was another rare occurrence that Illya had seen her so unsettled.

"Saber? What's wrong?"

Her expression scrunched as she was dyed in several complex emotions intertwining with one another. Her greatest foe she was unable to defeat. A man who had the right to call himself the strongest servant. Till this day she never learned who he really was. But it did not change how dangerous he was. Although she did not know who this king was, she did know him by the other title he went by. ". . . . Archer".

At that name alone Illya, Kuro, and Miyu were alarmed. "What?!"

To be continued . . . .

Author's notes: Lots of things has been happening in my life as it's been taking it's toll on me. Anyways here is some commentary.

Although not entirely confirmed, Shirou in the nasuverse became a pseudo-servant housing a certain Saber class heroic spirit. The reason why this servant was chosen was because of how alike the two of them were. After a bit of contemplation, the heroic spirit possessing Shirou surmised he might have been his descendant. I won't spoil it, but it further connects Shirou's affinity for swords if it's true.

Thinking over the materials and enchantments, Shirou with first magic and his tracing ability should be able to create things that shouldn't exist anymore in modern era. Even forging techniques that should have been lost to the sands of time. So, it's all up to his imagination in creating his ideal noble phantasm. But for a young man like him, he is still discovering himself in what kind of person he wants to be. Thus, him creating noble phantasm after noble phantasm trying to figure it out.

Since Shirou is able to create these items, it seemed likely he wanted to do something nice for the girls by creating these ancient treasures. In true character, just giving them away without much thought. Just as likely the girls now hounding him for his ability to create them now which would be a priceless asset to both Rin and Luvia intensifying their competition for him. That then leaves Sakura to try and balance them out.

Now enters the king of heroes himself Gilgamesh. Hope this turns out well.

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

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