Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

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Fate/Zero Hour: A Fate/Zero Multicrossover Fanfiction

Chapter 14: Drawing the Battle Lines

9 PM, Mackenzie Residence.

"So you're telling me that you're a Magus too?"

Waver was quite surprised when Ayaka just went out and revealed that she was a practitioner of Magecraft much like he was. To this question, the young bespectacled girl nodded enthusiastically.

"I'll show you!" Quickly, she grabbed a piece of chalk that was just sitting on the table, then drew a magic circle on the ground. She then took a potted plant and placed it at the very center of the circle.

"Neun, acht, sieben!"

Waver watched with interest as the little girl cast a spell that accelerated the plant's growth. He watched as the plant's flower began to bloom as if it was in that particular season.

"Formalcraft..." The teen Magus placed a hand on his chin as he identified the type of Magecraft she used. "And you're able to use it as such a young age too."

"It's nothing. Formalcraft is considered 'Magecraft for Dummies', you know." Ayaka giggled at the praise. "My sister had always been the better mage."

"I wouldn't say that. After all," Waver gave Rider a knowing smile. "Sometimes, you can use even the most simple solutions to solve a complicated problem."

Rider couldn't help but grin at the growth his Master had shown over the past few days. When they started their partnership, he saw him as a whelp that had a lot of heart, but needed to be whipped into shape. Now, he could see the trappings of greatness in the lad. As he watched him give Ayaka pointers on how to improve her Magecraft, he felt himself swell with pride.

He was about to give his young Master a noogie when he felt an overwhelming power spike come down on him. One look at Waver, who returned it, told him that he felt it too.

"I-it's h-him..."

Both of them turned to Ayaka, who's eyes were wide open with tears streaking down her cheeks, her small frame shivering all over.

"The m-monster who took my family...I-I'm scared."

It didn't take a rocket scientist for the pair to figure out who it was.

"It's okay, Ayaka. It's okay..." Waver knelt next to her and held her close, his heart breaking as the little brunette held him tight.

"Once the girl's calmed down, we head out." Rider's features hardened, the mood turning grim. "It's time we end the bastard."

Fuyuki Hyatt, Around the Same Time.

"Sir!"

Salem, Scarlette, Edgar and Rachel turned to see Imca and Isara running towards them. Both of them looked as if they were out of breath, running for what seemed to be miles. "It's Ryuudou Temple! It's-!"

"We know. We've felt it too." Salem then turned to the pair, his expression grim. "It seems like we can no longer turn a blind eye to what Caster has planned."

It was at this moment that Selvaria and Minato, his field commanders, ran in already aware of the situation. "What are your orders, sir?"

"Selvaria and Minato, gather all the agents that are already here. Imca, try to call back as many of those still on missions as you can. This is an Omega Level Threat."

"Understood." The three nodded, then scrambled to accomplish their duties. With that business set aside, Salem then turned to Isara. "How fast can the Bureau scramble their agents?"

"The Bureau?" Edgar asked, having heard of them the first time.

"The Bureau of Multidimensional Defense. An organization much like us, with it's own quirks." Scarlette quickly explained.

"Probably around the same speed you guys can." The Darcsen engineer answered with certainty. "That all depends if I can return to Kokonoe right away."

"I can provide assistance in that regard." Rachel answered almost immediately, summoning a black portal for them to go through. "We can use all the hands we can get in this particular scrimmage."

With a nod exchanged between them, both girls entered the portal, which disappeared almost instantly.

"I'll go call in every favor we have." With a nod from her employer, Scarlette made her exit to make her own preparations.

"It seems you guys will need assistance." Edgar spoke as he brought out his phone and began dialing a number. "If the threat seems as dire as it is, know that the Ordinis Sancti Gladius will stand with you."

"You have my thanks." Salem smiled sincerely at the offer. "For three major organizations that defend the multiverse to gather in one place...This will be one interesting evening."

"That I don't doubt." Edgar smiled back as he got an answer on the other end. "Hello? Starrk? Gather everyone you can. The situation has escalated to dramatic proportions."

The Lake behind Ryuudou Temple.

"Woah..." Ryuunosuke could only stare as the Soul Stones Caster had gathered were embedded deep within the lake, the water having been turned sickly green due to the fel energy resonating within. The Servant in question was hovering over the lake, his hands glowing a sickly green as he was putting the final touches to the ritual. "Was this what you needed those rocks for?"

"Indeed, Master." Caster responded while channeling his mana, now boosted by the leyline beneath as well as the corrupted well. "I once created such a well, intending replace the one my people had lost after a demonic invasion. I wished to give us back our immortality. However, I was cursed instead of praised, my own brother condemning me for my actions, the one I loved turning away from me in disgust."

"Dude...that sounds harsh."

"Indeed it was, but it matters little now! The spell is complete! With this, I can summon the Holy Grail for myself!" The former Night Elf cackled in the night as a giant portal opened up above the lake. It was at that same moment when he felt several presences converging to his location. "Hm...With the Bounded Field dispersed, it seems that all the other Servants have finally caught wind of my machinations. No matter, I shall prepare an apropos response." With a snap of his fingers, several creatures manifested in front of him. Ryuunosuke could immediately tell that they weren't human; Their scaly skin, massive girths and fangs suggested otherwise. Joining them were massive red-skinned orcs clad in battle armor, each of them with glowing green eyes and a primal ferocity.

"You should proceed to the portal, Master." Caster bid him. "There, you shall have a front seat to a show worthy of your entertainment."

"And what'll you do?"

"What'll I do?" Caster smirked as Ryuunosuke waltzed into the portal. "Why, I'll welcome our guests of honor, of course!"

At the Base of Mt. Ryuudou.

"Rider!"

Waver and his Servant, who had been the first to arrive, turned to see a car arriving at high speeds. It stopped with a screeching halt, opening to see that it was Saber and Irisviel.

"I take it that you're here because of the same thing?" Rider, instantly summoning his black CMC Marine suit on him, would ask the pair, who nodded.

"Yes. There is no question about it." Saber, who changed from her civilian attire to her battle regalia in a flash of light, grimaced. "That familiar taint in the air. This is no doubt Caster's doing."

"Then it is most prudent that we make haste." Lancer, who descended from the sky, spoke as Berserker, Archer and Assassin materialized near them. "The more time we waste here, the more time Caster has to complete whatever devious plot he has."

"You two stay here." Archer turned to Irisviel and Waver with a cold glare. "You will only get in the way."

Despite whatever misgivings they had, the two had complied.

"Yes. Now is the time." Saber narrowed her as she began sprinting up the mountain, the other five following her. "To attack!"

They made haste towards the top, not even the chatty Assassin said a word as they climbed the steps. Eventually, they made it to the top, and what they found waiting for them was something they did not expect.

"It looks like Caster's got the welcome party ready." Berserker grimaced, drawing Blood Scythe as he eyed the horde of Myrmidons and Fel Orcs waiting for them at the Temple grounds.

"He knows how to entertain guests, that's for sure." Assassin giggled as drew her Scissor Blade, each of the other Servants following her cue and getting ready to fight.

"We have no choice but to break through." Saber's eyes darted around the battlefield, looking for the quickest way to Caster's location. "Let's go!"

The King of Knights would initiate the offense, charging as a king should and bifurcating a fel-orc in one swing. With that initiative, she stuck herself in the vanguard, cutting down any foe that got in her way. Berserker followed after, coating Blood Scythe with the dark energies of the Azure before hacking and slashing into the enemy like a madman.

"Who's next?!" The Servant of Madness roared as he morphed his weapon into a true scythe, reaping his enemies like wheat in the field.

"Such barbarism." Archer's tongue clicked in disgust as he sidestepped a trident thrust from a Myrmidon, only for it to lose it's arm with one swift slice. Several Summoned Swords floated behind him, each of them flung in to an enemy's heart in rapid succession while using Yamato to slice any that got too close.

In the background, Assassin's inane giggling was drowned out by the anguished screams of orcs she had brutally slain. Her Scissor Blade found no shield that could defend it, slicing through any and all guards like a hot knife through butter. Lancer flew through the air, raining death upon her foes by divebombing them with spear thrusts. Rider for his part stayed at the rear, his assault rifle mowing down orcs and nagas like no one's business.

Yes, while Caster's minions were most formidable, they were facing six heroes of legendary renown. Heroes that have fought insurmountable odds and came back victorious many times. As such, it was no surprise that, after some time, they gave way as they sought Caster. Soon enough, they reached the lake behind the Temple, and were shocked by what they had found.

"What on earth?" Lancer would be the first to speak at the sight of the well, now dark green due to demonic influence, and the portal atop it. Standing in front of them was Caster, his wings extended and his eyes glowing beneath his blindfold, giving them a leering grin.

"Greetings, heroes!" He spoke in a mocking tone. "Congratulations on finding me once more!"

"What is your end game, Caster?!" Saber growled, gnashing her teeth while she glared at the villain. "Are you willing to go through such great lengths to win the Grail?!"

"Yes. Yes I am." Caster's grin only grew wider in response.

"This energy in the air..." Archer looked at the lake, then at the portal. "This is the same as that stone Rider found."

"Yeah, but only cranked up to eleven." Rider grimaced in disgust, then trailed his aim at the Betrayer. "So this was what you killed Ayaka's family for, huh?!"

"Ayaka...ah, that little girl who escaped. Yes, and they made lovely Soul Stones to fuel my new Well of Eternity."

"So much raw mana in this pond..." Lancer could only watch in disbelief. "But to what end?"

"To forcibly summon the Grail." All turned in surprise at what Caster had said. "Of course, the fel energies used may taint it, but it should still achieve it's purpose."

"You fiend!" Saber growled as she pointed her blade at him. "You will NOT get away this!"

"Oh, but I think I will." Caster slowly began flying backwards, sinking into the portal he had created. "Now, stop me if you can. Otherwise...my minions will continue to pour out."

The Servant disappeared, leaving the ultimatum hanging in the air. The Servants looked between each other, their expressions making clear the decision each has made.

"Let's not waste any time." Saber said as she leaped into the portal, the other five following her. "Let's go!"

The world the Servants have entered was even more foreboding than they had thought. The sky glowed an eerie dark green to contrast the everlasting darkness, while the ground before them was barren. What stood before them was a giant temple that served, in life, served as Caster's sanctum...and where he made his last stand.

They did not have time to ponder the scenery, as more of Caster's hordes awaited them; Fel Orcs, Naga and even fair-skinned Blood Elves were gathered under the Betrayer's banner. Each of them, of course, had every intention of ending the six then and there.

"Of course this wasn't going to be easy." Berserker grumbled as he got into a combat stance, his eyes darting back and forth between the plethora of foes before him.

"It seems he overwhelm us with this horde. A shrewd ploy" Archer begrudgingly admitted.

"Even with the six of us, the amount of enemies will difficult to overcome." Saber's face was as set as stone as she revealed her invisible sword in all it's glory.

"Guess it's up to me to turn the tide."

All turned to see a smirking Rider press on his earpiece, looking as if he was prepared for this sort of situation. "This is Jim. Bring 'er in, Matt."

"Roger."

What followed next was a loud booming noise that caused everyone to look up to the sky.

"The hell was that?!" Berserker asked frantically while Rider continued to smirk.

"You'll see."

Sure enough, the collective eyes widened when they saw a massive object descend from the heavens, engulfing the entire battlefield in it's shadow. It's entry split the sky, as if a mighty dragon was swooping down on it's prey. Upon closer inspection, one could see that it was an advanced spacecraft, like one of those sci-fi movies. It was by far, a titanic vessel made to voyage the stars.

"What on earth...?" Even Archer was at a loss of words by what he was witnessing.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, feast your eyes on my Noble Phantasm." Rider folded his arms like a bad-ass with a grin. "Hyperion: Flagship of the Rebellion!"

On the other side of the Portal...

"So, this is the place..."

Kiritsugu, who had arrived a little bit after the Servants ascended the stairs and dove into the portal, looked around to see that the lake had been fully tainted by the Soul Stones. The miasma in the air was so thick, it almost felt suffocating. The Magus Killer immediately pulled out a walkie talkie and spoke through. "Any sight of Caster's Master?"

"Negative." The voice of Hisau Maiya answered back from her vantage point. "It seems that he is not within the premises, or perhaps-"

"He had gone through the portal. It would be prudent, to keep your Master close to you to prevent harm." Kiritsugu nodded, Caster's pragmatism making sense to him. "Keep a visual over the entire area and wait for my orders."

"Understood. Maiya, out."

As soon as she hung up, Kiritsugu pulled out a cigarette and lit it up. "This War is not going how I pictured it to be." He sighed as he puffed smoke out his mouth.

"You and us both."

Sensing two- no, three presences, the Magus Killer whipped out his Calico in response to any potential threats. As it turns out, it was a man clad in red, a hooded man, and a priest he had become all too familiar with.

"Relax, Emiya. We did not come here as enemies." Tohsaka Tokiomi, Master of Archer, reassured him with a regal smile. "We came because we have a mutual interest."

"A mutual interest?" The Master of Saber raised a brow at this.

"To eliminate Caster from the Grail War. To leave him run amok would not be beneficial for all sides involved." Kirei would be the one to speak. The Magus Killer would notice that his nemesis was garbed in a strange new robe. He also seemed to be oozing with unnatural power and a sort of primal urge within. What it that urge exactly was, the Magus Killer could not say.

"I agree as well, but mark my words," Kariya Matou, Master of Berserker added while glaring at the red-clad magus. "You and I will settle our differences, Tokiomi."

"I look forward to that day.-"

A single gunshot caused Tokiomi to widen his eyes, looking directly at the smoking barrel of Kiritsugu's Thompson Contender. Luckily for him, he wasn't the target. The Magus slowly turned to see a fel-orc, his axe raised high, with his eyes wide open in shock. Another look at it's face, marred by the bullet embedded in his forehead, told him all he needed to know.

"My thanks."

"We're not out of this yet." The four of them formed a defensive huddle, their backs toward each other, as several more orcs, blood elves and naga appeared to surround them. To make matters worse, more of them seem to be streaming out of the portal. Even with their formidable powers, they would be hard pressed to fend them off.

"Targets locked. Open Fire!"

Several missiles scattered around the area, taking out a good number of the creatures surrounding the magi much to their surprise. They turned to see a young slim girl clad in blue blast armor, her dark blue hair tied in a yellow ribbon with red markings. In her hands was a weapon that could only be described as a cross between an anti-tank cannon, a composite rifle, and a greatsword.

"Targets neutralized, sir." The girl spoke.

"Well done, Imca. The night is still young, though. There is still much to do." The man who answered was a dark skinned man clad in white and gold robes, walking up the stairs with an air of grace and a scythe in his hands, following him was a small group of men and women who could only be described as extraordinary.

"Who...who are you?" Kiritsugu would be the first to ask among the astonished company.

"Us?" The man known as Salem Azal, once known as Zasalamel, answered with a bright smile as more of Caster's minions began to manifest themselves before them. "We are those who guard over the worlds from the shadows. And it is high time we got to work."

Each person drew their respective weapons, thus signalling the start of one of the most intense battles in Grail War history.

End Chapter 14

A/N: Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to another edition of Fate/Zero Hour and, yes, we're finally here! The Battle against Caster is finally upon us!

Saber: He's been planning how this will go for the longest time now. Quite early into this fic, actually.

Yep! And I'm hoping it turns out good! So Caster finally reveals his hand! Rider finally reveals his Noble Phantasm in what promises to be a Raid Instance of epic proportions! Not only that, our dimensional travelers are finally getting involved! How will this all pan out? Well, that's pretty much all I got to say for now. Please leave a review whether you like it or not, or check out my other stories (especially those taking place in the Zero/Hourverse) for whatever floats your boat. Until then, this is the King of Beasts signing off! See you next chapter!

Next Time on Fate/Zero Hour: The Black Temple!