Disclaimer: I do not own the Fate franchise it belongs to Kinoko Nasu and Type-Moon.

Cerberus

Part XII

"My true goal…?"

"Exactly." Rider said with a nod. "Do not misunderstand. I do not doubt your sincerity in your other goal of preventing a dead god from destroying the world, but that would not have been enough for you to go to all the effort to perform such a miracle as to travel from one world to another. You are too worldly, too…wise, to do that just to play at being hero. You are after something else, and not as a wish to offer to the Grail. What is it?"

Cerberus was silent for a moment, and then she smiled. "Very astute, King of Conquerors." She said. "I can see how you managed to conquer the known world in just a decade, despite looking like just another loudmouthed oaf on the surface."

"Appearances are deceiving." Rider agreed before narrowing his eyes. "Will you answer?"

"I will." Cerberus said, briefly walking away only to halt, looking up at the stars. "And thank you for not doubting my sincerity. You are correct in that I have another goal, where preventing Angra Mainyu from destroying this world is me just being responsible."

"Responsible?" Irisviel echoed.

"Yes." Cerberus said with a nod. "I'm here, so I ought to do what I can to prevent the Great Fire from happening. Maybe even prevent a few other tragedies that might result from this war, though I can't guarantee that. You can't save everyone after all…but at the very least, I should prevent the Great Fire from happening."

"But?"

"To achieve the goal I needed to join the Holy Grail War." Cerberus answered, staring at her. "The one I seek my answer from is a Master in this contest as well, and without a Servant of my own…I'd be at a disadvantage."

"An answer…?" Irisviel echoed. "An answer to what?"

"Did that man truly exist?"

"Huh?"

Rider, Waver, Saber and Assassin, all looked confused and uncomprehending, while Archer looked faintly judging. "And what will you do when you have your answer, Cerberus?" he asked. "What will you do should you discover that a pillar of your existence has been for naught? Or conversely, it is as you thought it always has been?"

"It changes nothing." Cerberus answered. "I just want to satisfy my curiosity, and lay to rest a ghost that's lingered for too long. As I've repeatedly said in recent times, I need not run from my nature. And my nature calls that I bring that ghost to a rest, and nothing else comes to mind that leads me to think that this call should go unanswered."

Archer smirked. "Is that so?" he asked.

"It is." Cerberus said with a nod. "Besides, whether or not that man existed, the betrayal he committed will not change. The intentions behind it may or may not gain further depth, but again, it changes nothing. Betrayal is betrayal, and of the blackest kind as well. And as has been said before, the road to hell is paved with good intentions."

Cerberus paused and shook her head. "No," she said. "Regardless of what answer I get, nothing will change. A ghost will be laid to rest one way or another, and that is all there is to it."

Archer stared at her with narrowed eyes, and then he shook his head with a chuckle. "I see." He said. "Very well…carry on as you would desire, child."

Cerberus bowed. "I am grateful." She said.

Rider coughed. "You've said a lot of words." He said. "But while they make good food for thought, I'm not entirely sure I follow."

"When people are young, it is only natural they look up to their parents, yes?" Cerberus asked, again pacing while looking up the stars. "To see them as heroes who would protect their children against all the evils in the world. Once, there was a child you see. Just an ordinary but talented child, who looked up to her daddy and saw him as the whole world. Someone she could always count on to be there, to love her and protect her. But then one day, that daddy made a certain decision."

Cerberus paused, and smiled. "If that child hadn't been born lucky," she said while glancing Rider's way. "Death would have been a better fate."

"And?"

"The question is," Cerberus asked. "Did the man that child look up to ever exist?"

Rider was silent for a long moment. "Cerberus," he gently began. "Parents are people too. They're not perfect. They make mistakes. But they will always have what's best for their children in mind, and will always love them, no matter what. You can be sure of that."

Cerberus stared, wide-eyed. "Wait," she said, pointing a finger at herself. "Are you thinking I'm referring to myself? No, no, no! Goodness, no! My dad is still alive and well, and I love him very much. I'd never doubt or question his character."

Tapping on her omni-tool, Cerberus then projected the image of an aging man in nondescript clothing, sitting at a table and nursing a mug of coffee while reading an iPad. "See?" Cerberus said with a grin. "I know he doesn't look like much, but dad's always been there for me – and mom – when I needed him. I wouldn't say he's perfect, but I wouldn't trade him for the world."

Archer burst out laughing. "Quite the bungle there, King of Conquerors." He remarked.

Rider made an unhappy sound while scratching his head. "Looks like it." He admitted. "Sorry about that young lady. I didn't mean to make it sound as though you had problems with your father."

"It's alright." Cerberus said with a nod, and turning off the projection. "I guess my language earlier might have made the impression that I was referring to myself."

Rider chuckled. "It certainly did." He said.

"You don't resemble your father though." Irisviel suspiciously observed.

Cerberus looked at her deadpan, and then projected an image of a small child, dressed in violet winter clothes, platinum locks spilling over her shoulders. "She doesn't look like her father either." She said.

"…point taken."

Cerberus deactivated her projection. "I trust that answers your question, King of Conquerors?" she asked.

"It does." Rider said with a nod. "I'm not entirely sure of some of what you've said, but from the sound of things, it's personal. It might not be about you, but someone close to you. And I know all about troublesome cousins and relatives. Trust me."

Cerberus smiled, shrugged, and nodded. "Wait," Irisviel began. "I want to ask a question too."

Cerberus sighed, and muttered something in Finnish before turning to Irisviel. "What is it?" she asked.

"When you sent that letter to me and my husband," Irisviel began. "You said your name was Kirsikka Edelfelt. That was also the name you used on that geis in the church. But in that projection of your memories, the El-Melloi addressed you as 'Miss Matou'. Which is it, really?"

"Yes."

"…huh?"

"Kirsikka Edelfelt is the name my cousin gave me." Cerberus explained. "Partly in jest, to annoy my older sister, and partly because it's part of a prospective development that could see me become an official branch member of the Edelfelt Clan. It's still in the works, but my relationship with my cousins, aunts, and uncles, are good enough that even now they already call me Kirsikka, and it's also the name I use on my Finnish passport."

"…oh." Irisviel said. "And…the Matou?"

Cerberus laughed. "Ever heard of the old adage that you must cut out rot before it can spread?" she asked. "It's true. Get rid of Makiri Zolgen, and the Matou Clan not only bounces back, but actually flourishes. Good riddance, and in more ways than one."

"…I see." Irisviel said before narrowing her eyes in realization. "You are the Matou Master. None of the ones from our timeline were chosen because you arrived."

"…and they never figured it out too." Cerberus said with a laugh and a shake of her head. "No doubt because Makiri Zolgen is still alive, and as such they're all just a bunch of unthinking puppets being pulled by strings attached to his fingers. What a shame…"

Irisviel didn't know what to say to that, and after a moment, Rider nodded. "Really now," he said. "Tonight's turned out to be more interesting than I ever expected it would be. Not that that's a bad thing, of course. In any case, I suppose we should all take our leave now."

Rider then looked at Cerberus, then at Irisviel. "About the Grail though," he said. "If anything comes up, I expect that we'll also be consulted, and not just you and your fellow founding family members. Alright?"

Irisviel sighed. "Yes, I understand." She said. "In hindsight, considering you're also putting your lives on the line in this contest, we should have informed you and involved you in discussions with regard to this issue. You won't be left out of the loop again, I give you my word."

Rider nodded. "That will be enough then." He said, before stepping into his chariot, followed by Waver. "Oh yes…one more thing. Saber! While I no longer see you as a king, I still see you as a hero. With that in mind, I offer this advice: wake up. Don't let your childish dreams take away what makes you a hero in the first place."

At those words, Rider and his Master rode off into the sky, and a chuckling Archer also made to leave. "Don't be so downcast." He offered. "While your ideals are those of a child, to stand by them and pursue them with all you have, no matter what stands in your way…it might not be worthy of a king, but it is admirable regardless. Of that, there is no doubt. Be strong, Saber. You might yet be worthy of my love."

Saber looked torn at Archer's simultaneous encouragement, admiration, and insult. Without any further words, Archer vanished in a swirl of gold, leaving Saber alone with Assassin and their Masters. "Will you be going now as well?" Cerberus asked.

"Yes, we will." Irisviel said, before placing a hand on Saber's shoulder. Saber glanced at her, and without a word walked towards the direction of the temple's exit. Irisviel stared at her for a few moments, and then giving a bow at Cerberus, rushed to follow Saber.

Alone now, Cerberus and Assassin exchanged glances, and then the former sighed. "I'm so tired." She said, before looking up at the stars. "It's been a long night, and I was just about to enact the next phase too. It can't be helped, I guess."

The sky was overcast the following day, rendering everything dull and gloomy. It certainly reflected Aoi Tohsaka's mood, as she went grocery shopping that morning. First Sakura, and now Rin…her children were being taken from her, one after another, and while Tokiomi was doing his best to find Rin…

…Sakura…her little girl…she'd never come home ever again…

Fighting back the tears like she'd done over the past year, Aoi concentrated on buying what she needed for the day. Winter vegetables, and meat for tonight's dinner, among other things…

I have to stay strong. I have to appear perfect, steadfast, and unaffected, as should only be expected from the wife of the head of the Tohsaka Clan.

Taking a deep breath to brace herself, Aoi picked out her choices, and walking over to the counter, had her items checked out before paying from them. Picking up the grocery bag, she left the store, and made for her car.

"Aoi Tohsaka, correct?"

Aoi turned, and stared into the open window of the car next to her own. A young woman was sitting in the driver's seat, eyes hidden behind sunglasses. "If you wish to see your children again, then you will get in the car, and come with me quietly." The woman said.

"Who are you?" Aoi breathed.

"You may address me as Cerberus."

"Cerberus?" Aoi said before rallying. "I don't know or what you're planning, but you won't get away with it. My husband…"

"Your husband will move as predicted up to a certain point." Cerberus interrupted. "And then…well, we will see."

Another woman appeared, and opening the back door, gestured for Aoi to come in. "Come," Cerberus said. "Rin and Sakura are waiting."

Aoi gasped at the mention of Sakura. "Leave her out of this!" she all but shouted. "She…she…she's already been taken away from her family! She shouldn't be…!"

"If all goes well, then she'll be back with her family." Cerberus interrupted again. "Now, will you come in or will you not?"

There was a long moment, and with a defiant expression on her face, Aoi entered Cerberus' car, the other woman closing the door behind her. The other woman then boarded, sitting in the driver's side seat, Cerberus turning on her car before reversing out of the parking and then roaring away.

"Where are you taking me?" Aoi demanded.

"Ryuudo Temple." Cerberus answered, taking off her sunglasses the better to see with. "Your children are waiting for you there."

"What do you want from me?" Aoi breathed after a few minutes. "Why did you kidnap Rin? Why did you involve Sakura in this?"

"I require your cooperation." Cerberus answered, deftly dancing her car between and through the gaps in the traffic. "Rin Tohsaka's presence – and cooperation – is also required to acquire my objective. As for Sakura…I didn't involve her. I rescued her."

"Rescued her?" Aoi whispered, feeling her heart freeze at the thought the Matou might have hurt her little girl. "No…no! Tokiomi…he promised me the Matou would keep her safe! That they'd cherish and love her like we did! You're lying! You have to be!"

"…then why don't you ask her yourself when we arrive?" Cerberus asked back.

"How would I know you didn't just make her say what you want her to say?" Aoi countered. "She's just a child! She wouldn't know better."

"Then you will see once the final phase of this plan begins." Cerberus said. "Cooperate, and all will be well. Do not cooperate…and still all will be well. Remember: you have no magic circuits. I will do what I must. But don't worry: no matter how this goes, you and your children will not be harmed."

"You expect me to trust a criminal?" Aoi sneered, and Cerberus laughed.

"No, I expect you to trust family." Cerberus answered. "My name is Kirsikka Edelfelt, yes, of the same family as your mother-in-law. And we Edelfelts have always prized family above all."

"So why…?"

"Because your husband is under suspicion." Cerberus said with a smile. "And so questions must be asked, and choices made."

"But to involve his children!" Aoi protested.

"Rest assured, they will not be harmed." Cerberus replied. "On the contrary, regardless of how this matter proceeds, their future shall be more than guaranteed."

Aoi couldn't say anything, sinking back into the upholstery, initially with frustration and resentment, which quickly gave way to resignation and despair.

Why? Why is this happening to me?

"Lady Aoi?" Kirei remarked in surprise.

"Kirei!" Aoi breathed. "What are you doing here?"

Kirei looked disinclined to answer, but the question was answered anyway as Cerberus stepped forward. "Ah, Kirei, just the man I was looking for!" she said, cheerfully taking a hand and shaking it, while patting the uncomfortable priest on a shoulder. "I did ask you to give me a chance to prove my words to you…and the time has come for me to do so. You will cooperate, won't you?"

"That would depend on what you ask me to do."

"Deliver a message, and to observe."

"…I suppose I can do that much."

Aoi slumped to the ground, shaking and staring at Kirei in horror. "Kirei…" she breathed. "You…you…you betrayed us? My husband? After everything he did for you? Why? What can Edelfelt offer you that Tokiomi cannot?"

"Answers." Kirei answered. "I wish to know why I am the kind of man I am, and how I can live with myself. Edelfelt seems like she cannot provide an answer to the former, but the latter…"

Kirei trailed off, and then shook his head. "I am grateful for everything your husband has done for me." He said. "I am grateful for your kindness and hospitality. But alas, you could not provide me the answers I sought, and therefore I must turn to others for them. And Edelfelt offers at least one, a way to the future, even if the origin remains shrouded to me."

"Rest assured," Cerberus said with a nod. "No matter how the plan ends, innocents shall not be harmed, at least not without meaning."

"Without meaning?" Kirei asked.

"Wisdom comes from pain." Cerberus answered. "And as you have seen two night ago, Sakura has learned much, too much for her age, while Rin has learned less from being coddled by her parents."

"And by witnessing the truth and enduring the pain thereof, has learned wisdom as well." Kirei observed. "I see. You make a good point."

Cerberus nodded. "Escort Missus Tohsaka to where she needs to be." She said, already turning to walk along. "I'll go on ahead."

Kirei nodded, and then turned back to Aoi as Cerberus left. "Come, Lady Aoi." He said, coming closer and helping the stricken Aoi to her feet. "Your children will be most pleased to see you."

"Mom!"

"Rin!"

Mother and daughter ran to each other, and caught each other in an embrace. Cerberus, Kirei, and Assassin looked on in respectful silence…as did Sakura. Or in her case, less respectful, and more apathy. It took only a few moments for Aoi and Rin to realize this, and they stared back at her.

"Sakura…?" Rin murmured, holding out a hand, but Sakura didn't move.

"Sakura…?" Aoi whispered, and finally Sakura seemed to respond.

"Good day, Aunt Tohsaka." She said in her usual, soft and toneless voice, and giving a polite bow.

Aoi's body shook with suppressed emotions, and it didn't take special training to see she was fighting back the urge to cry. "I'm sorry." She eventually managed to say, but Sakura didn't seem to register.

Cerberus now moved forward, past Rin and Aoi, towards Sakura and guiding her back inside. After a moment, Rin and Aoi followed, Assassin and Kirei staying to the rear. "Sakura," Cerberus began. "Why don't you tell…Missus Tohsaka, all about your time in Matou? And about how we met, and what we did for you a while ago."

"Okay."

"You too, Rin." Cerberus said. "I'm sure you have plenty of things to say. We'll give you some privacy."

Stepping out of the room, Cerberus sealed the doors and activated the bounded fields, before taking a circuitous route back inside the guesthouse. "What is your next move, Cerberus?" Kirei asked.

Cerberus didn't answer until she arrived at her control room, where she unlocked her systems and began bringing up screens and other visual aids. Kirei focused on one, a map of the waterfront, and another, zoomed in of the former. Red circles homed in on the latter, data scrolling past at high speed.

"It is critical for this plan that Tokiomi Tohsaka be drawn here." Cerberus explained. "Here, he will be made to choose: his family, or his magecraft."

Kirei turned his head to stare. After a moment, Cerberus stared back, and after another moment Kirei turned away and shook his head. "All this for that?" he asked. "You could just ask me and I could give you the answer. He will always choose his magecraft over everything else. He is a magus to the bone, the perfect one, even."

"I suspect he might." Cerberus answered. "But you never know what choices a man might make, standing alone at the crossroads in the dark."

"Poetic," Kirei said with a nod. "But foolishly optimistic, at least with regard to Tokiomi."

"We will see."

"Hmm…and the details?"

Cerberus smiled. "Most magi tend to look down on modern technology." She said. "I'm not exactly sure as to the why, and that comes from someone who grew up with an older sister who struggled with using a television of all things. But she wasn't completely clueless…but others are. So many of them…something I've used to my advantage more than once, and a trend which I expect will continue for some time to come."

"And your point is?"

"There are exceptions." Cerberus said, tapping at her keypad, and bringing up the seal of the Clock Tower's Department of Modern Magecraft Theories. "The youngest of the Clock Tower's departments, the magi of the Department of Modern Magecraft Theories do not look down on nor spurn modern technology, and indeed, in many cases seek to fuse technology and magecraft."

Kirei nodded slowly. "Yes, I know this much." He said. "And how does this play into your plans?"

"I have successfully piggybacked onto the satellite uplink and global network of Fuyuki's harbor control." Cerberus answered. "Through them, I am able to remotely access the Department of Modern Magecraft Theories' network…as well as that of the College of Law."

"Hmm…I was unaware of the latter using modern technology…but knowing the Queen of the Clock Tower's…demands, for efficiency, I am not surprised."

"Indeed we should not." Cerberus said with a nod, and tapping at her keyboard brought up a diagram and vast amounts of data that had Kirei taking a step back in shock, and looking at her in horror. "I am well aware of what the Grail is actually meant to do, and what would happen should the powers that be learn of it. And so I shall make Tokiomi Tohsaka choose. His family…or his magecraft."

Kirei clenched his fists, and after a moment Berserker shimmered into view, mace held at the ready, responding instinctively to her Master's fury. "What purpose does this serve?" he asked. "How would this answer my question?"

Cerberus turned to Kirei. "You've seen what was done to Sakura." She said. "You know as well as I do that Tokiomi knew all of that beforehand, and not only approved of it, but saw it as a small price to pay to ensure his daughter would become a magus. And you know as well as I do what would happen to Rin if she remained with him, and under his tutelage. She would become just like him, someone who would pimp out her own children and completely destroy not just their innocence but their very Humanity even, all for the sake of what is nothing more than self-righteousness, and an amorphous concept of nobility."

"…and?"

Cerberus turned back to the screens. "So we shall either expose him for what he truly is," she continued. "And thus give Aoi and Rin alike the confirmation they need to walk away from him of their own free will, or we awaken his deeply-buried Humanity."

There was a moment of silence, and then Kirei relaxed, followed by Berserker. The priest snorted, and moving closer shook his head. "Foolishness," he said. "He's not Human anymore, more akin to a machine even, much like if not more so than Einzbern's homunculi, twisted and evil."

"…so you will cooperate?"

"I will." Kirei said. "Though I still wonder how this is meant to show me how to come to terms with my nature."

"Then I will ask again," Cerberus said. "Is it so wrong to enjoy well-deserved suffering? Is there not such a thing as righteous satisfaction, such as when justice is brought to bear on those who committed wrong?"

"…we shall see."

"Indeed we shall."

"Are you not worried that the King of Heroes will intervene on Tokiomi's behalf?"

"He will not." Cerberus answered. "While I must admit I lack the…wisdom, to know his thoughts, I've worked for him long enough that I know that in this scenario, he will stand aside and observe as Tokiomi proves his worth. Does he still have a heart, a shred of Humanity or even a soul within? Or is he just like a machine now, performing simulacra of emotions and thought even as he mechanically grinds onward in pursuit of the Root?"

"…I hope for all our sakes you are correct." Kirei sighed after a moment. He stared at the screens for several more moments, and then he snorted. "Though, considering how the King of Heroes already views him in contempt, I find the thought of imagining how he would respond should Tokiomi's true nature be fully revealed to be…amusing."

"And in your eyes Tokiomi is already evil, or at the very least deserving of retribution." Cerberus observed. "What does that say to you?"

Kirei snorted again, but didn't answer. Instead he turned to Cerberus. "What do you need me to do?" he asked.

Cerberus walked over to the side, and opening a drawer took something out and handed it to Kirei. Taking it, the priest held up the envelope made from old-fashioned parchment, and turned it to see the red wax stamped to seal the envelope. Narrowing his eyes, Kirei made out the details of a hyena's head turned windward, petals dancing in the wind and around the hyena's head.

"What is the difference between the hexagon and the seal?" he asked.

"Cerberus and Kirsikka Edelfelt are normally separate individuals." Cerberus answered.

"I see." Kirei said with a nod, understanding. The hexagon might be the emblem for the assassin named Cerberus, but the hyena amidst flowers on the wind was the personal crest of Kirsikka Edelfelt. "Very well, I shall deliver it to Tokiomi Tohsaka."

"You have my thanks, Kirei Kotomine. And rejoice, for your wish shall be granted."

At that, Kirei smiled, and for a moment, Cerberus saw the man who had been ally and enemy all at once during the Fifth Holy Grail War. She couldn't help it.

She smiled as well.

A/N

Well, there you have Cerberus' motivations. In the end, joining the war is just a matter of convenience and personal responsibility. What she's really after is something else. And now she has all the cards she needs to get that something else.