I don't own Fate. Fate is the property of Type-Moon, and no financial gain is made from this or is sought. This is for entertainment purposes only.

Divergent Fate

Chapter 11

"Eh?"

Miranda blinked at the pain and sight of the dripping sword emerging from between her breasts, and then she staggered back as it was drawn back. The girl crumpled to her knees, dabbing at her bloody chest as the Touzaki stepped past her. "That should be fatal…" she said softly before crumpling forward to the floor.

The Touzaki wiped the blood from his lips, and grimaced as he clutched at his belly wound. Much like his cousins he'd been affected by the witch's magic, and had even stabbed himself. But he'd resisted enough to make sure his blade didn't hit anything vital, and had played along when everyone else had slit their bellies and fallen dying to the floor.

Once the witch went past, he quietly rose and had stabbed her in the back. "Damn witch…" he spat as he kicked her and stepped back towards the room behind them. There had been twelve of them, the best assassins that the Touzaki had. And he was the only one of them left, and he was wounded.

Touzaki Kisaka was no fool. By himself, he wouldn't stand a chance to finish their mission – to kill all of the younger magi that the foreigners had brought along – even if he kept to the shadows. And it wouldn't be long before the bodies of the staff and guards they'd killed to get into the hotel were found.

He needed to get out, and report on the situation to the family elders. He stepped back into the room, avoiding the corpses of his relatives, and headed for the broken window to escape. A flicker of movement caught his eye, and he swung his sword by instinct.

Too late…a piercing pain stabbed into his ankle followed by ice, even as his sword cut the snake in half. His eyes widened as the snake dissolved into wisps of prana, and then he staggered and fell on his ass as ice spread up his leg.

Poison…

Cursing at even more witchcraft, he fumbled at his pockets and pulled out an injector of general-purpose anti-venom, stabbing it into and injecting into his thigh. The ice slowed, stopped, and began to recede, and he tried to get to his feet. And then he spotted the woman he'd killed leaning against the doorframe. "Impossible…" he whispered. "…I got you in the heart…"

"Don't think…" she whispered, raising a bloody hand from her chest wound to her lips, her tongue slowly licking at her own blood. "…that just because you won the second round, you'll win the third round…"

Lights began to flicker over her upper chest, through her neck, and over her face. The crest, shaped like a stylized cobra, glowed bright blue in a display of magical power. "…this time…" she continued without any hint of her previous cheerfulness. "…I'll kill you for sure."

"Don't get above yourself, witch!" the Touzaki shouted while shakily getting to his feet and charging at her. Miranda whispered in Ancient Egyptian and gestured, cobras erupting from the shadows around her feet and lashing out at the Touzaki with deadly intent.

The man roared, swinging his sword again and again, taking down the snakes in clouds of prana, but they kept on coming. They bit him again and again, icy venom pumping into his legs, his thighs, his arms, and even into his groin. He dropped his sword and he collapsed, convulsing on the ground as ice filled his veins.

Miranda licked her blood up again. "Magi don't die so long as they have prana in their crests." She explained as she staggered into the room. She stooped and picked up one of the dead Touzakis' swords.

"Honestly…" she continued. "…you're really incredible, to make me use the serpent aspect. I might not be like Cattleya, who has an affinity for the Sixth Imaginary Element, but I'm better than she is when it comes to spiritual magic."

The girl chuckled as she stepped closer. "Well I suppose that's only to be expected." She said. "Despite her affinity for the demonic, Cattleya doesn't really like to use demons, preferring to use inverse geometric principles to create unorthodox mysteries for her Imaginary Numbers. But me…?"

Miranda paused as she towered over the dying man. "I got the serpent aspect when the Holy Selection was held when I received the crest." She said while raising the sword. "Among other things, that means I can summon and control guardian serpent demons from the Underworld."

The sword fell and the man's head was separated from the body. Miranda threw the sword away and staggered back to and out of the door. She managed to make it a good way down the corridor before slumping against a wall and sliding down to the floor. Her crest flickered.

"Damn…" she whispered while dabbing at the partly-clotted blood on her chest. She brought her fingers up and lapped up her own blood, and recycling the prana back into her. "…at this rate I'm not going to last long…"

She chuckled, and summoned a serpent. "Go find…the others…" she ordered, and the snake slid off. Miranda fumbled about in a pocket and pulled out an injector.

"I don't want to die…" she whispered while pressing it against her neck. "…see you…when I wake up…Susanna…everyone…"

She injected the serum into her neck arteries, and winced as her body began to grow cold. She smiled as she felt her eyelids grow heavy, and finally closed them.

Let's…dream…for a while…

"What do you mean we're not going to retaliate?" Cattleya demanded angrily, and Waver cringed. The rest of the Pentagon looked positively mutinous as well.

"There are political factors that must be considered…"

"I call bullshit." Christopher interrupted belligerently. "Miranda is in a self-induced coma because she would have died otherwise, and she wouldn't have had to use an experimental serum to do that either if these backwater yokels hadn't attacked. I say we go in, magic blazing, and start busting some heads."

"I agree." Susanna signed flintily with one hand, the other hand holding her Orb of Transcendence. Waver glanced worriedly at the ancient artefact – if Susanna had brought that out, it was clear that she was really up in arms.

But then again so was Cattleya, seeing as she had her sword strapped to her side.

"Be reasonable you four…" he said. "…we're here to negotiate a peaceful settlement to Association concerns, not to start or fight a war."

"Funny…" Cattleya said while fingering her sword's hilt. "…I don't recall attacking during negotiations to be particularly conducive to peace. I daresay that's what's called a stab in the back."

"One…" David said while indicating it with his fingers. "…the demon hybrids snubbed our requests to join the conference. Two: they have a history of destroying anything that threatens them. That would be understandable if it weren't for the fact that the Demon Hunter Organization was never meant to exterminate them, only to keep them under control. Three: the one family that tries to be reasonable is snubbed, and when it falls under Association protection they disregard our authority and attempt to forcibly bring them into line. Four: they infiltrated our operations with the apparent goal of assassination. Based on this I think that the time for peaceful negotiations is over."

"You forgot one thing…" Susanna signed. "…they hurt Miranda."

"There's that too." Cattleya said while crossing her arms. "They hurt one of us, and we certainly can't let that slide can we now?"

"You're being too emotional about this…"

"So she is…" Rin Tohsaka said while approaching. "…but she has a point. They attacked an Association magus, and infiltrated an Association gathering with hostile intent. That is cassus belli."

"What's your game here?" Cattleya bluntly asked her sister.

"My game…?"

"You hate me." Cattleya answered just as bluntly. "And yet here you are, trying to help me."

"I don't hate you." Rin said, and Cattleya snorted in disbelief. "I hate the fact that you turned your back on your own blood and duty to your family. And there is also my crest to consider."

"What's the point in giving it back to you? You're too old to get implanted with a crest."

There were muffled snorts of laughter at that, and Rin's eyebrow twitched. "Be that as it may…" Rin continued with a visible effort to keep her irritation under control. "…it seems that there's still hope for you yet."

"What?"

"Despite your lack of commitment to filial obligations…" Rin explained. "…it seems that you have a sense of duty to both your allies and to the Association. That is good. It is entirely meet to be angry and vengeful for your friends' sake, and to be outraged on behalf of your peers."

"The world must really be ending." Cattleya said dead-pan. "Did you just complement me?"

"Is there a need to be so belligerent, little sister?"

"Two tigers cannot live on the same mountain."

"Then we can kill each other later, little sister."

Cattleya bristled, but held it back. "Now, now…" Waver said while trying to keep things cool. "…even if we were to launch a retaliatory attack, we don't even know where to do it."

"I wouldn't say that." A woman's voice said, and Waver groaned. He turned and spotted the Enforcers Ilse and Hildegard approaching with smug smiles. "We know for a fact that the Kishima and Touzaki are massing their entire families – well the able-bodied members at any rate – not far from here to sweep down on Misaki Town. And well, we've already drawn up a plan to deal with it in case it's needed."

"You did all that in less than a day?" Waver asked with an eye twitching. The German ladies nodded.

"We're the best my lord." Hildegard said with a playful wink.

"And what exactly does this plan of yours entail?" Waver asked with a sinking feeling in his stomach.

"Ever heard of Pearl Harbor?" Ilse asked, and Waver groaned. He groaned again as he heard Zelretch's laughter echoing across the lobby.

"A surprise attack at dawn…?" the vampire asked. "A bit old-school, but then again nothing beats old-school."

"But…!"

"You hear that everyone!" Christopher shouted. "We attack at dawn."

Belligerent cheers erupted across the lobby, from magi and Enforcers alike. Waver winced as Ilse and Hildegard bro-fisted each other, and then he glared at Zelretch.

"Just what did you plan with this conference Zelretch?" Waver asked the vampire as they sat alone in a private room. The younger magus was nursing a large brandy, while Zelretch was relaxing on a couch with his eyes closed.

"Would you believe if I said that I had no ulterior motives?" the vampire asked back.

"No."

Zelretch laughed and opened his eyes before sitting up. "Very well…" he said. "…to be honest I didn't really have anything more than what this conference was officially for. I only had one ulterior motive: I wanted an excuse to see Arcueid, that's all."

"You could have done that by yourself." Waver said accusingly. "There was no need to drag the Association into this."

"Normally no…" Zelretch agreed. "…but I had to. You see I knew that Arcueid was involved with a Human. I also know that said Human would eventually come under pressure if he maintained a relationship with her. I love my granddaughter Waver, and I don't want to see her hurt simply because of backward traditions and obligations. It's not just personal either. You know as well as I do what Arcueid is. If she gets worked up…"

"…everyone here might just die." Waver finished. "A True Ancestor going berserk…at best she'd just be throwing a tantrum so to speak. At worst she'll drink blood, and become a Demon Lord that makes the Dark Six look like a joke by comparison."

Zelretch snorted disdainfully. "No…" he disagreed. "…you're forgetting that Arcueid is the White Princess. If she becomes a Demon Lord – or a Demon Lady rather – then she'll make even Primate Murder look like a joke. I don't want to see her as a monster. And more than that, I want to see her happy."

"You really a strange old man…" Waver remarked. "…you were originally entrusted with her by the other True Ancestors to keep her from reincarnating the Crimson Moon, and yet you see her as family now."

"And what does that say about you?" Zelretch asked back. "Cattleya is not related to you, and while she is useful for political purposes you do care for her as though she were your own flesh and blood."

"Humph…" Waver snorted. "…I guess for all that we are – you're a vampire and I'm a magus – we still all-too Human sentimentality."

"Do you really find that so wrong?" Zelretch asked.

"No, I don't. In fact I find it a most noble quality."

Zelretch laughed. "I'd be disappointed about your reputation otherwise." He said, and Waver rolled his eyes.

"Going back to the topic…" he said. "…even if you free Mr. Tohno from his filial obligations and allow him and Arcueid to maintain a relationship, what then…? It's not impossible for Humans and True Ancestors to have children, but it's so improbable as to be infinitely close to impossible. And she's immortal, and as I recall she will have to sleep for a time. Will you turn Mr. Tohno into a Dead Apostle then?"

"Don't be rude." Zelretch admonished Waver. "I have never made Dead Apostles of my own, and I never will. And Arcueid would never forgive me if I corrupted that boy. No, I think she already understands how their relationship is doomed to end. And even then I don't think she minds. Their memories will keep her sane throughout eternity."

"True Ancestors can't dream."

"No, they can't." Zelretch agreed. "Or at least they shouldn't be able to. But True Ancestors do have Human form. I believe that Arcueid can touch that aspect, and make a miracle happen by going beyond the impossible."

"You're starting to sound like my students sometimes." Waver said unhappily. "Can you please not do that? It's really creepy."

Zelretch laughed again. "Actually it's not I who is sounding like them." He said. "It is they who sound like me."

"That's…a bit unsettling in itself."

"Perhaps…" Zelretch said with a shrug.

"Miracles…" Waver echoed, falling silent for a few minutes. "…I'm not sure if a bunch of Human-True Ancestor hybrids running around is a good thing."

Zelretch just smiled. "Well who knows?" he said. "It might just be what Humanity needs to go beyond the impossible."

"Stop that." Waver admonished. "What about Arcuied going to sleep? Even if she and that Tohno boy…make miracles together…"

"Haven't they already started?" Zelretch asked, and Waver reddened and coughed.

"…won't her sleeping disorder be a problem?" he quickly finished.

"Sleeping disorder…" Zelretch echoed with a snicker. "…that's the first time anyone called her condition that. Anyway, no it won't be a problem."

"How sure are you of that?" Waver asked curiously.

Zelretch smiled again. "The Third Magician will be returning soon." He said much to Waver's surprise. "Owing the Third a favor – a big favor – should be enough compensation to have Arcueid's problems fixed. She will remain a True Ancestor yes, and once she regains the power that Altrouge stole from her she will be the embodiment of the planet – in which case it's about time we kicked that interloper the Spider from South America – and most importantly, the Third will stabilize the 'imprint' of himself that the Crimson Moon left in her. We and I will finally be rid of the King of the Moon once and for all."

"Yeah, except we'll be left with the Queen of the Moon and the Earth instead…" Waver echoed. "…and the Third Magician…you sure about this…?"

"I have seen the future." Zelretch said serenely.

"Even if I believe that – which I don't completely – are you even certain that Arcueid can force the Spider off-world?" Waver pressed. "Assuming she can defeat Altrouge, the Dog, and her bodyguards…"

"Altrouge, the Dog and her bodyguards will be of no concern." Zelretch said dismissively. "Lorelei's army can handle the bodyguards on their with ease, I will take care of the Dog – I'm not Human anymore so it has no Authority over my death – and the Third and Arcueid can double-team the Black Princess. And once Arcueid has embodied Gaea, she will be invincible on this planet. TYPE-Mercury will be no match for her."

"Human-True Ancestor hybrids…making the White Princess into the most powerful being on the planet…destroying the top echelon of the Twenty-seven Dead Apostle Ancestors…Zelretch I think you're drunk."

"And what does that say about you and your sister's plan to return Alexander the Great into this world?" Zelretch shot back, and Waver choked on his drink. "I told you, didn't I? I have seen the future, so let us make an agreement. Support and stay quiet about my plan, and I'll do the same for yours. Quid pro quo…we both win."

"Fine, fine…" Waver grumbled. "…it's not like I have much of a choice anyway. But does your plan even have a reasonable chance of succeeding? At least we have the Grail to work with…"

"Oh ye of little faith…" Zelretch admonished Waver with a smile. "…everything that has transpired has done so according to my design."

Waver gaped at Zelretch, filled his glass, and then finished it in one go. "Have you been watching Star Wars?"

Ilse spread a map on the table and ran a finger around a marked depression. "This is where the Kishima and the Touzaki are gathering their forces." She said. "It's a natural fortress in the hills outside of town, and this…"

She paused and pointed at a narrow passage in the rock. "…this is our only way in."

"We'll get slaughtered if we try to go through there." David remarked, fingering his Book of Tales nervously.

"Leave that to me." Susanna signed. She was already in her Egyptian armor, the Staff of Osiris strapped to her back and the Orb of Transcendence a crackling sphere of green energy floating beside her and linked to her with tendrils of pure power. "I'll get us in there in a way they don't expect."

"So we go in, bash some heads, and then leave?" Christopher asked. "I like it."

"Nope…" Hildegard said. "…we go in, kill everyone, and send their heads on pikes to the old men running things as a warning of what happens when you against the Association. And then we leave through the corridor."

She turned to Susanna. "After all…" she said with a grateful smile. "…mass teleporting everyone in and then fighting a battle is not going to be easy on her. If that's the case, then it would be too much to ask her to teleport us out is it now?"

There were nods all around, and Susanna flashed a grateful smile of her own at Hildegard. "We'll be outnumbered though…" Rin said. "…even if we have the element of surprise, we'll be taking a lot of risk."

"Nothing of great worth has been achieved without risk." Cattleya said.

"Well there's that too I suppose."

"So what do we call this operation?" Hildegard asked. "This isn't a sealing operation and more of a retaliatory extermination operation so…"

"I have an idea…" David interjected. "…we're in Japan, and we're going to attack at dawn right?"

"Yes, that's right."

The boy smirked. "Let's call it tora tora tora."

A/N

We'll get back to Shirou and Illya in a couple of chapters, so wait until then.

No, I don't want to kill any of the Pentagon's members off. That said I won't make it a stomp for them either. On another note, I don't understand why winning is a bad thing. No one gave Kiritsugu grief for always winning, at least until the end when he found out that the Grail was a sham.

Cattleya's not the most powerful member of the Pentagon. She's the flashiest – with diamonds it's hard not to be flashy – and she has the best political connections through her brother, but Susanna is the most powerful member of the Pentagon. Once she uses the Orb of Transcendence she's basically on par with a Caster-class Servant. Not quite Medea or Tamamo's level, but higher than Gilles de Rais or Shakespeare.

EDIT: In addition to the above, and in response to Q'Fox's review, it must be pointed out that the Pentagon cannot fight as one in the war. Waver's got a lot of influence, but even he can't completely disregard the Church's rules on the contest. I doubt bringing a small army into the war is considered legal. The Pentagon - based on an MMORPG party system (frontliners, nukers, and supports) - would definitely crush the canon Masters of the fifth war sans Medea and Dark Sakura but that's only if they fight together. And also, the Masters here aren't nearly as anemic as they are in canon, what with Shirou and Rin getting proper training among others...