Bodies lay across the dusty ground, arrows protruding from them. Blood soaked the earth as a man in a tattered cloak stepped over the dead. A bow was slung over his back as he stared ahead, not glancing at the fallen.

"I am the bone of my sword."

...

Shirou woke with a start. He glanced at the clock. 7:01.

He sighed and looked at his hands, imagining the twin swords in them. "These dreams. Why do I keep having them?"

He got dressed into his white shirt and green over shirt that he's been wearing during his stay in London. Making his way to the kitchen, he saw Rin pouring coffee into a mug. This wasn't irregular, except that the mug was overflowing and her head was dropped, eyes closed.

Shirou stifled a laugh as he shook her shoulders slightly. "Hey sleepyhead. Good morning."

She jolted awake, displacing more coffee. "Who what!?"

She looked at the coffee and at Shirou, then blushed. "Well, that's what I get for trying to get up before you."

Shirou laughed and kissed her on the cheek. "Here, let me clean that up. You drink your coffee, you need it."

Rin glared at him, but it was mostly for show. She sat down at their table, slowly sipping her drink. When Shirou finished cleaning the mess, he got started on making breakfast.

Not long later, Shirou and Rin are eating a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast.

"So," Shirou said, looking at Rin. "What are you planning to do today?"

She smiled. "I'll be continuing my studies at the Clock Tower. I have to get a lot done before our trip."

She swallowed some eggs. "What about you."

He shrugged. "You know, I'll be helping out Luvia at her house. She said if I work an extra hour she'll give me twice as much than usual as payment."

Rin scowled and started grumbling under her breath. Shirou laughed. As soon as Rin and Luvia met they became rivals. Anyone could feel the tension from Rin whenever she was around her. Luvia didn't exactly help matters whenever trying to one up her on everything.

Rin sighed. "I guess that's good. Though I do wish you found a better job than being her butler."

Shirou smiled. "It's fine Rin. I love helping out whoever I can. Besides, she has put in a good word for me in the Mage's Association. It's also because of her we can even consider this trip."

Rin sighed again. "I know I know. I just wish it wasn't her."

Shirou chuckled as he stood and collected their now empty plates. "You know, you two could try and get along. It would be good..."

Rin glared at him and he wisely shut up. He could only do so much to ease the tension between her and Luvia.

As Shirou put on his butler's uniform, he heard Rin call, "I'll be going now! I'll see you in a bit!"

"Stay safe," Shirou called out a bit unnecessarily. He knew Rin could take of herself pretty easily.

Once dressed, he set out to Luvia's house, or rather, mansion.

...

Rin walked through one of the hallways, her footsteps muffled by the green carpet. She turned a corner and nearly ran into someone.

Rin came to a sudden halt. "Sorry."

The man with messy black hair who had stopped so suddenly, he'd dropped a ivory decorated box.

He bent to pick it up. "Oh no it's my fault. This whole place is new to me."

He rose with a smile to match his American accent. He wore a simple red t-shirt and blue jeans that screamed average and he looked to be around Rin's own age, which is 21. But considering he was here in the Clock Tower, he must be a Magus.

He held onto the small box with his right hand and stuck out his left. "I'm Zachery. Nice to meet you."

Rin smiled and shook his hand. "Rin Tohsaka. Welcome to the Clock Tower. You're from America I presume?"

He nodded. "I'm here from the Mage Association of America."

He frowned. "By any chance do you know where I can find the head of the Department of Summoning? I was summoned to his office, though I don't know where to go."

Then he chuckled, realizing his unintentional pun.

Rin chuckled too. "Here, follow me. I got time before I need to head to class."

He looked startled. "Oh no, I shouldn't be a bother."

Rin shook her head. "I don't mind."

She turned and walked the other way and Zachery followed.

"It's nice to see a new face around here," she said conversationally.

He nodded. "I'm just glad I got this opportunity. I've always wanted to travel beyond America, but this is more than I hoped."

Rin frowned. "Why exactly are you here?"

"Uh," Zachery rubbed the back of his head with his spare hand and his face went a little pink. "I don't think I'm allowed to say. Sorry."

"No," Rin said, though her interest was piqued, as well as her suspicion. "That's fine."

He still looked embarrassed by the time they reached Rocco's office.

"Here you are," Rin said, gesturing at the door.

He nodded and grinned. "Thanks a ton. I owe you one."

He knocked and a voice from behind the door said, "Enter."

Rin got a glimpse of Rocco seated on his chair before Zachery closed the door. As she turned to leave, she hesitated. She couldn't deny that she was curious, but being caught eavesdropping would be very bad.

Before she could make up her mind, a voice behind her said, "Rin Tohsaka."

She turned to see Lord El-Melloi II standing there with an emotionless expression. "Why aren't you in your class?"

"I was helping Zachery find Rocco's office," she said, not sure how he would respond. He was kinda unpredictable.

"Hm," he said thoughtfully. "Follow me."

He turned and walked along the hallway and Rin had no choice but to follow him. She dared not say a word considering Lord El-Melloi II's reputation and she did not want to get herself into trouble before she and Shirou could leave.

They entered his office where Rin could see a girl wearing a cloak over her head.

She stood when she noticed them. "Would you like some tea sir?"

Lord El-Melloi II nodded. "Yes. I think Rin will be here awhile."

The girl nodded and hurried away.

Lord El-Melloi II gestured to one of the couches. "Sit."

Rin sat as he settled on a couch opposite of her, a wooden separating the two of them. Rin glanced around the room. There were a couple pictures on the walls and a desk sat feet away from them. The walls were a velvet green and three bookshelves were situated behind where the Lord sat.

"Lord El-Melloi," Rin asked cautiously. "May I ask why I'm here?"

"That's not the appropriate question to ask," he responded.

"Okay," Rin said, a little confused, then thought of a question. "Why is Zachery here?"

He gave a thin smile. "I see what they say about you is true. Smart and quick on the up-take."

She blushed and he continued. "As for Zachery, he has been summoned by the Mage's Association for his quality work over in America. That makes him the perfect candidate."

"Candidate?" Rin asked. "Candidate for..."

"Oh," she said, the truth hitting her.

Lord El-Melloi II nodded. "Indeed. He's been chosen as a master in the upcoming Holy Grail War."

Rin sat there, thoroughly shocked. "But the last Grail War ended four years ago. It was destroyed."

He nodded as the girl returned with a tray of tea. As she bent to set it on the table, Rin could see her gray hair and aquamarine eyes.

The Lord took his tea and sipped. He nodded. "Thank you Gray."

She nodded and stepped back near the bookcases as Lord El-Melloi II turned his focus back on Rin. "It was indeed, which is what makes its return ever so curious. Not even the Mage's Association can truly understand it."

He set his tea down. "But that's not even the real problem."

Rin reached for her cup of tea, but found that her hand was shaking. Proof that this news came as much more than shock.

She was scared to ask, but did so anyway. "Then what's the real problem?"

"The problem," he said, folding his hands together. "Is that this Grail War will be different."

"What do you mean?"

He sighed. "Again, we don't entirely know, but what we do know is that the rules have changed. This time around, there will be more than the usual seven servants."

Rin's eyes widened. "What!? How many will there be!?"

He shook his head. "No idea. Most of the details of it elude us. But we already know that five servants have been summoned."

"Will the war still take place in Fuyuki City?" Rin asked. "Or has that changed as well?"

"No," he said. "The Grail's power still emanates from Fuyuki. A representative from the Church has already been dispatched to their a week ago as the overseer of the war."

Rin looked at the Lord for a moment. "Why are you telling me this? I'm assuming this is meant to be a secret."

He nodded. "True, but I don't fully agree on how the situation is being handled. Besides, you and Shirou Emiya have experienced the Grail War first hand. It would be a waste not to have you join the fight."

"You want us to become masters!?" Rin asked shocked.

"Indeed," he said. "The Mage's Association didn't want you to join because they believe you and Shirou would attempt to destroy the Grail again. They believe that shouldn't happen and that a wish must be granted."

"Damn right we will!" Rin said angrily, slamming her fist on the table, disturbing the tea. "The Holy Grail Wars needs to end."

"That's why I'm telling you," he said. "As the sole survivor of the Fourth Holy Grail War, I can understand that better than anyone."

Rin's eyes widened. "You were in the Grail Wars!?"

He stood. "A story for another day Miss Tohsaka. Now, I can't force you to join nor Shirou, but if you wish to enter, come by here by midnight."

Rin stood as well and he led her out of his office. "If you don't come, then I'll figure something else out."

She nodded. "Thank you for telling me this Lord El-Melloi."

He nodded and closed the door and Rin ran down the hallway, needing to get Shirou.

...

Zachery sat in the chair facing Rocco's desk, nervously holding the box he brought with him from America.

Rocco folded his hands as he peered at Zachery from behind his color tinted glasses. "I take it you accepted your role as a Master in the Sixth Holy Grail War then."

It wasn't a question, but Zachery responded anyway. "Yes."

Rocco nodded. "I'll assume you studied the Grail and the wars, so I won't go into details."

"Now," he said, leaning back in his chair. "The Mage's Association will provide you with a catalyst, so-"

"No need," Zachery said quickly. "I brought one with me."

He held up the box and Rocco peered at it. "May I ask what's inside and what Heroic Spirit it belongs to?"

He shook his head. "Not at all sir."

He carefully unlatched the box and opened it. Inside, resting comfortably on a red velvet pillow, was an old fashioned revolver, like the kind you would see in an old western movie.

"Ah," Rocco said. "I do believe I am familiar with who you are to summon. A good choice Mr. Clark."

Zachery Clark closed the lid and latched it. "Thank you sir."

Rocco nodded. "Now, you did receive the letter explaining this Holy Grail War's predicament?"

Zachery nodded. "Yes, I did. Most peculiar."

"Indeed," Rocco said. "Now, we have prepared a flight for you to Fuyuki City."

He handed Zachery two plane tickets.

Zachery looked confused. "Why two... Oh, oh yeah. Never mind."

He tucked the tickets into his jean pockets and stood. "Thank you for allowing me to join the Sixth Holy Grail War."

Rocco nodded. "On behalf of the Mage's Association, good luck."

...

Rin ran all the way to Luvia's mansion, which isn't really that far away from the Clock Tower. She barges through the front gates and races across a small courtyard. She bangs on the front door until Shirou, in his butler uniform, opens the door.

"Rin!?" He asks in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"No time," she says, grabbing his hand. "We need to go, now!"

Shirou took one look on her face and understood this was serious.

"Oh Shero!"

Rin groaned aloud as Luviagelita Edelfelt poked her head out the door.

She frowned at Rin. "Why are you taking my Shero away? He's only just started his work."

She looked smug. "You do want to go on that trip still right?"

"No," Rin snapped and Shirou looked surprised, so she said, "I'll explain later."

She turned to Luvia. "We're leaving. Goodbye."

She dragged Shirou by the hand to the road and Luvia pouted by the door.

"I really wanted that massage," she complained before heading back inside.

...

"Okay," Shirou said, once Rin closed their apartment door behind them. "What's so important that we had to come all the way back here?"

"It's happening," Rin said breathlessly, having ran here, tugging Shirou along behind her. "The Sixth Holy Grail War."

As I've said before, this story won't be getting constant updates. However, as I am reaching the end of my Pokemon fanfic, I might be able to spend some time on this. Maybe if the views start stacking up as well as votes, I can consider spending more time on this. Anyway, please leave reviews on what your thoughts are on my story and I'll work on this whenever I can. Toodles