An Opportunity of Fate

by PML7

Counter Guardian Emiya is given an offer he cannot refuse. He must somehow save Fuyuki City from the ravages of the Fifth Grail War without being allowed to participate himself! Can he influence his younger self and his friends from his youth enough to save the world before Emiya has to use a Counter Force against the Grail, destroying Fuyuki City and the surrounding area?

11. Chapter 11

An Opportunity of Fate part 11

CG Emiya-

Emiya glared at the window that held a younger version of him. The boy lay there unconscious on a bed covered up to the chest with blankets. Bandages covered up the upper part of his chest.

A woman in an elaborate maid outfit entered the room and checked on Shirou. And checked all the bandages that covered him.

CG Emiya heard a voice behind him.

"You know, most people die when they are killed…." Alaya said with a soft smile.

Emiya said with a glare, "I am never going to live that down. Even in death I still get mocked."

Alaya shrugged.

Emiya turned back to face Shirou. "Still. He should be dead. He took what, five bullets to the chest?"

"Six actually. This Shirou has always had a closer connection to Her though. Even you grew up free of infection and fast healing because of Arturia. This Shirou…" She shook her head, "A group of circumstances, many related to that horn you gave Rin, have let that connection grow and not atrophy like it did in your case. As long as this Arturia, his Arturia lives, he will have that connection, that minor contract. And when he calls, she will come."

Emiya looked at her, "But Saber has already been drawn."

Alaya shook her head, "If the only slot left was Assassin, still she would come."

Both of them watched as the nurse covered Shirou again with the blankets. She sat at in a nearby chair and watched Shirou. Occasionally she would read from the small book she had in her hand. She would stop and look again at Shirou in confusion and wonder.

Emiya said as he glanced at the other windows, "Rest up kid, your world is about to go to hell."

-Scene Break—

Amelia Abernathy-

Amelia sat at the table and wondered what she would tell the family. After she had argued and argued that despite her comparative weakness as a magus kept her from being able to avenge her brother. That fate had spoken and his tragic death was a sign that their family wasn't meant to deal with matters as important as the Grail War.

She looked at her hand. Nothing. No Command Spells had appeared on them. Her need for the Grail wasn't enough. It had decided she didn't deserve the chance.

She had even used Family resources to seize the Command Spells from one of the participants who had not yet summoned a Servant. And she would have succeeded, but for the intervention of several combat Homonculi.

How could she have known this Emiya kid would have a connection, a positive connection with the Einzbern. From the little she had read that family hated his. Something about a betrayal from the last war.

She had lost half her men trying to retreat. Listening to their screams through the resonance crystals…. That had been hard. But how would she explain this to the Elders. That she had not only failed but killed one of the participants of the War before he had summoned the Servant.

Would that stop the War? Or would the Command Spells get reset? Did she have another chance?

The Transcriber wrote a note.

She walked over and read it. And fell to her knees.

Solomon Abernathy was being sent to escort her home. She was to refuse him nothing. Nothing at all.

She began to hyperventilate. Solomon. Of all her extended family they had to send the family hatchet man. She had always known her brother had shielded her from the darker aspects of the family. But now that he was dead she knew it all too well. Part of the reason she was here was to somehow find some way to protect herself.

Solomon had always wanted her. She had been a pretty girl and she had never liked the brutal boy he had been. She had had to fend off his advances on several occasions and one attempted rape that her brother had stopped at the last minute.

But her brother was dead. A laughing stock who had choked to death on a piece of steak right before his great opportunity in the Grail War. And now because of it, she was going to be driven battered and naked before the Family Council.

They might just give what was left of her to Solomon. A toy to play with until he broke it.

No. She would kill herself first. She would do anything, absolutely anything to avoid that fate.

A line of fire etched itself on the back of her hands. The last participant had been chosen.

Amelia stared at her hands with awe. Somehow fate had shined upon her. She wiped her tears and solemnly sent a message back to the Family headquarters.

A half hour later she had her reply. Wait for Solomon. She would give him the Command Spells. If they were going to win, they needed a competent magus there. She was to stay and 'assist' him.

She stared at the note for minutes. Before a rage came over her and she shredded the note and wrecked her room.

No. She wasn't going to accept that. They could pry her Seals off her cold dead body. This would be difficult when they realized she had a Servant. Then either she would get her wish at the end or she would be dead.

Really was there a down side?

She pushed the wrecked furniture aside. She talked to the guards outside her door what they were doing. Upon finding they had been contacted by the Family, she used her hypnotism to have them kill each other.

It didn't have to be her blood to make the Circle after all. She took the package of literature from Colchis that would all but guarantee a powerful Caster servant. She wasn't sure she would use the plans her brother had for her. Such a passive approach seemed like a sure course for failure to her.

She would ask Medea her thoughts. The woman had been a survivor after all.

She began the chant and cast the magic, feeling that wonderful sense as she shaped the world to her desires. For that heady sense of power, it was well worth the pain of her circuits burning inside body. Waves of flame that always seemed just short of consuming her.

She finished her chant and watched as the light began to recede. A cloaked woman stood there, crooked dagger in hand."

The woman looked down at the dagger. And smiled. "Well this is certainly unexpected. But I can work with this." She turned to face Amelia, "I presume, you are my Master?"

Amelia held out her hand with the Command Seals. "Yes. I am Amelia Abernathy, your Master. What is your name?"

"Ah… Once names held such power. No one would give out their true name so easily and trusting such as you. But these days are different." She looked down, "The world has changed." She smiled, "I could do much in a world such as this."

"Your name?"

"Ah, yes. My apologies. I am Medea of Colchis, called often by those who spurned me, the Witch of Betrayal." She laughed again, and faded from view. "Servant Assassin at your service."

Amelia frowned. Assassin. She was supposed to get Caster. She thought for a moment and smiled. This could be useful. Very useful indeed.

Solomon would never see this coming.

-Scene Break—

Arturia Pendragon-

He stood on a hill, the green grass torn and reddened with all the blood. He coughed and licked his lips. So thirsty. He wiped the small trail of blood the cough had brought up.

He had always hated battlefields. No matter how well managed too many died. So wasteful. And yet the only alternative was to die under the hands of the invaders. But this….

So many dead. And he knew so many of those fallen. Those who had fallen on both sides, It brought tears to the eyes. But he never cried. It was part of the deal he had made when he withdrew the sword from the stone. He had given over all human emotions to be the King. Given up everything.

All for nothing in the end.

He looked down at the gaping wound in his chest, just beneath the now unbound breasts. Percival knew. How many knew the truth, the real truth of who he. Or rather who she was.

How many had fought against her because of it?

There had to be someone better. She prayed again to the world, for another chance, not for her but for her nation. She had done so before and had received visions. Fever dreams? Or reality. She wasn't quite sure.

She shivered slightly and once more began to dream….

-Scene Break—

Shirou Emiya-

Shirou woke to the feeling of someone very soft lying next to him. He could feel soft silky smooth skin next to his.

Was this some sort of dream?

He looked over to a see a pair of wide red eyes.

Why had he half expected them to be blue? Or purple? He shook his head. He coughed painfully at the movement. He pulled away from the girl. As he pulled the covers away he noticed she was naked.

One of Ilya's maids. Leysritt?

Leysritt looked confusedly at Shirou. "Are we going to have sex now?"

Shriou could only sputter. "What?"

Leysritt turned and grabbed a book. "Well supposedly that is what is supposed to happen. One of the maids helps heal the wounded prince and after he gets better they sleep together."

Shirou was trying to avert his eye from the curves of the maid's body. But he had never seen a real girl naked before and well, he was curious. Still he tried to not look like a pervert at least. "Cover up, woman! Have you no shame?"

Leysritt paused and looked back at him, "Am I supposed to?" She turned another direction across from the bed, "Is that a function you did not implant in me?"

Ilya sat fully dressed in white skirt and purple blouse, "Apparently not." She took a sip of tea. She spoke to the air, "Sella, please attend me. And bring some tea. For three, no make it four. And bring some breakfast I suppose."

Shirou shrieked when he realized Ilya was watching. He slid out of bed, only then realizing that outside of some bandages, he too was naked. "Really, I can explain!"

Ilya drawled out, "Seems like you were trying to abuse my hospitality."

Leysritt began bouncing on the bed. "Oh, oh, page 131. This is where you come across the prince and the maid…. Um, are you really going to kill me now? I really wanted to see the rest of it where you slowly gain his love despite all the trouble you cause him." She looked at Ilya wide eyed.

Leysritt was still very naked but the bouncing drew his eyes. Shirou looked away and then at Ilya guiltily. Ilya just smirked at him. How did he get himself into these messes? This was almost as bad as that spar with Tohsaka last week.

Did they do this deliberately? Or was he simply cursed?

"No, Leysritt. I am not going to kill you for playing with my brother. Besides, I don't know if I can do page 182 without help. And you know Sella."

Leysritt nodded gravely. "Sure. I will help you. But that sounded painful. I am not really even sure how regular sex is done, let alone that."

Shirou couldn't see his clothes anywhere. He took a deep breath. "Trace on." He usually didn't deal in cloth. Mostly metal and other hard substances. But he had needed the occasional cloth towel in his works. So he had learned to summon them. And there was that occasion over at Tohsaka's where his regular clothes had been damaged.

Now he kept a couple changes over at her house, should the unforeseen happen. But at the time he had had the choice of either learning to trace a shirt and pants or learning to wear a skirt and blouse. (She had long disposed of her father's clothing. After reading his journal, and finding out why Sakura had been sent to the Matou, it had all made a merry bonfire he had been forced to attend.)

Ilya turned to look at him and Leysritt stiffened. Ilya raised a hand to calm Leysritt. "What are you doing, brother dear?"

The door opened, "Interesting use of Gradation Air, Mr. Emiya. But it will not be necessary." She through a bundle of clothes at him. "These will be a bit large. They were the previous Emiya's. Your original clothing was too damaged to be useful." She looked over at Leysritt. She lifted the hand that had been holding the clothes for Emiya, made a grabbing motion and tossed the huddled mass of clothes Leysritt had taken off to lay next to Shirou. "Get dressed. This is no time for slacking."

Ilya looked up at Sella. "Where is breakfast?"

"Breakfast will be served in twenty minutes down at the breakfast table." She raised her hand, "I know your orders, Mistress, but I assumed you wished to give Mr. Emiya a few moments to make himself presentable."

Ilya stood and said, "You have no sense of humor do you?"

Sella looked back and said, "You must have been quite cross when you made me. You do remember you are supposed to formally register at the Church. You should have done it already. The War is about to begin. We cannot allow mongrels such as Mr. Emiya to show up the honor and glory due to the Einzbern name."

Ilya suddenly looked tired and defeated. "I suppose. Come on, Leysritt. We need to give Shirou a little bit of space so he will get dressed." She smiled at Shirou, "It appears he is a little shy."

Leysritt, who was now half dressed. "But what about the book?"

Sella waved her hand and the book, and only the book caught on fire.

Leysritt looked mournfully at it. "But I liked that one."

"It was nothing more than a piece of trash."

Ilya put her hands on her hips, "You do realize that book was mine?"

Sella looked at her gravely, "Technically it is your Aunt Cecily's. You stole it and nine others that you hid in your luggage. I do realize that you need some occasional downtime, but what you have done today is going a bit too far. We must keep focused and not let ourselves be distracted. You told me to warn you if you became distracted. Well I am, Mistress. And you are."

Ilya glumly nodded and left. Leysritt shot a guilty glance at Sella. Sella sighed, "After we have eaten breakfast, I will drive you to your home, Mr. Emiya. While I do appreciate you providing some level of amusement to the young Mistress, I cannot say you are a positive influence on her." She bowed slightly, Breakfast will be served in fifteen minutes. Please be prompt." She left closing the door behind her.

Shirou sat there for a moment and got dressed in what looked like a black colored suit. There was even a tie. For just a moment he paused and stared at the tie. His father had worn this. There was a tight feeling in the shoulders as he put on the clothes. For the most part they were loose. His father had been a fairly tall man.

Breakfast was a subdued affair. Ilya picked at her food and Leysritt was nowhere to be seen.

They were just about finished when Ilya sat up straight and stared at him, "Why did you do it? Why did you jump in front of me?"

Shirou frowned, "Why wouldn't I? You were about to get shot. I couldn't let that happen."

Ilya shook her head, "But it doesn't make sense. All through dinner I told you I was going to have to kill you at some point. If you had let them shoot me, I would be dead and you wouldn't have to look over your shoulder all the time." She shrugged, "Not that that would help you any."

"I don't understand. Why are you even asking me this. Of course I would try to protect you. I swore to protect those I love first. You are my father's natural born daughter, you were precious to him. He spent so much time when I was younger trying to get to you. He was simply too weak from the curse."

Ilya was shaking her head.

Shirou continued, "Even after he realized that it was in vain, he still wanted to see you desperately. It took all of Rin's contacts to finally get a few pictures of you out to him. The contact said he had left you a letter, but it must have been found."

Ilya looked down on the table. She said in a quiet voice, "I understand that. If Kiritsugu were here, if he had thrown himself into a bunch of fired bullets, maybe I would understand. But I don't get what you see in me. I am your sister, sure. You stole my father. You say he tried to get to me, that he died wanting to see me. But why do you care?" She looked up at him, coppery eyes filled with unshed tears.

Shirou was still confused. Why was this an issue? He said slowly, "Because you are my sister. I don't know you very well yet, but I do want to. You were precious to my father, and so you are precious to me. And I will do everything in my power to protect you."

Ilya looked away.

Shirou watched in silence as first one tear, followed by others fell to the table unheeded. "Did I say something wrong? Is there anything I can do for you?"

Ilya said softly, "You don't understand anything at all, do you brother?" She stood up and started to walk stiffly from the room. By the time she was half way she was running, and Shirou could hear her sobbing.

Shirou stood up and made to move after her.

Sella interposed herself. "It is time for you to leave. Follow me."

Shirou glanced at where Ilya had ran. Should he follow her? He sighed and turned to follow Sella. He had made the girl cry, even if he wasn't sure why.

Sella led him to a nice foreign car. She got in and waved him to do the same.

Shirou got in the shotgun seat.

Sella glared at him. "You were supposed to get in the back."

"I will if you insist. But I had some questions for you."

Sella just began to drive. Ten minutes later they were still driving in the forest when she asked, "You had questions?"

"Do you know why she was crying this morning?"

"The Mistress is truly right about you being an idiot, Mr. Emiya. Both of you are part of a battle to the death. She WILL have to kill you at some point. She even looked forward to it. It was one of her dreams, to kill the one who had stolen away her father." Sella sighed, "And yet you turned out to be different. Much better had you been hateful or ignorant of her. Then it would be easier for her to do her duty. Now…. You have made it all too confusing." She fussed with the wheel as she drove.

Shirou couldn't understand Sella. Did she truly wish he hadn't saved Ilya? "Do you wish I hadn't saved her then?"

Sella shrugged, "If I knew I could survive a full burst of submachine gun fire, I doubt I would have hesitated." She glanced over at Shirou.

Shirou's face went pale. He HAD done that. Had leapt In front of Ilya without thinking. Knowing for sure that he was going to die….

Sella said, shocked, "You didn't know?"

Shirou coughed painfully, "I had never been shot before." Even now he could remember those lines of fire shooting into him. And then those dreams.

Those dreams of her. He didn't know why he dreamt of her. But in the last year or so it had been her or a sword worked with gold and blue. (Or Rin. Or Sakura. But those dreams didn't count. Those he knew came from his hormones.)

"Then why?"

Shirou shrugged uncomfortably, "She was important to Dad. That makes her important to me." He looked out the window, "All my life I wanted to be a hero. But I swore a solemn oath that I would do what my father did not."

The car was quiet for a few moments and Shirou continued, "I swore I would protect those important to me first. My father had it all. He had a wife he loved. He had a daughter he adored. And he threw it all away. All for a lie." He glared at Sella, "I know you Einzberns burn for the Grail. That your whole existences have been forged for just that one task. But it is cursed."

Sella was quiet for a few moments. When she resumed talking it was in a rage, "You understand nothing. NOTHING." She stopped the car and got out. She stood there in front of the cooling car pacing.

Shirou calmly got out. "What is wrong."

Sella stopped and began muttering to herself. "Yes, arguing with him." She looked at Shirou, "No, he seems sincere. Stupid but sincere." Pause, "Mistress? Is that truly wise?" She closed her eyes, a tear slipping out. "Answer his questions. Te, tell him everything." She was crying now. "Yes Mistress."

Shirou said quietly, "You are talking to Ilya now?"

Sella nodded.

"Can she hear me?"

Sella nodded.

Shirou called out to his sister, for that is what Ilya was. "Ilya. You are not my enemy. Given out circumstances, I am not sure how we can procede, but as I have had your hospitality, I would like you to come to my home on Wednesday. Bring Sella and Leysritt and even your Servant if you wish. There will be at least mine and another's there as well. They are my friends, and will be neutral in that space and time. Please, we need to talk more. And I have much to share with you about Father." He looked down, "I know this is stupid, both of us being in a War and all. But please, say yes."

"I accept."

Sella said quietly, "She is gone." She got back into the car, "Are you coming?"

Shirou got back into the car, "You will answer my questions?"

Sella nodded.

"Then why do you all keep reacting like you don't want to win the war, when it is all the Einzbern's have ever desired."

Sella said quietly, "Because we can't win. You don't know how strong Mistress's Servant is, but likely under normal situations she could easily win the War. Likely all the fighting she will do will be for her entertainment."

"Then why?"

Sella said, "You claim Kiritsugu told you much of the previous war. Did he mention his wife, Irisviel? What her purpose was?"

Shirou could feel his heart suddenly speed up. He was very much afraid he knew now why Ilya was so conflicted. He said softly, "She was the Grail's Core."

Sella nodded and continued to drive. "Ilya is Irisviel's daughter, and will share her fate. Leysritt is linked to her. She is a Sensarium among other things, a living human shaped familiar. It is likely why Ilya let Leysritt play with you. She could feel what her servant did." A slight sorrowful sigh, "She too will die when Ilya does. Leaving me alone."

"I will do what I can to save her."

"How?"

Shirou was silent. "I don't know." He looked over to the side. "Stop here. I have something to show you."

Sella pulled over and parked. Both of them got out of the car.

Shirou forced himself to walk forward, to enter the Memorial Park. He turned back when he heard a gasp. Sella stood at the very edge and was shaking.

She looked at him and said, "What happened here?"

Shirou looked around the desolate park. "This is what you win. This is what the Grail holds. According to my father, the Lesser Grail was producing this, channeling it from the Greater Grail. A thick mud like substance that burned and cursed Mankind. Five hundred people died here. More would have had my father not destroyed the Grail. Had he not commanded Saber to use her weapon and close the connection. Kiritsugu Emiya was a hero that saved mankind, and no one truly knows it."

Sella was quiet, surveying the Park herself.

Shirou finished, "So you can see, there is no victory in this war. Not for anyone." He took a deep breath and began walking.

"Mr. Emiya, where are you going?"

"You know where I live, yes?"

"Yes."

"Then you know it is not too far. I, I need to clear my head. I need to think about things clearly. I will see you all Wednesday."

Sella said, "Very well, Mr. Emiya. I will tell Ilya about the Park. And about her father. Until Wednesday." She turned and went back to the car and drove off.

And Shirou walked home.

-Scene Break—

Luvia Edelfelt

Luvia wrapped her coat tightly about herself. Her hair was floating in the wind that seemed to whip around the top of this particular sky scraper. She looked down. The view was simply spectacular.

Her grand uncle glanced at her before talking to his Servant, "Archer, what do you see?"

The Servant surveyed Fuyuki City. He was dressed in an odd breast plate and helmet, Luvia could not recognize what nation they hailed from. "It is strange Master. You can see how these Wars have impacted the growth of the City. There are still ruins from the Third I believe on the outskirts of Shinto."

Luvia said quietly, "That mansion was once ours."

Archer continued, "It was the Fourth that seems to have impacted it the greatest. The park you showed me yesterday. It is cursed. Even from here you can see it. Very few people go in there and fewer linger." There was a pause, "Hello. There is a girl sleeping amongst the grass in that park. That is not natural. Master, may we intervene?"

Her uncle asked, "Is it tied to our investigation?"

Archer shook his head, "I am not sure. Only that it is wrong for someone to be left there. Perhaps others have not seen her. But I have, and so I ask of you to let me intervene."

"Hmm. Very well. I wanted to get a closer look at that park. Preferably before dark. Come Luvia."

Luvia followed her uncle. She had after all been sent as an observer. She wasn't quite sure whether she regretted it or not. She had met one long lost cousin and it was fascinating being in a completely different culture. But she had not really had much time to conduct experiments or practice magic since she had come here.

Archer disappeared into his spiritual form. "I will travel on ahead."

Luvia could only sigh. She wanted to take part in this ritual. To have for a short time a hero of legend at her command. Watching it was just not the same.

As they were taking the elevator down to the ground floor, her uncle turned to her, "Do you know why I am the one participating in this expedition and not yourself?"

"I presume because of your experience?"

Her uncle laughed, "No, my dear. I am here because I am expendable. None of the elder family had any intention of getting involved in this debacle again. It took some time for me to convince them to allow me to participate."

"Then why are we here? Do you wish something from the Grail?"

He nodded, "More than anything I wish to be reunited with my wife. Fifteen years and I still miss her every moment of every day." He sighed, "But while that intention is likely what drew the Grail's attention, I do not plan on wishing for it. No. I am content with joining her in death." He glared at Luvia, "Tell me dear, you are young but you have conducted experiments, yes?"

Luvia rubbed the arm that held her family Crest, "You know I am a magus, uncle. You know that I have done so both in studies at the Clocktower and for my own personal interest."

"Hmm. Didn't mean to offend you. But I ask you this, when something goes wrong with an experiment, do you conduct it the same way repeatedly hoping it will work? Or do you try to figure out what is going wrong?"

"The latter, of course." Luvia said smoothing the curls of her hair from the damage the wind had done.

"Exactly, my dear. Only this ritual has happened not once or twice being a complete failure, but four times. Each time requiring a more expensive and elaborate cover-up. This war will likely be little different. " He shook his head, "And from what I have learned from the Einzberns, Kiritsugu Emiya had all but won and he destroyed the Grail anyway. He had the opportunity for his heart's desire and yet he turned away."

Luvia frowned, "That doesn't make any sense."

Her uncle smiled, "That is why I am here. I don't care about winning this war. I want to find out what is wrong with it. And that is why you are here. If I fall along the way, you can report my findings to the Association. There may be a way to stop these wars altogether or perhaps channel them differently. I don't know. But something is wrong, and it has cost us some fine magi." He marched off leaving Luvia to follow him.

So she was really just here to observe. He actually expected to die here? She followed the old man past the business sector and into the Park. She shivered as she crossed the line into the park.

Something was wrong here. She could tell her uncle felt it too. He had stiffened and was carrying his cane as if he were ready to hit someone with it. Not surprising as it was one of his Mystic Codes. All of them took the form of common objects people would have no objection to. She was starting to see the advantage of it. Magi did have to travel in public often, so having a Code that one could have ready even when surrounded by the common man was definitely an advantage.

She was wearing some of her own minor codes in her jewelry. But when she was fully geared up, she wore so many jeweled objects there was little chance she could walk down a normal street without drawing attention, let alone a possibility of some fool mugging her.

Of course they would rapidly learn what others had. She was much stronger than she looked.

Walking through this cursed place was difficult. Not in terms of terrain, but at the nagging echoes of the pain and suffering that had occurred here. She concentrated for just a few moments.

Fire. It had been a massive blaze here. And it had been alive. It had chased down all who had lived her and killed them. A massive anti-human cursed fire.

What monster had released this? Some Dead Apostle? Or an even a Dead Apostle Ancestor? Something like this had to have been done by an inhuman agency or massive ritual magic. She could still feel echoes of the souls that had met their end here, still crying out in pain. Still crying for release.

Luvia shut down the spell and shivered. The sooner they could leave the better.

Her uncle was talking softly with his Servant. "So. You were right this place was cursed. Why does she seem so peacefully sleeping in a place like this."

"This place is inscribed in her. It does not hate her as she is no longer fully human. Although whether she has become a Devi or Asura, I do not know. Both good and evil dwell within her." He stared at her for a moment longer, "But good holds the balance for now."

Luvia moved closer. A purple haired girl lay cuddled in what appeared to be dark blankets. Her hair was liberally streaked with white. She took a step closer than her uncle.

"Step back child…"

Luvia looked down at the girl. She had to be roughly her age, maybe a little younger. "She is just a girl." She reached down and touched the blankets, "What is this cloth? I have never felt the like." It wasn't quite black. It did not reflect the sunlight at all, but somehow didn't drink the light wholly. A slight tint of blue or purple to it. Very strange.

Her uncle said firmly, "Step back. She might be very dangerous."

So why did she feel safer closer to the girl than with her uncle.

She activated her mage sight to see if she were under the effects of some spell or effect. And she was. Or rather she was no longer under the effect of one. "The curse is gone."

"Excuse me, girl?"

Luvia said excitedly, "The curse on the park, that heavy feeling. It is gone here. Around the girl."

She heard her uncle mumble something under his breath. "You are right, my dear. But how? And could it be done to the whole of the Park?"

All of them, even Archer, crowded around the girl. Luvia noted that he did not come close to touching her. He seemed highly hesitant regarding her. "Uncle, do you mind if I address your Servant?"

Her uncle shook his head, still lost in thought.

Luvia turned to Archer. "You seem nervous. Why?"

Archer tilted his head slightly, "The girl's nature is dangerous. To you as well as someone such as I. But more so to me and my kind." He shook his head, "How do I explain. She is like an empty chalice that yearns to be filled. Only not by any liquid. By prana perhaps. Something real and yet not tangible. Hence my concern. I am after all constructed of prana."

"So she is not a vampire then."

Her uncle mused, "Not one that we have heard of. But if what he said is true." He turned to Archer, "You compared her to a chalice. Was that deliberate? Or just a turn of phrase?"

Archer looked lost in thought, "I am not sure, Master." He jumped back, "Ware, she awakens."

The girl moaned a little and sat up straight. Her dress was skin tight and made of the same fabric that the blankets had been made of. She quickly glanced and took them all in. "Who are you? Where am I?"

Luvia looked over at her uncle and said to the girl, switching to Japanese, "We mean you no harm. We were worried about you."

The girl took her in and Luvia shivered as the girls eyes flitted between a crimson Red and a light Purple hue. Red eyes were NOT a good sign. Switching to Finnish, a language she was fairly sure that the girl wouldn't know, but that the Servant would. He seemed to understand any language that her uncle knew. "When you were comparing her to a devi or asura, what exactly did you mean."

He shook his head and replied in the same language, "The terms do not quite fit. She is both more and less than human." He paused thinking, "Perhaps in your terms, although it doesn't quite translate, a devi would be a female goddess? Nature spirit? Angel? They naturally have opposition, monsters, demons, or devils. That isn't quite right. We could discuss this later if you wish, although I am a better listener than speaker."

Luvia looked at the strange haired girl, eyes wide.

In Japanese, her uncle said, "That will be enough Archer. We do not wish to frighten our new acquaintance " He turned to face the girl, "My name is Hammond Alexander, this is my niece Luvia Edelfelt, and he is my Servant."

The girl stood up, wrapping her blanket around her. "My name is Sakura Matou." She looked around. She shivered, "So…. Those dreams were real after all." She gasped, "I have some where I need to be! I am so sorry, I can't be late. I promised her!" She began to stumble off.

Archer whispered something to her uncle. He nodded, "My dear, why don't you help Miss Matou to get to her appointment. I will do some experimentation and meet you at the hotel later?"

Luvia could tell a polite dismissal when she heard it, "Yes, sir." And she followed the now running girl.

This was going to be a long day.

-Scene Break—

Shinji Matou-

Shinji stared at the woman's body that lay next to his. She had resisted slightly at first, but he had commanded her to relent. And she had.

She had been the best lay he had ever had. Of course, she was older and a hero. Probably very experienced. Much, much better than Sakura or any of his classmates.

She sighed. "Are we finished here? There are many things we need to do and maintaining a physical body is slowly reducing the amount of prana I have."

Shinji looked at her. She had refused to remove her bandage over her eyes, but somehow she could see. But it was still strange no knowing where her gaze lay. "Surely you enjoyed that at least a little. Your cries were almost as expressive as my sister's"

She rolled out of bed and began to put on her robes, "There is no point in denying my body did feel some measure of pleasure from the deed. The prana you gave me will be useful as well. But it is well that Pallas Athena no longer lives in this age." She snorted with derision, "Not that the myth I am drawn from here is entirely true." She rubbed her head, "Gods I hated her. Even after she exiled us it wasn't enough. She had to send minions to kill us. And when they failed…." She sighed.

"What happened?"

"Maybe if you are good, I will tell you. For now we have business to discuss."

Shinji nodded and got out of bed and dressed himself. His stomach grumbled. Surely Sakura would….

At this point he was more afraid she would kill him than cook him breakfast. He had never seen such hate in her eyes before. Plus she had defied Grandfather, in his hellish basement, and lived.

Maybe, just maybe he should have been nicer to her. He had long known she had magic, but Grandfather had told him of her needs, and he had been happy to provide for her. No matter what she said, no matter her denials. At the end of the day she had come knocking at his door if he left her alone long enough.

Not that he had bothered to do that more than a couple of times. Just to prove his point that she wasn't some innocent party here. She wanted it. She might not want to admit it but she had wanted the sex. Not to mention when he was with her he could pretend that she was her older sister, Rin.

Oh yes, he had long figured out exactly who Sakura's family had once been. Had figure out why too. To steal his spot as heir. All because of her magic.

The Grail would provide him with a true chance. A chance to show them all what his potential should have been. He would need that power to hold off his sister, true. But with it would come other options. Other opportunities.

Like Rin. He was sure that Rin was turning him down because of his lack of circuits. That was why she was hanging out with his former friend, Emiya after all. Teaching him, spending time with him, and more. He was certain of it. There was little doubt she had spread her pretty thighs for Emiya.

Shinji clutched his fist. She would be his. He would claim her. She would spread wide for him and he would ravish her until she could not stand. More, she would like it.

All it would take was power. And the Grail would provide it.

Caster asked him before they left his room, "So we need to discuss what our strategy will be. As useful as last night was, that will not provide me with sufficient prana to be particularly effective."

Shinji walked down the stairs to the living room, "What can you do?" His stomach rumbled. "Can you cook?"

Caster nodded, "I do have some minor skill, albeit not in anything you are familiar with. If you need to eat, I recommend either making something quick so we can discuss our strategy or get something at a nearby restaurant. I recommend the latter. The fewer people able to listen in the better. And this house has ears."

She meant Grandfather. Yes. Perhaps it would be good to not depend on him. This was after all his chance to shine. "Yes, that sounds good."

Caster said, "I will be in spirit form until you find a secluded space. It is day light out so you should be reasonably safe." She faded from view.

Shinji jogged until he got to a fast food restaurant and ordered a large breakfast to go for himself. He looked aside at the Servant. According to what he had read, they didn't need to eat or sleep. But he needed her good will, so he ordered a smaller breakfast in addition to his own. If she didn't want it he could always have both.

It was a Sunday and the school was empty. But he entered through one of the fences anyway. There was a trail that could be found near the back of the school that led into the woods. There was a tiny secluded spot that he had used once or twice for trysts. The stream was soothing and there was just something magical about the area.

How could he know that he was actually right about it. Caster sighed happily as they entered the grove. "A nexus. A small one, but still a nexus." She turned so she faced him, "If it is alright with you, I will make this my territory."

"Your territory?"

She smiled, "It is an area that I control that can help me defend it. Also I can set some mana traps here and that will help my prana situation. This is a good spot." She closed her eyes, "If this area didn't have other better spots, this would make for a good temple ground."

"Um, sure. What exactly can you do anyway? Magic I presume?"

"Yes, although I am far from the best combat mage. Defending and protection is more my forte. I am a fair hand at illusions and transmutation." She sighed, "I will never be the type to face my enemies directly, not unless I must. My strength will lie in maneuvering a situation that I can take advantage of. And for that I need prana."

"You said this area will help you with that." Shinji waved his arms at the area. One that he could already feel twisting slightly. Changing. Was that a statue over there? A Greek column?

Wait…. Where had that temple come from?

Caster looked fondly on it. "it will take a few days to finish its formation, but it will do. As for prana, yes, this area will help. But it will not help me quickly. In a week or so I will be quite powerful, strong enough to face one of the Knight classes, perhaps. But that is a long time to be passive."

"Okay. So how?"

And Caster gave him some options.

Shinji could only smile. This would be more fun than he thought.

-Scene Break—

-Rin Tohsaka—

Rin stood at her parents grave and set a bunch of flowers on her mother's grave. She used to set more on her father's grave, but the last few years she could only bring herself to set a single flower on his grave.

She still loved him, but she was not sure she could ever forgive him about Sakura.

She could feel the comforting feel of her Servant at her back. That was all she had now.

Kiritsugu was dead. Shirou was missing. Even her sister had not responded when she had called or even pounded on her door.

Today was supposed to be the first day they had come here as family. The first day Rin was no longer alone.

Well, she had always had Shirou, but now even that was gone.

Maybe it was for the best. She could focus on the War now. On winning it for the Tohsaka name.

Only it felt so cold. And pointless. What good was winning if she couldn't share it with anyone? She sighed. And well, it was okay to cry, she supposed. You were supposed to cry over your parents graves, weren't you?

The fact that the rest of her life seemed barren, well no on needed to know that.

Which is what she felt like when she heard a cry of, "Sister!" come from behind her.

She turned, and it was Sakura. Only this Sakura was a little different from the one she had last seen. First, her hair had changed. Before there had been only a few locks that had turned to snow. Now it looked close to a third. Second, her clothing. Gone was the chaste but elegant skirt and blouse. Instead it was a skin tight shirt over a light seeming skirt, both dark black. Or maybe a really deep purple. And behind her draped a long blanket, she had held about her that fluttered in the wind of her running.

She took the sight in of the panting girl, "Sakura?"

A blonde girl followed behind, "Are we done? Please tell me we are done."

"Luvia? What are you doing here."

Sakura just panted and looked up at RIn, "Sorry, it was a long night. I took a walk and I got lost."

Rin just stared at her sister, "You got lost? Um, where did you get those clothes?"

Sakura looked down and muttered something.

Rin looked over at Luvia, "Did you do something to her? She is my sister, so help me God, I will bring down hell upon you if you have hurt her…."

Luvia was still panting, but raised one hand. "We. Found her. In the Memorial Park." She looked at Sakura again. "Sisters?"

Rin looked back at Sakura, "You slept in the Park?" She shivered. "That place is."

Luvia also shivered, "Haunted."

Rin nodded.

Sakura looked down. "I got in a fight with Grandfather and Shinji." She suddenly stiffened and her back straightened, "I am not going to put up with it any longer. If he wants me as his heir, he will have to treat me as his heir. As for Shinji…." Sakura laughed and looked up at Rin.

Was it Rin's imagination or were her eyes red? And that laugh. She had never heard Sakura laugh like that before. Something had happened last night. She looked at Luvia, who merely shrugged.

Luvia was also glancing between the two of them.

Rin sighed. How long was it before the whole world knew what her father had done? "Sakura, I don't know if she has given you her name, but this girl is Luvia Edelfeld. Our second cousin."

Sakura startled, and then looked over. "She's, she's family? I thought most of them were dead."

Rin adopted a lecturing pose, "Well you know that one of grandparents was European and…."

Sakura shot her a flat glance. Rin was happy her eyes were her normal color. Or perhaps a shade darker. Sakura said, "I was four when I was adopted. Learning the family tree wasn't high on my priorities back then." Rin looked down.

Luvia looked confused, "Why was she adopted? Did she not have any magical potential?"

Sakura let out a bitter laugh.

Rin sighed, "No. The opposite. She is my equal in many ways. In power anyway. But I am an average one and she has an odd elemental affinity."

Sakura said nothing.

Luvia said quietly, "Our family, the Edelfelt have a sorcery trait that allows two daughters to share a crest and a legacy. That is why your Grandmother was able to pass on some of her knowledge to you." She snorted, "My family always assumed you had stolen it from her, but they didn't realize that your grandfather must have stolen her heart first."

Rin said, "Hmm." She looked at Sakura and moved to hold her.

Sakura was stiff at first. She said, "If only we had been so lucky, eh, Rin?"

Rin pulled her close. What would her life have been like without those missed years? She felt Sakura's arms hold her tightly too.

Better. They would have been better.

She heard a loud grumbling.

Sakura pulled away, "Um, sorry. I didn't eat last night and well, I guess it has finally caught up with me." Her eyes tightened, "Did you ever hear back from Shirou?"

Rin shook her head. Rin heard her own stomach grumble. She sighed and looked down at her stomach, "I guess we both have gotten so used to him cooking breakfast for us, hey, Sakura."

Sakura reached out, "I will help you find him."

Rin nodded, "Let's get some food and head back to Emiya's. Taiga will probably be starving to death and who knows, she might have some information for us."

Sakura followed, "You know as much as I like her, Taiga is, well…"

"Remember her father. He is looking after Emiya too." Rin looked one last time at the graves behind her. She hadn't spent as much time here as she usually did, but she had a lot on her plate at the moment.

Sakura turned and went back. "Sorry. It has been a long time. But I will be back. With flowers next time!" She caught up with Rin, "Hey, Rin. I know you still sort of follow the Church, but well… Do you have anything of theirs I can make a little shrine out of?"

Rin nodded and looked at Luvia. "Thanks. But…"

Luvia raised a hand, "Do you mind if I spend some time with you? I don't really have much to do back in our hotel. They are still fixing up the place we will be staying in, so I can't really do any experiments."

Rin said, "You do realize I am a Master in this War. And that your uncle is an opponent of mine."

Luvia said, "Yes, but you agreed that I was a neutral party. Unless you blurt out plans on how you plan on killing my uncle, I will share nothing with anyone. On my honor as a magus."

Rin looked at Sakura. Sakura merely shrugged. Rin sighed and said, "Fine. We grab some breakfast and head to Emiya's."

"Hey, he is that hot guy you had at your house, isn't he Tohsaka?"

Rin glared at the girl, "Sorry, he is taken."

Sakura said at the same time, "He is spoken for."

Luvia giggled.

Sakura and RIn shared glares, before turning away.

Luvia just raised a hand and said, "Understood. One of you would be bad enough. No poaching on foreign territory."

Rin smiled.

Sakura had a soft grin.

Both of them looked at the other and glared. For a second.

Rin said, "Right, off to breakfast."

It took longer than planned, as these things often do. As it happened they ended up grabbing more of a brunch than a breakfast and taking it to the Emiya estate to eat.

Only the estate wasn't quiet.

Thock. Thock. Thock.

Shirou had returned.

Rin raced to see him, quickly unlocking the door with her key and setting down the bags she was carrying. Sakura followed her. Luvia followed her, perhaps a bit confused.

Rin didn't care. She rushed to see the man she had been all too afraid had died on her. She paused and watched as Shirou calmly created arrows and shot them at the targets that had been set up.

Sakura and Rin were used to his speed and accuracy. Not so Luvia. She gasped as she watched him shoot.

Rin calmly walked over to him. She could feel Sakura follow a few steps behind. That was fine. "Shirou?" She started quietly.

Shirou put down the bow. "Oh, hey, Rin. I am glad…"

That was as far as she let him talk. Her hand was already moving. She knew how fast he could move, and yet she assumed he would just take it. CRACK! "How could you do this to me! I thought you were gone, dead. Do you understand me Shirou, I thought that I would be going to the morgue at some point and confirming your dead body. And here you are alive and well. Did you try to call me and let me know everything was okay? No. And last night we were supposed to summon our Servants. Mine first, did you show up? No. Did you tell anyone where you were? No."

"Rin, I…."

"NO! Just no, you do not get to speak yet. You will listen to me. Don't you realize just how important you are to me? Do you really think you could just go off and die and that I would forgive you?"

"RIn, I am sorry, but…."

She was tempted to hit him again. But she couldn't. She just couldn't. So she did the next best thing.

She kissed him. Again there was a moment's hesitation before he truly gave into the moment. But she enjoyed melting into his arms. When she broke away, it was a happy but confused Shirou that looked back at her. Rin simply said, "Don't do it again okay. I mean, it isn't like I would miss you. But I would really hate not having you around."

Sakura said softly, "We are glad you are in good health. What happened back there, Sempai?"

Shirou backed away from Rin.

Rin couldn't help a little whine escape at the loss of his warmth. Shirou just looked at her strangely and turned to face the others. His face turning crimson when he realized they were not alone.

"Uh Sakura, and Miss Edelfelt. Sorry. Welcome to my humble home."

Luvia said, "A pleasure. We brought lunch. The other two told me you were missing, maybe you can fill us in on some of the details?"

Shirou looked grim for a moment. And then a wave of anger rolled across his face. Rin had never seen him so enraged. "I met Ilya last night."

Rin said, "Ilya as in Kiritsugu's Ilya?"

Shirou only nodded and picked up the bow again. "That is why when I came home I needed some practice to clear my head. What I learned there…."

Sakura put a hand on his shoulder, and Rin winced at the look of thanks Shirou shot Sakura back. That wasn't fair. This was supposed to be her moment!

Shirou turned to Rin and said, "When we are done here. When we have finished this war and we have taken care of all we need to here in Fuyuki. I need to pay a visit to the Einzbern and let them know that what they have done is inexcusable."

Rin only said, "Shirou."

Shirou turned and said, "Trace on!" He pulled back the bow and an arrow appeared, already knocked. "They have altered her. Altered Ilya. Made her like her mother. Heh, for all I know, she had been like that from the beginning." He stood there, bow string taunt, but not releasing. "And she is a Master. Every Servant that falls will bring her closer to death. And I have no doubt they gave her a Servant capable of the task. Last time it was Arturia after all. Hard to beat the King of Knights."

Luvia was just watching, obviously interested in everything that was being said.

Rin simply said, "We will find a way. We will save her. The first part is taken care of. She is out of that damn castle. It will be hard, but if there is a path, between the two of us, we will find a way."

Shirou just nodded and the pain and anger faded from his face. Like always when he held a bow he calmed. His voice was serene as he said, "You are right, Rin. The time to wait, to take the passive route is done. We will find a way. And the guilty parties will pay."

He released the arrow.

Rin knew it would hit its target. With Shirou it always did. And she was right. It hit the bullseye.

She did not expect what came next. The entire target exploded. She looked at Shirou in shock.

He stared at her fiercely, "The kid gloves come off. We will face our enemies head on. And we will WIN!" He smiled at her, "Let's go have lunch."

-Scene Break—

Arturia Pendragon-

Again Arturia felt the rush of power as her soul was removed from her body and traveled deep into time. She recognized the feel.

It was the Holy Grail from Fuyuki. Another chance to take what she had once earned already. Another difficult fight to gain her wish and the salvation of her people. Not salvation for her, no, she had sworn to serve the world if it could provide her the opportunity to find a better King to remove that sword from the stone. A chance to keep her kingdom from falling to the ruin it was in after her reign.

She felt once more as a body was made and transported to where a magus was chanting. As she approached, as the knowledge of the current age was added to her memories, she felt a familiar tug.

Avalon.

Whoever had summoned her had Avalon. And it was a scant ten years since her last time here. If it was Kiritsugu she would slay him out of hand. To deny her when she had been so close, when she had seen the Grail in front of her.

She wasn't sure what she would do if it were Ilya.

And there was something different about this body. It felt different. As she materialized she realized her armor was gone. She was no longer dressed in her usual blue and silver.

She was dressed in black. In a hated black suit.

And she was not Saber. She could still feel Excalibur, still wrapped in its protective wind barrier. She gritted her teeth as more information passed into her.

Rider. She had been summoned as Rider.

All of the other spirits came from either the Throne of Heroes or from the ranks of Alaya's guardians. She had been a special case. She alone of them was still alive. Her nature still malleable.

And she had ridden down the previous Rider in a race. Ridden him down and defeated him. That epic feat had been engraved on her record.

She glared at the man who had summoned her. No, closer to a boy, really. Red haired with solid brown eyes. The eyes of an honest man. She could feel herself calm inside.

Not that one not very familiar with her micro expressions would notice any change at all. She said sternly, "I am Rider. I ask of you, are you my Master?"

-End Part—

Author's notes-

Well and here we go again. Hope you folks enjoy. All the Servants are summoned. Let the fun commence.

Servant Assassin- Medea of Colchis, the Witch of Betrayal

Master- Amelia Abernathy

Strength- D

Agility- B

Endurance- D

Magic- A

Luck-C

NP- ?

Skills- Presence Concealment –C, but Augmented by magical Invisibility makes her very hard to detect. She is detectable if she attacks or does anything to draw attention to herself.

Divine Language- C – Not as fast as it would be if she was Caster, but she still knows the language and is still an effective user of magic.

Alchemy- A (Not every assassin is a knife in the dark. Some prefer to use poison or drugs. Look up the legends, Medea was good at this.)

Magic- A (And she is still a top notch magic user. But without territory creation, she will never have enough mana stored for bombing runs….)

Others to be revealed

Noble Phantasm- Ring of Gyges (passive) C Your standard ring of invisibilty.

Others to be revealed

Servant Rider- Arturia Pendragon

Master- Shirou Emiya

Strength- B

Agility- A

Endurance- C (No armor)

Mana-A

Luck-A

NP- C/A+

Skills- Riding A In theory she could ride anything. In practice most of the monstrous animals were dead by the time of her birth and she had little skill riding them. Anything born or made after her birth is dramatically increased in capability under her hands.

Magical Resistance- A (She is King Arthur. Enough said)

Personal Skills- Mana Burst- A

Intuition- A

Charisma- B

We are all familiar with her Noble Phantasms right?

If anyone has any questions or comments please let me know. I really appreciate the feedback and hope you all enjoy reading this story. Until next time.