Interlude
Lord Waver Velvet El-Melloi II woke up at the sound of his telephone ringing. It was an old fashioned model, separate mouth and ear pieces, wall mounted, very classy, it practically screamed 'old money'. Old money was one of many things Waver Velvet was not. When he answered the phone, he heard a strange voice "Lord El- Melloi II?"
"Yes. Who are you and what do you want?"
"I want a seventh Master for this Holy Grail War. A more appropriate question would be: what do you want, Waver?" The implications spiraled through Waver's mind almost instantly. A Holy Grail War, a chance to live through Hell in exchange for a wish. A Hell beside his King, Iskander, the man he swore to follow. Waver would chop off his own arms if it meant seeing his King of Conquerors again.
"I'll summon right now."
"Actually, I have your Servant here in Japan. It's not Iskander. But bring the mantle anyway."
"What Servant? Already there? WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?"
"Some kid summoned seven Sabers, instead of just killing six of them, the Grail has decided that there are going to be seven of each Class participating, each with a particular Master. I'm offering you Assassin."
"Has Rider's Master summoned yet?"
"No. Bring the mantle."
"Done. I'm in."
"See you when you get here."
-click-
Waver needed to plan, Waver needed time. Waver needed to go back to sleep, it was 3:30 in the morning after all. Waver couldn't sleep. Waver needed a plane ticket to Japan. Waver needed his grad student to wake up. In a voice emulated from one of the louder generals in history, Waver yelled "NUADA! WAKE UP! WE'RE GOING TO JAPAN!"
His right hand, Emilie Nuada-Re, stumbled out of her bedroom, clad only in a sheet, her short red hair tousled from either sleep or the one night stand she'd been having. "Master, I can't go."
"Why not, is it that student you're carrying on with tonight?"
"Who, Archie? No! He's nothing! He's not even that good in bed!"
"Then what is the matter, Student?"
"Master, you aren't wearing pants. Not that I'm complaining or anything, it's just that you can't board a plane without pants."
Waver looked down. "You're right, I'm putting on some pants, and then we're going to Japan!"
"What about packing? Are we going to do any of that?" Emilie turned and slid back into her own room to begin packing for another harebrained adventure. Waver put on a pair of trousers, and got online to purchase plane tickets. Waver was odd among the instructors at the Clock Tower because he actually bothered to use technology, mostly for gaming. But his tech-savviness came in handy when maintaining a low profile in the normal world.
"Excellent, Emilie, I have us booked from Heathrow in 4 hours. We should be in Japan by tomorrow." Emilie was very good at packing and generally looking after Waver. It was one of several reasons he let her use the bedroom in his apartment. She had already packed a suitcase for both of them. She even poured them each a glass of orange juice.
"Master, why are we going to Japan?" Emilie looked up at him innocently, taking a drink of her juice.
"A Holy Grail War. I'm joining another one." Emilie blew her orange juice out of her nostrils.
"A WHAT? A WAR? YOU MEAN LIKE THE ONE MY SISTER DIED IN?" She screamed at an unneeded volume.
"Quiet down. Yes, like the one your sister died in. But you won't be there to fight or join in in any way. It's time at least one of my students learned that magecraft isn't all fun and games. We're Magi, that means we walk hand in hand with death. You can either deal it or be dealt it. So, Emilie, will you dance with the Devil?"
"Master. How am I to learn if I don't join in?"
"By watching. Hopefully the other Masters and Servants aren't pragmatic."
"Why would you say such a thing?"
"Because otherwise, I'm a dead man walking."
Shirou (20 minutes earlier)
"So then, Emiya-san, who's this?" Ryudou Issei, my best friend and the guy I eat lunch with.
"This is, umm" I stall for time. The truth is, I have no clue how to explain the fact that Mordred just showed up at my school in what is probably meant to be casual, non-conspicuous dress. I suppose gothic dress in bright scarlet is less obvious than armor. But not much. The rumors about the elegant foreign cosplayer and Emiya Shirou are probably already upgraded from 'she brought him lunch' to 'they had sex on the school roof in front of half, no make that a dozen teachers.'
"An associate of his father's, my siblings and I will be in town on business for a few weeks. Shirou was kind enough to offer us a place to stay." Mordred cut in with the usual answer. At least, the answer for everybody at school except Tohsaka. The answer for her is that I forgot my lunch and my Servant was kind enough to bring it.
"Issei-san, do you know where Tohsaka-san would be about now?" I cut in, hoping to distract him.
"Toh- Tohsaka-san? As in Tohsaka Rin? Shirou, what could you possibly want with tat fake honor student, that devil-woman?" I underestimated how worked up Issei was getting over even hearing Rin's name. This was serious, I had to get him to shut up before he hurt himself. Mordred stood up before I could think of anything, grabbed Issei by the lapels of his uniform and pulled him into a kiss. A very long and steamy-looking kiss. I think I saw her tongue before I averted my eyes. Mordred let issei go and started to leave.
"Goodbye Emiya-san. Goodbye, Issei-kun." Mordred called over her shoulder in a singsong voice as she walked out the door. Those rumors just just morphed into 'Emiya Shirou and his mysterious foreign, beautiful lover made love on the roof and then went down to the student council room to include Ryudou Issei in their depravity.' I was never going to be able to live this down. I hate it when this kind of stuff happens. But at least Issei won't hurt himself out of anger. If only I could get him to calm down.
"Relax, Issei-san, this temptation, too, shall pass." I close my finished lunch. Mordred is actually a pretty good cook.
"Yes. Yes of course it will. Yes, of course, Emiya-san. It will." At least Issei is talking again.
"Mind if I go for a bit?"
"Absolutely not Emiya-san, I think I need some time alone." Issei responded. I need to find Rin. I'll try the roof. She seems like the type to eat lunch on the roof. I was right, it only took a few seconds to find Rin once I got to the rooftop.
"Hello there Tohsaka-san."
"What do you want Emiya-kun?" She's blushing for some reason. She's cute when she blushes. A person tends to forget that kind of thing when you see someone else covered in their own blood and collapsed against the wall of your house.
"Just wanted to say hello."
"You've said it, why aren't you gone yet?"
"I was wondering if you've heard any news about the Servant's meeting?"
"It just-" The bell cut her off. "-ended." She finished with an annoyed look on her face.
"Let's go to class." I motion for her to follow me.
"Fine, whatever, let's just go." What did I do to make her so angry? Some questions are better left unanswered. When we walked into class one after another, I think I just upgraded the rumors again. Damn. Some days I just can't win.
After school I started walking home with Sakura. She had to meet the Sabers sometime, now was as good a time as any. Joan was on lookout, she's really reliable that way. She disappeared to tell the others that I brought company. I hope. Otherwise it's going to get really awkward when they see her making lovey-dovey eyes at me every 5 or so steps. I walk up to the main door and unlock it. It swings open to reveal all seven Sabers, standing in a circle, having a discussion, something about seven Servants? Oh well, I'll get it out of them later. I shut the door behind me, probably a little loudly. They all shut up and turned to look at Sakura and I. "Sakura, I'd like you to meet the Saber family. They knew my father and are in town on business. I offered to let them stay here because I have plenty of room." At least none of them were in armor. That would have been difficult to explain.
"Sempai, why are they here?"
"I told you, Sakura-chan, they are here on business."
"Yes, of course, what kind of business."
"The same as my father, I honestly never did ask him what he did."
Arthur spoke up "Acquisitions. We travel around the world looking for valuable artifacts."
"And then sell them?" Sakura looked confused.
"We work for a museum." Lily answered her.
"Ah, I understand." Sakura seemed convinced. "Sempai, I'll be in the dining room."
"Ok, I need to go grocery shopping today, so I may be a while." Sakura went into the house. I waited a moment before I turned to my Servants. "Alright, now, did any of you go to that meeting?"
"Yes Master." Arthur's answered instantly. "Our position remains unchanged, though you no longer need to supply us with prana."
"That's a relief, I have only slightly above average reserves." I breathed a sigh of relief.
"And instead of killing six of us, the Grail has decided to allow the other Masters to summon seven servants as well."
My jaw dropped. 49 Servants, 7 Masters. "Shit."
Interlude
"So, let me get this straight. I'm allowed to summon seven Archers?" Rin asked the two men in front of her.
"Yes." the red Archer answered.
"But we aren't allowed to fight until this unknown Servant figures out just what's going on?"
"Exactly." The gold Archer smirked at her.
"Excellent, then we summon tonight." The girl decided.
Rin checked the clock, 1:30 am, on schedule to summon at the peak of her power. She began the ritual, her two Servants on hand to handle any issues that may arise. Her red mystery Archer had already proven himself capable of going toe to toe with another knight class in melee, and the gold Servant had him on edge for some reason, so she figured that with both of them there they'd be able to handle almost anything. The ritual was as long as last time, though it was more draining, she'd used up most of her favorite and biggest gem's reserves summoning her red knight. But such is life. She'd put every remaining gem in her extensive collection/arsenal into this circle. She prayed the results would justify the cost. The circle in front of her rose and at the perfect moment, separated into five identical circles in five different colors. The top circle was a bright gold, like the armor of her second Servant. The second was green, the green of open fields on a bright day. The third was a white so pure, it made snow look like dust. The fourth was a regal blue, it reminded her of the sky on a clear day. And the last and lowest circle was a dusty brown. The circles each solidified into a form, as her new Servants came forth, a shockwave expanded over her, filling her heart and mind with the rapture of total success. She'd done it. She'd summoned five more Servants.
"Alright, all of you, I'm going to need to know your names. Including you two." She looked pointedly at her red Archer while she said this. She'd teach him to give her straight answers. "Brown, you first."
"I am King David of Israel. At your call, I have come forth, Master." He kneeled as he said this.
"Excellent. Blue?" Rin nodded at the brown Servant.
"Minamoto no Tametomo, Master, at your summons I have come forth." Rin smiled knowing that she had summoned two so renowned and powerful Servants.
"Good, good. White?"
"I am Simo Hayha, the White Death."
"Who?" Rin was honestly confused, she'd never heard of this guy before.
"During The Second World War, the Soviet Union attacked Finland in the so-called 'Winter War'. I killed over 700 men during that winter."
Her red Archer piped in "Some even argue that you turned back the Russians through sheer force of reputation."
"Some would argue." Simo agreed "But not me, every Finnish man, woman, and child deserves equal credit for that campaign."
"But not every Finnish man, woman, and child is called 'The White Death'." Red countered. Simo shrugged.
"Regardless, I can work with this." Rin moved on. "Green?"
"Robin in the Hood, I won't call you 'Master', Missy, what's your name?"
"My name is Tohsaka Rin. I've heard of you, so let's get this over with: No stealing. From anybody." Robin Hood nodded. "and now, Gold, what's your name?"
"I am Gilgamesh! King of Heroes!" the Golden Adonis in front of her exclaimed.
"Impossible!" A cry from behind her echoed throughout the chamber. "You can't be Gilgamesh, because I am Gilgamesh!"
"Knave! How dare you take a King's name in front of it's true bearer!"
"Umm, guys?" Rin interrupted before this could escalate.
"Yes Master?" two identical voices ask her as two identical heads turn towards her with two identical pair of eyes expecting a response.
"You both look and sound and act a lot alike." Rin pointed out.
"Aye, Missy. That they do." Robin agreed.
"I suppose." The Gilgameshs turned their backs on each other.
"If it helps any, from what Rin and I saw the other night, four or more of the Sabers are variations on the same hero." Red joined in. at least that got the golden Servants to calm down.
"Be that as it may, I need to differentiate you two somehow." Rin mused for a moment, then pointed at the Gilgamesh with twin hilts over his shoulders "You, without the breastplate, You're Sword-Gil." She pointed at the other Gilgamesh "And you're Armor-Gil."
"I refuse such a ridiculous name. I am Gilgamesh. I need and will accept no other name." Armor-Gil stated simply.
"Fine then. You're Gilgamesh, and he's Proto-Gil. That sounds cool I guess. Are you two ok with that?" Rin shrugged, she was tired after a long night.
"It will do." Gilgamesh turned up his nose and walked up the stairs.
"Rin, you can call me anything you like." Proto-Gil smirked at her. She blushed to her ears, he did look like a model after all, and that chest was straight out of some of her fantasies.
"Don't hold your breath." Rin mumbled at him.
"Rin, I can hold my breath for over fifteen minutes, which I will be only two willing to demonstrate in the bedroom." Rin's jaw dropped. She stood there about 5 seconds before she fainted.
Emperor
I needed a contract with one of the locals, preferably one who had nothing to do with the war. A likely youth was walking up the street, heading for the mountain. He must live at the temple up there.
"Excuse me, sir?" I called to him. He turned to face me."Would you please sign this, sir?" I hel;d out my clipboard, it was a typical petition-y type document. Something about animal rights or some such. I hadn't been paying much attention when I acquired it.
"Yes of course." he took out a pen and signed the paper. I did a bit of alteration and made the ink bleed through to the real contract underneath.
"Thank you very much sir." We bowed to each other and I held out my hand. He reached out and clasped it firmly. Good. "I am Thine, as Thou art Mine. Thou shalt serve as my Anchor. And I shall protect Thou with My life." The young man looked at me confused.
"What just happened?"
"I'll explain everything, later. Now then-" I checked the paper "-Ryudou Issei, do you have some place we can discuss these matters more privately?"
"I live in the temple on top of the mountain."
"Yes, that will do nicely."
"What matters need to be discussed?"
"A simple little matter of life or death."
Author's Note: Next two chapters or so are basically going to be introducing the Servants. Sorry if it get's dry. I tried to include at least one awesome/ hilarious character in each class. As always, feedback is loved. Be back with Chapter 3 soon.