No Prayers, No Fate, No Reason to Live Pt 2
Disclaimers I don't own the Fate series, and while Type-Moon does own it, here in the states I'm more than certain at least 3 different distribution companies has at least some sort of foothold on each iteration, which makes viewing and buying them that much more of a pain in the ass, now to the story.
At the ass crack of dawn, Shirou had already gotten up and prepared himself another day of making the lives of everyone within his neighborhood a lot more easy.
By the time he had already gotten fully dressed, and equipped, people from around the neighborhood had already came and continued on with their lives to essentially as farmers.
And who better to greet Shirou this morning other than Sakura, as she had spent the morning preparing not only breakfast, but lunch for Shirou.
"Morning Senpai" greeted Sakura, "Morning Sakura, how are you feeling this morning so far" asked Shirou, "Oh you know, just happy to see you this morning" "Well aren't you sweet".
Looking at the table, Sakura had made Shirou a basic western style breakfast for the road, consisting of 2 sunny side up eggs, a strip of European bacon, and toast, with some tea to wash it down.
"Thanks for the meal" said Shirou as he sat down to eat his breakfast while Sakura put on the finishing touches to his bento.
Once he had his fill, Shirou grabbed the bento Sakura made before saying goodbye, as he now felt energized to deal with whatever the world had to throw at him.
Later
Even though Shirou had long since dropped out of school in order to work as a Responder, he was welcomed with open arms since during his time as a hunter, he'd frequently come over and give pointers to those who were in the archery club, along with Ayako and Shinji.
Though now he comes in regularly to help maintain and repair anything and everything that's falling apart.
"I must say that you coming here to help us out when there are probably others in need is not only generous, but admirable Shirou" said Issei as he was truly the only person Shirou could call a friend here at this school.
"It's nothing really, things have been relatively slow these last few weeks, plus I enjoying coming over here and hanging out with you" said Shirou as he was currently repairing another water heater for the school.
"Well should you ever want to hang out of school, you know how to get to the temple" said Issei with a smile as Shirou smiled back, just as his radio went off.
"Attention all Responders, all active duty Responder is to report into down town immediately for an important meeting, while those working on top priority cases are to remain at post and will be informed later on" said the voice of a woman before buzzing off.
"I don't suppose we can call repairing a water heater a top priority" said Issei, "It's alright, I'll come back right away, just be sure to gather up anything that's been damaged here or leave me a note as to things that need further repair and attention" said Shirou as he got back to his fate.
"You truly are a saint" said Issei, "Funny and here I thought you were training to be one" said Shirou before both shared in a friendly laugh.
"Come on, I'll see you off" said Issei as both began to walk down the halls, before Issei caught sight and grimaced over Rin Tohsaka.
"Sigh, still have this one sided disdain for Miss Tohsaka I see" said Shirou as he was well aware of Issei's disdain and distrust for Rin.
"You don't understand, something about that girl doesn't sit right with me, no way a girl that beautiful and popular can appear without some sort of skeleton in her closet" said Issei.
"Hey Issei, remember our talk how some people could misinterpret what you're saying and thinking as rather inappropriate" said Shirou as the 2 continued to banter and talk about Rin, who finally turned her head to take notice of them.
"Excuse me" said Rin as she had approached them, "Gah, Tohsaka what are you trying to do now" said Issei as he backed up and put his arms up defensively.
"I wanted to discuss with this here Responder unit if he could do something for me" said Rin towards Issei, before addressing towards Shirou.
"I've seen you around here before haven't I" said Rin towards Shirou, "You may have, that is I do come here frequently to do some repairs" said Shirou.
"Hmm, well allow me to introduce myself before we get down to business, my name is Rin Tohsaka, and you are" said Rin, "Shirou Emiya" greeted Shirou.
"Now that we're well acquainted at some point before the weekend, I'd like you to come over to my house and see if you could repair a hole in my wall, recently there's been an accident and some wires were exposed and I'm uncertain as to how hazardous it is to either me or the general public" said Rin.
"Shirou don't do it, she has to go through the proper channels and paperwork like everyone else" said Issei as Rin turned her eyes pouted at the man as a tic mark formed on the side of her head.
"Ease up Issei, Miss Tohsaka you have my word no later than tomorrow will I come by and check on what's been damaged and needs to be repaired to the best of my abilities" said Shirou with a warm friendly smile.
"Thank you kindly Shirou" said Rin as she smiled at the Responder, "Also no need to be so formal with me as Rin will do fine".
"Right, well if you guys don't mind I'm needed elsewhere" said Shirou as he made his way down the stairs ready to hear what's to be said in today's sudden meeting.
Later
Upon arriving in down town, Shirou notice that a lot of Responders were carrying citizens out of building on stretchers as he and Sanosuke continued to drive towards the meeting.
"Shouldn't we go back and give a hand" said Shirou, "If they needed the extra help they'd have pulled us over and asked us, besides I'm curious what they need us for" said Sanosuke as they continued to drive to the Responders headquarters, which was located where the old police station and hair salon had been located.
"Shirou!" called Fuji as she was dressed in formal business attire and waved at them, "About time you guys got here".
"Big sis, what's going on with this sudden meeting" asked Shirou, "Well remember how you asked me last night if the government planned on adding any relief efforts" said Fuji.
"Yeah" said Shirou, "Well something like that along the lines are about to happen, but…" said Fuji, "But what".
"You're gonna have to wait and see cause I'm not entirely sure either" said Fuji as they all walked in to see some of the city's biggest representatives and contributors present, including Fujimura's grandfather.
"Attention everyone, can we have your attention" said a scrawny middle aged man who was thinning on the top part of his head.
"Now I'm certain that a lot of you have a lot of questions for today's sudden meeting, but I assure you there's good reason" said the same man before picking up and lying down a stack of papers.
"Since the start of this war almost 10 years ago, it has affected us greatly, but economically and with our relationships with many countries. This however is coming to sudden change and end as we've gotten word from the Prime Minister himself that relief for not only us the people of Fuyuki city, but the people of Japan" said the man as everyone began to cheer over the sudden good news.
"Settle down everyone, there's still more that needs to be said and addressed" said the man as he waited patiently for everyone to settle down, which were mainly the Responders as everyone else seemed anything but thrilled.
"Right well, Fuyuki city along with other major cities across Japan are to be given immediate relief effort thanks in part to the American government…" said the man as the atmosphere did a 180 as Sanosuke was beginning to frown.
"Aw shit, I don't like where this is going" said Sanosuke as Shirou barely heard him as he was more focused on what was to come next.
"… Who as of this morning at 6:44 a.m. have not only ceased sovereignty, but has annexed us the people of Japan, making us officially Americans" said the man as an uproar of questions, both out of confusion and disdainful jeers from the Responders.
"Everyone, everyone please settle down" said the man, "This is bullshit, those Americans and Russian assholes are the reason we're at war right now, and you expect us to turn over and accept that they're in charge of us now" said a Responder as half the people cheered and agreed with him, including Sanosuke.
"I understand that a lot of you may have resentment for the American government, who are still at war as we speak…" said the middle age man as his words were drowned under further questions and jeers.
"So what, we have to take part in the war now that they practically claim us" said a different Responder as they got even more loud and hectic, leaving Shirou out casted and confused in the mix.
Having enough, the man who was addressing this meeting took out an air horn before pressing it down and getting the Responders attention once more.
"Look there's a lot of concerning questions that I admit don't have the answers for, because nothings been fully addressed as of yet, what has been addressed is that in the days to follow, expect more of an American presence with resources ranging from food, water, and electricity becoming a more available commodity" said the man before setting his papers down.
"Now should there be any remaining and further questions, they are to be written and submitted via mail. With that being said you're all hereby dismissed" said the man as everyone left in disbelief.
"Can you believe this shit, after having to suffer indirectly on the sidelines for almost a whole decade, those yanks who issued a cease international trade with us, decides to annex us" vented Sanosuke as Shirou remained silent as this was a lot to take in.
"I swear this is bullshit" said Sanosuke as he slammed his fist against the wheel, startling Shirou back into reality.
"Calm down Sanosuke, we still got a job to do for the people" said Shirou as Sanosuke let out a frustrated sigh as he recoiled his head back.
"Sigh, you're right and for all we know this is probably our last days here working as Responders, before they decide to recruit us an ship us off towards Ukraine or Mongolia or Kazakhstan even" said Sanosuke in the ever so cynical manner.
As they continued to drive, Shirou realized they weren't going back to school, but rather a bar.
"Sanosuke what are we doing here" asked Shirou, "Take a look around Shirou, not everyone here see's the point of giving it a 100% now after the news we heard" said Sanosuke as a lot of Responders were here, and some of them being recognizable at the meet, and were going inside for a drink.
"And if you agree with the mob mentality, I say why not" said Sanosuke as he began to get out, "You coming in or what".
"If it's alright with you, I'm going on ahead and walk back towards the school, I still got some unfinished business that I need to attend to" said Shirou.
"Whatever" said Sanosuke as he went inside the bar, taking the keys with him, leaving Shirou to take a long walk back to the school with only what he had carried with him to work today on his back.
Time Skip
The sun had began to set by the time Shirou had managed to get back to the school, where he began to eat his lunch as soon as he made it towards the front entrance.
Once he felt reenergized, he made his way back to finish repairing not only the water heater Issei left him, but a chair, and the generator towards the gymnasium, with additional instructions saying that something was left for him in the archery club room.
Once he made his repairs, he was finally in the archery room, where the members left him a well written letter of gratitude, on top of a photo of a few members showing that they became hunters with their own success.
Accordingly, they had set aside for him a box of mandarins for him to bring home, which he had no choice but to accept.
Ready to go home and call it a day, Shirou was left with an uneasy feeling that he was being watched at the moment.
And that's where he heard the sound of clashing metal, better said blades coming from the main school itself.
By all means Shirou could've either walked out and called in for back up or tell himself that it was probably nothing, but if someone was in danger of getting hurt, he'd regret it for the rest of his life for not acting when his presence was needed.
With his first aid kit ready and spray can of mace at hand, Shirou walked his way into the school halls, where he felt more uneasy and the atmosphere itself was so think in blood lust that it was suffocating.
Hearing a thump down the halls, Shirou rushed his way to see absolutely nothing as he had his can of spray mace ready and pointed towards the next person to jump out and attack him.
"If anyone is there, please show yourself and if you're hurt I can help you, I'm a Responder said Shirou as he paced himself as he was beginning to wish that this was probably nothing but all in his head.
Unfortunately his scripted fate was answer the moment a man in cobalt blue armor wielding a menacing red metal spear appeared before him as he stepped out into the halls.
"Halt, who are you and what are you doing here" demanded Shirou as his eyes remained focused on the spear wielding man who could only grin at Shirou.
Before Shirou had time to react, he was brought into a world of pain, when the spear man moved so fast for him to even keep up with, and impaled his spear into his chest.
"Nothing personal, but I can't afford any eye witnesses" said the spear man before pulling his spear out, leaving Shirou to collapse to the cold floor in pool of his blood.
"Archer attack him" came the voice of Rin causing the spear man to flee as he was being in pursuit of a man wearing a red coat and wielding 2 short swords of his own.
Making her way towards the body, Rin was shocked to see that the person who unfortunately had to die in their fight was none other than Shirou.
While she was aware that casualties of the innocent was but a common thing in the Holy Grail Wars, especially in the previous one, Rin couldn't accept it, and against her better judgment used her most prized gemstone to give Shirou a second chance of life.
"You still have to do some wire and wall repair for me still" said Rin in a very tsun manner before leaving Shirou alone to gain consciousness and hopefully make it back home in one piece.
About half an hour later, Shirou had awakened once more and was rightfully terrified to learn that he had gone through another near death experience, before deciding it was best to go home recover.
Thankfully no one was there to bother him as everyone had left, leaving Shirou home alone as he began to disrobe of himself from his workers uniform that was beyond repair or any further use.
Examining his body, he barely saw any traces of him getting stabbed, but his clothes served as otherwise as evidence.
Putting on a pair of jeans and white shirt with blue sleeves, Shirou was left in a state of confusion as he had no idea what had happened, how is he alive, and how the hell is he going to explain this to the Responders, while also deciding if it's worth it as it's not only farfetched, but could also be risky for his living situation, especially if wind were to get to Fuji and her grandfather.
Though all of his worries put to a halt when he felt an uneasy presence being at his own house.
Grabbing a piece of rolled up sheet metal, Shirou had used 'Trace on' to fortify it into a proper weapon to defend himself as he began to explore his house with absolute caution.
To Shirou's dismay, he was greeted by the spear guy from earlier, who was ready to pike his spear into Shirou's head, but he managed to duck and cover in time.
"I've no idea how the hell you're alive, but this time I'll make sure to stab you in the heart this time around" said the spear guy as Shirou used his makeshift weapon to counter her assailant.
Unfortunately, his attempts only get his weapon to not only be smacked out, but sliced in half as the spear guy gave a smug grin towards Shirou.
"Ok, so you're definitely not a mere human" said the spear guy as Shirou slowly began to back away, "However you sure as hell ain't no master magus".
Lunging his spear at Shirou, who barely ducked and rolled from his next attack outside into the garden, Shirou ran his way past all the grown live stock, into his shed where he had shut it tight.
"Damn it I'm trapped" said Shirou before he was given a sense of pain when the spear went through the door and cut his arm.
"Gah" said Shirou as he gripped his arm and hissed in pain as the spear guy was truly persistent in trying to kill Shirou.
Just as all hoped seemed lost and Shirou was destined to face his inevitable maker, a weird summoning diagram appeared before Shirou's feet.
Before Shirou could further comprehend anything else, especially with the night he's been having, a woman wearing a sequin ball gown style armored clothing, as her very composure and presence screams nobility, power, a strong leader, appeared before Shirou.
"Tell me, are you my master" asked the woman as this confused Shirou even more.
Though any further thoughts he had currently on the matter involving this woman was put on hold as the spear guy finally break through.
"Damn, I should've guess you were master in this Lucifer Halo War, and now you had to summon Saber out of all the servants" said the spear guy.
"Lancer I take it, from here on out I'll be your opponent" said Saber as she dashed forward and shouldered Lancer back outside.
"That was a cheap shot" grunted Lancer, "I don't to hear that from a man who clearly has been on the pursuit on slaying an innocent, more so my very master who has yet to have summoned me up until now" said Saber calmly as she gripped onto what appeared to be an invisible sword, before clashing against Lancer.
"An invisible sword, that proves even further dishonesty" said Lancer between gritted teeth, "Unfortunately the mere sight of my sword is no different than me to call upon my weapons Noble Phantasm name" said Saber with cool glare.
"Whatever, I'm going to end things right here, right now" said Lancer as he began to back away and concentrate to deliver the killing blow on Saber.
"What's going on here" said Shirou as he finally caught up, "Master, stand back, Lancer is about to use his Noble Phantasm" said Saber as Lancer was ready to attack.
"Gaé Bolg!" exclaimed Lancer as he lunged his spear with the intended hit spot being Saber's heart, who already felt the killer blow, however she had the strength to anticipate and block the killer blow.
"Damn it, I never miss" said Lancer as he backed away as Saber gripped her sword tightly, in spite of her left hand bleeding with a hole in it.
"Gae Bolg, that's the name of your Noble Phantasm, meaning your name has to be none other than the Child of Light himself, Cú Chulainn" said Saber as she now knew the identity of her opponent.
"Great, now I really shot myself in the foot this time around" said Lancer as he was truly not have a good night anymore, which was further cemented when he narrowly leaned back and dodge an incoming attack of familiar looking blades that were now pinned to the wall.
"Oh that's perfect now" said Lancer as he turned his head, as did Saber and Shirou, to see a man standing on the wall in the Emiya residence, wearing a red coat, black body armor, dark skin, and white hair as he was able to summon forth a new set of dual short swords.
"Heh, it seems that I'm out numbered for the time being and my master is still in further need and use of me still" said Lancer as he began to back away a little.
"Until next time Saber" said Lancer before he disappeared from sight, leaving Saber alone with Shirou and this new fighter.
"Heh, should've guess that Lancer killing that kid wasn't just snuff out any unwanted eye witnesses" said the man in the red coat as he layed an affixed stare towards Shirou and Saber.
"Oh well" said the man in red before having to flip back and evade Saber's attack.
"I've no idea what kind of servant you are, but I cannot allow you to escape here and live, so long as the my masters life and well being be in danger" said Saber as she gripped her invisible sword, which gain some level of visibility thanks in part to her blood.
"You're hurt Saber, just back away and heal your wounds, and live to fight another day" said the man in red.
"I am more than capable in taking you on, now prepare yourself to fight to the death, less you want me to finish this quickly" said Saber as the man in red rolled his eyes.
"Alright than Saber, if this is what you want, then so be it, however" said the man in red as he began to draw out his favored 2 short swords.
While they were exchanging words, Shirou finally caught up to witness another fight was about to start.
"Please guys stop this, there's no need to fight" called Shirou, "Master please stand back, I don't know what this servant is capable of" said Saber as she charged forward and swung her sword down, causing the man in red to dodge before parrying in for an attack of his own.
"Stop" said Shirou as his words fell on death ears over the 2 servants need to kill, and sounds of blades colliding.
"Damn it I said stop already" said Shirou as he stuck his hand out, where he finally notice some weird looking henna tattoo on his hand, before it began to glow.
Instantly, Saber had no choice but to yield to her masters commands, while Archer had every means, and every advantage he needed to put Saber down, if not for him being ordered not to kill her either.
"Archer that's enough from you as well" said Rin as she came into the picture, surprising Shirou.
"Miss Tohsaka, what are you doing here" asked Shirou as she was taken aback and felt lightly offended.
"A good evening would've been a lot more kinder and appealing, though I suppose I'll let it slide this time since I'm under the impression that you're confused as to what's going on" said Rin as she stood next to Archer who 'holstered' his weapons away.
"Also I think I've told you to just call me Rin already" said Rin as she brushed her hair back with her hand.
"Master, do you happen to know this woman" asked Saber as she backed away and stood next to Shirou with her weapon still drawn as a precaution.
"Yes, I do know Tohsaka, but the question remains as to me not knowing who you are, who that guys with the spear was, and what the hell is going on these past few hours" said Shirou.
"Well you see master…" began Saber as she didn't want to reveal her true identity as of yet, but also how he was in need of a proper in depth explanation at the moment.
"If I may" spoke up Rin getting Shirou and Saber's attention, as Saber readied her weapon for anything.
"Shirou, while I understand that you're confused, I assure and Saber that I will give you all the necessary information you need, so long as you're willing to call a temporary truce and follow me from here on out" said Rin.
While Shirou was in need of a proper explanation, he wasn't without his reserve as to why he should just listen to Rin without question, especially since this Archer guy if he heard right seemed to be just as dangerous as that Lancer guy they had faced.
"Master, just say the word and I will follow your command" said Saber as she caught a brief glance of Shirou waiting to hear from his decision.
"For now let's stand down and hear her out alright" said Shirou as Saber obliged without disobeying a word he said.
"So your name is Saber" asked Shirou, "That is the name given onto me based on my servant class, master" explained Saber, "Right I'll keep that in mind" said Shirou as he looked back at Rin.
"Miss Tohsaka" said Shirou, "Rin!" exclaimed Rin as she was tired of Shirou treating her no different than her.
"Rin, can you please tell me what's going on" asked Shirou as Rin smiled, "Shirou have you ever heard of the Holy Grail Wars" asked Rin.
Alright chapter 2 is done, hope you guys like the story so far, I know it got a bit rehashy towards the end, but hey next chapter we skip all the details we all know by now as our characters not only talk to Kotomine, but also LaVey.
Till next time, be safe, be good people, and support your local fandom communities.
This has been your Humble Narrator and official author Tobi Yaza. =3