This is an original fiction, set in the Fate/Stay Night universe. Attempts have been made to explain mechanics where needed, but novices will likely be in over their head, if unfamiliar. Most parts were written by me. Saber and Lacie's parts were written by a friend in real-life, who goes by the handle RagDollPuppy. As usual with something like, this, all hail Nasu and Type-Moon, and this universe belongs to them, along with characters, names, concepts, etc., they came up with. Most characters are original. If you can look up their name and find them on Type Moon wiki, then they're not ours. Finally, please don't steal this. We'd be quite cross. If you wish to post this somewhere else, just fire me a message! I don't bite. :)
Fate/False Sacrifice
Chapter 1:
-Thursday, September 22 2016-
IIILacieIII
"L-lacie are you sure you wish to do this! What if another Master is there?" The enraged girl is stomping toward the entrance to Clock Tower. "No!" she says, swinging the bat she holds at her Servant. "Hey! What the hell do you think you're doing!" She screams. "I do not care."
All the people within the area are unconcious. She's already knocked out the non-magi with magecraft. Saber reacts to this with, "Zut, quelle une garce." Immediately he regrets this action because his Master is glaring at him now. This is one of the few times he's been genuinely afraid of anything. Her gaze makes him feel like he's being dragged deep into the depths of hell. Then she says, "J'ai compris cela." An audible gulp can be heard from the man's throat.
The two of the them are standing in front of Clock Tower. Now the white-skinned girl throws a baseball into the air. It has a rune on it. Same as the bat. Which she raises into a batter stance, "HERE I COME!" ...and then...When the ball is hit a thunderous sound is heard. It's not the same as when a bat normally makes contact with a ball. It's much louder. In fact, it's earth shattering. This incredible assault tears right through the entrance of Clock Tower causing dust and rubble to go everywhere. The people inside are in a panic. Until a woman comes forth into the wreckage and commands them "Calm down 's just an immature magus." That person is Barthomeloi Lorelei.
Lacie seems annoyed by this "Tch." But she smiles and says, "Oh,really? I'm nothing but an immature magus?" Raising her right hand and stating "Then why is it that I have this." Referring to the three command seals on it.
"Impudent child!" a proud magus says as she throws an offensive spell at her. At that time the Servant Saber materializes and effortlessly smacks the attack away. The magi in the room are even more taken aback by this turn of events. A Servant isn't an existance many of them have seen. No one sane will attack her now. Not without a plan, anyways.
"Good. It seems you all understand the situation." Saber whispers "Lady, I thought you said you didn't wish to harm anyone." The young Master blinks and looks around "Eh...What are you talking about?" He then realizes that nobody is under the rubble. Naturally the knight is relieved. Saber's Master starts taking something out of her pocket, and she catches a glimpse of a toned aged man limping on a knee. It had clearly been an old wound, and smiles. She tosses an envelope and a rune ring at the Queen, also known as Barthomeloi Lorelei. And continues "If you want to save as many of your students as possible I suggest you set that up for me." With that the Servant/Master pair take their leave...
"As I recall, Lacie Blanc, correct? You are the third, then." The old man closes his eyes once, and opens his mouth as if to speak again, but a blonde man reveals himself from behind one set of rubble.
"Hey..." His look is intense, of one who has had something precious smeared. "...you know I work here, right?" He slowly draws his sleeve down, and shows a command spell. "RIDER!" With that word, the servant shows himself, with gold-trimmed armor, and a grand cross across his breastplate. His figure is huge, and his long, brown hair, neatly trimmed. However, a frown is on his face.
A silence stretches for a few seconds, before Rider turns to regard his master. "What trickery is this, Albert? Why are you requesting I fight my own loyal retainer?" The young pale Master laughs, "Haha! You hear that? Go Saber, smash them!" The paladin is silent then he plainly replies "No." Lacie is stunned
"Que?" The man known as Saber smiles warily and says "As he says I am one of his loyal retainers...That being said you are also my Master. Neither of you will suffer defeat purely from my own hands." Albert was absolutely furious. "So, who is it then, Roland, the greatest Paladin? Whatever." He holds up his hand. "You won't have any reservations after I use this!" Rider looks at him in shock. "You wouldn't dare, you mongr..."
"As your master, Rider, no, Charlemagne, I command you..." His voice is stopped by a relatively small one, only recognized because it is someone considerably his senior, both in status and age. But that is nothing compared to the fact that he was the 'manager' of the Holy Grail War, or as close to one as there could be. "ALBERT LEED. This Holy Grail War has not started yet. Go back to your home, be content that you now know another servants identity, and do not profane these walls anymore, the same to you, Lacie!"
Roland's Master is the first to speak, "Whatever, that's fine I was just about to leave, anyway. My business here is done." Albert sneers, then turns and leans against a boulder, conveniently placed where his desk had been.
All his research material had been there, damn her! "Go home if you want, I'll just hunt you down later! Rider, lift this boulder!" The servant just sighs and does as his master requested. It was rather annoying to both of them, but at least things were equal that way.
As Lacie turns to leave she turns back to the old man. "Don't think I'm not on to you and your little pets plans, Lord Gerold!" Then she really takes her leave. The old man only smiles.
"…so, you're french Master?"
|||Albert Leed|||
"Damn, damn, damn." All his notes had been in that place, but Lacie had destroyed them so utterly. And by accident! The sheer unlikeliness of it made him angry, it didn't even enter his conscious that it was another of the 'Stars' of the Clock Tower. The situation was rather strange, like something out of a novel, or a comic book. Four stars of the Clocktower, adolescents who, over the past few years, had grown into adults, and solidified themselves as excellent magi despite any number of complications.
There was himself, Trenton, Lacie, and the newest among them, Lily. They were all those who showed talent despite some crippling setback. In fact, it was testament to the changes the Magus Association had gone through, that this situation was even possible. Albert bit his lip. He guessed he had taken it for granted that things would remain the same, simply because he had grown bored of such a thing. He should have guessed they'd be involved straight from the beginning, but he had regarded everyone around him with too much apathy to realize it.
Well, there was nothing to do about it now, except to push on. Even if his introduction to this strange war had him thinking strange thoughts, this was a dog-eat-dog war. It wasn't worthy of him to attack prematurely or anything cowardly like that, even if he knew two others who were likely masters. Lacie, the one who had so angered him before, was an old rival of his, someone with whom he had always butted heads. The woman was brash and fiery, and for her to be just as good as him, even better, despite using such a shunned method of magic, it was unthinkable. A simple drawing of a rune on a baseball and a bat, and she had accomplished something so drastic without even that much usage of prana. Her ability was one that allowed her plenty of power if prepared. She was probably one of the worst ones to summon Saber, that is, for Albert himself. Fortunately, it seemed Albert had summoned the man's uncle. That area shouldn't be too hard to deal with, he'd just have to use a command seal, or persuade Charlemagne, if possible.
The next one was Trenton. Out of the four, Trenton was the most eccentric one. He was half-Chinese, his father having spent a significant amount of time in that country. Albert wasn't sure of the details, but that was where their magic had started, and in one generation had gathered enough power to gain respect. Well, it was to be expected, when their power made it so that they were as powerful as a magus with many generations of magical backing.
And, as if to cap off that the Magus Association had been wrong all these years, there was also Lily, who hadn't even had any training. It seemed wrong for there to be something like the Mystic Eyes of Comprehension, but they were there, nonetheless. Lily was someone for whom learning a spell was as simple as seeing it, even once.
His competition was fierce, to be sure. But, he had the best servant. That was what he was sure of. Now, the man had materialized in front of him, and Albert cocked his head, wondering what this King of God had done that for. "Rid-" He was interrupted by a wave of the man's hand.
"Albert, now that we're away from imminent danger and being overheard…" Apparently Charlemagne was a confident man. He must have already checked the surroundings. And, he was overconfident, Albert might say, because he hadn't used the term Master. But, facing this tall figure, Albert couldn't protest.
"…that *was* my nephew, Roland. I'm sure you know what that means. Do you still wish for me to fight my greatest paladin, who was stolen from me by treachery?" Albert nodded. "This is a war, Rider. You two are on different sides now. Surely you, who have fought in so many wars in life, to know that?"
He shook his head very simply. While seeing it, Albert figured it for a gesture the king might make, but his next words made him think it was something more personal. "No, no matter how many wars I fought in, it was for the good of all of Europe. I did not fight for a world where I would betray loyalty." Of course, Charlemagne had brought reform, as well as war. He was the leader of a cultural revolution, even as he united western Europe. Albert found himself doubting that he could convince this man.
After all, now that he was in this man's presence, didn't it seem that his desire to be in a time of legend, a selfish one, would make him a villain?
It was not an existence used to this sort of skulking, the Assassin thought. He was not even an Assassin. As he lightly hopped from building to building, he could easily sense the presence beside him. It was so easy to follow them, but he knew the power coming out of that servant, Saber, was immense.
*But, I am invincible under the sun, am I not?* Even if he wasn't, he had to make sure, and his masters command to find the worth of every servant, meant he had to go down there now. He released his presence concealment. On cue, the pair stopped, noticing his presence. He softly landed on the ground, and stood up. He was a rough-looking man, someone who looked like he had just been in the jungle, no matter how clean he looked in his traditional Japanese garments now.
"Esteemed swordsman, may I request a duel?" His katana didn't have the customary shine it would have in his homecountry, but the lethal sharpness of it would show through even on this grey day, as it pointed directly at Saber. His killing intent was practically concrete at this point, and this swordsman, if he truly was one, would notice that.
-Thursday, September 22, 2016-
IIILacieIII
The paladin, who has a grin on his face begins "Ah! I— " but is interrupted by his Master "No!" causing Servant Saber to get disgruntled "Why milady! He's challenged us so openly. Not only that but we stopped walking just to lure him out here."...The pale Master pauses "That was only because I wasn't expecting it to be a Servant." She turns to the asian man in front of them. "Anyways, Assassin I am afraid I must inform you that the Grail War has not officially begun so we cannot accept your challenge."
The man gives a roguish grin, after a long pause. "I see, then this is not a normal duel, but a simple attack, defend yourself!" The man rushes forward, closing the gap easily. He had been that close to deciding to honor this young woman's wish, but his master had worded it exactly the right way to get him to come here of his own volition. To test himself against this foreign man's sword, it was something he craved.
Even Saber is a little surprised by his speed, but manages to deflect his attack as well as any equal would in battle. "Very well!" Lacie chants "Uruz, Algiz, Eihaz, Raidho." Activating various runes embroidered on her outfit. Then, reaches into her coat lined with paperpads, with runes written on them, to begin her own counter. Servant Saber however reacts "Don't interfere!" So instead she reaches for the rune of healing, Laguz, on her belt.
Now Saber begins his offensive, by rapidly meeting the mans blade, locking it and pushing them back to a safe distance. His strength is just right to push back Assassin. But, as quickly as he seems to retreat, he is striking again, at Saber's legs. The scary part about this Assassin isn't that he strikes from the shadows to surprise you; it's that he can catch you off-guard even when you have already spotted him. In that sense, he is just like any other Assassin, relying on his wits, rather than brute strength.
Saber is just as impressive however. While the man he is facing is indeed fast and skilled, Saber can still meet his blows and find time to attack. It occurs to him though that as long as the enemy has the element of surprise he is at a disadvantage. Realizing this, the paladin barrels into the assassin with his blade, having almost no regard for his own safety. In an attempt to catch the opponent off guard as well.
Assassin is surprised, if even that little bit. He had faced men before who gave their all for that one attack, and it was a simple matter of dodging once to strike, but this bullheaded rush was something that only a knight of the west would do, and only a knight of the west could pull off. As it was, it takes all of Assassins speed to throw himself to the side, rolling and bringing himself up with his back to the wall.
"I see, fights to the death are different where you're from." It was only one action, but it had spoken. That's what kind of man this Saber is, someone who meets his problems head-on, willing to give his own life. "Saber, I apologize for these circumstances, but now that I have your measure, my master calls me back." These words are calculated. He wants Saber to see this as a confrontation between equals, something honorable. Before, he had won by underhanded tactics, but this Assassin was someone whose philosophy made him do what he needed to win, and here, that was to be honorable. That noble phantasm he carries likely holds power beyond what Assassin has. "Goodbye." And with that, he rushes off, at a dead-run, faster than Saber in his armor can achieve.
Thus, caught off guard again the knight yells "Hey! Wai-!" but again is interrupted "No! Saber, the fight is over." His Master says to him from a distance. It's clear now that he and his Master are just as hot-blooded as each other. "Let's go." she says as she places the rune back on her belt and instead puts on her glasses she had hanging there.
\/Lily\/
"Well, you didn't put up a very good showing, Assassin." Lily was disappointed, she really was. For a man who had seemed so reliable only a scant five minutes before, he had barely done a thing. She had watched through his eyes with a simple spell, surprised at how easily he had let her, but the fool had struck only twice, just to run when the enemy even tried to strike! Her petulant expression said she had expected better.
"What do you mean...Master?" His tone was bored! "I…what?" She was so incredulous she couldn't even come up with a response! "You asked me to find out how powerful he was, despite the magic book or whatever in your head that tells you anyways. You had said that you could only know strength by experiencing it." These words were, to him, the only motivation to do such a foolish thing.
"You know how good Saber is, after he attacks you…only once." The enigmatic servant nods. Such is his confidence that she completely believes him. "Did you keep him from learning your measure as well?" He smiles. "I do not fight with only one sword. I am far better than Saber thinks." He had not even told her all of his skills, or his true name. He was that kind of secretive servant.
And this reaction from her was what perplexed him the most. She was blushing, as much as an innocent maiden. He was a servant, dammit, not some dashing hero, come to sweep her off her feet. "Master, do you have any more orders for me?" She shook her head. "N-no, just...what I requested here, for the others. Find out how good they are."
That, at least was a command he couldn't begrudge. He still was pissed off about his Master's behavior, but he could at least lose himself in the fighting. That was what he was best at.
-Later the same day-
/-\Trenton/-\
"Ooh, damn." Trenton had already been fascinated with this war from the moment he heard about it, and even more when he had summoned Bathori, but this was on a whole different level for him. The Clocktower, that indomitable temple of magic, was blown open so easily. he wanted to know who did it, but it seemed all the masters were gone.
But there was a magus there, coordinating repair efforts. His old man, Gerold. "Oooooh, daddyyyyy!" He loved to try to embarrass his Father at work. The damned old man didn't give a response, eliciting a disappointed response from Trenton. "Son." He perked back up when Gerold finally noticed him, however.
His serious expression could only mean one thing. "Yes, father?" Gerold beckoned him away from the others, and he followed obediently. As much as he approached every aspect of his life with a fun-loving attitude, he knew when others were serious, and that he would have to act serious himself to uncover what was going on, no matter what he felt.
"I know the identity of two of the Masters, and the true names of their servants." Trenton widened his eyes in surprise. "Who?" A wide grin, becoming of Trenton, was on his face. Gerold still was straight-faced. "Lacie Blanc. Roland, in the class of Saber. Albert Reed. Charlemagne, in the class of Rider." Trenton maintained his grin, leaning closer while Gerold revealed their names. "And, father, have you learned who it is that is casting that boundary field?" Gerold frowned. "More than figured out. Lacie announced her intentions. That is why the Clocktower is in the state it is." Turning around, Trenton faced what seemed to be
All the exposition over with Trenton knew what he had to do. "Caster." At a word, she arrived, as elegant as always. "Yes, my dear Master?" She teased him, but he had a definite purpose in mind. His grin turned much more malevolent. "I'll be simple, interrupt that boundary field, and, when Saber comes to kill you..." The grin disappeared, an intense look on his face. "...let him. You know you can survive it." Caster herself had a turn at a mischevious grin. "Huhuhu, you have a clever mind, Master. Very well." With that she disappeared, sure to deliver his intentions to the hotheaded Master. "Now, all we have to do is wait for the last summoning." Gerold nodded. "Only one more."
Marius
Failure. That was all his mind seemed to comprehend anymore, his own failure. How long had his family maintained their supremacy over the other magus families? How long had they staved off that demon called Failure, again and again?
Now, he was the one who had let the rot come in. After one hundred fifty years, their Magic Crest had deteriorated to the point of nothing. It had already been a hard Magic Crest to master, and now, he couldn't even bother to think about what it was, and such was his fear.
There was only one path now. It was a death match, seven Masters, in a life-or-death battle. This was his last resort. Now, the raw blood he had spilled here, was his offering to the Holy Grail. The magus still squirmed in the background, some unknown who wasn't worthy of being in this world anymore. That he had even been able to fight back, made Marius sick. A novice magus that could stand up to the great Elston family! Unthinkable!
He didn't even care who he summoned anymore. All he wanted to do was to summon the damn servant. He had already put the prana into the circle, and now the summoning came. It did not actually matter anymore. Some distant corner of his mind said: 'This will only fail, and you will die, Marius, as it should be.'
A man stepped out of the darkness, the light subsiding as quickly as it appeared. He was obviously of Greek origin. His lance and shield, made it obvious he was competent. Here was a being that *had* succeeded. "So, is this scum my Master?" Already, he hated and loved this servant. "I am your master, and you will keep your t-" He was silenced immediately by a mere stare from the Servant. Now, though he wasn't even aware of it, the Holy Grail War had truly begun.
-?-
It came into being. It was not like a real birth, for it did not come into being through a womb, naturally eased into life. It simply went from oblivion, to chaos. There was only one impulse in its mind, it was sentient only for one purpose.
Hunger.
"W-what the hell is this thing?" A voice spoke, and it heard. It had no knowledge of what it spoke, it only searched with the senses it had, but could not identify. Next to it, was a source of sustenance. Something that could feed it, put an end to the hunger.
Small pinpricks, like an itching along the skin. It didn't even register the intent to kill in those attacks. They rose in intensity, feeling like the crunching of a tasty snack in its mouth. It ate. The crunching of bones, the screaming of that thing it didn't know was a soul. Everything of this immense being was destroyed utterly by one small mistake of fate, for having tried only seconds too late.
It had form now. All of the knowledge of this man, along with his form became its own. It blazed through the information in its mind, seeking only that thing which it now knew the name for.
Magic.
There was so much of it here in this city, that its new form smiled a crude caricature of an expression.